Tall, muscled, and tattooed, he's the exact opposite of the man I thought I was going to marry. A man who lied, cheated on, and ultimately destroyed every shred of confidence I had. Now, after years of being the 'good girl' I'm looking to make a mistake. Which is perfect, because my best friend's soon to be brother-in-law, doesn’t do relationships. As a chef, I should realize this is a recipe for disaster. But he's dirty. Delicious. A perfect distraction. But then I get a peek at the single dad beyond the inked wet dream, and realize very quickly, that Zander might just be what I need…not just for now…but forever.
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USA Today bestselling author Jessica Wayne writes as Carmen Bishop to bring you a swoon-worthy, unforgettable romance between a single dad who has given up on love, and a jaded chef not looking for another broken heart.
USA Today bestselling author Jessica Wayne writes as Carmen Bishop to bring you spicy contemporary romance.
During the day, she slays laundry and dishes as a homeschooling, stay at home mom of three, and at night her worlds come to life on paper.
She runs on coffee and if you ever catch her wearing matching socks, it's probably because she grabbed them in the dark.
She has always believed in the power of true love and soul mates, even if sometimes we have to work a little harder to find ours.
She lives in Texas with her husband, kids, their two German Shepherd's and an entire flock of chickens that will likely double before she updates this bio.
This is a steamy read about a tattooed single dad and a fiery chef. It's fast paced and easy to jump into the story, I pretty much binged this in one day.
This is part of a series, but it acts as a standalone and you definitely don't have to read the other Dorsey brother books to follow along, though I probably will because they're an entertaining bunch.
There is drama in this, but much of it is resolved fairly easily and I wish it had been a little deeper and more complicated. It was still a good read if you want something quick and fun.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book after receiving a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance review copy for free from Hidden Gems, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you Carmen Bishop for the opportunity to read your book. This was an enjoyable read. The story was about a single dad romance revolving Zander Dorsey and Rose Morino. I thought the story was great. The characters were great. Zander Dorsey is a great character to read. He is a single dad to his daughter, Aara, and he does the best he can for her. To me, he is protective, sexy, and artistic. Rose Morino is another great character to read. She is an owner of the restaurant. To me, she is sassy, smart, and loving. Together, their chemistry was great. I thought that they were a great couple. I am happy that they got their happily ever after. I can’t wait to read the other Dorsey brothers. Overall, a great read.
love single dad romance especially when the dad is a loving father but a miserable lover. That being said -i first have to mention that I love the model on this cover who very sadly passed lass year. 😇 okay, back to the book. I am a fairly new reader to this author’s work. This story belongs to a series titled the Dorsey Brothers. Each is a stand alone. The story follows Rose and Zander. They are seriously attracted to each other. The story is a bit,on the predictable side but enjoyable.
This was a DNF. I got as far as 60% before giving up. I can see where some would like it but it just didn’t work for me. The hero was an alpha asshole for me. There was no tenderness and no caring between hero and heroine, just rough graphic sex. A lot of smashing of lips, ordering around on both sides and at least as far as I got, not an iota of love between them and I cared less and less about them as a couple the further I got. So thumbs down for me on this book.
My first book by Carmen Bishop and I will definitely be reading more of her work. Illicit Ink is very well written, is uplifting and hopeful, with the perfect amount of spice (dirty talk, rough love and all around satisfying!). I couldn't put it down! Zander is definitely my new favorite book boyfriend! He's got it all: looks, personality, confidence, panty melting smiles, is all alpha-male, yet is completely devoted to his daughter and guarded to do right by her. He tries to avoid a serious relationship and is known as being a no-strings-attached kind of guy. Until Rose. He runs into a heartbroken Rose at one of his favorite bars, they make an innocent bet and then sparks fly. What starts out as just one kiss to help make her forget her ex slowly develops into forever love. Their chemistry is palpable and you can feel the emotional connection between them building with each turn of the page. My absolute favorite part of the book is the dialouge between the characters - especially between Zander and Rose. There is so much humor, excellent wit and it is exceptionally fun to read! You can tell that Bishop developed all the characters (the Dorsey brothers) with a lot of care and commitment, with strong emphasis on the close sense of familial connection. Highly recommend Illicit Ink! Can't wait to dive into more of her titles and get to know the other Dorsey brothers better.
I read this in one sitting! There are few books that I can truly do that with, but I was captivated from page one and stayed up well into the night to finish. Illicit Ink was my first read from Carmen Bishop but I absolutely found a favorite in her writing.
Rose was everything I want in a main character. She had realistic responses and expectations to the situations she faced and I found it so refreshing to find a character who had an equal mix of backbone and softness - she wasn't one or the other. She was real!
Zander was ... wowza. Typical "alphahole" but the relationship between the Dorseys was ultimately what pulled his head out of his {you know where}. This man went through a really rough patch of life and pulled himself out to become the best dad and overall pretty great, but still realistically flawed, human.
The banter in this book was superior. There was a particular sentence that I literally swooned over, and that is what gave this author and book my five stars. I felt all of the emotions as I went through this story, and I cannot wait to see if we get more titles involving the Dorsey brothers.
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the advance review copy for free; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sweet and swoon-y single dad romance Illicit Ink: A Single Dad Standalone (Dorsey Brothers Book 3) by Carmen Bishop is a fantastic sexy, swoon worthy single dad romance. Zander is ultra protective of his baby girl, so sweet. But when Rose kicks her cheating fiancé to the curb, Zander sees her in a whole new light. Rose also experiences a feeling of the blinders coming off. While acquainted through Zander’s brothers and Rose’s best friend, they never viewed each other as anything more. But more shifts into friends with benefits and then more becomes more. I enjoyed these characters a whole lot. And while this is the first Dorsey Brothers book I have read as well as the first book by this author, I was not lost at all! I love a good standalone within a series. Not only does it compel to read and finish what I started, but I feel a need to read the other books too, purely for entertainment. Overall, Rose and Zander’s journey to love and HEA bliss is not an easy one. Mistakes are made and then set to rights. Best of all, for little Aara, she gets more family than ever and tons of love to go around. These Dorsey Brothers are pretty fantastic and make for epic romance Heroes. I read an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.
Zander tattooed, single dad, very protective of his daughter Aara, broody and doesn'twant a relationships, has a thing for Rose. Rose chef, owner and just got out of a serious relationship because he cheated. The end up at the same bar and things heat up and the get one wild weekend and things turns tense when he things she is trying to get close to his daughter. For weeks he fights the attraction and so does she. With her ex stalking her, and he is fighting a cosduty battle with his ex's parents can they have a relationship or will it all be for nothing. When she gets into an accident he realizes he can't live without her and does what he can to make her his. Will she survive to let him show her what he feels? Will she let him after her last one? Can they show each that it's real? The Dorsey brothers give you all feels and more. Zander and Rose's book has all the heat, a little action, tons of emotions, laughter, and the sense of family that will make you want to climb in the book. An amazing read, three have fallen what will happen to Dean in the next. So can't wait to read what happens next.
Rose catches her fiancé getting a BJ in the alley of her restaurant while she’s working in her kitchen. Zander is now in a battle with his ex-wife’s parents for custody of his daughter. His ex-wife signed over her rights and divorced Zander the second she got out of the hospital. Raising his daughter by himself (and with the help of his family) he’s pissed his ex-wife’s parents think they have any right to take away his daughter, especially since they were abusive to their daughter.
Bumping into each other, they start drinking. Zander is a Dorsey and 2 of his brothers are engaged to Rose’s besties. They know each other and Rose loved Zander’s daughter but they don’t know a lot about each other.
