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Guardians #1

Torn Between Two Worlds

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Her heart was torn differently than others, between two worlds. Her choice would affect her position in each.
Ciara Miller was born the same as others, but she got a little something extra. When she was younger she learned she was a Word Speaker, someone who could create life from stories. Her gift is incomplete until her 27th birthday, before then all she can create is things she, and others like her can see. Evil wants her gift as well and the characters she choses to create become her Guardians against the unseen attackers that want to use her skill. Just before her 27th birthday, fate has a surprise for her.

Stryder is a demon, created to be a backup plan for the Horseman of the Apocalypse, War. Since the day he learned he was nothing more than pawn he and his brothers had been seeking a way to betray hell and fight on the side of the angels. His world is torn apart again when he finds out he's nothing more than a story and given the option to protect a human female, Ciara, or die.

Ciara hates Stryder for replacing her former Guardian. But she cannot deny the lust and connection that rocks through her every time they touch. She could deny it all she wanted, but she belonged to Stryder and when they find themselves thrown into a war bigger than them both she must choose between her reality bound heart and her fantasy bound soul to save them.

Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2014

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About the author

Lexi Ostrow

131 books253 followers
Lexi Ostrow has been in love with the written word since second grade when her librarian started a writing club. Born in sunny southern California she's spent time in various places across the country and can't wait to settle down somewhere in the French Quarter when she's able too.

Lexi has been a writer ever since the second grade in some form or another. Getting her degree in creative writing and her master's in journalism she couldn't wait to get a chance to put her fantasies down on paper. Her debut novel, Torn Between Two Worlds is something that was simmering in her mind since middle school and she's so grateful to put it out into the literary world. From paranormal romance to thriller there isn't a genre she doesn't love to spend her time reading or writing.

Reading and writing are her first loves but her passion for shopping, love for yummy food and her love for all her many pets. She hopes to one day help other readers fall in love with writing as she did.

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5 stars
34 (36%)
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33 (35%)
3 stars
17 (18%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for angela .
785 reviews161 followers
June 14, 2018
Torn between two worlds: by LEXI OSTROW 5 stars.
What a wonderful yet different type of book. This book was very interesting, intriguing and quite unique. It certainly caught my attention. It was the good against bad between brothers. There's a great love, they need to be careful. A girl with powers, such as have not been seen in generations. A love so strong, she'd do anything to be with him and him to be with her. However, there's nothing easy about their loving each other.

Truly wonderful characters that make the story. They're multi dimensional, intense, well rounded, purposeful, characters.

I've not read something so good yet different in quite a while. There's guardians, people from somewhere you can't imagine.

I can't say much I don't want to ruin this very unique, book. I enjoyed reading it a lot. I think many people will enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
January 10, 2015
Having read this author's books before was not surprised she could yet again give me a novel that would rapt my attention until the very end. Being a book lover this author has for the basis of the story line that relates to books is what first grabs my attention with the ability to spin a wonderful web from it. The main character in this Ciara is a world speaker and her abilities while reading is what her and others like her that are intriguing. They also have to have guardians because without them they would be in grave danger at times. There is this battle-the universal one evil vs. good. They might have one or more but there is that one that will be the perfect one for them in this battle and that is what this story is about. When she finally meets the one-Stryder, she will not be a happy camper at first but as time goes on that will change in a hot and heavy way. He is one of four brothers and with evil thinking they can be used as pawns oh how the tables will be turned. The ins and outs of this story keep you immersed with the heat sometimes so hot better make sure your smoke alarm is working. The struggle is real in this story with this I do believe to be the beginning of the bigger battles yet to come. Sacrifices will have to be made on both sides but in this one the biggest one will be made in the name of love which will in my opinion give the side of good the battle won this time.
Profile Image for Marissa Neal.
1 review
August 13, 2014
I loved this book. From the beginning I was sucked in. There where characters so mysterious it drove me crazy the entire book!!! But in a good way because I really wanted to know more about them. I found the book to move at a really fast pace with a lot of action and steamy as heck sex. WHOA! The chemistry between Stryder and Ciara could cause sparks in your kindle! I rather enjoyed the complete originality behind the story. I've never seen it done before and found myself asking questions about how and then having it answered a few chapters later and loving that it was anticipated that certain things would have problems just being accepted.

Overall Stars:

story- 5
characters- 5
sex-5
emotional pull-4.5

Cannot wait to see what is coming our way...and hoping that Dale's bit is not all we will see of him. I like a good nerd.

The author provided me a copy of this book for my honest review.
590 reviews91 followers
August 19, 2014
I was immediately drawn to this book by the concept, which reminded me of a YA book I love, but with an adult edge. Ciara is a Word Speaker and when she reads, the characters in her books become more than words on a page. Her power has the ability to sway the balance of good and evil, so of course, evil wants that power. When Stryder takes the place of her former guardian (protector not parental unit), he knows he has met his mate and she can not deny their attraction. This book had all the elements to be amazing. It was unique, had lots of heat, true love, and good vs. evil. I enjoyed it, I did, but it never fully sucked me in. I am not even sure why. Maybe it was just where my head was at the time or maybe it was the flow? I wish I could be more specific. I will say, it actually took me a week to read it and I am that person that can not close their kindle so that is unusual for me. Do I recommend this book? Yes. Do I think it will leave you with a book hangover? Probably not. I will say, I really liked the ending and probably because it left me thinking. I would probably give it a 3.5, if that were an option.
Profile Image for Nicole Emerald Book Reviews  McCurdy.
404 reviews61 followers
September 21, 2014
The entire concept for this fantasy/paranormal romance is incredibly unique or at the very least it's a storyline I've never came across. It centres around Ciara, a Word Speaker, a special type of person that possesses the ability to pull characters both good and bad from the books they read and have them materialise in reality. In Lexi's story however the plot thickens as we learn that Angels and demons and an army against the demons called The Initiative take up residence in our heroine's rather unconventional life and to make matters worse she and every other Word Speaker are being used as pawns in a war between the good guys and the not-so-good guys.

After the disappearance of her first and only Guardian Ciara our protagonist must learn to trust and work with the new one Stryder who 's identity and lineage is not exactly filled with fluffy clouds and harp music, more like the other direction and it's as both of our mismatched heroes become closer that the story really kicks into action.

Lexi has written a highly intelligent and action-packed book that jams in a brilliant supernatural element and an array of totally engaging and often funny characters. It was a little confusing to follow at the start with the introduction of so many diverse characters and snippets of shadowy and mysterious players but after that initial hiccup the book found an even keel, flowing along nicely. The scenes between Stryder and Ciara are sizzling and it's a terrific sensual simmer that combusts into a raging inferno of lust that ultimately transforms into a striking love affair with a tumult of situations and danger for the duo to overcome. There isn't a moment in this book where the story drags or lacks, you're literally picked up from the first chapter into a whirlwind of suspense, violence, romance, hot sex, battles and redemption. A superb book, a great idea and perfectly executed by the author. Although there is a great prologue at the end I have a feeling it mightn't be the end for our fearless fighters.
Profile Image for Nicole Daffurn.
Author 12 books20 followers
September 20, 2014
Buying this book well over a month ago, I am finally getting around to reviewing it! I’ve left this for so long because I wanted to do the book justice. I’ve now read through it twice and I enjoyed it second time just as much as the first time.

Right from the beginning I was completely sucked into the story, and I couldn’t put the book down. What started as just another book to review, ended up being an all night marathon of reading which left me bleary eyed and sleep deprived for two days after.

I’m not lying when I say that Lexi has one of the best imaginations I have ever had the pleasure of entering. This book was like nothing I had ever read, and by the end I just wanted more!

Ciara Miller is a Word Speaker. In short, this means she can create life from her stories. What a fantastic concept!

The way Lexi paints her creative worlds is something to envy, and all I can say is the whole way through the novel I felt like I was IN this made up world. A world of loss and love, of intrigue and mayhem. If you can feel it, see it, imagine it, it was in this book!
Oh and the book boyfriend that you would die to have come to life? Yeah, he’s in this book! If you read it for nothing else, read it for Stryder – One hot guardian any woman would likely invite into their life (and possibly their bed)
I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a huge reader of anything erotica but not one of the steamy as hell sex scenes in this book were trashy or boring! I loved it all from start to finish.
To wind up, anyone who enjoys paranormal, or anything erotic NEEDS to read Torn Between Two Worlds! A very deserved 5 out of 5 stars for this one.
Profile Image for BooksandBeyondFiftyShades.
1,350 reviews157 followers
August 25, 2014
Her heart was torn differently than others, between two worlds. Her choice would affect her position in each.

Ciara Miller has a unique gift. She is a Word Speaker. Meaning when she reads the words come to life. Evil wants to use her skill for their benefit.

Stryder is a demon, created to be a backup plan for the Horseman of the Apocalypse, War. When he finds out he was nothing more than a pawn he decides he wants to join the angels and fight against evil. His world is torn apart again when he finds out he's nothing more than a character in a story and given the option to protect a human female, Ciara, or die.

Ciara hates Stryder for replacing her former Guardian. She cannot deny the way her body feels when he is near. When she finds herself involved more in the war then she wants to be Ciara must choose between reality or fantasy.

Wow! What a great story. I was hooked from the first chapter. This book really makes you wonder, what if. My imagination was in full swing throughout the entire book. I love it when books do that.

Lexi is a very talented author. Stryder is a very interesting character but I fell for him from the moment I met him. He just has this mmmmmmm factor that I love from book boyfriends. I don’t read many paranormal romances but I will continue reading anything by Lexi Ostrow. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Gamu.
7 reviews18 followers
October 2, 2014
I was drawn to this book by its cover plus i heard the girls talking about it. I would like to say i wasnt dissapointed at all! As a debut novel Lexi has done an excleent job ofintroducing us to the world of The Guardians where special kind of Readers have the power to bring to life book characters that they have an emotional connection with... both good and bad. The magic is so simple and doesnt confuse the reader ( us) at all. The book is quite engaging that it has a excellent storyline of the Readers themselves, their characters (The Guardians) and the story within each book they are reading. This gives a hint that there is more to come out of the books inside the book itself. And the sexy steamy scenes are just WOW! One word ...STRYDER! if only i could read out my fav book bf.
The only negatives are the repetition of some of the hot steamy stuff but still leaves you breathless and some spelling and grammer mistakes.
Overally i think this series is worth reading and waiting for. (I smell a great twist in the plot!) Has Ciara truely lost her powers??? Will Dale play for the Good team?
Profile Image for Audrey Gibson.
Author 3 books
February 25, 2015
Torn between Two Worlds should come with a cold shower warning. Lexi Ostow introduces the reader to the world of the speakers and guardians. Word speakers are people who can read a book and pull a character out. These Characters them become guardians who protect the word speaker from the other characters of the book. We quickly learn that the word speakers are part of a growing army for one of the Twins who have been chosen to lead the sides of good and evil in a prophesied war.

In this book we meet Ciara Miller and her Demon Guardian Stryder. We share Ciara's struggles of learning to use her skills and how to control her unbridled attraction for her guardian. The sex scenes are steamy and full of passion. This book is defiantly not for anyone who is not ready for the mature content.
Profile Image for Kathy Skinner.
24 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2014
Original and Exciting!
I must say, I was absolutely blown away with the original idea of the story. Wow!!! Lexi Ostrow, really brings it with the excitement and suspense in wondering what direction this girls life will be headed and with whom! This story is an amazing, fast-paced trill of a ride, throughout the whole book! Did I mention the hot, hot sex? Well, I won’t then; I will just let you read for yourself! The prologue explains a lot of detail about the different worlds, the ongoing struggle of good versus evil, and how it all began. Keep in mind the information will all prove valid and necessary!

Sincerely---Kathy Skinner
Profile Image for Samantha.
214 reviews9 followers
October 2, 2014
I loved the storyline. Something totally different to what I have read before. Stryker is a hot demon/ guardian who word speaker Ciara chooses after she splits from her long time boyfriend and her guardian at the same time. She is not happy to see him in the beginning. But all that changes. I would not recommend it for anyone under 18. Extremely graphic sex scenes. (Hot stuff) are a little repetitive at times, but get the heart racing all the same. There are a few spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. But still worth a read. 4 stars from me :)
Profile Image for The Pink Bookshelf.
114 reviews18 followers
August 10, 2014
This story is positively incredible. From the beginning this story wraps you up and pulls you in. Paranormals aren't my all time favorite genre, but this book is now one of my favorites! Ciara is a magnificent character and she is faced with so much! Loss is something she becomes all too familiar with. I never would have expected the twist of the Guardian, Stryder, coming into the picture or the fire works that inevitably ignite betweem them. This book had me hooked from the first page to the end!
Profile Image for Shani.
315 reviews30 followers
September 13, 2014
What a fantastic debut novel! I don"t recall being drawn into a story so quickly. I loved the paranormal concept, it kept me intrigued and glued to the story. The summary of the book says it all so I won't give any spoilers. But let me say this. Who wouldn't want to bring their book boyfriends to life? It's a fantasy for all of us book addicts.
Bottom line, great story, strong characters that you fall in love with, and of course your need to want more when its over. Awesome job Lexi! I can't wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Dena.
4,441 reviews12 followers
June 29, 2016
In the genre I am used to reading this is unique. A woman who has the ability to make characters out of a book real is exciting. I would have wished to do that. Then we have guardians that she had chosen like Alvott and Stryder. The war and the brothers is complex and I wish that Ciara would have done things differently but hey it's not mine to change. I would recommend this because this is so different than what I usually read and I enjoyed it immensely.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
2,893 reviews91 followers
May 9, 2015
This was the most fabulous idea of Word Speakers. To be able to bring to "life" a character from a book you are reading (there is a hitch) and have them as your guardian (again, a hitch). This author breathes life into a thought that all readers have had. Well...at least I have. The emotions, dark & light, are true, the world building is amazing, and the characters speak to you. I can't wait to read the next.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Berry.
49 reviews
February 24, 2015
Can I keep Stryder please? Love that the four horseman are used as characters in this story. Ciara us a super strong Word Speaker that has had many Guardians but it has never been the right one, until Stryder came along. The plot in this book just keeps getting better as you read. You will not want to put this book down.
5 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2014
Slow start but good read.

It took me a few false starts to get hooked on this book. I don't like it when things jump between characters and scene several times in the first few chapters. I want to become invested in the main character early. That being said, I would recommend this to the paranormal romance reader who is looking for a new twist in the genre.
Profile Image for Leslie.
33 reviews1 follower
Read
July 23, 2014
I loved it . a book right up my alley. cannot wait to read more from this author
Profile Image for Sherri Wirtz.
1 review
July 13, 2014
For a new author it was good it was confusing in the beginning but keep with it it will all come together its sexy and stryder is one hot demon. I will be looking forward to reading book 2
Profile Image for Safety Lady.
492 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2024
Excellent story line but…

I liked this story with the concept of word speakers, people who have the ability to bring characters in books to life. It seems like this series is a build up of good vs. evil and in future books there will be an apocalyptic ending someday.
The development of the overall series storyline seems to be a bit vague. Although you get an overview in the beginning then snippets throughout the book it doesn’t really make sense or come together until the book gets further along. At the end of book 1 even after the epilogue I still felt like I missed a whole prequel series and did not really understand what was going on.
Ciara’s story is the first book and it is pretty good once Stryder enters the picture. Before that there times where there is almost teen-age angst with the ex-boyfriend and the loss of her first guardian. Ciara has had a rough life and it seems to all go down hill quickly for her before it gets better. She is pretty clueless regarding relationships too. There are a few loose ends throughout the book that seem to just become forgotten like her job, her friend, paying rent, getting a last minute flight from overseas and then missing it but no one notices. Those details left me hanging.
Stryder is tall dark and handsome and has a bad temper, oh and he’s a demon, and has an alternate personality, the god of War. His brothers have cameo appearances too. Yeah, he needs his own book, which he does, but that is a story within this story. I think that book I would really like to read. Anyhow…
There are some really smoking hot, sexy romance scenes but it is very graphic and last for way too many pages. I was more interested in Stryker and his brother’s world and I would have loved more development there instead of graphic oral sex. Although, they never had shower sex, so that is something. Overall it was not bad as a whole and pretty good reading but a few spelling errors or missing words here and there. Give it a try, see what you think. Happy Reading All.
56 reviews
March 5, 2023
Good, but irritating

This book had so much potential. Unlike anything I've ever read before. The problem is about halfway through it just seemed to fall flat and I started skimming. There were parts that were so confusing also. It also needs a lot of editing. I gave it 3 starts because it was worth a read, but I don't think I'll be getting anymore in the series, but try it you may like it.
Profile Image for Melissa (missy).
245 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2019
What a great story. I was hooked from start to finish. This book really makes you wonder, what if. I was pulled into the story throughout the entire book , and could picture what was happening. I love it when books do that, Better then any movie. It made me laugh and cry and the Heat got up there too lol .... I want to be a Word Speaker
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,806 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2017
Torn. Between Two Worlds

OMG!!! I loved it. I could hardly put this book down. What an interesting storyline. Word-talkers, Demons, Witches, & Immortals. I recommend this read & give 5 Thumbs up. Can't wait to read the next story. Thank you Lexi
Profile Image for -♥ Keppy ♥-.
110 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2022
This book was something totally different than what I would normally read, but oh man was it good. The whole word speaker concept was unique and so intriguing, it is something I've personally never read about before. The steamy scenes where top tier and the characters where phenomenal!
Profile Image for Lacee  Kuhn.
266 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2022
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story but once I did it was good. I enjoyed the how she was unique about how she did the jumping between the different places ( reality and story). I loved this cover it was so beautiful 🤩. I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Mrs.L.Starkey.
336 reviews
April 25, 2023
Complexed

Good luck following this story because I am more confused.
The Epilogue is most baffling.
The GOOD AND EVIL aka I think General guardians most confusing.
Oh the twist and turn yikes.
The heated connections sublime.
The powers who did she give it too good or evil.
21 reviews
September 7, 2021
Choices.

Like, it's a great book, but reading it made me feel evil because I definitely would have made different choices lol. Oh well. Good guys gotta be good I guess.
12.6k reviews189 followers
August 10, 2022
An amazing story. Ciara learned early on that life wasn’t easy for her. Having a special talent makes her choose between two worlds , which one will it be. Always enjoyable.
Profile Image for Michelle Fortune.
1,706 reviews5 followers
August 19, 2022
I loved each and every minute. I can not wait to read more set in this world. I laughed and cried with jars and Stryder as they fell in love and fought their way to their HEA. I hope some of the other characters get their own HEA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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