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Painter Place #2
Hugo
September 21, 1989: Some monsters in the dark are real. Can Painter Place survive? On September 21, 1989, historic Hurricane Hugo came in the dead of night, slamming Category 4 power into Charleston, South Carolina at the worst possible time - high tide - creating a storm surge of 20 feet. Those who are stranded in the Big House at Painter Place are mauled by the elements and the barrier island is scoured by the writhing Atlantic Ocean storm surge, forcing Caroline Painter Gregory to say goodbye to a life she loves and face a future that may hold the worst that can possibly happen. Survivors of the monster storm must cope with unimaginable losses, challenging their relationships, endurance and faith. While Painter Place is being made habitable again, broken-hearted Caroline and her newborn twins travel to France, where she finds healing in art and unexpectedly becomes entangled in danger greater than her new bodyguard can stop. On the devastated South Carolina coastline of 1989 and then in Arles, France during the centennial of Van Gogh's life there, Hugo continues the saga of Painter Place.
Reader This is a story written from a Biblical worldview with faith elements and will appeal most to Christian readers. "If you are looking for a CLEAN, conservative romance and adventure rolled into one this is the series for you. Featuring the Painter and Gregory families we see the love and interaction between couples of all ages." - Liz, Top 100 Reviewer
Reader This is a story written from a Biblical worldview with faith elements and will appeal most to Christian readers. "If you are looking for a CLEAN, conservative romance and adventure rolled into one this is the series for you. Featuring the Painter and Gregory families we see the love and interaction between couples of all ages." - Liz, Top 100 Reviewer
378 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2015
301 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Poole
18 books44 followersPamela Poole writes inspirational mystery and suspense that explore the intersection of faith, history, and the unseen spiritual realm. Her stories are grounded in a clear Christian worldview and shaped by a deep respect for both historical preservation and biblical truth.
With a love for unusual old houses and the stories embedded within them, Pamela creates compelling mysteries where the past presses into the present—and faith becomes essential to discernment and courage. Her characters are ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, learning to trust Jesus when darkness threatens and answers are not easily found.
Pamela is the author of the Strange Sands Suspense series and the Painter Place Saga, blending richly detailed settings with themes of calling, obedience, redemption, and spiritual warfare. Her fiction offers clean, thought-provoking suspense designed both to engage the imagination and to encourage the heart.
When she isn’t writing, Pamela enjoys research, painting in her art studio, travel, and time spent near the coast—places where history lingers and inspiration quietly waits to be uncovered.
With a love for unusual old houses and the stories embedded within them, Pamela creates compelling mysteries where the past presses into the present—and faith becomes essential to discernment and courage. Her characters are ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges, learning to trust Jesus when darkness threatens and answers are not easily found.
Pamela is the author of the Strange Sands Suspense series and the Painter Place Saga, blending richly detailed settings with themes of calling, obedience, redemption, and spiritual warfare. Her fiction offers clean, thought-provoking suspense designed both to engage the imagination and to encourage the heart.
When she isn’t writing, Pamela enjoys research, painting in her art studio, travel, and time spent near the coast—places where history lingers and inspiration quietly waits to be uncovered.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 8, 2019
What I think you should know:
Hugo is the second book in the Painter’s Place Sagas, it takes place in the fall of 1989. Although Pamela Poole, the author gives clues as to what happened in book one to fully understand the characters I feel that you would need to read the first book in the series Painter’s Place. The story starts with Hugo barreling down on Painter’s Place and Charleston.
What I enjoyed about this book:
Hugo is not just about the hurricane, it is about how they move forward when everything they thought knew about life was destroyed. I remember Hugo and the aftermath, for the people of Charleston and the surrounding islands it really was a life changing and it really did affect people as far inland as Charlotte, NC. I didn’t not enjoy the changes in Chad and Caroline in this book, their characters were not as strong in their faith after the hurricane. I did enjoy some of the new characters and hope we will get more of their story in the third book.
