Ross Marteau is the toast of the international art world for his sensual sculptures of rich and famous women. But when a long-term relationship breaks up badly, he retreats to his Texas hometown - only to have his newfound peace of mind permanently, profoundly, shattered.One afternoon over lunch, Ross is approached by a woman to whom he feels an irresistible attraction. She introduces herself as Celeste Lacan and asks him to take on a new commission, a sculpture of her younger sister, Leda, promising that the job will present artistic challenges unlike any he has encountered before. Though reluctant, Ross can't help but be intrigued: by Celeste herself and by a photo of Leda's face, a portrait of incomparable beauty.When he meets her, Ross is stunned to discover that Leda's body is as startlingly unique as her face is beautiful. Just as Celeste predicted, he becomes consumed with portraying the duality of her body...and, perhaps, her soul. At the same time, he becomes increasingly aware that the enigmatic depth he sees in Celeste is as mesmerizing as the fathomless torment he sees in Leda. Soon he's romantically involved with one sister; his relationship with the other is much harder to define.As Ross begins to sculpt, Leda vacillates between seductiveness and a mystifying aloofness, while Celeste begins to withdraw from his touch. Then a sudden, violent murder draws him deeper into their world. Too late, Ross will learn that his bond with the women is older, darker - and more explosive - than he could ever have imagined. Read Less