Susi’s Summer Reads #5 and GIVEAWAY (series) Cupcakes and Ink, Clipped Wings -Between the Cracks – Inked Armor- by @HelenaHunting

Summer Post #5Summer Reads Pic for blog

 

My 5th Summer Reading Recommendation is actually a series of books that have a very special place in my heart.  From the moment I was first introduced to these books, I was totally hooked.  I know you will enjoy this fantastic series.

Cupcakes and Ink, Clipped Wings, Between the Cracks and Inked Armor by Helena Hunting need to be on your reading list this Summer.

 

Don’t miss your chance to win a set of these 5 star books.   5 stars

Scroll down for an amazing giveaway!  Fall in love with Hayden!

Hayden Stryker Stephen James


cupcakes and ink

Cupcakes and Ink

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.

clipped wings

 Clipped Wings

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn’t ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley’s past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side…or run?

between the cracks

  Between the Cracks

Tattooist Chris Zelter doesn’t always make the best decisions when it comes to the people he cares about, or the women he gets involved with. Things have changed recently, though. Chris has lost interest in casual flings as he finds himself wrapped up in Sarah Adamson, a waitress at the local strip club he frequents. It takes months of persistent attention before she finally agrees to date him, and he’s determined not to mess it up.

Just as things are finally going his way, Chris receives a troubled phone call in the middle of the night from Hayden Stryker, his best friend and business partner. Unexpected revelations and the sudden departure of his girlfriend, Tenley, has nearly sent Hayden over the edge. Add in a speeding ticket and an impounded car, and Hayden is balanced on the precipice of a total meltdown. Worried about his friend, Chris sets out on a rescue road trip, first to get Hayden, and then to bring back Tenley. The two men run into unforeseen roadblocks, proving even the best intentions don’t guarantee results.

Chris and Hayden return to Chicago empty handed, and Chris is left feeling as if he’s let down all the people who matter, especially Sarah. But Chris discovers that sometimes the best way to deal with failure is to find a way to forget about it. And losing himself in Sarah is the perfect way to do just that.

inked armor cover

 Inked Armor

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker’s tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn’t believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents’ death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

 

Coming Soon and on my TBR list is Cracks in the Armor.  This book releases June 23, 2014.  I can’t wait to read it!

cracks in the armor

 Cracks in the Armor

Chris, a sexy tattoo artist, tries to win the heart of Sarah, a grad student with little interest in him, in this second e-short and follow-up to Helena Hunting’s gripping love story, Clipped Wings—“twisted, dark, incredibly erotic…a love story like no other” (USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton).

Part owner of the Chicago tattoo shop Inked Armor, Chris Zelter is a talented artist who decorates skin with gorgeous designs. He might look the part of the typical jacked-up, inked-up bad-boy, but underneath is a fiercely loyal, complicated man. Kicked out at sixteen, Chris has had to fend for himself for the last twelve years, making his Inked Armor crew as much family as they are business partners. For him, it’s enough—until he meets Sarah Adamson.

A grad student waitressing at the local strip club, Sarah is used to propositions and crude comments. The job is a means to an end—finish her MBA, pay off the tuition loans, and get a good job. Then she won’t have to rely on anyone to take care of her. So when brawny, tatted up Chris begins hanging out at the club, she rebuffs his advances. At first. But Chris isn’t like her usual clientele: despite his hard exterior, he’s almost…sweet.

Sometimes, the people with the roughest edges have the biggest hearts.


 

About the Author – Helena Hunting

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

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Helena Hunting on Facebook

www.helenahunting.com


giveaway 2

This is one giveaway you do not want to miss!

Enter to win the full series!  One winner will win a paperback copy of Clipped Wings and Inked Armor along with the e-book novellas of Cupcakes and Ink and Between the Cracks.

Giveaway Intructions:

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post completing this sentence.  Hayden, my favorite cupcake flavor is ___________.

cupcake

(US only)

One winner will be selected via random.org.  No purchase necessary to win.

This contest runs through Sunday night.  The winner will be notified via email.

Good luck!

 

 

Inked Armor by Helena Hunting – Blog Tour – Review – Giveaway @HelenaHunting

inked armor cover

Summary 
In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker’s tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn’t believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents’ death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.
My Review  (Some spoilers)
There’s a new book boyfriend in my life along with a new favorite series.  I met him when I first read Cupcakes and Ink. My interest flourished with Clipped Wings,  and I totally fell head over heals over him when I read Inked Armor.  Do you know who this amazing book boyfriend is?  Hayden Stryker is his name.  Let me just say that I am totally confident that you will fall in love with him and this amazing book too.
Inked Armor is the continuation of the story of Hayden and Tenley.  After the cliffhanger ending in Clipped Wings, we find Hayden struggling over the loss of Tenley. Their separation has been difficult for both of them.  While their time away was arduous, it almost seemed necessary for them.  Tenley finds strength and closure and returns.  Tenley’s initial return turns out to be quite the experience for her. Let’s just say Tenley proves to be a tough kitten after all.
Once reunited, their relationship takes some time to grow.  During this process, they both find healing through each other.  Their unquenchable love is evident throughout the entire story. While Hayden has his own demons, his past to deal with, Tenley blossoms.  Her character, the once timid girl opens up and enjoys her new friends/family who always demonstrate support for her.  These supporting characters, Chris, Sarah, Lisa, Jamie, Aunt Cassie and Nate take on new roles in this book and demonstrate true love and friendship to both Tenley and Hayden.  I enjoyed them all so much  more in this story.
Hayden’s past, his parents death looms over him.  The fact that he is so Type A, OCD, makes dealing with the unknown even more severe for him. Discovering the truth about his parents murder brings closure to his internal struggle. Tenley was by his side the entire time and helped make this journey to healing possible.
There were many parts of this book that I truly loved.  Hayden, the uber sexy tattooed and pierced man shows his love for Tenley in different ways.  I guess my favorite declaration of love was during Christmas.  Christmas was not easy for either one of them but Hayden, for the first time in seven years, made it a memorable day for both.  His gifts for Tenley, made me love him more.  It wasn’t the gifts but the significance of each one that had me wiping my eyes.  Happy tears were spilled over this couple.
Hayden still loves cupcakes and their presence in the story adds to the many reasons why I adore this book.
Tenley also offers Hayden her own gifts throughout.  Once again, she shows a more relaxed and playful demeanor in this book and I am so glad to see that positive change in her character.
Because this story is told from both Hayden and Tenley’s point of view, experiencing the events along with them, inside of their heads, and understanding their thoughts is quite powerful. The story becomes so real and I know I felt the same emotions along with the characters.  (On a personal note, I recall my stepdaughter asking me about what I was reading.  She said I was totally immersed in this book.  And, I was.)  This series totally consumed me.
The love scenes in this book are hot!  Wow, Helena. The hood of a car….   Hayden and Tenley are so perfect for each other.  These characters have undeniable chemistry.
This series taught me new things too.  I turned to Google (never Wikipedia)  to discover and learn about some piercings. I had to get the full understanding 😉  This new knowledge about tattoos and piercings has made me look at them in a different way now.
There are so many things I want to say about this series but I will not because I really don’t want to spoil the amazing adventure that awaits the reader as they meet Hayden and Tenley.
I am always recommending and talking about books with my friends and colleagues.  This series, has been my most talked about.  Helena Hunting has done a fascinating job with this her well written characters and fantastic story.  I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about Inked Armor.  I look forward to reading more of her amazing writing in the future.hayden 3
I love Hayden.  He has a special place in my book boyfriend world.
I gave this book 5++++ stars!
My Favorite Lines
“I missed you so much. I’m sorry I was gone so long. I won’t do it again, I promise.”
“I never wanted anyone  but you.”
“I love cupcakes, and, uh…she makes the best cupcakes ever, so I figure it’s fitting, yeah?”
“Hayden, you are everything I could ever want. You are the place I want to be.”
“You have all of me. I am only yours.”
“Just so you know, I’ve wanted to do you in that chair ever since I put that cupcake on you. So be prepared for me to follow through on that as soon as I have the chance.”
5 stars
I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review

giveaway

Here’s your chance to win a print copy of Inked Armor.  Leave a comment on this post. One winner will be selected by random.org
Contest runs through Sunday night.  The winner will be notified via email. (no purchase necessary to win.)
Good Luck!
Buy Links

 Cupcakes & Ink

Kobo Inked Armor
Kobo Cracks in the Armor


Helena’s Social Media
Bio
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.

Tease Me Tuesday with @JenniferProbst and @HelenaHunting

Happy Tuesday!  

Ready for some teasers?

These two short teasers come from two of my favorite books and favorite authors.

I hope they make you wonder. Go ahead and order or pre/order these books today!  😉

Enjoy!

 

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An image of Clark Kent skittered in her vision. Geeky, clumsy, socially awkward, but underneath, hotness galore.  And she could do it; she sensed a wealth of appeal behind his veneer that she ached to unearth.

Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

 

searching for perfect cover

 

 

 

Searching for Perfect is out today!

Here are the buy links:

Amazon.com

B&N

iBooks

 

 

Stay tuned for a full review and giveaway on Friday as part of the Blog Tour!

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 “I love cupcakes, and, uh…she makes the best cupcakes ever, so I figure it’s fitting, yeah?”

Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

 

inked armor

 

 

 

Inked Armor will be out soon!  (May 13th)

Pre-Order this gem today!

Amazon.com

B&N

iBooks

 

 

Full Review coming as part of the Blog Tour after book releases.