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Dark Ink Tattoo #1
Blood of the Pack
Angela, Dark Ink Tattoo’s owner, has a secret – she’s a werewolf who used to run with the Pack, a dangerous drug-dealing motorcycle gang that services Vegas’s seedier side. She’s been free for the past seven years, ever since her ex-boyfriend (and Pack leader) Gray went to prison – but when the Pack starts threatening her shop and son she realizes she’s on borrowed time.
Dark Ink’s best artist refuses to show up before sundown – because he’s a vampire. Vegas is the perfect place for Jack – it’s an endless buffet of strangers to bleed. The only thing that haunts Jack more than his hunger is Angela.
Welcome to Dark Ink Tattoo, Las Vegas’s premier 24/7 tattoo studio, where needles aren’t the only things that bite….
The Dark Ink Tattoo series is a scorching paranormal in the vein of Sons of Anarchy.
Dark Ink’s best artist refuses to show up before sundown – because he’s a vampire. Vegas is the perfect place for Jack – it’s an endless buffet of strangers to bleed. The only thing that haunts Jack more than his hunger is Angela.
Welcome to Dark Ink Tattoo, Las Vegas’s premier 24/7 tattoo studio, where needles aren’t the only things that bite….
The Dark Ink Tattoo series is a scorching paranormal in the vein of Sons of Anarchy.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2016
1110 people are currently reading
2742 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Alexander
134 books1,449 followersSign up to Cassie's newsletter for sexy bonus scenes on all her books here!
US links:
https://linktr.ee/cassiealexander
Hi there! I'm a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, I wrote the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, I've written numerous (and very hot!) paranormal romances, sometimes with my friend Kara Lockharte. I live in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.
US links:
https://linktr.ee/cassiealexander
Hi there! I'm a registered nurse and author. As Cassandra, I wrote the Year of the Nurse: A Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir. As Cassie, I've written numerous (and very hot!) paranormal romances, sometimes with my friend Kara Lockharte. I live in the Bay Area with one husband, two cats, and one million succulents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
June 6, 2022
4.5 Stars for Blood of the Pack: Dark Ink Tattoo, Book 1 (audiobook) by Cassie Alexander read by Bunny Warren and Mathew Holland.
This is a great beginning to the series. I love an author that’s not afraid of using all the tropes. A werewolf needs help from a vampire to make her biker gang past go away. He is happy to help when he’s not working at the tattoo shop or romancing random strangers. It’s a steamy story and I can’t wait to read the next book.
This is a great beginning to the series. I love an author that’s not afraid of using all the tropes. A werewolf needs help from a vampire to make her biker gang past go away. He is happy to help when he’s not working at the tattoo shop or romancing random strangers. It’s a steamy story and I can’t wait to read the next book.
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March 28, 2022Ugh 😩 I don’t know 🤷♀️ I’m not digging this at all. This is just blah blah blah 😑
April 29, 2022
4/5 ⭐️s
This book took the romance genre handbook and tore it to shreds, and I love it. I’m so used to the “They meet. There’s sparks. BOOM” format of these, but Jack and Angela circle each other the entire book. It was such a breath of fresh air to have a book that didn’t follow convention! I know their individual arcs are going to cross paths soon, but I certainly enjoyed the build-up to it that we got in this book!
Jack Stone stole the whole book for me. He’s so easy going and relaxed. So different from the vampires of norm in books and movies. I loved all the different people he has in his life - something about the way they come and go as he traipses across the city to solve a murder really settled well with me.
Angela’s storyline is much more stressful, which I think worked well to balance out the overall plot of the book. I’m eager to see where her story’s going (and very ready for her wolf to become a key player). There’s an ominous feeling of pain to come with her, but I’m so invested; I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.
While I enjoyed the set-up of this story and can’t wait to read more, the absolute best part of this was the spice! SO. MUCH. SPICE. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’ve begun balking at slow burns because I like books that get to the spice sooner rather than later. This, readers, is how you make a slow burn work. The sex-positivity was phenomenal!
I did wish for a longer read - the ending kind of fizzled out instead of ending with a bang. But I enjoyed every page of this, so it’s a small complaint to have!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 ALL THE CHILI PEPPERS!
