August 20th through August 23rd is going to be un-official Ranae Rose week here on TBQ's Book Palace, to help celebrate her Inked in the Steel City series. Kame reviews all three books, one a day, and on Friday interviews Ranae about the books. Be sure to check back each day for the next post!
Originally I was going to do a double review for each book with Kame, but, well, life happened, and August rolled around and I realized I hadn't even had time to pick up book 1 yet, little loan consider reading and reviewing all of them. So, sadly, I still haven't read this series, but I plan on still doing so as soon as I get a chance!
Enjoy!
TBQ
Publisher: Createspace (May 27th, 2013)
Series: Inked in the Steel City, 2
Series: Inked in the Steel City, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Photographing exceptional tattoos for the Hot Ink Tattoo Studio turns into much more than just a job when Karen meets Jed, the sexy-as-sin owner. With attraction sizzling between them, each photo shoot is a labor of love … and a chance to get closer to the man of her increasingly naughty dreams.
Curvy, vivacious Karen is everything Jed would want in a woman, if he wanted one at all. But a relationship seems like too dangerous a gamble for someone who’s loved before and suffered the ultimate loss. So why can’t he resist when he discovers the attraction is mutual? Even if he were willing to risk everything again, Karen’s too young, too full of life to be burdened with someone whose heart bears scars as permanent as the ink in his skin.
When the two finally face what lies between them, the passion is undeniably real, but will the unexpected extinguish the spark of their love, or fan the flames?
Where to Buy*:
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Kame's Review:
This is the second installment in Ranae Rose’s Inked In The Steel City series. This installment centers on the tattoo shop’s owner Jed and Mina’s best friend Karen. Jed owned the shop with his wife who lost her battle with cancer five years ago. It is a pain he keeps very private and rarely discusses. Karen is a waitress and part-time photographer. She has taken photographs of many of Hot Ink’s most impressive tattoos. Some of her work is on display in the shop, most notably photos from the shoot that sparked Mina and Eric relationship (Hot Ink – Book 1). Karen has harbored a space in her heart for Jed, often making an excuse to come into Hot Ink to personally drop off prints. Jed is awed by Karen’s talent as a photographer. Will Jed dare to love again?
You do not have to have a tattoo to identify with the characters in this book and series. I myself am terrified of needles but Ranae Rose’s words opened my eyes to the wonderful art that tattoos can be. I appreciate the beauty of tattoos more now. Many books talk about tattoos now, many have characters discussing getting a tattoo or asking another character the meaning behind their tat. This series does that but also explores the lives of the artists who create the masterpiece for their client’s lifetime.
“There was a story behind every tattoo - Jed had told her that once “
I really enjoyed the emotional journey Jed went through in this book; and Karen was the perfect woman to inspire him on that journey. Jed’s path to healing seemed realistic and not forced. I felt his pain. He just wasn’t sure if he had it in him to love again. Karen, it is hard for me to put into words how much I identified with and appreciated her character. Karen led by example, showing Jed what a full loving life could hold. She had fantastic relationships with everyone in her life and I found it refreshing to read about a heroine who just was so comfortable with herself. Karen did have her challenges and sad times in this book; however it is how she approached and overcame them that showed more of her true heart; and in the end inspired Jed to open himself to letting another person in his heart again.
“I really love shooting – people, their stories, their tattoos, the important moments in their lives…I love taking photos that people will cherish of admire for the rest of their lives”
Sometimes when you read a book you don’t realize how wonderful it is until later. When I first read this book I gave it four stars, now more than a month later as I finalized my review I just changed it to five stars. The reason I found myself thinking back to Jed and Karen a lot this past month, and definitely as I read the remaining books in this series. I found myself pondering scenes from the book and also looking back at the book for quotes. This is the second book in the series, but the first book I read. It can function as a standalone perfectly – if you are not sure if you will like this series this is the book to read.
5 STARS!
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Kame received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for her honest opinion.
*Note: The quotes used belong to Ranae Rose; Kame and TBQ's Book Palace do not claim them.
*Note: The quotes used belong to Ranae Rose; Kame and TBQ's Book Palace do not claim them.
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Meet Kame:
Kame is part of a family of readers; one day she picked up the Nook she purchased for her husband and discovered her love of e-books. A few months later he purchased one for her so he could have his back! Kame’s Nook is never far, and she is hard pressed to pick a favorite book, genre or author. As long as there are characters that make her want to sit down and have a chat and a plot keeps the pages turning, she’ll read it.
Kame's GoodReads
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Thanks Kame--isn't it funny how that can happen? You read the book one time, give it one rating, but after another read through, or time to think on it, you realize it deserves a different rating. I'm so glad to hear that you loved this book!
Do you enjoy tattoos in your romances---on the hero, heroine, or other characters? Do you like tattoos in real life? And finally, do YOU have any tatts (or perhaps your hubby/bf)?
Thanks Kame--isn't it funny how that can happen? You read the book one time, give it one rating, but after another read through, or time to think on it, you realize it deserves a different rating. I'm so glad to hear that you loved this book!
Do you enjoy tattoos in your romances---on the hero, heroine, or other characters? Do you like tattoos in real life? And finally, do YOU have any tatts (or perhaps your hubby/bf)?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
3 comments :
Thank you Kame for reading and reviewing Innocent Ink and thank you to The Book Queen for hosting. :)
loved the books!! even though no tattoos-but the beauty and story behind them are a work of art -just like a good book
Wow Kame......you have convinced me!!! These sound great, on my list!
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