On the first day of her nude modeling job, Elle deals with a corpse, an eccentric dark artist, his sexy brother, and a grandmother that can see someone's future by just touching their hands. Although these crazy distractions shove her on edge, it's just what she needs to mend her battered heart and forget about her ex-boyfriend. Besides, she does get to live in their castle for the whole three months.
Everything seems magical and perfect. Until more dead bodies are discovered.
There's something going on at night, right in the artist's garden. Under the moonlight, young women are being cut and sliced, and no one has a clue to who's doing it. And the more Elle is around the weird family in the castle, the more she realizes that they all are hiding secrets.
The Muse is a Sexy Multicultural Romance involving Love, Art & a Deadly Mystery
Kenya Wright wrote her first novel during her third year at UM Law school. She dropped out a month after the release and never looked back.
Words are power, and Kenya wants to be the greatest wizard that ever lived.
It's an audacity to inspire and teach the healing of love through arousal.
It's this crazy idea that love can not only help a reader escape, but the story can also teach the person about being human, while making them laugh, cry, and hot for more sex.
This story goes deep into the intriguing world of dark art.
We have a broken-hearted nude model. . .
that begins working for one of the most famous dark artist in the world. She's trying to revive her career, and it seems she's made the right choice of modeling for him . . .
until the dead girls are discovered in his garden.
Did I mention that there's a Hot Brother in this?
Smexy Excerpt
The ocean waves crashed against us. That cool water rose up to our knees. All was forgotten in those sweet kisses—lips gliding against lips, wet tongues twisting and exploring, hungry hands and taunting fingers.
The promise of eccentric characters, promising mystery, and the hint of romance is what drew me in. What kept me reading was the need for more!
The characters were all very likeable and easy to relate to. I immediately felt a connection to Elle, the nude model, as she was just looking to find herself on her own, for the first time, without her possessive and mentally abusive ex-boyfriend controlling her every move and career. She is thrown into this new world full of art, magic, mental illness, and a sexy man, Alvarez, who makes her immediately feel things she didn't think were possible. The story continues as we are introduced to numerous other characters who all hold their own uniqueness and quirks that make them just as likeable as the others.
Before long, I found myself asking questions while reading. Who is killing models? Who is Dayanara and why is Hex as odd as he is? Will Elle and Alvarez throw caution to the wind and give into their undeniable attraction?
This was a great read that kept me wanting more page after page. The writing style was easy to follow, the plot flowed and the characters were great. I even laughed out loud a few times at the dialogue between Elle and Alvarez. Their flirtatious banter back and forth kept you on the edge of your seat waiting for the moment they'd act on their attraction.
If you're looking for a read that is full of mystery, sexual tension, romance, and a little bit of eccentricity - this is the read for you. I'd highly recommend it.
I am not even kidding when I say that either. It was messed up, gory, traumatic, scary, nightmare inducing.....and I loved every page. The fact is that along with all the screwed up dark art psychological thriller-ness that was going on, it still managed to have a love story that was beautiful within it as well. The idea that light could come out darkness was obviously a theme throughout and when we find Elle at the door to a castle that belongs to the rival artist of her ex-boyfriend, you will never guess where this story goes from there. The way a sizzling and passionate romance can come from a book this dark and gritty was fascinating. It was almost two separate stories bundled up in one package that really pushes your senses to accept the fact that you're reading a hot romance revolving around a whole lot of death. That could go really horribly, really fast. However, this book does a really excellent job of not jumping off the tracks and flailing around with multiple genres randomly. I think that mainly had to with the main character, Elle.
Elle surprised me a number of times. When you find out she is this famous model, you're thinking-great this is going to some stuck up beauty queen used to getting her own way- because that is what I was thinking. You would be very, very wrong. Dealing with her own demons, both past and present, Elle is a surprising strong character that can stand on her own two feet, even if she doesn't realize it through most of the story. Her compassion, however, was the bright spot in a world of darkness. Her ability to see people and not judge them was what drove the story. Even in the scariest of situations, Elle was a pillar of strength for the characters around her and I'm not sure she even knew it. A mark of a character is someone that doesn't realize what they mean to everything around them, and Elle fits that bill. Her love of Alvarez and the search to find herself out-shined all the bloodshed going on around the castle.
Now don't get me wrong, Al and Hex's family is screwed up; they make my family seem sane, but that didn't hinder a great story it made the book better. I'm not usually someone that reads a lot of this genre but I was hooked throughout the whole thing and spent a few nights up until an ungodly hour reading. The characters and all their misfortunes are what sell this story and really keep you guessing throughout. I really recommend you picking this book even if it isn't your thing because it will have you entrapped from page 1 and never let you go!
Well, well, well, Kenya Wright. What a way to kick off my 2014 reading.
Admittedly, I've been admiring this black author of multicultural fiction from afar for a while now. Her name keeps popping up in various author circles, and that's a good sign. I wanted to know what all the hype was about. Now I know.
I'm so glad I dived into this dark art story that she offered for free on Amazon. I don't think it will be leaving my conscious or subconscious mind any time soon. Romance, murder mystery, paranormal, love for art, a dark twist, and a few life lessons about survival and living life to the fullest are all wrapped up in an engaging story here.
I really liked Alvarez (hot Cuban with two hearts) and Elle (beautiful model struggling to find herself). She represents the muse I think many artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and those heavily invested in sharing their creativity with the world can relate to having, even though the muse is really Death in this book. I actually highlighted two lines that particularly struck a chord in my gut. May I share them with you? Thanks. It's not often that I highlight passages within a novel, but I thought these were so beautiful. So accurate. So inspiring. If you're an artist, they'll ring true deep within you:
1. "You're a muse. You inspire the creative to imagine something great and you stimulate the dull and unoriginals' minds to think outside the box." 2. "He'd made it his life to show the world something so powerful, the image would be ingrained in their minds for years after they've seen it."
Ah, yes. An artist and his or her muse walk hand-in-hand to create something memorable.
Let me geek out for a moment as I close this review.
Two movies came to mind while reading this, so I loved that Elle was a movie buff. She would appreciate my movie references and quotes. 1. Saw I-VI (Yes, there are actually SIX of them!), for the theme of survival against all odds and learning to love your life: "Until a person is faced with death, it's impossible to tell whether they have what it takes to survive." Throughout the whole movie franchise, Jigsaw goes to extremes to make sure people know the value of their lives. Characters in this novel do that too. 2. Poison Ivy 2, for the dark art taking over your life: "That's Peter, the performance artist as he likes to refer to it, self as show. Someday, with any luck somebody will put him out of his misery." In that 1996 movie, art student, Alyssa Milano, allows her dark muse to wreck havoc on her life. Sometimes people are able to come back from the darkness. Sometimes they are not. You'll have to read The Muse to know which ones do in this story.
Elle's ability to quote and recognize lines from any movie was a unique character quality to read about. I found it exciting since I tend to think of myself in that way every now and then. Although I'm not quite on Elle's level, I have a tendency to quote obscure lines from movies. For instance, "Kill the beast while he's wounded," is one of my faves. Thandie Newton delivers it with such passion in Chronicles of Riddick that I felt it down to my toes. "When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die," is another fave from another fave actor. Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises was another villain that stole my heart and planted that line in my head forever. Of course, there are the ones such as "Say hello to my little friend," that everyone knows and loves. I won't even insult you with giving the movie and actor for that one. My point in all this rambling--Elle was one hell of a character with a talent I found intriguing, and it had nothing to do with her modeling or being an artist's muse.
