Humble, Texas Oct 17, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - In her new book, "The Perfect Bastard," the third installment in The Matchmaker Series, Lily Callina offers a compelling contemporary romance that explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of professional betrayal and personal heartbreak. The novel, the third in The Matchmaker Series, delves into the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of validation.
About the Book:
"The Perfect Bastard" is set against the backdrop of the competitive art world, where reputation is everything. It follows the story of Cara, a talented but struggling artist, and the enigmatic critic who devastatingly critiques her work. The narrative is propelled by a fateful night years prior, where Cara shared an intense, anonymous connection with a stranger on a moonlit beachan encounter that forever changed her artistic perspective and left her heart longing.
A Devastating Critique and a Dangerous Quest:
The novel opens with Cara seeking guidance after her art career is shattered by a scathing review from the powerful and anonymous critic, "Leo" Pierson Van Damme. His harsh words not only dismantle her reputation but also cause every buyer from her successful show to retract their purchases. Driven by anger and a need for redemption, Cara embarks on a dangerous trip to the Canadian Rockies to capture the perfect shots that will force the critic to recant.
An Avalanche and a Rescue:
While scaling a treacherous mountain in the dead of winter, Cara is caught in a devastating avalanche. Her rescue comes from Leo, a reclusive man, and a mysterious dog named Titusa devoted, celestial guide sent from Heaven itself. With no memory of her identity or past, Cara is entirely dependent on her rescuer, known only as Leo, while Titus remains by their side, a gentle, ethereal presence binding their fates together.
An Unexpected Connection:
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As Leo nurses Cara back to health in his remote home, a deep connection forms between them. For Cara, Leo's familiar blue eyes and comforting presence feel like a lifeline, eerily reminiscent of the stranger from her past. Unbeknownst to her, Leo is harboring a profound secret: he is both the stranger from the beach and the critic, Pierson Van Damme, whose actions were meant to protect her from a dangerous threat within the art world.
A Past That Binds Them:
The story alternates between Cara's and Leo's perspectives, revealing their shared history and Leo's tortured motivations. His harsh critique was a desperate attempt to shield Cara from predatory figures who exploited young artists. His isolated life is a result of a traumatic childhood and a desire to remain anonymous. Their growing love exists in a fragile bubble, threatened by the truth of his identity and the unresolved dangers that wait beyond the mountain.
Her Purpose:
Lily Callina's motivation is to create stories about complex, good-hearted characters who navigate hardship, make mistakes, and ultimately find their happily ever after. She aims to give readers an emotional journey that makes them laugh, cry, and cheer for justice.
About the Author:
Lily Callina is a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, writer, and former social worker. A survivor of life's challenges, she has found strength in her faith, her love for rock musicespecially Nickelbackand her passion for storytelling. After 34 years in a helping profession, she turned to writing as a new way to connect with people and craft stories of resilience, growth, and redemption.
Availability:
Available on Amazon, "The Perfect Bastard" is a captivating tale of artistic passion, devastating betrayal, and a love that refuses to be forgotten, where the quest for validation leads to perilous mountains, hidden identities are revealed, and the price of a second chance must be weighed against the secrets of the past.
Contact Information:
For more information, interviews, or inquiries, please contact:
Lily Callina
Email: [email protected]
Source :Book Publishing Lab
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
9 day's ago