Secret Heart Ink Series 1-3 by Deborah Cooke-a review

ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT
Secret Heart Ink #3
by Deborah Cooke
Release Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, slightly paranormal, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lexi is haunted by her past…
Lexi can’t seem to move beyond her aching sense of loss after giving up a child for adoption and feels as if her life just stopped ten years ago. She knows that taking Gabe home only makes her feel good for one night, but the more often she does it, the more addictive his touch becomes. Lexi is surprised when Gabe challenges her to face her fears, but honesty is important to him and she shares the story. But as Lexi embarks on a new life with Gabe’s encouragement, she realizes she’s become too reliant on a man who only wants to be her lover, and that Gabe has taught her to want more than he can give.

Gabe wants Lexi in his future…
Eleven years ago, Gabe found the woman of his dreams and spent a perfect night with her – only to wake up alone. He searched for her for years, only to have Lexi walk into his life, the sister of his new partner. He can’t decide if not knowing her location was worse than realizing she doesn’t recognize or remember him, but Gabe is a man who trusts his instincts. He knows that he and Lexi belong together, just as he’s aware that he has to help her heal from a secret wound. He hasn’t dared to hope that Lexi will ever want more than their passionate nights together – when she decides to leave him, Gabe knows that the truth will either be the foundation of their future together or the fact that he kept it secret from her will drive them apart forever.

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REVIEW: ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT is the third instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult SECRET HEART INK slightly paranormal, erotic, romance series of novellas-a spin off from the author’s Flatiron Five series. This is artist and waitress Lexi , and Wolfe Lodge co-owner Gabe’s story line. ONE HOT SUMMER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Lexi and Gabe are connected through Lexi’s brother and Gabe’s business partner Spencer.

SOME BACKGROUND: Secret Heart Ink is a tattoo shop, owned by the mysterious Chynna, located in Manhattan’s Flatiron Five. Along with her sidekick Tristan, during the full moon, Chynna creates one magical tattoo to set two hearts afire in the hopes of the recipient finding ever-lasting love.

Told from several third person points of view including Lexi and Gabe ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT follows the second chance romance between artist and waitress Lexi, and Wolfe Lodge co-owner Gabe. Fourteen years earlier Gabe had a one night stand with the woman of his dreams but a woman who disappeared in the blink of an eye. Fast forward to present day wherein Gabe, co-owner of Wolfe Lodge in Honey Hill, comes face to face with his past, his business partner’s sister Lexi, and the woman who is unaware of their previous connection. What ensues is Lexi’s seduction of our story line hero, and the potential fall-out as both keep secrets that could destroy their precarious hold on their new relationship.

Lexi doesn’t believe in ever-lasting love after witnessing the break down and fall-out of her parents’ marriage. A one-night stand kind of girl Lexi’s attraction and seduction of Gabe is constantly rebuffed until Gabe succumbs to secrets yet revealed. Gabe refuses to talk about his complicated past, a past that will directly affect his relationship with the woman he has always loved. Taking the first step towards his happily ever after, Gabe is unprepared for the fall-out when Lexi runs without looking back.

ONE HOT SUMMER NIGHT is a story of second chances; a rekindling, of a sort, for two people whose lives went in opposite directions eventually finding one another when the time was right. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is passionate; the characters struggle to move on from the past. Deborah Cooke invites the reader into a spirited yet tender, revealing and sensual tale of family, loss, commitment, and love.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Snowbound
Secret Heart Ink #1
by Deborah Cooke
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, slightly paranormal, romance

ebook ONLY 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Flatiron Five has a new tattoo shop—run by the enigmatic and legendary tattoo artist Chynna. When the moon is full, Chynna creates one tattoo to set two hearts afire and gives it away, with the goal of making romantic dreams come true. Who will be next?

Olivia trusts in here-and-now…
Olivia doesn’t believe in magic or everlasting love—she’s a scientist, after all—but winning a tattoo from Chynna convinces her to take a chance. She’s always admired her best friend Lexi’s big brother Spencer, maybe because opposites attract. What would it be like to seduce him? Would it end her fascination with him? With a little help from her friends and a blindfold, Liv decides to find out. The bonus is that Spencer will never know his secret lover was her…

Spencer believes in forever.
But Spencer guesses the truth almost right away. He’s good with having Olivia want him—having her alone in his cabin is the perfect chance to teach her to trust sensation and him. A blizzard interferes with Olivia’s plan, giving Spencer more time to work his own persuasive magic. He knows a night or two will only be the beginning of what he wants to last forever. Can he convince Olivia to give love a try, or will she leave him forever as soon as the snow melts?

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REVIEW: SNOWBOUND is the first instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult SECRET HEART INK erotic, romance novella series-a spinoff from the author’s FLATIRON FIVE series. This is research geneticist Olivia, and chef/restaurant owner Spencer’s story line. You do not have to have read the Flatiron Five series to follow but several characters cross-over for cohesion and familiarity.

SOME BACKGROUND: Secret Heart Ink is a tattoo shop, owned by the mysterious Chynna, located in Manhattan’s Flatiron Five. Along with her sidekick Tristan, during the full moon, Chynna creates one tattoo to set two hearts afire in the hopes of the recipient finding ever lasting love.

Told from several third person perspectives including Olivia and Spencer SNOWBOUND follows research geneticist Olivia as she prepares for a new job and new life in England. A final party to say goodbye, Olivia and her friends Lexi and Reyna headed off to F5, an upscale night club wherein Olivia will be ‘selected’ by legendary tattoo artist Chynna, for a one of a kind, personal tattoo with the goal of making romantic dreams come true. Enter Spencer, chef and restaurant owner, Lexi’s brother, and the man whom Olivia has lusted after most of her adult life. What ensues is Olivia’s blindfold seduction of Spencer on the eve of her trip abroad, and the potential fall-out as Spencer and Olivia don’t see eye to eye on love or happily ever afters.

SNOWBOUND focuses on Olivia’s struggle with relationships and love. Raised by a single mother burned by the children’s father, Olivia and her brother Brandon, struggle with the deception and lies from the past, deception that has hardened their hearts to romance and love.

Deborah Cooke pulls the reader into a sexy and engaging story line with a stubborn and guarded heroine, and a determined hero. The premise is moving ; the romance is provocative and fated; the characters are strong and edgy. A quick read, SNOWBOUND is an energetic, sensual and erotic read for all to enjoy.

Copy supplied for review 

Reviewed by Sandy

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Spring Fever
Secret Heart Ink #2
by Deborah Cooke
Release Date: May 22, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, slightly paranormal, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Reyna knows happily-ever-after isn’t in her future…
But after three years of solitude, Reyna is ready for a fling. She’s learned her lesson with bad boys and long-term expectations, so her neighbor’s visiting nephew is the perfect man to lead into temptation. But Kade has a gift for breaking her rules and ensuring Reyna doesn’t regret it, which means one night becomes two…

Kade believes in putting the past where it belongs…
Kade was always waiting for the right woman, and one night with Reyna convinces him that he’s found her. It’s more than great sex and good conversation: Reyna’s determination to shape her life inspires him to rebuild his own, and he knows they’ll be a great team. All he has to do is convince her to take a chance on him and forever. When Reyna’s past catches up to them both, will it destroy their new partnership before the future begins?

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REVIEW: SPRING FEVER is the second instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, adult SECRET HEART INK slightly paranormal, erotic, romance series of novella-a spin off from the author’s Flatiron Five series. This is cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate, and police officer Kade Sullivan’s story line. SPRING FEVER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary including tattoo artist Chynna who’s imbues her designs with a touch of magic. There is a slight time line cross-over with book one –Snowbound.

NOTE: SPRING FEVER contains scenes of domestic violence that may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Secret Heart Ink is a tattoo shop, owned by the mysterious Chynna, located in Manhattan’s Flatiron Five. Along with her sidekick Tristan, during the full moon, Chynna creates one tattoo to set two hearts afire in the hopes of the recipient finding ever lasting love.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Reyna and Kade) follows the building relationship between cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate, and police officer Kade Sullivan. Kade Sullivan was spending his ordered time-off in the small town of Honey Hill, fixing and updating his Aunt and Uncle’s home when the sexy cupcake shop owner Reyna Tate catches his eye. Kade knows his time in Honey Hill is limited but meeting small business owner Reyna Tate has Kade thinking about a possible future with the mysterious and feisty woman who refuses to acknowledge the demons from her past. What ensues is the back and forth, up and down ‘thing ‘ between Reyna and Kade, and the fall-out as Reyna is unable to let go of the past, a past that controls her head and her heart.

Reyna Tate’s issues are personal and emotional such that the demons prevent our heroine from moving on from the past. Unable to allow herself the possibility of love, Reyna goes through life waiting to be hurt, or hurting someone that she loves. Reyna’s behaviour and attitude is troubling; her back and forth is disconcerting; she struggles to reveal the truth or accept Kade for the man that he is. Kade Sullivan’s attraction to Reyna is immediate and swift but Reyna’s rules for dating leave Kade wondering if Reyna’s walls will ever come down. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

SPRING FEVER is a story of betrayal and loss; acceptance and denial; love and a happily ever after. The premise is engaging; the romance struggles in the face of Reyna’s emotional up and downs; the characters are colorful but damaged and lost. SPRING FEVER touches on issues of domestic abuse, an all too familiar reality for many women and men.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy