Outside the Lines

by Susan Haught

“Outside the Lines is an emotionally powerful story of perseverancein the face of doubt, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.”Sometimes fire reveals more than it destroysArtist Seth Stockton’s ranching roots didn’t prepare him for New York City’s cutthroat art world. Sales of his paintings are dismal, future prospects are bleak, and at thirty-three he’s disillusioned, stuck in a pointless graphic design job, and broke. Then, the unthinkable happens—Fellow artist Aimee Riesling accidentally sets fire to their studio. Seth’s paintings are ruined, along with his hopes. But Aimee refuses to let him give up, and pushes him to harness the inner passion and arouses the driving force behind his art…and feelings he never imagined he’d experience again. When an eccentric art dealer sees promise in the damaged paintings, Seth has his first shot at recognition and with Aimee by his side, he’s basking in the spotlight. But the elation is short-lived when he receives word his father is dying and his manipulative ex-wife shows up with a disturbing secret. Aimee finds her and Seth together, assumes the worst, and flees to art school in Italy.Seth’s future hangs in balance. Caught between family, honor, and love, the choice Seth makes will challenge his moral fiber, threaten his career, and risk losing Aimee and a second chance at happiness.

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2019

About the author

Susan Haught writes emotionally powerful stories of family, friendship, and the healing power of love. A multi award-winning novelist and Australian black liquorice connoisseur, Susan believes Love is Ageless and has the power to change lives--one step, one touch, one kiss at a time.

Susan is the author of the Award-winning Whisper of the Pines series—A Promise of Fireflies, A Thousand Butterfly Wishes, The Other Side of Broken, Outside the Lines, and Christmas Under the Tuscan Stars. Books 1-3 in the series have won numerous awards for outstanding fiction in Romance and/or Women’s Fiction. In the Shadow of Fate, the companion book to A Promise of Fireflies, is an Amazon #1 bestseller in multiple poetry categories.

When Susan isn't writing, you'll find her tending her garden with a notorious brown thumb, or escaping into someone else's words. She enjoys mentoring new writers, and she's always on the lookout for the best in Australian black liquorice and ways to spoil her grandpuppy, a feisty Yorkie named Ryleigh. Yes, her son named his gorgeous Yorkshire Terrier after the main character in A Promise of Fireflies.

Susan and her husband call the mountains of Arizona home where they raised their son. They spend their spare time catering to a high-maintenance princess, their Shih Tzu, Mercedes, and on FaceTime with Ryleigh…and their son! 


Learn more about Susan's award-winning Whisper of the Pines series, sign up for her Love is Ageless newsletter, or download her FREE companion book by visiting www.susanhaught.com

Follow Susan on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanHaughtBKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrhaught/
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Reviews

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for an easy, humorous romance, this is not that book. When you read a book by this author you can be assured of a happy ending, but the road to it is anything but. There’s plenty of angst as the characters face challenges, uncertainties, and circumstances setting up roadblocks on their path to forever. You can count on the characters burrowing deep into your soul, sharing their every emotion with you, and becoming fully vested in their journey as well as the outcome as you cheer for them every step of the way.

Aimee and Seth are both artists, but they're about as opposite as night and day. She's bold, confident and sassy, and it shows in her painting. He’s cautious and orderly, with baggage he still carries from eight years ago and a father in poor health. Aimee challenges Seth to open himself and paint from his heart, and in the process he opens his heart to her, finding success and a love he never imagined. Just as Seth gets the chance to live a life he never dared to dream, his past comes crashing into his present and threatens all that he's finally beginning to build.

Haught's books always hit me straight in the heart. With some sort of existential conflict, degrees of self-actualizing and a cryptically profound supernatural nudge, her characters plights are authentic, relatable and abundantly endearing. It’s impossible for the reader to not feel and experience the struggles and successes, the highs and lows, the loss and love, thereby creating a strong connection with the characters. One thing is certain. After reading this profound, poignant, deeply evocative book Seth and Aimee will have a place in your heart. Their story will make you feel and make you think, and it will leave you better for having experienced it with them.

