Winner of the 2017 eLit Award Romance categoryWinner of the 2017 eLit Award LGBT Fiction category Book Excellence Award FinalistArtist Kellus Hardin let love and loyalty cloud his past decisions, a mistake he definitely won’t make again. Now, lost and alone, he’s left to pick up the shattered pieces of his broken heart while facing the truth of his reality. Arik Layne exudes power, confidence, … exudes power, confidence, and determination. But when an encounter with the guarded artist shakes him to the core and alters all his future goals, he finds more than just his heart on the line.
For Kellus, opening himself to love isn’t an option.
All Arik wants is to make the artist his.
Can love create a masterpiece when it’s painted on your heart?
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I know now that I should have read Current between Us before this one. It felt at times that I was missing some points and inside jokes, but I still enjoyed most of the story. I liked the angst in the first part of the book, Kellus’s internal monologue and his struggle with his attraction to Arik and why it shouldn’t go any further. I liked Arik’s easy acceptance and support of Kellus’s art and his health. Most of their interactions ranged from sweet and cute to slightly angsty. The intimate scenes were well written and a pleasure to read. This book was insta love all the way, at times it was real cute how Arik thought about his feelings to Kellus. It kind of got a little too much when Arik tried to steamroll Kellus into things he wasn’t ready for.
I really had an issue with Kellus’s attitude and his actions towards John, his ex/best friend. Someone should have put their foot down and really opened his eyes to what John was, and everyone just chose easy way out – to leave him floundering or to keep silent. The last quarter of the book contained too much of John, and I stood by Arik and what he thought about this whole situation. Kellus’s actions and total forgiveness over John’s actions enabled him to do more harm. That was not a favorite part.
I really liked the ending though. It was sweet and very happy with very positive vibe, and it was the perfect way to finish the story. I am happy to say that Kellus’s finally opened his eyes and let go of these weird feelings he harbored towards John, and Arik truly became his world. Arik was still as domineering and high handed as before, but he mellowed as Kellus got his bearings back. All in all, I mostly liked the story. It was very steamy, angsty and through dual POV author managed to show me both men and what they were made of.
Beautiful, heartbreaking, tragic and wonderful all at once!
Kindle has a way with words that no matter what she is writing comes across so soul deep and loving! Her words crest stories that leave you feeling all the emotions and wondering if you can recover. You do and then you go to the next book and feel the same.
Our characters go through a lot and have a hard time even when the love is there. Believing in your person is not always easy and sometimes it’s because you can’t see clearly and your emotions are involved. I loved this story for all that and this family and friends blending in a few stories just keeps you coming back!
I always love books by Kindle Alexander, they are full of emotion and as always I fall in love with the characters.
I went to Rare 18 Roma and talked to so many great authors, but what I remember most was this book and the authors behind it. So nice
I ended up starting to read it the same day and I’m happy I did.
This was a sweet, sad, lovely and empowering read. Why haven’t I’ve read more from this author….
Now it’s going to change.
This is what I loved about this story:
* Great storyline that progresses in a nice pace, background info on the characters are good.
* I felt like I knew the characters fairly quick because their described in a way that allowed me to get a feeling of “see” in to their minds. I love when authors manage that, it makes me disappear in their world.
* I loved that Arik didn’t give up on Kellus even though he was trying everything to avoid Arik. But Kellus felt the connection. It’s almost as I can feel Kellus vulnerability and how scared he is of starting something new.
* There’s no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and the dialogues is making the story show the characters personalities.
* Love scenes are tender and sweet but also steaming hot without being distasteful.
Quote:
“He had disclosed everything. Arik new it all and still wanted him.”
“Arik: I’m sorry, I completely lost myself in you”
“He’d done it – fallen with no possible way to retreat”
Oh, I’ve written so much notes in this book.
Extremely well written m/m romance
Painted On My Heart by Kindle Alexander is an Epic story from them. The storylines are right out of the real world (you are lucky if one of them has not touched your life). Painted On My Heart is connected to some of their other books so We get to catch up with other characters we already know, but it can be read as a standalone.
Arick Layne is a power to be reckoned with, even in the families’ Layne Empire. His cousin, Gage Synclair has been in a loving back & forth with Arick their whole lives. But a few years ago, he got one up by giving Arick a work of art from one of his lesser known clients, Kellus Hardin.
Kellus Hardin is a wonderful multi-media artist, in whose life he is now left facing the truth of his reality. He does not see how anything but his art and health can matter.
Arick and Kellus are finally in the same city, Dallas. They both are dynamic men who are set in their sexuality. For Arick, he feels he must start over every time Kellus leaves him. Kellus just cannot believe or allow the things Arick can bring to his life.
“The stroke of midnight was coming, but he would allow himself the fairytale until the very last chime.”
Again, Kindle Alexander tells the best stories and Painted on My Heart is soul touching. Kindle Alexander again gives their readers the story voice they expect. I did not see the twists in Painted on My Heart, you are so surprised. They lead to the angst on several different levels that are so heart touching and a story that no one has told. It is sure going to surprise a few too –in a good way. Oh, my goodness– I will never get over this story– I cried and not since “Always” have I done this. This is my thoughts on Painted on My Heart from the copy I got. Give this story a read, You will not be disappointed.
Thanks Kindle Alexander & Good Writing