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First Assignment: Prequel to The GUARDIAN Files Series
They think they've buried me. A blonde with a microphone, shipped off to the middle of nowhere to cover dry wells and dead crops until I forget who I was meant to be.
They have no idea what they've done.
My name is Morgan Monroe. For seven years, GUARDIAN has kept me buried, passed over, discarded, and forgotten. Filing reports no one reads. Chasing stories no one cares about. Watching lesser agents promoted while my bloodline gets whispered about behind closed doors.
Let them whisper. Because out here, where nothing is ever supposed to happen, something is waking up.
I'm a Voodoo Witch of the Baptiste line and a covert GUARDIAN agent, and I'm the only soul in West Texas who can feel it. The ancient thing stirring beneath the aquifer. Draining wells, mummifying livestock, and killing good men where they stand in their own fields. The experts call it drought. GUARDIAN calls it my imagination and orders me to observe only.
I deleted that order.
Then a stranger reaches out. Cindy Gilstrap, a leyline witch who's held this dying land together for over a century, and the first person to treat my bloodline as a gift instead of a warning. She knows what I am. She knows what's buried out here. And she knows the truth GUARDIAN spent years ignoring. My own ancestors put this thing to sleep, and now the seal is breaking.
If I'm right, I'm all that stands between this region and a slow death by thirst. If I'm wrong, I wake something the world hasn't seen since gods and monsters walked the earth, and there's no putting it back to sleep. Either way, no one is coming to help. It’s just me, an old witch running out of time, and a grimoire written in my family's blood.
They sent me to Lubbock so I would disappear.
They should have remembered what my blood can do.
Before New Orleans. Before the world ever learned her name, there was one assignment that changed everything.
From Amazon best-selling author Elizabeth Whitmore comes First Assignment, the haunting prequel to The G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. Files — a fusion of occult suspense, paranormal thriller, and old Southern magic set beneath the wide, unforgiving skies of West Texas.
Download First Assignment and discover where it all began — then step into a world where nothing is what it seems, and trust is the most dangerous magic of all.
They have no idea what they've done.
My name is Morgan Monroe. For seven years, GUARDIAN has kept me buried, passed over, discarded, and forgotten. Filing reports no one reads. Chasing stories no one cares about. Watching lesser agents promoted while my bloodline gets whispered about behind closed doors.
Let them whisper. Because out here, where nothing is ever supposed to happen, something is waking up.
I'm a Voodoo Witch of the Baptiste line and a covert GUARDIAN agent, and I'm the only soul in West Texas who can feel it. The ancient thing stirring beneath the aquifer. Draining wells, mummifying livestock, and killing good men where they stand in their own fields. The experts call it drought. GUARDIAN calls it my imagination and orders me to observe only.
I deleted that order.
Then a stranger reaches out. Cindy Gilstrap, a leyline witch who's held this dying land together for over a century, and the first person to treat my bloodline as a gift instead of a warning. She knows what I am. She knows what's buried out here. And she knows the truth GUARDIAN spent years ignoring. My own ancestors put this thing to sleep, and now the seal is breaking.
If I'm right, I'm all that stands between this region and a slow death by thirst. If I'm wrong, I wake something the world hasn't seen since gods and monsters walked the earth, and there's no putting it back to sleep. Either way, no one is coming to help. It’s just me, an old witch running out of time, and a grimoire written in my family's blood.
They sent me to Lubbock so I would disappear.
They should have remembered what my blood can do.
Before New Orleans. Before the world ever learned her name, there was one assignment that changed everything.
From Amazon best-selling author Elizabeth Whitmore comes First Assignment, the haunting prequel to The G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. Files — a fusion of occult suspense, paranormal thriller, and old Southern magic set beneath the wide, unforgiving skies of West Texas.
Download First Assignment and discover where it all began — then step into a world where nothing is what it seems, and trust is the most dangerous magic of all.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Whitmore
47 books15 followersElizabeth Whitmore is a bestselling Amazon author of paranormal suspense and supernatural romance set against the lush, haunted backdrop of New Orleans. Her stories blend magic, mystery, and emotional depth, exploring the thin veil between power and consequence, love and loyalty, and the secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Her newest contemporary paranormal suspense series, The GUARDIAN Files, dives deep into a hidden world of witches, shifters, ancient magic, and the shadowy organization sworn to contain them. Set in the heart of Carnival season, the series expands the supernatural universe first introduced in Echoes of the Crescent City, where voodoo, legacy, and the dangerous echoes of the past began to intertwine. The GUARDIAN Files continues that lineage, revealing how bloodlines, betrayals, and buried history shape the present.
Elizabeth’s Echoes of the Crescent City and The GUARDIAN Files share a connected world born from the early mythology of Le Gardien and Les Ombres, where Guardians stand watch and the Shadows wait patiently in the dark. Her Time Sharer series, a reader favorite, offers a separate but equally spellbinding journey through time, second chances, and the enduring power of love.
Originally from South Louisiana, Elizabeth moved to Texas in the late ’80s with her husband. After his retirement, they returned to New Orleans and made it their forever home, settling into a historic condo in the heart of the city. Surrounded by jazz-filled streets, Mardi Gras magic, and centuries-old legends, she draws daily inspiration from the Crescent City’s beauty and mystery.
When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her wandering the French Quarter, savoring local cuisine, or relaxing on her balcony with a glass of wine—already dreaming up her next story.
