by
Introducing the first ever whimsical slightly-gray but still a bit fluffy romance book by Lisa Oliver.
“Suspended pending a review of attitude and workplace conduct.”
Julian Purdy, archivist, knew his eidetic memory would get him into trouble eventually. But after being suspended from his job, his trip home was interrupted by a being who shouldn't exist. The corpse the being was holding was irrelevant, it was the creature who fascinated him. And maybe the fates were watching him, because now Julian had the time to research what this creature actually was.
“I remove problems...I have done so for a very long time.”
Cillian, Eldritch guardian, feeds on evil souls, and there were a lot of them in Madison. When his feeding one night was interrupted by a slight man with an interesting personality, Cillian finally had another purpose - find out everything he could about the man who called to his soul... and shadows. He only hoped he could do it without causing Julian to run away.
“This has to be a lavish courtship gift,” Julian said aloud. “You brought me a courtship gift.”
Neither Cillian nor Julian were used to courting or relationships, but they are both invested enough to keep trying. However, evil lurks in Madison, and Marcus Vane is the most evil of all. When he sets his sights on Julian, Cillian and his brothers pour all their attention into taking him down. But it seems Julian isn't the only one reading ancient books, and when the confrontation comes, it could spell the end not only for Julian and Cillian, but for the Eldritch guardians completely.
Please note this is a darker romance book than I typically write with on-page graphic violence. There is also shadows that like to get into interesting places, a succulent called Gerald, and two misfits who don't fit anywhere else, but do fit with each other. HEA guaranteed.
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: Ageless/Immortal
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Fated Mates / Soul Mates
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Julian’s hands were shaking as he finally lifted the book. The weight felt right - it was substantial but not overly heavy. He opened to the title page and his heart stopped entirely.
Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon. London, 1657. First English edition.
“Oh, my gods.” Julian’s voice came out barely above a whisper. “This is the Fitzer translation.”
He knew the book. He had written a paper on it in graduate school. Fewer than a dozen complete copies existed in documented collections worldwide. The British Library had one. The Bodleian had another. Private collectors guarded the rest jealously.
And now, for some reason, one had appeared on Julian’s balcony.
READ MOREHe carried it inside with the care it deserved, setting it gently on his desk. His hands still shook as he examined the front matter, the printer’s mark, the marginalia in what looked like a seventeenth-century hand. Everything checked out. He wasn’t holding a reproduction or a clever fake, the book was real…priceless…and almost definitely stolen.
Julian sat back in his chair, staring at the book. The shadows had brought him a first-edition occult manuscript worth approximately two hundred thousand dollars, assuming a buyer could even find a seller willing to part with one.
“This has to be a lavish courtship gift,” Julian said aloud. “You brought me a courtship gift.”
The shadows in the corner of his room moved, responding to his voice. Not dramatically - just a slight shift, like a cat acknowledging its name. Julian’s lips twitched into something that might become a smile.
“Most people bring flowers,” he continued, addressing the shadows directly. “Or chocolate. You brought me a book that probably has three museums and a dozen private collectors searching for it.”
The shadows darkened, as if sheepish. Julian’s almost-smile grew.
“I’m not complaining. This is perfect, actually. Flowers die. Chocolate is empty calories. This...” He touched the book’s cover gently. “This is knowledge. This is history. This shows you were paying attention to me - the person most people ignore. That’s priceless in itself.”
He stood and walked to the corner where the shadows pooled the darkest, aware that normal people would be deathly afraid. But Julian didn’t feel that way - he had nothing to fear. He felt seen.
“You’re still here, aren’t you? Not just watching from outside anymore. I already know you’ve been inside my apartment.”
The shadows shifted again, and Julian swore they conveyed something like guilt mixed with defiance. It reminded him of a cat he’d seen once, who’d been caught on his sister’s kitchen counter, but who had no intention of getting down.
“It’s fine,” Julian said. “I don’t actually mind. You moved me to bed last night. Tucked me in. That implies a level of care that contradicts predatory intent.”
He returned to his desk, running his fingers over the book’s cover. The leather was cool under his touch and impossibly smooth. Someone had loved this particular edition - it had been cared for across centuries. And now the shadows had stolen it for him.
“Where did you get this? Actually, don’t answer that. Plausible deniability is important when receiving stolen antiquities.” Julian paused. “Although I suppose if I’m providing body disposal advice, worrying about stolen books is somewhat hypocritical.”
COLLAPSE
