Can heavy metal rock God, Dred, put his turbulent upbringing in a Toronto group home behind him long enough to fall in love and save Pix from her past? Find out in THE PUREST HOOK by RITA nominee, Scarlett Cole and St. Martin’s Press. Fans of Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink series or Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive books will fall in love with the tattooed heroes of the Second Circle Tattoos!
*****
The Purest Hook
by Scarlett Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 3rd, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Blurb:
Can a love built on secrets survive?
Rugged, hot, and rock hard, Dred Zander is exactly the type of man that normally sends Pixie running. Not dreaming about running her hands down his washboard abs…and lower. The lead singer and guitarist for the band Preload embodies trouble behind his quick smile and guarded eyes, and Pixie left trouble behind her years ago along with the name Sarah Jane Travers and the pathetic trailer her mom called home. With her abusive past in her past, she has a new life, a new family at Second Circle, and a dream of opening her own business. She needs capital and time. What she doesn’t need is a tempting long-haired rocker or the paparazzi that follow him around.
But Dred has other ideas. Pixie’s sweet hazel eyes, purple hair and kaleidoscopic tattoo of exotic flowers that swirl up her arm haunt his dreams, and he knows she wants him too. He just has to convince her. But as a juicy exposé threatens to expose their pasts, and a blackmailer terrorizes their present, Pixie and Dred have to decide what really matters and fight like hell to keep it.
Available at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | B&N
*****
Excerpt:
Pyrotechnics went off all the way around the stage as the crowd screamed and cheered. He hugged each of the guys, then ran off the stage to pull Pixie from Harper and Drea. The break between the end of the act and the encore was approximately four minutes, and he had plans to use them wisely.
Pixie looked at him, her eyes wide in shock as he grabbed her hand.
“Quick,” he said to her, tugging her down the stage steps. There was no way he could make it back to his dressing room in time, so he hurried them along the black curtain that surrounded the stage into a darkened corner. He pushed her gently against the wall, trapping her in his arms.
“Watching you watch me, Pix . . . drove me crazy. You going to let me kiss you?” he begged. “Please.”
Pixie looked at him and put a hand against his cheek. “Yes.”
He slid both hands into her hair and pressed his mouth against hers. Energized from the performance, Dred struggled to rein in the need to kiss her fiercely. When he heard her groan, felt her lift up on her toes to loop her arms around his neck, he was done for. She was more than he’d dreamed of, and he’d dreamed a hell of a fucking lot. And yet none of his half-asleep fantasies could match the emotions currently blazing through him. Her tongue tentatively brushed against his so gently it was almost innocent. Well, as innocent as it could be when what he really wanted to do was take her against this black curtain.
It was fucking heaven.
He slid his hands down her body. Pixie giggled when he gripped her waist to pull her close. Ticklish. He’d have to remember that.
Not that he wanted to, but he needed to get back onstage. Fucking encore. He kissed her one more time, tasted the whiskey he’d given her earlier. The telltale thump of Lennon’s bass drum started to sound. He pulled back, willing his hard-on to take it down a notch before he got back onstage.
“That was quite the kiss,” Pixie said shyly.
He took her hand and led her back to the stage, positioning her right where she had been. It was impossible to resist kissing her again, and he grinned when Trent raised an eyebrow in his direction.
“Agreed. As beginnings go, Pix, it was pretty fucking epic,” he said with a wink, and walked back onto the stage to face the screaming fans.
*****
Review:
I love the idea that these two people, who have been damaged by their pasts, are able to use their terrible experiences to give them insight into each other, turning it all into something wonderfully positive. They both have hang-ups, things that make having a relationship extremely difficult, but when they get together it creates something magical.
Pixie lived through an absolutely devastating thing but managed to come out the other side, showing her strength and resilience. That’s not to say she doesn’t have her scars but lucky for her Dred is just the guy who has the understanding to help her work through them. And while I hurt for her, my heart also aches for what Dred went through growing up. I just want to cuddle the little boy that he was – alone, scared, and finding himself thrown into scary situations.
The relationship between the men of Preload, the way they support each other and will do just about anything to make sure that that each of them feels comfortable, is spectacular. They have an unshakable bond forged in heartache and tested to show that it will last. And it’s just a notch down on the awesome scale from the romance between him and Pixie 🙂 The way that he understands her and is willing to wait for her to be ready each step of the way is oh-so-sexy. Every time he calls her snowflake my heart sighs. I’m also ready to cuddle the grown up version of Dred but for an entirely different reason!
I will say my only complaint is how vague Cole is about the things that Dred’s boys experienced. I understand that she wants the big reveals to happen during their own books, but that is one of those things that irritates me when reading a book. I’m not the most patient of people and I think that might have something to do with it 🙂 – I want my answers and I want them now … I will give her props though because I am so very anxious to get my hands on the next book! And the next and the next!
As with the other books in this series, there is an element of danger and suspense. It’s a great complement to the more emotional moments, helping to pull readers in and have them anxiously turning pages to find out how it all works out. I feel bad for these people to have so many horrible things happen to them but they have the strength and support they need to come out happy on the other side.
Full of passion, humor and a massive amount of heartwarming goodness, this latest book in the Second Circle Tattoos series highlights how Scarlett Cole shines at creating can’t-put-down romances.
*****
Author Info:
Scarlett Cole is a writer of contemporary romance and a two-time RITA finalist. Her debut, THE STRONGEST STEEL, has already become an Amazon best seller in romantic suspense, was a Best Debut Goodreads Author Finalist 2015, and Authors On The Air Global Radio Network Contemporary Romance Pick of 2015.
When Scarlett isn’t writing, she spends her time reading, hoarding mason jars, and working out to off-set an epic sour candy habit. She likes hot men, cold beer, and expensive shoes.
Having travelled the world for work and fun, Scarlett is a citizen of both Britain and Canada. A true city-dweller, she considers Toronto and Manchester home and likes to set her books in vibrant locations such as Miami and Los Angeles.
Rep’d by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency, and published by St. Martin’s Press.
She’d love to hear from you on twitter @itsscarlettcole
Connect with Scarlett: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
*****
Giveaway:
Follow the tour and enter to win great prizes!
1 grand prize winner will receive a signed copy of The Strongest Steel (Second Circle Tattoos #1)
2 runner-ups will receive a $25 Amazon Giftcard!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29221/
*****
Visit all the blogs participating in the tour for reviews, excerpts, guest posts and more chances to win!
05/02/2016
05/03/2016
05/04/2016
05/05/2016
Flame Resistant Undies Romance Reviews
05/06/2016
Mary Gramlich (The Reading Reviewer)
05/09/2016
05/10/2016
05/11/2016
05/12/2016
05/13/2016
05/16/2016
Amanda’s Book Nook for Mature Adults
05/17/2016
05/18/2016
05/19/2016
05/20/2016
