JJ's Kinky Books: Reviews blast - The Love & Ink Series by J A Howell

Marks on my Skin

Love & Ink # 1

By- J.A. Howell

Genre- Erotica

Publication Date- March 15th, 2014

Published By- SideStreet Cookie Publishing

**Not for readers under the age of 18+. Contains language, explicit sex, and adult situations.**

Kieran Donovan has always been a doormat to the women in his life. Begging his wife not to leave after finding her in bed with not one—but five men—only provides further proof of that.

In need of an escape from an empty house and a broken heart, Kieran heads to Midtown to see his estranged brother, Liam. There he meets Shayne Wickham, Liam’s best friend. Shayne’s dark and sexy with a wild streak a mile long and a sexual appetite for things Kieran’s never even dreamed of doing. But after an intense, and all too brief encounter, he’s more than willing to learn. Despite the usual safeguards Shayne keeps around herself and her own wounded heart, she finds herself more than willing to show him the ropes…and the floggers…and the paddles.

Kieran’s never seen himself as dominant in any aspect of his life. But when Shayne submits herself to him, it ignites an inner strength and hunger he never knew he had—and feelings Shayne didn’t know she could have. So used to keeping others at an arm’s length, the ease with which she finds herself trusting Kieran is both exciting and unsettling. Could Kieran be someone she could finally trust her heart to—or will he leave her scarred like everyone else?

Just another mark on her skin.

Review

Marks On My Skin has got to be one of the best books I've read this year, it is absolutely awesome. J.A Howell is a new author to me, and boy am I impressed with her writing. This book has BDSM elements, but it completely turns the usual Dom/sub stereotypes on their heads. Instead of an arrogant, alpha Dom we have a hero who to be honest is a complete pushover, and we have a sassy, tattooed bad girl submissive for our heroine. I found the characters to be really refreshing, and it was great to see them grow and develop throughout the story.

Kieran moves to Midtown to reconnect with his estranged brother and to try to get over his failed marriage. When he meets his brother's best friend, Shayne, he feels an instant attraction to the sexy but guarded bad girl. When Shayne introduces him to domination and submission, he is initially hesitant but soon finds a dominant side of his personality that he didn't know existed.

Both characters have so many layers to them, and they are both well developed . I was immediately drawn to Shayne, she has been through hell and come through the other side. Both Kieran and Shayne have their issues - the main one being a lack of trust, and this is a big theme in the story. They work together well and it was fascinating to see their characters grow.

It is impossible to say exactly how good this book is, it really is fantastic. If you're looking for a hot, sexy read with lots of emotion and a real story, then Marks On My Skin is the book for you! This book definitely gets five stars!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Scratches Down My Back

Love & Ink # 2

By- J.A. Howell

Published By- SideStreet Cookie Publishing

Genre- Erotica

**Not for readers under the age of 18+. Contains language, explicit sex, and adult situations.**

Liam Donovan can’t connect with women. The only woman he thought he had something with was his best friend Shayne, but she chose his younger brother over him. Single, bitter, and with a non-existent sex life, he’s accepted the only good things he’s got going in his life are his tattoo shop and fighting in the cage.

When Lucy Stevens walks into his shop for a tattoo, he dismisses her like so many of the beautiful but vapid girls he’s met over and over. Unfortunately for him, this five foot blonde bombshell is more than capable of going a few rounds, easily putting Liam in his place. He finds her ability to keep him on his toes both intriguing and annoying. But he isn’t just afraid of being able to keep up with her verbal jests. Despite nothing being medically wrong with him, Liam hasn’t been able to “perform” on that front in years…

But Lucy isn’t one to back down from a challenge. When she gets this man in a compromising position and it seems once again his body won’t cooperate, Lucy takes control of the situation. A little tough love never hurt anybody, and it seems with Liam, that’s just what he needed.

For someone that’s spent the last decade having to be in charge, Liam finds complete release in handing it over to her. But Lucy is keeping a few secrets from Liam. Secrets that have previously destroyed her life and her past relationships. As she falls for Liam, she knows she needs to tell him. But will he still want to submit to her once he finds out the truth? Or will this be the one fight he walks away from?

Review

Scratches Down My Back is the second book in the Love & Ink series, but it can be read as a standalone. I absolutely loved the first book, so I didn't think that this one would live up to my high expectations - but I was definitely wrong! J A Howell has delivered another five star book that sucks you in right from the first page. This is a real emotional roller coaster that had me laughing and had me crying. I felt a strong connection with both main characters, and the author really succeeded in making me care about them and their relationship.

Liam is a sexy Irish tattoo artist and MMA fighter who has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He is a grumpy git at times, but believe me he has his reasons to be grumpy. Lucy is a fabulous character who is secretly a dominatrix. When these two first meet its kind of hate at first sight, but the chemistry between them is obvious. When we first met Liam in book one he came across as an alpha male, so I was surprised to discover that he's actually submissive. As the pair get close we are treated to some fantastically smexy scenes that will catch your kindle on fire. But there is much more to their relationship, and this book, than just sex.

This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend. The hero and heroine are wonderful, complex characters who truly go on a journey together. This is a must read for me - five stars!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Exposing the Flesh

Love & Ink # 3

By- J.A. Howell

Genre- Erotica

Published By- SideStreet Cookie Publishing

Publication Date- February 12th, 2015

*Warning: Intended for 18+ only. Contains graphic language and sex, as well as depictions of violence and sexual assault that may be disturbing to some readers.*

Niall Donovan is a talented photographer. When it comes to women, he can have his pick and has. But beneath the flirtatious, joking smiles he's hiding long buried pain and traumatic memories. Memories that are breaking the surface once more. Memories that he’ll do anything to shut up. When suicide doesn’t work for him, he indulges in pills, drugs, and physical pain. They seem to help some, but they barely take the edge off.

London Black has been put through the wringer. Between a car accident that nearly killed her, months of physical therapy, and finding out the boyfriend she moved to Midtown for has been cheating all along, she’s done being the sweet wholesome girl everyone thinks she is. A one night stand with the sexy photographer she meets at a club is just the thing she needs to boost her ego. It does more than that when the explicit photos of them are the main exhibit at the local art gallery. Embarrassed, angry, and now without a prospective job, she confronts him on opening night. But when he offers her a generous deal with room and board in return for more photos, she accepts. Taking naked photos with him for a large sum of cash doesn’t seem like that horrible of an option, and besides they both intend to keep things completely professional.

When the shutter starts snapping, however, it’s hard for either to deny what's developing between them. Neither are in a good place and prefer those desires stay hidden in the dark, but the camera doesn’t lie. Baring it all may expose more than their bodies. But exposing their hearts may be more than Niall or London bargained for.

About the Author-

J.A Howell is an office drone by day, and a writer by night. Her love of writing took off when she was eleven years old and decided to fill a composition notebook with stories to read to her friends. Many years (and notebooks) later, not much has changed. She still loves writing and sharing her works with others. When she isn’t writing, she can often be found trying her hand at whatever artistic pursuit strikes her fancy. J.A. Howell resides in Apopka, FL with her husband and their menagerie of animal children.

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