Torn Canvas

Safe Harbors #2

by Donna K. Weaver

When the spotlight meets the shadows, can love illuminate the way?

Jori Virtanen learned the devastating power of beauty and betrayal at fifteen, shattering his family and turning him into a reckless playboy model. When his world is attacked again, this time by modern-day pirates, he's thrust into a life-altering odyssey of recovery and soul-searching. As he seeks sanctuary and a new identity as an artist, he grapples with guilt, isolation, and the deep emotional scars that go far beyond his physical disfigurement.

Enter Olivia Howard, an ethically driven talk-show host. She’s put off by Jori’s bad-boy reputation but intrigued after hearing about a little-known act of heroism, especially when she finds he has just survived a horrific pirate attack. When he retreats from the public eye, Olivia’s quest to understand the man behind the scar intensifies.

Can she help a man—who once reveled in his physical beauty while hiding an inner beast—find love and the beauty within his soul? Or will he remain trapped in the scars of his past?

Books in theSafe Harbors Series
A Change of Plans (#1)
Torn Canvas (#2)
Swing Vote (#3)
The Widow and the Professor (#4)
Whispers of Forever (#5)

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Clean Romance, Romantic Suspense

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2014

About the author

USA Today best-selling and award-winning author - wife-mother-grandmother-Navy brat-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd-online gamer.

Reviews

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished listening to the audiobook. As the author, we have information in our heads about how dialogue goes or characters speak. Tristan Hunt captured this so well. If anyone ever wondered what they sound like to me, listen to the audiobook. :)

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia was tired of the fluff pieces her producers was handing her and she wanted something more and she found it though it was not what she was expecting. Jori has been through a devastating injury that left lasting scars both on the outside and the inside. This was a totally believable story that weaves us through friendships, loss, survival, pain, joy, redemption, and love. I had a wonderful time reading this and recommend.

I revisited this book through audio and was just as captivated and moved as I was the first time through. Definitely recommend this one. The narrator was spectacular!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I read these in reverse order. Which really was okay. I fell in LOVE with Jori! I had to warm up to Olivia, but found her to be endearing as well. I am so glad I finally read this awesome novel! Go Donna!

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally biased here, I know. But I loved Jori's character. I hope I did him justice.

Merged review:

Totally biased here, I know. But I loved Jori's character. I hope I did him justice.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at a man with a painful past--both recent past and further past.

Jori Virtanen, twenty-four-year-old model, has had a life-changing experience: While on a cruise with new friends, he and those friends are captured by pirates. Jori, used to being the handsome, superficial model making no commitments, is a leader in overcoming the pirates.

In the process, his perfect face is slashed open, and he faces months of reconstructive surgery with no expectation that he can ever return to modeling. He needs to set a new course in life. What he decides to do is pursue the art that has been relegated to hobby status in the interest of making money from his own looks.

Jori has set out on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention. In the process, he has to confront both the painful experiences that led him to live his home in Finland at eighteen, and his own shallow, manipulative behavior since then.

Weaver makes it easy for us to connect with Jori and root for him, as well as many of the people around him--his friends and fellow survivors from the cruise; Anna Knosp, who rents him an apartment and lets him study art created by her famous late father; Olivia Howard, the talk show host who is fascinated by Jori not just because of his recent heroism, but also because of an old incident Jori thinks no one knows about.

I got to really know and care about these characters.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic copy of this book, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excellent

Absolutely adored this book. The characters and their friends were just amazingly brought to life and the emotions brought out. Wow! Did not realize there were books before this so will be catching up on these and hope they are as good.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna K. Weaver’s “Torn Canvas”

Great, complex characters, and tension-driving story elements, make author Donna K. Weaver’s “Torn Canvas” a sweeping novel readers can get lost in. Olivia Howard, a media celebrity, overcame a challenging past to get where she is, and she now wants to use her platform to present stories with substance. But what have her producers assigned her? A fluff piece about up and coming models—frivolous lightweights. Especially the blonde, Finnish-born Juri Virtanen, a Viking-handsome adonis with a reputation for using his cover model looks to lure women. Lots of women.

But after studying Juri’s headshot, Olivia senses a vulnerability in his eyes, a theory that is strengthened when she gets a tip that Juri risked his own life to pull a mother and child from a car in the path of an oncoming train. Juri becomes the story she most wants to tell.

Juri’s self-loathing has its roots in his dark past, leaving him a calloused rogue unable to build relationships. His conscience gets stirred when a group of cruise ship friends, real people, adopt him into their loving circle. When the group goes off on an excursion, pirates take over their catamaran, kidnapping some, and killing others. In the ensuing battle to overpower one of the captors, Juri’s face, the source of his career and infamy, is badly damaged.

The catstrophic experience tears lives apart, cements friendships, and places an interview with Juri at the top of Olivia Howard’s must-do list. The support his new friends offer him rips a crack in Juri’s cold heart, allowing personal healing and growth to occur at time when his professional life is in tatters.

“Torn Canvas” explores what matters. It’s a great story of the power of friendship, and how kindness and love can give a person the courage to rebuild a life from the tatters of the past.
Available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Torn-Canvas-Sa...

[Anna del C. Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn Canvas by Donna Weaver is a well-written drama with a hint of romance. It follows the life of a man who is a professional model and how he transforms his life from a gigolo to a respected artist. It all changes for Jeri when he takes a cruise and the once introverted and shallow model is taken aback by the real interest of a group of fellow passengers. He begins to open up and, as he does, pirates assault them. In his desire to help a young woman, he is savagely beaten and his face marked for life. The nightmares take many months to disappear. Then, almost three years later, some of his lost friends from the cruise are encountered and the bad dreams return. In the meantime, Jeri has changed from a lime-light seeker to a hermit from the spotlight and he is having a hard time making ends meet. Things get even harder when he realizes that his steady companion in a online game is none other than Olivia, the pesky reporter and a talk show hostess.
I enjoyed this read and it became hard to put the book down. When I wasn't reading it, I wondered what else would happen to the characters and how it would affect Jeri. It stayed with me for a few days and I enjoyed the feelings it gave me.
It is a clean read and I would recommended to all who like a well-crafted book with drama and a touch of romance.

[Christy Olesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was different than any romance I've read before because the majority of the story is in the hero's point of view. I loved getting to know Jori and following him through his trials and triumphs. Hard to put down.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could have liked this more, but the writing was somewhat 'distanced' from the characters and although Jori was portrayed with a certain degree of sympathy and understanding, I never really 'cared' about him to the extent that I was desperate to read to the end. The story also dragged. I kept waiting for the two of them to meet up ... and I waited, and waited. ;)

I have to admit that some of the 'events' in both this book and the first in the series seemed more than a little 'wrong'. Someone who had been trapped on an island for a couple of years and was clearly malnourished and had not received any medical attention for that length of time would SURELY have been taken to hospital first of all. And I simply couldn't believe that Lyn was expected to walk off the boat wearing nothing more than a borrowed t-shirt and what was virtually a loin-cloth. Nah. Some of the research seemed somewhat careless.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like it but at the same time I did. My main problem with it was the fact that they only talked in person, face to face, in the last chapters and the book ends abruptly when they kiss for the first time (which came out of nowhere) and their relationship is up in the air. It just didn't make any sense, I was anticipating so much seeing them together as a couple and that didn't happen. I liked the main characters and the secundary ones and how they were all connected, loved it. I liked their growth too. The time was a little to fast, the whole book is happening in a 3 year time, it's a little to fast for me

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a great read. Donna K Weaver catches your attention right from the start. Her characters are so lifelike and you get caught up into their stories. You feel for Jori and everything that has happened to him. There is so much going on and you are cheering for Jori and his friends and hoping they can get over their emotional challenges. I liked Olivia's story as well, she is a strong character that also has emotional issues to deal with. I would recommend this series to everyone.

[MaryRhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

I just loved this story. Watching Jori grow not only in his art, but also in how he treats others and allows them to become family was amazing. His journey was not easy but then again no one's journey has been easy in the Safe Harbors series. A great continuation of a wonderful series.

[R.M. Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn Canvas was the first book of Donna Weaver's that I've read, and I will most certainly be reading more.

Olivia lives the life I dreamed of when I was younger - well, almost. As a television host, she has notoriety and success. But also stalkers and a lack of a personal remedied only by an anonymous online persona she escapes to as often as possible. She's tired of the same ol' routine, and more tired of interviewing the dull self-centered celebrities management keeps pushing her way. At first glance of his photo, she guesses the handsome face is just like all the others. Until she learns he was a hero in a pirate takeover of a cruise ship. And he won't walk to her.

Jori is handsome and successful, and the kind of guy every woman who searching for true love dreads. A consummate ladies' man, Jori doesn't take any relationship seriously, and allows a painful past define who he is. But after the pirates leave his face scarred, Jori needs to find himself again. He can no longer model, and he also finds himself caring about a couple women who he hasn't led to the bed.

Both Olivia and Jori need to get past themselves to open their hearts to the possibility of love. This romance has mystery and adventure, and is a wonderful. It is the second book in a series, but I can honestly say, not having read the first one, that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the story. It's a complete story all by itself.

My rating: 5 Stars. Wonderful Story Ms. Weaver!!!

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 3 1/2 and 4.

I’ve been following this series, Safe Harbors, and was excited to see #2 come out (with a novella in between). A lot of the story is concurrent with the timeline of A Change of Plans, and I definitely recommend you read that one first in order to understand the characters and their stories (and read the novella Hope’s Watch while you’re at it).

In a way, this is a story of second chances. Jori has a troubled past that affects his relationships with others, especially with women. He makes new friends on the fated cruise trip, and these new friendships help him grow and understand how he can change, how he doesn’t have to live with the past, or whom he used to be. We see him progress from a jaded man into one who values others, and eventually, himself.

When Olivia comes into his life he doesn’t trust her. The relationship between Jori and Olivia is one that grows slowly into friendship, as unlikely as it seems in the beginning. Olivia is a strong character, and one who learns to understand Jori.

The settings are expertly done, and the characters come to life through the dialogue, which is natural and very well done. It was great to see the whole cast of characters in some scenes, and catch up with them to have the whole vision. All in all, a very satisfying read and a great installment in this series.

[Meredith Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Even a hero needs to be rescued sometimes." That perfectly describes this story.

There's been a price for Olivia to reach the top of her profession as a television host. Crazy stalkers, no privacy, no personal life except online, where she can be anonymous. And still there's one interview she can't get--the male model who became a hero when the cruise expedition he was on was attacked by pirates.

Hot model Jori has a deserved reputation as a bad boy when it comes to women. No one knows that his behavior is based on a traumatic event in his childhood. That is, until he's adopted almost as a brother by two women on a cruise. Lyn and Elle are the first attractive women in years Jori hasn't tried to get into bed with.

That's the first crack in his armor. Then Jori risks himself to save Elle from pirates. The injury he receives ends his modeling career. Everyone wants to hail him as a hero--including the up-and-coming television host, Olivia. But Jori is still haunted by his past. He still considers himself more beast than hero.

It's going to take one more woman to finally convince Jori that he's worthy of being loved.

This story is even better than the first (A Change of Plans). And that's saying a lot. I honestly love this one.

I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**

Jori is a man who has had a life-altering event. He was scarred while protecting a friend. The pirates were unsuccessful in taking the women, they did however take away his career as a model.

I read the first book, A Change of Plans, a long time ago. I didn't remember many of the details other than the ending. This book is a companion book, it follows a parallel time frame. It took me a while to feel like I was caught up to fully appreciate this story and the fundamental changes in Jori's character.

This book has romance that is not the central focus of the book. Most of the romance is through email. The characters are attracted to each other, but for different reasons are afraid to act upon their feelings. For me the focus was on overcoming abuse. There isn't great detail about the abuse, it happened several years before the events of this book. It is about the characters learning to come to terms with their past and breaking the cycle. I felt this was done in a sensitive manner.

This book does have innuendo, violence, and references to abuse.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading. Jori was a character in A Change of Plans that I couldn't decide at first if I liked or thought was a jerk. He was a lady's man and that bugged me, but he redeemed himself and showed how caring he really was.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Torn Canvas was written in his point of view and I got to know who the man really was—and he is amazing. He had secrets in his past that he didn't share with anyone. It was emotionally exhausting as I grieved with him and I wanted so much for him to succeed.

I adored Olivia. I wanted so much for them to meet and I groaned with every near miss. She's a strong woman that knows what she wants—and Jori has caught her attention.

I laughed, bawled, and cheered for each of the characters in this book, begging for the happy ending each of them deserved.

While this book has content that is a little much for some readers (learning to deal with past abuse), it was beautifully and tastefully done. I highly recommend this book of love, loss, and redemption.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that sucks you in immediately from page 1. I have not read the others books in this series, but am looking forward to them. I had no problem following the characters in TORN CANVAS, despite reading this book first.

Jori is a golden-boy model who has it all . . . looks, a high profile career and lots of women. An incident in his past is at fault for his addiction to this superficial lifestyle and it isn’t until he loses it all that he begins to re-evaluate his lifestyle. This change evolves slowly, in a thoroughly believable manner, as does Jori’s relationship with Olivia Howard, a high-profile talk-show host. The two start their relationship on adversarial poles, move to friendship and then something more. I loved seeing that relationship develop and the changes in Jori blossom.

The other characters are equally enthralling, and I look forward to more in this series. The author does a phenomenal job in making you care about all of her characters. A thoroughly engaging read!

[Hayley Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Torn Canvas was an amazing sequel to A Change of Plans. I am so happy about this book, especially where we were left off in the last book. I was a little disappointed since there was plenty of unanswered questions, but they were answered in this book.

One thing that I really liked about this one was that one of the main characters was Native American. It was nice because you don't see that enough in novels. The characters were really interesting and I enjoyed getting to know them, some more from the first book.

The story was really interesting. There was a ton of action and you never knew where the story was going to take you. I loved that we got to see two different stories that meshed together perfectly, and to see how all of the characters mingled together in the end.

The story was well put together. Donna K. Weaver put a lot of thought into it and did an amazing job at making sure that everything went together and made sense. I loved the characters and the crazy unexpected story. I have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the sequel to "A Change of Plans" which I would really recommend reading before you read this book. This book is not so much a romance as it is a story of one man's journey of recovery and healing- mentally, emotionally and physically. What I like most about this book is the sense of family between characters. They really try to take care of each other.

Sometimes I felt like the book was dragging a bit but there was an emotional depth to it that I really appreciated. It was interesting to get the same events from the previous book from Jori's point of view.

There is some mention of Jori's less than stellar sexual history- one scene of closed door sex that you know happened but there are no details, and some mild swearing. Mostly the swearing is just mentioned as "he swore" or something like that.

[Davidandkelley Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can resist an adventure intertwined with romance? Weaver has expertly created an epitome of the classic saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” with characters Jori and Olivia. Jori, at first glance, is your classic pretty boy while Olivia the snob…until you take the time to actually get to know them! I quickly became entranced and could not put it down!!

I relish how, as a reader, I became so engrossed in Jori’s world that it seemed like I was undergoing the experiences myself. It’s amazing to me when an author is able to set their story in a vivid setting so that they seem like real life and Weaver was able to do just this! As a sequel novel I was a bit concerned about the completeness of the story but this one did NOT disappoint. Readers both young and old will find that this novel is worth your time!!
~The Book Stalker Reviewed

[Marianne Sciucco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and found it engaging from the first pages. I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Tristan Hunt. The pacing was comfortable, his reading and voice easy on the ears. I especially liked the way he acted out each character's voice. The story unfolded comfortably, no rushing, no lagging. Although full of many relationships and subplots, it was easy to follow and to become engrossed in the characters. The hero, Jori, was well developed, as were the other main characters: Elle, Anna, and Olivia. I particularly enjoyed the characterization of Anna, Jori's elderly landlady, mentor, and benefactress. Torn Canvas is an excellent read, especially when listening. I'm grateful the author gifted me a copy in exchange for an honest review, and look forward to reading her other work.

[Lisa Swinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I missed reading Ms. Weaver's Torn Canvas for two years is quite beyond me as I'm a fan of her work.

Her novel, A Change of Plans, is one of my all time favorite romance novels, and that's high praise.

Ms. Weaver maintains her excellent level of writing in Torn Canvas. The characters are well developed, complex, and appropriately bleed their emotional tumult all over the page. I enjoyed revisiting beloved characters and going in depth into Jori's journey. It's heart tugging to watch Jori rebuild his life. So, GOOD! She really works the relationship structuring with masterful skill. It made me want to stay up late reading it.

The related novellas are worth picking up as well. You wouldn't want to miss any of her writing or reading from other character's points of view.

A note, there is a smattering of language.

[Liz Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This story sucks you in from the first chapter and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the finale. I planned to listen on my way to/from work but ended up trying to find any reason I could to listen to just a bit more of the story. Each twist was believable and surprising. Weaver has created endearing characters that I feel in love with right away. Hunt brings Weaver's words to life.

I didn't want the story to end. I want to be friends and live alongside the fiction people and situations Weaver has created. Can't wait to read more from her.

[Carolyn Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself pulled into the book immediately and was reluctant to put it down as I continued to read. I had already read the first book in this series, so the characters were familiar to me. If I hadn't already been acquainted with the characters, I may have had a hard time remembering them and sorting them out to where they belong and the roles they play. Other than that, I really really enjoyed the book. I found the main character intriguing. The story line and the MC's growth was believable and fresh. I would easily recommend this book to someone looking for and clean adventure/romance.

[Canda · Rating 5 out of 5]

To my friends always asking what they should read next...this is it. This is the second in the series but very different from the first--no cookie cutter romance here. I'm so happy Jori got a happy ending. I love how Donna packs her books full of emotion. I can feel their struggles and pain, making the books all the more satisfying! This books fits right in with her style. Loved it!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic work of fiction, “Torn Canvas” is the second book of the “Safe Harbors” series and it explores the aftermath of the pirate attack that took place in the first book.

Read full review in the 2014 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Kristina Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this book! Jori was intriguing in "A Change of Plans" but it was fun seeing things from his perspective. At first it was a little confusing as the narrator switched between viewpoints without a large difference in how he read them, but after you realize there are two viewpoints you can just listen and enjoy without confusion.

[Rhondia Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book was in my TBR pile for far too long. Had I know just how good it was, I would have read it right away. Now I want anything else in this series....NOW!