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Inked Magic #1
Inked Magic
From the New York Times bestselling author of Healer's Choice comes the story of a woman with the power of touch. Skin doesn't lie to her. It is her gift, sometimes her curse. She feels what others felt, and sees the things held in their memories...
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
27 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
Jory Strong
64 books424 followersJory has been writing since childhood and has never outgrown being a daydreamer. When she's not hunched over her computer, lost in the muse and conjuring up new heroes and heroines, she can usually be found reading, riding her horses, or hiking with her dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 12, 2012
My Grade: B or 4 stars
Just a few quick comments...
The story was so good a couple sexytimes were speedbumps for me - Fade to black! I want the story! Inked Magic has suspense, a fascinating heroine, sexy mob boss' son who want to stay out of the family business, a mysterious and sexy Elven lord, an interesting and disturbing serial rapist, one ménage à trois scene(just look at the book cover), and a compelling sub-plot involving a teen girl (mob boss' daughter) who was drugged and gang-raped.
I'm glad there will be a sequel to this novel. I want to know how they work out their relationship long-term. Plus, Etain has to survive her transition.
review to come
***edited to add full review***
The Characters
Etaín is a tattoo artist with a special gift. When she touches a person’s skin she can feel his emotions, see his memories, and visualize the tattoo he is she is meant to have. Her gift is expanded when she lays her tattooed hands on a person’s head and hand. Even though she is estranged from her family, she secretly helps her FBI brother work with crime victims then sketches their memories. Etaín’s gift is not without consequence, but her overwhelming need to assist in justice and alleviate a victim’s pain compels her. She breaks the rules her mother gave her as a child to hide her gift, form no bonds, and not stay in one place long. She will take a step on a dangerous path involving two men and their shadowy worlds.
Cathal Dunne is a wealthy night club owner. He has worked hard to steer clear of his father and uncles’ organized crime business. Then, his sixteen year old niece is drugged and gang-raped. His father and uncle ask that he locate a “psychic” they have heard helps the police solve crimes. It will be a slippery slope becoming involved, but this is family. He will use his wiles to induce Etaín to help his cousin. His feelings for the beautiful tattoo artist complicate matters. Cathal hopes he can protect her from his family’s brand of justice.
Eamon, Elven Lord of San Francisco, sees Etaín walk into his restaurant and knows she is a changeling with very old magic like those born in Elfhome. He knows she is meant as his wife-consort. The tattoos on her hands proclaim her a soul searer , which is a very rare gift among his people. Etaín’s gift would help many young survive their transition. Eamon also feels strong emotions for her. He needs to protect her from potential threats if her secret is discovered, educate about her evolving gift, and claim her as his mate.
The Story
Etaín was born with a unique gift. She lived a mobile life with her mother until she was eight years old when she was left in the care of her police chief father and brother. Now, her father and FBI brother have little to do with her except when they need help. They never understood Etaín’s gift or the emotional and physical consequences to her. Once she was very close with her brother, but he believes she’s an off-and-on drug user, so when he asks for her help with the latest victim of the Harlequin Rapist she can’t refuse.
Two men enter her life. Eamon explains her gift is magic. He can help her cope with the blowback of absorbing memories. Eamon is beautiful, sexy, and he gives her hope from her suffering. She feels called to be with him. Yet, she is also drawn to Cathal Dunne. Both men make her feel stronger and her magic responds positively to them. Etaín purposely avoids relationships with good reason. She battles long-term conditioning and self-preservation to even think of establishing anything permanent.
In the meantime, the Harlequin Rapist has set his sights on Etaín. There is also the growing impatience from Cathal’s uncle. If Cathal can’t get Etaín to help his daughter Brianna then he will use his resources and take care of business in his own way.
My Thoughts
I’ve read one other Jory Strong book . It was okay, maybe more like “meh.” My expectations were fairly low for Inked Magic. I figured it would have some hot sexy times (two men, one woman *cough*). This book exceeded my expectations with a sympathetic and tough heroine, and an incredibly strong and emotional plot.
Of the two men, I found Cathal to be the most compelling hero. His struggle to avoid a life in organized crime and his love for his family despite it. I liked how his father and uncle were never drawn as cartoonish mobsters. The focus was on a father’s pain in seeing his daughter in so much emotional pain; a father’s frustration and distress in seeing his daughter drugged to a near catatonic state because of her suicide attempts; and his grief in watching the burial of his daughter’s best friend after her death at the hands of the same faceless men realizing it could have been his daughter that could have been a buried – a daughter who despite living is existing inside her own coffin. Jory Strong didn’t use Brianna’s gang-rapists or the serial rapist as mere plot points. She explored the emotional ramifications on the family, too. Strong’s rape victims were haunting.
Since the story focuses predominantly on rapists, Etaín proves to be an emotionally stong and incredibly compassionate heroine. We see the rapes as she relives them in her dreams. (No, the rapes are not described in graphic detail. We see the victim’s hopes and dreams then feel their devastation.) There is also a dark side growing in her magic, which has yet to be explored. I wish Jory Strong would have gone into more detail about elves and their magic, because I don’t quite have a grasp for the politics Eamon alluded to and the problems implicit in having a soul seer as his mate.
Final Thoughts
This book redeemed Jory Strong’s writing and I will read her again. I’m invested in this series and am looking forward to the sequel. I recommend this book to readers who like dark urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance. Please note this romance will lead to a polyamorous relationship.
Favorite Quote
Nerd Blurb – What’s in a Name
I struggled with the pronounciation of the character’s names so I searched the internet and found something that may help other readers. The name’s meanings are included and I wonder if there is some hidden meaning. You decide. ;o)
http://www.namenerds.com/irish/trad.html
Just a few quick comments...
The story was so good a couple sexytimes were speedbumps for me - Fade to black! I want the story! Inked Magic has suspense, a fascinating heroine, sexy mob boss' son who want to stay out of the family business, a mysterious and sexy Elven lord, an interesting and disturbing serial rapist, one ménage à trois scene(just look at the book cover), and a compelling sub-plot involving a teen girl (mob boss' daughter) who was drugged and gang-raped.
I'm glad there will be a sequel to this novel. I want to know how they work out their relationship long-term. Plus, Etain has to survive her transition.
review to come
***edited to add full review***
The Characters
Etaín is a tattoo artist with a special gift. When she touches a person’s skin she can feel his emotions, see his memories, and visualize the tattoo he is she is meant to have. Her gift is expanded when she lays her tattooed hands on a person’s head and hand. Even though she is estranged from her family, she secretly helps her FBI brother work with crime victims then sketches their memories. Etaín’s gift is not without consequence, but her overwhelming need to assist in justice and alleviate a victim’s pain compels her. She breaks the rules her mother gave her as a child to hide her gift, form no bonds, and not stay in one place long. She will take a step on a dangerous path involving two men and their shadowy worlds.
Cathal Dunne is a wealthy night club owner. He has worked hard to steer clear of his father and uncles’ organized crime business. Then, his sixteen year old niece is drugged and gang-raped. His father and uncle ask that he locate a “psychic” they have heard helps the police solve crimes. It will be a slippery slope becoming involved, but this is family. He will use his wiles to induce Etaín to help his cousin. His feelings for the beautiful tattoo artist complicate matters. Cathal hopes he can protect her from his family’s brand of justice.
Eamon, Elven Lord of San Francisco, sees Etaín walk into his restaurant and knows she is a changeling with very old magic like those born in Elfhome. He knows she is meant as his wife-consort. The tattoos on her hands proclaim her a soul searer , which is a very rare gift among his people. Etaín’s gift would help many young survive their transition. Eamon also feels strong emotions for her. He needs to protect her from potential threats if her secret is discovered, educate about her evolving gift, and claim her as his mate.
The Story
Etaín was born with a unique gift. She lived a mobile life with her mother until she was eight years old when she was left in the care of her police chief father and brother. Now, her father and FBI brother have little to do with her except when they need help. They never understood Etaín’s gift or the emotional and physical consequences to her. Once she was very close with her brother, but he believes she’s an off-and-on drug user, so when he asks for her help with the latest victim of the Harlequin Rapist she can’t refuse.
Two men enter her life. Eamon explains her gift is magic. He can help her cope with the blowback of absorbing memories. Eamon is beautiful, sexy, and he gives her hope from her suffering. She feels called to be with him. Yet, she is also drawn to Cathal Dunne. Both men make her feel stronger and her magic responds positively to them. Etaín purposely avoids relationships with good reason. She battles long-term conditioning and self-preservation to even think of establishing anything permanent.
In the meantime, the Harlequin Rapist has set his sights on Etaín. There is also the growing impatience from Cathal’s uncle. If Cathal can’t get Etaín to help his daughter Brianna then he will use his resources and take care of business in his own way.
My Thoughts
I’ve read one other Jory Strong book . It was okay, maybe more like “meh.” My expectations were fairly low for Inked Magic. I figured it would have some hot sexy times (two men, one woman *cough*). This book exceeded my expectations with a sympathetic and tough heroine, and an incredibly strong and emotional plot.
Of the two men, I found Cathal to be the most compelling hero. His struggle to avoid a life in organized crime and his love for his family despite it. I liked how his father and uncle were never drawn as cartoonish mobsters. The focus was on a father’s pain in seeing his daughter in so much emotional pain; a father’s frustration and distress in seeing his daughter drugged to a near catatonic state because of her suicide attempts; and his grief in watching the burial of his daughter’s best friend after her death at the hands of the same faceless men realizing it could have been his daughter that could have been a buried – a daughter who despite living is existing inside her own coffin. Jory Strong didn’t use Brianna’s gang-rapists or the serial rapist as mere plot points. She explored the emotional ramifications on the family, too. Strong’s rape victims were haunting.
Since the story focuses predominantly on rapists, Etaín proves to be an emotionally stong and incredibly compassionate heroine. We see the rapes as she relives them in her dreams. (No, the rapes are not described in graphic detail. We see the victim’s hopes and dreams then feel their devastation.) There is also a dark side growing in her magic, which has yet to be explored. I wish Jory Strong would have gone into more detail about elves and their magic, because I don’t quite have a grasp for the politics Eamon alluded to and the problems implicit in having a soul seer as his mate.
Final Thoughts
This book redeemed Jory Strong’s writing and I will read her again. I’m invested in this series and am looking forward to the sequel. I recommend this book to readers who like dark urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance. Please note this romance will lead to a polyamorous relationship.
Favorite Quote
"Maybe I like variety. Don't tell me you're not the same."
He let the challenge pass but heard himself warn, "I'm not a man to share when I'm serious about a woman."
She sighed, a soft puff of warmth against his cheek. "Then don't get serious about me."
Nerd Blurb – What’s in a Name
I struggled with the pronounciation of the character’s names so I searched the internet and found something that may help other readers. The name’s meanings are included and I wonder if there is some hidden meaning. You decide. ;o)
Cathal /KA hul/ - strong in battle
Éamonn (m)/ AY mun/ - wealthy guardian
Étaín /AY teen/ - jealousy
http://www.namenerds.com/irish/trad.html
September 12, 2015
This review was posted at Under The Covers
Intense, original and extremely sexy! That's what you can expect to find in Jory Strong's new novel, Inked Magic. It captured my interest from the beginning and held it throughout the entire book.
Etain has a most unique ability. She can read skin, she can feel what others are feeling when she touches them and she can also see into their past. She's never known that she was part of a supernatural group, or how to control her ability, until her talents are sought out by Cathal Dunne to help figure out what happened to two girls in his family. One dead, one lost in her own mind.
By getting involved with Cathal, she meets Eamon, elf Lord who sees her and decides to take her as his mate. His main purpose is to keep her safe, of course while seducing her. Cathal on the other hand has to seduce her to get her to help him. But from the beginning it's more than that for him as well. Two very strong, very powerful alpha males vying for her attention. And it can't hurt that Eamon is not opposed to the idea of sharing her when he sees that her magic has a pull towards Cathal.
But things might get a bit more complicated when a serial killer that she is helping the police identify targets her as his next victim.
Etain is a strong and likeable heroine. Badass, tattoo artist, short skirt wearing, motorcycle riding chick. What's not to like? And I can only say that I didn't have a favorite when it came to the heroes of this story. Both Cathal and Eamon are amazing in their own way. Eamon with his blonde hair and tenderness towards her. Cathal with, well, animal magnetism. Good thing she gets to keep both because I couldn't choose.
I feel the ending might've been a bit rushed and that's the reason why this was not a 5 star read for me. There were some loose ends with how their relationship would work in my opinion and I have plenty of questions about the world that I can't wait to get answered in the next book. I a definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
*ARC provided by publisher
Intense, original and extremely sexy! That's what you can expect to find in Jory Strong's new novel, Inked Magic. It captured my interest from the beginning and held it throughout the entire book.
Etain has a most unique ability. She can read skin, she can feel what others are feeling when she touches them and she can also see into their past. She's never known that she was part of a supernatural group, or how to control her ability, until her talents are sought out by Cathal Dunne to help figure out what happened to two girls in his family. One dead, one lost in her own mind.
By getting involved with Cathal, she meets Eamon, elf Lord who sees her and decides to take her as his mate. His main purpose is to keep her safe, of course while seducing her. Cathal on the other hand has to seduce her to get her to help him. But from the beginning it's more than that for him as well. Two very strong, very powerful alpha males vying for her attention. And it can't hurt that Eamon is not opposed to the idea of sharing her when he sees that her magic has a pull towards Cathal.
But things might get a bit more complicated when a serial killer that she is helping the police identify targets her as his next victim.
Etain is a strong and likeable heroine. Badass, tattoo artist, short skirt wearing, motorcycle riding chick. What's not to like? And I can only say that I didn't have a favorite when it came to the heroes of this story. Both Cathal and Eamon are amazing in their own way. Eamon with his blonde hair and tenderness towards her. Cathal with, well, animal magnetism. Good thing she gets to keep both because I couldn't choose.
I feel the ending might've been a bit rushed and that's the reason why this was not a 5 star read for me. There were some loose ends with how their relationship would work in my opinion and I have plenty of questions about the world that I can't wait to get answered in the next book. I a definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
*ARC provided by publisher
February 16, 2018
RETO L.I.B.R.O.S
grupo lecturas conjuntas
1.e. Empezar una saga o serie: no puede ser una trilogía. Sí puede ser una bilogía, tetralogía, …
Llevo un montón de años intentando terminar de leer este libro por lo menos 3 o 4 años. en principio pensé que era un triangulo amoroso ( en aquel entonces estaba de moda) pero no lo era.
siempre me quedaba por la mitad y lei el final pero esta vez me puse en serio con la lectura desde la primera página hasta la última.
este libro ... no sé si me ha gustado o disgustado. cuando lo fui leyendo senti que era un sueño. no como ALICIA EN EL PAIS DE LAS MARAVILLAS ahi hubieron mas cosas que me desagradaron que no pero aqui lo senti un poco irreal.
creo que tiene que ver con demasiado información para un libro , ( existe un segundo para cerrar las tramas de este) .
ETAIN es una huerfana que ha tenido una vida dura : sexo , drogas , pandillas y es huerfana. su madre tenia el don y ella también . luego descubre que es hija del Capitán de policia que es un hombre respetado con mucho dinero . él tiene varios hijos de los cuales uno es policia que se hace amigo de Etain por asi decirlo .
ella es una tatuadora o no se como les diga a las personas que tatuan. pero ella usa su don con la gente que quiere dejar malos habitos les pone en la piel como runas que la ayudan en el proceso.
todo inicia que una familia irlandesa de la mafia esta en un velorio. Caitiyn ha muerto y Brianna esta enferma . las dos fueron brutalmente violadas pero Caitilyn murió porque la drogaron demasiado para que este docil. Brianna vivió de milagro pero tiene la mente rota. Cahla es el sobrino y hermano de estas chicas y va donde Etain para que ayude a Brianna . claro que en el proceso tiene un idilio.
por otro lado esta Eamon que es un ser inhumano como hada que descubre a Etain. ella es su consorte predestinada y tambien es de la misma raza que él porque la cambiaron al nacer. también siente atracción por ella.
y luego existe otro violador ( es muy diferente a los violadores de Briana y Caityl) que se esta obsesionado con Etain .
son muchas cosas que resolver de las cuales se resolvieron algunas.
me ha sorprendido la actitud madura e inteligente de todos los personajes . son duros al punto que han perdido algunas de sus emociones humanas como la compasión por la violencia que han vivido. las escenas de sexo ni fu ni fa. tal vez eso me ha molestado . hubo muchas escenas de sexo y no me parecia el momento para eso.
en general bien y espero leer el siguiente para estar tranquila .
grupo lecturas conjuntas
1.e. Empezar una saga o serie: no puede ser una trilogía. Sí puede ser una bilogía, tetralogía, …
Llevo un montón de años intentando terminar de leer este libro por lo menos 3 o 4 años. en principio pensé que era un triangulo amoroso ( en aquel entonces estaba de moda) pero no lo era.
siempre me quedaba por la mitad y lei el final pero esta vez me puse en serio con la lectura desde la primera página hasta la última.
este libro ... no sé si me ha gustado o disgustado. cuando lo fui leyendo senti que era un sueño. no como ALICIA EN EL PAIS DE LAS MARAVILLAS ahi hubieron mas cosas que me desagradaron que no pero aqui lo senti un poco irreal.
creo que tiene que ver con demasiado información para un libro , ( existe un segundo para cerrar las tramas de este) .
ETAIN es una huerfana que ha tenido una vida dura : sexo , drogas , pandillas y es huerfana. su madre tenia el don y ella también . luego descubre que es hija del Capitán de policia que es un hombre respetado con mucho dinero . él tiene varios hijos de los cuales uno es policia que se hace amigo de Etain por asi decirlo .
ella es una tatuadora o no se como les diga a las personas que tatuan. pero ella usa su don con la gente que quiere dejar malos habitos les pone en la piel como runas que la ayudan en el proceso.
todo inicia que una familia irlandesa de la mafia esta en un velorio. Caitiyn ha muerto y Brianna esta enferma . las dos fueron brutalmente violadas pero Caitilyn murió porque la drogaron demasiado para que este docil. Brianna vivió de milagro pero tiene la mente rota. Cahla es el sobrino y hermano de estas chicas y va donde Etain para que ayude a Brianna . claro que en el proceso tiene un idilio.
por otro lado esta Eamon que es un ser inhumano como hada que descubre a Etain. ella es su consorte predestinada y tambien es de la misma raza que él porque la cambiaron al nacer. también siente atracción por ella.
y luego existe otro violador ( es muy diferente a los violadores de Briana y Caityl) que se esta obsesionado con Etain .
son muchas cosas que resolver de las cuales se resolvieron algunas.
me ha sorprendido la actitud madura e inteligente de todos los personajes . son duros al punto que han perdido algunas de sus emociones humanas como la compasión por la violencia que han vivido. las escenas de sexo ni fu ni fa. tal vez eso me ha molestado . hubo muchas escenas de sexo y no me parecia el momento para eso.
en general bien y espero leer el siguiente para estar tranquila .
March 23, 2012
My Review:
I will admit, even after finishing this book, there is a lot about this world that I still don't think I understand. The beginning of this book drops you right into the story and there are a lot of characters in this story to keep track of. As a result, I found myself floundering trying to keep track of who was who at the beginning. At one point during the middle of the book, I even went back and re-read the first couple of chapters just to clear up exactly how the chain of events happened and it helped so much.
That being said though, I did enjoy this book....it just took me a while to settle into it. There are a couple of unrelated rapes in this book that Etain is helping to solve. She can take the victims memories through her palms. It's a gift that she doesn't understand, but she knows that she can find justice for the victims so she's willing to do it, although it costs her a great deal mentally and physically.
There are two love interests in this book for Etain. The first is Eamon who is an Elf Lord who recognizes her gift and Etain as Elfish in origin, although she doesn't even realize it. He fully plans on making her his wife and mistress and is willing to accept Cathal in her life to make that happen. Cathal is related to one of the rape victims. His mob family wants to exploit her gift through any means necessary. He's simply trying to keep her safe.
There are several things I really like about this book and at the heart of those is Etain. She's a tattoo artist, which is incredibly fascinating. Everything about her world was interesting...from her friends (one of my favorite parts of the story is her tattooing Quinn and the subsequent hook-up...just a great side story within this wonderful book) to her gift. She is being used by her family and accepts that because she knows that she's helping the victims, but my heart broke for her over their callousness. I love how honest she is with both men throughout this book. There is absolutely no subterfuge about what she is doing or how she's feeling. She's a no-holds-barred kind of gal and you can't help but admire her. I never thought I could enjoy a book where the heroine was involved with two men separately (which is the way this book through almost the entire story), but Jory Strong wrote this incredibly well and I never once questioned the dynamics between the three as being genuine. Really well-done.
This is a complex book filled with two extremely powerful men, two very violent crimes, a rapist stalking Etain, and a childhood and family that Etain just doesn't understand. I honestly feel like I need a re-read just because I know that I missed things along the way, but regardless of that, it was still extremely hot and suspenseful. I stayed up till 2:00 in the morning just to finish it. What I didn't realize until the last paragraph though, is that this is going to be an ongoing series and there is MUCH MORE to this story and explanation. OMG!!
I have a feeling we are about to enter much more into the Elfin world and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. While Eamon is okay with Cathal's presence in their lives, Cathal doesn't feel the same about Eamon...and that's before he realizes about all the Elf issues. Cathal is human and has had only the slightest hint about Etain's gifts/origins. It's liable to be an interesting ride and I can't wait to see where it goes.
I will admit, even after finishing this book, there is a lot about this world that I still don't think I understand. The beginning of this book drops you right into the story and there are a lot of characters in this story to keep track of. As a result, I found myself floundering trying to keep track of who was who at the beginning. At one point during the middle of the book, I even went back and re-read the first couple of chapters just to clear up exactly how the chain of events happened and it helped so much.
That being said though, I did enjoy this book....it just took me a while to settle into it. There are a couple of unrelated rapes in this book that Etain is helping to solve. She can take the victims memories through her palms. It's a gift that she doesn't understand, but she knows that she can find justice for the victims so she's willing to do it, although it costs her a great deal mentally and physically.
There are two love interests in this book for Etain. The first is Eamon who is an Elf Lord who recognizes her gift and Etain as Elfish in origin, although she doesn't even realize it. He fully plans on making her his wife and mistress and is willing to accept Cathal in her life to make that happen. Cathal is related to one of the rape victims. His mob family wants to exploit her gift through any means necessary. He's simply trying to keep her safe.
There are several things I really like about this book and at the heart of those is Etain. She's a tattoo artist, which is incredibly fascinating. Everything about her world was interesting...from her friends (one of my favorite parts of the story is her tattooing Quinn and the subsequent hook-up...just a great side story within this wonderful book) to her gift. She is being used by her family and accepts that because she knows that she's helping the victims, but my heart broke for her over their callousness. I love how honest she is with both men throughout this book. There is absolutely no subterfuge about what she is doing or how she's feeling. She's a no-holds-barred kind of gal and you can't help but admire her. I never thought I could enjoy a book where the heroine was involved with two men separately (which is the way this book through almost the entire story), but Jory Strong wrote this incredibly well and I never once questioned the dynamics between the three as being genuine. Really well-done.
This is a complex book filled with two extremely powerful men, two very violent crimes, a rapist stalking Etain, and a childhood and family that Etain just doesn't understand. I honestly feel like I need a re-read just because I know that I missed things along the way, but regardless of that, it was still extremely hot and suspenseful. I stayed up till 2:00 in the morning just to finish it. What I didn't realize until the last paragraph though, is that this is going to be an ongoing series and there is MUCH MORE to this story and explanation. OMG!!
I have a feeling we are about to enter much more into the Elfin world and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. While Eamon is okay with Cathal's presence in their lives, Cathal doesn't feel the same about Eamon...and that's before he realizes about all the Elf issues. Cathal is human and has had only the slightest hint about Etain's gifts/origins. It's liable to be an interesting ride and I can't wait to see where it goes.
June 20, 2018
Though I enjoyed this book, I didn't love it. I felt that there were too many guys in this book and not enough women. Etain had no girlfriends to chat with and not a one even mentioned. And there simply wasn't enough conflict between the men vying for her attention. Both Cathal and Eamon were alpha males with strong personalities and yet they didn't fight for Etain's exclusivity. I found this rather strange.
I did like the world building and hope to see more of this in Inked Destiny. I really want to see where Etain's magic is going and how both men fit into things.
I did like the world building and hope to see more of this in Inked Destiny. I really want to see where Etain's magic is going and how both men fit into things.
could-not-finish
February 23, 2016I'm trying to come up with a reason why I couldn't finish this book and all I can say is that I was bored. I feel though that this reflects on me as a reader than on the writing. Wrong book at wrong time syndrome.
May 9, 2024
Very interesting story, super hot sex scenes, and I like all three main characters. But my God the head-hopping! I was getting whiplash jumping from one POV to another even in the same paragraph. I'm not sure if I want to put up with it to read the second book.
May 31, 2012
I like it when I pick a book without a recommendation and turns out to be a great read! I haven’t heard anything for “Inked Magic” by Jory Strong and I picked it because I just wanted a good book to pass some time. At first, I was curious to see how a tattoo artist, a mob boss’ son and an Elven Lord can be combined in a paranormal romance book but the result was very good!
Magic, rapists and ménages a trois are the main themes in this book. Two men want the same woman and this woman wants a normal life while a mad serial rapist wants a piece of her.
Etain is a tattoo artist and she has a mysterious ability. She can feel the emotions and see the memories when she touches a person’s skin. She can do this since she was a child and because of this ability she lives a lonely life. Sometimes she helps her brother who is an FBI agent, touching the victims and learning the truth. Now, she’s helping him with the case of a serial rapist and because of that she’s a target also. She’s a good person. She wants to do the right thing but she also wants to be accepted for what she is. Her family wasn’t so kind with her and the loneliness in her life is more than obvious in her case. She’s used to run from her problems but this time she is determined to stay and fight for what she wants.
Cathal is the owner of the most famous club in the area. He is also the son of one of the most notorious mob in the area. He isn’t anything like his father but when he and his uncle asked him to help finding the men who gang-raped his sixteen year-old cousin and her best friend he can’t say no. They tell him about a psychic who can help him but he didn’t expect to find this psychic so irresistible. I loved Cathal because he is a man of worth. He fought his family to have his “freedom” and he didn’t choose the easy way of success. He is willing to accept many things in order to be with Etain and this is what makes his love true. Did I mention he is sexy as hell?????
Eamon is the owner of the most famous restaurant in the city (for the humans) but he is also an Elven Lord. When he saw Etain, he knew that she is meant to be his consort-wife. He knows that Cathal wants her also but he’s willing to share her in order to keep her safe. Eamon is mysterious and I don’t think I understand him even when the story was over. I loved his protectiveness but he has a hidden agenda and he doesn’t say everything.
The story was very good! I enjoyed it and I love the whole ménage a trois thing because it was very well-written. Sometimes it was hard to read because of the violence/rape scenes but the author is very talented and the writing wasn’t cruel so theses scenes were also very well-written.
The ending left me with a lot of questions and I can’t wait for the next book! I recommend it to all the fans of this genre!
Magic, rapists and ménages a trois are the main themes in this book. Two men want the same woman and this woman wants a normal life while a mad serial rapist wants a piece of her.
Etain is a tattoo artist and she has a mysterious ability. She can feel the emotions and see the memories when she touches a person’s skin. She can do this since she was a child and because of this ability she lives a lonely life. Sometimes she helps her brother who is an FBI agent, touching the victims and learning the truth. Now, she’s helping him with the case of a serial rapist and because of that she’s a target also. She’s a good person. She wants to do the right thing but she also wants to be accepted for what she is. Her family wasn’t so kind with her and the loneliness in her life is more than obvious in her case. She’s used to run from her problems but this time she is determined to stay and fight for what she wants.
Cathal is the owner of the most famous club in the area. He is also the son of one of the most notorious mob in the area. He isn’t anything like his father but when he and his uncle asked him to help finding the men who gang-raped his sixteen year-old cousin and her best friend he can’t say no. They tell him about a psychic who can help him but he didn’t expect to find this psychic so irresistible. I loved Cathal because he is a man of worth. He fought his family to have his “freedom” and he didn’t choose the easy way of success. He is willing to accept many things in order to be with Etain and this is what makes his love true. Did I mention he is sexy as hell?????
Eamon is the owner of the most famous restaurant in the city (for the humans) but he is also an Elven Lord. When he saw Etain, he knew that she is meant to be his consort-wife. He knows that Cathal wants her also but he’s willing to share her in order to keep her safe. Eamon is mysterious and I don’t think I understand him even when the story was over. I loved his protectiveness but he has a hidden agenda and he doesn’t say everything.
The story was very good! I enjoyed it and I love the whole ménage a trois thing because it was very well-written. Sometimes it was hard to read because of the violence/rape scenes but the author is very talented and the writing wasn’t cruel so theses scenes were also very well-written.
The ending left me with a lot of questions and I can’t wait for the next book! I recommend it to all the fans of this genre!
August 19, 2012
Romance and urban fantasy readers, if you like your books steamy you should definitely give Inked Magic a try. Inked Magic is full of intrigue, magic, and sizzling hot smexy scenes making this a book I didn't want to put down.
Etain has a gift, when she touches people, she can see their memories and feel their emotions. Through her art, she can help people remember loved ones or even give them strength to better their lives. Etain had a tough life growing up. Her mother left her with a man she once thought was her father, the police captain who believed in tough love. The Captain's brand of tough love damaged Etain and resulted in estranging her from the family. Etain thought she had made a decent life for herself and it was working, until the mysterious Cathal Dunne walked into her shop. After meeting Cathal and Eamon, who claims to be able to help her manage her magic, her life is in upheaval and danger follows her.
The nature of the magic and the paranormal unfolds slowly in this book. Etain's magic changes and grows throughout the book, right along with her connection with both Cathal and Eamon. Etain is not used to developing feelings and relationships, and she is conflicted about being with Cathal and Eamon. Both men want her for their own reasons, and one of them is not willing to share her. All three of them keep their secrets and have communication issues. Eamon especially, he slowly reveals the truth about Etain's magic and his purposes for her. I almost think he holds back to much, he never fully discloses his intentions with her.
The plot is pretty fast-paced and mull-faceted. Etain has family complications, a charity event to plan, she helps the FBI look for a serial killer, works at her tattoo shop, and she also has to manage the men. I never quite knew how the story would unfold and turn out. The end of Inked Magic was unexpected and left me wanting more. The end left me feeling like Inked Magic is only part one, there is much more of this story to tell, more room for Etain to learn and grow, and I want to see how the relationships work out.
Overall, with a strong plot, intriguing characters, and a story that leaves you wanting more, Inked Magic is an excellent erotic urban fantasy read.
Etain has a gift, when she touches people, she can see their memories and feel their emotions. Through her art, she can help people remember loved ones or even give them strength to better their lives. Etain had a tough life growing up. Her mother left her with a man she once thought was her father, the police captain who believed in tough love. The Captain's brand of tough love damaged Etain and resulted in estranging her from the family. Etain thought she had made a decent life for herself and it was working, until the mysterious Cathal Dunne walked into her shop. After meeting Cathal and Eamon, who claims to be able to help her manage her magic, her life is in upheaval and danger follows her.
The nature of the magic and the paranormal unfolds slowly in this book. Etain's magic changes and grows throughout the book, right along with her connection with both Cathal and Eamon. Etain is not used to developing feelings and relationships, and she is conflicted about being with Cathal and Eamon. Both men want her for their own reasons, and one of them is not willing to share her. All three of them keep their secrets and have communication issues. Eamon especially, he slowly reveals the truth about Etain's magic and his purposes for her. I almost think he holds back to much, he never fully discloses his intentions with her.
The plot is pretty fast-paced and mull-faceted. Etain has family complications, a charity event to plan, she helps the FBI look for a serial killer, works at her tattoo shop, and she also has to manage the men. I never quite knew how the story would unfold and turn out. The end of Inked Magic was unexpected and left me wanting more. The end left me feeling like Inked Magic is only part one, there is much more of this story to tell, more room for Etain to learn and grow, and I want to see how the relationships work out.
Overall, with a strong plot, intriguing characters, and a story that leaves you wanting more, Inked Magic is an excellent erotic urban fantasy read.
August 8, 2020
2.5
Read again in 2020. It doesn’t withstand the second time test. It’s erotica, it’s not interested in being believable or cohesive. That said it isn’t bad, but I can’t find much eroticism in it as there’s no involvement with the characters.
As a side note, the book costs 13$ and delivers only half a story. If you want the second part you have to shell an other 10. Definitely not a bargain. At all.
3 1/2 stars
Color me surprised when I finished Inked Magic and realized I liked it. :) I knew Ms Strong wrote erotica even when dressing as a different genre (see Ghostland) and did not expect this novel to be that much.
Let us be clear: it still has lots of sex, but the plot, the world-building and the characters were good. Nothing was flat, except for sex maybe. :O But then I'm not into menage, nor sex with strangers.
The villains weren't cardboard-ly evil (yes there's more than one) nor the cops all that good. Etain is a strong woman with a difficult past, able to overcome her fears. The story leans more toward UF than PNR which is all good to me.
The book has no real ending. So if you are interested in the heroine's life, you might have to buy the sequel.
I have to thank Anna in recommending Inked Magic. Without her "nudge" I wouldn't have trusted Ms Strong's latest novel.
Read again in 2020. It doesn’t withstand the second time test. It’s erotica, it’s not interested in being believable or cohesive. That said it isn’t bad, but I can’t find much eroticism in it as there’s no involvement with the characters.
As a side note, the book costs 13$ and delivers only half a story. If you want the second part you have to shell an other 10. Definitely not a bargain. At all.
3 1/2 stars
Color me surprised when I finished Inked Magic and realized I liked it. :) I knew Ms Strong wrote erotica even when dressing as a different genre (see Ghostland) and did not expect this novel to be that much.
Let us be clear: it still has lots of sex, but the plot, the world-building and the characters were good. Nothing was flat, except for sex maybe. :O But then I'm not into menage, nor sex with strangers.
The villains weren't cardboard-ly evil (yes there's more than one) nor the cops all that good. Etain is a strong woman with a difficult past, able to overcome her fears. The story leans more toward UF than PNR which is all good to me.
The book has no real ending. So if you are interested in the heroine's life, you might have to buy the sequel.
I have to thank Anna in recommending Inked Magic. Without her "nudge" I wouldn't have trusted Ms Strong's latest novel.
April 17, 2012
I really liked the premise of this one. Etain has the ability to see what has happened to people when she touches them. She uses this ability to help the police when they are stuck and have no where else to go, but this ability comes at a great cost to her physically.
Of course it doesn't hurt that in the space of a few hours she meets 2 really hot men. Cathal and Eamon couldn't be more different, but their desire for her is the same. I found it interesting that they both wanted her right away, but Eamon adjusts his thinking to share her even before he meets her, so taken with her while she is dining with Cathal. Cathal, on the other hand, hates that Etain goes to Eamon and wants to only be with her. I have to give it to Etain, she is honest and up front with both of them about her feelings for them both and doesn't promise either of them anything. I really liked how things changed between the 3 of them as the story evolves, some of it is what you expect, others not so much.
Parts of the other story were interesting and not so much. I really liked how things worked out with Cathal's cousin. I liked that Etain didn't judge the actions taken and almost agreed with it. The Harlequin rapist storyline got a little old fast. I really didn't like the parts of the story from his point of view.
I really hope that this book is the start of a new series, I would love to see more with Etain, Cathal, and Eamon, along with others in this world.
Of course it doesn't hurt that in the space of a few hours she meets 2 really hot men. Cathal and Eamon couldn't be more different, but their desire for her is the same. I found it interesting that they both wanted her right away, but Eamon adjusts his thinking to share her even before he meets her, so taken with her while she is dining with Cathal. Cathal, on the other hand, hates that Etain goes to Eamon and wants to only be with her. I have to give it to Etain, she is honest and up front with both of them about her feelings for them both and doesn't promise either of them anything. I really liked how things changed between the 3 of them as the story evolves, some of it is what you expect, others not so much.
Parts of the other story were interesting and not so much. I really liked how things worked out with Cathal's cousin. I liked that Etain didn't judge the actions taken and almost agreed with it. The Harlequin rapist storyline got a little old fast. I really didn't like the parts of the story from his point of view.
I really hope that this book is the start of a new series, I would love to see more with Etain, Cathal, and Eamon, along with others in this world.
August 20, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I loved the premise with Etain being able to read people with a touch and ink magic into their skin. However, the main characters were a tiny bit flat for me. I actually had more of an interest in the supporting cast - Derrick, Jamal, Sean and others were great. I missed Etain having any close female friends as well. One other thing that really bugged me was that there was an awful lot of "throbbing", "clenching" and "swelling" going on. The sex scenes got a bit repetitive in the terminology so I would find myself going back to count the number of times a word was used rather than losing myself in a scene. Eamon was an interesting character with a lot of potential and I'm dying to learn more about Etain's background. I liked the aspect of the menage relationship where the two guys are actually struggling with sharing and everything is not instantly perfect in ménage land. I have already put Inked Destiny on my to read shelf.
March 4, 2014
4 1/2 stars Love a good solid PNR with the extra heat of a menage. Really enjoying the world building going on in this book. Good strong characters. Fantasy set in a more contemporary setting with elves, magic, shapeshifters, prophecy, powerful tatoos, bad guys and good guys and guys you just aren't sure about. Etain, Cathal, and Eamon are memorable characters. Only complaint and why I dropped 1\2 star is because of Eamon never explaining anything to Etain. Aargghh she wasnt a mind reader. I thought he'd figure that out after the first " misunderstanding". However I am loooking forward to more in the series. Fans of Fantasy PNR with a more erotic twist will really enjoy this book.
February 17, 2012
3.5 Stars
An intriguing story but I felt like it was missing some important details. You can find Lexi's 4-Star review of this title at Reading Between the Wines
*A recommended Ménage read! (M/F/M)
An intriguing story but I felt like it was missing some important details. You can find Lexi's 4-Star review of this title at Reading Between the Wines
*A recommended Ménage read! (M/F/M)
February 11, 2012
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one. Great story. Hot sex. What more could you want?
February 19, 2012
This is a really good story. I loved Eamon, Cathal is a JackA2S. I hope there a second book. I would loved to see what happens with their relationship.
August 30, 2012
I couldn't finish it-- That bad. The characters were so stereotypically forced..and the story was going somewhere I just didn't want to follow.
July 15, 2025
From the New York Times bestselling author of Healer's Choice comes the story of a woman with the power of touch. Skin doesn't lie to her. It is her gift, sometimes her curse. She feels what others felt, and sees the things held in their memories...
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
Heather's Notes
I enjoyed this story. I liked Etain, Eamon, and Cathal. I liked them together and separate. I got a little annoyed with how little information we are given, but hopeful more information will be given as the story continues.
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
Heather's Notes
I enjoyed this story. I liked Etain, Eamon, and Cathal. I liked them together and separate. I got a little annoyed with how little information we are given, but hopeful more information will be given as the story continues.
August 19, 2018
Mis problemas:
-comienzo muy abrupto
-muchos puntos de vista sin especificar que hacían que me perdiera y no supiera de quien era el POV que leía
-POVs innecesarios que llevaron a cosas que me parecieron que no añadían a la trama principal y tendía a terminar salteándomelas
-me hubiera gustado que explorara más el mundo y la magia, que fueron elementos que estaban en la historia pero podría haber sido lo mismo si no estuvieran. Tal vez el segundo libro cambie.
-en general la forma en que está escrito no me encantó y causó que demorara muchos días, más de los que generalmente me toma, terminar este libro.
Sobre los personajes, no me encantó ninguno, tampoco me desagradaron pero no siento que hayan sido desarrollados lo suficiente.
-comienzo muy abrupto
-muchos puntos de vista sin especificar que hacían que me perdiera y no supiera de quien era el POV que leía
-POVs innecesarios que llevaron a cosas que me parecieron que no añadían a la trama principal y tendía a terminar salteándomelas
-me hubiera gustado que explorara más el mundo y la magia, que fueron elementos que estaban en la historia pero podría haber sido lo mismo si no estuvieran. Tal vez el segundo libro cambie.
-en general la forma en que está escrito no me encantó y causó que demorara muchos días, más de los que generalmente me toma, terminar este libro.
Sobre los personajes, no me encantó ninguno, tampoco me desagradaron pero no siento que hayan sido desarrollados lo suficiente.
June 5, 2018
Elves, changelings, mobster, murderer to be caught. Etain is a tattoo artist, which is a manifestation of her gifts, who falls for not one but two sexy men. Cathal isn't sure about sharing but he's sure about Etain. They are both needed t o protect her as she helps catch a vicious rapist/murderer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2020
I'd say the only thing that I didn't like about this book was that I got all the way to the end...and found out that it really didn't have an ending. There was a book two. The story was great, fun, sexy, and all the fun paranormal surprises you'd expect. I'll definitely put book two on my wishlist.
February 10, 2023
DNF 40%
Great concept of a story and promising characters. For me the writing didn't work out. The POV changed rapidly without any context, it was a back and forth. Some things aren't well explained and all that led to me not being able to enjoy the story.
And as the series ends at book II unfinished, I decided to stop it.
Great concept of a story and promising characters. For me the writing didn't work out. The POV changed rapidly without any context, it was a back and forth. Some things aren't well explained and all that led to me not being able to enjoy the story.
And as the series ends at book II unfinished, I decided to stop it.
August 8, 2016
Suspense, Mystery, Fantasy, Mob, Murder, Erotica This book has it all. I was interested in the story from the beginning when reading about it without the fantasy. There are a ton of books alone that focus on a suspenseful mystery murder story with a sexy mob character (that's a mouthful!) and are great as is. But, when the story started incorporating magic and fantasy, it became something more. The characters were rich had a depth to them as people as well as the story. Although there was a lot of going on within the story, I never felt it muddled or too confusing. Although there is still a lot to be expected.
Characters:
The main female protagonist was amazing. She was strong and fierce in a not in your face way. A lot of times, especially with an increase in strong females in books, I feel that they can sometimes be portrayed as invincible and super kickass it's unrealistic or, stereotypical, and one-dimensional. With Etaín, she is both strong when needing to be and sensitive at the right moments. She was never annoyingly dumb or too high-strong. She's strong and fierce in an 'I don't over flaunt it to the point of exhausting you, I'm actually this badass without trying,' way. Plus, she's very independent and at the same time, doesn't shy away from some loving. Although we don't get a lot of character development from her, I hope that, based on the way the story is heading, that will change in the sequel.
The two male protagonists, Eamon and Cathal are very different from each other. It was very refreshing to see the different ways they thought and would imagine their relationship with Etaín to be like. Based on the characteristics of both of them, Eamon is more of a dominant alpha male who wants things done his way. Whereas Cathal's personality towards Etaín is more beta, in that as long as she's happy he's happy but he's still possessive with her. Which was amusing to read given how strongly independent and stubborn Etaín is. Given this, I feel Etaín might be drawn more to Cathal for the simple fact that he allows her more freedom, and when she learns of the plans Eamon has in store for her, she's more than likely to reject him. But, given her transformation to Elf nearing and her powers increasing beyond control, she might have to concede to his demands. Also, given that she's experienced and has had more time with Cathal, I feel her bond is greater. Since the book had a subplot within the subplot involving Cathal and his mob family. Though I feel the sequel will also focus more on Eamon since all the magic and fantasy plot holes need to be filled.
As for the side characters, although there wasn't anything too in depth on them, I really enjoyed Liam and Eamon's relationship. It gave us another, more playful side to Eamon. As well as a sneak peak at his title of 'Lord.' Hopefully, we'll get to see more of Liam in the sequel. I like how he's already very protective of Etaín, as the future consort and 'Lady,' to Eamon and him or so they hope.
As for the other subplot mentioned, the murder and mystery aspect in the book. I really liked the chapters were we got inside in on the rapists and murderers going around. It was creepy as hell but very well written, it was hard not too hurt when reading all the incidents.
As for the erotic aspect of the book. I would say it did not fail in that regard. Given how heavy plot focused it is, I was very surprised it managed to work in a lot of sexy and hot and heavy scenes. Usually when a story tries to do both, one ends up lacking. There were plenty of moments and scenes where the characters got steamy and even partook once in ménage à trois. But, it never strayed too far from the plot and the issues going on in the book. Hopefully, the sequel will continue this into it.
Problems:
Although the story was great, it didn't give me the need to read it non-stop. It hooked me but didn't grab me. Usually, a five-star rating on a book means, I can't put it down. Although I was thinking about the story throughout the day, I could and did put it down multiple times. That being said I did find the story a bit lacking with the plot in regards to an explanation on Etaín's background and the whole fantasy and magic aspect. One second I find myself reading a story about humans and them BAM! we find out she has certain powers or magic. At first, I was put off by the sudden intro to it but found it intriguing. Given that, I chose to ignore the lack of an explanation with a sequel. Hoping that all will be revealed and explained there.
The only last issue was the ending. Although it did leave off on a great and a bit of a whiplash cliffhanger, I felt it was too rushed. After all the bad guys were dealt with finished and bam it was over. I would have like a little more given the cercumstance Etaín found herself near the end.
I give this story a 4 out of 5 stars only because of how well it managed to balance all the genre's and plots going on in the story. I was also well written and steamy when needed to be as well as suspenseful enough to come back for more.
Characters:
The main female protagonist was amazing. She was strong and fierce in a not in your face way. A lot of times, especially with an increase in strong females in books, I feel that they can sometimes be portrayed as invincible and super kickass it's unrealistic or, stereotypical, and one-dimensional. With Etaín, she is both strong when needing to be and sensitive at the right moments. She was never annoyingly dumb or too high-strong. She's strong and fierce in an 'I don't over flaunt it to the point of exhausting you, I'm actually this badass without trying,' way. Plus, she's very independent and at the same time, doesn't shy away from some loving. Although we don't get a lot of character development from her, I hope that, based on the way the story is heading, that will change in the sequel.
The two male protagonists, Eamon and Cathal are very different from each other. It was very refreshing to see the different ways they thought and would imagine their relationship with Etaín to be like. Based on the characteristics of both of them, Eamon is more of a dominant alpha male who wants things done his way. Whereas Cathal's personality towards Etaín is more beta, in that as long as she's happy he's happy but he's still possessive with her. Which was amusing to read given how strongly independent and stubborn Etaín is. Given this, I feel Etaín might be drawn more to Cathal for the simple fact that he allows her more freedom, and when she learns of the plans Eamon has in store for her, she's more than likely to reject him. But, given her transformation to Elf nearing and her powers increasing beyond control, she might have to concede to his demands. Also, given that she's experienced and has had more time with Cathal, I feel her bond is greater. Since the book had a subplot within the subplot involving Cathal and his mob family. Though I feel the sequel will also focus more on Eamon since all the magic and fantasy plot holes need to be filled.
As for the side characters, although there wasn't anything too in depth on them, I really enjoyed Liam and Eamon's relationship. It gave us another, more playful side to Eamon. As well as a sneak peak at his title of 'Lord.' Hopefully, we'll get to see more of Liam in the sequel. I like how he's already very protective of Etaín, as the future consort and 'Lady,' to Eamon and him or so they hope.
As for the other subplot mentioned, the murder and mystery aspect in the book. I really liked the chapters were we got inside in on the rapists and murderers going around. It was creepy as hell but very well written, it was hard not too hurt when reading all the incidents.
As for the erotic aspect of the book. I would say it did not fail in that regard. Given how heavy plot focused it is, I was very surprised it managed to work in a lot of sexy and hot and heavy scenes. Usually when a story tries to do both, one ends up lacking. There were plenty of moments and scenes where the characters got steamy and even partook once in ménage à trois. But, it never strayed too far from the plot and the issues going on in the book. Hopefully, the sequel will continue this into it.
Problems:
Although the story was great, it didn't give me the need to read it non-stop. It hooked me but didn't grab me. Usually, a five-star rating on a book means, I can't put it down. Although I was thinking about the story throughout the day, I could and did put it down multiple times. That being said I did find the story a bit lacking with the plot in regards to an explanation on Etaín's background and the whole fantasy and magic aspect. One second I find myself reading a story about humans and them BAM! we find out she has certain powers or magic. At first, I was put off by the sudden intro to it but found it intriguing. Given that, I chose to ignore the lack of an explanation with a sequel. Hoping that all will be revealed and explained there.
The only last issue was the ending. Although it did leave off on a great and a bit of a whiplash cliffhanger, I felt it was too rushed. After all the bad guys were dealt with finished and bam it was over. I would have like a little more given the cercumstance Etaín found herself near the end.
I give this story a 4 out of 5 stars only because of how well it managed to balance all the genre's and plots going on in the story. I was also well written and steamy when needed to be as well as suspenseful enough to come back for more.
April 10, 2018
I read the entire thing thinking at some point Eamon would stop being a stalkerish jerk. Didn't happen.
August 15, 2012
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Dark and sensual tale about a magical tattooist and the two men who want her.
Opening Sentence: Fog turned the cemetery into shades of black and gray.
The Review:
Etaín is as exotic as her name implies. She is a strong, independent woman and a gifted tattoo artist. She also has the rare ability to read memories and emotions via skin. This ability makes her an invaluable asset to her brother in the FBI by helping get information from traumatized victims, most recently targeted by the Harlequin Rapist. Her involvement has always been kept a secret, but her gifts have become known to others with their own brand of justice in mind.
Etaín’s life is her own. She is estranged from the family that raised her, except for the occasional work with her brother. Her talents are fulfilling and allow her to help those in need of her particular abilities with great personal and physical sacrifice. Etaín does what she can to make the world a better place, whether inking a memorial tattoo or reliving the memories of a victim of abuse, without thought of personal gain. She is also very comfortable in her sexuality. So when she finds herself drawn to two different men, she just goes with it. There is no internal war over which she should choose. This could be from her unknown heritage or from years of neglect from her family. These attributes make for an unforgettable character.
Lord Eamon is a faerie in charge of the local Territory that Etaín lives in, hidden from human eyes. The first time he sees Etaín, he knows her as the changeling she is; she is one of his people. His physical responses to her and her rare talent make her an ideal wife-consort. He starts his campaign to win her over, but not necessarily away from his supposed rival, Cathal Dunne. He is far more accepting of Etaín having multiple partners, if that is what her magic requires. Though he lets on that he can help her control her magic, we don’t see much progression of it in this book. His aloofness makes him seem more arrogant than anything else. I look forward to learning more about Eamon and seeing more emotional growth from him.
Cathal Dunne is a human and a fascinating character. His family and their “business practices” make for divided loyalties for Cathal. The only reason he gets involved with Etaín to begin with is on their behalf. After spending time with her, he must decide what is more important to him, his family or the woman that seems to be stealing bits of his heart; one piece at a time. The relationship he is forced to have with Eamon is most confusing to Cathal. He wants to see Eamon as a rival, not as a partner in bringing Etaín the most amount of pleasure she can experience. He struggles with the idea of sharing. Can he reconcile his feelings before he loses the only woman he may ever love?
The sexual nature of this book far from tepid. If the guys were food: Cathal would be chocolate, sweet and bitter and addictive, while Eamon would be more like caramel, thick and delicious slowly spread over the skin. The two of them make for a delicious duo that any woman would be nuts to deny.
The plot of this story is about taking down the Harlequin Rapist; a man that has his sights on Etaín being his next conquest. While Etaín does what she can to help, Eamon hints that she can no longer control her magic like she has in the past. It hints of a destiny for Etaín far above what she ever had pictured for herself. With two hotties helping her out, what could possibly go wrong?
Overall, this was a good book; dark and sensual without losing the plot. I look forward to more from the Inked Magic World.
Notable Scene:
The dress fell away easily, becoming a silky pool of dark blue at her feet and leaving her in heels alone. “Dinner was a torment for me,” he murmured against her lips. “Sitting, making casual conversation, eating, all the while knowing you wore nothing beneath the dress I’d given you.”
“Most would say you brought it on yourself.”
Her hands went to the front of his shirt, fingers taking their time over each button as the fabric slowly parted to reveal smooth flesh and small, hardened nipples. She brushed her thumbs over them and was rewarded by the catch of his breath and a flush of need across his cheeks.
“Is this my punishment then?” he asked.
She kissed downward, tongue replacing the pad of her thumb, hands free to undo his belt and pants. “You tell me.”
FTC Advisory: Penguin / Berkley graciously provided me with a copy of Inked Magic. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
Quick & Dirty: Dark and sensual tale about a magical tattooist and the two men who want her.
Opening Sentence: Fog turned the cemetery into shades of black and gray.
The Review:
Etaín is as exotic as her name implies. She is a strong, independent woman and a gifted tattoo artist. She also has the rare ability to read memories and emotions via skin. This ability makes her an invaluable asset to her brother in the FBI by helping get information from traumatized victims, most recently targeted by the Harlequin Rapist. Her involvement has always been kept a secret, but her gifts have become known to others with their own brand of justice in mind.
Etaín’s life is her own. She is estranged from the family that raised her, except for the occasional work with her brother. Her talents are fulfilling and allow her to help those in need of her particular abilities with great personal and physical sacrifice. Etaín does what she can to make the world a better place, whether inking a memorial tattoo or reliving the memories of a victim of abuse, without thought of personal gain. She is also very comfortable in her sexuality. So when she finds herself drawn to two different men, she just goes with it. There is no internal war over which she should choose. This could be from her unknown heritage or from years of neglect from her family. These attributes make for an unforgettable character.
Lord Eamon is a faerie in charge of the local Territory that Etaín lives in, hidden from human eyes. The first time he sees Etaín, he knows her as the changeling she is; she is one of his people. His physical responses to her and her rare talent make her an ideal wife-consort. He starts his campaign to win her over, but not necessarily away from his supposed rival, Cathal Dunne. He is far more accepting of Etaín having multiple partners, if that is what her magic requires. Though he lets on that he can help her control her magic, we don’t see much progression of it in this book. His aloofness makes him seem more arrogant than anything else. I look forward to learning more about Eamon and seeing more emotional growth from him.
Cathal Dunne is a human and a fascinating character. His family and their “business practices” make for divided loyalties for Cathal. The only reason he gets involved with Etaín to begin with is on their behalf. After spending time with her, he must decide what is more important to him, his family or the woman that seems to be stealing bits of his heart; one piece at a time. The relationship he is forced to have with Eamon is most confusing to Cathal. He wants to see Eamon as a rival, not as a partner in bringing Etaín the most amount of pleasure she can experience. He struggles with the idea of sharing. Can he reconcile his feelings before he loses the only woman he may ever love?
The sexual nature of this book far from tepid. If the guys were food: Cathal would be chocolate, sweet and bitter and addictive, while Eamon would be more like caramel, thick and delicious slowly spread over the skin. The two of them make for a delicious duo that any woman would be nuts to deny.
The plot of this story is about taking down the Harlequin Rapist; a man that has his sights on Etaín being his next conquest. While Etaín does what she can to help, Eamon hints that she can no longer control her magic like she has in the past. It hints of a destiny for Etaín far above what she ever had pictured for herself. With two hotties helping her out, what could possibly go wrong?
Overall, this was a good book; dark and sensual without losing the plot. I look forward to more from the Inked Magic World.
Notable Scene:
The dress fell away easily, becoming a silky pool of dark blue at her feet and leaving her in heels alone. “Dinner was a torment for me,” he murmured against her lips. “Sitting, making casual conversation, eating, all the while knowing you wore nothing beneath the dress I’d given you.”
“Most would say you brought it on yourself.”
Her hands went to the front of his shirt, fingers taking their time over each button as the fabric slowly parted to reveal smooth flesh and small, hardened nipples. She brushed her thumbs over them and was rewarded by the catch of his breath and a flush of need across his cheeks.
“Is this my punishment then?” he asked.
She kissed downward, tongue replacing the pad of her thumb, hands free to undo his belt and pants. “You tell me.”
FTC Advisory: Penguin / Berkley graciously provided me with a copy of Inked Magic. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
February 8, 2012
Title: * Inked Magic
Author: Jory Strong
Series: 1st in series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Format: paperback
Date/Year: 2/2012
Reviewed by: ElaineReads
*This book was provided to me by the publisher for review.
Summary from the publisher:
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
My Musings:
First off, let me say I am a big fan of Jory Strong’s books. My favorite series is Supernatural Bonds . . . or Crime Tells . . . or maybe, Fallon Mates. Anyway, I love her books. Inked Magic is the beginning of a new paranormal series and I am already longing for the next book.
Etain is a changeling elf although she thinks she is human. She knows she has the gift of seeing crimes through the victim’s eyes, but she does not associate it with magic. Cathal, who really is a human, needs her to find his cousin’s rapists. The final member of the menage is a full Elf Lord named Eamon.
The only character I really liked is Etain. She uses her gift to help others even though it makes her extremely ill. Her family has abandoned her unless they need her help, but that has not stopped her from making a new family of friends. These friends have wonderful and distinctive personalities and I cannot wait to meet them again in subsequent books.
I really did not care for Cathal. He originally approached Etain in order to use her gifts. Although he did end up falling in love with her, he never appeared to really want to love her. Eamon, however, accepted her as his forever wife from the first meeting. Part of that was a power play due to her gifts, but I felt that he actually cared for her.
The storyline was engrossing with a number of subplots woven into it. Many of these were addressed in the book, but a few were left for the sequels. There a number of characters that I want to read their story. Etain’s brother definitely needs his own book.
The sex scenes were handled well. They were explicit without being coarse. My only concern was that the book is classified as a MFM menage and it was really more of a sharing relationship than a true menage. I expected the three of them to have sex together at some point which I do not remember happening.
As I previously stated, Jory Strong is a favorite author of mine. Inked Magic is another addition to her long line of wonderful books. She is already writing the sequel and I cannot wait for it to be published.
Author: Jory Strong
Series: 1st in series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Format: paperback
Date/Year: 2/2012
Reviewed by: ElaineReads
*This book was provided to me by the publisher for review.
Summary from the publisher:
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
My Musings:
First off, let me say I am a big fan of Jory Strong’s books. My favorite series is Supernatural Bonds . . . or Crime Tells . . . or maybe, Fallon Mates. Anyway, I love her books. Inked Magic is the beginning of a new paranormal series and I am already longing for the next book.
Etain is a changeling elf although she thinks she is human. She knows she has the gift of seeing crimes through the victim’s eyes, but she does not associate it with magic. Cathal, who really is a human, needs her to find his cousin’s rapists. The final member of the menage is a full Elf Lord named Eamon.
The only character I really liked is Etain. She uses her gift to help others even though it makes her extremely ill. Her family has abandoned her unless they need her help, but that has not stopped her from making a new family of friends. These friends have wonderful and distinctive personalities and I cannot wait to meet them again in subsequent books.
I really did not care for Cathal. He originally approached Etain in order to use her gifts. Although he did end up falling in love with her, he never appeared to really want to love her. Eamon, however, accepted her as his forever wife from the first meeting. Part of that was a power play due to her gifts, but I felt that he actually cared for her.
The storyline was engrossing with a number of subplots woven into it. Many of these were addressed in the book, but a few were left for the sequels. There a number of characters that I want to read their story. Etain’s brother definitely needs his own book.
The sex scenes were handled well. They were explicit without being coarse. My only concern was that the book is classified as a MFM menage and it was really more of a sharing relationship than a true menage. I expected the three of them to have sex together at some point which I do not remember happening.
As I previously stated, Jory Strong is a favorite author of mine. Inked Magic is another addition to her long line of wonderful books. She is already writing the sequel and I cannot wait for it to be published.
April 23, 2013
My friend let me borrow a copy of this book because she thought I would be interested in the threesome scene. Those were the expectations I had when I started reading this book.
Inked Magic made a decent attempt at a plot that didn't revolve entirely around sex. However, the characters spent so much time thinking about sex, having sex, or wondering when they were going to have sex next, that there were times it was difficult to remember that Etain had growing magical powers or that there was a rapist on the loose. Unfortunately, the book was also highly repetitive at times. There are only so many ways an alpha male can express how much he has to have this character right now on his terms before you're just hoping that she ultimately ends up leaving both of them.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment with this book revolves around the rapist subplot. On the other hand, you would think with Cathal's cousin having been raped that the book would be a little more self-aware about rape issues. Yet, Cathal tells Etain that if she shows up at his club in a mini-skirt, he won't be able to control himself. I don't care if she acts like she wants you now, I don't care what she's wearing, if she tells you no later you better damn well keep it in your pants. Obviously because of the nature of the book, she was still going to want him later, but that doesn't give him the right to say something like that to her.
The book does gain a star for amusement factor alone. Like, everyone in this town is massively endowed. Now, I can understand having the heroes well-endowed, even if I don't necessarily agree with it. But commenting on the size of the gay guy who's never going to show up again? Our sex-crazed heroine doesn't even have a chance with this guy, and she still has to mention the size of the bulge in his pants. What happened to all the guys with average sized dicks? Did they take one look at the man standing next to them and just decided to go jump off a bridge?
As for the promised sex scene, well, I was disappointed. Since they're all having sex from the beginning of the book, the "payoff" scene in this novel was the threesome scene, and it ended up falling flat. Seriously, it was like two one-on-one sex scenes fused together with the other alpha male hovering in the background and tagged a threesome. I was expecting something a little more, I don't know, daring? It was pretty much the idle of what a man thinks a m/f/m sex scene should be like, and I was rather disappointed. They just, took turns. It was boring. And since the book had already been inundated with other one-on-one sex scenes, it didn't feel like much of a payoff either.
Inked Magic is entertaining enough for a summer read, but ultimately I was left wanting something more from this book. Maybe the sequel will give it to me.
