Book Review - Dark Canvas

About the Book 

Jody Summers came up with the idea for his deep, psychological thriller through a real-life meeting with a beautiful ex-model, now artist, who actually does paint stunning abstracts with the ashes of the deceased.  While Dark Canvas (iUniverse) is the first book by Jody Summers, thankfully there are several more books slated for release in the next twelve months!

At first, artist Kira McGovern wonders if it is morbid to paint a tribute to her dead mother’s memory by using her own ashes, but an inexplicable need pushes her to the point where she really has no choice, and when she sees how the completed painting personalizes and immortalizes her mother’s life she’s glad she listened to her instincts.  So much so that she opens a new business, Canvas of Life, as a way of sharing her extraordinary gift of painting with ‘cremains’ with others going through the loss of a loved one. 

As she begins with her first clients, something strange and mysterious occurs – Kira begins to experience segments of the dead person’s life.  Through visions and dreams she begins to receive images; while some are gratifying, others are terrifying!

Sean Easton is a Kansas farm boy with a special talent that he is just beginning to understand.  His father has also recently died, but there is something sinister still lingering on the farm.  Somewhat shy and a little naïve, Sean is drawn to Kira, the worldly ex-model, and he takes his father’s ashes to her as a pretense to meet her.  As he falls in love with the beautiful artist he makes some startling discoveries about his own life as well, but it’s when Kira begins to paint with Sean’s father’s ashes that the real terror begins… 

The story takes place in New Orleans, a city already cloaked in mystery and intrigue, lending even more richness to Dark Canvas, and the plot deepens when Kira and Sean realize they must quickly find the meaning and source of her dreams before both their love and their lives are destroyed.  Readers are guaranteed a truly unique experience in this page-turning novel, as they share in the sinister ride of thrills and sometimes nightmarish horrors that Kira’s extraordinary gift uncovers.

Wanting to acknowledge the wonderful artist who paints with ashes and who became the inspiration for his novel, despite the fact she suffers with fibromyalgia, the author is graciously donating a portion of all proceeds from the sales of Dark Canvas to the Fibromyalgia Coalition International out of Kansas City. 

About the Author

Jody Summers was born in New Orleans and became the adopted son of a prominent Texas restaurateur.  While his early childhood was in his native city, he grew up in Memphis and Houston, TX.  Always the entrepreneur, he has tried his hand at many things but readers would agree his forte is in writing riveting thrillers.  Jody Summers’ life experiences as a restaurateur, gymnast, stunt man, pilot, skydiver, scuba diver and accomplished martial artist, add a depth and understanding to his first novel with all its twists and turns that keep readers anxiously turning pages to the very end! 

My Take on the Book
Suspenseful and exciting this book takes the reader on a thrill ride that you don't want to end. Seeing that this was the authors' first novel, you never know what to expect. In saying this though he has done an amazing job at weaving a wonderful tapestry that ensnares the reader, not only in a love story, but also in the lives of the families and loved ones in which the main character is painting with.

If you have an interest in suspense and the supernatural, or if you simply like strong characters and a storyline that does not stop, then you will not want to miss this book!

I highly recommend this book and hope to see many novels to come from this author!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. 

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