FROM ASHES
HEATHENS INK SERIES, BOOK 3
K.M. NEUHOLD
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 08.22.17
COVER DESIGN: K.M. Neuhold
COVER PHOTO: StockPhoto
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2w5yA3U
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2uURbfi
BLURB
“When the broken man with scarred skin walked into Heathens, asked for a job, and showed me a sketch of a phoenix, it felt like fate.”~ Adam
It started with an anonymous post by someone who didn't want to live anymore. I read it over and over again, unable to get it out of my mind. What if my brother Johnny had posted something like this before he'd taken his own life? Would someone have been able to save him?
I've been living a lie for 16 long years and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep it up. And when a beautiful, broken man walks into my tattoo shop asking for a second chance at life, I know I'll never be able to turn him away.
“When I was so far down I couldn’t even see the light, a stranger reached in to save me”~ Nox
It started with an anonymous post by someone who didn't want to live anymore. I read it over and over again, unable to get it out of my mind. What if my brother Johnny had posted something like this before he'd taken his own life? Would someone have been able to save him?
I've been living a lie for 16 long years and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep it up. And when a beautiful, broken man walks into my tattoo shop asking for a second chance at life, I know I'll never be able to turn him away.
“When I was so far down I couldn’t even see the light, a stranger reached in to save me”~ Nox
I didn't have anything to live for, until a kind stranger pulled me back from the brink. With physical and emotional scars I have nowhere to turn now but to that same stranger who saved my life without realizing it. But as my feelings for Adam grow, will I ever be anything other than a surrogate for the brother he couldn’t save? Am I even worthy of his love?
**From Ashes is the third book in the Heathens Ink series, each book in the series CAN be read as a standalone.
CAUTION: this book contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence and drug use that may be disturbing to some readers.
EXCERPT
The air in the room seems to shift as our laughter fades. I look over at Adam and find him looking back.
His eyes flick over my face like he’s searching for something and the crease between his brows makes me wonder what he’s thinking so hard about. I wonder for the millionth time how he kisses, what his lips taste like. I’ve never been this obsessed with kissing before but my brain is like a broken record lately.
Subconsciously, I feel myself leaning forward, and to my surprise, Adam is leaning forward too.
Our mutual approach is slow and measured, like we’re both afraid to scare the other off if we move too fast.
His breath smells like chocolate as it bathes my face and my hands start to tremble. I mentally send out a prayer to every deity I can think of not to let Adam come to his senses until after I get the chance to kiss him and know what it feels like for just a few seconds.
When his lips finally ghost against mine it’s like an electric jolt to every nerve ending. Then, he lets out a defeated sound and crushes his lips against mine and my heart nearly explodes out of my chest.
The kiss is sweet and exploratory as his tongue sweeps against my lips, seeking access. I open to him without hesitation, looping my arms around the back of his neck and pulling myself flush against him.
My skin feels like it’s the only thing keeping me from bursting into a million beams of light.
Adam’s hands gently roam my body. Not harsh and demanding like I’m used to, but reverently. Each breathy sound that falls from his lips between kisses burrows into my heart to make a permanent home.
Adam pulls his lips from mine and I whimper in protest. He presses his forehead against mine as we both attempt to catch our breath.
“I’m so sorry. God that was so inappropriate,”Adam laments in a pained tone.
“No.”I clutch desperately at the front of his shirt, unwilling to let him pull away. “Please, don’t tell me that the best moment of my life was a mistake.”
“You’re my employee, and you’re going through so much,”Adam argues weakly.
“I don’t care. Please, Adam, give it a chance. Give us a chance?”I don’t know what’s making me so bold, but now that I’ve had a taste of what it can feel like to have someone care about you, I can’t let it go, not without a fight.
“Okay,” Adam breathes after a second and I nearly cry in relief before scrambling into his lap and kissing him again.
More confident now, my tongue sweeps along the inside of Adam’s hot mouth. His hands grip my hips and then wander up my back, underneath my shirt. I shiver at the contact of his rough fingers against my skin.
As our kissing drags on with no attempt on Adam’s part to get my clothes off I start to feel out of my depth. I don’t think he’s been with a guy before so am I supposed to let him set the pace? Or, is he assuming I’ll lead? Then something else occurs to me...it’s only fair for me to tell Adam the full extent of my past before he makes the decision to be in a sexual relationship with me.
I force myself to end the kiss and lean back on his lap.
4 Stars!
Adam thinks it will be like any other night chatting with a sexy stranger on a hookup app. When he sees a post from a young man on his birthday struggling with whether to take his own life, Adam feels compelled to reach out to him. To let him know he's not alone. He has no clue that he will make a connection that will not only save a stranger's life but in some ways save his own.
I'm glad I finally got Adam's story. I'd been curious about him from the beginning of the series and really wanted to see what it was that he was hiding. I obviously had an idea that it concerned his sexuality but it was still intriguing nonetheless. I will admit I found his reason for keeping it a secret pretty juvenile and then Gage's reaction was ridiculous.
My heart broke for Nox and what he'd experienced in his young life. The things he saw as a child and then had to endure as a teen combined with the tragic life he lived as a consequence was sometimes hard to read but it definitely kept me hooked on the story.
Together Adam and Nox had great chemistry from friendship to their relationship, they fit quite well together. It was definitely a relationship based on an emotional connection which was good to see. Yes, they were attracted to one another but it was definitely more than sex.
As for the writing, I'd say this is my favorite in the series so far. There were some moments it became a little cheesy but for the most part, I found it highly enjoyable. Adam is kind of the glue that holds the gang together so I'm happy we got to see his HEA.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
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.
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Love this series! Can't wait to read it great post.
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