They make a bet on who’s spaghetti is better. This bet tumbles into being the start of their relationship. Will they best just hookups with no strings? Or will they blossom into opening up their hearts?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Favorite Scene: First Date and Rose gets a suprise
Tropes: Single Dad Found Family Close Family Chef/ Tattoo artist Second Chance at Love Unplanned Pregnancy
Oh daddy Zander! Tattoo artist, motorcycle rider, and daddy to the cutest little girl. I was so excited for his story since he seemed to be physically rough around the edges - I knew his heart was a big teddy bear particularly about his daughter.
Rose was his SIL’s best friend so they knew each other from her events and derby games. Rose discovered her fiancé cheating on her and was working hard to get herself back out there. She saw Zander at the bar and they got to talking. Their chemistry was off the charts from night one.
Only problem was both didn’t want to complicate things. If they couldn’t be friends, not only would it make it awkward, it would break Aara’s heart. They both agreed they would keep things casual - but turns out Zander has a possessive side. He did not like Rose’s ex coming around and trying to fix things. This was really difficult for Zander because he didn’t think he could have a partner in his life, but he also didn’t want to let Rose go.
Ultimately both have to be very mature and do some self growth to match up with their partner. I enjoyed the story and thought Rose was a really wonderful character.
This is the first Dorsey Brothers book I have read, and I’m glad I jumped in. This book was a steamy read that kept me pulled in from beginning to end. We have the sexy, broody, tattooed and pierced single dad, Zander, who finds himself spending a night with the gorgeous Rose. She’s the best friend of his brother’s fiancé, and recently found her own fiancé cheating on her. Neither wants a relationship, but agree to one night with no strings. But with lives so intertwined, and their smoking chemistry, there were bound to be strings.
I love his love for his daughter. And the family relationships in general are great. There’s a little push and pull- both have been burned before. They both have some past partners that were part of the story, and both written well. I enjoyed the resolution with both of them actually. Nothing felt forced or contrived, which I dislike. An overall enjoyable read with plenty of steam. I’ll have to check out the other brothers’ stories as well.
1)Aara's relationship with grandma Dorsey. 2)Tattoed hunk 3) Rose's friendship with Kennedy and Nova. 4) Rose's patience (honest to god, I'd have been one of the many people putting a restriction order for Jesse) 5) How close was Rose relationship with her mom and grandma (even though we got them in just mentions and a single chapter and not even entirely) 6) Mama Dorsey.
Things i didn't liked:
1) Him behaving like a caveman threatening to punch every single man in Rose's life (granted Jesse derved a couple of times, then it got repetitive and very like peeing all over her) 2)Him leaving Aara all the time with his mom, which is nice for her to bond with her grandchild, but she did most of the parenting so kudos to her. 3) Him being a jerk all the time, i get he was trying to protect Aara, but do it in an adult way not saying idiotic things that most likely would end up with you slapped. 4) Rose's patience, hell, she handled him too well. He was getting on my nerves. 5) There's more, but i got bored.
Another winner from Carmen Bishop. Illicit Ink brings us another Dorsey brother, Zander. He’s broody, a tattoo artist, and he’s always looking for a fun time but when he wins a bet against Rose, the best friend of his soon to be sister in law, he’s finally met his match.
This book was the perfect mix of relationship drama, brotherly love, supportive family and undeniable chemistry. Rose and Zander are goals! I absolutely loved them. Zander’s not looking for anything serious, and neither is Rose, but when the feelings catch up with them they have to figure out if this is what they really want.
I’d recommend this book and series so quickly and easily. I’ve loved everything from this series so far and I’m sad there’s only one more Dorsey to read about after this. Definitely recommend this!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a copy.
Reminiscent of some early work by K. Ashley, this was a solid contemporary romance. This is my first time reading this author and I can honestly say you don't have to read the other books before this to enjoy Rose and Zander. A single dad, a little grumpy but a good guy, he and Rose run in the same circles. Rose has her own restaurant that is her focus after catching her fiancé cheating. The attraction is there but once bitten, twice shy. They decide to scratch the itch and have a wild weekend. One and done, no repeats, no relationship. Of course, that isn't possible when they both catch feelings. There is some drama from their pasts that was handled well and a very sweet happily ever after. I will definitely be checking out her other titles in this series and looking for the next book, about Zander's brother.
Illicit Ink is one of those stories that sucks you in right from the beginning. This is one of the books about the Dorsey Brothers while this one is based on Zander and Rose. I have to say this was one hot book and kept me changing emotions so much.
I love how all the brothers so far weren't really looking for love but found it at the least expected times. Rose is a girl who got her heart broken by her fiance Jesse when he betrayed her trust and who better to fall into bed with than a tattooed God. Zander didn't want to fall in love because he didn't want his daughter to get affected but nothing can keep him away from Rose.
This book had me holding my breath near the end of it due to what happens but I'm not giving any spoilers away let's just say though it ends in a very happy way.
Rose‘s life has been turned upside down when she catches her fiancé cheating outside the alley of her restaurant. Last thing she needs is to be wrapped up in the inked arms of her best friend’s soon-to-be brother in law.
zander doesn’t do relationships. his only concern is keeping his little girl safe. That means never allowing anyone close enough to disappointment her.
These two main characters are passionate, fierce and loyal. Zander is tattooed, pierced and he likes things rough. Together rose and zander are inferno of flames and heat.
With as much heat in this read there is an equal amount of love. Whether is towards Zander’s daughter or rose, you will feel the emotion he has for those he loves dearly.
i received this as an arc and can‘t wait for more in this series.
Rose is a chef of her own restaurant, and her relationship ends after finding her boyfriend cheating on her. Zander is a single father trying to raise his daughter while dealing with a custody battle with her grandparents. Oe night Zander and Rose end up at the same bar and things change between them. However, a misunderstanding pushes them apart and her stalker causes more problems than even Rose counted on. When she ends up hurt in an accident Zander realizes how he feels for her. Will he be too late to fix things with her. Will she give him another chance at he heart?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
It was good. A single father, friends with benefits and one night stand trope best describes the book. Rose is best friends with Nova who is engaged to Everett. Everett has a brother named Zander. Zander and Rose has formed a friendship since Nova and Everett started dating. Zander and Rose ended up at a bar together, wanting drown their sarrows in alcohol. Thus happen more than once and on the second night, they decide to "scratch each other's itch." This Blossoms into a fling but both discovers that they have real feelings for each other.
This is a good third installment to the Dorsey Brothers series by Carmen Bishop.
So, so good! Single dad and walking orgasm Zander (tattoos, piercings, and that swagger, kryptonite!) doesn't do relationships but when he runs into Rose at the bar he's thinking one night won't hurt. Rose just got cheated on and dumped her loser boyfriend so one night, no strings is perfectly ok with her as well. But one night turns into a little visit to the tattoo shop, turns into a few nights, turns into out of control. They're inferno hot when they're in the same room, the overall story line is so cute and this whole book just flows so well and it hits all the steamy romance spots you need. Fabulous read from Carmen Bishop!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Zander and Rose. This is my first Dorsey brother book and I loved it. I am definitely going back to read the others. Rose is good friends with a woman who is about to marry a Dorsey brother so her and Zander know each other. Rose just caught her fiancé engaged in a very intimate act with an employee of her behind the restaurant during work hours. Zander is a single father who is heavily tattooed and pierced, he loves his daughter and his life. Zander’s ex wife’s parents have decided they want custody of his daughter, well Zander will absolutely not allow that to happen. These two friends decide to enjoy some adult time without commitment, but we all we start one way and things change to something else. Love the banter and flirtation between these two. Great book.
I loved this story! Rose is a sexy, beautiful, kind, and talented woman with a great life, friends, and family. Then she finds her fiance cheating right under her nose. Zander is sinfully sexy, a single dad, and a talented tattoo artist. Their one time hook up turns into so much more: their chemistry is hotter than anything they’ve ever experienced.
Carmen Bishop is an amazing author: this couple, their family and friends, and the story is so inspiring! Heartbreak into love, brotherly banter, and lots of realistic moments. I would love to be a part of this group of people! The dialogue between Rose and Zander is so steamy, so sweet, and real! They’re not perfect, but they fit together beautifully!
Zander is all alpha male. And he loves his daughter Aara so much that it makes him guard his heart. Not to mention his B---ch if an ex. And her parents after five years is now wanting 50/50 custody of Aara. Rose is friends with his brothers fiancé's. Rose just caught her cheating boyfriend in back of her restaurant. Shes done being good she wants to bad things and she just found the guy to do them with....Zander. Neither want strings but now that they cant keep their hands off each other. And they still think they will part as friends. Om what chemistry couldnt put the book down. A must read
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is the 3rd book in the Dorsey Brother's series. Each book can be read as a standalone. Rose just caught her scum of a boyfriend cheating on her with one of her employees. Now, he won't leave her alone. Keeps showing up everywhere. She just wants to move on. Zander is a single dad who sticks to one night stands. He can't risk his daughter getting hurt by some woman. This was my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed it, but who doesn't love a tatted up single dad. Now, off to read the first two books in this series.
So this book is what brought me to the series… I scrolled upon this book on one form of social media and I’m a sucker for single dads , add in the tats and piercings and I’m definitely reading it…. But I have to read from the beginning of a series.. so I got to this one last night and finished today with a smile on my face … Zander is a phenomenal dad , brother, son, just all around man… and he’s a super swoony bf when he finally gives into it lol…. Just a pinch stubborn !!! Aara was the cutest sweetest little girl and I wanted to squeeze her… Rose was just who Zander needed to smooth out his rough edges and make him whole… I love this family
Ugh, I love the Dorsey brothers so much. Every one of them is my favorite and I wish I could read their stories for the first time again. This one is about the tattoo artist Zander and Rose. He’s a single dad in a custody battle and is fierce and protective of both his daughter and Rose. The whole thing was amazing.
I love how each book in this series is a complete story with a happily ever after. The other characters show up so it’s like giant epilogues with another storyline. The foreshadowing for the youngest brother, Dean, has me anticipating another favorite Dorsey.
I said it before and I'll say it again - another good Dorsey brother story! It's not necessary to have read the previous books about Zander's brothers but those are great, also. I figured Zander would be a hard nut to crack. Leave it to Rose, Zander's soon-to-be SIL's BFF (get all that?!). The two had great chemistry but neither were looking for strings. You know what they say about the best laid plans... If you like protective dads, an adorable kid and a bit of unexpected 'whoa' - this book is for you. I cannot wait to read Dean's story!
Love! More please! Can I formally request that we now refer to Zander as Zaddy?!
Now I’m a massive fan of single parent (dad in this case) romances and anything Carmen Bishop writes you know will be amazing! Plus these brothers?! I can’t get enough! I don’t know who is my favorite brother but Zander?! Oh man he is a perfect dirty talking book boyfriend! 🖤
I loved getting more of Zander (we’ve seen him in the previous books) and his daughter who just stole my heart because she’s that sweet and cute!
Zander and Rose are just 🖤 Definitely go read this, run don’t walk!
I’m surprised my iPhone didn’t melt with all this steamy pierced inked tatted hotness! I loved the plot. Rose and Zander set the place on fire from the very beginning! Their chemistry was palpable! I loved the interactions with Aara, Zander’s daughter. I hate I have finished this story! I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books in this series! I’ll be caught up by the time we get Dean’s story! Also, I will never look at a strawberry the same again!!!! Wink. Wink. Thanks, Zander!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book.