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Playing House
"Masters only did two seascapes before his hand was crushed."
David and Emma Thomas have reached the end of the road. Only one thing is preventing them from parting ways: a painting they bought on honeymoon. Priceless to both of them, the only solution seems to be to find the second of the elusive Masters' seascapes and each carry away a piece of the past.
Will an impromptu road trip set them free once and for all?
David and Emma Thomas have reached the end of the road. Only one thing is preventing them from parting ways: a painting they bought on honeymoon. Priceless to both of them, the only solution seems to be to find the second of the elusive Masters' seascapes and each carry away a piece of the past.
Will an impromptu road trip set them free once and for all?
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2015
108 people want to read
About the author
Donna Brown
7 books108 followersDonna is a longtime book lover and sometime book reviewer and has devoured books from an early age. She writes short (or long) stories and poetry as and when inspiration hits. She was co-contributor to David Brown's books, Man vs Cat and The Bleaklisted Books. She is also the author of Losing Heart, Playing House and Double-take Tales
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 30, 2015
This is a really lovely and enjoyable read. It's a short read. I could easily have sat and read more as I really enjoyed this authors writing. The author portrayed the characters as real and I really liked them. The storyline is really lovely but this is one of them books where I can't say much without spoiling it so I'm not saying anything:)
After reading this little gem I had to go see what other books this author wrote as I really liked her writing.
After reading this little gem I had to go see what other books this author wrote as I really liked her writing.
January 24, 2015
Overall Rating **** ½ Stars
This was a quick novella, I really wished it was long to get more of Emma’s and David’s story. I would have like to know how they started their relationship. I thought the storyline was intriguing and interesting! They what a painting, but will they be able to get it? Will they get back together? You will have to read the book. I hope there is a part II to this book because I would love to read more. Great job!
January 30, 2015
**4.5 BARS**
Where do I start with this book? It was a quick read, and has left me in a slight book coma since finishing it. We start with David and Emma trying to come to terms with who gets the last piece in their devastating marriage - a Masters Seascape. When they find out there is another Seascape painted by Masters before his hand was smashed, they set out on a journey to bring it home resulting in them both having a piece of what was once a happy marriage.
When they encounter personal problems, marital memories, and a slight chance of resurrecting their marriage, it is then that David, and Emma realize they could be making the biggest mistake of their life. Their interaction during this time of finding the Seascape they want to bring home there is a lot of feelings that are brought up, and discussed that only seem to make it harder on both David, and Emma. Where did they go wrong? What happened that made them resent each other this much?
When you find out what the downfall of their marriage was, you will feel their pain, and resentment that eventually pulls them apart from one another. Emma feels there is no going back to what once was, while David feels that there is a possibility of them getting back together, and where they once had been. Can a drive to the long awaited Masters Seascape save them? Will it only cause more animosity between them? Or are they doing the right thing by ending their marriage with this final road trip?
I love that Donna Brown made the journey to the Seascape masterpiece a journey to both David, and Emma finding themselves, and each other. I would completely rate this book a strong 5 Bars had there been more to the book. I felt like this was more of a novella than anything, but there were still a few questions I had once the book had finished. There are so many feelings in this book that it is a hard book to put down once you start reading it.
There were also many obstacles David, and Emma had to get around throughout the book. I liked that while there was a main problem between David, and Emma there was also problems between them, and the other characters. Playing House is a well-written, fun, emotional read that will have you asking for more when you end the journey with David, and Emma.
Thank you, Donna Brown, for allowing me to review Playing House!
Where do I start with this book? It was a quick read, and has left me in a slight book coma since finishing it. We start with David and Emma trying to come to terms with who gets the last piece in their devastating marriage - a Masters Seascape. When they find out there is another Seascape painted by Masters before his hand was smashed, they set out on a journey to bring it home resulting in them both having a piece of what was once a happy marriage.
When they encounter personal problems, marital memories, and a slight chance of resurrecting their marriage, it is then that David, and Emma realize they could be making the biggest mistake of their life. Their interaction during this time of finding the Seascape they want to bring home there is a lot of feelings that are brought up, and discussed that only seem to make it harder on both David, and Emma. Where did they go wrong? What happened that made them resent each other this much?
When you find out what the downfall of their marriage was, you will feel their pain, and resentment that eventually pulls them apart from one another. Emma feels there is no going back to what once was, while David feels that there is a possibility of them getting back together, and where they once had been. Can a drive to the long awaited Masters Seascape save them? Will it only cause more animosity between them? Or are they doing the right thing by ending their marriage with this final road trip?
I love that Donna Brown made the journey to the Seascape masterpiece a journey to both David, and Emma finding themselves, and each other. I would completely rate this book a strong 5 Bars had there been more to the book. I felt like this was more of a novella than anything, but there were still a few questions I had once the book had finished. There are so many feelings in this book that it is a hard book to put down once you start reading it.
There were also many obstacles David, and Emma had to get around throughout the book. I liked that while there was a main problem between David, and Emma there was also problems between them, and the other characters. Playing House is a well-written, fun, emotional read that will have you asking for more when you end the journey with David, and Emma.
Thank you, Donna Brown, for allowing me to review Playing House!
February 19, 2015
I can be a bit of a Goldilocks when faced with a new romance novel.
I held this new book in my hand hoping it would strike just the right balance…
That it would be a love story that wasn’t too sappy, but yet not too uptight.
I wished for romantic interludes that kept the bodice ripping to a minimum, but not so much as to be puritanical.
I looked at the cute cover hoping the plot would be realistic, but not to the point of boredom.
I wanted to fall in love with the characters, yet hoped those characters would have plenty of annoying, humanizing faults.
I longed for those characters to grow through painful experiences, but not so much trauma that it becomes hard to read.
And finally, I hoped that this book would know its own length. A story should never stretch itself too long or cut things off short.
Would I recommend it? Yes. This sweetly painful, refreshingly real, novella was, decidedly, just right!
This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.
I held this new book in my hand hoping it would strike just the right balance…
That it would be a love story that wasn’t too sappy, but yet not too uptight.
I wished for romantic interludes that kept the bodice ripping to a minimum, but not so much as to be puritanical.
I looked at the cute cover hoping the plot would be realistic, but not to the point of boredom.
I wanted to fall in love with the characters, yet hoped those characters would have plenty of annoying, humanizing faults.
I longed for those characters to grow through painful experiences, but not so much trauma that it becomes hard to read.
And finally, I hoped that this book would know its own length. A story should never stretch itself too long or cut things off short.
Would I recommend it? Yes. This sweetly painful, refreshingly real, novella was, decidedly, just right!
This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.
April 6, 2015
ARC dari netgalley
suka ama tema yang diusung buku ini, mengenai kesempata kedua.
David dan Emma sedang mengurus perceraian mereka. mereka sepakat dengan pembagian harta gono gini kecuali sebuah lukisan yang mereka beli saat bulan madu dulu, yaitu sebuah lukisan landscape yang dibuat oleh Masters. sepanjang sejarah melukisnya Masters hanya membuat dua buah lukisan landscape, satu yang dimiliki david dan emma dan satu lagi sedang dilelang oleh pemiliknya.
untuk bisa mendapatkan lukisan yang satu lagi David dan Emma melakukan perjalan bersama untuk mendapatkannya. diperjalanan ini mereka kemudian menghadapi kembali masalah yang menyebabkan Emma memutuskan menggugat cerai David.
seandainya buku ini dibuat lebih panjang, bukan hanya sekedar novella saya mungkin akan memberikan bintang empat kepada buku ini. banyak hal yang masih bisa digali, terutama masalah yang mengenai saudara tiri Emma dan rasa bersalah yang melanda David saat Emma kehilangan bayi dalam kandungannya.
suka ama tema yang diusung buku ini, mengenai kesempata kedua.
David dan Emma sedang mengurus perceraian mereka. mereka sepakat dengan pembagian harta gono gini kecuali sebuah lukisan yang mereka beli saat bulan madu dulu, yaitu sebuah lukisan landscape yang dibuat oleh Masters. sepanjang sejarah melukisnya Masters hanya membuat dua buah lukisan landscape, satu yang dimiliki david dan emma dan satu lagi sedang dilelang oleh pemiliknya.
untuk bisa mendapatkan lukisan yang satu lagi David dan Emma melakukan perjalan bersama untuk mendapatkannya. diperjalanan ini mereka kemudian menghadapi kembali masalah yang menyebabkan Emma memutuskan menggugat cerai David.
seandainya buku ini dibuat lebih panjang, bukan hanya sekedar novella saya mungkin akan memberikan bintang empat kepada buku ini. banyak hal yang masih bisa digali, terutama masalah yang mengenai saudara tiri Emma dan rasa bersalah yang melanda David saat Emma kehilangan bayi dalam kandungannya.
March 15, 2015
Playing House by Donna Brown, this is the third book I have read from this author and I love it, I love her style. Her books are so awesome and fun to read.
This story starts out with David and Emma Thomas, they are parting ways,a divorce, they had been together for a long time and had history.
during the proceedings of dividing their things, they come to their favorite painting, when they found out there was only two painting made by the Master, who created their favorite painting. They found out that there is an auction for the second painting. They decided to go to the auction to buy the painting. This short story was written well and read fast, I very much enjoy Donna Brown's style of writing and this book was a great adventure and love story.
I cant wait to read more from Donna Brown.
This story starts out with David and Emma Thomas, they are parting ways,a divorce, they had been together for a long time and had history.
during the proceedings of dividing their things, they come to their favorite painting, when they found out there was only two painting made by the Master, who created their favorite painting. They found out that there is an auction for the second painting. They decided to go to the auction to buy the painting. This short story was written well and read fast, I very much enjoy Donna Brown's style of writing and this book was a great adventure and love story.
I cant wait to read more from Donna Brown.
April 20, 2015
This story was so sad and sweet at the same time, David and Emma Thomas are on the brink of divorce; following a tragedy that really tested them.
Upon deciding the distribution of assets, they decide that to make things even they need to purchase the second painting by a very famous painter and they can each walk away with one.
During their journey they finally begin to open up to each other and speak about their traumas regarding this tragedy. A couple of unsavory characters further aid in bringing these two closer together and helps them save their marriage.
The story is short, but it's very emotional and sweet. I loved the way the couple comes back to each other and that they get their happy ending.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
Upon deciding the distribution of assets, they decide that to make things even they need to purchase the second painting by a very famous painter and they can each walk away with one.
During their journey they finally begin to open up to each other and speak about their traumas regarding this tragedy. A couple of unsavory characters further aid in bringing these two closer together and helps them save their marriage.
The story is short, but it's very emotional and sweet. I loved the way the couple comes back to each other and that they get their happy ending.
Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book
March 4, 2015
Emma and David are in the mist of a divorce. the only thing they haven't been able to agree on is a painting that they bought on their honeymoon. Discovering that the artist only did one other painting like theirs. David talks Emma into going with him to the auction to get the second painting so they can each have one. This sets off a series of events that make a turning point in their lives.
Wonderful story of two people who lost their way in the marriage. Both afraid to speak up and confront the problems. Ok maybe it was more David but it takes two. The characters were relastic and I enjoyed they connection between them. Wish the story could have been a bit longer.
Wonderful story of two people who lost their way in the marriage. Both afraid to speak up and confront the problems. Ok maybe it was more David but it takes two. The characters were relastic and I enjoyed they connection between them. Wish the story could have been a bit longer.
March 26, 2015
This is a super quick read took me 40 minutes
to read. It was A REALLY GOOD short story, yes could have been padded out into a story but it didn't need that it stands well on its own. lovely written little short perfect with a coffee for when you don't have time but fancy a quick read.
David and Emma are going through a divorce and the only item they can't agree on who should have is the painting. A secretary gives David an idea and he runs with it determined to get Emma back but fait steps in and Emma's brother causes more issues and the police get involved. David ends up in hospital and
it doesn't look like our couple can get back on the right track.
to read. It was A REALLY GOOD short story, yes could have been padded out into a story but it didn't need that it stands well on its own. lovely written little short perfect with a coffee for when you don't have time but fancy a quick read.
David and Emma are going through a divorce and the only item they can't agree on who should have is the painting. A secretary gives David an idea and he runs with it determined to get Emma back but fait steps in and Emma's brother causes more issues and the police get involved. David ends up in hospital and
it doesn't look like our couple can get back on the right track.
April 3, 2015
I like Donna Brown's writing. This is the second of her books that I've read, and I enjoyed both of them. I think she has good insight into the characters' motivations and hangups, and she makes them seem very sympathetic even though they're flawed people. I can't stand perfect characters. They're boring, but Brown's hero and heroine have their issues.
I expected a road trip to bring them back together, but I had no idea of the suspense that's woven into the story. The road trip may have gotten them together, but there are other more malignant forces at work in their lives.
And the ending... It was very satisfying.
I'd give her 5 stars for this one, and I do recommend it to you.
I expected a road trip to bring them back together, but I had no idea of the suspense that's woven into the story. The road trip may have gotten them together, but there are other more malignant forces at work in their lives.
And the ending... It was very satisfying.
I'd give her 5 stars for this one, and I do recommend it to you.
February 5, 2015
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review:
An absolutely beautiful story of love, loss, and loving through loss. Typically I don't read short reads because I don't feel like they have the proper arc of a longer story- but Donna Brown's story unfolds beautifully, the pacing, dramatic tension, and arc of the story progressing as seamlessly as a longer novel would.
An absolutely beautiful story of love, loss, and loving through loss. Typically I don't read short reads because I don't feel like they have the proper arc of a longer story- but Donna Brown's story unfolds beautifully, the pacing, dramatic tension, and arc of the story progressing as seamlessly as a longer novel would.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews