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Collection #1
The Collection
Jane Smith is as ordinary as her name...except for her innate and special "talent" that allows her to separate fact from fiction. Known by her friends as the "human lie detector," Jane can call you on every fib - when she's courageous enough to stir up a bit of controversy. Unfortunately, her ability usually gets her in more trouble than it's worth. Lucien is a high-class art forger and thief with 700 years of experience under his immortal belt. Five brief years in the making, he has finished his latest masterpiece - an exact replica of a multi-million dollar bronze sculpture. This latest piece now resides in Atlanta's High Museum of Art having been switched for the genuine at his restoration business. As luck would have it, the minute Jane enters the exhibit, she recognizes the fake. Overcoming her usual shyness, Jane can't help but comment on the impressive imitation, shocking Lucien with her knowledge and leading him to challenge her accusations. While distracted by their argument, they are kidnapped by one of Lucien's unhappy customers - someone who suspects the goods he received are less than genuine. When Jane is mistaken for Lucien's girlfriend, they are both ensnared in a ruthless plot of high stakes acquisition and murder by the maniacal former client, a black market art buyer. How many people will die before Lucien and his ancient family of co-conspirators can free themselves from the modern world's most vengeful villain: an unsatisfied customer.
- GenresParanormal
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
538 people want to read
About the author
T.K. Lasser
1 book6 followersT. K. Lasser picks up stakes every few years to see something new, if not pleasant. She can be found typing to ease a creative mania that would otherwise be spent on disastrous DIY and ear-splitting ukulele performances. Her family is supportive and enthusiastic about this whole writing thing, and for this she is extremely grateful.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 30, 2014
This is T. K. Lasser’s debut novel. Unfortunately, it reads like the typical first novel because of its overly ambitious plot line. First, Lasser attempts to write a paranormal story line with two distinctly different paranormal abilities involved – one mortal, one immortal. Secondly, she creates not two, but three main protagonists – one female, two male. Thirdly, she makes the two male protagonists identical twins.
Next, she makes the two paranormal abilities psychologically incompatible. Jane, our 20-year-old mortal art student, has the unexplained and un-researched ability to detect lies, either spoken or in physical forms such as art forgeries. Lucien and Cicero, our twins, are 700 years old due to a genetic anomaly that has made them immortal, yet kills every other genetically related male by the age of three. They heal immediately from inflicted wounds or illnesses, but have no special bodily strength. And they are art thieves, running an international art restoration conglomerate whose employees also forge multiple art forms, securely vaulting away the originals and using the profits to fund genetic research. So, we have one protagonist who is a lie detector and two protagonists who are consummate liars, and opposites really do not attract regardless of pheromones.
Finally, Lasser creates not one, but two unrelated murderous psychopaths. And, as if this were not enough in the villain department, she creates a saboteur within the art forgery business.
Now, add in Jane’s meddling best friend and Jane’s mother who has advanced Alzheimer’s and the plot thickens beyond palatability. There is no doubt in my mind that a paranormal genre author like Kim Harrison or Jeaniene Frost could pull this complicated mess off. However, I feel that Lasser bit off more than her level of experience could possibly masticate successfully.
In actuality, the first five chapters are quite good. The major protagonists and their abilities have been introduced slowly but naturally. By the sixth chapter, the first murderous psychopath has entered Jane’s life because of Lucien. And then it all starts to fall apart.
By the time the sixth chapter is complete, we have been exposed to several aberrations in the time line and these time-related ambiguities continue for the remainder of the book. Then, Jane and Lucien have a public argument in a museum that prompts our first psychopath, Raleigh Harris, to believe they are romantically involved. However, as the story progresses, we realize that this argument was just an artistic device inserted by the author in order to introduce the thriller part of the novel. As the author expands on Lucien’s personality later in the book, she creates a character in Lucien who would never behave that way in public.
Once Raleigh Harris is introduced, Lasser shifts Jane’s character also. Jane goes from being a jaded individual who suffers from the ramifications of all the lies to which she is exposed to a naïve little twit who thinks that presenting the truth, without proof, to the cops will solve all her problems. Lasser even shifts Lucien from his 700-year-old perspective into human nature into a person who thinks that Harris, who kills people just for breathing wrong, will simply walk away satisfied after Lucien compensates him for his forgery. These inconsistencies in character development significantly detract and cause more than one “Huh?” moment.
Near the middle of the book, one situation created by the author totally ruined the credibility of the storyline for me. In that situation, Jane encounters Cicero without knowing that Lucien has a twin. Cicero treats Jane like the hooker he thinks she is and Jane flees, thinking that those horrible words have come from Lucien. Lucien, knowing what Cicero has done, then sends her flowers with a card that in no way acknowledges the mistake and the card is definitely not an apology. The next day, they are back to dealing with Harris but do not ever discuss the hooker bit – not one word, not one question, not even the slightest explanation about there being a twin. It is clear from the internal monologues expressed by the twins that secrecy is paramount to the success of their business ventures, but this set of scenes just jumped the shark. Really, just how many women do you think would let themselves be called a whore and then not have a few questions and a few remarks to say about it when no apology is forthcoming?
By the end of the novel, you do not know if this is a paranormal romantic suspense or a paranormal psychological thriller. Not one single plot thread is resolved. But neither is there a cliffhanger. The book just stops. Frankly, it feels as if you have been watching a television daytime drama that breaks for a commercial and just doesn’t come back on.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. That fact in no way affected my opinion of the book.
Next, she makes the two paranormal abilities psychologically incompatible. Jane, our 20-year-old mortal art student, has the unexplained and un-researched ability to detect lies, either spoken or in physical forms such as art forgeries. Lucien and Cicero, our twins, are 700 years old due to a genetic anomaly that has made them immortal, yet kills every other genetically related male by the age of three. They heal immediately from inflicted wounds or illnesses, but have no special bodily strength. And they are art thieves, running an international art restoration conglomerate whose employees also forge multiple art forms, securely vaulting away the originals and using the profits to fund genetic research. So, we have one protagonist who is a lie detector and two protagonists who are consummate liars, and opposites really do not attract regardless of pheromones.
Finally, Lasser creates not one, but two unrelated murderous psychopaths. And, as if this were not enough in the villain department, she creates a saboteur within the art forgery business.
Now, add in Jane’s meddling best friend and Jane’s mother who has advanced Alzheimer’s and the plot thickens beyond palatability. There is no doubt in my mind that a paranormal genre author like Kim Harrison or Jeaniene Frost could pull this complicated mess off. However, I feel that Lasser bit off more than her level of experience could possibly masticate successfully.
In actuality, the first five chapters are quite good. The major protagonists and their abilities have been introduced slowly but naturally. By the sixth chapter, the first murderous psychopath has entered Jane’s life because of Lucien. And then it all starts to fall apart.
By the time the sixth chapter is complete, we have been exposed to several aberrations in the time line and these time-related ambiguities continue for the remainder of the book. Then, Jane and Lucien have a public argument in a museum that prompts our first psychopath, Raleigh Harris, to believe they are romantically involved. However, as the story progresses, we realize that this argument was just an artistic device inserted by the author in order to introduce the thriller part of the novel. As the author expands on Lucien’s personality later in the book, she creates a character in Lucien who would never behave that way in public.
Once Raleigh Harris is introduced, Lasser shifts Jane’s character also. Jane goes from being a jaded individual who suffers from the ramifications of all the lies to which she is exposed to a naïve little twit who thinks that presenting the truth, without proof, to the cops will solve all her problems. Lasser even shifts Lucien from his 700-year-old perspective into human nature into a person who thinks that Harris, who kills people just for breathing wrong, will simply walk away satisfied after Lucien compensates him for his forgery. These inconsistencies in character development significantly detract and cause more than one “Huh?” moment.
