The blood of a Guardian, the heart of an artist, no one can hide the truth from Amanda Hayworth. Focusing her visions through her camera lens, she reveals secrets no one plans to expose, even her own. To protect herself, Mandy hides her ability in plain sight, photographing local bands and showcasing the dramatic images on her website. Most bands beg for a feature article. But the new lead singer of one particular up and coming band isn’t like anyone she’s ever met. Lucien entangles her with his mystery and makes Mandy want things she’s never wanted before—strings.
Lucien Solvak has to impress an influential music blogger whose promotion could skyrocket his new band to stardom or flush them straight into the gutters. But the moment Mandy aims her camera his direction, he fears the images will expose his ties to the immortal he’s sworn to protect and destroy his one chance to live out his musical dream. Hiding from her camera is tough enough. Denying his growing feelings becomes an impossible feat, forcing Lucien to choose between oaths as a Guardian, his rock-star dreams, and the girl he wants.
Secrets define them. Lucien’s bind him to silence; Mandy’s bring her nothing but pain and disappointment. Only when they focus on what’s behind the images can they embrace their secrets for what they are—truth.
Mandy strained to hear the mumbled voices, but it sounded like the usual pre-set
conversation. Planning the song order and discussing a few shows lined up in the near
future. Tapping her finger along the edge of the camera's lens, Mandy wanted to
scream for them to get started already. She hadn't planned to be here all day. On the
other side of town a band waited for her. A band who actually wanted her to take their
pictures.
"You know, Angel," a dulcet voice sang behind her. "I don't recall sending press
invites out for this rehearsal."
Mandy stilled. Hot breath warmed her neck. Every hair on her body stood straight
up and a few curled. "And here I thought mine had just been lost in the mail." She
turned, facing the solid mass of gorgeousness.
"I would hand deliver any invite I intended you to have." Lucien paused just
inches from her and Mandy reminded herself that breathing was not only allowed, also a
necessity for survival. Leaning against the edge of the bar, Lucien lifted his gaze to hers
and smiled.
"Wow," she mouthed but couldn't be certain whether she said the words out loud
or let them linger in her head. Mandy inhaled the scent of freshly shaven skin, soft and
tempting. Restraining herself from reaching out to touch him, she settled for leaning in
closer and letting his smell inhabit every one of her pores.
"Consider this an invite to stay." His hand lingered in the air between the bar top
and Mandy's arm. Mandy didn't back away, watching his movement until he brushed a
lock of hair off her shoulder, his finger lightly trailed across her skin. Most times the
move would have the perpetrator on his knees in agony. This time Mandy’s knees were
the ones to shake.
"But absolutely no pictures,” Lucien whispered. “Or I'll have Carl over there carry
your fine ass right out that door."
Laughing, Mandy hesitated. First, no way would Carl touch her. She'd have his
parole officer over here so fast he wouldn't see her ass. And Carl knew this.
Second, who did Lucien think he was? A rock star? He was barely a member
of Demon Dogs, and at this rate he'd never take them to rock star status. Not without
her laying the foundation of information for the local music scene to absorb.
Third, he had noticed her ass and this pleased her a whole lot more than it
should.
Mandy hugged her camera tight to her chest. No one had ever forbid her from
taking pictures.
"Fine, I'll just listen," Mandy said. He might not want her taking pictures with her
camera, but that didn't stop her from raking her gaze over every inch of his body. The
dark alley hadn't done his hotness justice.
Manda's 4 Star Review
This book came to me at the perfect time!! I was struggling to find a book that I could really fall into and get lost. The writing is fantastic and the storyline and characters are amazing. From the second I started this one I could not put it down. I got completely caught up in the mystery of this story. It was unlike anything I have read before. I love Mandy and what she is able to see through her camera lens. I thought she was a wonderfully written character and so different from what I have read in the past. Lucien was a mystery from the start but so easy to fall in love with and who doesn't love a man who can sing. The secrets he protects are intriguing and keep you fully engaged in the story. This is definitely one of my new favorite paranormal reads. I loved this one so much that the second I read the last page I immediately grabbed book 2 and started it. I would happily read anything else this writing duo comes up with. The writing and story telling is just that good!!
Kyrissa Spears was born with a powerful, and deadly, gift. When she paints, she captures emotions so strong they can kill. Desperate to find a teacher capable of helping her unlock and control her abilities, Kyrissa's search leads her to an artist who may be able to help her. And he's the one person she can't accidentally kill.
After five centuries of pain and loneliness, Robert Shoalman craves release from his immortality. He's all but given up hope until he meets the beautiful and intriguing Kyrissa. She could paint his death and break the curse, but at the cost of destroying her gift and being lost to him forever—none of which will matter if the demon hunting him finds them first.
"You keep telling me to trust my feelings." Kyrissa ran her finger along his lower lip.
"Trust yours."
His mouth sought hers, the taste of her lips more exquisite than the finest wine. He drank
her in, wanting more of her intoxicating apples and mint flavor, as well as the one that was just
her. The one found only in her kiss. Burying his face in her hair, he pulled her closer, lips trailing
down her neck and across her collarbone.
Pulling the fitted shirt from his jeans, her hands slid up his back and sides. Each touch on
his skin left him burning. Reclaiming Kyrissa's mouth with his, Robert fumbled with the buttons
on the front of his shirt, feeling her smile when she tried to help him, both of them making it
worse.
"Damn it to hell," Robert broke the kiss, pushing up to his knees to rip the shirt open. The
patter of buttons danced across the floor like rain.
"Robert!" Kyrissa laughed at his impulsive action.
"What good is money if I cannot afford to ruin a shirt?" He grinned. "Especially if it is
for the right reasons." He'd ruin shirts every day if she would look at him the way she was now.
Kneeling in front of him, Kyrissa used her hands to push the shirt off his shoulders while
her mouth trailed kisses along his chest. "You could have just pulled it over your head," she
teased, fingers working to pull open the cuffs.
"I thought women expected displays like that," Robert fumbled, distracted by her hands
and mouth. In his day, affairs were slower, more reserved. He enjoyed these times better. The
women were bolder. More passionate.
"I could get that male bravado bullshit from any pickup in a bar." Her eyes devoured him.
"I want you."
"Good."
Wow!! If you thought the first book was good then you are going to really love this one!! This one is even more engaging than the first. This writing duo has a gift for storytelling and creating incredibly fantastic and deep characters. I started this book the second I finished the first book and was again completely wrapped up in the world they created. I read this entire book in one sitting and loved every second of it.
We learned in book one that the secrets Lucien protect are centered around the mysterious and intimidating Robert Shoalman. Robert is a gifted and brilliant artist who hides a painful secret within each of his paintings. What others see as art he sees as a lifetime of pain and guilt. I love the depth of this character. He comes across so intimidating and angry but when the whole story is revealed we see the layers that are buried deep within. Kyrissa might be my favorite character in the series. She has an amazing heart and tries to put everything she has into her painting, but fear of the past holds her back from reaching her full potential. There is so much tension and mystery that unfolds when Robert tries to teach Kyrissa how to tap into and unlock the powerful emotions she can't reach on her own. I love the way this story unfolds and develops. This is my new favorite paranormal romance read and I hope these amazing authors continue to give us these amazing stories!!
Two authors telling one sizzling story after another about twenty-somethings getting along in
their own crazy, fantastical worlds. Both women are wives and mothers, sharing brain cells and
Toni, one half of the Toni Decker brain, is an avid reader of all things Young and New Adult
while Kira, the Decker half of Toni Decker brain, devours fantasy for midnight snacks.
characters as if they only exist with the other.
Together, their stories are one part New Adult,
three parts of Holy Hotness.
one part Fantasy and
We leave it up to the readers to decide who writes which character.
You can follow our journey on:
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