Tattoo My Heart - Book One of the VANISHED Series Sexy tattoo artist and reality star Lucas Abbott grew up in the foster care system, endlessly moving from home to home. He grew up without love and has convinced himself he doesn't need it. He's built the life he needs - he has his shop, his show, and his friends. He doesn't need his biological family; he doesn't need anyone else. And then he meets Dr. Ashland Carrington. She knows nothing about his television show, fame, or complicated family dynamics, and she changes everything. He's unprepared for her effect on him and is immediately drawn to the beautiful doctor. Thrown together by a sudden act of violence, the two learn more about each other, and their bond deepens. Can she convince him he can trust her and her feelings for him? When someone in their lives doesn't want them together and starts making that known in scary and violent ways, will they figure out who it is before it's too late? Then Ash faces a career-defining offer. Will their love be enough to overcome the obstacles? Or will this be the ultimate thing that tears them apart?
About The VANISHED Series Welcome to Vanished Tattoos, where the artists are as sexy and colorful as the ink they design. Lucas Abbott grew up in the foster care system, endlessly moving from home to home and non family to non family. The only constants in his life were his sometimes explosive anger, artistic talent, and best friend, fellow foster kid, Jax. Despite the odds, Lucas earns himself a spot, and wins the reality show Top Ink. Unfortunately, learning his biological family is the rich and powerful Abbotts, only ends up causing more betrayal, reinforcing Luke's distrust of most people. But he's proven he doesn't need their money or power. His popularity on Top Ink allows him to start his own spin-off reality show and launch his own shop, Vanished. It's taken years, but he's built a life he can be proud of. He has his talent, his shop, and his friends. He doesn't need family or love. And then Ash walks into his shop. Jackson "Jax" Hall owes his life to his childhood friend Lucas Abbott and, more recently, to the love of Lucas's life, Dr. Ash Carrington. He's left behind the violent and shady dealings in his past and has vowed to have Luke's back, no matter what. Unfortunately, someone from his past isn't as willing to let things go, and Jax will have to risk everything to keep his vow. Logan Dahl is used to fighting for everything she's gotten in life. Working in the male-dominated field of tattooing, she's worked her ass off to be taken seriously, and it's paid off. She's now a member of Vanished, successful both as a tattoo artist and a reality star. But she's haunted by a tragic mystery in her past and she will let nothing and no one stop her from solving it. Macy O'Neill is perfectly content with his life. He's got family, friends, a brilliant career. And as many women as he wants. When tragedy strikes and his life is left unrecognizable, he'll need his Vanished family more than ever to come through the challenges.
About the Author Author, blogger, traveler, tea-drinker. Stacey Lynn Hafner likes to take photographs, she likes 80s dance parties, and loves apocalypse movies. She dreams of being multi-lingual and is currently very far from that goal, though she's always on the lookout for a new world adventure. She occasionally yogas, thinks Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the best TV show ever made (Veronica Mars a very close second), and has been a closeted romantic for years. Tattoo My Heart is her coming out debut.
A few months ago my friend DMed me saying her friend wrote a book, and that she thinks I’d like it! So off to KU I went. It sat on my kindle for a few months and I found myself in a reading slump so I dove in, hoping that a new author and a new book would help shake out the cobwebs.
It was a bit of a slow start to catch my interest (I didn’t even realize there were tattoo reality shows out there - I say as “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” plays in the background), but Lucas and Ash grew on me in the best way: through sheer trauma bonding.
The writing is good - chapters have dual POV within them which makes it feel like super short chapters. The characters are flawed but try their best to make better choices (sometimes) and it makes you fall in love with this chosen family. Can’t wait to see what Jax has to say in the next book!!
Loved this book. My favorite type of romance novel is a sexy, sweet adventure. I've found all three of those here! There's romance, mystery, and some action. I also loved the underlying theme of "chosen family" and the depth that added to the story. The main characters are great and the supporting characters are well-rounded, too. I'm excited for the next in the series!
I was at a Christmas party where a friend recommended this book written by her friend @staceyiswriting. Her husband chimed in that he had also read the book and really liked it and was surprised that it had a plot. Ahhhh, sweet cis, hetero male, your epiphany that romance does not equal porn is so cute…now run off and go read some ice planet alien smut, you will be surprised that it too has a plot (and blue horned penises- double score!!).
Lucas is a famous tattoo artist with a reality show about his tattoo parlor. He’s edgy and broody and has lots of tats, which means one thing…he’s a softy with a dark past and abandonment issues who excels at giving pleasure (obvi). Ash is a trauma surgeon who never seems to be on call, work late hours, or work weekends (that’s sus). Ash and Lucas meet when she comes into his tattoo parlor for a bachelorette party, but then gets held at gunpoint and helps his friend when he gets shot. They become trauma bonded instantly and their horniness carries them through all the stresses that come as the book unfolds. Your friend got shot…let’s make out. Ash has a creepy stalker- let’s fuck the fear away. Leaked sex tape- nothing a little blowie can’t fix. It’s a healthy way to deal with stress, bc talking about our problems is lame and boring to read about.
There’s lots of suspense and drama in this book which I always enjoy. I love my smut with a side of danger. There’s armed robbery, arson, stalking, kidnapping, and even cupcakes that spell “WHORE” (please take note friends, my bday is in April). I’m always a fan of a heroine in need of rescue and a post rescue lovemaking sesh. Overall this was a great read and I look forward to more danger banging with tattooed hotties in the rest of the series! Def recommend!
Smut- 3.02 stars Romance- 4.64 stars Story- 4.51 stars The realization that romance books are not porn (well some of them are, but that’s great too)- 17.89 stars
Oooooooh myyyyy gooodnesssssss. I’m obsessed. In love. Can’t get over this book.
I was HOOKED in the first chapter. It was full of action (not spice lol) and kept me wanting more. He falls first, she’s a badass, and they have regular names. What more can you ask for?
FMC Ash is a total badass. She’s a surgeon and knows self defense - serious girl power. She also knows when to take a step back and listen, giving space when needed.
Lucas? Tatted bad boy with a broken past. What else is there to say? Oh, maybe that he’s beautiful and protective? And will do anything for Ash? Ugh swoon.
This book contains romance, Thriller / mystery, AND spice! It’s all woven together so perfectly. Ash & Lucas were a TEAM and were fiercely loyal to each other. I fell in love with them instantly.
Loved this book, was sent an early copy to review.
If you love racy romantic novels with a fast paced storyline this is a great one to pick up. A very hot tattoo artist and beautiful, intelligent doctor cross paths on a dramatic hen party. Things take a turn that night and changes the destiny of both people.
The main characters are both likeable and fun, with a big focus on family. Family being those by blood or you choose to have as family. Many ups and down with themes of medical emergencies, stalking, family, lust and fame.
The sex scenes are hot and heavy but great and not cheesy as many novels are. One for all the ladies out there to enjoy and men to learn from...
The author ripped open my heart and made me feel all the things! Luke was so genuine, so sexy, and so sweet. I absolutely LOVED him. Ash was strong, capable, and innocent. Together they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Lots of spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
When they started dating, they had to overcome fears that had scarred them in the past. Drama popped up at every corner. There are some twists in this book that I honestly did not see coming.
I loved that this book had a happy ending. I also loved that you don’t read the typical epilogue of marriage and kids. (Most likely to save room for the other books in the series.) fantastic writing! Heart-wrenching story. Must read!
When I read the prologue I was hooked. Lucas was raised in foster care his whole life then out of know where he finds out he is a lost family member of the Abbotts. The story line for that has a great start, wish it got into that story line about Lucas's mom and what happened to her.
Love the dual POV and how it flowed made it a more believable read.
We have Lucas and Ash they are perfect for each other, the way they build their relationship it was believable. I would say the drama of who is stalking Lucas and Ash was good.
I loved this book. It’s fun, engrossing, steamy, fully-formed, keeps you on your toes, and did I mention steamy? ;) I’m kind of amazed this is the authors first novel. I could really see the characters, they felt like people we would know and could relate to. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
This book is a GIFT to women everywhere. Ash and Lucas are not only hot (and hot for each other), they both know exactly what they want and they go for it. I could not put this book down; the sexy scenes are - ahem - inspiring, the danger and mystery are gripping, and the relationships with their friends are so fun to be a part of.
I actually loved this book. I found myself very invested in every character. I love the build-up and the friendships. It was a good read. The spicy scenes were good and not over the top. The only thing I didn't care for was good or ended. I wanted so much more at the end. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I loved this book. So fun. So engaging. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were relatable, the plot was full of suspense and intrigue, and the romance was steamy!! Ready for the next book in the series.
Really well written book, kept you interested right to the end, throughly enjoyed it and devoured it all in one day, highly recommend and looking forward to reading book 2
This book (and Ash and Lucas) hooked me right away, and I couldn't put it down! Smart and sexy with an intriguing mystery to boot! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Lucas was just living his life working hard in a tattoo shop with some of his best friends, but his dream was always to open his own shop and have it run the right way, with no side deals. when he was about to go on tattoo competition show he had a surprise long lost family member he knew nothing about show up and try to pay him not to go on the show. in true Lucas's fashion he went on the show won, opened his own tattoo shop and took this families last name just to piss them off. Everything changed for him when a bachelorette party came in for a fun night, he was stopped in his tracks when he saw Ash for the first time thankfully for him, she isn't the bride, but that fun night took a turn when the shop has 2 shooters trying to rob the place and Lucas's best friend gets shot in the cross fires. Ash is a Dr and so is her freind they get to work to save his friend's life. A lot of crazy things happened since that night in the shop and Lucas and Ash cant stay away from each other but someone doesnt want them to be together, their safety is tested more then ever, can their feelings for each other fight the odds that someone has against them, time will tell. omg this book is hawt, spicy and makes me want to get more tattoos soon lol.
This was amazing! The characters were instantly lovable and made me want to crawl inside the story to live it with them! Despite time jumps in the story, the transitions were incredibly smooth. The twist near the end was an amazing add to the story and didn’t feel random. I can’t wait to get to know the rest of the Vanished Tattoo crew!!! Thank you Stacey for the addictive read!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Not my usual genre, but I’ve read other spicy books and I like this the best of those. A well thought out story line, some action and mystery.
I am now invested in these characters and am anticipating their return.