Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Ardent
AUTHOR: Heloise West
PUBLISHER: Manifold Press
LENGTH: 238 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2017
BLURB:
In the village of Torrenta, master painter Morello has created a color that mimics the most expensive pigment of all, the crimson red. Master Zeno, from strife-ridden Medici Florence, tells him the color gives him a competitive advantage – but Morello must be careful. Fraud is ever-present in the dye and pigment markets.
As they work together in Torrenta, Morello falls hard for Zeno’s assistant, Benedetto Tagliaferro, a young man of uncommon beauty and intelligence. Benedetto is still fixed on his old lover, the master painter Leo Guisculo, and cannot return Morello’s affections.
But when Leo dies in a terrible accident, it’s to Morello that Zeno and Benedetto turn for help. And Morello soon finds that in Florence, every surface hides layers of intrigue.
REVIEW:
Well if you want hot painters, steamy sex, a murder mystery and all in Italy, then this is your book. Well written and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. Especially when the characters are trying to fight for their lives while figuring out…..whodunnit.
The year is 1475 and Morello is who we meet first. He is a master painter in a time when it’s hard to be a master. He has learned to mix his own color of crimson, he calls Ardent Red. And it can get him in a lot of trouble if it is found out. Crimson was the most expensive paint color and it cost a FORTUNE. Morello could get convicted of fraud. Consequences would be dire. But Morello didn’t do it to start anything, he just figured out a way to make it that was easier and helped him with his love of painting. Morello is just a man who wants to paint and find love. He’s a quiet man for the most part just wanting to be the best at his work. I liked Morello the most in this book. He doesn’t ask for much out of life. He’s a hard worker and loves what he does. And he’s such a passionate person. He just wants to be happy. And when he meets Benedetto, he feels like he might have found something he has always wanted.
Benedetto is an apprentice under another master. On a trip to meet the master Morello works for, he meets Morello. But he doesn’t really return Morello’s feelings because he is infatuated with his master. But Morello gets under his guard, and before you know it they are burning up the sheets. And it is hot hot hot. But Benedetto has to leave and things have to end. Neither can forget the other.
Now here things start getting interesting. There are murders, betrayals, and yes more sex lol. The book definitely takes a sharp turn and I found I couldn’t put it down. Trying to go through the cast of characters like any good whodunnit and find out why as well. It has intrigue and and other characters you can’t help but hate. And ones you are glad when they get beat up. So curl up with your detective hat, and maybe a spying glass and see if you can put this book down as you try to figure out what is going on. Good book!! Happy reading!
RATING:
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