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The Vision Painter #1
Falling Colours
Alternate cover for B008CG6BPM
BOOK ONE in the series THE VISION PAINTER
FALLING COLOURS – The Misadventures of a Vision Painter
KIRAN is the only vision painter working in Ireland, the only female in the ancient Indian profession. As a vision painter, she paints the hopes and dreams of her clients into existence. Her practice is not doing well and she works as a waitress in a struggling restaurant in Connemara. When Kiran is asked to paint the forbidden, forces are unleashed that she cannot contain, including two infuriating women with whom she must work in a race to restore order and save her gift.
FALLING COLOURS is the first book in The Vision Painter series and introduces the unique concept of vision painting and Kiran, a woman who struggles with a fascinating gift.
BOOK ONE in the series THE VISION PAINTER
FALLING COLOURS – The Misadventures of a Vision Painter
KIRAN is the only vision painter working in Ireland, the only female in the ancient Indian profession. As a vision painter, she paints the hopes and dreams of her clients into existence. Her practice is not doing well and she works as a waitress in a struggling restaurant in Connemara. When Kiran is asked to paint the forbidden, forces are unleashed that she cannot contain, including two infuriating women with whom she must work in a race to restore order and save her gift.
FALLING COLOURS is the first book in The Vision Painter series and introduces the unique concept of vision painting and Kiran, a woman who struggles with a fascinating gift.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2012
23 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Samuel
8 books40 followersSite: www.rjsamuel.com
Email: R.J_Samuel@yahoo.com
Twitter: @R_J_Samuel
Instagram: @RJSamuel_Author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RJSamuelAuthor
R J Samuel was born in Nigeria, to Indian parents. She spent many years qualifying to be a medical doctor first in Nigeria, then Ireland, but ran away from home to do a Masters in IT. She settled on IT as a career rather than Medicine as she thought computers might be more logical than people, but that hasn’t always proven to be the case. She remained Ireland for many years, apart from a few years in the southwest of France where she ran a restaurant-bar despite having absolutely no interest in restaurants, except for eating in them. She considers herself almost Irish, almost Indian, and almost American. She now lives in Atlanta in America where, in her latest creative outburst,
she wants to establish an artist retreat in a mostly unusable property.
Her story ‘Helmets’ was shortlisted for the 2011 Over the Edge ‘New Writer of the Year Competition’ and she was the only entrant to have both her fiction and her poetry long-listed for the Doire Press ‘1st Annual International Fiction and Poetry Chapbook Competition’ in January 2012. Her fiction entry, ‘The Vision Painter,’ went on to be shortlisted for this competition and was the basis for her second novel, ‘Falling Colours – The Misadventures of a Vision Painter.’ Her short stories ‘Parallel Lives’ (2012) and ‘The Alleyway’ (2013) were shortlisted and her poetry entry was longlisted (2016) for the Over the Edge ‘New Writer of the Year Competition’.
Her published novels – ‘Heart Stopper’, The Vision Painter series (‘Falling Colours’, ‘Casting Shadows’) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, and ‘A Place Somewhere’, which was a finalist for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and the Tee Corinne Cover Design Awards, are set in Ireland, India, and America. Her fifth novel, ‘An Outsider Inside’, is set in Ireland and France and tells the story of an Irish-Indian lesbian activist who finds the troubling manuscript left behind by a missing Indian woman.
She has also published a short story collection ("The Alleyway and other Short Stories") featuring the stories above and others.
Email: R.J_Samuel@yahoo.com
Twitter: @R_J_Samuel
Instagram: @RJSamuel_Author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RJSamuelAuthor
R J Samuel was born in Nigeria, to Indian parents. She spent many years qualifying to be a medical doctor first in Nigeria, then Ireland, but ran away from home to do a Masters in IT. She settled on IT as a career rather than Medicine as she thought computers might be more logical than people, but that hasn’t always proven to be the case. She remained Ireland for many years, apart from a few years in the southwest of France where she ran a restaurant-bar despite having absolutely no interest in restaurants, except for eating in them. She considers herself almost Irish, almost Indian, and almost American. She now lives in Atlanta in America where, in her latest creative outburst,
she wants to establish an artist retreat in a mostly unusable property.
Her story ‘Helmets’ was shortlisted for the 2011 Over the Edge ‘New Writer of the Year Competition’ and she was the only entrant to have both her fiction and her poetry long-listed for the Doire Press ‘1st Annual International Fiction and Poetry Chapbook Competition’ in January 2012. Her fiction entry, ‘The Vision Painter,’ went on to be shortlisted for this competition and was the basis for her second novel, ‘Falling Colours – The Misadventures of a Vision Painter.’ Her short stories ‘Parallel Lives’ (2012) and ‘The Alleyway’ (2013) were shortlisted and her poetry entry was longlisted (2016) for the Over the Edge ‘New Writer of the Year Competition’.
