The Prisoner of Paradise (Painted Souls Book 1) by Rob Samborn – Review by Shea Gilkerson 9/15/22

The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Totally unique storyline in this book! I was engrossed with the dual timelines, the incredible visuals, and the intrigue.

Nick O’Conner suffered a head injury in a hockey game, but he and his wife Julia decide to take their dream trip to Venice, regardless. Julia wants to see Tintoretto’s painting “Paradise”, the largest oil-painting in the world. When they see it, Nick starts to hear a voice – a woman’s voice. Julia is sure he is suffering repercussions from his head injury, but Nick becomes obsessed with Isabella, the woman from the painting.

Isabella is Nick’s soul mate from the past, when he was known as Angelo. While Nick researches to find more information about he and Isabella, he also discovers The Order, those responsible for imprisoning peoples souls in the painting over the centuries. Thousands of them! While Nick is only concerned about releasing Isabella, releasing her would release all of the souls trapped in this eternal Purgatory.

Meanwhile, Julia doesn’t know what to think, but she DOES know she seems to be losing him to this soul mate from his past – or this head trauma, whichever it ends up being. Her position on it doesn’t protect her from those that are a danger to them, nor does it protect her from the possibility of losing her husband in this century. Will Nick succeed in freeing Isabella? Will he choose his past love or his current love? Will they all be able to evade those that pursue them?

I loved the mystery, the thrill, the danger, the romance, the back and forth, pulling you in both directions for both relationships – I never quite knew where this story would go next. I am thrilled for another novel in this series and pursuing this unique style of story!

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