THE PUREST HOOK (A SECOND CIRCLE TATTOOS #3)

The Purest Hook

A Second Circle Tattoos Novel book #3

St. Martin's Press (Macmillan)

Release date: May 3, 2016

Review copy provided by the publisher 

Blurb:

Can a love built on secrets survive?

Rugged, hot, and rock hard, Dred Zander is exactly the type of man that normally sends Pixie running. Not dreaming about running her hands down his washboard abs...and lower. The lead singer and guitarist for the band Preload embodies trouble behind his quick smile and guarded eyes, and Pixie left trouble behind her years ago along with the name Sarah Jane Travers and the pathetic trailer her mom called home. With her abusive past in her past, she has a new life, a new family at Second Circle, and a dream of opening her own business. She needs capital and time. What she doesn't need is a tempting long-haired rocker or the paparazzi that follow him around.

But Dred has other ideas. Pixie's sweet hazel eyes, purple hair and kaleidoscopic tattoo of exotic flowers that swirl up her arm haunt his dreams, and he knows she wants him too. He just has to convince her. But as a juicy exposé threatens to expose their pasts, and a blackmailer terrorizes their present, Pixie and Dred have to decide what really matters and fight like hell to keep it.

Nikki’s Review:

To say that I love this series is an understatement! I have read thousands of romance novels, and there are only a couple of handfuls of books that kick me in the gut. Scarlett Cole's, Second Circle Tattoos series is one of them! I lose all sense of time when I'm devouring one of her books. The Purest Hook pulled me and wouldn't let go until the last page.

We met Pixie and Dred in book one. I could feel the chemistry between them. Dred is full of charm and enough rock star swagger to make my spine tingle! And he clearly makes certain areas on, Pixie's body tingle! Through books one and two, they do the dance of flirtation and easy smiles. But Pixie is holding back. There's a story there that we aren't privy to yet. So, when it came time for, Dred and Pixie to take the dive, I was eager to go with them!

These characters both have emotional hang-ups and enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of an airplane. What I love about all the characters in this series, is that they are beautifully flawed. They're good people who have had to fight to find their way in the world. Scarlett Cole writes characters that are real. I feel like they could be my friends. Reading the banter between them is one of the best parts. It all seems so natural. The character development is fabulous. The emotions are raw. 

Dred and Pixie are struggling with their secrets. They're afraid if they share with each other, the parts that not many people know about, that it'll destroy their fragile relationship. Here's where you want to shake them and tell them to just be honest! Though, I can't imagine laying yourself bare like that and risk losing the person you're falling in love with. 

Dred does a lot of growing up in this book. He has to make some decisions about his life. He has to be a better person, and not just for himself. Pixie also has to make decisions. She has to decide to trust someone with her story. She has to reveal her demons and show that she's stronger than her past.

I love these two tortured souls together! They are the light to each other's darkness. You can feel the contentment when they are together. You can also feel the lust burning up the pages! Sweet baby Jesus, the lust is so bright and explosive, it takes your breath away! The sex scenes are seriously intense and beautifully written. Dred is my new book boyfriend. He ummm, has magic fingers...and other magic stuff too! 

I can't go into too much detail about their issues and secrets. I don't want to give it all away. To fully understand and enjoy the journey, you need to be immersed in it.

You get a lot of Trent and Cujo time too! I love that the secondary characters are prominent, but they don't take away from the current couples story. The people in this series are a family. Blood doesn't connect them, the heart does. They've all had their struggles and by finding each other, they've found what they needed the most...love and family.

If you haven't already, start with book one, The Strongest Steele. You wouldn't want to miss, Trent's book anyways! But you'll get the start of Pixie and Dred's story too. This is a series that will stay with you. When I finish each book, I think about the characters long after. I miss them. Getting the next book in the series is like coming home. And home is a great place.