Her published novels – ‘Heart Stopper’, The Vision Painter series (‘Falling Colours’, ‘Casting Shadows’) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, and ‘A Place Somewhere’, which was a finalist for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and the Tee Corinne Cover Design Awards, are set in Ireland, India, and America. Her fifth novel, ‘An Outsider Inside’, is set in Ireland and France and tells the story of an Irish-Indian lesbian activist who finds the troubling manuscript left behind by a missing Indian woman.
She has also published a short story collection ("The Alleyway and other Short Stories") featuring the stories above and others.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 25, 2019
I loved both the concept and the execution of this riveting paranormal story. Kiran is a vision painter just like her father. She can paint what her clients request and their dreams come true. But she can't get paid for it so she works at the local restaurant and struggles to pay her mounting bills. Delilah, the owner of the restaurant, asks Kiran to chat to Ron and lend a sympathetic ear. Ron is an elderly patron who has recently lost his wife in an apparent suicide. In an attempt to assist him she makes an error of judgement.
This is a superb story which unravels into a complex mystery. This is my first novel by Samuel and I'm thrilled to have found another author whose work I enjoy.
This is a superb story which unravels into a complex mystery. This is my first novel by Samuel and I'm thrilled to have found another author whose work I enjoy.
March 29, 2019
Falling Colours (The Vision Painter #1) by R.J. Samuel was quite an interesting and entertaining read. This is not your run-of-the-mill lesfic romance (in fact, romance takes a bit of a backseat in favor of action/suspence but it was all good).
The author has kept the blurb intentionally vague and with a story like this one I think you need to be kept in the dark as much as possible and enjoy the revelations in the same pace as main character Kiran does. It is much more fun that way and so no spoilers.
I liked Kieran. She was a bit of an anti hero with her quirky, bumbling, tongue tied self (sweater vests and all). Ashley could have been better defined but I hope we get to know her better in part two. Star of the book for me was Marge, Ashley’s ill-fated mother. She is basically a horrible person but it’s so much fun to be in her head and you will find out why. I loved her dark humor.
For a beautiful in-depth review read Jem’s.
Well written, original plot, great characters and I’m excited to dive into part deux Casting Shadows.
f/f no explicit scenes
Themes: be careful what you wish for.
4.6 stars
The author has kept the blurb intentionally vague and with a story like this one I think you need to be kept in the dark as much as possible and enjoy the revelations in the same pace as main character Kiran does. It is much more fun that way and so no spoilers.
I liked Kieran. She was a bit of an anti hero with her quirky, bumbling, tongue tied self (sweater vests and all). Ashley could have been better defined but I hope we get to know her better in part two. Star of the book for me was Marge, Ashley’s ill-fated mother. She is basically a horrible person but it’s so much fun to be in her head and you will find out why. I loved her dark humor.
For a beautiful in-depth review read Jem’s.
Well written, original plot, great characters and I’m excited to dive into part deux Casting Shadows.
f/f no explicit scenes
Themes: be careful what you wish for.
4.6 stars
March 27, 2019
I read this book sometime in 2012 or 2013 and remember enjoying it. It was different in a good way and well written.
February 28, 2015
This was an entertaining read. I liked the quirky and self deprecating Kiran as she bounced from one strong character to another. Samuel does a good job describing both settings and characters. I even enjoyed hearing from Marje, despicable though she was. It took me a bit to get used to the POV shifts from chapter to chapter but once I got comfortable with the books layout I was able to relax and let the story unfold.
Lots of action, light on romance. If I have a beef with the story it would be that I wish the reader would have been given more lead up time and a better understanding of what vision painting means and how Kiran developed her gift. This is one book where the dreaded prologue chapter may have been a good place to explain her talent. Without this knowledge the opening few chapters are a bit confusing for the reader.
An interesting and unique read. Great job Ms Samuel
Lots of action, light on romance. If I have a beef with the story it would be that I wish the reader would have been given more lead up time and a better understanding of what vision painting means and how Kiran developed her gift. This is one book where the dreaded prologue chapter may have been a good place to explain her talent. Without this knowledge the opening few chapters are a bit confusing for the reader.
An interesting and unique read. Great job Ms Samuel
September 4, 2015
With the sheer volume of lesfic titles coming out, now more than ever, the book summary has to really hook the reader or it will be easily glossed over, forgotten or buried under an ever growing pile of TBRs, especially if it is an indie. This book has one of the vaguest blurbs I’ve ever encountered and I wouldn’t have taken a second look if I hadn’t fallen in love with the author’s writing in A Place Somewhere.
Falling Colours is a paranormal mystery with a lesbian romance. The premise sounds like something straight out of Twilight Zone. Kiran is a half-Irish, half-Indian woman who quit her budding engineering career in Galway to follow what she feels is her true calling--vision painting. This particular talent is a little more involved than fortune telling though. The vision painter supposedly has the power to realize the clients’ visions or dreams. That is a truly scary power to have. So the rules and regulations that govern vision painting are very stringent.
Kiran has another problem however. Vision painting is as Indian as curry. But she is what the Asians call a banana (yellow outside/white inside--she may look exotic but she’s Irish through and through). Her cursory knowledge of India and its customs means she isn’t very good in marketing herself as such (e.g., dressing up or talking like a guru or swami, lol). She can't even fake an Indian accent. Her very Irish clients don’t really know what to make of her talent or how to pay her back (material compensation is not allowed). So she languishes in her waitressing job and worries about being able to afford winter heating. Neither can she expect much help from home. Women vision painters aren’t allowed in her tradition-bound ‘profession’ back in India, not to mention a lesbian one. So she’s also the family’s dirty little secret.
The author’s prose is a bit different if you’re not used to her style, but it is a good different--very descriptive and emotional. The first few chapters establishing Kiran’s cred are rather confusing. I didn’t really understand how vision painting works until we actually see her in action. And then it hits you in the face. What a whammy! Things start to pick up from there. There is danger, cheating, betrayals, a possible murder or two, kidnapping and other shenanigans.
Out of the blue, the author chose a certain POV that really surprised me. Some people don’t like it, but for me, it’s what elevated the book from another run-of-the-mill paranormal whodunit and earns from me the extra star. I love Marge’s POV. Rich housewife, meddling mother, a one-time unfaithful wife--her actions are horrid. But she’s so human and typical mother-knows-best--well-meaning but totally clueless and off the mark. Her POV is revealing, poignant, ironic and often funny as hell in a black comedy kind of way (well mainly because she’s also ). Her deadpan (pun intended!) declarations and observations are hilarious, again because of her particular situation. I love all the other characters too--Delilah in particular. She’s a delight to read. All the other assorted characters--good guys, bad guys--they’re are all done very well. The author creates such distinctive character voices, except for Ashley, who was a little vague and bland, but mainly, I guess, because she's always trying to conform to others' expectations of her. I love the ending too--cliche-ish but a concession to readers like me who need their HEA, even for the
A caveat for romance lovers. This isn’t equal parts mystery and romance. The subtitle is after all, Misadventures of a Vision Painter. There is a beautiful romance but it is rather understated although the chemistry is there. There is a lot of intrigue and angsty human drama to take up the slack though. If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual lesfic and paranormal tropes, this is a good combo and won’t disappoint.
5 stars
Falling Colours is a paranormal mystery with a lesbian romance. The premise sounds like something straight out of Twilight Zone. Kiran is a half-Irish, half-Indian woman who quit her budding engineering career in Galway to follow what she feels is her true calling--vision painting. This particular talent is a little more involved than fortune telling though. The vision painter supposedly has the power to realize the clients’ visions or dreams. That is a truly scary power to have. So the rules and regulations that govern vision painting are very stringent.
Kiran has another problem however. Vision painting is as Indian as curry. But she is what the Asians call a banana (yellow outside/white inside--she may look exotic but she’s Irish through and through). Her cursory knowledge of India and its customs means she isn’t very good in marketing herself as such (e.g., dressing up or talking like a guru or swami, lol). She can't even fake an Indian accent. Her very Irish clients don’t really know what to make of her talent or how to pay her back (material compensation is not allowed). So she languishes in her waitressing job and worries about being able to afford winter heating. Neither can she expect much help from home. Women vision painters aren’t allowed in her tradition-bound ‘profession’ back in India, not to mention a lesbian one. So she’s also the family’s dirty little secret.
The author’s prose is a bit different if you’re not used to her style, but it is a good different--very descriptive and emotional. The first few chapters establishing Kiran’s cred are rather confusing. I didn’t really understand how vision painting works until we actually see her in action. And then it hits you in the face. What a whammy! Things start to pick up from there. There is danger, cheating, betrayals, a possible murder or two, kidnapping and other shenanigans.
Out of the blue, the author chose a certain POV that really surprised me. Some people don’t like it, but for me, it’s what elevated the book from another run-of-the-mill paranormal whodunit and earns from me the extra star. I love Marge’s POV. Rich housewife, meddling mother, a one-time unfaithful wife--her actions are horrid. But she’s so human and typical mother-knows-best--well-meaning but totally clueless and off the mark. Her POV is revealing, poignant, ironic and often funny as hell in a black comedy kind of way (well mainly because she’s also ). Her deadpan (pun intended!) declarations and observations are hilarious, again because of her particular situation. I love all the other characters too--Delilah in particular. She’s a delight to read. All the other assorted characters--good guys, bad guys--they’re are all done very well. The author creates such distinctive character voices, except for Ashley, who was a little vague and bland, but mainly, I guess, because she's always trying to conform to others' expectations of her. I love the ending too--cliche-ish but a concession to readers like me who need their HEA, even for the
A caveat for romance lovers. This isn’t equal parts mystery and romance. The subtitle is after all, Misadventures of a Vision Painter. There is a beautiful romance but it is rather understated although the chemistry is there. There is a lot of intrigue and angsty human drama to take up the slack though. If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual lesfic and paranormal tropes, this is a good combo and won’t disappoint.