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside the Lines is a profoundly moving story, written in such lyrical prose that at times I was lost in the images that were woven by its words. Seth Stockton is an artist...talented and creative, but plagued with doubt and insecurities. Seth is also nursing old wounds which keep him from opening up his heart. He is a fascinating and compelling character. While I was reading this book, I felt a deep connection to Seth and his story, and there was something about this book that felt personal; I could tell that the author had poured her soul into every page of this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating complicated emotional romance story. Strong engaging characters. It is a well-written book, I enjoyed reading. It was a pleasure to review.

[Brandyeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to share a voluntary, honest impression that’s based on the author’s technical skill as well as the story. I very much enjoyed both. The element that stayed with me the strongest is the author’s use of color, not only through the eyes of the main characters as painters, but looking at the eyes, always discovering light, and watching the snow fall.

Haught weaves in a beautiful recurrence of reflection in windows that lends an intriguing metaphor about the way we see ourselves and others, about longing, dreaming and searching for a guide & for answers. I also really appreciate this author’s sense of the body. The main character, Seth, feels his emotions in his chest, through temperature rushing through his blood, through feelings of unease in his stomach. It makes it easy to relate to him because he is so physical, and really comes alive on the page for me. Stress and stomach issues tend to run in pairs and this is executed well.

This next part is a sort-of spoiler…This is not just a story about falling in love, but a journey of the heart to become a better man. There are a lot of honest developments in Seth’s character. A well-rounded portrayal of the human condition. When I first see Seth interacting with Aimee (as more than just a peer) he does things that are difficult for me to stomach: he’s untrusting, jealous, a bit controlling—but THEN he absolutely realizes it and instantly we see his flaws stem from fear and know that a real transformation is taking place. He wants to rise above his own fear of being hurt again. He becomes more accepting of his partner for who she is. He shows this in many ways, and it’s very important to me that it’s a progression and it doesn’t happen overnight. We don’t change overnight…. this character has a kind heart and he was hurt, it sets him back emotionally for some years and he shuts himself off, but he makes a choice not to let this fear define him and to dictate how he interacts with the world. He pushes on to realizing that he is unable to control others and that in fact he doesn’t need to or want to… and he knows that in order to truly love Aimee that this acceptance is crucial. He is able to honor Aimee for who she is and what she wants for herself. It’s complex, and it’s human and I really enjoyed the journey he took to open up. He wasn’t perfect in the end, he was a real person—seeking to show kindness, struggling with his worth, and loving authentically for that stage in his journey (The Fool's Journey!).

[Patrice Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and wrote this review voluntarily. As a fan of Susan Haught's books, I expected a lot from this story. And it delivers. Haught specializes in deep characterizations--people who come to life on the page. The people in this book develop, improve themselves, recognize their weaknesses and accept the 'human-ness' of each other. When I read a book by Susan Haught I know I will meet characters whose lives will enchant me. One indication of great book characters is that the reader won't be able to let them go. While I'm reading, and even when I finish the book, I think about the characters--wonder what they've been up to in the interim. Susan Haught delivers that every time. You'll love this story--and the people this book introduces. Highly recommend.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book. If you are looking for a light hearted, feel good, little angst, romantic read, this book is not it.

The characters are complex, there is a distinct aura of tension and angst. Part I and II felt like a dark cloud hanging overhead. The reacting without listening or asking for an explanation I found to be extremely irritating.
There is a ton of conflict, and ultimately there is an HEA.

This is a book that you definitely should read and judge for yourself. It is the first time I have read anything by this author. This was absolutely not my cup of tea, but it would not stop me from trying her work again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside the Lines by Susan Haught is a very powerful emotional book. The story held me captive from the very first page. It had all the emotions of heartbreak, love and loss. This will definitely tug at your heartstrings. The book is filled so much detail that you feel like you are right there living this book. Even though this book is #4 in the Whisper of the Pines Series it can very well be read as a standalone. Very well written, strongly developed characters. I definitely recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I received a copy of this book via BookSprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Artist's Angst
This is the tale of heartbreak, loss, and love and how it affects an artist's work. The story is great. It gets a bit philosophical on occasion but is very well done. It does not need to be read as part of the series or in series order; it stands alone well. This is a longer book which allows the author room to add rich detail and to fully develop many aspects of the story. She still allows plenty of room for the reader's imagination. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Seth and Aimee’s story! It left me smiling and with a good feeling!! What a journey! A journey through self-doubt, pain from a betrayal in the past, misunderstandings, and financial troubles. One thing that stood out to me was Seth’s willingness to help the person who hurt him most - even though doing so came at a time when his life was turning around for the better and it jeopardizes all he finally has within his grasp. At the beginning of the book and at a few times throughout, the story was a bit slow to me - I’d say weighed down with some wordy passages - but at other times the descriptive prose was very beautiful. The emotions were real and relatable. I haven’t read the other books in the series yet but I want to after reading this one!

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has so much depth and emotions, especially in Seth Stockton. He is an artist who does not
believe his art is good enough. He is still hurt by his ex-wife's betrayal from eight years ago. Once I got into the story I felt mesmerized to see Aimee Riesling bring out Seth's soul in his paintings. If she could just break through the wall Seth had resurrected around his heart and his emotions. What an interesting story of the past influencing today. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone said, "it is an emotionally powerful story of perseverance in the face of doubt, forgiveness, and the healing power of love". I could not agree more. Seth was a gifted artist but his doubts and insecurities caused him to be constantly in deep dispair. Aimee, another artist believed in him and through her support Seth healed and saw his self worth. However, things did not run smoothly. Well written, great characters, and wonderful love story. I recommend.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very emotional story of love, sadness, expectations and much more. One artist lacking confidence and another giving freely and completely. I love the characters in this story. Well most of them. There was at least one that I didn’t like. I highly recommend this book. It will pull at your heart. You won’t be able to let this book go. A big 5 stars and I look forward to reading more by this author. I received a copy of this book via BookSprout for my honest opinion.

[stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this book. While not my normal reading fare I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the writing style of the book. The author fleshes the main characters well. Especially when it comes to the emotions felt by their hearts. If you’re one who enjoys romantic novels as your main reading genre I recommend this book to you. If you want to read something different from mysteries I recommend this book to you!

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with deep emotions with the power of love and support. The characters are strong and well developed and the author does a beautiful job building and moving the story. She pulls you in right to the end. I enjoyed and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is trying to make his name in the art world but it is not so easy as he thought. She appears and a fire happens and it seems it may be good for them. Can he really make it in the art world? What will happen when his father becomes ill? What does his ex wife want now? See how he will get on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about two artist Seth and Aimee one with self-doubt and one who supports the other. Complicated romance with good story plot and characters. Longer story with much details and story development.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book held my interest from the very first page a well written story that kept me turning pages. I was not putting this book down until I had finished reading it. A story I recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Schild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this latest by author Susan Haught. The characters are complex, well-developed and real, and the author does an excellent job of conveying Seth and Aimee's love and emotion. A fast paced, intriguing, page turner of a love story. I highly recommend.

[Shirley Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably should not have tried to read this book. It just was not my kind of book and I only made it through part one. I was given an ARC for my honest review of this book.

[Nancy Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy and I am voluntarily leaving my review. Susan Haught writes AMAZING stories. This book was AMAZING and is a MUST read.

[Valerie Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this book. The first time was last year when I won it as an ARC. I loved it then and this time....I loved it even more the second time around. Once again, Susan explored a risky subject for a lot of people in this world. Domestic violence. I understand completely how Tiffany felt, cause I was in her shoes in my first marriage. Unlike her, tho I did get out of it, I did it on my own. Now, I'm with a man who has helped me in more ways than he'll ever know. We just celebrated our 31st anniversary last month and our marriage just keeps getting stronger every year. Thanks once again, Susan, for a beautiful, heartwarming story. I'm looking forward to reading #5 in the "Whispers in the Pines" series. Highly recommend them all. Keep em coming!!

[Melissa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotionally powerful story of perseverance in the face of doubt, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.
It's almost impossible not to feel a connection with Seth and his struggles.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written emotional story. It pulls you in and keeps you wanting to keep reading. The storyline and the characters are great. I received it from booksprout and voluntarily left my review. I recommend it to all.

[Kimber Buelow- 561 Bookgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from BookSends ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very confused when I first started reading this story. I was unclear as to what the trauma was that was suffered by the main character. As I continued to read, the details became clearer and it made it easier to understand parts of what was happening.

Not having read any of the Whisper of the Pines series, I wonder if I would have caught on faster having read the others. However, it was not a deal breaker on understanding or on enjoyment of the book.