Who will love this book( Just to name a few):
Fans of Christian Fiction
Anyone who wants a clean romance novel.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Hugo is the second book in the Painter’s Place Sagas, it takes place in the fall of 1989. Although Pamela Poole, the author gives clues as to what happened in book one to fully understand the characters I feel that you would need to read the first book in the series Painter’s Place. The story starts with Hugo barreling down on Painter’s Place and Charleston.
What I enjoyed about this book:
Hugo is not just about the hurricane, it is about how they move forward when everything they thought knew about life was destroyed. I remember Hugo and the aftermath, for the people of Charleston and the surrounding islands it really was a life changing and it really did affect people as far inland as Charlotte, NC. I didn’t not enjoy the changes in Chad and Caroline in this book, their characters were not as strong in their faith after the hurricane. I did enjoy some of the new characters and hope we will get more of their story in the third book.
Who will love this book( Just to name a few):
Fans of Christian Fiction
Anyone who wants a clean romance novel.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2020
What an unique book! I really LOVE how Pamela Poole writes. I first started with the third in this series and while these books are stand alones I do recommend reading them in order instead. Pamela has such a unique "voice" in her writing! Each time I opened one of these books I felt like I was getting together with old friends. Though I will say that there are so many characters and connections that it took my slow brain a little while keeping everyone straight! I LOVE the settings she chooses for her stories and the Faith scenes are FANTASTIC, though I didn't like some of the quotes that start each chapter I did like others! Caroline is one of my favorite characters out of all the books I've read! Her strength and intelligence lend these books to be counted in the ones I could read again and again! Overall I truly enjoyed reading this book and think it ties for first as my favorite in this series!
(NOTE: I read and therefore reviewed an older version of this book. The author has since re-edited and re-published this book)
Songs to come:
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
~ASC
*I received this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Hugo. ~ASC
(NOTE: I read and therefore reviewed an older version of this book. The author has since re-edited and re-published this book)
Songs to come:
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
~ASC
*I received this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Hugo. ~ASC
July 30, 2019
Hugo" by Pamela Poole is the second novel in the (Painter Place Saga) series. I really recommend reading these novels in order to get the full impact. This story is based on a real hurricane called Hugo. I really loved this story even though it was fictional. The characters are a family that were rich but this story clearly shows that they have struggles, in some instances more than the average person has. This story is much more than a love story, through it is a love story. It is a story that shows sometimes you just have to trust your loved ones even when things look like they have betrayal you and kept secrets. This book is full of love and trust in loved ones as well as Jesus and letting faith lead you when it seems you have nothing left.
I really enjoyed reading about Van Gogh and the dance scenes, which really surprises me because I am not into art or dancing. This book really had nothing that I didn't like. A definitely five star novel for me.
I am going to share a few quotes from the book that really grabbed me that I shared on Facebook. I really like the section where Chad answers a question about God treating people who love Him and do so much for other people by talking everything away from them. Chad answers by telling Dr Tony Rush that he, Chad, is where Jesus is and that is in the middle of the storm in the boat., and that takes faith. I don't know maybe this passage means more to me because my pastor sermon at church yesterday was about Jesus being in the boat with you in life's storms. I really like it when the books enforce what sermons teach! Another truth this book points out is that "Sin is never private even when you think you're alone, like Noah getting drunk and throwin' his clothes off. It always takes you places you never wanted to go, and you pay for that ticket over and over the rest of your life."
"It is God Himself from whom we should measure what is true, not the babbling of well-meaning people" I was just thinking He shows us off, doesn't He? God, I mean. If we're His, He doesn't let Satan go any further than we can endure. He always gives us victory, but it comes with a price. Otherwise, how would struggles ever mean anything?" "Yes. The bad times, the hard stories, those are the only ones that leave an impression on people. Job would be unknown to the world without His pain."
Something to think about! I really am amazed sometimes at what truths are pointed out in fiction, but I believe that God uses anything and everything to get your attention!
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading about Van Gogh and the dance scenes, which really surprises me because I am not into art or dancing. This book really had nothing that I didn't like. A definitely five star novel for me.