5 stars
March 19, 2015
The Vision Painter Series – R.J. Samuel
The Vision Painter series so far consists of 2 novels; Falling Colours and Casting Shadows. Unusual stories - they combine romance with paranormal and mystery whodunits. Ms Samuel is a gifted storyteller and these novels pull you in and keep you riveted.
Falling Colours tells the story of an Indian/Irish woman, Kiran, who lives in semi exile from her family in Connemara, Ireland. Unbeknown to her father’s Indian community she has inherited his gift as a Vision Painter, somebody who can literally paint a vision and have the vision come true. Her exile is primarily because girls cannot be Vision Painters, but her lesbianism doesn’t exactly help her relationship with her father.
When a client asks her to help him understand his wife’s suicide it launches them onto a roller-coaster ride involving stolen money, fake priests and murderous property developers. Mixed in with it all is the dream of a romance that seems doomed from the start.
Ms Samuel’s books flow and swirl with the creative gift of a bard, her words roll off the page in a way that make me think of oral storytellers sitting around the fire and weaving tales on dark winter nights.
The characters are multi-dimensional and stand out from the page, the main players well supported by a wide ranging cast in Ireland and India - good and bad are real people with back histories and deep emotional journeys.
In addition RJ Samuel brings the countryside to life - the cold, fresh, rain-swept green of Ireland and the hot, dry, dust of India play a strong part in the novels, grounding us in the where but adding to the history and sense of cultural pressure.
All in all excellent tales of real people, on individual journeys, with complex subplots that add to the overall completeness of the story. Well written, well executed and highly engrossing, let’s hope there is a third book on the way.
The Vision Painter series so far consists of 2 novels; Falling Colours and Casting Shadows. Unusual stories - they combine romance with paranormal and mystery whodunits. Ms Samuel is a gifted storyteller and these novels pull you in and keep you riveted.
Falling Colours tells the story of an Indian/Irish woman, Kiran, who lives in semi exile from her family in Connemara, Ireland. Unbeknown to her father’s Indian community she has inherited his gift as a Vision Painter, somebody who can literally paint a vision and have the vision come true. Her exile is primarily because girls cannot be Vision Painters, but her lesbianism doesn’t exactly help her relationship with her father.
When a client asks her to help him understand his wife’s suicide it launches them onto a roller-coaster ride involving stolen money, fake priests and murderous property developers. Mixed in with it all is the dream of a romance that seems doomed from the start.
Ms Samuel’s books flow and swirl with the creative gift of a bard, her words roll off the page in a way that make me think of oral storytellers sitting around the fire and weaving tales on dark winter nights.
The characters are multi-dimensional and stand out from the page, the main players well supported by a wide ranging cast in Ireland and India - good and bad are real people with back histories and deep emotional journeys.
In addition RJ Samuel brings the countryside to life - the cold, fresh, rain-swept green of Ireland and the hot, dry, dust of India play a strong part in the novels, grounding us in the where but adding to the history and sense of cultural pressure.
All in all excellent tales of real people, on individual journeys, with complex subplots that add to the overall completeness of the story. Well written, well executed and highly engrossing, let’s hope there is a third book on the way.
August 24, 2019
4 stars on a technical level, 5 stars for enjoyment, 4.5 overall and I rounded up.
This book is part frantic murder mystery, and part bumbling lesbian romance between Kiran, a person with a special gift who is normally quite sensible but starts knocking all sorts of things over when she sees a beautiful woman, and Ashley, said beautiful woman whose mother Kiran just made a ghost. Accidentally. Awkward.
Basically, protagonist Kiran has an interesting ability where people can come with a request, some sort of personal vision or deeply desired ideal they want painted, and when she paints it, it will come true. She doesn't charge money for this contract-based service, she can't, but asks that after the painting becomes reality, they paint their "gratitude" to her into it so THAT can become reality, too.
They usually never do, though.
Since you can't eat nonexistent gratitude, Kiran also works as a waitress at her good friend's restaurant that's part of a castle (an awesome detail that isn't emphasized nearly as much as I thought it should be) which is one of the places where she meets Ashley for the first time, before spilling soup all over the floor. Nearby, she'll meet Ron, a restlessly grieving man still pained by the mysterious circumstances under which his wife died. What was meant to be a courteous visit ends up with Ron rather unfairly manipulating Kiran into painting his wife alive again, one of the forbidden things for people with her vision painting ability to do. She stresses endlessly over it, comforted only by the fact that really, raising the dead isn't possible, right? Not really.
And "not really" means that a ghost becomes born, one with quite an attitude and a penchant for running off and getting into trouble. Who is also Ashley's mom. Which means Ron is Ashley's dad. And now the girl you've been hopelessly failing to flirt with is understandably kind of furious and wants to know why you've made her mom a ghost...?
Falling Colours switches between the POVs of Kiran's panicked chapters and the much shorter chapters of a mean, selfish and amnesic ghost. Marge, the ghost, was somebody I really didn't feel very sorry for at all until the very end, and even then it was just a little because she's really unlikable and manipulative.
However, the book is built on solving the mysterious circumstances of her death so she can rest in peace and Kiran doesn't lose her powers as a result of totally breaking the rules. In between investigating murder and being a server at a castle, she tries other smooth romantic moves on Ashley, like backing into her car and trying to stop the ghost she made of Ashley's mother from killing people. You know, the real feel-good stuff. But I guess we could all learn something from Kiran's smooth moves book, because it works. Yes, Ashley is hopelessly attracted to lovable fools, and she says as much at the end of the book.
So Falling Colours is worth reading for a frantic mystery, author R.J. Samuel's style of inventive and lively prose, enjoying an only mildly embarrassing lesbian romance, and descriptions of sleepy sheep that make you want to go out and hug one right now.
This book is part frantic murder mystery, and part bumbling lesbian romance between Kiran, a person with a special gift who is normally quite sensible but starts knocking all sorts of things over when she sees a beautiful woman, and Ashley, said beautiful woman whose mother Kiran just made a ghost. Accidentally. Awkward.
Basically, protagonist Kiran has an interesting ability where people can come with a request, some sort of personal vision or deeply desired ideal they want painted, and when she paints it, it will come true. She doesn't charge money for this contract-based service, she can't, but asks that after the painting becomes reality, they paint their "gratitude" to her into it so THAT can become reality, too.
They usually never do, though.
Since you can't eat nonexistent gratitude, Kiran also works as a waitress at her good friend's restaurant that's part of a castle (an awesome detail that isn't emphasized nearly as much as I thought it should be) which is one of the places where she meets Ashley for the first time, before spilling soup all over the floor. Nearby, she'll meet Ron, a restlessly grieving man still pained by the mysterious circumstances under which his wife died. What was meant to be a courteous visit ends up with Ron rather unfairly manipulating Kiran into painting his wife alive again, one of the forbidden things for people with her vision painting ability to do. She stresses endlessly over it, comforted only by the fact that really, raising the dead isn't possible, right? Not really.
And "not really" means that a ghost becomes born, one with quite an attitude and a penchant for running off and getting into trouble. Who is also Ashley's mom. Which means Ron is Ashley's dad. And now the girl you've been hopelessly failing to flirt with is understandably kind of furious and wants to know why you've made her mom a ghost...?
Falling Colours switches between the POVs of Kiran's panicked chapters and the much shorter chapters of a mean, selfish and amnesic ghost. Marge, the ghost, was somebody I really didn't feel very sorry for at all until the very end, and even then it was just a little because she's really unlikable and manipulative.
However, the book is built on solving the mysterious circumstances of her death so she can rest in peace and Kiran doesn't lose her powers as a result of totally breaking the rules. In between investigating murder and being a server at a castle, she tries other smooth romantic moves on Ashley, like backing into her car and trying to stop the ghost she made of Ashley's mother from killing people. You know, the real feel-good stuff. But I guess we could all learn something from Kiran's smooth moves book, because it works. Yes, Ashley is hopelessly attracted to lovable fools, and she says as much at the end of the book.
So Falling Colours is worth reading for a frantic mystery, author R.J. Samuel's style of inventive and lively prose, enjoying an only mildly embarrassing lesbian romance, and descriptions of sleepy sheep that make you want to go out and hug one right now.
July 9, 2020
Gave up at 12%. I really wanted to like this, the idea is so cool, but Kiran is just so stupid. I'm told she was an engineer, but not told why she isn't doing that. I'm told she has no money and she's upset, but not why she has no money. I'm told she is a vision painter, but have no idea why no one paints in their gratitude -- or what that would actually give her. Is it a spiritual payment? Would it be monetary? What's the entire point?
I gave up when she agrees to try and paint a guy's dead wife back to life so he can ask why she killed herself. After watching her explain that it's against the rules, and then refuse to pick up the phone to call her father to ask what would happen, I decided she was too stupid and this story was too poorly thought out to read any further.
I gave up when she agrees to try and paint a guy's dead wife back to life so he can ask why she killed herself. After watching her explain that it's against the rules, and then refuse to pick up the phone to call her father to ask what would happen, I decided she was too stupid and this story was too poorly thought out to read any further.
June 22, 2012
Kiran is a vision painter, the only one in the whole of Ireland. She works part time as a waitress in a restaurant in Connemara to supplement her income. When Kiran is asked by a client to do an unusual vision painting, she is very apprehensive. It goes against everything she believes to be ethical. Unfortunately Kiran makes a serious error of judgment, which results in chaos and Kiran’s life being changed forever.
Added in to the mystery and intrigue is a woman. A woman Kiran finds irresistible, a woman Kiran feels she will never be able to have. But the path of true love rarely runs smoothly, or according to the best laid plans, is there a chance Kiran is wrong in her assumptions?
This is R. J Samuel’s second book. It is very well written and the dialogue flows. The story is most unusual and unlike any I’ve ever read before. This is more than just a run of the mill mystery, intrigue, romance book. It has a touch of supernatural elements and is humorous in parts too. It’s fast paced and a page turner from the first page through to the last. The story kept me on a knife edge throughout, it is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and had the effect on me of being on a rollercoaster. Totally delightful, mesmerizing and impressive.
The main characters are well developed and have a strong supporting cast of minor characters who all interact well together, (even the not so nice to know characters) to progress the story forward. The scenic descriptions are wonderful, and it’s easy to visualize the different places.
R.J has the gift for making the reader feel as though they are an actual part of the story, it is easy to get totally immersed in this book. The thrill and suspense with a romantic feel to the story, ensured that I had to stay up most of the night to find out how the story ended. In fact, I have read this book twice now. Once was not enough. I had to re-read it without the pressure of not knowing how the book ended. The second time was to savor the richness of the story and the wonderful way with words R.J has.
R.J Samuel is an up and coming exciting new voice in lesbian fiction. An author to watch out for and to add to my list of favorite authors. I am greatly looking forward to reading more from R.J soon.
Added in to the mystery and intrigue is a woman. A woman Kiran finds irresistible, a woman Kiran feels she will never be able to have. But the path of true love rarely runs smoothly, or according to the best laid plans, is there a chance Kiran is wrong in her assumptions?
This is R. J Samuel’s second book. It is very well written and the dialogue flows. The story is most unusual and unlike any I’ve ever read before. This is more than just a run of the mill mystery, intrigue, romance book. It has a touch of supernatural elements and is humorous in parts too. It’s fast paced and a page turner from the first page through to the last. The story kept me on a knife edge throughout, it is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and had the effect on me of being on a rollercoaster. Totally delightful, mesmerizing and impressive.
The main characters are well developed and have a strong supporting cast of minor characters who all interact well together, (even the not so nice to know characters) to progress the story forward. The scenic descriptions are wonderful, and it’s easy to visualize the different places.
R.J has the gift for making the reader feel as though they are an actual part of the story, it is easy to get totally immersed in this book. The thrill and suspense with a romantic feel to the story, ensured that I had to stay up most of the night to find out how the story ended. In fact, I have read this book twice now. Once was not enough. I had to re-read it without the pressure of not knowing how the book ended. The second time was to savor the richness of the story and the wonderful way with words R.J has.
R.J Samuel is an up and coming exciting new voice in lesbian fiction. An author to watch out for and to add to my list of favorite authors. I am greatly looking forward to reading more from R.J soon.
August 2, 2012
The author's writing style bothered me for the first few pages. But then i was able to get into the rhythm of her prose and it rather grew one me. By the end of the book, i loved her writing style.
The plot was also very creative. The Vision Painters, the thought it makes you put into the consequences of what you wish for, and the murder mystery, all drew me in and were very well executed. I especially like how the mystery developed slowly as the characters uncovered more information. all top notch.
The reason it only got 3 stars? It was like being on a vacation at your favorite vacation spot with the most horrid of mother in laws. A large part of this book was from the point of view of the mother. And she was a horrible person to spend time with to the very end. she somewhat redeemed herself and became /slightly/ more likeable towards the end. but not enough, and not in the way that mattered. it would have been more excusable if she would have 'seen the light' regarding her daughter before the end. I wish we would have gotten to spend more time with Kiran and Ashley.
Anyhow,the quality of the book and the creativity and skill of the author, are 5 stars. But due to my mere opinion of the characters and enjoyability, i could only give it 3 stars. don't let that deter you from giving this book a look of your own. It is certainly memorable.
writing/editing: 5 stars
ending that doesn't suck: 4.5 stars
character development: 2.5 stars
hot&steamy scenes: none
The plot was also very creative. The Vision Painters, the thought it makes you put into the consequences of what you wish for, and the murder mystery, all drew me in and were very well executed. I especially like how the mystery developed slowly as the characters uncovered more information. all top notch.
The reason it only got 3 stars? It was like being on a vacation at your favorite vacation spot with the most horrid of mother in laws. A large part of this book was from the point of view of the mother. And she was a horrible person to spend time with to the very end. she somewhat redeemed herself and became /slightly/ more likeable towards the end. but not enough, and not in the way that mattered. it would have been more excusable if she would have 'seen the light' regarding her daughter before the end. I wish we would have gotten to spend more time with Kiran and Ashley.
Anyhow,the quality of the book and the creativity and skill of the author, are 5 stars. But due to my mere opinion of the characters and enjoyability, i could only give it 3 stars. don't let that deter you from giving this book a look of your own. It is certainly memorable.
writing/editing: 5 stars
ending that doesn't suck: 4.5 stars
character development: 2.5 stars
hot&steamy scenes: none
December 21, 2016
Gloriously written!!
Fun and exciting until the very end!! I really enjoyed it and appreciated the LGBT undercurrent of the book as well as the over all love story. It was thrilling and kept me guessing until the end :)
Fun and exciting until the very end!! I really enjoyed it and appreciated the LGBT undercurrent of the book as well as the over all love story. It was thrilling and kept me guessing until the end :)
December 13, 2021
Falling Colours (The Vision Painter Book 1) — R J Samuel (71 chapters) Dec. 11-13, 2021
Kiran, a vision painter crosses an uncrossable line when she paints a vision that breaks a rule. Suddenly she finds herself helping a woman who must help Kiran right her wrong to keep her talent and find her soulmate.
Let’s never mind that there is a same-sex romance in this story. This book was absolutely outstanding from cover to cover with rich characters and environment details. R J Samuel is by the beautiful spirits a very talented storyteller.
This by far was one of my most favorite reads in a long time, I’ve read some good books this year, but this is absolutely tops. I am so glad I re-discovered the book sitting languishingly on my To-Read list. I read it during the best time of the holidays, and everyone should read it who believes in love, truth, and following one’s heart, even when the path is full of rule-breaking.
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
Five stars.
Kiran, a vision painter crosses an uncrossable line when she paints a vision that breaks a rule. Suddenly she finds herself helping a woman who must help Kiran right her wrong to keep her talent and find her soulmate.
Let’s never mind that there is a same-sex romance in this story. This book was absolutely outstanding from cover to cover with rich characters and environment details. R J Samuel is by the beautiful spirits a very talented storyteller.
This by far was one of my most favorite reads in a long time, I’ve read some good books this year, but this is absolutely tops. I am so glad I re-discovered the book sitting languishingly on my To-Read list. I read it during the best time of the holidays, and everyone should read it who believes in love, truth, and following one’s heart, even when the path is full of rule-breaking.
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.
Five stars.
February 1, 2018
Good and unusual mystery...
I liked the story and the very interesting idea behind it. It was very well written, well edited and easy to read. It is more of a mystery than a romance which is why I give it 4 stars, being a romantic at heart. But certainly recommended.
I liked the story and the very interesting idea behind it. It was very well written, well edited and easy to read. It is more of a mystery than a romance which is why I give it 4 stars, being a romantic at heart. But certainly recommended.
October 21, 2020
This is the second book I have read by this author and I find RJ Samuel has created another unusual and imaginative story. I enjoyed the characters as well as the plot development. I look forward to reading the sequel.
June 22, 2012
Falling Colours is R.J. Samuel’s second book. It is a story of a Vision Painter, who shares her gift with others to fulfill their dreams by painting their requests. A vision someone has for their own happiness may not necessarily be the best idea, however. There are repercussions to be dealt with when the vision involves other people. And what if the vision painter has a dream that is contrary to the vision someone asks her to paint?
Kiran left her professional life behind to concentrate on her painting gift, inherited from her Indian father. There are strict guidelines that are to be followed to the letter. She waits tables in Delilah’s restaurant to pay the bills, and the hours allow her to focus on her painting.
Kiran finds Ron distraught outside the restaurant. Ron’s request for his vision requires Kiran to bend the rules. She knows that she should not bend the rules, but his request is motivated by anguish rather than greed. Enter a beautiful daughter and missing money and the situation gets really complicated, but not without humor and an opportunity to make amends.
There are many twists and turns in Falling Colours by R. J. Samuel. The characters are well illustrated, and her writing style complements an unusual situation. The setting is in Galway, Ireland and includes Ireland’s colourful scenery. I give this book five stars not just because I like it, but because I find the premise to be unique. Samuel’s writing suits the unique perspective and makes the book really fun to read. It is fun, funny, serious, mysterious and touching with inner connections that are not all apparent. Even though this book was just released yesterday, I anxiously await another from R. J. Samuel.
Kiran left her professional life behind to concentrate on her painting gift, inherited from her Indian father. There are strict guidelines that are to be followed to the letter. She waits tables in Delilah’s restaurant to pay the bills, and the hours allow her to focus on her painting.
Kiran finds Ron distraught outside the restaurant. Ron’s request for his vision requires Kiran to bend the rules. She knows that she should not bend the rules, but his request is motivated by anguish rather than greed. Enter a beautiful daughter and missing money and the situation gets really complicated, but not without humor and an opportunity to make amends.
There are many twists and turns in Falling Colours by R. J. Samuel. The characters are well illustrated, and her writing style complements an unusual situation. The setting is in Galway, Ireland and includes Ireland’s colourful scenery. I give this book five stars not just because I like it, but because I find the premise to be unique. Samuel’s writing suits the unique perspective and makes the book really fun to read. It is fun, funny, serious, mysterious and touching with inner connections that are not all apparent. Even though this book was just released yesterday, I anxiously await another from R. J. Samuel.
March 27, 2014
Kudos to RJ Samuel for an exceptionally well-done novel. "Falling Colours" is refreshing and different. The main character, Kiran, is a "vision painter," a profession that author RJ Samuel invented for this character. Kiran has a gift handed down through generations--she can paint a person's one true dream and make it come true. But she finds herself in a bit of hot water when she does something on impulse related to her profession. She also finds herself attracted to the daughter of a client--the one person she shouldn't be involved with!
"Falling Colours" is brilliantly written with wit and sensitivity. It's more than a romance, and is rich with colorful scenes of the lush Irish countryside and filled with humorous and bittersweet scenes. RJ Samuel has a real gift for creating a world mixed with vivid imagery, emotion, and humor.
The fact that this book was self-published is even more impressive, because "Falling Colours" is easily on par with books from some the biggest publishing houses in this genre. I'm about to start reading her newest book, "A Place Somewhere," because I can't wait to see what this author has done since writing "Falling Colours."
"Falling Colours" is brilliantly written with wit and sensitivity. It's more than a romance, and is rich with colorful scenes of the lush Irish countryside and filled with humorous and bittersweet scenes. RJ Samuel has a real gift for creating a world mixed with vivid imagery, emotion, and humor.
The fact that this book was self-published is even more impressive, because "Falling Colours" is easily on par with books from some the biggest publishing houses in this genre. I'm about to start reading her newest book, "A Place Somewhere," because I can't wait to see what this author has done since writing "Falling Colours."
September 10, 2016
Enjoyed how matter of fact the romance subplot was in this book and how history was worked into the character's identities. I'd have given one star higher but the ending felt somewhat rushed to me. Either way, it was an unusual concept and I enjoyed the greater part of the execution.
July 6, 2014
I struggled a bit with this book. I love me some good ghost stories, and Falling Colours certainly has an interesting twist on that genre.
My major problems were with the "Marge" chapters. It was confusing at first, with the change in POV. But later on they started to annoy me. I admit, it is an interesting way for unravelling the mystery that pops up later, but still, I found it hard to get it working for me (besides Marge being a total bitch)
Also, I'm not seeing any chemistry at all between Kiran and Ashley. So, ok, Kiran is in head over heals, but there isn't really anything coming from Ashley. Yet, at the end, there was apparently enough for Ashley to change something drastic. I just didn't see it.
It was a nice read, but it could have been better, in my humble opinion. Still,I will check out the sequel.
My major problems were with the "Marge" chapters. It was confusing at first, with the change in POV. But later on they started to annoy me. I admit, it is an interesting way for unravelling the mystery that pops up later, but still, I found it hard to get it working for me (besides Marge being a total bitch)
Also, I'm not seeing any chemistry at all between Kiran and Ashley. So, ok, Kiran is in head over heals, but there isn't really anything coming from Ashley. Yet, at the end, there was apparently enough for Ashley to change something drastic. I just didn't see it.
It was a nice read, but it could have been better, in my humble opinion. Still,I will check out the sequel.
December 3, 2015
R.J. Samuel had me at "The Vision Painter." I wanted to know more immediately. The client writes out their vision and Kiran paints it. When the vision materializes, the client is supposed to paint or draw their gratitude on the canvas as their payment. Kiran is the only vision painter in Ireland. Like many people with a talent, her gift does not pay the bills, so she works as a waitress in a restaurant.
Problems begin when a client persuades Kiran to paint something that violates one of the commandments that vision painters are governed by. There are a lot of elements in this novel: humor, romance, mystery, paranormal--and it all works.
I really enjoyed reading this and just ordered the second book in the series.
Problems begin when a client persuades Kiran to paint something that violates one of the commandments that vision painters are governed by. There are a lot of elements in this novel: humor, romance, mystery, paranormal--and it all works.
I really enjoyed reading this and just ordered the second book in the series.
November 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this story, it had a great great plot & well rounded characters. However writer needs to define when someone is having a flash back. When a memory or flashback occurs without an obvious break it becomes confusing for the reader. If it was not for this fault I would have given it a 4 or 5 star rating.
December 5, 2016
Sloooew beginning. Took me weeks to try and get through the first third of the book! I really wanted to finish the story and find out where we were heading as readers but quite a challenge. In the end I did end up enjoying the last half of this book. I was a little nervous the lovers didn't have a positive outcome.
July 19, 2019
The premise of the book really interesting and there were a lot of great, tense moments. Good job giving the characters distinctive voices. I was especially impressed with Marge- she wasn't a character with many good qualities, but despite that it was fun to read her thoughts and I found myself sympathizing with her. I'm glad I got the book.
November 25, 2014
R.J. Samuel's every book (so far) is a surprise!! This one the biggest one so far - completely original, brilliantly written ja often funny. Hope the second (and the third) one is equally enjoyable!!!
Vision painters? Are they real? I want to visit one!!
Vision painters? Are they real? I want to visit one!!
November 29, 2015
2013 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
December 30, 2016
What a ride! Excellent story.
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