Francine Rivers newest release Masterpiece is truly a MASTERPIECE!!!!. I will admit that I am a huge fan of Francine Rivers and have read everything she has written. Needless to say, I could not wait till this book came out. Cleared my calendar, along with the freezing weather outside, it was a perfect novel to curl up with. I tried to pace myself reading, but it was too hard. The story line of Roman Velasco and Grace Moore pulls you in more and more with each page, making it a page turner till the very end.
The ghosts of his past hold him captive. Her missteps bring her to his door.
Lets start with Roman..a man that has women, money, fame and is truly unhappy. He is always looking for that next high. He is a sought after artist and his paintings bring in more money than he needs. So to find that high he reverts to his past as a graffiti artist and goes out at night to tag buildings as the "Bird". This alter ego could destroy his career and land him in prison, but he doesn't care. His life is a mess and needs a personal assistant to help him and Grace Moore enters the picture. Grace needs the money so she takes the job, but finds Roman has demons from his past that threaten their working environment. Grace has demons of her own..a failed marriage, an unhappy childhood mixed with tragedy, and a son to raise with little support. She needs the job so desperately that when Roman suggest she live in the guest cottage , she accepts but wonders how this will affect their working relationship. Grace is a believer and Roman is not. When Grace asks Roman what he believes, he says,"We're born. We survive the best we can. We die. End of story" As you continue reading, you realize that if Roman can't let go of his past, he will never reach his full potential, and Grace knows the same applies to her. Throughout the story there are highs, lows but always showing the Lord at work in each of their lives. God had been drawing Roman and Grace to Him from the time they were children, both desperately in need and longing for a father. Long before they knew Him, He'd been at work in their lives. The Lord had promised those who believe that He would take away the stony, stubborn heart;give them a tender, responsive heart; and put His Spirit in them so they could follow Him.
When you pick up one of Francine Rivers books, you will always have the gospel presented in various ways and this book was a fascinating story of how God is always after His children and how His love and mercy cover us, even when we are like Roman Velasco was. If you read just one book this year, please make it this one!. Loved, loved, loved the story and the amazing characters that Francine put together to weave and unforgettable story.
Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for this free book just for my honest opinion.
http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/downloads/press_kits/The%20Masterpiece%20Author%20Q&A.pdf
https://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/firstChapters/978-1-4964-0790-
