(I received this book free from the Author in exchange for my honest review)

This was a fun read that had me guessing until the very end, but in saying that I have mixed feelings about this read. This book is what I like to call, driving through rush hour. Why? Because there's a lot of fast and slow moments, stop and go.

The beginning sets the stage for our lead, Cameron. For openings, it’s now one of my favourites. It was original and calming, and I felt like I was there with Cameron, watching the waves, and smelling the salt air. The pace is good into those first few chapters. We lear more about Cameron and what his life is like. We meet his crush, Farrah, who is his eyes, can do wrong. She’s already taken, making this “love” a one sided one. I don’t know if I like her or not, she wasn’t really present and all you really get about her is what Cameron thinks and the one, not-so-date, that was sort-of-a-date. It wasn’t enough for me to care about her.

After that point the story takes a bit of a dive, there’s about six pages where he is playing a war type game. I don’t care that he was playing the game, but the six pages were basically a transcript of the game itself. It all honesty it was filler and it didn’t need to be there. One page, maybe two, but not six, I skipped over it because it didn’t do anything for the me or plot.

There was a lot of that weird spacing. Especially after the dire situation that left Farrah fighting of her life. The sense of panic, and desperation wasn’t really there at the start, but did pick up towards the end. In truth I felt that it was spaced to far apart or better yet, it was stretched out to make the book longer. The last 30% of the book was fast, there was lots of action, suspense and had my heart pound. It was the true highlight of the book.

I did like Cameron, he does a lot of growing throughout this story. He’s talented and strong in his own right. He owns up to his mistake and takes ownership in that fact. When he was in too deep he reached out for help, knowing the consequences, and knowing that he might get rejected, he knew that in order to fix his mistake he needed help, even if it would cause him his life.

Though I gotta say, my favourite character was Vittoria. She was mysterious, with a hint of evil. You don’t really know who’s side she’s on until the end. She’s a survivor, strong and cunning. She knows how to play her cards and knows what to say to get what she wants. In truth I felt she was the main female lead. That and I felt like she had more of a connection with Cameron then Farrah.I hate to say it, but I was rooting for her.

The ending was amazing, but in my opinion, the ending could have ended with a twist, something unexpected. Cameron has a choice at the end, and I believe he should have taken down the road less traveled. For a spelt second I though he was going to do it, I was biting my nails hoping he would, but that was not the case. In saying all that, the ending was still outstanding and pulled at the heart strings. I had a wicked smile on my face, and it my or may not have looked goofy.

I highly recommend this book. Despite the awkward spacing and my crushed dream for the ending, this story is original and flat out, good. The writing is solid, strong, and the description was exceptional. I felt like I was in that world, both worlds, seeing the bright colours and feeling the sounds. I would to thank Chris Ledbetter for giving me the opportunity to read this one of a kind. ( )

Cameron is an artist. He has a crush on Farrah. He would like Farrah to be his next portrait subject matter. Farrah would be his Rose to his Jack Dawson from Titanic. Cameron's close friend and artist dies. Yet, he sends Cameron a sketchbook with just one warning to draw things and not people. Cameron does not heed this warning. He draws Farrah's portrait in the book. The most extraordinary thing happens next, her portrait comes alive. She tells Cameron that she resides in another realm called Terra Sempre. Terra Sempre is a form of Hell. If Cameron can not find a way to save Farrah in time than her soul will be lost forever.

At first I was not that excited about this book. Although I did think it had promise. I felt that Cameron was too much of a nice guy and reserved within himself. Farrah did not intrigue me and she made me wonder what Cameron saw in her. Yet, as the story went on and I got to about chapter 15/16, this is when the story really picked up for me and I was than in for the long ride. The way that Cameron and Farrah navigated through Terra Sempre was vivid and not a place that I would want to be stuck in. I like the way the author turned this story into more than just about drawing. Also, there was lots of action in the way that Cameron fought to save Farrah. ( )