Blank Canvas

Irons and Works, Book 2

By: E.M. Lindsey

Narrated by: Scott D. Alford

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

When a car accident changed the trajectory of his life at 15, Sam Braga set out to find his own way in the world. It never occurred to him he’d find home in Fairfield, Colorado, working with a childhood friend at a tattoo shop, and the legal guardian of a gorgeous little girl who was abandoned by her mother at birth.

Sam has his life organized exactly the way he needs it. Maisy, work, and his found-family. There isn’t room for anything else. Especially when DCS gets involved and tells him that his disability might interfere with his petition to finally adopt the little girl he’s been raising. Sam might be lonely, but he just doesn’t have room for love.

Niko Pagonis tells himself he’s not using the small town of Fairfield as an escape, but who is he kidding. When his NHL career ends two minutes after it begins, Niko flees the East Coast in search of somewhere to settle. He finds home in the form of his accounting firm and his gym buddies who never abandon him on leg-day. Eventually, however, it’s not enough. Niko craves connection, and above all, he wants to feel like he belongs. He stumbles onto the unlikely family at Irons and Works, and more than that, he finds himself in the path of the gorgeous single dad who has made it clear he has no plans to fit Niko into his routine.

But things aren’t always that simple, even when both men try to make them that way. A misguided offer of friends with benefits turns into something else, and both Sam and Niko know they’re flirting with disaster. Still, neither one of them can seem to stay away from the other. Will they find their way through the mess before someone gets hurt? Or will it all come crashing to the ground?

Blank Canvas is the second book in the Irons and Works series. Each book contains an individual storyline with no cheating and a HEA.

©2019 E.M. Lindsey (P)2019 E.M. Lindsey

Wonderful

I want to storm the offices of child services for their treatment of Sam and Maisy. This riled me up because I know that stuff like this happens in real life. Even thinking about this story a week later makes my blood boil. But Sam, he is so incredible. Never giving up the fight, even if it might destroy him.

But somewhere in the darkness of all it, he meets Niko. Niko is at a crossroads in his life. Still trying to figure out his future now that his NHL dreams have been crushed. He’s searching for a home and community.

I love that in both their stories, they save themselves. Fight their own fights. But their love for one another just makes it easier, better. Having someone to trust and make them feel safe is something special, but it’s not the cure.

It’s a great story. And I loved their journey.

Narrator Scott D. Alford does a really good job with this. I definitely recommend as an audiobook.

Love this book!

This is a beautifully told story that is, like E.M. Lindsey's books are, meaningful and really get you thinking. I love how she tries to educate her readers and not just entertain them. And I did learn something about the human spirit and life's daily struggles. We all don't need to be 'fixed' to be loved. This story had me consumed from beginning to end and left me ready to dive into book 3.
Narrator Scott D. Alford does an absolutely amazing job in bringing the characters to life, really giving them a voice.

So awesome!

I have loved everything from this author and I don't see that changing anytime soon. She writes amazing books and the narrator does a wonderful job bringing them to life vocally. I look forward to the other books in this series coming out in audio.

One-click series always

Since part 1 this series has been a no doubt one-click position and audio versions are equally good! Both the voice and the story are awesome and provide an immersive reader/listener experience!

Very Educational. Good Story.

This is the second story of this emotional series. I'm really learning a lot. And this I really appreciate. Even though this story is well told, I do have a couple of issues with both the main characters, and also the narration. First, I think one of the characters were forgiven a little to easy, and even though it was supposed to be genuine, I didn't get the feeling it was. Although Scott Alford is doing a nice job narrating this series, but with one main character, he sounded completely to jovial in every situation, questions. and his replies. With this being said I still recommend this series and Thx E M Lindsay for creating and educating us telling these stories, and not leaving anything out not sugar coding it. even if some things may feel gross or uncomfortable to some. We must emphasize and think how it must feel for them.

Amazing!

I didn't think this audio could be better than the actual book but I was so wrong! Being able to hear them (and not just in my head!) :) is wonderful and awesome amd...everything. I love Sam and Niko and their friendship turned more. and Maizy <3 love her name! I need the rest of thr series pronto! :) 5+ stars **********

Lovely Storyline

Absolutely beautiful love story between two people emotionally and physically scarred. E.M. Lindsey does a wonderful job with the characters and Scott's narration is spot on!

Great series

I feel like I am really learning a lot from this series. The sexy times are still pretty sexy. Heat level is mild and low angst.

It's not our differences that divide us.

It's our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences. ~Audre Lorde~
I was beyond excited to dive head first into Sam's story!! He is one of my favourite characters out of this series (yes, I finished and now I'm back tracking to write reviews, couldn't resist)!! I love the way these books are written where there is a time lapse and you get to go back and revisit certain parts of the last book that tie into the book you're reading. I love going back in time and seeing a different story line unfold, it's really neat!
I want to start with Maisy's adoption case and the mean agency! I was beyond frustrated at all their antics. I really felt for Sam and wished I could punch the woman case worker in the face lol. I love how Rowan handled everything! He was such a boss and put those jerks in their place (fist pump)!!
Niko & Sam's love was a slow burn and sort of worked out like the 1st book where we got to see all the build, trials, self-doubt for both characters, then how they fixed it, and eventually fell in love. The friends did play a good roll throughout and I love that they are still such a big part of each one of these books!
Scott again did an amazing job bringing the characters to life and really letting you feel all of their emotions! I was once again swept away with a great narrator and awesome story!!!

A wonderful story with well rounded characters

I enjoyed this series immensely, I would prefer the narration to be a bit more fluid but putting it around x1.20 did the trick for me. He does and alright job with his narration, I heard better but he was not bad.

The author did an amazing job with describing characters with a verity of disabilities realistically, more raw and not as clean as most books with disabled characters do. It really brought it into perspective, made the story that much better.
The group of artists in Iron and Works is a family, and that is always so very clear in this series. Each is a fantastic character, and they way they stick together and help each other is wonderful.
Sam and Niko have been building up to a relationship from book #1, and I liked how this book took us back to some of the events from the first book to bring us up to date with them and show us their view of things. I also liked that it took them time, it was not easy, physically and emotionally, for them to find the balance and courage to e in a relationship despite all the hardships they might face together.
Really looking forward to the next book!