Near the middle of the book, one situation created by the author totally ruined the credibility of the storyline for me. In that situation, Jane encounters Cicero without knowing that Lucien has a twin. Cicero treats Jane like the hooker he thinks she is and Jane flees, thinking that those horrible words have come from Lucien. Lucien, knowing what Cicero has done, then sends her flowers with a card that in no way acknowledges the mistake and the card is definitely not an apology. The next day, they are back to dealing with Harris but do not ever discuss the hooker bit – not one word, not one question, not even the slightest explanation about there being a twin. It is clear from the internal monologues expressed by the twins that secrecy is paramount to the success of their business ventures, but this set of scenes just jumped the shark. Really, just how many women do you think would let themselves be called a whore and then not have a few questions and a few remarks to say about it when no apology is forthcoming?
By the end of the novel, you do not know if this is a paranormal romantic suspense or a paranormal psychological thriller. Not one single plot thread is resolved. But neither is there a cliffhanger. The book just stops. Frankly, it feels as if you have been watching a television daytime drama that breaks for a commercial and just doesn’t come back on.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. That fact in no way affected my opinion of the book.
September 28, 2013
Jane is our protagonist. Her name suits her. She is able to tell if someone states a lie or if a piece of art is real or not. She doesn’t know why or how, but she does.
Jane has no love life. Jane leads an otherwise boring and normal life. So she finds herself intrigued by the man in the museum. She has to leave with her class after she states to the mysterious man in the museum that the piece of art they were both admiring was a forgery. The man knows it is because it is his fake replica but she shouldn’t know that.
Jane goes back to the museum to see if she can run into him again. Well unfortunately, she does and is mistaken by an unsatisfied customer of Lucian (the mysterious man) to be his girlfriend. So when, Lucian gets frustrated with her, Jane runs out and runs right into a kidnapping. Lucian tries to save her but has no luck so they are both taken.
Now Jane is brought into a world of forgery and black market and a paranormal family. Jane wants out but there is no out for her no matter how hard everyone tries. Now her family is at stake if Lucian and Jane don’t do as they are told.
Lucian and his twin brother Cicero are immortal. They have lived over 700 years. They don’t know why because in their family all males die after 3 years of age. Yet they live forever. It is a curse and the family has this business of forgery to make money to find a cure for their male children. The family seems to do very well off and have many homes and locations for the real works of art they steal and forge.
The story line if fantastic. I want to find a cure for them. I want to solve their mystery and this book doesn’t have the answers as it ends with a promise for more in another book. There is a traitor in the family midst. There is a traitor in the family midst. There are several deaths that are close range and one that is found dead by a bullet. But the description isn't detailed or gory.
Where as the story line is great with a mystery; a medical mystery and a who dun nit, I found something to be lacking.
There was no passion. I mean Jane witnesses several deaths by bullet at close range. There is no screaming, no nightmares, no have some hysteria! It just happens and she goes on. Well if I witnessed several deaths, I would be a mess! I would have nightmares or be afraid to sleep or want more security but I saw none of that. It just kept going.
Also, the family business is run by the women who are without their male heirs. There again seems to be no anger or passion about finding a cure but more on the business side. One of the females is becoming a doctor. That’s it. The rest study restoration of art and learn how to forge. One woman seems to hide what she feels. She does things behind everyone to protect someone. Someone who might be a help in understanding their genetics.
I do want to read the next book because the story was great, I just hope she adds more feeling to the book, so it doesn’t feel like a timeline of events and more like a story.
Check out her website as she has a lot of artwork that helps bring the book to life.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jane has no love life. Jane leads an otherwise boring and normal life. So she finds herself intrigued by the man in the museum. She has to leave with her class after she states to the mysterious man in the museum that the piece of art they were both admiring was a forgery. The man knows it is because it is his fake replica but she shouldn’t know that.
Jane goes back to the museum to see if she can run into him again. Well unfortunately, she does and is mistaken by an unsatisfied customer of Lucian (the mysterious man) to be his girlfriend. So when, Lucian gets frustrated with her, Jane runs out and runs right into a kidnapping. Lucian tries to save her but has no luck so they are both taken.
Now Jane is brought into a world of forgery and black market and a paranormal family. Jane wants out but there is no out for her no matter how hard everyone tries. Now her family is at stake if Lucian and Jane don’t do as they are told.
Lucian and his twin brother Cicero are immortal. They have lived over 700 years. They don’t know why because in their family all males die after 3 years of age. Yet they live forever. It is a curse and the family has this business of forgery to make money to find a cure for their male children. The family seems to do very well off and have many homes and locations for the real works of art they steal and forge.
The story line if fantastic. I want to find a cure for them. I want to solve their mystery and this book doesn’t have the answers as it ends with a promise for more in another book. There is a traitor in the family midst. There is a traitor in the family midst. There are several deaths that are close range and one that is found dead by a bullet. But the description isn't detailed or gory.
Where as the story line is great with a mystery; a medical mystery and a who dun nit, I found something to be lacking.
There was no passion. I mean Jane witnesses several deaths by bullet at close range. There is no screaming, no nightmares, no have some hysteria! It just happens and she goes on. Well if I witnessed several deaths, I would be a mess! I would have nightmares or be afraid to sleep or want more security but I saw none of that. It just kept going.
Also, the family business is run by the women who are without their male heirs. There again seems to be no anger or passion about finding a cure but more on the business side. One of the females is becoming a doctor. That’s it. The rest study restoration of art and learn how to forge. One woman seems to hide what she feels. She does things behind everyone to protect someone. Someone who might be a help in understanding their genetics.
I do want to read the next book because the story was great, I just hope she adds more feeling to the book, so it doesn’t feel like a timeline of events and more like a story.
Check out her website as she has a lot of artwork that helps bring the book to life.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2014
This book was great. I am eager to read the rest of the series to see how it all turns out. Jane is an art-student struggling with the guilt of having left Wisconsin to go to college. Her mother suffers from Alzheimer's and her sister takes care of her so that Jane can go to school. Jane was on a field trip to an Atlanta museum when she noticed The Guy, a handsome man who was studying a bronze sculpture. Before she had to leave, she casually remarked that it was a fake, earning The Guy's attention. Jane can't get him out of her mind and makes several trips to the museum on weekends, hoping to run into him again. When she does, she is hurt and embarrassed when he starts yelling at her, and flees. She and The Guy, who is revealed to be Lucien, are kidnapped and hauled off in a van.
What a way to get to know one another. It turns out that both Jane and Lucien have a bit of paranormal up their sleeves. Jane is a lie detector. She can sense any lie whether it is something someone says or an art forgery. Lucien is an immortal due to a genetic defect. He also is co-owner of the best art forging businesses in the world. He was shocked that Jane could tell his sculpture was a fake, but is determined to keep her alive when he realizes that one of his customers has mistaken her for his girlfriend. Lucien and Jane are on a dangerous path of survival, and more is at stake when the customer uses Jane's family as collateral to get what he wants from Lucien – namely, priceless works of art that are currently installed in several museums. In spite of the danger to his family and their secrets, Lucien knows that he will do anything to help Jane, but betrayal within his own ranks makes things even more difficult.
This was a fast-paced story that I really enjoyed. It ended abruptly, but with enough of a cliffhanger that I really can't wait for book #2. I would love to see more of Lucien's family, as well as Jane's roommate. I think there is potential there for a deeper plot. All in all, a great read.
What a way to get to know one another. It turns out that both Jane and Lucien have a bit of paranormal up their sleeves. Jane is a lie detector. She can sense any lie whether it is something someone says or an art forgery. Lucien is an immortal due to a genetic defect. He also is co-owner of the best art forging businesses in the world. He was shocked that Jane could tell his sculpture was a fake, but is determined to keep her alive when he realizes that one of his customers has mistaken her for his girlfriend. Lucien and Jane are on a dangerous path of survival, and more is at stake when the customer uses Jane's family as collateral to get what he wants from Lucien – namely, priceless works of art that are currently installed in several museums. In spite of the danger to his family and their secrets, Lucien knows that he will do anything to help Jane, but betrayal within his own ranks makes things even more difficult.
This was a fast-paced story that I really enjoyed. It ended abruptly, but with enough of a cliffhanger that I really can't wait for book #2. I would love to see more of Lucien's family, as well as Jane's roommate. I think there is potential there for a deeper plot. All in all, a great read.
March 23, 2017
Jane is “human lie detector” and can sense truth from lies. Lucien is a high-class art forger and immortal. A chance encounter in an art museum throws Jane into Lucien’s path and soon she is swept up into his world of mystery and intrigue. Mistaken as his girlfriend, both are kidnapped by one of Lucien’s unhappy customers. Lose yourself in The Collection and find out why the high states game of art forgery is a dangerous business…especially for the unknown.
I found the story to fairly interest. The concept of a family of forgers lead by two immortal humans versus creatures is a new twist. There’s plenty of suspense and having never read a book with art forgery I was all excited to settle in for a good read. My problem with the story was I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Don’t get me wrong, the story is great. It’s filled with mystery and intrigue but the characters just couldn’t hold my interest. At first, I really liked Lucien but by mid-story, I felt indifferent to him. It wasn’t until the very end that I started to like him again. Jane just seemed very flat to me. She sees two people murdered in front of her (Sorry for the spoiler) but has little to no reaction. Me, I probably would have not been emotionless. It is not they were bad characters, I just did not feel they had any spark for me to empathize with their predicaments. I hope that in the next book they personalities will perk up more to get me excited.
If you are looking a break from romance books but still want to stay in the paranormal realm then look no further than The Collection, the first book in the Collection series by T.K. Lasser.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars – 3
I found the story to fairly interest. The concept of a family of forgers lead by two immortal humans versus creatures is a new twist. There’s plenty of suspense and having never read a book with art forgery I was all excited to settle in for a good read. My problem with the story was I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Don’t get me wrong, the story is great. It’s filled with mystery and intrigue but the characters just couldn’t hold my interest. At first, I really liked Lucien but by mid-story, I felt indifferent to him. It wasn’t until the very end that I started to like him again. Jane just seemed very flat to me. She sees two people murdered in front of her (Sorry for the spoiler) but has little to no reaction. Me, I probably would have not been emotionless. It is not they were bad characters, I just did not feel they had any spark for me to empathize with their predicaments. I hope that in the next book they personalities will perk up more to get me excited.
If you are looking a break from romance books but still want to stay in the paranormal realm then look no further than The Collection, the first book in the Collection series by T.K. Lasser.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars – 3
January 28, 2014
I received this book for free for an honest review. I thought the synopsis sounded intriguing but when began reading I was hooked. I read it in two days and hated to put it down. The plot and characters in the book are well developed. Jane is an art student and a "human lie detector". Lucien is an art thief / forger with a genetic anomaly that has made him immortal and he is now 700 years old. Lucien is thrown for a loop when he meets Jane and she innocently tells him that the piece of art they are looking at is a forgery. He is unsettled by her because she shouldn't be able to tell by nothing more than a simple glance. Jane wants to see Lucien again and she manages to meet him a second time. Jane discovers what Lucien does for a living and would like to separate herself from him but their lives become entwined with each other whether they want them to or not. You learn about Jane and Lucien's families and what they will do to protect the people they love, all the while dealing with guilt, illness, secrets, and deceit. Throw in a dose of science fiction, kidnapping, and a murdering psychopath and you've got a total hit. I'm certainly hoping that because the book is labeled Collection #1 that there will be a follow up or that it turns into a series. There is so much more that could be revealed between Jane and Lucien not to mention the other characters that are introduced in the book.
August 3, 2014
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Jane, whose superpower is detecting lies and fake art, is a college student who gets embroiled in the world of art forgery. Lucien and Cicero are twins and heads of one of the oldest and most respected art restoration and procurement companies in the world and master art forgers. Their super power is that they don't age and can't die. When Jane is seen speaking to Lucien at an art museum, the henchmen of a very disgruntled, wealthy, and dare I say insane, collector abduct Jane thinking she is Lucien's girlfriend. Lucien, ever so chivalrous, joins the abduction party to protect this girl he has just met. They are whisked off on a private jet to Cuba where they must convince the customer that the art he was sold is the real deal. There are some definite plot twists, but I will say no more so as not to spoil everything. I would have given the book 3 1/2 stars if I could. It is not a deep read, but enjoyable. The plot and characters are unique, though I would have liked to see some sort of back story or origin story for Jane's abilities. This is a very quick read, especially since it seems to be slightly addictive.
January 28, 2014
This was a pretty good book. If I could, I would've given 3 1/2 stars. I definitely liked the plot, characters and the suspense of what was going to happen next. Although a lot happened in this book, I'm hoping and betting the next is better. I completely forgot that this was part of a series and the end had asking..."What happens now?" I definitely want to finish this series. I wasn't completely pulled in by this book, but it did keep me reading and wanting to know What's going to happen! There were some emotions, plenty of twists, especially with Franka, little doses of suspense throughout, some people I wanted to alternately either smack or full out plant a facer on, and the ending left my hanging, but not totally by the fingernails. This wasn't really a romance but felt like it was building up for one. Hoping for that. Can't wait to read the rest. Enjoy!
February 3, 2014
I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading The Collection. It’s a great book. It is a pleasant story to kick back and relax reading. It did take me longer to read than usual but it’s because I truly wanted to enjoy it and absorb the work of the author.
It seemed close to a mafia story but with a bit less action. Nonetheless, The Collection was a very entertaining read. I give it a 4.5 star rating. I will have to keep my eye out for this authors work.
I really enjoyed reading The Collection. It’s a great book. It is a pleasant story to kick back and relax reading. It did take me longer to read than usual but it’s because I truly wanted to enjoy it and absorb the work of the author.
It seemed close to a mafia story but with a bit less action. Nonetheless, The Collection was a very entertaining read. I give it a 4.5 star rating. I will have to keep my eye out for this authors work.
October 20, 2013
I was a music performance major in college and aspects of The Collection totally reminded me of that world but what it was like for the art majors. Jane with her special gift for the truth and the intrigue of the genetic anomaly for the men made for a delightful read. It ended so suddenly I can't wait for the next book.
June 5, 2016
A different storyline than I have read. The Collection does give you a great story bit at times the characters seem a little one dimensional. This book does however give you a different and fresh paranormal story line. It did end a little abruptly so fingers crossed there is a second book in the series coming soon.
I won this book through goodreads.
I won this book through goodreads.
February 14, 2014
I have never read anything previously from this author and did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised this was a well written book. I enjoyed the story it did not have as much romance as I usually read but was much more suspenseful. I finished the book in a few days since I was unable to put it down. I hope the author continues the story since I would love to know what happens next.
July 12, 2016
I received this book free for an honest review and I am glad I did. It started out slow so I had a little trouble getting into it. The action picked up though and I found I could not put it down after that. I truly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the sequel.
March 2, 2014
Suspensful, intriguing, a woman with built in lie detector meets immortal art thief/dealer...she gets caught up in his world seems there no way out...can't wait to read more...received a copy as a gift for honest review.
March 14, 2016
Loved
Good plot. Can't wait for next book. Please give a longer story to keep me up at night. I too old to hold my breath waiting.
Good plot. Can't wait for next book. Please give a longer story to keep me up at night. I too old to hold my breath waiting.
April 25, 2016
Wonderful book, Cicero seemed a bit irrelevant at times, but overall very engaging and interesting.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews