The Masterpiece: Work of Art #3 by Ruth Clampett-Review and Book Tour
Work of Art: The Masterpiece
Work of Art #3
by Ruth Clampett
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release Date: March 2, 2015
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2015
Has Max, the bad boy of the art world been tamed just as his girlfriend, Ava’s star begins to shine? Anything can happen in Los Angeles, a world where heroes become villains and the rogue saves the day.
An unexpected plane ticket leads our heroine to a meeting that will change her life.
What happens when what’s most precious to you slips out of your grasp? How fiercely will you fight for the one you love?
Join Max and Ava for the dramatic and passionate conclusion to the Work of Art trilogy.
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REVIEW: THE MASTERPIECE is the third and final installment in Ruth Clampett’s adult, contemporary Work of Art romance series focusing on troubled and tormented L.A. artist Max Caswell and art graduate/writer Ava Jacobs. Because THE MASTERPIECE is the final installment in the three part trilogy the novel should not be read as a stand alone: too much backstory and history is missing to enable a complete understanding of the premise.
The focus of THE MASTERPIECE finds our couple at a crossroads. Ava has been offered a prestigious position in New York and Max’s emotional sanity is unable to handle the potential separation and threat to their relationship. Max has never handled the New York lifestyle very well and in this he sees only darkness at the end of the day. As our couple try to get a handle on what it is they both want, Max’s past comes back with a vengeance letting them both know that there will be no stopping until she gets what she wants-and she wants Max back in her life. Betrayal, jealousy and resentment are the leading factors in Max’s continuous emotional spiral.
Max is a man so possessed by his need for Ava that even the slightest hint of acknowledgement from other men sets our hero on a crash course straight to h*ll. Max is a tortured soul, whose demons are dark, and ride too close to the surface; there are many times when Max loses control and everyone suffers from the resulting meltdown. His need to run is always a moment away; his fragile self esteem is in constant need of reaffirmation and reassurance that the woman whom he loves, loves him in return. Their relationship is intense, passionate, destructive and profound. Max’s impassioned and emotional personality would suck the life out of most people within a matter of days. His responses are extreme, angst ridden and full of self doubt.
Ruth Clampett spotlights the dysfunctional and emotional behavior of an artiste whose life is centered on perfection in an imperfect world. The hero’s intense, enigmatic and dark psyche is in complete contrast beautiful and moving images he paints and explores. If one could paint with pain, the images would bleed from the mind and the soul.
The epilogue fast forwards the storyline and series approximately seven years where we get a glimpse into the future; Max and Ava’s life; and the life of the people they hold close to their hearts.
THE MASTERPIECE and the Work of Art is a phenomenal series; a psychological nightmare of one man’s obsession with his art and the woman that he loves; the demons from his past; the darkness that controls his mind. Ruth Clampett’s style of writing is seductive, dramatic and a little bit addicting. You are always on the edge of your seat wondering what her characters are going to do next. Her characters are brilliantly written; compelling; and not without many faults and failings.
Copy supplied by the tour promoter.
Reviewed by Sandy
his hand reassuringly. Because I’m beyond exhausted when we step in
the house, he seems unsure of what to say or do. He decides to feed
me, and he heats up the leftover pasta from his dinner and pours me a
glass of Pinot Noir. We sit at the kitchen island, and he watches me eat
as if each bite is his own. I lick my lips and watch him watch me, too
exhausted to make much conversation.
After dinner, I shower and crawl into bed, still damp and disoriented.
He pulls me into his arms and rubs my back gently. I’m so in
love and happy to be back home with him, and I tell him that in quiet
mumbles. I have a vague memory of my knee hitched up against his
erection, but sleep takes me hard.
The next morning dawns in a gray quiet light, and I lift my head
and see a thick blanket of fog draped across the Malibu horizon. I settle
back into the bed and watch Max as his chest rises and falls with each
breath.
I observe him for a long while and become overwhelmed with the
desire to see more of him. I slide the sheet off, excruciatingly slowly, to
reveal his incredible body. His thighs…God, I love his strong thighs
and the way they’re slightly parted, leading my view to his beautiful ass.
My insides curl with desire as I skim my hand down his back.
I’m glad to be naked and warm, my arousal spreading through me.
I want him so much that it takes everything not to shake him awake
and seduce him.
I quietly lift myself up to my knees so I can study him from another
angle. I gently push his waves of hair off his forehead.
Inexplicably, tears fill my eyes and I still for a moment. I love this
man, and when we’re joined together, all I know in life is the depth of
my passion. I kiss his neck, his taste and the Max smell of musk, paint,
and salt air arousing me further. He stirs out of the deepest sleep, and
as I kiss his jaw, his eyes slowly open.
“I thought I was dreaming and didn’t want to wake up. What are
you doing to me, Angel?” he says in his morning voice, as he rolls over
to his back.
“Good morning, handsome. Sorry to wake you, but I woke up and
you’re naked and all…”
“It’s okay,” he says, smiling lazily as he reaches for me. “I take it you
missed me.”
“You have no idea,” I say, as I straddle him, resting lightly on his
thighs.
There’s something so intoxicating about how he makes me feel as
he looks at me. His eyes are wide now and alert to my movements. He
skims his fingers up my sides and then across my breasts, his thumbs
circling my nipples.
“Max, I want you so much,” I whisper, as I gently run my fingers up
and down his length.
His face colors and his jaw flexes as he watches me touch him. He’s
completely hard now, and my fingers tighten as I stroke him.
His hands slide back to my hips and he pulls me closer so I can lift
up and sink down on him.
I love it when he’s all the way inside me. His eyes close and his head
tips back before he lazily begins to rock his hips.
We move slowly in the morning light with the sound and rhythm
of our breath and the waves crashing just beyond.
I gaze at him as the intensity builds. His eyes are stormy as his body
tenses.
“Max,” I whisper.
He takes a sharp breath as he pulls me to him. “I’ve got you, Ava.”
His words spark a fuse, and I tremble with exquisite pleasure as
he watches me. Every hard thrust is the very definition of masculine
energy as he brings me to climax and soon after joins me with a quiet
roar.
We both settle and try to catch our breath. I ease off of him and curl
into his side.
“Round one,” he says, as he nuzzles and kisses me.
“Yeah, wait until we have our coffee. I’m already imagining round
two, but I’ll definitely need breakfast first.” I settle back into the sheets
and we lie quietly, listening to the waves break along the shore.
My limbs are loose and happy and my head as clear as the early
morning beach. Max’s eyes are deep in concentration.
“I can hear your wheels turning. What are you thinking about?” I
trace circles lightly with my fingertips across his chest.
“Your birthday.” He grins and pulls me closer.
“Oh, it’s next Saturday, isn’t it? Can we do something special?” I’m
like a little girl, complete with party hat and balloon.
“It’s already planned.”
I grin widely. “Really? What are we going to do?”
“I’m not telling. It’s a surprise. But when you come to spend the
night Friday, bring your swimsuit and something nice to wear.”
“Oh, I love birthday surprises!”
He kisses me on the forehead. “I’m glad, because this one’s special.”
Work of Art
The Inspiration #1
by Ruth Clampett
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Click HERE for our review of WORK OF ART: The Inspiration Book 1
ONLY .99¢ for a limited time: 
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 4, 2014
Click HERE for the WORK OF ART: The Inspiration trailer
In a life driven by passion, famed artist Maxfield Caswell lives in a world of brilliant color and drama, pushing his art and affairs to his emotional edge. He’s stunning, charismatic and celebrated in the art world, but are the trappings of fame also destroying him?
For years intelligent and bright-eyed Ava Jacobs has worked diligently toward a career in the art world. Ava is swept off her feet when she meets the passionate artist. She soon realizes, however, that he’s on a destructive path—one she doesn’t intend to join him on.
In the decadent world of patrons, art groupies, and predators, feisty and beautiful Ava knocks Max off his pedestal. A stunned Max sees something special in Ava and offers her an opportunity she can’t refuse. As their lives and passions collide, will he realize that she alone has the power to heal him? Can their hearts come together to create their own work of art?
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The Unveiling
Work of Art Part 2
by Ruth Clampett
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance
Release Date: January 5, 2015
Click HERE for our review of WORK OF ART: The Unveiling book 2
ONLY .99¢ for a limited time:
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 5, 2015
Famed artist, Maxfield Caswell is missing.
Three of his major paintings have been savagely defaced and his house left in ruins. As his friends search for him, does his muse, Ava, hold the key?
Before the hope of love is lost, secrets will be told, spirits will be broken, and a price will be paid.
From the cave dwellings of New Mexico to the shores of Malibu, Max and Ava’s journey tests them to their limits. As they render passion and pain in broad strokes, will their all-consuming love rise from the debris?
Connect with Ruth: Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/ Facebook
Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.
The Work of Art Trilogy is Ruth’s third publishing endeavor, following Animate Me and Mr. 365. She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who loves art and visiting museums as much as her mom.
Love this series; and you are correct Max’s behavior is a psychological nightmare and dysfunctional. Thanks for the great review
Great review, Sandy. Sounds like great story and an emotional read.
Wonderful review. Looks like a very interesting storyline.
Great review Sandy and an amazing and emotional storyline. Congrats to Ruth on the new release and the success of her serie
Wonderful review Sandy. Thanks for the update and info. Congratulations to Ruth on the new release !!!
Terrific review, Sandy. Looks like an emotional read.
Wonderful review. Sounds like a great series. Love the covers as well.