Her newest contemporary paranormal suspense series, The GUARDIAN Files, dives deep into a hidden world of witches, shifters, ancient magic, and the shadowy organization sworn to contain them. Set in the heart of Carnival season, the series expands the supernatural universe first introduced in Echoes of the Crescent City, where voodoo, legacy, and the dangerous echoes of the past began to intertwine. The GUARDIAN Files continues that lineage, revealing how bloodlines, betrayals, and buried history shape the present.
Elizabeth’s Echoes of the Crescent City and The GUARDIAN Files share a connected world born from the early mythology of Le Gardien and Les Ombres, where Guardians stand watch and the Shadows wait patiently in the dark. Her Time Sharer series, a reader favorite, offers a separate but equally spellbinding journey through time, second chances, and the enduring power of love.
Originally from South Louisiana, Elizabeth moved to Texas in the late ’80s with her husband. After his retirement, they returned to New Orleans and made it their forever home, settling into a historic condo in the heart of the city. Surrounded by jazz-filled streets, Mardi Gras magic, and centuries-old legends, she draws daily inspiration from the Crescent City’s beauty and mystery.
When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her wandering the French Quarter, savoring local cuisine, or relaxing on her balcony with a glass of wine—already dreaming up her next story.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 24, 2026
This book got me hooked on this new series. Morgan is one bad witch and how could she not be with the lineage she has. But it’s also heartbreaking to see her constantly get the short end of the stick because of that same lineage. Watching her come in to her own was so endearing. I cannot wait for the rest of the series I have to know what this character gets up to next.
June 30, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and intend picking up the next in the series. I've only recently discovered Elizabeth Whitmore but she's set to become a favourite of mine. Looking forward to the next installment.
June 20, 2026
A prequel which pulls me into the series with excitement in my heart. Morgan Monroe is someone I have been searching for for MONTHS. In a world overwhelmed with plastic characters, rotting plot lines and minimal to no world building, Elizabeth Whitmore gives me hope.
Morgan Monroe is of the Baptiste bloodline. A line drowning in blood and black magic - the blood of Marie Laveau's lover. New Orleans is the soul - but West Texas was the beginning, the womb. Disregarded and looked down upon by GUARIAN, the paranormal watchers over the security of the human world from the paranormal, Morgan was shoved down, packed away to the wilds of the dusty world of West Texas. Sent to report on pancake socials and town hall meetings, her very existence ignored.
What began as a text message - observe only - becomes something so much more. Something that can save the world, or damn it forever.
I LOVED the usage of Voudon as the basis of the story! In a world where vampires and werewolves are the regurgitated pablum of the paranormal storyline, this is both refreshing and new. The story is mindful, well written, and well researched.
Highly Recommended!
Morgan Monroe is of the Baptiste bloodline. A line drowning in blood and black magic - the blood of Marie Laveau's lover. New Orleans is the soul - but West Texas was the beginning, the womb. Disregarded and looked down upon by GUARIAN, the paranormal watchers over the security of the human world from the paranormal, Morgan was shoved down, packed away to the wilds of the dusty world of West Texas. Sent to report on pancake socials and town hall meetings, her very existence ignored.
What began as a text message - observe only - becomes something so much more. Something that can save the world, or damn it forever.
I LOVED the usage of Voudon as the basis of the story! In a world where vampires and werewolves are the regurgitated pablum of the paranormal storyline, this is both refreshing and new. The story is mindful, well written, and well researched.
Highly Recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Exciting prequel to a new series!
In this prequel, we are introduced to our main character, Morgan Monroe, a voodoo witch. With a Baptiste bloodline—not a good thing—the Guardian Organization has pretty much sidelined her and sent her from one dead end assignment to the next. Now she finds herself in west Texas, when something strange starts happening—wells are drying up, which should not be happening. This prequel gives us a really good look into Morgan’s character and the way she works. The plot was well thought out and kept me interested. I thoroughly enjoy reading this and can’t wait to see what she gets into next!
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
In this prequel, we are introduced to our main character, Morgan Monroe, a voodoo witch. With a Baptiste bloodline—not a good thing—the Guardian Organization has pretty much sidelined her and sent her from one dead end assignment to the next. Now she finds herself in west Texas, when something strange starts happening—wells are drying up, which should not be happening. This prequel gives us a really good look into Morgan’s character and the way she works. The plot was well thought out and kept me interested. I thoroughly enjoy reading this and can’t wait to see what she gets into next!
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This series is definitely going to become one of my favorite urban fantasies. Clever, compelling, well-rounded characters, original supernatural entities, beautifully written. I can't wait for more.
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I received an advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a good book. Absolutely adored everything about it. The details of this book was perfect.
June 27, 2026
Suspenseful & Entertaining
Review of advance copy received from Author
Monroe Morgan is a news reporter as well as a member of the Guardians, a magical/supernatural investigative team. The Guardians investigate and remediate paranormal events as they occur.
This is the prequel and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. The author has done a great job writing about supernatural events that are not out of the question.
I was lucky enough to have been selected to receive an advance copy of this book by Ms. Whitmore. I would like to graciously thank her for that privilege.
This is the prequel and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. The author has done a great job writing about supernatural events that are not out of the question.
I was lucky enough to have been selected to receive an advance copy of this book by Ms. Whitmore. I would like to graciously thank her for that privilege.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews