What do you think?
Rate this book
Forever Inked #3
Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke and Mirrors is a Forever Inked standalone.
She’s running from her past. He’s running from his future. When the two collide, she may lose more than her heart...
Dangerous.
That’s the first word that came to mind when I set my eyes upon my new co-worker.
Beautiful.
That’s the next word my mind conjured up.
Draven was dangerously beautiful.
I stopped dealing with dangerous men years ago. Gone to extremes to avoid them.
Created a new life for myself and was happy. Perhaps a little lonely, but safe. I’d take lonely over a dangerous man any day, no matter how beautiful he was.
We’d avoid each other and that would be the end of it.
It should’ve been simple, right?
Wrong.
My stupid heart went and fell in love with him.
♥♥♥♥
My new “boss” was curvy as hell, wrapped in tight jeans and a T-shirt that showed just a hint of cleavage. I didn’t miss the way Layla’s eyes roamed my body or the way she clenched her thighs together.
She did her best to pretend I didn’t exist, but I was having none of that.
She’d already started a fire within me. A curiosity.
I wouldn’t be happy until I solved the puzzle that was her.
My time at Forever Inked was a debt I owed before returning to my father’s organization, and Layla was a gorgeous distraction from reality.
Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. She deserved better than the crime-ridden life I was destined for, but that wouldn’t keep me from doing everything in my power to keep her safe from the demons that chased her.
This book contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers 18+.
She’s running from her past. He’s running from his future. When the two collide, she may lose more than her heart...
Dangerous.
That’s the first word that came to mind when I set my eyes upon my new co-worker.
Beautiful.
That’s the next word my mind conjured up.
Draven was dangerously beautiful.
I stopped dealing with dangerous men years ago. Gone to extremes to avoid them.
Created a new life for myself and was happy. Perhaps a little lonely, but safe. I’d take lonely over a dangerous man any day, no matter how beautiful he was.
We’d avoid each other and that would be the end of it.
It should’ve been simple, right?
Wrong.
My stupid heart went and fell in love with him.
♥♥♥♥
My new “boss” was curvy as hell, wrapped in tight jeans and a T-shirt that showed just a hint of cleavage. I didn’t miss the way Layla’s eyes roamed my body or the way she clenched her thighs together.
She did her best to pretend I didn’t exist, but I was having none of that.
She’d already started a fire within me. A curiosity.
I wouldn’t be happy until I solved the puzzle that was her.
My time at Forever Inked was a debt I owed before returning to my father’s organization, and Layla was a gorgeous distraction from reality.
Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. She deserved better than the crime-ridden life I was destined for, but that wouldn’t keep me from doing everything in my power to keep her safe from the demons that chased her.
This book contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers 18+.
313 pages, ebook
First published December 9, 2018
37 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Wagner
17 books243 followersSabrina Wagner writes sweet, sassy, sexy romance novels featuring tattooed men and the strong women who challenge them. After twenty-six years of being an elementary school teacher, she left the classroom and began writing fulltime. Now she spends her time crafting steamy stories about stubborn, alpha men and the sassy women who bring them to their knees.
Sabrina lives in Michigan with her true-life, alpha-hero husband. She has two twenty-something children and two adorable cats, Olive and Moo. Sabrina thrives off caffeine, enjoys spending time with her family, and loves basking in the sun. It’s rare to find her without a book in her hand or a story spinning through her head.
Sabrina believes true friends should be treasured, a woman’s strength is forged by the fire of affliction, and everyone deserves a happy ending. She enjoys spending time with her family, cuddling her kittens, walking on the beach, and of course, reading. Sabrina is a hopeless romantic and knows all too well that life is full of twists and turns, but the bumpy road is what leads to our true destination.
Want to be the first to learn book news, updates and more? Sign up for my Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/m6f7x8
Get the latest updates on new books at: https://www.sabrinawagnerauthor.com. You can connect with Sabrina on Facebook at facebook.com/sabrinawagnerauthor and Instagram @sabrinawagnerauthor.
Sabrina lives in Michigan with her true-life, alpha-hero husband. She has two twenty-something children and two adorable cats, Olive and Moo. Sabrina thrives off caffeine, enjoys spending time with her family, and loves basking in the sun. It’s rare to find her without a book in her hand or a story spinning through her head.
Sabrina believes true friends should be treasured, a woman’s strength is forged by the fire of affliction, and everyone deserves a happy ending. She enjoys spending time with her family, cuddling her kittens, walking on the beach, and of course, reading. Sabrina is a hopeless romantic and knows all too well that life is full of twists and turns, but the bumpy road is what leads to our true destination.
Want to be the first to learn book news, updates and more? Sign up for my Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/m6f7x8
Get the latest updates on new books at: https://www.sabrinawagnerauthor.com. You can connect with Sabrina on Facebook at facebook.com/sabrinawagnerauthor and Instagram @sabrinawagnerauthor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 22, 2019
This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites and this book sealed the deal for me.
The first two books I read of Sabrina Wagner's were about Zack and Rissa (Zack of the Tattoo Parlor and Rissa of the lovely voice). They were both well written and very much Romance with a capital R.
This book? Wow and Holy Hell, I'll read this one again for sure. This is about Layla, the tattooist that we met in both of Wagner's first books. Layla is small in stature but big in personality and I'd been hoping she'd have her own book because she was written so well. So here it is, Smoke and Mirrors and as I sit here I realize I'm going to run out of superlatives to describe how well Ms. Wagner developed both Layla and Draven.
The relationship between the two starts based on subterfuge and outright avoidance of the truth. Even after Layla tells him about her past, Draven isn't going to give up his. Until he has to. But no spoilers here. Since I don't believe you will be disappointed by the plot, I'll just say, go pick up a copy, it will be worth it. Ms. Wagner is really good at adding details, both into the characters and into the plot, that add so much to the enjoyment of the book. This is someone who knows the technical side of writing, and ignores what isn't important, in order to tell a wonderful story.
I will say that there were a couple of typos, but nothing that my head couldn't get around. And there was the one thing that drove me completely nuts (and it is ALL on me, not on the author). Draven rhymes with Raven. If you read the book, you'll get what I mean.
The other thing that Ms. Wagner does is write the sex scenes so that they are realistic and hot, something I know other authors have trouble with. The sex is erotic, and when the three girls get to talking about the sex, it goes from erotic to hilarious in a heartbeat.
Thank you Ms. Wagner for making me love this book. I laughed, I cried, I empathized, I wanted to hit Draven more than once, but then I wanted to hug him too.
I'm giving this five stars. First, because I truly loved the book. But more importantly, because the work this author put into this, shows in the writing. I can't wait for the next one in the series (hint, hint, hint)
The first two books I read of Sabrina Wagner's were about Zack and Rissa (Zack of the Tattoo Parlor and Rissa of the lovely voice). They were both well written and very much Romance with a capital R.
This book? Wow and Holy Hell, I'll read this one again for sure. This is about Layla, the tattooist that we met in both of Wagner's first books. Layla is small in stature but big in personality and I'd been hoping she'd have her own book because she was written so well. So here it is, Smoke and Mirrors and as I sit here I realize I'm going to run out of superlatives to describe how well Ms. Wagner developed both Layla and Draven.
The relationship between the two starts based on subterfuge and outright avoidance of the truth. Even after Layla tells him about her past, Draven isn't going to give up his. Until he has to. But no spoilers here. Since I don't believe you will be disappointed by the plot, I'll just say, go pick up a copy, it will be worth it. Ms. Wagner is really good at adding details, both into the characters and into the plot, that add so much to the enjoyment of the book. This is someone who knows the technical side of writing, and ignores what isn't important, in order to tell a wonderful story.
I will say that there were a couple of typos, but nothing that my head couldn't get around. And there was the one thing that drove me completely nuts (and it is ALL on me, not on the author). Draven rhymes with Raven. If you read the book, you'll get what I mean.
The other thing that Ms. Wagner does is write the sex scenes so that they are realistic and hot, something I know other authors have trouble with. The sex is erotic, and when the three girls get to talking about the sex, it goes from erotic to hilarious in a heartbeat.
Thank you Ms. Wagner for making me love this book. I laughed, I cried, I empathized, I wanted to hit Draven more than once, but then I wanted to hug him too.
I'm giving this five stars. First, because I truly loved the book. But more importantly, because the work this author put into this, shows in the writing. I can't wait for the next one in the series (hint, hint, hint)
January 16, 2019
Amount of sex 4 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 4 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
Another fabulous book from author Sabrina Wagner!
Smoke and Mirrors is a captivating romance that tells the story of Draven and Layla. This story can be read on its own, or read after the author’s Tattooed Duet. I recommend reading the duet as it tells the story of Rissa and Zack, who both play small parts in Smoke and Mirrors. I suggest this as it will help you understand the backstories, and I also absolutely love their story. Just know that it’s not mandatory, only a suggestion.
In Smoke and Mirrors, Zack and Rissa are heading to California for 4 weeks, and he asks his friend Draven to work at Forever Inked while they are gone. Draven normally works for his father in his organization, but he was able to get time off to help Zack. Draven is immediately taken with Layla, another tattoo artist, and his temporary boss. Layla has a very complicated past, and she hasn’t dated anyone in five years. Draven and Layla’s attraction to each other is pretty intense, and it doesn’t take long before they form an understanding. And let me tell you, Draven is smoking hot and has a very well placed piercing! Their sex scenes are so dang hot, you’ll need a spare pair of panties!!
The storyline is gripping, suspenseful, and I was hooked from the very beginning. I had a hard time putting this book down and read late into the night!! I especially love the characters! They are so well developed, and I felt a part of the story.
A definite add to your TBR list!!
Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy
How explicit is the sex scenes 4 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
Another fabulous book from author Sabrina Wagner!
Smoke and Mirrors is a captivating romance that tells the story of Draven and Layla. This story can be read on its own, or read after the author’s Tattooed Duet. I recommend reading the duet as it tells the story of Rissa and Zack, who both play small parts in Smoke and Mirrors. I suggest this as it will help you understand the backstories, and I also absolutely love their story. Just know that it’s not mandatory, only a suggestion.
In Smoke and Mirrors, Zack and Rissa are heading to California for 4 weeks, and he asks his friend Draven to work at Forever Inked while they are gone. Draven normally works for his father in his organization, but he was able to get time off to help Zack. Draven is immediately taken with Layla, another tattoo artist, and his temporary boss. Layla has a very complicated past, and she hasn’t dated anyone in five years. Draven and Layla’s attraction to each other is pretty intense, and it doesn’t take long before they form an understanding. And let me tell you, Draven is smoking hot and has a very well placed piercing! Their sex scenes are so dang hot, you’ll need a spare pair of panties!!
The storyline is gripping, suspenseful, and I was hooked from the very beginning. I had a hard time putting this book down and read late into the night!! I especially love the characters! They are so well developed, and I felt a part of the story.
A definite add to your TBR list!!
Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy
December 27, 2021
Addictive!!!
After reading the first two books in this series, I was unable to stop at this one! Layla and Draven exude confidence and sexiness!! It was phenomenal to read about their overcoming obstacles, such as domestic abuse and crime. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and would highly recommend it to others who like steamy romance novels.
After reading the first two books in this series, I was unable to stop at this one! Layla and Draven exude confidence and sexiness!! It was phenomenal to read about their overcoming obstacles, such as domestic abuse and crime. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and would highly recommend it to others who like steamy romance novels.
December 26, 2021
I enjoyed Smoke and Mirrors
I am not normally someone who enjoys reading about abuse, living was enough for me. However I do enjoy listening about recovery. Knowing that sometimes you have to reinvent oneself to start a new life is also too familiar. Although there was a little too much violence for my liking, I enjoyed the read.😆
I am not normally someone who enjoys reading about abuse, living was enough for me. However I do enjoy listening about recovery. Knowing that sometimes you have to reinvent oneself to start a new life is also too familiar. Although there was a little too much violence for my liking, I enjoyed the read.😆
May 18, 2022
Another great read by Sabrina Wagner! She takes everyday life events and weaves them into a tale that brings her characters to life. I have been enjoying the Forever Inked series.
August 20, 2025
Draven and Layla
Amazing read with phenomenal characters whose strength, trauma and loss, emotion, witty humor, and sizzling chemistry drag you in completely. Can't wait to read more of all these characters and next Chase's story.
Amazing read with phenomenal characters whose strength, trauma and loss, emotion, witty humor, and sizzling chemistry drag you in completely. Can't wait to read more of all these characters and next Chase's story.
October 16, 2024
Another great book. I'm addicted to her writing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews