5/5
The Ink Slinger Book 1 of House of Ink by Jade Marshall
The Ink Slinger Book 1 of House of Ink Jade Marshall The story itself was really engrossing & well-developed.
House of Ink, 1
Laine has everything he’s ever wanted: a thriving tattoo business, a close-knit group of friends, and a family that’s always had his back. He’s content with his life, until one day, the woman of his fantasies enters his shop.
Hailey is a tattoo model with a story as complicated as the designs on her skin. She left her past behind, escaping a cheating ex and hitting the road to find herself. When she stumbles upon Laine's tattoo parlor in the small town of Franklinton, Louisiana, she’s captivated not only by his artwork but by the undeniable connection between them.
But when her ex shows up, determined to win her back, Hailey has no choice but to enlist Laine into being her fake boyfriend. But what starts as a charade quickly becomes something far more complicated—and way more real—than either of them anticipated.
Excerpt:
“You said noon,” I remind her once the door is closed.
“Actually,” she takes a sip of her coffee before continuing, “I said noonish. And if it weren’t for Damien, I wouldn’t even be here.”
“What does my baby brother have to do with any of this?”
I’m confused as fuck as I stare at her, but I have the feeling that happens to people around here more often than you would think. Hailey is a being unto her own and it didn’t take me long to realize that.
“The little shit almost gave me a heart attack,” she says and laughs. “It was all just a misunderstanding, though.”
“Do I even want to know?” The curiosity is killing me, but I already fucked up once, so I won’t push her if she doesn’t want to tell me.
“Don’t you have something to show me?” Hailey effectively changes the subject.
I gather the sheets of paper from my desk and hand them to her. “Actually, I think I have five or six things to show you. You can pick the one you prefer, or I can do something different.”
I watch her closely as she looks at each sketch, turning them from side to side before placing them on the leather surface of my tattoo chair. The silence is deafening as I wait for her opinion.
This is another old feeling creeping back in. I haven’t been nervous showing a client a design since the first year I opened House of Ink. I know I’m talented and usually that is enough, but I really want her to like at least one of my designs.
“Can we do something that has all of these together?” she murmurs, staring at the sheets.
“What?”
The question catches me off guard. I wasn’t sure there was a single design she would like and now she wants them all. I follow her gaze. It takes me a moment before I finally see that she has been arranging and rearranging the sketches to fit together. There are two butterflies I have done with torn wings, three roses in different phases of decay, and a single skull with a queen’s crown. Now that she has them all together, I can see her vision.
“I won’t be able to pick one,” she says with a smile. “They’re all so beautiful.”
“I should be able to incorporate them into a complete piece. But it will take more than one session and all the available space you have inside your thigh. And I won’t be able to start on Friday.”
“That’s fine with me.” She glances at her watch before facing me again. “I have some stuff I need to do. My rent is paid up for two weeks but if we aren’t done, I can always stay longer. Just let me know when you want to start.”
The thought of her simply disappearing from my life as quickly as she appeared actually causes my chest to hurt. I wonder how long I will be able to drag her sessions out without making it too obvious.
Hailey is clearly unaware of the inner turmoil her words have caused as she slings her handbag over her shoulder, presses a quick kiss to my cheek with the scar, and heads to exit my station. Most women avoid the scar, some can’t even look at it, but she went right for it and it has a strange sensation bubbling underneath my skin. Maybe she doesn’t care about it. That would be something new, I’m so used to people staring.
Opening the inner door to the rest of the shop, she stops with a thoughtful look on her face.
“Do you think seeing me naked is enough to make up for giving Damien a black eye, or should I actually apologize?”
“He saw you naked?” I ask a little too loudly.
“Never mind.” She waves me off not answering my question. “I’ll apologize.”
- Series:
- /series-house-of-ink/
Product Reviews
5/5
Loved this book!!!
The Ink Springer is a fast burn romance that only Made Marshall can do. I loved this exciting and page-turning romance. tits nik is filled with drama, anyway and a whole lotta spice. The story line was original and the flow of the book was perfect. I love this authors writing style, it is gritty and emotional. The characters were complex and had an instant and undeniable chemistry. Hailey was involvement, determined and finding herself. I loved her attitude and fiestyness. Laine was task, fark and swoony!! I loved his possessiveness and instant obsession with Hailey. I so can't require you see what called next from Jade Marshall.
5/5
Laine and Hailey
The Ink Slinger is Book 1 of the House of Ink series. It's a short and steamy OTT, instalove, opposites-attract, curvy girl gets her hunk romance. Hailey is a sassy, curvy, vibrant inked tattoo model who has come to town to get a new tattoo from the House of Ink. She wanted to get away after she found her ex cheating on her with her sister. Laine is a hunky tattoo artist who owns the tattoo parlor she is coming to. When she comes into his shop, Laine is taken with the feisty beauty, but she isn't looking for a relationship. But when her ex shows up, can Laine keep her safe? The chemistry between these two was explosive. We got a very happy ending, too, after the drama and angst. I can't wait to read more books in this series. I loved it so much!!.
5/5
Tattoos and love
A small town welcomes a stranger into their world instantly and completely. Unfortunately, her past won’t let her move on easily. Thankfully, a scarred-up tattoo artist is just the answer she needs. He takes great care of her in all the best ways. A trip for a new tattoo leads to many changes in this FMC’s life. Ends in an HEA.
5/5
Trying Again
You won’t put this down until the last page has been turned so get comfortable. Hailey works as a tattoo model who lived in the city but walked away from it all to get away from her ex. who wasn’t a good person, she decided to head to the tattoo shop to get a tattoo, and the artist recognizes her instantly, but she has sworn off relationships. Laine sexy as all get out part owner of House of Ink as well as a tattoo artist so the moment the beautiful model walks in, he knows she should be his and he will do whatever it takes to make her his. The connection is there between them, but she is afraid to trust in anything after what she has been through, but will he show her no all men are like her ex., will she allow herself to believe again, and will she let herself find happiness?
5/5
Laine and Hailey
This book will satisfy both the sweet and the dirty. Hailey, a tattoo model, is on the run from her violent ex, who cheated on her with her sister. She stops at the House of Ink to get a new tattoo done by Laine after discovering his work on social media. The attraction between them is instant and steamy. I love how Laine stepped up to create a safe space for Hailey, protecting her from her ex. It's an excellent book with the best happy ending.
5/5
Hailey and Laine
This was a fun series opener with world building set around a tattoo shop. Hailey is a tattoo model getting away from her ex. When she pops into Laine's shop for a new tattoo, he recognizes her but also realizes she's his future. I love that instant fall from a male lead ;) Of course, they have hot chemistry but there's a good dose of angst, anxiety, twists, fear and a stalker ex that kept me glued to my reader. Expect to fall for these wonderful characters in this fast paced romance...and root hard for Laine to be her hero ;P
5/5
Hailey needed a change and a tattoo
Hailey wanted to pack up and leave, so she did and felt the urge for some new ink while she was at it. Walking into Laine's shop was the best part of her day!
5/5
Wow
Hailey showed up looking for a change of scenery and when she met Laine, they both were smitten. I loved how sweet and protective Laine was. Great read!
5/5
Getting new ink
Hailey is trying to escape her ex, and get a little ink therapy. Laine recognizes her instantly from her magazine covers. He falls instantly and needs her in his life. When her past catches up the two lead on each other. This spicy story will have you invested until the last page. Great read about a tattoo artist and his canvas.
5/5
Last piece of skin.
Nice quick read. Hailey meets Laine when she requests to have somework done on her skin. There is an instant attraction between them. But Hailey has a past she is trying to ditch. Her ex has followed her and Laine steps in to protect her. Could this be the start of something new and meaningful for Laine and Hailey at the House of Ink? Good read.
5/5
Great beginning to a series--highly recommend this one
Loved the chemistry between Laine and Hailey. They are perfect and his protective nature is so real. I really had to fight myself to put it down to catch up on other things. Such a great book.
5/5
The Ink Slinger
This is the first book in a new series and Jade doesn't disappoint. This is very entertaining story with great characters. Hailey is spunky , cool and fun. Laine is talented and a bit brooding. When they meet, Laine knows who she is but more importantly, what she is. She's his future. Their chemistry is intense. I can't wait for more stories because his family is awesome. Definitely a Must Read!
5/5
The Inkslinger by Jade Marshall
I do enjoyed this book from start to finish. The dynamics between Hailey and Laine were so much to read. Hailey is out there with a real spunky personality and Laine is a little more laid back but he is all Alpha when these two come together it is sparks everywhere. Throw in a stalking ex and its a story to keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved every moment and cannot wait to see if Jade has anymore of the characters story in mind. Definitely a must read.
5/5
The Inkslinger
A New Beginning She was his every fantasy come to life and when she needed his help, he was more than willing to be her hero! A fast paced steamy love story with a twist based on a tattoo artist and the woman he fell in love with!
5/5
The Inkslinger
This is book one of the series and I am here for it! Laine and Hailey are TNT on paper. He believes in taking care of family and those in need. He proves every word of that when Hailey is faced with trouble she didn't see coming. I absolutely loved their story, but am beyond curious about Laine's business partner. Maybe we'll get answers in book two...
4/5
Quick and Dirty
This is a quick, hot, sexy, and action-packed story that kept me engaged from the first page. The language is a little rough (which I expected) but in this case it did not take away from the story. I love the backdrop of the tattoo parlor and the ink. Hailey and Laine's relationship started a bit unconventional, but it ended oh so good!
5/5
Laine and Hailey
Laine recognizes Hailey as soon as she walks through the door of his tattoo shop—he’s a goner. He wants her to be his. Correction, he is going to make her his—just one problem, her last relationship was B A D-bad and she didn’t know if she could trust men again. Laine is persistent, hot, great at ‘sexy times’, and he’s a great guy. Hmmm … Recommended Basics: Length: * Novella HEA/Cliffhanger: * HEA Series: * Book 1 House of Ink Epilogue: * Yes Nitty-Gritty… MMC: * Laine FMC: * Hailey Tropes: * Small Town Romance * Tattooed MCs * Scary Exboyfriend - FMC Triggers: * 18+ * On Page Sex * Language * Stalking * Violence Burn Speed: * Medium Spice Level: * ?️?️?️ 1/2