"What happens when Death is the Muse?" On the first day of her nude modeling job, Elle deals with a corpse, an eccentric dark artist, his sexy brother, and a grandmother that can see someone's future by just touching their hands. Although these crazy distractions shove her on edge, it's just what she needs to mend her battered heart and forget about her ex-boyfriend. Besides, she does get to live in their castle for the whole three months. Everything seems magical and perfect. Until more dead bodies are discovered. There's something going on at night, right in the artist's garden. Under the moonlight, young women are being cut and sliced, and no one has a clue to who's doing it. And the more Elle is around the weird family in the castle, the more she realizes that they all are hiding secrets.
I am not usually a cover slut but this cover is just gorgeous and I love it. It is also goes very well with the story in the book and looks like the heroine.
This book took me by surprise in a really good way. I have never read anything like it before and it was brilliant, AMAZING.
In this book the author has made the most strange, bizarre, sick, crazy, fabulous characters I have read in my whole life wow just wow. The whole book is filled with wonderfully strange people that come alive on the pages for me. I already was a huge fan of Kenya Wrights writing but this makes me lifetime member of her fan club, she has a twisted brilliant imagination. I thought grandma was the crazy one, but she was pretty normal compared.
In this book we meet Elle, she is in a crossroads in her life now wanting to start over and build a new life for herself. We meet her when she arrives at her new jobs location and is meet by a body bag with a dead girl in it. Not the best reception right and that is just the start of her new adventure. We also have a hunky man here that is right up my alley, I would like two of him please.
This book had me at the first line and as the story folded itself out on the pages I was just hocked and could not put it down. I have never read a book with a plotline anywhere near this one so to say it took me by surprise would be pretty accurate. It was brilliant is its sick twisted way, penis in a jar anyone?
I was pretty gobsmacked by the end, I was like what? WHAT? In a really good way I did not see it coming.
If you have not guess it by now I absolutely loved this book and are giving it 4,5-5 stars.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.
I received this book to give an honest review. But I did just pick up my copy today from amazon.
I actually was suckered into this book from the beginning. You are following not only a model within this book but an artist who makes art well from Death. Which I think is beyond cool, only because you know you can get more of a reaction from death being displayed rather than living and things with color. Okay I know that totally sounded morbid.
I like the main character Elle and how she was willing to throw everything away to find herself. Most people now a days wouldn't do that, because they are scared of what might happen. Though I do have to say her fears that she lets Alvarez know about, it bothered me just because I could not see it being real. But that was just me. Hex the artist of Death. Wow, he has more problems than anyone but yet when he works he works and it all comes together perfectly. Alvarez, the one who seems to try to keep everything together but also seems to be drowning in the insanity that surrounds him. The way he is portrayed of how caring he is of others especially his family just makes him a great book boyfriend. Especially when he says that every Cuban man has two hearts, and that they give one to that one special lady. My heart just beat a little faster on that. Grandma oh my what can you say about her. She is just straight up crazy, but lets say I think I would have more enjoyment if she was my grandma. With all her spells and voodoo that she does I was like damn. I can just tell this character is going to make me pay attention to her.
All the characters were likable each one that their own personality done within the book, and it fit them perfectly. The story line what can I say DAMN girl you got some talent. There is a murder that seems to be going on, but what is really behind it. The ending well lets just say you have to read it. Because I know if I keep this review going I am going to give away so many spoilers.
My buddy Kenya likes my unfiltered feed back, and gave me The Muse to beta read for her. Mainly because it has to do with art, and I have about a foot and 3/4 in the art door. To my surprise this book was actually kind of lengthy, but I didn't care (I never have time to read anything over 100 pages). I started it one night before bed, and read right through the night. By noon the next day I had finished, still buzzing from its awesomeness! Yeah that’s right, you heard me. I was drunk off this book, I wanted more but sadly it had to end. So here is what I liked about the book, I will try and stay away from spoilers: -Elle. This main character is awesome! She starts out all damaged and a little meek, then goes from victim to kick ass hero! I love this girl, I can completely relate to her. -Hex, he is so insane I love him. The perfect look at the price of a creative mind. Now not all of us are completely gone into the far beyond, but there is a price for what we do. Anyone that can create things from there mind, come up with new things out of the blue. That level of thinking has its danger zone, and Hex has spent a little too much time there. -Hex's family. I love insane and strange families, it makes me feel normal. Plus they are all so well written, I love all of them. -The ending, yeah I loved the ending. So read it to find out why I loved it. Here is what I didn't like: Ok so there was nothing I didn't like. Which is saying something, because I can always find something wrong. Even the littlest thing, but I just couldn't. I really enjoyed this book. All the characters were well developed, the mystery is awesome, the romance is perfectly timed, and the female lead is such an inspiration. What more could you want?
A cross between a murder mystery and a romance. Muse to one artist, called “Archangel” due to his angel paintings of her, Elle has been abused and mistreated for years. First by her father then by her supposed rescuer, Elle expects only abuse at the hands of men. She come to model for the “enemy” or her last artist to pay him back and for proof that she can still be a muse. However things are not all what they seem at the castle. Then imagine her surprise to find true love in the stoic brother of the eccentric artist. As the death toll mounts can true love conquer all or will they both succumb to death’s deadly embrace…
Yeah, right, like I’m going to tell. That would ruin the whole point of reading the book, which was a great read. The author skillfully draws the reader into the story changing voice periodically to keep the story fresh and stretches the tension to a palpable points.
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
I can't even put into words how I felt about this book. It was so difficult to rate. I definitely enjoyed it, but it was so twisted and left me...gah, I don't even know.
Me while reading this book:
I mean....what? I can't....
That ending....
(I wish I had a "Dark as fuck" shelf, bc "Dark" doesn't seem to be enough, lol)
This was a great read. Not at all what I expected. First of all this sucker has some meat to it (which is not a bad thing). The story flows well and Elle was cool. I liked Hex believe his weird family. The only downside to this book was that I got kinda lost in some of the cultural/religious explanations. Other than that! this is a great read that is perfect for a cool weekend, a blanket and a Hot Totty!!
I love Kenya Wright's poetic style in this captivating story of love and murder. Expect to be drawn in to the mystery, the color and emotions of The Muse's world as the truth unfolds. Ms. Wright never lets you go.
it was crazy everything that I thought would happen or how it happen did not. I couldnt stop I wanted to know what happen who was behind it and why. But it had so many twist an turns that we it all came together I was shocked. But in a good way. Now I'm looking to read more mystery and romance books because it was exciting to go through all the changes just to see that it wasn't what I thought it was.......
The story started out light, so I was put off by the 'Dark Interracial Romance' thing, but as the story went on, I understood it. While it is dark, it's beautifully written and very Kenya Wright. Ten stars!!!
The Muse was an interesting story, at times shocking and a little disturbing, at times romantic and sweet. Our main character, Elle, has just gotten out of an emotional abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Michael. He got famous painting her, and her nickname as a model is the “Archangel”, based on a series of portraits he did featuring her. However, she’s now gotten a job offering from Hex, an artist of the macabre, whose work is a stark contrast to work she usually posed for. Hex is Michael’s arch nemesis and greatest rival, and if he found out she was working for Hex, he’d be more annoyed than ever.
Meanwhile Elle arrives at Hex’s castle, which is occupied by other models and artists Hex likes to invite. She meets his brother, Alvarez, who is the rational mind to Hex’s near-hysteria. He takes care of the business side of things, makes arrangments, and in general does what’s best f or his family – Hex and his grandmother, who dabbels in an ancient religion involving spells, herbs and sometimes even blood rituals.
When people start showing up dead in and around the castle, Alvarez wants to find out what’s going on. He is afraid that Elle, who he’s had a crush on since the moment he met her, might be in danger as well. What starts is a race against time as the bodies begin piling up.
I liked Elle. She’d stepped out of an abusive relationship, and was now truly finding herself. She became stronger and more independent with every passing page. That’s why I wasn’t so fond of her relationship with Alvarez, and their growing attraction. He was another pillar for her to support upon, someone who’d have her back, while it seemed to me the most important thing for her was to learn to have her own back. Either way, she lacked personality, especially at the start, but it wasn’t a bad thing here. It genuinely seemed like she’d based most of her personality on who she was when she was with Michael, as if she could only have a personality reflected in his personality. At the start of the novel, she was lost, trying to find herself, and the only personality trait she had was being a movie buff. But as the story progressed, she gradually found herself, and discovered her own personality.
Hex was actually my favorite character. I’m a fan of the tormented artist as a protagonist, and he played the role well. Plus, the name. How can you be called Hex and not be amazingly awesome? Impossible, right?
The writing was decent, and the story flowed well. Like I mentioned, I wasn’t too pleased with the relationship between Elle and Alvarez. Not only did I feel like she should get to know herself first before jumping into another relationship, I also felt like their relationship progressed way too quickly. I’m not a fan of insta-love, or even anything close to that, so maybe that’s why. A few kisses I wouldn’t have minded, but the way Elle depended on Alvarez completely, and almost right away, that bothered me a little.
The mystery was great – I only figured it out toward the end, only a few pages before it’s revealed. The characters were great, the story was strong, and in general, I’d recommend this book to all fans of mystery romance novels.
I received this book from the Touring Host for an honest review.
This was definitely a different book than the normal Erotic Romance. Do not understand me wrong, this is an erotic romance but with a bizarre story line that I could not do nothing else but give it five stars. I loved the cover as well, it just says so much about the story itself. The story was excellently planned and written with enough suspense to keep you baffled with the main characters till the very end. When women started to die at a famous artist castle, suspicion ran rampant with Alvarez and Elle's minds. Who did it? Who could they trust? The mystery surrounding them mounted and everyone was a suspect. With a woman locked in the attic and an older woman seeking human blood and human organs for her sacrifices, you had a suspenseful time dissecting through all the twists and turns in the book. Talking about Alvarez, oh my word, this man surpasses hot. His devotion to his family and all the artists gathering at the Castle was admirable. And romantic, good grief, it stirred everything in your imagination, he is that good. I loved his character the most, believable, protective, sincere, passionate, devoted and honest as he revealed his heart to one woman. Elle, our heroin in the story was life personified, giving hope to the wary while trying to find herself after a long abusive relationship with Michael. A nude model for artist, she was known for her beauty and very long black hair. Men were mesmerized by her, artists fought about her but at the end she was a young woman who wanted what we all want. A man that would allow her to be herself and still love her unconditionally. Hex was definitely a fascinating character and caused for many speculations through out the book and at the end you are left speechless, not sure what to think of his ideas. The old woman, now this was a character I would not like to meet in real life. I think I will stop right there with her description just in case she gives me some tainted cheese.**smile** A book that kept me glued to its pages as I was taken on the journey with the most interesting plot I have read in a while. With enough tension to make it enjoyable and enough romance to believe in happy endings. O snap, now I have given it away...just read the book, you will not be disappointed.
This book was shocking. I never read a book categorized as "Dark" before and don't think I will again. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. I guess I just can't deal with the madness, mutilation and such. I like reading psychological thrillers and can usually guess who the murderer is, but in this case, I had no clue and what was revealed at the end I never would of guessed. The grandmother practicing "Corazon Muerto" religion. The artist, Hex showcasing death as his art form. Alvarez, managing his brother's career and trying to keep him and the grandmother out of trouble. Elle running from her former boyfriend and enemy of Hex. Models dying and being mutilated on Hex's property. In the end, the hero and heroine did end up together, but what a crazy ride along the way.
Not my cup of tea really :/ The most interesting character (Hex) was pushed a bit back because of the "I've known you one day and I want to marry you"-drama. If it hadn't been for the utterly wicked granny and the