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.
Review
I have to say, I knew going in this book was going to hurt a bit. It did break my heart some, but it put it back together so beautifully. I am such a big fan of this series and already can’t wait for more.
Gage is a tattoo artist at Heathens Ink and a man living with the ghost of his dead lover. Gage fell so hard for Johnny, his best friend’s little brother at such a young age. When Johnny dies, Gage doesn’t know how to live with the pain, the loss and the guilt. He isn’t really living, merely existing in a world void of color.
Beck is also suffering from loss, but is doing everything he can to live for his sister. Beck is all color and wants nothing more than to help heal Gage. The two are unlikely friends who soon add benefits to the mix. Keeping love out of their relationship proves harder than either expected. Soon all their fun and benefits start to become something they have to deal with before it breaks them even more. These two are such a perfect fit for each other, Beck softens all of Gage’s rough edges. Now, they each have to let go of the past and start believing it.
Beck and Gage became my favorite couple in the series now! They hit so many of my buttons, Beck with his makeup and lace. I love how fully accepting Gage is and how much Beck being himself turns Gage on. There is such beauty in reading a story where someone’s differences are so celebrated. This book has all the feels and the whole series is fantastic. If you haven’t read Heathens Ink, you really should! I love all of these guys so much and think they are really special.
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.”
About the Author
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
No comments:
Post a Comment