Inked Magic

by Jory Strong

Published by: Berkley Trade

My Rating: 

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.

My Review:

Romance and urban fantasy readers, if you like your books steamy you should definitely give Inked Magic a try.  Inked Magic is full of intrigue, magic, and sizzling hot smexy scenes making this a book I didn’t want to put down.

Etain has a gift, when she touches people, she can see their memories and feel their emotions.  Through her art, she can help people remember loved ones or even give them strength to better their lives.  Etain had a tough life growing up.  Her mother left her with a man she once thought was her father, the police captain who believed in tough love.  The Captain’s brand of tough love damaged Etain and resulted in estranging her from the family.  Etain thought she had made a decent life for herself and it was working, until the mysterious Cathal Dunne walked into her shop.  After meeting Cathal and Eamon, who claims to be able to help her manage her magic, her life is in upheaval and danger follows her.

The nature of the magic and the paranormal unfolds slowly in this book.  Etain’s magic changes and grows throughout the book, right along with her connection with both Cathal and Eamon.  Etain is not used to developing feelings and relationships, and she is conflicted about being with Cathal and Eamon.  Both men want her for their own reasons, and one of them is not willing to share her.  All three of them keep their secrets and have communication issues.  Eamon especially, he slowly reveals the truth about Etain’s magic and his purposes for her.  I almost think he holds back to much, he never fully discloses his intentions with her.

The plot is pretty fast-paced and mull-faceted.  Etain has family complications, a charity event to plan, she helps the FBI look for a serial killer, works at her tattoo shop, and she also has to manage the men.  I never quite knew how the story would unfold and turn out.  The end of Inked Magic was unexpected and left me wanting more.  The end left me feeling like Inked Magic is only part one, there is much more of this story to tell, more room for Etain to learn and grow, and I want to see how the relationships work out.

Overall, with a strong plot, intriguing characters, and a story that leaves you wanting more, Inked Magic is an excellent erotic urban fantasy read.

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