Inked Magic made a decent attempt at a plot that didn't revolve entirely around sex. However, the characters spent so much time thinking about sex, having sex, or wondering when they were going to have sex next, that there were times it was difficult to remember that Etain had growing magical powers or that there was a rapist on the loose. Unfortunately, the book was also highly repetitive at times. There are only so many ways an alpha male can express how much he has to have this character right now on his terms before you're just hoping that she ultimately ends up leaving both of them.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment with this book revolves around the rapist subplot. On the other hand, you would think with Cathal's cousin having been raped that the book would be a little more self-aware about rape issues. Yet, Cathal tells Etain that if she shows up at his club in a mini-skirt, he won't be able to control himself. I don't care if she acts like she wants you now, I don't care what she's wearing, if she tells you no later you better damn well keep it in your pants. Obviously because of the nature of the book, she was still going to want him later, but that doesn't give him the right to say something like that to her.
The book does gain a star for amusement factor alone. Like, everyone in this town is massively endowed. Now, I can understand having the heroes well-endowed, even if I don't necessarily agree with it. But commenting on the size of the gay guy who's never going to show up again? Our sex-crazed heroine doesn't even have a chance with this guy, and she still has to mention the size of the bulge in his pants. What happened to all the guys with average sized dicks? Did they take one look at the man standing next to them and just decided to go jump off a bridge?
As for the promised sex scene, well, I was disappointed. Since they're all having sex from the beginning of the book, the "payoff" scene in this novel was the threesome scene, and it ended up falling flat. Seriously, it was like two one-on-one sex scenes fused together with the other alpha male hovering in the background and tagged a threesome. I was expecting something a little more, I don't know, daring? It was pretty much the idle of what a man thinks a m/f/m sex scene should be like, and I was rather disappointed. They just, took turns. It was boring. And since the book had already been inundated with other one-on-one sex scenes, it didn't feel like much of a payoff either.
Inked Magic is entertaining enough for a summer read, but ultimately I was left wanting something more from this book. Maybe the sequel will give it to me.
May 20, 2012
Like intertwined vines of ivy Strong has woven together elements of paranormal, fantasy, magic and romance. Each holding part of the story in their own way, but when combined create something new and irresistible. Inked Magic is so much more than an erotica book. The story line is rich and deep enough to keep you entranced, it just gets broken up with steamy scenes every now and then.
There is so much more to Etaín than we have been shown, even more than she herself knows. There is a lot of story in this first book, plenty of action (revenge in the form of murder and a serial rapist for example) and truths reviled. But there are also plenty of questions; like who is her father, what are the symbols in her tattoos, what is happening to her magic and the links she is forming with Cathal and Eamon? So many more and we have to wait for the next book to see if we get any answers.
Of course there is one who seems to know many of the answers regarding Etaín, Eamon. He is the blond god who shares the same heritage as Etaín and therefore has their peoples knowledge. So far he has given her small hints in an effort to draw her to him. After the life threatening events at the end of Inked Magic we will have to see if Eamon decides on a more direct approach.
On the other had you have Cathal, the dark and sexy Irish man. He has already made his choice, and his arms prove it. A tough choice for him, though choice may be stretching it a bit. Cathal was connected to Etaín the moment their gazes connected, a well written moment and one that changed the lives of both of them. Now it will be fun to see how he reacts to the magical revelations that are sure to come from Eamon.
Yes this is an erotic romance, but don’t let that stop you from picking it up. Or if your going for that then sit back and enjoy, it is great! But if you are looking for more than just steamy scenes this book has it. And if you happen to hold a fascination for anything fae this is a great new take on them, and one that will hopefully be expounded in the next book, Inked Destiny.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
There is so much more to Etaín than we have been shown, even more than she herself knows. There is a lot of story in this first book, plenty of action (revenge in the form of murder and a serial rapist for example) and truths reviled. But there are also plenty of questions; like who is her father, what are the symbols in her tattoos, what is happening to her magic and the links she is forming with Cathal and Eamon? So many more and we have to wait for the next book to see if we get any answers.
Of course there is one who seems to know many of the answers regarding Etaín, Eamon. He is the blond god who shares the same heritage as Etaín and therefore has their peoples knowledge. So far he has given her small hints in an effort to draw her to him. After the life threatening events at the end of Inked Magic we will have to see if Eamon decides on a more direct approach.
On the other had you have Cathal, the dark and sexy Irish man. He has already made his choice, and his arms prove it. A tough choice for him, though choice may be stretching it a bit. Cathal was connected to Etaín the moment their gazes connected, a well written moment and one that changed the lives of both of them. Now it will be fun to see how he reacts to the magical revelations that are sure to come from Eamon.
Yes this is an erotic romance, but don’t let that stop you from picking it up. Or if your going for that then sit back and enjoy, it is great! But if you are looking for more than just steamy scenes this book has it. And if you happen to hold a fascination for anything fae this is a great new take on them, and one that will hopefully be expounded in the next book, Inked Destiny.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
November 20, 2015
Throughout the book I have to say it was too much sexual energy, a bit blunt about it actually. Yet at the same time it was a beautiful book that at times I had to put down because it was too much, and at others I couldn't put down because it was not enough. I swung back and forth about my rating for this book but its a solid 3.5 but I'll give it a 4. The characters were strong and well thought out. They come alive upon the pages and their worries and lust easily recognizable as a burning desire and whirling emotion. This story did have substance, Etain was helping the FBI find a rapist and whether they were using her as bait or if they were truly just using her for her talents is up for debate. I don't know what to think about her family but I know I'm not happy with them at all. Family should stick together - even if one is proven not to be a biological match. Using family for the sake of using them is wrong, although the brother does show some emotion towards her besides frigid coldness there wasn't enough there for me to tell, for Etain to tell, if it was real of feigned. Even so, she has two wonderful men at her back. Granted they were at odds throughout most of the book (which disappointed me) they did stand up for her (even if they had their own motives) and they came through for her in the end. My favorite was Eamon, he just had that air around him I found so enticing, while Cathal was a passionate burning inferno dangerous and consuming, Eamon was the comfort of a hearth fire contained but not without it's dangers.
I do have to say I did not like the way the book ended. Does she survive? DOES SHE? I want to see her powers develop and solidify and their relationship consolidate and fall into a steady rhythm of if it burns up in flames over her. Or because of Cathal. Do they become a threesome? I hate how that was barely answered. It looks as if it might, but there was no real solid evidence. I'm truly conflicted about this. Sometimes it is fun to draw your own conclusions but this book left me hungry for more!
Also, I see now there is a book two. I now must go hunting. A-hunting I go.
I do have to say I did not like the way the book ended. Does she survive? DOES SHE? I want to see her powers develop and solidify and their relationship consolidate and fall into a steady rhythm of if it burns up in flames over her. Or because of Cathal. Do they become a threesome? I hate how that was barely answered. It looks as if it might, but there was no real solid evidence. I'm truly conflicted about this. Sometimes it is fun to draw your own conclusions but this book left me hungry for more!
Also, I see now there is a book two. I now must go hunting. A-hunting I go.
June 9, 2014
Two strong men and one strong woman make for an interesting story - throw in a serial rapist and the mob and it gets even more interesting. Etain doesn't do relationships - she hasn't since her mysterious "gift" caused problems. She can see and feel things - things she doesn't always want to see and feel. But she does the best she can with it, uses it to help others as much as she can. Etain is so bad ass that she was a bit much. I wish she had been a little more real. She was a motor cycle riding, tattoo artist, magic wielding, tough girl that didn't seem to be afraid of much of anything.
Cathal and Eamon are both strong controlling men that don't really like to share. Somehow Etain manages to have her way with them without making the seem any less masculine. Their tenderness and care for her made them some amazing leading men. I liked that one of them struggled for a long time with the idea of sharing her with the other. But Etain needs them both, for different reasons.
The story unfolds around Etains budding and developing abilities, the search for the Harlequin Rapist, and Cathal's mission to find who is responsible for his counsin's attack. Three big storyline manage to converge very nicely and wrap around each other very well. Although at first I thought the Harlequin Rapist was the one Cathal was after as well, but I think that's because I midread something.
There are some fairly dark scenes in this book, especially when dealing with the victims of the rapes. While there are no very detailed scenes of the attack, the emotional impact and impression is very tangible. The author handled this very sensitive subject with taste, but with honesty as well. This book had a definite noir feeling to it. I pictured the scenes in dark tones with flashes of vibrant colors. Book two, Inked Destiny, in on the shelf waiting for me.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/0...
Cathal and Eamon are both strong controlling men that don't really like to share. Somehow Etain manages to have her way with them without making the seem any less masculine. Their tenderness and care for her made them some amazing leading men. I liked that one of them struggled for a long time with the idea of sharing her with the other. But Etain needs them both, for different reasons.
The story unfolds around Etains budding and developing abilities, the search for the Harlequin Rapist, and Cathal's mission to find who is responsible for his counsin's attack. Three big storyline manage to converge very nicely and wrap around each other very well. Although at first I thought the Harlequin Rapist was the one Cathal was after as well, but I think that's because I midread something.
There are some fairly dark scenes in this book, especially when dealing with the victims of the rapes. While there are no very detailed scenes of the attack, the emotional impact and impression is very tangible. The author handled this very sensitive subject with taste, but with honesty as well. This book had a definite noir feeling to it. I pictured the scenes in dark tones with flashes of vibrant colors. Book two, Inked Destiny, in on the shelf waiting for me.
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/0...
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