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From the New York Times bestselling author of Healer's Choice comes the story of a woman with the power of touch. Skin doesn't lie to her. It is her gift, sometimes her curse. She feels what others felt, and sees the things held in their memories...
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín's help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn't-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic's price will there be any future at all.
LoveBooksandTea
Posted February 8, 2012
I have been reading Jory Strong's books for years and I have enjoyed almost all of them. She writes so well the story comes alive and you can see, feel and imagine yourself there.
The female character is strong and stands up for what she believs in, the two male characters are yummy and wow. (smile)
I would have given the book 5 stars but, (SPOILER COMING) there was NO complete ending. Yup, Jory Strong left a cliffhanger.
While the main bad guy was defeated we are lefting with the final wonderings of the elf lord (to himself) if she'll live or die during her transition to full elf.
Not to mention the conflict with her father and brother aren't completely resolved, AND she doesn't even know her one lover is an elf, much less her being one.
Throw in the fact she extended her human lovers's (she still thinks she's human) life when she placed her tattoos on him and the whole ending was ahhhhh!!!
I was looking forward to this book for months and I was angry at the ending. Not cool Jory Strong.
There should have been some kind of note that this book continues in a second book. Just saying. *sigh*
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.My Review:
I will admit, even after finishing this book, there is a lot about this world that I still don't think I understand. The beginning of this book drops you right into the story and there are a lot of characters in this story to keep track of. As a result, I found myself floundering trying to keep track of who was who at the beginning. At one point during the middle of the book, I even went back and re-read the first couple of chapters just to clear up exactly how the chain of events happened and it helped so much.
That being said though, I did enjoy this book....it just took me a while to settle into it. There are a couple of unrelated rapes in this book that Etain is helping to solve. She can take the victims memories through her palms. It's a gift that she doesn't understand, but she knows that she can find justice for the victims so she's willing to do it, although it costs her a great deal mentally and physically.
There are two love interests in this book for Etain. The first is Eamon who is an Elf Lord who recognizes her gift and Etain as Elfish in origin, although she doesn't even realize it. He fully plans on making her his wife and mistress and is willing to accept Cathal in her life to make that happen. Cathal is related to one of the rape victims. His mob family wants to exploit her gift through any means necessary. He's simply trying to keep her safe.
There are several things I really like about this book and at the heart of those is Etain. She's a tattoo artist, which is incredibly fascinating. Everything about her world was interesting...from her friends (one of my favorite parts of the story is her tattooing Quinn and the subsequent hook-up...just a great side story within this wonderful book) to her gift. She is being used by her family and accepts that because she knows that she's helping the victims, but my heart broke for her over their callousness. I love how honest she is with both men throughout this book. There is absolutely no subterfuge about what she is doing or how she's feeling. She's a no-holds-barred kind of gal and you can't help but admire her. I never thought I could enjoy a book where the heroine was involved with two men separately (which is the way this book through almost the entire story), but Jory Strong wrote this incredibly well and I never once questioned the dynamics between the three as being genuine. Really well-done.
This is a complex book filled with two extremely powerful men, two very violent crimes, a rapist stalking Etain, and a childhood and family that Etain just doesn't understand. I honestly feel like I need a re-read just because I know that I missed things along the way, but regardless of that, it was still extremely hot and suspenseful. I stayed up till 2:00 in the morning just to finish it. What I didn't realize until the last paragraph though, is that this is going to be an ongoing series and there is MUCH MORE to this story and explanation. OMG!!
I have a feeling we are about to enter much more into the Elfin world and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. While Eamon is okay with Cathal's presence in their lives, Cathal doesn't feel the same about Eamon...and that's before he realizes about all the Elf issues. Cathal is human and has had only the slightest hint about Etain's gifts/origins. It's liable to be an interesting ride and I can't wait to see where it goes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 3, 2012
Bravo! Another excellent read from Jory Strong. I love this book and was equally thrilled once I discover that it is not a part of the Ghostland series but a new series all togerther. Yay!! I have read every book she has published except the Thunderbird series (they are on the list).
I now have two great series to look forward to. Bring it on...your readers are waiting.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 3, 2012
Great characters and well balanced plot. Strong female lead and hot guys.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 16, 2012
The story was one that keeps the reader enthralled because there is so much going on. The plot is detailed and the criminals brought different versions of justice but A LOT of questions go unanswered. There is talk here of a sequel or the beginning of a possible series but there is no real indication from the author by way of a excerpt of a sequel or a statement not to miss the next book in the series. To say there are a lot of unanswered questions is a major understatement and that is why I gave a 4 rather than a 5 star rating. If there isn't a sequel I will think twice before reading anything from Jory Strong again.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 24, 2012
Cant wait for the sequel!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 12, 2012
Just finished reading this book and it was great. Can't wait for the next one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 4, 2012
Inked Magic is an erotic, urban fae, menage romance filled with fascinating characters. I really like the chemistry between Etain, Cathal, and Eamon, and I especially like the fact that author Jory Strong gives the characters time to grow towards and accept the idea of a menage relationship. The two separate plot threads slowly weave together, creating a coherent narrative.
My only complaint is that Inked Magic reads like one volume in a much larger series. There are references to the Elves being exiled from their home, and the threat the Queen poses to Etain, but nothing beyond that. The final chapter also ends on an abrupt note, leading me to wonder if Strong is planning a sequel.
Still, I found Inked Magic highly entertaining, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an erotic urban fantasy.
B+ Inked Magic has suspense, a fascinating heroine, sexy mob boss' son who want to stay out of the family business, a mysterious and sexy Elven lord, an interesting and disturbing serial rapist, one ménage à trois love scene, and a compelling sub-plot involving a teen girl) who was drugged and gang-raped.
The Characters
Etaín is a tattoo artist with a special gift. When she touches a person’s skin she can feel his emotions, see his memories, and visualize the tattoo he is she is meant to have. Even though she is estranged from her family, she secretly helps her FBI brother work with crime victims. She breaks the rules her mother gave her as a child: hide her gift, form no bonds, and not stay in one place long.
Cathal Dunne is a wealthy night club owner. He has worked hard to steer clear of his father and uncles’ organized crime business. Then, his sixteen year old niece is drugged and gang-raped. His father and uncle ask that he locate a “psychic” they have heard helps the police solve crimes. His feelings for the beautiful tattoo artist complicate matters.
Eamon, Elven Lord of San Francisco, sees Etaín walk into his restaurant and knows she is a changeling with very old magic like those born in Elfhome. He knows she is meant as his wife-consort. The tattoos on her hands proclaim her a soul searer, which is a very rare gift among his people. Etaín’s gift would help many young survive their transition. He needs to protect her from potential threats if her secret is discovered, educate her about her evolving gift, and claim her as his mate.
I’ve read one other Jory Strong book . It was okay. My expectations were not very high for Inked Magic. I figured it would have some hot sexy times and I enjoy polyandrous erotic romances. This book exceeded my expectations with a sympathetic and tough heroine, and an incredibly strong and emotional plot.
Of the two men, I found Cathal to be the most compelling hero. His father and uncle were never drawn as cartoonish wiseguys. The focus was on a father’s pain in seeing his daughter in so much emotional pain; a father’s frustration and distress in seeing his daughter drugged to a near catatonic state because of her suicide attempts; and his grief in watching the burial of his daughter’s best friend realizing it could have been his daughter that could have been a buried – a daughter who despite living is existing inside her own coffin. Jory Strong didn’t use Brianna’s gang-rapists or the serial rapist as mere plot devices. Strong’s rape victims are haunting.
Etaín proves to be an emotionally stong and incredibly compassionate heroine. There is also a dark side growing in her magic, which has yet to be explored. I’m invested in this series and am looking forward to the sequel. I recommend this book to readers who like dark urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance.
VLew
Posted September 15, 2012
Without a doubt a 5 star rating! I was completely enthralled with the story. The ending is without a doubt a surprise, one that I did not see coming...yet it was PERFECT! Can she write or what! A great author who leaves you wanting more!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 26, 2012
The story was really good..Now I'm really for book 2..
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.flynntwin
Posted August 1, 2012
need the second one! any idea when it is coming out?
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Posted May 17, 2012
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Posted October 13, 2012
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Overview
From the New York Times bestselling author of Healer's Choice comes the story of a woman with the power of touch. Skin doesn't lie to her. It is her gift, sometimes her curse. She feels what others felt, and sees the things held in their memories...
With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent ...