Guiding Purpose

Guardian & Conduit #2

by Alexa Piper

On their way back to the safety of the city walls, Orrey and Senlas grow to rely on one another—and on their team. But there is still danger out to get them and to destroy bonds so recently forged.

While trust within the group deepens, other secrets come to light, and Orrey, Senlas, and the team slowly realize that they just might be the best people to keep citizens safe.

Content Violence, mention of domestic abuse.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, M M Romance, Fantasy, Queer, Paranormal

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2024

About the author

Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them.
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Reviews

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There was never anyone who made me feel like he does, Senlas thought. There will never be anyone else. And I don't want him to love another, I want to earn every piece of his love, even the smallest dustings of it."

Holy fuck! If you thought shit hit the fan in book 1, then get ready for book 2 to blow your socks off. So many things are starting to come together, yet I swear I had even more questions and theories by the end! Just whoa!

I'm still adoring the relationship between Senlas and Orrey. It was lovely seeing their relationship grow closer despite everything going on around them. They really are an amazing match.

We also get some time in Col's head which was a treat. After the events of this book, I have a feeling we'll be seeing quite a bit more of him, but you'll get no spoilers from me! I just love Col and all the members of their team. I'm already dying for the next one!!

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of action in this installment of the series. Orrey and his new team are outside of the walls, where book 1 finished, and looking for safety. Part of the team is injured and they don't know who to trust.
The outsiders and the Hounds are the main storyline for maybe the first half of the book, and I feel like we will return to them.
What's interesting is that there is a story within a story. Each chapter has AI conversations and snippets from historic guardians, specifically the one that founded Argetea. That sub plot was fascinating and also sad.
Low steam, high on world-building and a meaty plot. I'm really looking forward to more with how the team is growing and changing.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic ending for this couple (the plot as a whole continues but this couple is all done).
Senlas being lowkey obsessed with Orrey and respecting and loving in all the ways he needs just gave me life.
Loved all the secondary characters and can't wait to read about them all, firstly and foremost Col and Hyrna. I sensed a vibe between Yamara and Vin so I wouldn't if they got together and Lapatea deserves a book for sure as Taros and Karmaine too

[Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve read for world building!

This is such an amazing series so far. The world building is epic and has all kinds of little details which make it wonderfully immersive. I will say, you do have to read the first book to understand what’s going on but that is in no way a bad thing because the first book is awesome too! I liked that we got more time outside of the AI construct - it added so much to what we already had from the first book. I had worried that Orrey, Sen and the team would be straight back but we got a good amount of time. The found family that Team 3 makes is so lovely. You have all this intrigue and action plot wise but the relationships they’re building (not just Orrey and Sen) lend such a sweet undertone to the book as a whole. Definitely a must read series!

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Purpose is the second book in the Guardian & Conduit series. This book is not a standalone as it picks up where Guiding Desire ends. This book continues the story of Orrey a conduit and Senlas a guardian plus the rest of their team. I love these guys so much and watching Orrey grow into the person he is with Senlas was perfect. I love the other team members especially Col. This book is a roller coaster ride filled with twists and turns but so satisfying. I want more stories about the team three found family of Orrey, Senlas, Col, Vin, Taros and Karmine. Alexa Piper has an amazing gift for story telling that she shares with her readers. I would definitely recommend this book and series. A definite 5 star read!!!!

[Chiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed the continuation of the story and the author threw you right back into the action. I appreciated getting some background in there this time around as I thought that was helpful story wise. It was left off abruptly but in a good place so an ending? Or a continuation I don’t know. I can only hope for more because she laid the groundwork for directions and I’d love to read more especially since there’s so many characters in this little found family with more introduced each time.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am smitten with Senlas, Orrey and the whole Team 3 family. These guys really are family and I hope to get many more stories about them all. The cracks are appearing in the facade of the world they live in, but our Guardians would never force a Conduit. It was sweet watching Orrey and Senlas fall even deeper in love. Well Orrey may not be 100% there yet but he is swiftly catching up. And I adore Con. He and Orrey really are brothers in the best kind of way. I also love this blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I don’t think I have ever read anything else like it. These characters are everything!

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a ride. This is book 2 in the series and you need Guarding Desire as book 1 ended on a huge cliffhanger. As the team try to work their way from the outside, they meet an interesting couple who help them heal. You get to read more about conduits and guardians and how they work. Love this world building and cannot wait to read more.

[author_books_friends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Purpose
Alexa Piper

If you like reading MM and world building with a perfect fantasy world, there's allies and enemies with some surprising twist.
In this adventure you have Guardians and Conduits with some amazing characters along the way.
You'll enjoy this book

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story

I enjoyed this story even more than book one. There is so much going on to keep the reader interested. This is really worth reading.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[circexin]

dnf @ 34%

i just couldn’t get into this and i started skimming so i’m going to stop reading it for now.

[Sanne92 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much product placement! (Pleasure Bead, anyone? haha)

Enjoyable book, though not as fast-paced as I'd hoped. Fingers crossed for the next!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Purpose is book two in the Guardian & Conduit series. Book one ended on a cliffhanger, with our team all injured and on the run in the wilds outside of the city. They were found and healed by a Hound healer. Book two picks up right where that left off. So Orrey, Senlas and their team need to get to safety, and need to deal with those who attacked them. The problem ends up being even bigger than they realized.

Book two is quite a ride. Not only must they travel through the wild, they have to root out the conspiracy involving Guardian Alesa and the plan to overthrow the powers of the city. There is backstabbing and many aren't who you expect them to be.

Senlas and Orrey's love grows deeper through the difficulties they face. Again and again they choose to protect each other, to stay together. And Senlas proves that he deserves Orrey's love by putting him and his will first, never exercising the rights he's given to overrule Orrey. In this sci fi world, the social structure puts Guardians above reproach, meaning very little if any accountability. Below that is the Conduits who are told they are precious, and that the stripping of their rights of autonomy is simply to keep them safe. Then there are the regular people. So behind almost every scene is questioning this system of Conduits being property to be controlled first by the government and then by whichever Guardian happens to vibe with them. The beginnings of the chapters sometimes have historical texts that bring the origins of this system into clear relief. Here's where the trigger warning for domestic abuse comes from.

Orrey and Senlas, Col, Vin, Taros and Karmine. This team is ride or die, they're amazingly powerful, and they work for good. Love them!

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I`ve been waiting this book, because Guiding Desire ended with a BIG cliffhanger and I`m happy to say it`s been worth the wait.
I love this group, because this book is more than Senlas and Orrey`s story, each of the guardians in their team contribute to the overarching plot, and what to say about Col? This book wouldn`t be the same without him.
Guiding Purpose is a wild ride, actionpacked, full of surprises and great characters and a terrifying great worldbuilding.
Orrey and Senlas team have a wild ride outside the Cities and inside things are not easier with betrayals, bombs and hospitality guides.
Despite all the action Alexa Piper is able to develop their relationship, not only as a couple but as guardian imprinted on a conduit pair.
The worldbuilding is amazing, the depth of the characters surprising and the editing is great too.
The last surprise in stock for Col was a blast.
I heartily recommend this series.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Purpose - Trusting Heart

‘There was never anyone who made me feel like he does, Senlas thought. There will never be anyone else. And I don’t want him to love another, I want to earn every piece of his love, even the smallest dustings of it. I’ll give him cake and kisses and my attention, and once we are home, I’ll keep him safe and make him happy.’

Alexa Piper continues the adventure in book 2 of her Guardian & Conduit series. Guiding Purpose has us following Senlas and Orrey as they attempt to get back to their safe city after being ambushed and injured.

Trust is hard to come by, but these two are developing a deeper relationship as they learn to support each other. But knowing who else to trust? That is much harder.

I adore reading these books and believe Alexa Piper to be a master storyteller!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexa continues the world of Guardians and Conduits, Senlas and Orrey in Guiding Purpose. It picks up immediately at the end of Guiding Desire, so this can not be read as a standalone! Heck, it took me a bit to remember the previous story arc, who was who to whowm. I would have loved a cast of characters! But I still loved this read. Our found family continues to unravel the suspense mystery from G.D. while dealing with injuries, truly "found" family, and new friends. Senlas struggles with Orrey's protector instincts, he's not the traditional conduit. But they are continue to grow as a couple. Piper takes us to a different city for this book, similar but different. Coldis has some unexpected happenings that affect not only Col but also the team. I look forward to seeing how these developments play out in future books. Pay attention to the snippets at the beginning of many of the chapters! Piper, how will all these letters, records change what we know about Senlas and Orrey's world!

[Grey Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have given myself a book hangover in finishing this book. I really look forward to more from this world. I need like 10 more books of this series!

I love the continuing developing relationship between Orrey and Senlas. I love the new developments with the team. I love the new characters being introduced. I love the intrigue, the mystery, the slowly unfolding history of this place, the worldbuilding. I love it all.

The only real downside to this is the lack of female characters. There's like, 3 in this book vs like 20+ male characters. That said, the female characters ARE treated equally. They're in high ranks, positions of power, not restricted due to gender, etc. The story just doesn't really focus on them.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and begins where the first one ends (so gentle note that you’ll want to start with the first book, if you haven’t already). Senlas, Orrey, and the team are compelling, interesting characters and the chosen family dynamic is vibrant. There’s plenty of plot (no spoilers on that, it’s worth experiencing on its own terms) and a solid dose of world building in this installment— the stakes are high and getting higher, the relationship between Orrey and Senlas is developing , and it’s pretty much impossible not to want more from this world and these characters after each exposure to them.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot more complex sci fi world building in this second book. I was actually fascinated by it all. There is a lot of action and danger so I will not give any of that plot away. For me as it always is, I adored the growing relationship between Orrey and Senlas. They have a love that grows from the trust they have built with each other throughout all of their adventures and difficult situations. There is an entire beautiful found family here as well. I am hoping for some continuing stories with these two!

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Purpose, the second book in the Guardian and Conduit series, is just so amazing - just like the first book. It's absolutely riveting with rich characters and captivating plot. I'm absolutely in love with Orrey and Senlas. They are the epitome of romance.

Actually, all of Alexa Piper's books are riveting and amazing romantic stories. And all of her main couples are so lovable. Definitely couples goals!

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ignoring the fact I had to re-read the first book to catch up to the story, I actually liked this one. Certainly explores more of those radical, downright insurgent ideas and it Orrey finaly came into his own power and family. Eventually. At the end. It was a process let's just say. Mostly it was building bonds, action, conspiracy theories and saving people and each other and exposing the darker underbelly of this 'utopia'. Exposing interesting ideas and asking the hard questions.

[Dragonfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've got super powers, found family, queer romance, conspiracy, and we've got world building, utopian/dystopian futuristic world building specifically, and some complex history being added into the mix now. What choice is Col going to make next? Is Karmine going to be able to bounce back?Who's gonna end up with Yamara (Vin?)? When will the truth come out about Wilan? I'm gonna need the third book, please.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

make sure to read book 1 first!

Lots of action and character development but I sure was confused trying to recall the past book since I didn’t re-read before this one came out and it picks up within minutes of the other one’s end. Satisfying follow-up once I remembered who was who and all the intricate plot threads. Can’t wait to read the next as I imagine it will follow either Coldis or Yamarra as they adjust to their new lives.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orrey and Senlas are back.
The world building is absolutely amazing and I find myself becoming more and more immersed in this universe.
There's plenty of action, danger and mystery as the team tries to figure out where the danger is coming from.
Orrey and Senlas's relationship continues to develop and of course I absolutely love the found family aspect.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FANTASTIC, ACTION PACKED, ROLLERCOASTER OF A STORY! I just love Orrey and Senlas! This story is well written, absolutely interesting with just fantastic characters. Just absolutely love so much!

[Anne Marie Crookes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this continuation of a great series. Can't wait to read the next one.