Exposing the Flesh
Love & Ink # 3
By- J.A. Howell
Genre- Erotica
Published By- SideStreet Cookie Publishing
*Warning: Intended for 18+ only. Contains graphic language and sex, as well as depictions of violence and sexual assault that may be disturbing to some readers.*
Niall Donovan is a talented photographer. When it comes to women, he can have his pick and has. But beneath the flirtatious, joking smiles he's hiding long buried pain and traumatic memories. Memories that are breaking the surface once more. Memories that he’ll do anything to shut up. When suicide doesn’t work for him, he indulges in pills, drugs, and physical pain. They seem to help some, but they barely take the edge off.
London Black has been put through the wringer. Between a car accident that nearly killed her, months of physical therapy, and finding out the boyfriend she moved to Midtown for has been cheating all along, she’s done being the sweet wholesome girl everyone thinks she is. A one night stand with the sexy photographer she meets at a club is just the thing she needs to boost her ego. It does more than that when the explicit photos of them are the main exhibit at the local art gallery. Embarrassed, angry, and now without a prospective job, she confronts him on opening night. But when he offers her a generous deal with room and board in return for more photos, she accepts. Taking naked photos with him for a large sum of cash doesn’t seem like that horrible of an option, and besides they both intend to keep things completely professional.
When the shutter starts snapping, however, it’s hard for either to deny what's developing between them. Neither are in a good place and prefer those desires stay hidden in the dark, but the camera doesn’t lie. Baring it all may expose more than their bodies. But exposing their hearts may be more than Niall or London bargained for.
CHARACTER BIOS
Niall Donovan
Youngest of the three Donovan brothers. He developed a love for photography at a young age as a way to cope with the loss of his parents and has since become a very successful artist, doing mostly risque pieces and working with tattoo and fetish wear magazines. Niall comes off as playful and joking to most, but as it always goes, the ones that smile the most, hide the most pain inside. Niall witnessed his parents’ murder when he was only seven years old and while he’s done a good job of hiding the mental and emotional scars that left him with behind jokes and wild behavior, the facade is cracking and everything is about to surface.
London Black
The proverbial good girl. Always did what her parents asked but has been harboring an independent little rebel inside that is itching to make her own way regardless of what anyone else wants or expects from her. She’s fiery, funny, curious, and adventurous with a heart of gold despite her own heartbreak in her past.
REVIEW
I have loved every book in this series, and it hasn't been hard to fall for each of the Donovan brother's, but I think Niall has to be my favorite. This book had all the fun, sexy elements that I've come to expect from this series, as well as plenty of drama, but it was a lot darker and more emotional.
Niall had to face the past that haunts him, and as devastating as it was, I was glad see him healing. The introduction of London definitely had so much to do with that, and it was intriguing to see how they helped each other grow and develop throughout this book. London was able to open up more, while Niall was able to let go.
This book was filled with plenty of steamy moments, and it has to be one of the most sensual erotic reads I have ever read. It was fun and flirty, but filled with passion and a raw emotion that just poured off the pages.
The latter half of the book took a twist toward the crazy side, and I was completely shocked at the lengths a certain someone went to, to ensure a place in Niall's life. It was disgusting the way he was taken advantage off, and I could not wait for the moment when everything came together and the truth was revealed.
Everything about this story drew me in. I wanted to know these characters on a deeper level, and with each flip of the page so they worked their way further and further into my heart. A stunning read that had me tearing up but also laughing like a loon.