This book took the romance genre handbook and tore it to shreds, and I love it. I’m so used to the “They meet. There’s sparks. BOOM” format of these, but Jack and Angela circle each other the entire book. It was such a breath of fresh air to have a book that didn’t follow convention! I know their individual arcs are going to cross paths soon, but I certainly enjoyed the build-up to it that we got in this book!
Jack Stone stole the whole book for me. He’s so easy going and relaxed. So different from the vampires of norm in books and movies. I loved all the different people he has in his life - something about the way they come and go as he traipses across the city to solve a murder really settled well with me.
Angela’s storyline is much more stressful, which I think worked well to balance out the overall plot of the book. I’m eager to see where her story’s going (and very ready for her wolf to become a key player). There’s an ominous feeling of pain to come with her, but I’m so invested; I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.
While I enjoyed the set-up of this story and can’t wait to read more, the absolute best part of this was the spice! SO. MUCH. SPICE. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’ve begun balking at slow burns because I like books that get to the spice sooner rather than later. This, readers, is how you make a slow burn work. The sex-positivity was phenomenal!
I did wish for a longer read - the ending kind of fizzled out instead of ending with a bang. But I enjoyed every page of this, so it’s a small complaint to have!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 ALL THE CHILI PEPPERS!
March 9, 2022
Sooo, this isn't a romance. It's erotic fiction. Sex is the point and there is a lot of it. I'm not complaining about the fact. I'm just stating it, in case anyone needs or wants the knowledge/reminder before jumping into this series.
And while I'm also not complaining about this second point I'm about to make, it was more eyebrow raising for me. Angela and Jack are not the people between whom the sex is happening. In fact, they're not even on page together at all, past about page 50 of the book! Maybe they'll get together in future books; their separate plot-lines are definitely connected. But do not go into this expecting Angela and Jack as a romantic pairing (like I did).
The plots are interesting looking, if a little unimaginative. The rough, evil biker gang...even the rough, evil werewolf biker gang is hardly original. Anyone who reads in the paranormal genres will have encountered it before. But both plots hold together, even when only sprinkled lightly between innumerable sex scenes.
About the sex (since it's the point, after all), I appreciate that Alexander gave us some variety in both partners and activities beyond plain old P-n-V. I won't go listing them all, since that would ruin the fun of discovering the various pairings for yourself. But I liked that some peoples that you don't often see in sexual setting are given sex lives here. And I loved that Jack is assiduous about consent and unwaveringly kind to his partners, even when the kink is rough or the sex meaningless.
I didn't love Angela's 'I want to be used, dominated, and "put in my place" by a man' sex as much as Jack's various liaisons though. For her it wasn't play, as it was for him, for example. It felt 100x more cliched and unoriginal. It felt, in fact, like a male character was allowed variety beyond societies assigned place for him (bisexual—if not pansexual—and allowed to have varied sex). While Angela (as a woman) is still only allowed the one male partner and the sex still has to meet societal (read porn's) approved scenarios (ie: rough, with the appearance of being demeaning, or at least subservient). Now, I'm not saying it wasn't hot. I'm just saying it didn't feel anywhere near as fresh as it could have.
All in all, however, for a one-handed read, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the next one.
And while I'm also not complaining about this second point I'm about to make, it was more eyebrow raising for me. Angela and Jack are not the people between whom the sex is happening. In fact, they're not even on page together at all, past about page 50 of the book! Maybe they'll get together in future books; their separate plot-lines are definitely connected. But do not go into this expecting Angela and Jack as a romantic pairing (like I did).
The plots are interesting looking, if a little unimaginative. The rough, evil biker gang...even the rough, evil werewolf biker gang is hardly original. Anyone who reads in the paranormal genres will have encountered it before. But both plots hold together, even when only sprinkled lightly between innumerable sex scenes.
About the sex (since it's the point, after all), I appreciate that Alexander gave us some variety in both partners and activities beyond plain old P-n-V. I won't go listing them all, since that would ruin the fun of discovering the various pairings for yourself. But I liked that some peoples that you don't often see in sexual setting are given sex lives here. And I loved that Jack is assiduous about consent and unwaveringly kind to his partners, even when the kink is rough or the sex meaningless.
I didn't love Angela's 'I want to be used, dominated, and "put in my place" by a man' sex as much as Jack's various liaisons though. For her it wasn't play, as it was for him, for example. It felt 100x more cliched and unoriginal. It felt, in fact, like a male character was allowed variety beyond societies assigned place for him (bisexual—if not pansexual—and allowed to have varied sex). While Angela (as a woman) is still only allowed the one male partner and the sex still has to meet societal (read porn's) approved scenarios (ie: rough, with the appearance of being demeaning, or at least subservient). Now, I'm not saying it wasn't hot. I'm just saying it didn't feel anywhere near as fresh as it could have.
All in all, however, for a one-handed read, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the next one.
October 26, 2023
If you don't know by now your girl is always thirsty for a bit of bloodlust and this book satiated that craving. For now...
While this book was full of tropes, some of my favorite tropes to be honest I felt like parts of it fell flat. There was too much going on without anything actually happening. Besides the spicy scenes, those were definitely going somewhere, and boy did they deliver! Talk about a change of knickers. Goodness.
Jack and Angela were quite the duo. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't picture them together. Like, I really did. In their own merit they both had a lot going for them but together in normal conversation and just in general chemistry (besides in the bedroom) it felt just a touch forced?
A good start to what I hope is an intriguing story. I will most likely read book two because I found a lot of the side characters to be interesting and even downright swoony at times.
While this book was full of tropes, some of my favorite tropes to be honest I felt like parts of it fell flat. There was too much going on without anything actually happening. Besides the spicy scenes, those were definitely going somewhere, and boy did they deliver! Talk about a change of knickers. Goodness.
Jack and Angela were quite the duo. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't picture them together. Like, I really did. In their own merit they both had a lot going for them but together in normal conversation and just in general chemistry (besides in the bedroom) it felt just a touch forced?
A good start to what I hope is an intriguing story. I will most likely read book two because I found a lot of the side characters to be interesting and even downright swoony at times.
December 18, 2021
This book was doing a whole lot, but there wasn't a whole lot of pay off for me with any of the storylines. The next book in the series sounds like they focus on the past, but don't resolve what happened in this book? Weirdly enough I'm going to have to read it to find out. 😂
While this book wasn't bad, it's also just not my normal style. This was definitely, squarely in the erotica genre which I just tend not to read.
I'd recommend this for someone who likes paranormal romance with a bikers vs mobs undertone.
While this book wasn't bad, it's also just not my normal style. This was definitely, squarely in the erotica genre which I just tend not to read.
I'd recommend this for someone who likes paranormal romance with a bikers vs mobs undertone.
May 28, 2022
This book was so weird. It's basically a bunch of spicy scenes thrown together with a little sort of plotline thrown in. Honestly, the plot can't be called that, it truly didn't follow a proper storyline. The only reason I finished reading this book is because it had so few pages. This was an absolute train wreck.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley.
May 29, 2022
I feel deceived. This says it’s a romance but the main characters aren’t even together. They work together. The description made it sound like H knew about how the h was being targeted by the wolf/MC and he didn’t. This had a lot of good potential but sadly it just wasn’t it for me. Nothing really happens other than H screwing multiple people, and h having a boyfriend that’s connected to the mafia.
More disappointing is it seems like book 2 is all back story from the description. I probably won’t continue this series.
More disappointing is it seems like book 2 is all back story from the description. I probably won’t continue this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is juicy. Lots of sex scenes. It is very detailed as well. Full of werewolves, vampires, witches, humans.
Angie is a tattoo shop owner who is also a werewolf.
Jack is a vampire that is also an employee of Dark Ink tattoo, who also crushes on his boss.
This book has plenty of drama, action, bloodlust, and smut. I can't wait to read book 2.
This book is juicy. Lots of sex scenes. It is very detailed as well. Full of werewolves, vampires, witches, humans.
Angie is a tattoo shop owner who is also a werewolf.
Jack is a vampire that is also an employee of Dark Ink tattoo, who also crushes on his boss.
This book has plenty of drama, action, bloodlust, and smut. I can't wait to read book 2.
December 31, 2021
So in theory this should have worked, I thought this had a great plot, it started out good, and then it just sort of... fizzled. I am going to disclose that I normally have no issues with the lead characters engaging in naughty moments with other characters before they find their way to each other, but this was a bit much.
Want to read
April 28, 2022🎁 The complete Dark Ink Tattoo (5 book series - each book includes 3 episodes) is FREE on Amazon today (4/27/2020)! 🎁
September 2, 2022
Thank you to Pride Book Tours for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This isn't a genre I read much of, but I can definitely see the appeal it has for so many people. Also, I've been somewhat uncomfortable with sex in books recently and this book helped me to be less so; simply because I found a way to skim through most parts.
This story follows two main characters, told from the perspective of each character, and has two separate yet diverging plotlines:
- Angela, wolf shifter and owner of the hottest 24hr tattoo shop in Vegas. She has been running from her past and trying to protect her son for the past seven years.
- Jack, her hot, super sexy bisexual vampire employee who has secrets of his own. Jack has been longing for Angela for a long time but refuses to act on those feelings.
But when Angela's past finds out about her son and when Jack's closest friend is murdered, their separate trails seem to lead to the same culprit.
All the sex scenes withstanding, there are a lot and I skimmed through most of it, I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. I felt the story to be solid and the plotlines seem well developed, the pacing seems to be a little erratic, though, with some things going too fast and others too slow but is solid overall; and the writing is smooth even though there are a few grammatical problems.
Some of the characters do fall flat, it's true, but there are really well-written ones as well; and because this is only the first book in the Dark Ink Tattoo series there is plenty of opportunity for growth.
Personally, I'm looking forward to reading at least the next book in the series (only to satisfy my curiosity about the lovely Angela family dynamic, okay.)
Happy reading
This isn't a genre I read much of, but I can definitely see the appeal it has for so many people. Also, I've been somewhat uncomfortable with sex in books recently and this book helped me to be less so; simply because I found a way to skim through most parts.
This story follows two main characters, told from the perspective of each character, and has two separate yet diverging plotlines:
- Angela, wolf shifter and owner of the hottest 24hr tattoo shop in Vegas. She has been running from her past and trying to protect her son for the past seven years.
- Jack, her hot, super sexy bisexual vampire employee who has secrets of his own. Jack has been longing for Angela for a long time but refuses to act on those feelings.
But when Angela's past finds out about her son and when Jack's closest friend is murdered, their separate trails seem to lead to the same culprit.
All the sex scenes withstanding, there are a lot and I skimmed through most of it, I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. I felt the story to be solid and the plotlines seem well developed, the pacing seems to be a little erratic, though, with some things going too fast and others too slow but is solid overall; and the writing is smooth even though there are a few grammatical problems.
Some of the characters do fall flat, it's true, but there are really well-written ones as well; and because this is only the first book in the Dark Ink Tattoo series there is plenty of opportunity for growth.
Personally, I'm looking forward to reading at least the next book in the series (only to satisfy my curiosity about the lovely Angela family dynamic, okay.)
Happy reading
May 2, 2022
Blood of the Pack is the first in a paranormal romance series with vampires, werewolves, tattoo artists, and Las Vegas scenery which all sounds like a fun time, but this book itself I'd describe as Not For Me. Certain tropes used in the smut scenes really turned me off and took me out of the experience. I also found the portrayal of the one trans character in the story very poorly written as the author deadnames and uses the incorrect pronouns for her when describing the character's transition.
I think this book had an appealing concept, but it just did not do it for me.
I think this book had an appealing concept, but it just did not do it for me.
May 5, 2024
Reread
It is all about Jack...
And smut...lots of smut. Oh and Angie but I prefer Jack as he runs around doing thing unknowingly friends with a werewolf. Neither knowing the other is a sup. Jack a vampire...although he can feed on sexual life...so kinda like an vampire on a incubus diet 🤔
I like the revenge plot of Jack more than the angst and finding herself plot of Angela.
It's all Jack
3 stars
It is all about Jack...
And smut...lots of smut. Oh and Angie but I prefer Jack as he runs around doing thing unknowingly friends with a werewolf. Neither knowing the other is a sup. Jack a vampire...although he can feed on sexual life...so kinda like an vampire on a incubus diet 🤔
I like the revenge plot of Jack more than the angst and finding herself plot of Angela.
It's all Jack
3 stars
May 28, 2020
Honestly, I got 62% through and gave up. There is no story. There is sex, sex, and more sex. 7 people, and 6 different explicit sex scenes, 4 of those with the same guy. If you like that kind of trash, by all means, read away. If you want story and substance, read something else.
July 18, 2022
Blood of the Pack by Cassie Alexander
Publication Date: 01/05/2022
Date Read: 07/16/2022
Format: eBook (Kindle)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Dark Ink Tattoo book 1/6
Characters: Jack, Angela, Mark
CW: murder, gore
Rating (❤️/👍/🤷♀️:👎/❌): 🤷♀️
Spice: open door, multiple scenes
Would I Recommend?: sure if PNR is your thing and you like series.
This is definitely a romance series with a connected plot line, like you need to keep reading to complete the story. I don’t really have an opinion after book one but I will keep reading. I’m intrigued. Not at all what I expected it to be!
Publication Date: 01/05/2022
Date Read: 07/16/2022
Format: eBook (Kindle)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Dark Ink Tattoo book 1/6
Characters: Jack, Angela, Mark
CW: murder, gore
Rating (❤️/👍/🤷♀️:👎/❌): 🤷♀️
Spice: open door, multiple scenes
Would I Recommend?: sure if PNR is your thing and you like series.
This is definitely a romance series with a connected plot line, like you need to keep reading to complete the story. I don’t really have an opinion after book one but I will keep reading. I’m intrigued. Not at all what I expected it to be!
March 10, 2022
Maybe I went into this with the wrong impression, but I was confused. The book follows Jack and Angela, both of whom are supernaturals living in Vegas and working at a tattoo shop. Neither of them know the other is a para. And the book is a dual POV.
April 28, 2022
A good start to the Dark Ink Tattoo series with Angela, a wolf shifter and owner of the hottest 24hr tattoo shop in Vegas. Who's been on the run from her past for the last 7 years. Then there's Jack, her hot, super sexy bisexual vampire employee who has secrets of his own. Jack has been longing for Angela for a long time but refuse to act on those feelings.
Angela is being stalked by the Werewolf motorcycle gang she ran away from that is under the control of her ex and Alpha of the Pack. Luckily for Angela her ex is in prison but his Pack is faithful enough to abide by his commands. Jack on the other hand is feeling guilty for not protecting a friend/lover of his who was murdered by the same motorcycle gang.
There wasn't much character development or interaction between Angela and Jack but it's only a matter time before they both realize that they are fighting the same enemy. Angela has already involved her Mafia lawyer Mark into parts of her dilemma without eluding to the fact that she is a werewolf. Whereas Jack has received some information from his lover Paco regarding the details surrounding his ex lover's death. Yeah; there's alot to unload here.
If you are looking for a Super Steamy Paranormal series featuring Werewolves & Vampires, Motorcycle Gangs, Violence and alot of angst look no further. Triggers: Violence, MF, MFF, MM sexual encounters.
Angela is being stalked by the Werewolf motorcycle gang she ran away from that is under the control of her ex and Alpha of the Pack. Luckily for Angela her ex is in prison but his Pack is faithful enough to abide by his commands. Jack on the other hand is feeling guilty for not protecting a friend/lover of his who was murdered by the same motorcycle gang.
There wasn't much character development or interaction between Angela and Jack but it's only a matter time before they both realize that they are fighting the same enemy. Angela has already involved her Mafia lawyer Mark into parts of her dilemma without eluding to the fact that she is a werewolf. Whereas Jack has received some information from his lover Paco regarding the details surrounding his ex lover's death. Yeah; there's alot to unload here.
If you are looking for a Super Steamy Paranormal series featuring Werewolves & Vampires, Motorcycle Gangs, Violence and alot of angst look no further. Triggers: Violence, MF, MFF, MM sexual encounters.
December 30, 2021
꧁✿☾✩♡ⒸⒽⓁⓄⒺ'Ⓢ ⓇⒺⓋⒾⒺⓌⓈ♡✩☽✿꧂
Hmmm, I really like Angela as a character but Jack annoyed me the slightest bit with how easily he abandoned Bella, but I guess it needed to happen for the continuation of the book. I think this book was a bit different from what I’m used to reading but I’m definitely interested in reading the rest of the series! I thought for sure Jack and Angela were going to get together but I guess we'll have to see where Cassie takes it next... I have to say I really liked Mark as a character and how he cared about Angela and I wonder if he’s some sort of supernatural but we just don’t know what yet.
I’m definitely intrigued to see what happens next!
p.s. the guys are sexxy! I mean did you read that fun little quote ;)
* I received an ARC *
Hmmm, I really like Angela as a character but Jack annoyed me the slightest bit with how easily he abandoned Bella, but I guess it needed to happen for the continuation of the book. I think this book was a bit different from what I’m used to reading but I’m definitely interested in reading the rest of the series! I thought for sure Jack and Angela were going to get together but I guess we'll have to see where Cassie takes it next... I have to say I really liked Mark as a character and how he cared about Angela and I wonder if he’s some sort of supernatural but we just don’t know what yet.
He was stare-worthy. If you were into tall, lean but muscular men, black hair, brown eyes, and full sleeve tattoos, Jack was your kind of guy.
I’m definitely intrigued to see what happens next!
p.s. the guys are sexxy! I mean did you read that fun little quote ;)
* I received an ARC *
January 11, 2022
Just meh for me. There was a whole lot going on….but not a lot of plot if that makes any sense. I like smut as much as the next girl who reads darker romances, but this just had piles of sex scenes and little to no character or plot development. I know this appeals to some readers, but for me I want well developed characters, relationships, worlds…..and all of the smut. This was also a pretty short read in terms of length, so with the amount of sex scenes there really wasn’t space for much of anything else. I will say that the writing is well done.
January 5, 2017
Please see my review for each individual book as well.
What a great start to a smoking hot paranormal series. There is more super hot erotic content in this 200 pages then most full length novels! You won't be disappointed!
What a great start to a smoking hot paranormal series. There is more super hot erotic content in this 200 pages then most full length novels! You won't be disappointed!
April 11, 2017
More story
I usually like Cassie's books. These has little stories and lot of sex. Not with the main characters together. After a while I was skipping the sex scenes to get to the story.
I usually like Cassie's books. These has little stories and lot of sex. Not with the main characters together. After a while I was skipping the sex scenes to get to the story.
February 6, 2022
The book was 1/3 sex and if you remove that, there's not much story left to stand on.
September 13, 2022
Very nearly a DNF, for the plain and simple reason that there is too much sex for my tastes. I skim read the last eight chapters to finish.
There's a pretty wide range of sex - m/m, m/f/f, m/f... indoor. Outdoor. Blindfolded. Rough. Public and private, even paid for.
And that's the crux, I guess. Sex overwhelms story. As far as Angela's concerned, the synopsis covers just about everything apart from her fucking her condescending new mafioso boyfriend. As for Jack? His story amounts to a slap-dash investigation into a lover's murder. Plot twist - he doesn't get very far because he stops every few pages to fuck whoever happens to be around. Disappointing, really, because he seems to be a fairly newly minted vampire and him finding his way in the world could actually have been interesting.
It's a shame because, a need for proofreading aside, I got the impression that Cassie Alexander is quite a competent writer. As it is, only two things really stood out:
Jack sleeps in a coffin, not because he is a vampire but because he has a pet Siamese called Sugar and he's concerned that she might eat him when he dies each day.
"Did Paco know how close he’d been to dying—I’d bitten him at least a hundred times—when if for a second I let the hunger rule me it would take him? I thought maybe he did. Maybe it was why he loved me. I was the personification of his secret wish to die, more dangerous than any gun."
The first amused me in a weird way. The second feels so real, I can't shake it.
There's a pretty wide range of sex - m/m, m/f/f, m/f... indoor. Outdoor. Blindfolded. Rough. Public and private, even paid for.
And that's the crux, I guess. Sex overwhelms story. As far as Angela's concerned, the synopsis covers just about everything apart from her fucking her condescending new mafioso boyfriend. As for Jack? His story amounts to a slap-dash investigation into a lover's murder. Plot twist - he doesn't get very far because he stops every few pages to fuck whoever happens to be around. Disappointing, really, because he seems to be a fairly newly minted vampire and him finding his way in the world could actually have been interesting.
It's a shame because, a need for proofreading aside, I got the impression that Cassie Alexander is quite a competent writer. As it is, only two things really stood out:
Jack sleeps in a coffin, not because he is a vampire but because he has a pet Siamese called Sugar and he's concerned that she might eat him when he dies each day.
"Did Paco know how close he’d been to dying—I’d bitten him at least a hundred times—when if for a second I let the hunger rule me it would take him? I thought maybe he did. Maybe it was why he loved me. I was the personification of his secret wish to die, more dangerous than any gun."
The first amused me in a weird way. The second feels so real, I can't shake it.
April 2, 2022
Crossing the Line . . .
This is a story where there are seemingly two separate plot lines, although you know they will join up eventually. Each is compelling and will pull you into the story. The author gives us a different image of certain supernaturals, so again, the story and characters will hold the reader’s attention.
Angela is a wolf shifter who ran away from “The Pack”, a dangerous drug-dealing wolf motorcycle gang. She wants to keep her son safe, although she may never be truly safe. Her ex-boyfriend Gray is in prison, but he is determined to get their son back and has the means to do that. So she will always live with fear. But for now, she owns a tattoo parlor, Dark Ink Tattoo, and relies on the talents of her best artist, Jack… who is a vampire. (At this point, Angela and Jack are strictly professional and not in a relationship.) Her 7 years of quiet are about to be shattered.
When Angela begins to receive threats from Gray, still in jail, Jack's friend is murdered and Jack is ready to get revenge on the killer. Angela and Jack’s story lines touch since the events, Angela being threatened and Jack’s friend being murdered, are coming from the same group of werewolf bikers. Now it’s getting personal and Jack vows to keep her safe. Can he keep his promise?
This is a story where there are seemingly two separate plot lines, although you know they will join up eventually. Each is compelling and will pull you into the story. The author gives us a different image of certain supernaturals, so again, the story and characters will hold the reader’s attention.
Angela is a wolf shifter who ran away from “The Pack”, a dangerous drug-dealing wolf motorcycle gang. She wants to keep her son safe, although she may never be truly safe. Her ex-boyfriend Gray is in prison, but he is determined to get their son back and has the means to do that. So she will always live with fear. But for now, she owns a tattoo parlor, Dark Ink Tattoo, and relies on the talents of her best artist, Jack… who is a vampire. (At this point, Angela and Jack are strictly professional and not in a relationship.) Her 7 years of quiet are about to be shattered.
When Angela begins to receive threats from Gray, still in jail, Jack's friend is murdered and Jack is ready to get revenge on the killer. Angela and Jack’s story lines touch since the events, Angela being threatened and Jack’s friend being murdered, are coming from the same group of werewolf bikers. Now it’s getting personal and Jack vows to keep her safe. Can he keep his promise?
October 12, 2022
2.5 stars? I think I received this as a free download within the last year? This had a lot going on - setting things up for a series. I liked it alright, but I always deeply regret jumping into a book without realizing it is part of a series that follows the same two main characters. I take responsibility for not known better lol
The story follows Jack, a vampire, and Angela, a wolf shifter (although we spend more time with Jack) neither knows the other is paranormal. They work at a tattoo shop, Dark Ink in Las Vegas. There is a lot of sex in this book - both characters have on-page, detailed sex with other people. Jack staves off his blood cravings with sex and Angela is seeing (and trying to break up with) some rich guy named Marc. The book follows these two main characters although they do not interact with one another much - in fact they aren't the couple. This is an erotic fiction book, not a romance. Which is fine but if you're not aware of that going in you may have your expectations torn to shreds. I think there was potential here that just never got realized?
CWs: violence, blood, SA recounted, on-page sex, dead-naming
Bang in the Night Bingo, Dark & Stormy Night (Dark in the Title)
The story follows Jack, a vampire, and Angela, a wolf shifter (although we spend more time with Jack) neither knows the other is paranormal. They work at a tattoo shop, Dark Ink in Las Vegas. There is a lot of sex in this book - both characters have on-page, detailed sex with other people. Jack staves off his blood cravings with sex and Angela is seeing (and trying to break up with) some rich guy named Marc. The book follows these two main characters although they do not interact with one another much - in fact they aren't the couple. This is an erotic fiction book, not a romance. Which is fine but if you're not aware of that going in you may have your expectations torn to shreds. I think there was potential here that just never got realized?
CWs: violence, blood, SA recounted, on-page sex, dead-naming
Bang in the Night Bingo, Dark & Stormy Night (Dark in the Title)
May 21, 2022
OMG I didn't think this story would keep me so riveted, I could not put it down....Even purchased the next book because I want to know both Angela and Jack's story...
Angela has been living on the low down for 7 years hoping that Gray who is in Jail, but still holds the power over his pack will never find her and his son. She has built a successful tattoo parlor Dark Ink Tattoo and her best tattoo artist and secret admirer Jack have no idea what the other is
Angela is a werewolf who keeps her and her sons identity secret with daily drops of silver which suppress her wolf and the same can be said for Gray which is why he's been able to survive being locked up...
Jack is a very gifted tattoo artist and vampire, his paintings are epic and his hungers are both in the form of blood and sex, but his real feelings are withheld because they are for his boss....
Will Angela and Jack ever be able to show their true selves to each other?
Very deep and explicit sex, but not of the dirty type, but real in content... So ladies, get those towels out.
Angela has been living on the low down for 7 years hoping that Gray who is in Jail, but still holds the power over his pack will never find her and his son. She has built a successful tattoo parlor Dark Ink Tattoo and her best tattoo artist and secret admirer Jack have no idea what the other is
Angela is a werewolf who keeps her and her sons identity secret with daily drops of silver which suppress her wolf and the same can be said for Gray which is why he's been able to survive being locked up...
Jack is a very gifted tattoo artist and vampire, his paintings are epic and his hungers are both in the form of blood and sex, but his real feelings are withheld because they are for his boss....
Will Angela and Jack ever be able to show their true selves to each other?
Very deep and explicit sex, but not of the dirty type, but real in content... So ladies, get those towels out.
April 27, 2022
2 1/2 stars. This book has an interesting premise of a tattoo parlor in Vegas with two paranormals. Throw in a motorcycle gang, the mob, a single mother, and a man trying to find out who killed a friend and you get a taste of this book. Oh, and lots of sex. That may be a problem for some people.
This is the first book in a series and it feels like it. There is a lot introduced without any resolution. The characters are interesting but I wish I felt more of a connection to them. That is probably in part because of the relatively short length of the story.
It is a fast ride and left me wanting to know more. I just might pick up the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is the first book in a series and it feels like it. There is a lot introduced without any resolution. The characters are interesting but I wish I felt more of a connection to them. That is probably in part because of the relatively short length of the story.
It is a fast ride and left me wanting to know more. I just might pick up the next in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
January 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I definitely was expecting this to be more of a romance.
I have nothing against mark but I just thought his and Angela’s relationship was just weird and didn’t fit.
I also felt like there really wasn’t might as far as a plot in this book. Don’t get me wrong, the spice was great but there’s nothing in me that’s wants to read the other books. Jack was the only thing I truly LOVED about this book. I was always anticipating when I would get back to his POV. Never really knew what was going to happen next for him. Anyway, all that to say it was a great book if you’re looking for lots of spice, but would not recommend if you’re wanting something deeper than that.
I have nothing against mark but I just thought his and Angela’s relationship was just weird and didn’t fit.
I also felt like there really wasn’t might as far as a plot in this book. Don’t get me wrong, the spice was great but there’s nothing in me that’s wants to read the other books. Jack was the only thing I truly LOVED about this book. I was always anticipating when I would get back to his POV. Never really knew what was going to happen next for him. Anyway, all that to say it was a great book if you’re looking for lots of spice, but would not recommend if you’re wanting something deeper than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2022
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well damn! This was a good beginning to a series. At times I did feel like there was a lot going on with the alternating storylines (Angela and Jack), I have a feeling the storyline merge at some point in the series though. But right now, you got Angela a werewolf who broke from her pack, and Jack a vampire on a mission to avenge his friend’s murder. BUT the smut?! There was a lot of that - MFF, MF, MM! Overall this was a short smut filled ride, and I’ll likely read more of the series.
Well damn! This was a good beginning to a series. At times I did feel like there was a lot going on with the alternating storylines (Angela and Jack), I have a feeling the storyline merge at some point in the series though. But right now, you got Angela a werewolf who broke from her pack, and Jack a vampire on a mission to avenge his friend’s murder. BUT the smut?! There was a lot of that - MFF, MF, MM! Overall this was a short smut filled ride, and I’ll likely read more of the series.
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