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Drawn
Sebastian (Sen) Holt is an artist currently in New Orleans. He’s always been a wanderer, believing in fate and following signs to guide his destiny. Although he itches to pull up stakes, getting a painting into a gallery keeps him rooted. One morning his good friend calls him in desperate need of help with her cleaning business. Her regular cleaner flaked, she can’t lose her client, and there’s no one else.
The job is at a large and recently restored house—and the owner, Morgan Ballard, comes home unexpectedly. They are immediately drawn together, as if they know each other, but they’ve never met. As they grow closer, Morgan behaves like two people. Sometimes he’s friendly and casual, and other times intimate and demanding. Sen juggles his painting through bursts of vision-like inspiration, the cleaning job, and an unexpected commission—all while trying to unlock the growing mystery of the intense connection he feels to Morgan. He’s not sure which scares him more—the strangeness surrounding their growing bond or that he’s found someone to make him reconsider his lifelong wanderlust.
The job is at a large and recently restored house—and the owner, Morgan Ballard, comes home unexpectedly. They are immediately drawn together, as if they know each other, but they’ve never met. As they grow closer, Morgan behaves like two people. Sometimes he’s friendly and casual, and other times intimate and demanding. Sen juggles his painting through bursts of vision-like inspiration, the cleaning job, and an unexpected commission—all while trying to unlock the growing mystery of the intense connection he feels to Morgan. He’s not sure which scares him more—the strangeness surrounding their growing bond or that he’s found someone to make him reconsider his lifelong wanderlust.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2016
1 person is currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Elle Brownlee
14 books24 followersElle Brownlee has always followed her creative, adventuring spirit.
Growing up she loved westerns and taking long hikes. On these explorations she'd craft miniature worlds with moss and rocks while making up stories about everything that happened there. This often included dashing cowboy heroes.
As an adult, not a lot has changed. She still loves westerns, long hikes, and allowing her imagination to roam. She’s so thankful to be able to share her work with a growing audience, and especially grateful to have you reading along.
Growing up she loved westerns and taking long hikes. On these explorations she'd craft miniature worlds with moss and rocks while making up stories about everything that happened there. This often included dashing cowboy heroes.
As an adult, not a lot has changed. She still loves westerns, long hikes, and allowing her imagination to roam. She’s so thankful to be able to share her work with a growing audience, and especially grateful to have you reading along.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 9, 2018
I loved this book so much. You get these great characters with a mystery that has you wondering and speculating most of the book.that right there is priceless. Add in their childhood and adult ways of life, you get a story that hooks you and a read you don't want to put down.
December 15, 2016
3.5 Stars ~ This story was an unexpected treat. I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect going in, and I think I figured out, mostly, what was occurring long before either of the main characters did; even so, I still found myself enjoying the buildup to when Sen and Morgan figured it out for themselves.
The writing is beautiful, and the descriptions of the painting process Sen goes through as he tries to work out the odd visions he keeps getting are striking. To someone who has no imagination and knows diddly squat about art in general, I still found myself captivated with Sen’s process. There is a lot of time and detail dedicated to Sen when he paints, and the colors’ representations and the feelings he experiences. It is part of the process he uses to work through what is happening, but I will admit it made for a slower build.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but for me, Drawn was a romance with a mystery and a paranormal twist. Sen arrives at Greycote and immediately is filled with awe and trepidation at the home. He has a vision that sets him on his path to unravel what happened. When Sen meets Morgan they are inexplicably drawn together, and Sen’s visions continue to occur when he is around the man. Morgan is not unaffected, and his mood swings and changes in behavior only add to the puzzle.
I found myself really enjoying Sen’s character and what some would label his quirks. Sen was raised in a somewhat different manner than most—he allows himself to follow signs and is open to follow where they lead. The way he was brought up, and his intuition on following the signs, has resulted in moving around a lot. When signs start appearing, he makes note and is cognizant of the littlest things and how they all point in directions I would never have even thought about. As the signs keep pointing to Morgan and Greycote, he can’t walk away even though he has started to feel the itch to move on.
Morgan is more of a mystery through the story. As the story is told from Sen’s perspective, we only get to experience Morgan through their interactions. Even so, I felt the connection between the two characters, and their confusion as to the bond that was forming so quickly.
I’ll be honest in saying some of the story, especially near the end, didn’t go as I had been anticipating. And, in some ways, I will even admit I was a little let down, as I had been expecting something a little more climactic. As the story wrapped up, I was able to get over the disappointment and found myself content with the way Sen and Morgan’s romance and HEA was finally achieved.
Ultimately I found Drawn to be a fascinating, beautifully written romance with an interesting mystery and paranormal twist.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
The writing is beautiful, and the descriptions of the painting process Sen goes through as he tries to work out the odd visions he keeps getting are striking. To someone who has no imagination and knows diddly squat about art in general, I still found myself captivated with Sen’s process. There is a lot of time and detail dedicated to Sen when he paints, and the colors’ representations and the feelings he experiences. It is part of the process he uses to work through what is happening, but I will admit it made for a slower build.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but for me, Drawn was a romance with a mystery and a paranormal twist. Sen arrives at Greycote and immediately is filled with awe and trepidation at the home. He has a vision that sets him on his path to unravel what happened. When Sen meets Morgan they are inexplicably drawn together, and Sen’s visions continue to occur when he is around the man. Morgan is not unaffected, and his mood swings and changes in behavior only add to the puzzle.
I found myself really enjoying Sen’s character and what some would label his quirks. Sen was raised in a somewhat different manner than most—he allows himself to follow signs and is open to follow where they lead. The way he was brought up, and his intuition on following the signs, has resulted in moving around a lot. When signs start appearing, he makes note and is cognizant of the littlest things and how they all point in directions I would never have even thought about. As the signs keep pointing to Morgan and Greycote, he can’t walk away even though he has started to feel the itch to move on.
Morgan is more of a mystery through the story. As the story is told from Sen’s perspective, we only get to experience Morgan through their interactions. Even so, I felt the connection between the two characters, and their confusion as to the bond that was forming so quickly.
I’ll be honest in saying some of the story, especially near the end, didn’t go as I had been anticipating. And, in some ways, I will even admit I was a little let down, as I had been expecting something a little more climactic. As the story wrapped up, I was able to get over the disappointment and found myself content with the way Sen and Morgan’s romance and HEA was finally achieved.
Ultimately I found Drawn to be a fascinating, beautifully written romance with an interesting mystery and paranormal twist.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
October 13, 2016
This story mixes the past with the present in a unique way. If you’re not an artist, the beginning will require patience, but your patience will be wondrously rewarded.
Sen is an up-and-coming painter currently living in New Orleans. His best friend owns a cleaning service and asks for his help in cleaning a house. He takes the job, to help her out, and there he meets Morgan, the owner of the house. It’s instant attraction and connection on a cosmic level that they both don’t understand. After they meet, Sen gets visions that fuel his paintings. Sen gets his own showing in a gallery and Morgan completes his architectural project. During all this, they spend more time with each other, Sen gets more visions, and things get a bit crazy. The last two chapters wind everything up. The visions are explained, true love and soulmates are realized, and the last chapter is actually the epilogue. A wonderful and heartwarming HEA.
This story is an uncommon and refreshing tale in the paranormal genre. Encompassed in mysteries, stormy visions, deja vu, and kismet, you will be taken on fate’s quest to reunite lost souls.
Sen and Morgan instantly feel the connection. Two halves of a whole. When Sen and Morgan are apart, they feel lost and incomplete. When they’re together, they feel whole and happy and relaxed. It’s heartwarming to watch them rediscover each other over coffee and pastries.
The story takes a while to get going, but I’m glad I stuck to it. Also, the writing style is very sophisticated. This made it difficult to understand what was going on, at times. As I got more into the book, though, I was able to catch on better.
I’m not an artist and I love art as much as the next person, but I think this book has too much art references and explanations.
Lastly, I wish the main characters would have been more developed.
If you love paranormal books, lost souls, the mixing of past with the present, and painters with soulmates you will love this story. I do recommend this book. So, get yourself ready for a wild ride full of twists and turns in the humidity of New Orleans with a pain au chocolat in one hand and chicory coffee in the other.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Gay Book Reviews.
Sen is an up-and-coming painter currently living in New Orleans. His best friend owns a cleaning service and asks for his help in cleaning a house. He takes the job, to help her out, and there he meets Morgan, the owner of the house. It’s instant attraction and connection on a cosmic level that they both don’t understand. After they meet, Sen gets visions that fuel his paintings. Sen gets his own showing in a gallery and Morgan completes his architectural project. During all this, they spend more time with each other, Sen gets more visions, and things get a bit crazy. The last two chapters wind everything up. The visions are explained, true love and soulmates are realized, and the last chapter is actually the epilogue. A wonderful and heartwarming HEA.
This story is an uncommon and refreshing tale in the paranormal genre. Encompassed in mysteries, stormy visions, deja vu, and kismet, you will be taken on fate’s quest to reunite lost souls.
Sen and Morgan instantly feel the connection. Two halves of a whole. When Sen and Morgan are apart, they feel lost and incomplete. When they’re together, they feel whole and happy and relaxed. It’s heartwarming to watch them rediscover each other over coffee and pastries.
The story takes a while to get going, but I’m glad I stuck to it. Also, the writing style is very sophisticated. This made it difficult to understand what was going on, at times. As I got more into the book, though, I was able to catch on better.
I’m not an artist and I love art as much as the next person, but I think this book has too much art references and explanations.
Lastly, I wish the main characters would have been more developed.
If you love paranormal books, lost souls, the mixing of past with the present, and painters with soulmates you will love this story. I do recommend this book. So, get yourself ready for a wild ride full of twists and turns in the humidity of New Orleans with a pain au chocolat in one hand and chicory coffee in the other.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Gay Book Reviews.
April 26, 2019
It took me so long to get into this story. Several months. I tried to read it but it just was hard for me to care about the characters. One review stated that I should be patient, which I was. It was worth it in the end though. Once I got past the first several chapters, I couldn't put it down. Though I enjoyed the story, I'm not sure it was worth the patience required to get to the meat of the story. I liked the story, finally.
October 16, 2017
The idea for this story was beautiful and very romantic. Unfortunately, it was buried under jumbled and meandering narration. If only the story had been more cohesive and there had been more solid interactions between the MCs to support their (budding) romance, then the story would have been a lovely love story.
October 29, 2018
**4.5 stars**
Great soul mate story. Starts slow but ends beautifully. Only qualm I have is not having the optical illusions explained. But I’ll be reading more from this author. I love New Orleans and the city and architecture played a wonderful part in the book.
Great soul mate story. Starts slow but ends beautifully. Only qualm I have is not having the optical illusions explained. But I’ll be reading more from this author. I love New Orleans and the city and architecture played a wonderful part in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2019
First time author for me and interesting theme woven into the story definitely kept me interested. Entertaining and different MC's made for a very entertaining story. I will be looking for more from this author.
January 2, 2018
Enjoyed Sen and Morgan’s story...Really nice HEA.
October 22, 2016
Title: Drawn
Author: Elle Brownlee
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Genre(s): Paranormal, Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 237 pages
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
The best way that I can describe this book is an interesting romance with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed reading about Sen and Morgan and the mystery revolving around their connection. Plot Sen (Sebastian) is an artist who sees more to life than the average person. In an attempt to help his friend out he accepts a position cleaning the house of Morgan. There is more to the house or is it Morgan that inspires visions in Sen’s head that he must capture in paintings. Amazing paintings. Morgan is also caught up in this phenomenon, He is a wealthy architect caught up in Sen, but there are two different sides to Morgan and he can’t remember something that is important and Sen and his paintings are the key. There is chemistry between Sen and Morgan, but through most of the book it seems pretty one sided. The pacing is pretty even and the story read smoothly, the ending was interesting with more character development than just about any other book that I read. Read it and figure out my meaning.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5
Categories
PLOT 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 4 Stars
PACING: 4 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:4 Stars
Review Copy of Drawn provided by the Dreamspinner Press. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Author: Elle Brownlee
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: October 21, 2016
Genre(s): Paranormal, Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 237 pages
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Sebastian (Sen) Holt is an artist currently in New Orleans. He’s always been a wanderer, believing in fate and following signs to guide his destiny. Although he itches to pull up stakes, getting a painting into a gallery keeps him rooted. One morning his good friend calls him in desperate need of help with her cleaning business. Her regular cleaner flaked, she can’t lose her client, and there’s no one else.
The job is at a large and recently restored house—and the owner, Morgan Ballard, comes home unexpectedly. They are immediately drawn together, as if they know each other, but they’ve never met. As they grow closer, Morgan behaves like two people. Sometimes he’s friendly and casual, and other times intimate and demanding. Sen juggles his painting through bursts of vision-like inspiration, the cleaning job, and an unexpected commission—all while trying to unlock the growing mystery of the intense connection he feels to Morgan. He’s not sure which scares him more—the strangeness surrounding their growing bond or that he’s found someone to make him reconsider his lifelong wanderlust.
Review:
The best way that I can describe this book is an interesting romance with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed reading about Sen and Morgan and the mystery revolving around their connection. Plot Sen (Sebastian) is an artist who sees more to life than the average person. In an attempt to help his friend out he accepts a position cleaning the house of Morgan. There is more to the house or is it Morgan that inspires visions in Sen’s head that he must capture in paintings. Amazing paintings. Morgan is also caught up in this phenomenon, He is a wealthy architect caught up in Sen, but there are two different sides to Morgan and he can’t remember something that is important and Sen and his paintings are the key. There is chemistry between Sen and Morgan, but through most of the book it seems pretty one sided. The pacing is pretty even and the story read smoothly, the ending was interesting with more character development than just about any other book that I read. Read it and figure out my meaning.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5
Categories
PLOT 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 4 Stars
PACING: 4 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:4 Stars
Review Copy of Drawn provided by the Dreamspinner Press. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
October 23, 2016
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews.)
I like to read books without reading the blurb first, so I have no idea what the story is about. Honestly, I probably read the blurb when I selected the book to review, but I haven’t looked at it again until this very minute while I’m doing this review. So I had no preconceived notion about what the book was about.
There is a hidden story in the book, which I won’t give any spoilers on, but I figured it out fairly quickly during the read. I was intrigued. I really liked the background and character development.
Sen is an artist living in New Orleans. He has always been a wanderer. His parents are the stereotypical hippies who have traveled for years in an old bus. Sen was raised on the road, and educated at ‘home’…or in this case the bus. His entire family is artistic, so not surprisingly Sen grew up to be an artist.
When we meet Sen, he has been asked by his best friend to fill in for one of her staff who didn’t show for work. The friend owns a cleaning business, and Sen agrees to fill in for the day. When he arrives at the address, he finds a veritable mansion which has been recently restored. It is spotless…so why does the mysterious owner need a cleaning person…and for four hours a week?
Morgan is the homeowner. He has a reason for keeping the house nearly empty, and spotless, but we don’t learn it until later in the story, so it is mystery most of the way through.
Something is odd about Morgan. Sen is picking up strange vibes from him, and Morgan seems to be two different people. Add to that the fact that Sen had a daytime nightmare when he fell asleep at Morgan’s house the first day he cleaned it, and since then Sen’s artist block is gone and he is producing strange paintings of people he sees in dreams and visions.
I really enjoyed the book, but to keep it honest, I had gotten my hopes up for more. I was reading this book last night and got to an hour left according to my Kindle, so I turned the lights off and saved it for today in anticipation. Once the underlying mystery was revealed…I had hoped for more details, but they weren’t forthcoming. In fact, the whole big reveal was a little bit of an anti-climatic moment, handled in an “oh…we should have known” way. I personally think some pages dedicated to the subjects of that background mystery would have been really welcome and made for a more exciting and interesting transition.
My disappointment aside, I did enjoy the book. The ending wrapped up in a nice, if fairly mundane HEA. I’m going to rate it as “I Liked It A Lot / Would Recommend It,” or 4.0 on our rating scale. With another chapter or two near the end, I think the story would have suited me more.
I like to read books without reading the blurb first, so I have no idea what the story is about. Honestly, I probably read the blurb when I selected the book to review, but I haven’t looked at it again until this very minute while I’m doing this review. So I had no preconceived notion about what the book was about.
There is a hidden story in the book, which I won’t give any spoilers on, but I figured it out fairly quickly during the read. I was intrigued. I really liked the background and character development.
Sen is an artist living in New Orleans. He has always been a wanderer. His parents are the stereotypical hippies who have traveled for years in an old bus. Sen was raised on the road, and educated at ‘home’…or in this case the bus. His entire family is artistic, so not surprisingly Sen grew up to be an artist.
When we meet Sen, he has been asked by his best friend to fill in for one of her staff who didn’t show for work. The friend owns a cleaning business, and Sen agrees to fill in for the day. When he arrives at the address, he finds a veritable mansion which has been recently restored. It is spotless…so why does the mysterious owner need a cleaning person…and for four hours a week?
Morgan is the homeowner. He has a reason for keeping the house nearly empty, and spotless, but we don’t learn it until later in the story, so it is mystery most of the way through.
Something is odd about Morgan. Sen is picking up strange vibes from him, and Morgan seems to be two different people. Add to that the fact that Sen had a daytime nightmare when he fell asleep at Morgan’s house the first day he cleaned it, and since then Sen’s artist block is gone and he is producing strange paintings of people he sees in dreams and visions.
I really enjoyed the book, but to keep it honest, I had gotten my hopes up for more. I was reading this book last night and got to an hour left according to my Kindle, so I turned the lights off and saved it for today in anticipation. Once the underlying mystery was revealed…I had hoped for more details, but they weren’t forthcoming. In fact, the whole big reveal was a little bit of an anti-climatic moment, handled in an “oh…we should have known” way. I personally think some pages dedicated to the subjects of that background mystery would have been really welcome and made for a more exciting and interesting transition.
My disappointment aside, I did enjoy the book. The ending wrapped up in a nice, if fairly mundane HEA. I’m going to rate it as “I Liked It A Lot / Would Recommend It,” or 4.0 on our rating scale. With another chapter or two near the end, I think the story would have suited me more.
October 17, 2016
Talk about a love through the times kind of book. That is how how I would describe this book for sure.
I was really confused as to how this book was going to play out because of all the weird things that was happening. I kept wondering if this book was going to be a ghostly book that was haunting Sen and Morgan or if it was going to turn out that Morgan was a vampire or some other paranormal. I even toyed with wondering if Sen was crazy and imagining all the weird things happening or if Morgan was possessed by maybe an evil spirit or something. That was the type of book this turned out to be. The kind of book that you knew something big was happening but you was just not quite sure what it was and honestly the characters did not quite know either until Elle brought all of it to light.
I think that is what this book so intriguing and made me keep turning the pages as quickly as I did. In my opinion it is rare that a book can be so mysterious as this one was and not figure out exactly what it is going on pretty quickly into a book but with this I truly found myself second guessing what I thought was going on with all the strange things surrounding Sen and Morgan. It took getting close to the end for me to realize exactly what it was about these two men that had the weirdness happening and why they was the only two that seemed to see it or feel it.
This book held me captive through the whole read and I truly believe that Elle did an amazing job on this book especially with not letting the reader in on what exactly was going on between the two main characters and why both men seemed to have this incredible pull between them. When Elle did finally reveal exactly what was happening to Sen and Morgan it truly my heart pound faster and made me even more excited for Sen and Morgan.
Incredible read and definitely a book o would recommend to others for their reading pleasure.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
I was really confused as to how this book was going to play out because of all the weird things that was happening. I kept wondering if this book was going to be a ghostly book that was haunting Sen and Morgan or if it was going to turn out that Morgan was a vampire or some other paranormal. I even toyed with wondering if Sen was crazy and imagining all the weird things happening or if Morgan was possessed by maybe an evil spirit or something. That was the type of book this turned out to be. The kind of book that you knew something big was happening but you was just not quite sure what it was and honestly the characters did not quite know either until Elle brought all of it to light.
I think that is what this book so intriguing and made me keep turning the pages as quickly as I did. In my opinion it is rare that a book can be so mysterious as this one was and not figure out exactly what it is going on pretty quickly into a book but with this I truly found myself second guessing what I thought was going on with all the strange things surrounding Sen and Morgan. It took getting close to the end for me to realize exactly what it was about these two men that had the weirdness happening and why they was the only two that seemed to see it or feel it.
This book held me captive through the whole read and I truly believe that Elle did an amazing job on this book especially with not letting the reader in on what exactly was going on between the two main characters and why both men seemed to have this incredible pull between them. When Elle did finally reveal exactly what was happening to Sen and Morgan it truly my heart pound faster and made me even more excited for Sen and Morgan.
Incredible read and definitely a book o would recommend to others for their reading pleasure.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
October 18, 2016
Drawn is set in New Orleans and the book beautifully reflected that Southern summer lassitude. While the reader gets a glimpse of the character of the city through the house and cemetery, the emphasis is really on the unfolding relationship between Sen the artist and Morgan the architect.
A series of coincidences have brought Sen and Morgan together. Sen can’t really explain the growing attraction or the sudden visions that afflict him, but soon realizes his interaction with Morgan is helping to create some amazing paintings.
Not being an artist, I did enjoy watching the creative process, watching a trigger event spur Sen’s creativity and passion. I loved how Sen talked to his paintings, as if he recognized the souls captured in the ink and oils.
Only a couple of small complaints and I do mean small – there was one inconsistency between the start and conclusion of the book: the first “vision” Sen had at the house and storm was sans Morgan, when later he realizes the storms are tied to Morgan, not the house.
And perhaps the pace of the story was a bit slow for my tastes. I waffle on this, because that slow unfolding kinda reflects that Southern culture, but on the other hand, the reader picks up the connection well before Sen figures it out and left me rather antsy. So…mixed thoughts on the pacing.
Lastly, the big revelation was almost anti-climatic, which given the build-up (and the pacing) left me going “huh” more than “oh, cool!”.
Ultimately, a very enjoyable story about two people finding each other and the events that brought them to that confluence.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
A series of coincidences have brought Sen and Morgan together. Sen can’t really explain the growing attraction or the sudden visions that afflict him, but soon realizes his interaction with Morgan is helping to create some amazing paintings.
Not being an artist, I did enjoy watching the creative process, watching a trigger event spur Sen’s creativity and passion. I loved how Sen talked to his paintings, as if he recognized the souls captured in the ink and oils.
Only a couple of small complaints and I do mean small – there was one inconsistency between the start and conclusion of the book: the first “vision” Sen had at the house and storm was sans Morgan, when later he realizes the storms are tied to Morgan, not the house.
And perhaps the pace of the story was a bit slow for my tastes. I waffle on this, because that slow unfolding kinda reflects that Southern culture, but on the other hand, the reader picks up the connection well before Sen figures it out and left me rather antsy. So…mixed thoughts on the pacing.
Lastly, the big revelation was almost anti-climatic, which given the build-up (and the pacing) left me going “huh” more than “oh, cool!”.
Ultimately, a very enjoyable story about two people finding each other and the events that brought them to that confluence.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
October 21, 2016
What a good time for this book to come out! It’s not exactly scary, but maybe spooky? In any case, it has lots of dark scenes, mystery and an eerie disjointed sense of reality that lends itself to the Halloween season.
On the one hand I really liked how this story developed and played out and really felt like the layers of metaphors really worked. The imagery of the artist and the paint and the canvas - mimicking the memories or pseudomemories getting played out and “remembered” was wonderful. I also liked the “flashbacks” and the clammy, damp feelings associated with the storms and Morgan’s own “memories”.
Though I pretty much figured out what was going on right away, I wasn’t exactly sure of the details and that kept me interested and turning pages.
What didn’t work for me was the length. I got bogged down in the middle third of the book wading through the (very good) descriptions of the flashbacks and the encounters with Morgan waiting for the punch-line. There just wasn’t enough action to keep me one hundred percent engaged. I understood the slow reveal, but I guess, for me, it was a little too slow.
The author did a magnificent and very thorough job of “painting” the picture for the reader, however, and I could almost feel the humidity and the electricity in the air.
Overall, I thought this was a fascinating and well-written story and well worth my time.
4.25 of 5 stars
On the one hand I really liked how this story developed and played out and really felt like the layers of metaphors really worked. The imagery of the artist and the paint and the canvas - mimicking the memories or pseudomemories getting played out and “remembered” was wonderful. I also liked the “flashbacks” and the clammy, damp feelings associated with the storms and Morgan’s own “memories”.
Though I pretty much figured out what was going on right away, I wasn’t exactly sure of the details and that kept me interested and turning pages.
What didn’t work for me was the length. I got bogged down in the middle third of the book wading through the (very good) descriptions of the flashbacks and the encounters with Morgan waiting for the punch-line. There just wasn’t enough action to keep me one hundred percent engaged. I understood the slow reveal, but I guess, for me, it was a little too slow.
The author did a magnificent and very thorough job of “painting” the picture for the reader, however, and I could almost feel the humidity and the electricity in the air.
Overall, I thought this was a fascinating and well-written story and well worth my time.
4.25 of 5 stars
September 7, 2019
** 4.5 Stars **
A very imaginative, descriptive and intriguing story!
I've read a lot of suspense-mystery novels but I've never read anything quite like this one. This book has a special undertone and atmosphere. There's a great deal of tension that was handled really well. The supernatural element is extremely well done and written with great finesse. The connection between Sen and Morgan is obvious. I got lost with them, became invested in their journey and experienced their emotional ups and downs.
Drawn is not just a book, it is an experience and it was insidiously addictive!
A very imaginative, descriptive and intriguing story!
I've read a lot of suspense-mystery novels but I've never read anything quite like this one. This book has a special undertone and atmosphere. There's a great deal of tension that was handled really well. The supernatural element is extremely well done and written with great finesse. The connection between Sen and Morgan is obvious. I got lost with them, became invested in their journey and experienced their emotional ups and downs.
Drawn is not just a book, it is an experience and it was insidiously addictive!
July 11, 2021
Maybe 3.5 because when finally it was known to us readers what was really going on, it was great.
Lol, there were of course hints throughout the book but all I kept thinking was why Sen just didn’t ask Morgan?!?! Like I didn’t understand how he let it go on for that long without going all, WHAT IS UP WITH YOU?!?!
It was interesting but a bit wordy as well.
Lol, there were of course hints throughout the book but all I kept thinking was why Sen just didn’t ask Morgan?!?! Like I didn’t understand how he let it go on for that long without going all, WHAT IS UP WITH YOU?!?!
It was interesting but a bit wordy as well.
December 26, 2016
I liked it well enough, but had a bit of a struggle getting to know Morgan.
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