SHATTERED PIECES
HEATHENS INK SERIES, BOOK 4
K.M. NEUHOLD
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 10.31.17
COVER DESIGN: K.M. Neuhold
COVER PHOTO: StockPhoto
BLURB
“I was sure my heart had withered away years ago, but then you smiled at me and I felt it beat again.” ~Gage
Years ago, I fell in love with my best friend's little brother. Then, he took his own life, leaving me shattered and unable to piece my heart back together. I've been a zombie for nine long years. Until a crazy, gorgeous man walked into Heathens Ink and injected color back into my world of gray. No matter how hard I try to resist Beck he just won’t give up on me. I would need steel willpower to withstand his gorgeous long legs in his high heels, and his drawer full of lacy lingerie. But is this just a kinky hook up or does it have the possibility for more?
“We're both broken, but our jagged edges fit together well” ~ Beck
When you’re half of a whole you never contemplate what life would be like without your matching piece. Since my twin sister, Brianna, died last year, nothing I do seems to quiet my soul. I know there has to be some way for me to feel happy and whole again. And, when I look into the pained eyes of the tattoo artist at Heathens Ink I feel like I have a purpose. I can’t explain it, but I feel like I have to find a way to put him back together.
Shattered Pieces is book 4 in The Heathens Ink Series and can be read as a standalone.
EXCERPT
“Dance with me.” Beck holds his hand out to me. His eyes spark with amusement at what I’m sure is the obvious horror in my expression.
“I don’t dance.”
“Come on, you’re supposed to be trying fun, new things. I’m not expecting Fred Astaire, just stand in my general vicinity and nod your head to the beat.”
I sigh in resignation and take Beck’s hand, refusing to notice how soft his skin is or how good it feels to touch someone, however casually.
Still clutching my hand, Beck starts to dance. He starts out tame, simply swaying to the music. But, before long he’s spinning and shimmying like a ballerina on crack. Even being goofy and over the top he’s utterly graceful. And the joy in his expression is heartbreaking in its beauty.
When he spins out and then into my arms like a tango dancer, a laugh escapes from my chest, too full of a warmth to contain it.
“You have a really nice laugh,” Beck says, smiling up at me.
My heart thuds violently against my ribcage. Some long-forgotten place in my brain wakes up from its long slumber and starts to make irrational demands like kiss him and make Beck mine.
I pull my arms back, forcing a smile as blood rushes in my ears. Beck isn’t mine. He can never be mine. I had someone who was mine and I broke him beyond repair.
“I’m afraid I’m a bit rusty,” I admit with chagrin.
“Never too late to pick it back up again,” Beck reasons, stepping close again but not so close to warrant another retreat on my part.
His lips are rosy pink and so soft, slightly parted and unbelievably tempting. I can’t remember if we were discussing laughing or kissing and I don’t really care.
“For the first time in a long time I’m starting to wonder if that’s true.” The hope my statement sparks in Beck’s eyes forces me to backpedal as guilt washes over me. “It feels wrong to imagine happiness is possible, even in some vague, future way.”
“I’m not going to give you any trite bullshit like saying Johnny would’ve wanted you to be happy. I didn’t know Johnny and even if I had there’s no way to know what he would’ve wanted because he’s gone. But you’re still here. You still have a life, a heart, and the right to be happy whether now or in a vague future.” The way Beck holds my gaze is like a cobra ensnaring a mouse. “You don’t need Johnny’s permission to move on and be happy. You only need to give yourself permission.”
REVIEW
Review by: Jennifer
(4.5 Stars)
Gage's first love committed suicide years ago and since then Gage doesn't really live a life, more like he mourns the love he lost and the loss of the life they would have had. Watching all the other guys pair up and being happy is killing Gage. The worse part is now that his best friend has paired up, Gage feels he has to move out and not be the third wheel. When Beck comes in for a tattoo appointment, for the first time in years, Gage takes notice and immediately feels guilty. When he keeps running into Beck, who makes it clear that he is interested in Gage, the two strike up a friendship of sorts. But both have been hurt in the past, both are recovering from loss. Gage has to figure out just how to cope with all these new feelings that are bursting out, and Beck is struggling to be the man he really is. But is Gage just using Beck as a replacement for the love he lost?
I normally go for the more masculine MM stories so this was a first for me, the more feminine character that wears manties and heels, but TBH I loved it! With drama, and some smoking hot sexy times this was a really good read, my only issue is I wanted more from the ending but don't fear, I'm sure we will be seeing more of them in later books. I give this 4.5 stars.
I'm an author of m/m and new adult romance. I have a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well.
SOCIAL MEDIA
GIVEAWAY
No comments:
Post a Comment