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The Muse: A Romantic Suspense
Where do you find inspiration, and what lengths would you travel to keep it?
Hello, my Muse. Meet Vincent Coen, a world-renowned painter who has built his life upon acknowledging the beauty of his surroundings. Aurora Wayward, although pure in heart, views her own beauty as a curse. Following a chance encounter, the artist quickly becomes the apple of the young woman's eye.
Walk alongside Aurora as she begins to peel back the layers of his outwardly flawless skin. When Vincent's inner core is finally revealed, will it be sweet or spoiled?
There are infinite variants of love.
Hello, my Muse. Meet Vincent Coen, a world-renowned painter who has built his life upon acknowledging the beauty of his surroundings. Aurora Wayward, although pure in heart, views her own beauty as a curse. Following a chance encounter, the artist quickly becomes the apple of the young woman's eye.
Walk alongside Aurora as she begins to peel back the layers of his outwardly flawless skin. When Vincent's inner core is finally revealed, will it be sweet or spoiled?
There are infinite variants of love.
192 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2018
5 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2021
This was my first book by Charles T. Daube and it was jaw-dropping magnificent! Aurora is an attractive woman at a low in her life. She unexpectedly meets a well known artist named Vincent who becomes inspired to paint her. Lured by his charm and talent, Aurora agrees which is the start of this gripping and suspenseful story. Vincent proves to be a man of many layers and Aurora becomes victim to his deceit.The events that follow produce a variety of emotions from one chapter to the next. I love a story that keeps me on my toes and can smoothly transition from one theme to the next. Infatuation, beauty and lust to violence, madness and survival, this book satisfies to the fullest and gave me all the goodies I look for. Just brilliant and beautifully written. An easy book to devour. I would definitely recommend.
October 26, 2021
[3.75] The writing and audible narrator were really good for this genre! I’m glad I took a chance on it. I had thought there would be more to it… or that it would be a non-traditional retelling of a somewhat standard crime/thriller storyline… but this is a fairly straight-forward kidnapping/hostage story. It’s strengths are in it’s execution not it’s originality. The “twists and turns” other reviewers mention are imagined; it’s all the twists you thought the story would take but didn’t… it flirts with the idea of “the road less traveled” a few times but it never truly goes off-course, in my opinion.
***I really wish audible would have listens under 5hrs cost a only a 1/2 credit; because this was only about 4hrs at 1.3x speed. I think a lot more people would take a chance on a short book like this if it weren’t in exchange for a full credit!
***I really wish audible would have listens under 5hrs cost a only a 1/2 credit; because this was only about 4hrs at 1.3x speed. I think a lot more people would take a chance on a short book like this if it weren’t in exchange for a full credit!
November 28, 2021
I love a book that can paint a flawless representation of the flawed psychological traits within us all and demonstrate the true horror that lingers under the surface. This is my first book by Charles T. Daube and I am beyond ecstatic that I picked it up. The author was brilliant in his ability to take me, the reader, through the chaotic and tormented journey of MC Aurora, whom I had an unsettling familiarity with, and renowned painter, Vincent Coen. The execution of this story pulled on the deepest rooted traits in all of us: intrigue, lust, control, fear, survival... Daube masterfully detailed it all and the story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
My recommendation for this book is loud! Pick up a copy. You will be so glad you did.
The Muse
My recommendation for this book is loud! Pick up a copy. You will be so glad you did.
The Muse
February 2, 2019
MUST READ! Stop thinking and just purchase! Words cannot describe how brilliant this book is! I could not put it down. "One more chapter then bed"... 3 chapters later. I did not want it to end!! The author truly brought the story to life. This book needs a movie deal! I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for his next release!
June 22, 2019
Charles T. Daube’s “The Muse” reviewed by Tom Howard Books –
WOW! It’s the first word that came to mind. This book is very well written with in-depth characters who will leave you guessing what happens until the very last page. I love how the author was able to bring the characters to life and make you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action – or in this case suspense – with them. I wanted to know what happened to Aurora to the point of reading ¾ of the book in one night and the last ¼ the next night. Honestly, I didn’t want to put it down and may have yelled at the kids for constantly interrupting the overall suspenseful / dramatic feel to which I was so in tune with.
This is a suspenseful romance that opens with a down on her luck woman believing her beauty is a curse for the way men treat her. However, that all changes one day when Aurora Wayward meets a world-renowned painter whom she has not only heard of but admires for his work. Almost immediately she feels a connection and a trust she’s unable to explain. However, that trust soon turns to regret when she finally grasps the reality of the danger she’s truly in. How will she escape what fate has in store? Will anyone come to her rescue? Or will Vincent Coen be good to his word?
The author is correct in his statement “There are infinite variants of love.” In this novel, you will explore several from infatuation, lust, and love itself, and find out what happens when one of those is pushed to the breaking point. I will say this novel had me so bewitched by its spell that during one point – known to those who have read The Muse – I wanted to reach through the ink on the pages and strangle someone.
Overall, I would rate this novel as follows:
Stars: 5 – I thoroughly enjoyed The Muse in its entirety and the characters are well rounded.
Reread – YEP!
Recommend to others – Definitely!
Age range – Young adult to adult – Mainly because of some violence which is graphic at times.
WOW! It’s the first word that came to mind. This book is very well written with in-depth characters who will leave you guessing what happens until the very last page. I love how the author was able to bring the characters to life and make you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action – or in this case suspense – with them. I wanted to know what happened to Aurora to the point of reading ¾ of the book in one night and the last ¼ the next night. Honestly, I didn’t want to put it down and may have yelled at the kids for constantly interrupting the overall suspenseful / dramatic feel to which I was so in tune with.
This is a suspenseful romance that opens with a down on her luck woman believing her beauty is a curse for the way men treat her. However, that all changes one day when Aurora Wayward meets a world-renowned painter whom she has not only heard of but admires for his work. Almost immediately she feels a connection and a trust she’s unable to explain. However, that trust soon turns to regret when she finally grasps the reality of the danger she’s truly in. How will she escape what fate has in store? Will anyone come to her rescue? Or will Vincent Coen be good to his word?
The author is correct in his statement “There are infinite variants of love.” In this novel, you will explore several from infatuation, lust, and love itself, and find out what happens when one of those is pushed to the breaking point. I will say this novel had me so bewitched by its spell that during one point – known to those who have read The Muse – I wanted to reach through the ink on the pages and strangle someone.
Overall, I would rate this novel as follows:
Stars: 5 – I thoroughly enjoyed The Muse in its entirety and the characters are well rounded.
Reread – YEP!
Recommend to others – Definitely!
Age range – Young adult to adult – Mainly because of some violence which is graphic at times.
December 31, 2020
Vincent Coen is a world renowned painter looking for inspiration and when he meets Aurora, who views her own beauty as a curse, he wants to paint her. Aurora is quickly captivated by Vincent and agrees to pose for him. But is there ugliness hiding behind the strokes of the paint brush? This was once again a well written and captivating read. Labelled as a romantic suspense, this would certainly depend on the reader.
When I first read Infernal Glow, seriously one of my faves by this author, I knew that I would read all of his books. The Muse is another thought provoking read which hides plenty between the lines.
When I first read Infernal Glow, seriously one of my faves by this author, I knew that I would read all of his books. The Muse is another thought provoking read which hides plenty between the lines.
September 6, 2020
Wow! Amazing story!
Amazing story. Beautifully dark, with tons of twist and turns. This book is one that will immediately draw you in and keep you wondering until the very end. This story is thoroughly detailed and descriptive, providing a very clear picture along the way. Highly recommend.
Amazing story. Beautifully dark, with tons of twist and turns. This book is one that will immediately draw you in and keep you wondering until the very end. This story is thoroughly detailed and descriptive, providing a very clear picture along the way. Highly recommend.
February 4, 2019
I couldn’t go to sleep without finishing the whole thing. This book is so amazing and the authors detailing and descriptions brings life to the pages. It was almost like I was watching a movie. This book really puts you on the edge of your seat and it is really worth it.
March 3, 2019
So much suspense packed in one little book! Twists and turns, and just when you think you’ve figure Vincent out, he unfolds another layer. I kept telling myself I was going to read just a few more pages and wasn’t able to put it down. Great read!
December 2, 2018
Raw and Suspensful
The Muse is a well written novel full of unexpected twists. A thrilling page turner that had me engaged until the very end. Bravo!
The Muse is a well written novel full of unexpected twists. A thrilling page turner that had me engaged until the very end. Bravo!
March 16, 2021
"To finding your own dream, a diamond in the rough and bringing it to life for the world to adore"
That's exactly what Vincent does when finding his Muse, Aurora. What lengths is he willing to go, for keeping his inspiration?
This is a beautiful and dark story about love and abusive relationships. But don't let it fool you, it's not a typical romance story. It shows you how amazing our mind is in sheltering us from terror and how we use coping mechanisms to help us manage difficult situations.
Charles T Daube is a creative and talented author. He has a beautiful sense for details and descriptive writing that brings the pages to life.The characters are amazing which made me feel like I was right there with them in the locked room. I almost got claustrophobic
The author draws you in to this vivid and well-written story. Capturing you with realistic horror, filled with many layers of terror. Some scenes even gave me the chills because it felt so real. I loved all the twist and turns that kept me wondering until the very end.
Fear is our most powerful emotion and the one that motivates us the most. In this story Charles T Daube shows us how fear is a great way of controlling someone.
A must read!!!
That's exactly what Vincent does when finding his Muse, Aurora. What lengths is he willing to go, for keeping his inspiration?
This is a beautiful and dark story about love and abusive relationships. But don't let it fool you, it's not a typical romance story. It shows you how amazing our mind is in sheltering us from terror and how we use coping mechanisms to help us manage difficult situations.
Charles T Daube is a creative and talented author. He has a beautiful sense for details and descriptive writing that brings the pages to life.The characters are amazing which made me feel like I was right there with them in the locked room. I almost got claustrophobic
The author draws you in to this vivid and well-written story. Capturing you with realistic horror, filled with many layers of terror. Some scenes even gave me the chills because it felt so real. I loved all the twist and turns that kept me wondering until the very end.
Fear is our most powerful emotion and the one that motivates us the most. In this story Charles T Daube shows us how fear is a great way of controlling someone.
A must read!!!
August 1, 2019
This follows the story of Aurora Wayward as her infatuation of tortured artist, Vincent Coen, becomes a nightmare. Most of the story is written in Aurora's POV, which I like, but chapter 6 shifts to her father's POV and the remaining chapters alternating and various moments. I didn't think this worked as well as it could have, simply because chapter 6 is literally the first time meeting Tom Wayward, Aurora's father. But after chapter 6, I think it works well enough for the story. Tom's POV allows the reader to see how the outside world views Vincent Coen.
Excellent story. I highly recommend.
Excellent story. I highly recommend.
August 16, 2020
A story with so many gripping layers of terror. Every step of this book built with it heightening levels of warranted discomfort and unavoidable intrigue. Every word painted a detailed scene of realistic horrors and the unfortunate truths of such brutal psychological situations.
The true artist here is the author, being able to provide such a stimulating and emotional narrative.
The true artist here is the author, being able to provide such a stimulating and emotional narrative.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews