Tour - CUPCAKES AND INK (Clipped Wings 0.5) by Helena Hunting

CUPCAKES AND INK

(Clipped Wings 0.5)

by Helena Hunting

Published: February 3, 2014, Pocket Star

The prequel to Clipped Wings—“twisted, dark, incredibly erotic…a love story like no other” (USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton)—this emotional tale follows Hayden and Tenley as they struggle to let go of their pasts and maintain an emotionally safe distance from each other.

Tenley Page is looking for a new start: a new city, a new apartment, a new life. Her plan is to keep to herself and stay focused. But leaving her past behind and starting over isn’t as easy as she thought. And neither is maintaining her solitude. As Tenley settles into her new surroundings, she finds herself drawn to Inked Armor, the tattoo studio across the street. But it’s the gorgeous, dark-haired tattoo artist who captures her interest. There’s something about his severe beauty that captivates her—and not just in her waking hours.

Covered in the ink he inscribes on other people’s skin, Hayden Stryker has made a career out of being a tattooist. He’s got his own business and a tight circle of friends. As far as he’s concerned, that’s all he needs. At least until his aunt, who owns the antiques and used book store across from his tattoo studio, hires a new employee. At first his intrigue is based on physical appeal; hot chick equals something nice to look at. But as he begins to catch glimpses of the fiery personality under the fragile, feminine exterior, his fascination with Tenley grows. Annoyed by his inability to control his fixation, Hayden decides the best way to cure him of the new obsession is to get to know the girl under her skittish façade.

But like the ink he wears as armor, Tenley has the ability to get under his skin and stay there.

CUPCAKES AND INK

(Clipped Wings #0.5)

by Helena Hunting

ARC Review

Published: February 3, 2014, Pocket Star

My rating: 4.5 of 5 ⭐️


She moved in to the apartment above the used bookstore and coffee shop only a short while ago, but Tenley Page is fast becoming familiar with the comings and goings at the tattoo shop across the road. Keeping a low profile after leaving her old life behind, she doesn't venture far from her apartment, only grabbing a coffee or scouring the shelves of the bookstore below, spending the rest of her time keeping an eye on the gorgeous tall inked shop owner across the street, who seems to have taken up a permanent place in her mind.

Every time Hayden Stryker pops across the road for a caffeine fix from the coffee shop, the tattoo artist makes sure to check in on his aunt who owns the adjacent used book store as well. His circle is pretty tight. He lives above his shop, Inked Armor, his coworkers are his friends and his family is across the street. That's why the beautiful girl his aunt just hired part time, stands out to him despite the fact she does all she can to disappear every time he shows up.

Intrigued, Hayden tries to make a connection with Tenley, who after a few initial embarrassing moments, starts to show herself a little more though still very skittish. Hayden has to make sure he controls the urge to devour her like he wants to and approach her carefully, or he is sure she will run.....

****

Hook, Line and Sinker!!!

Ok.....normally I wouldn't give such a high rating to a short novella that is open ended and serves as the introduction to a new series..... HOWEVER, this little piece of writing was so completely absorbing.... the characters appealing in a way, I NEED to get to know them better....I have to know their story, both their history and their future. 

The title is what made me pick up this book, honestly. I love cupcakes and I love ink.....it's that stupidly simple, but what I got in return  is not simple at all. It is the first of what I know is going to be many layers of an onion, slowly peeled away, to - perhaps - ultimately expose the core.

The feeling I get from Tenley is that she came away from something pretty traumatic. There is no confirmation in this book, it is simply a personal impression based on the fact that she seems fearful and very private. Somewhat awkward and controlled at times....perhaps a touch of OCD. There are a few indicators here that may eventually lead us to her background story, but that's for each to interpret. She may be timid, but she is not a floormat.....she has some bite and I like her.

Hayden seems like a nice guy with good friends and a good heart, although I wonder about him. There has to be some history there. He is very close with his aunt and I am sure there is more to that family dynamic. 

I immediately upon finishing this book, dove on Goodreads and collected all information I could on the series and the writer, Helena Hunting, who happens to be a 'neighbour', so to speak!! The amazing news is that these books are set to release in fairly short sequence, with CLIPPED WINGS, the first full novel releasing in March of this year, which means we won't have to wait forever, for each following book. 

✨A fabulous, amazingly compelling draw into a new series!✨

**ARC provided by NetGalley and Pocket Books in return for an honest review.**

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

        

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