Tattoo
artist Brody "Cujo" Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life
and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to
raise three boys she didn't want, he's intent on staying clear of complicated
women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he
designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best
friend Trent's engagement party, which means working with Trent's fiancée's
best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And
the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.
Andrea
"Drea" Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing
mom, she's at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills,
two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added
frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s
engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the
abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to
Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on
forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to
bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt.
Release date: January 5, 2016
St. Martin’s Press
A Second Circle Tattoos Novel book 2
Review copy provided by the publisher
Nikki’s Review:
It is so fantastically awesome when I stumble across a series
that makes me giggle like a schoolgirl. Not because it's overly humorous (though
this book does make me laugh at times ) but because I'm so damn happy to get my
hands on it! My tummy did a little flip when this baby showed up in my
email. I knew right away that I'd be ignoring my family for the evening,
ordering pizza, and I wouldn't come up for air until the very last page.
Cujo and Drea. These two crack me the hell up! Their sarcastic
banter in book one made me laugh out loud. There was some crazy chemistry
between them. I liked seeing their relationship develop from throwing barbs at
each other, to finding a friendship, and finally, realizing that they were each
other's missing piece.
Both of these characters are dealing with some heavy baggage.
The constant tug of war with their emotions was exhausting...and I loved every
second of it! Scarlett Cole wrote this book in such a way that I felt I was
able to go on Cujo and Drea's individual journeys. I felt the desperation and
elation. I felt the crushing responsibility that Drea carried, on my chest.
This woman has the weight of the world on her not so delicate shoulders. And
asking for help or a hand out isn't even a consideration, as far as she's
concerned. Drea is strong. But she's crumbling; drowning and no one can her
cries. I seriously struggled with trying to keep it together. My anxiety levels
were through the roof. As much as I was convinced that there was going to be an
HEA at the end, I couldn't quite see Drea's light at the end of the
tunnel.
Cujo is a survivor. He's beat the odds of an illness that has
left him emotionally paralyzed. He's not willing to open his heart to anyone
because he's convinced that it could come to a screeching halt if he gets sick
again. And how do you tell someone to just get over that? As much as I wanted him
and Drea together, I knew he couldn't be pushed. Ms. Cole pulled this poor
bastard through the mud backwards. There are so many facets to Cujo. I wasn't
prepared for how deep this man felt and thought. He's full of snarky comebacks,
has a killer smile, and is uber hot. But he flipped me on my ass with his
tender soul. This Wildly wicked; tattooed bad boy has a sense of honour that
runs deep. At one point, I was so pissed with him! He's constantly pushing Drea
away, and then he's begging her, to essentially not find happiness elsewhere. I
knew he wanted her ferociously, but he as too damn stubborn to give into it.
There's a bit more suspense in this book than there was in, The
Strongest Steel. It added to the character development though, and it didn't
overpower the love story. Drea becomes somewhat of a detective. You get to see
how incredibly intelligent she is. There's a whole layer to her personality
that is more than her bark and sassy attitude. I gotta tell you, it's been a
while since I've read a new to me author, who can write such well thought out
characters. I could imagine myself becoming friends with this group of people.
They were so likeable and had a realness to them. These were people with
ordinary lives who have extraordinary personalities!
There are several important story arcs in this book. Each has
its path that needs to be walked to get to the big picture, the climax that
will either destroy Cujo and Drea, or bring them together to find the peace and
love that they each desperately need and deserve. You get to visit with the
crew from Second Circle Tattoos. That's one of my favourite things about
series. You get little glimpses of what Trent and Harper are up to. I missed
them, and I was excited when they came onto the page! Scarlett Cole makes you
care about her characters. She writes them so they twist themselves around your
heart and never let go. Could there be anything more perfect? I think
not.
Needless to say, I'm anxious to get a hold of book three, The Purest Hook! I have a feeling that
Dred and Pixie are going to bring me to my knees. And I look forward to
falling.
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