Jenn's Book Obsession: Release Blitz: Excerpt + Review + Giveaway

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

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2zZWnl2

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2zOYkj9

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.

Review

4 Stars

This is a new-to-me author and the first book in this series that I’ve read. It can be read as a standalone although now I’m intrigued by the other couples and need to back track. I really enjoyed this story and these characters. Gage and Beck couldn’t be more perfect for each other. I like how the author paced their friendship/relationship. I think it was exactly what Gage needed.

Although I did enjoy the story, I’m not sure how I felt about the whole grieving for ten years. I mean I know everyone copes and deals with death differently but TEN YEARS! Ok, so after I got over the whole ten year thing I was expecting Gage to go through this very emotional breakthrough where I was going to ugly snot cry. Because it’s been ten years! I felt the build-up and there were emotions and my heart was breaking for Gage but ………………… no emotional snot crying! WHAT?! I was a little disappointed as I was expecting it to be more on the emotional side considering the circumstance and the amount of time this author had Gage grieving for his young lover whom he only dated for a short amount of time. So, this was really the only down side of the story for me. I wanted the snot cry!!

Oh well, so no snot crying people! But don’t fret as it’s still a very enjoyable read with a bunch of great characters. BECK!!! I sooooo fucking LOVED Beck! An absolute wonderful, fun, sexy, feisty, and amazing character that really just brought this whole story to light. Even dealing with his own grief and the daily misery from his career he was an absolute delight and joy to read. I love that this author made him proud of who he was and wasn’t afraid or ashamed to rock his heels and makeup. LOVE IT!

Overall, this was a touching, sweet and sexy read. I will be going back to the other books in the series and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

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.”