I am going to share a few quotes from the book that really grabbed me that I shared on Facebook. I really like the section where Chad answers a question about God treating people who love Him and do so much for other people by talking everything away from them. Chad answers by telling Dr Tony Rush that he, Chad, is where Jesus is and that is in the middle of the storm in the boat., and that takes faith. I don't know maybe this passage means more to me because my pastor sermon at church yesterday was about Jesus being in the boat with you in life's storms. I really like it when the books enforce what sermons teach! Another truth this book points out is that "Sin is never private even when you think you're alone, like Noah getting drunk and throwin' his clothes off. It always takes you places you never wanted to go, and you pay for that ticket over and over the rest of your life."
"It is God Himself from whom we should measure what is true, not the babbling of well-meaning people" I was just thinking He shows us off, doesn't He? God, I mean. If we're His, He doesn't let Satan go any further than we can endure. He always gives us victory, but it comes with a price. Otherwise, how would struggles ever mean anything?" "Yes. The bad times, the hard stories, those are the only ones that leave an impression on people. Job would be unknown to the world without His pain."
Something to think about! I really am amazed sometimes at what truths are pointed out in fiction, but I believe that God uses anything and everything to get your attention!
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
July 31, 2019
So, I wanted to see what the hype was about The Painter Place novels by Pamela Poole. Hugo, the novel I read, is the second in the Painter Place Saga.
I was excited to see a map at the front. Kudos! The forward, which many readers skip, was fascinating. The novel is set in September of 1989, a year I well remember.
“Saga” is a good word for this series, as it obviously involves quite a few people and their extended families. No two-dimensional characters here. Although, I rather wish there had been. There are so many people the story whips around and in between, I had trouble keeping them straight. By fleshing out so many characters so well, it was hard to focus on who the main characters really were.
This is a very turbulent narrative of a family in tumultuous times. At times I could identify with the characters, but many times their solutions made me feel like the average person would have not had those options, and would have been required to slog through those times without getting away. Would the characters still have come out as stronger survivors?
Poole packs a boat-load of truth into her book. I think I might have preferred only a few problems to be solved than several that meant there was an abundance of philosophizing and Bible explanation throughout the tale. Trying to balance story and truth, that is a hard feat to accomplish.
Quotable:
“That’s always the bottom line, isn’t it? No matter what a person accomplished, it has to end, and it turns out that the most important thing wasn’t what they left behind. It was where they’d spend eternity.”
As I finished the book, I wondered if it might appeal most to twenty-something readers. Or I may be one of a few who is not a huge fan. Try Hugo for yourself and let me know your thoughts.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required and all opinions are solely my own.
I was excited to see a map at the front. Kudos! The forward, which many readers skip, was fascinating. The novel is set in September of 1989, a year I well remember.
“Saga” is a good word for this series, as it obviously involves quite a few people and their extended families. No two-dimensional characters here. Although, I rather wish there had been. There are so many people the story whips around and in between, I had trouble keeping them straight. By fleshing out so many characters so well, it was hard to focus on who the main characters really were.
This is a very turbulent narrative of a family in tumultuous times. At times I could identify with the characters, but many times their solutions made me feel like the average person would have not had those options, and would have been required to slog through those times without getting away. Would the characters still have come out as stronger survivors?
Poole packs a boat-load of truth into her book. I think I might have preferred only a few problems to be solved than several that meant there was an abundance of philosophizing and Bible explanation throughout the tale. Trying to balance story and truth, that is a hard feat to accomplish.
Quotable:
“That’s always the bottom line, isn’t it? No matter what a person accomplished, it has to end, and it turns out that the most important thing wasn’t what they left behind. It was where they’d spend eternity.”
As I finished the book, I wondered if it might appeal most to twenty-something readers. Or I may be one of a few who is not a huge fan. Try Hugo for yourself and let me know your thoughts.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required and all opinions are solely my own.
July 30, 2019
I was so excited to read the follow up book that started with Painter's Place. I remember every character from the first book because they were so easy to fall in love with. Caroline was such a talented painter and we traveled far away for her to experience art work and historical places. This book finds the characters facing one of the biggest challenges people have living on the coast. Hurricane Hugo had its sights on the Carolina coast and disaster was about to strike.
The author does a realistic account of the hurricane and the destruction it can cause. I have been through several and they are destructive and dangerous. The moment Hugo hit, chaos broke out. Caroline goes into labor and has no way to get to the hospital. I could feel the anxiety rising as everything around them started to crumble. Hurricanes have no mercy and they can hit one side of the street and not the other. It has a mind of its own and Painter's Place was the target for this hurricane.
The story is filled with trying to survive the disaster and picking up the pieces after the storm. I felt for everyone who had to look at their homes and cars and realize they had lost more than material things. One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was getting to know the characters better. Chad and Caroline are having a hard time communicating. The tension between them is strong. The family comes together to rebuild and along the way, repair relationships. This story is a wonderful journey with people who overcome obstacles and find renewed faith .
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The author does a realistic account of the hurricane and the destruction it can cause. I have been through several and they are destructive and dangerous. The moment Hugo hit, chaos broke out. Caroline goes into labor and has no way to get to the hospital. I could feel the anxiety rising as everything around them started to crumble. Hurricanes have no mercy and they can hit one side of the street and not the other. It has a mind of its own and Painter's Place was the target for this hurricane.
The story is filled with trying to survive the disaster and picking up the pieces after the storm. I felt for everyone who had to look at their homes and cars and realize they had lost more than material things. One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was getting to know the characters better. Chad and Caroline are having a hard time communicating. The tension between them is strong. The family comes together to rebuild and along the way, repair relationships. This story is a wonderful journey with people who overcome obstacles and find renewed faith .
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
July 23, 2019
On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo came in the dead of night, slamming Category 4 power into Charleston, South Carolina at the worst possible time—high tide. Painter Place is scoured by the writing Atlantic storm surge, forcing Caroline Painter Gregory to say goodbye to a life she loves and face a future that may hold the worst that might happen. On the devastated South Carolina coastline of 1989 and then in Arles, France during the centennial of Van Gogh's life there, Hugo continues the saga of Painter Place.
My Thoughts: This book will not disappoint readers who fell in love with "Painter Place" the first book in the series. In this story, we see how the family copes with the historic hurricane Hugo a category 4 hurricane that wreaked havoc on south Carolina's shores in 1989.
In this story, we see how the family comes together as they begin to rebuild, not only the buildings and studios on White Island, where Painter place has been since the early 1600's; but we watch as family is rebuilt, and more relationships are built.
Hurricane's are dangerous, they can be frightening. When people evacuate, they have no idea what they will return home to. Pamela Poole has written an accurate account of what people feel when they have encountered a hurricane. Readers who loved the first book will definitely enjoy the second. I personally look forward to reading the third book in the series.
⭐
My Thoughts: This book will not disappoint readers who fell in love with "Painter Place" the first book in the series. In this story, we see how the family copes with the historic hurricane Hugo a category 4 hurricane that wreaked havoc on south Carolina's shores in 1989.
In this story, we see how the family comes together as they begin to rebuild, not only the buildings and studios on White Island, where Painter place has been since the early 1600's; but we watch as family is rebuilt, and more relationships are built.
Hurricane's are dangerous, they can be frightening. When people evacuate, they have no idea what they will return home to. Pamela Poole has written an accurate account of what people feel when they have encountered a hurricane. Readers who loved the first book will definitely enjoy the second. I personally look forward to reading the third book in the series.
⭐
August 2, 2019
Having read Painter Place, the first book in this series, I was looking forward to reading this second book. While someone could possibly read this book without reading the first, I would definitely recommend reading them in order.
I have to say one reason why I definitely wanted to read this book was that I was living in Eastern North Carolina at the time Hurricane Hugo roared into the Carolinas. Because of the track the storm took, we missed being impacted by the storm personally. On the other hand, my parents had friends living in the direct path of the storm. Also, living in Eastern North Carolina and then Texas, we have experienced quite a few hurricanes personally. So I was interested to see how Pamela Poole would handle the details of a hurricane.
The amazing way Pamela Poole ties together art, separate characters, separate locations, and Christianity captured my attention when I first started reading. The artistic aspects of this book filled my mind with pictures of what I was reading. I appreciated how this story picked up the story ended in Painter Place. However, I also have to say, I can not wait to read the next book in this series. So if you love fiction that includes art, storms, family, and Christianity, check out this book for yourself.
I have to say one reason why I definitely wanted to read this book was that I was living in Eastern North Carolina at the time Hurricane Hugo roared into the Carolinas. Because of the track the storm took, we missed being impacted by the storm personally. On the other hand, my parents had friends living in the direct path of the storm. Also, living in Eastern North Carolina and then Texas, we have experienced quite a few hurricanes personally. So I was interested to see how Pamela Poole would handle the details of a hurricane.
The amazing way Pamela Poole ties together art, separate characters, separate locations, and Christianity captured my attention when I first started reading. The artistic aspects of this book filled my mind with pictures of what I was reading. I appreciated how this story picked up the story ended in Painter Place. However, I also have to say, I can not wait to read the next book in this series. So if you love fiction that includes art, storms, family, and Christianity, check out this book for yourself.
December 31, 2017
It took me a while to get into the book since I hadn't read the first one and keeping all the characters straight was hard. Since they all are related in some way or another, and many have names that begin with the same letter, it took some time to cement them all in my mind.
I loved the story itself, as well as the strong Christian storyline about faith and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed seeing Caroline grow so much and come to terms with her grandfather's death. There were a few doctrinal things that I don't necessarily agree with, but that's OK and is why there are so many different denominations out there.
The love story between the two main characters was so sweet and is the highlight of the book.
I loved the story itself, as well as the strong Christian storyline about faith and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed seeing Caroline grow so much and come to terms with her grandfather's death. There were a few doctrinal things that I don't necessarily agree with, but that's OK and is why there are so many different denominations out there.
The love story between the two main characters was so sweet and is the highlight of the book.
July 24, 2019
Hugo
The story takes place when Hurricane Hugo did a lot of damage to land. This was in 1989. It is a continuation of the Painter family series. When the storm was about to hit Caroline is getting ready to have twins. Does she have them safely?
Several times during the book there was references to mobile phone. It did not specify what the phone looked like. Definitely a lot different than what we have today.
I liked the quote at the beginning some of each chapters. They were from different famous people. A lot of good quotes. One of my favorites was “ In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost. “
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This review is my own opinion.
The story takes place when Hurricane Hugo did a lot of damage to land. This was in 1989. It is a continuation of the Painter family series. When the storm was about to hit Caroline is getting ready to have twins. Does she have them safely?
Several times during the book there was references to mobile phone. It did not specify what the phone looked like. Definitely a lot different than what we have today.
I liked the quote at the beginning some of each chapters. They were from different famous people. A lot of good quotes. One of my favorites was “ In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost. “
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This review is my own opinion.
January 30, 2020
Pamela Poole’s series could easily stand alongside Karen Kingsbury and Beverly Lewis.
The sequence of scenes with the hurricane were absolutely vivid, and I felt there were a few more “crime thriller” elements in this story than the last one.
There were some places I found myself skimming as the energy lagged, but I think these characters are beginning to grow on me! (If only I could come up with distinct “head voices” for them... the dialogue all gets muddled sometimes, especially between the guys!)
The sequence of scenes with the hurricane were absolutely vivid, and I felt there were a few more “crime thriller” elements in this story than the last one.
There were some places I found myself skimming as the energy lagged, but I think these characters are beginning to grow on me! (If only I could come up with distinct “head voices” for them... the dialogue all gets muddled sometimes, especially between the guys!)
October 25, 2019
The Painter and Gregory families deal with Hurricane Hugo and the devastation to Painter Place and their Island. This is a touching story about hardships and dealing with difficult situations beyond your control. Definitely recommend this book and author and series!! Looking forward to reading the next book Jaguar!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews