Painting on the Pond

The Painting on the Pond #1

by Sharon Lewis Koho

An intriguing plot meshes the past and present into a story that takes David Young down a path he never imagined in this crisp, clean mystery novel. City-born artist David Young has traveled a difficult journey during his twenty-seven years. It has finally taken him to a spectacular valley in the Pacific Northwest. Settled in a comfortable cabin he is free at last to explore, paint, and create the future of his dreams. However, a mysterious woman's disappearance, a haunting legend, and unsettling dreams unnerve David, threatening his hopes and plunging him into the most formidable struggle of his life. While he is engulfed in mystery, adventure, and romance, an unseen hand draws him to his destiny, and into the rugged wilderness of Alaska.

Prequel to TO WALK IN HIS MOCCASINS

"In her debut novel, Sharon Koho plunges with passion into what seems at first a heartthrob romance....The notion does not last long. As ripples on the pond distort reality, Sharon reshapes our perceptions of classic romance and bids us enter a mysterious matrix of ghosts, gold, and a gust of gothic. It's a trip worth taking." --Kieth Merrill, filmmaker

"Koho's masterfully superintended work presents engaging, vivid glimpses into what is and what might have been or could be. Filled with enough artifice, intrigue, and wonderment to keep the reader engaged." --Molly Martin, Molly Martin's Reviews

"Written from a pure heart, this book is like a breath of fresh air." --Betty P. Turner, M.S., Ed. D.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Adult, Mystery

Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Sharon Lewis Koho grew up on a small ranch near the town of Inkom, Idaho. Her beloved father died when she was five years old, and she and her siblings were reared in humble circumstances by a hard-working and courageous mother. In her youth, Sharon discovered she could create any world she wanted to visit, or any story she wanted to be a part of by climbing high in the trees bordering her cherished ranch. Daydreaming there amid songs of birds, rustling leaves and the babbling of the nearby creek, inspired many wonderful stories. Sharon married Bill Koho from Nampa, Idaho in 1967, and they were married thirty years until his death in 1997. She is the proud mother of six children. Although she is a Licensed Practical Nurse by profession, she has had much more experience in creating and telling stories. Her favorite thing to do is to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoys visiting, traveling, camping, reading, writing, swimming, and any adventurous idea that pops into her head.

Reviews

[Berdean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about a young artist who moves to beautiful mountain area to paint. His buddy who he has grown up with, sells his paintings. The ghost story of Marnae enters into story, a young woman dressed in white, whose father wouldn't let her marry her stable hand boyfriend, appears to David in pond image. David has bad accident falling off horse during a storm, gets saved by young gal also riding a horse coming from other direction. She saves his life. The end of the story is amazing discovering who this girls, and her ghost really are.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Artist David Young has recently moved to the Slater Valley area (Pacific NW). He's painting and his best friend owns the art gallery in town that sells his work. When David sees a girl near his ranch, then disappears, weird things start to happen. The he hears the legend of Marnie Slater who died when her intended didn't return for the AK gold rush. The girl turns out to be a descendent and duplicate - Kimberly Slater.

When David is badly insured in a horse fall, Kim tends him and gets him to the hospital where the two fall in love. On their honeymoon to AK weird things start to happen and they hunt down Nathan Demeron - trapped in a gold mine and discover the truth about Marnie and Nathan.

Not LDS, but with definite religious overtones. A little far fetched but interesting.

[Angel Shears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not sure what to expect from this book it was a very good book and I enjoyed the story. It is a mystery, love story and adventure in one. I was lucky enough to meet the author and get both this book and the second one. Can't wait to start on it.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a total cheesy romance novel, but very clean Lds based book.

[Mo Havas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Story was good but writing was not deep enough for me

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit trying in the beginning to stay interested as the story was rather slow moving. However I am glad that I pressed forward as the story did pick up speed and became interseting.

The young man David is a painter and his friend Jerry has an art gallery where the paintings done by David are sold. They are best friends and consider each other brothers as they have been childhood friends that have been through a lot together.

David is painting one morning when he has the feeling of being watched and when he sees a young woman staring at him and takes off when she is noticed he chases after her. This young woman somehow vanishes into thin air, and he seems to see her a few more times. He begins to feel unsure of himself that he's seen someone or if he is just seeing things. He reluctantly tells his friend Jerry that urges him to just relax and take it easy as he feels David is working too hard.

There is also a great mystery tied in, and I won't go any further so as to not spoil anything for those that have not read the book.

Behind the ghosts that he sees, and the adventure that he has there is also a wonderful and charming love story. The romance between him and the woman is sweet and more realistic than most cheesy romance novels you would read. There is no smutty details of what goes on in the bedroom so to speak. Being that this is written by and for Christians I am not surprised, and feel this is a really charming love story that blossoms. Something you could easily hand to your teenage daughter without worry.

The descriptions of the lovely places in which David paints, lives and visits sound just wonderful. One can almost imagine being there and seeing these lovely sights! Truly a must read!

[X · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty bad book even by LDS literature standards. :/ the first few chapters read like a Goosebumps book. Then the entire plot is carried on characters having feelings or strange visions. I realize these things happen but in this book it was just a deus ex machina to make things happen without having to build up to it or justify it. Even the romance hinged on "feeling like the other was sent from God" which, again, is a thing that happens in real life - but that doesn't make it an interesting story. but I guess if you're the kind of person with absolutely no personality, counting on being sent a spouse from God is ones best dating strategy. And the dialogue was just painful. Two stars because the plot could've had something going for it if you stripped away literally every other aspect of the book.

[Heather Malloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by this authour which I took a chance on since she was at the store signing them. I am not sure if To walk in his moccasins is the second of a series but she did say to read Painting on the Pond first. I believe the stories are linked. I enjoyed Painting on the Pond but it took me awhile to get into the story. I do plan on reading the second book just because I am curious to see if she continues the story.

[Yvonne Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! Romance, family secrets, ghosts, mystery, all in a beautiful natural setting. Also Christian and clean. We met this author in Barnes and Noble Valentine's weekend. I admired her for being so brave and approaching everyone, not hiding at her table. She was very likable and fun. Now to read book 2!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow starting out but I am glad I kept reading. It was a good story, and there were lots of emotions involved. It was neat to learn about David and Jerry's relationship but at times it was annoying that you had all these stories of them growing up and what not. But I did enjoy the book very much.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I found this book but had to buy it used as it must be out of print. How surprised I was by how well written, interesting, intriguing, and full of wisdom it was. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun read, sometimes predictible, but always moving and interesting.

[Susan]

I had to quit reading this book, contrary to my usual commitment to always finishing a book I start. It was corny and cheesy and had a religious undertone that I didn't care for. So I won't finish this book.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this author so it was a unique experience for me to read her book. I was very impressed. The plot has some unexpected twists and turns, and I was glued to it until I finished it at 2 this morning.

[Laurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband got me this book for Mother's Day, I thought it was really sweet that he would go and ask someone what a good book would be for a gift! What a sweetheart, and I enjoyed it, it's an easy read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book of my Mom's that was a gift from my brother Steven. I really had a hard time getting into it, but it was alright once I did. It was a bit predictable once I did read it but good all the same. Sort of typical LDS fiction, all the lovey dovey stuff.

[Capu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhhhh. This book is not fun. Its an uneasy read if that makes sense.....its like im reading a draft of something, but not an actual published book.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

another quick read just for fun

[Karijean31 · Rating 3 out of 5]

unrealistic but entertaining

[Dani Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith, the supernatural and romance thrown in! Lot's of challenges but all is well in the end.(This was an autographed copy-extra fun to read a book the author actually held in her very own hands!)

[Tiffany Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the characters and it has a nice journey

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another three and a half star book. Sweet and clean book with likeable characters, but a tad bit on the cheesy side. Quick Read!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line, not really into the way she writes

[Adam Gott · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife and I read this for a book club. It's not anything that I would have ever chosen for myself and I can't say that I really enjoyed the shallow relationships and weak plot.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was okay. Ish.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pleasant novel combines romance with ghosts, history and mystery. Not bad for a first book.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer)]

I only was able to read about 45% of this book. It just wasn't for me. Others may like it.