Concept behind the Guardians of Eden
As a writer of fantasy and paranormal, a lot of my story concepts come from ‘what if’ instead of headline news. I couple that with reading a lot of fables, myths, and legends. The Guardians of Eden evolved from considering whether humans have had help at critical times in our development and if we aren’t the only race of beings on this planet. And so, the Guardians were born. A race originated in the same Eden as Adam and Eve, they are bound in a covenant to ensure the evolution of mankind. Each Guardian birth releases souls and healing for mankind’s spiritual well-being. And because no race is perfect, be they human or the Guardians, there is always a problem with power, the drive to control others, and the serpent in the garden.
The history and complexities of the Guardian race are woven throughout the books in the series. However, I will share that their race is composed of a finite group of people, representing segments of humanity from all over the world. Each adult Guardian in a generation is gifted with a unique power. Compliance with the covenant rewards each Guardian with a mate with whom they share a soul for eternity.
For these beings, life was stable, until two hundred years ago when a plague killed the adult Guardian population on earth. The children under the age of eighteen were sent to the Sanctum in Eden for their protection from infection. It was children raising children. Not only has much of their history been lost but, now as adults, they are unable to find mates within their race. With the curse of the plague still hovering over them, they remain sequestered in Eden far from the visibility of humanity. Book one, Betrayal’s Shadow, begins with this bleak scenario and focuses on one Guardian and his attempt to change their lot.
As the author, I know the Guardian background and the reasons for virus that nearly wiped them from existence. But the sixty or so Guardian children who survived and grew up in Eden’s Sanctum don’t. Of varying ages at the time their families died, none had reached maturity and few held more than tidbits of the overall picture of their purpose. Maturity, from a Guardian perspective this varies between the age of eighteen and twenty-five, entitles access to full-fledged powers, the ability to recognize their one mate, and to proceed to the next level of their covenant with mankind—the delivery of Guardian children to heal mankind’s souls. Yet there is no owner’s manual to the legacy the Guardians inherit.
The theme running through the first story is the double-edged sword of trust and betrayal. There are also several layers of deceit at the core of the main series. For Guardian adults, who have trusted each other since childhood, self-introspection and suspicion is a difficult thing. The concept of treachery between Guardians has always been nonexistent.
This brings me to Betrayal’s Shadow, and the two characters, Turen and Mia, who attempt to break through the barrier holding the Guardians from their destiny.
Guilt from his past spurs Turen to reject the mandate to remain in the Sanctum and instead he ventures out to seek help for his people. The Guardian’s former leader, having suffered a terrible tragedy, abandoned his people while Turen was absent from his side to help him. Now convinced this is the one person who can turn around the Guardian plight, Turen is willing to submit to capture in order to reach out to him.
Mia is Turen’s unexpected companion in his quest. Her story starts with her rebounding from her own huge betrayal—her husband’s death and the revelation that he was cheating on her and wanted a divorce. Having always done the expected thing, marrying her college boyfriend and pursuing a safe career, she suddenly begins to reconsider her life and the risks she’s avoided. Since she can’t control being sucked into Turen’s mess, she musters new-found confidence, grit, and determination to find some way to help him and free them both from the unusual connection that pulls her to him. Her choices will change the Guardian race forever.
I consider these two well matched in their level of honor and need for justice. But it is their differences, Mia’s new determination for calculated risks and Turen’s willingness to step outside the bounds of his people’s dictates to follow her leads to a very painful conclusion, that defines them as a couple and shapes the Guardians’ future.
I’ll admit I enjoy alpha heroes. But I love male characters who know their own strength and hold compassion and honor before their own need to chest-thump. It was my endeavor to create Turen in that mold. Honestly, many of the Guardians, male and female, possess that particular characteristic. Mia joins him as a woman with newfound inner strength, deep caring, and a healthy dose of common sense.
I hope readers enjoy their story. The Guardian mystery is targeted for eight books. Betrayal’s Shadow and book two, Warrior Reborn, are both available. Book three, Destiny’s Mark, is due for release this summer.
Thank you, Nicole, for having me as guest post on your site and if readers pick up the story, I’d love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to visit my website and leave me a message.
~Kate
KH LeMoyne
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