Blood Art

by Margot Justes

On a whim, as if by magic, Devane came to Chicago in the dead of winter. What she finds in the windy city alters her life for eternity.
Vampire Nikolai Volkov, thought he’d killed his demonic tormentor. To exorcise his memory of her, he commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint her portrait.

His attempt to destroy her failed, and she hid her essence in a crack in her own portrait.

Leonardo da Vinci, the consummate professional, painted over the split in the wooden plank, and ensnared her in the painting. Mona Lisa was trapped.

Undetected, no longer corporeal, but pure energy, the evil spirit imprisoned for centuries, obsessed by the vampire she turned, gains strength and plots her ultimate revenge.

Now living in the twenty-first century, Nikolai knows she seeks escape. He must at all cost, protect Devane Redding from the ancient demon, who wants to possess him once again, and destroy his only chance at happiness with the sculptor he loves above all.

Will he succeed in keeping his hard earned freedom? Can he destroy the demon before she destroys his life, and kills the one woman who matters? Will he even recognize the new corporeal entity that holds her energy?

Genres: Paranormal, Romance

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world's most wonderful places, including Israel, France and South Africa.

Currently living in the Midwestern United States, she has taken her love of art and travel and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing. A Hotel in Paris is her first novel.

A member of Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she served on the board of both organizations.

She finished her second novel, A Hotel in Bath as well as a novella A Fire Within, and she is currently working on the third book, A Hotel in Venice as well as a paranormal vampire story.

Reviews

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicholai, a vampire, is acquaintances if not friends with Leonardo da Vinci. He requests a painting be done, never giving true details about the woman he wants painted. Lucrezia, a demon, had Nicholai in her clutches and he managed to get free. Now, Nicholai is in the present and collects Devane Redding's statues. He hears that some new work has come in, from his friend that runs an art gallery in Chicago. He goes to check out the pieces and finds a woman trying to move one of the statues around the floor from the floor. Watching the pair interact is pure enjoyment. We get more information about the Mona Lisa and why her eyes follow you every where you go. It is quite interesting, the way the author has brought reality into this paranormal world. Devane's possessions are ruined, so she is taken to Nicholai's home, as well as several other people come to stay for the duration of the time needed. This is when she 'meets' Charles, her gargoyle that she created from stone. Imagine being human, only to find out that gargoyles 'do' exist, or that 'demons' do exist. Then, on top of that new weapons are being developed, that can kill, and seek people out specifically. Who is feeding this information to the enemy, trying to help take these good demons and human down? You really must read to find out what is going on exactly. This was one hell of a read!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5.0

The art world really shines in this paranormal romance!

Read full review in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol)]

2.5

My full review is in the 2014 April issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Michele Cleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within the first two paragraphs of this story I knew I’d be drawn in as my two worlds collided. Being an art major and in love with all things vampire, I grinned from ear to ear as the dark and mysterious Nikolai Volkov is having a conversation with his friend Leonardo da Vinci. Nikolai requests a portrait be done of a woman whom changed his life centuries ago, and not for the good. Now in the present time, Nikolai is living in the Chicago area and has attained a vast collection of art throughout time. He is drawn to a particular artist, Devane Redding, who keeps quite a solitude lifestyle that is until she meets Nikolai. The two are drawn to each other like neither has ever experienced before. Nikolai’s past comes back to threaten his world and he is determined to keep Devane safe and end the threat for good this time. The characters are well developed, the storyline keeps you intrigued throughout. The only thing that had me confused at times was the timeline of events. I’m very interested in reading about Monica and Edmunds story… now that is going to be explosive!!!

[Wynonna White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not your typical vampire book, its not only about love and sex. Devane is a scatter brain at times but a great character, Nikolai is a lover of art collecting and therefore finds love eternal or so he thinks.