Passion and Ink

Naima Simone

Feb 2019 · Sweetest Taboo Book 2 · Sold by Entangled: Scorched

About this ebook

Blackballed from my job.

Moved back to my hometown with my tail between my legs and family issues crushing my back.

Slinging drinks in a dive bar.

Yes, the past year has been hell. So when a man who’s temptation wrapped in golden skin and sin offers me one night of no-holds barred, dirty sex, I’m all in. I deserve it.

But now those few unforgettable hours have me facing blackmail from my own father: He'll pay for my mom's medical bills, but only if I never again touch the man who has quickly become my obsession.

Because the man? My obsession?

He’s my stepbrother.

Each book in the Sweetest Taboo series is STANDALONE:
* Sin and Ink by Naima Simone
* Passion and Ink by Naima Simone
* The Scandalous Diary of Lily Layton by Stacy Reid

Ratings and reviews

***5 ‘You’re You’ Stars*** After finishing Sin & Ink I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book, so when Passion & Ink surfaced I immediately said “Gimme” and I wasn’t disappointed in any way. This book had it all for me. Sweet, swoon worthy moments that made my heart melt, smexy ones that had the panties dissolving and even a few growly ones that had me reaching for a spoon, but all of them kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next and has me jonesing for more. Imma say it. Jude was kind of everything. He’s all kinds of alpha AF goodness - direct, determined and dominate. He’s also compassionate and has the kind of laid back charm that draws you in and makes you want more. Cypress is fiery. She has a lot of demons weighing on her, but she doesn’t allow them to totally drag her down. She’s sassy and has a heart so golden that even she doesn’t always see it. Jude and Cypress’ journey definitely starts off with a bang and things definitely become a lot more interesting from there, but I really enjoyed watching as they became so much more to each other. While I tended to sway more towards #TeamJude, I got why Cypress thought the way she did and loved watching as she worked through her demons and became the woman she was always meant to be and see that she and Jude were perfect for each other. This was a quick and enjoyable read for me. The writing was engaging, pacing was good and I enjoyed the dual first person POV’s. The one can be read as a stand-alone BUT I highly recommend that you read Sin & Ink first to truly understand the emotional undercurrents that are already in play at the start of this one. With that said, there are still characters I want to Gibbs smack and or gut with a spoon despite some issues being worked out. But outside of those characters, I loved catching up with Eden and Knox, cannot wait for Simon’s book and am hoping V gets one as well. There is another character who I wouldn’t mind having a book, but from what I saw, that won’t be happening lol! ~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~

3.75 stars—PASSION AND INK is the second instalment in Naima Simone’s contemporary, adult SWEETEST TABOO erotic romance series. This is twenty-seven year old,tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty-six year old, waitress /accountant Cypress Winters. PASSION AND INK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Told from dual first person perspectives (Jude and Cypress) PASSION AND INK follows the forbidden or ‘taboo’ relationship between step-siblings twenty-seven year, tattoo artist Jude Gordon, and twenty - six year old, waitress / accountant Cypress Winters. Tattoo artist Jude Gordon struggles with his direction in life; an ex-girlfriend who won’t let go; and the secrets and memories he is must keep to himself. Meeting the beautiful waitress who calls herself Ro, is the perfect foil for a man who battles between in the here and now. But a family dinner reveals Jude’s one-night stand is none-other than the step-sister he hasn’t seen for close to ten years, a woman who now consumes his fantasies and dreams. Enter Cypress ‘Ro’ Winters-Keller, and the woman with whom Jude will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret relationship between Cypress and Jude, and the potential fall-out as Cypress and Jude’s time together comes with an unexpected expiry date. Cypress Winters left California amid a work place controversy, and her mother’s inability to thrive on her own. Returning to Chicago meant starting over but never did she think she would have to face the man who all but destroyed her family and her mother’s life. Jude Gordon struggles with memories of the past, a time long ago where a thirteen year old boy became the adult to his mother’s spiral out of control. A gifted tattoo artist, our hero finds himself in direct competition with his more ‘successful ‘ brother Knox. The relationship between Jude and Cypress is a step-sibling, taboo romance. Cypress’ father makes our heroine an offer she is unable to refuse but in doing so, places her relationship with Jude towards a path with only heart break but no future. The $ex scenes are passionate, vibrant and intense. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Cypress’ broken mother Brenda Keller, her father Dan Keller, and Jude’s mother Katherine.We are reintroduced to Jude’s brother and fellow tattoo artist Knox Gordon (Sin and Ink #1), and his girlfriend Eden, as well as several fellow tattoo artists at Hard Knox Ink, and Jude’s ex-girlfriend Annalise. The world building continues to focus on the forbidden, the relationships deemed taboo by society but relationships where two people find love and their happily ever after. PASSION AND INK is a story of family, betrayal, loss and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, determined and lost.

This is another wonderful book in this series. This can totally be read as a standalone read. However, in my opinion, you should read book one because of the strong ties between the two and honestly, Sin and Ink was incredible! There is a deep, powerful history that fuels the characters and the storyline and reading both books and in order will enrich your reading pleasure and give you more insight into the characters. This forbidden romance focuses on the romance between stepsiblings, Jude and Cypress. I myself truly didn't get too much of a forbidden vibe from the story; except in the loosest sense. Although these two interacted a little bit when they were younger, they never really shared that familial bond or sentiment. The storyline is filled with seething emotions, tensions, turmoil and drama. The attraction between this couple is instantaneous and sizzling. Their scenes are scorching but always with a simmering underlayer of emotion underneath. Both these characters were wounded and yet strong. Stronger than they ever thought they were. I loved that Cypress could make Jude see that he wasn't responsible for everyone else's secrets and choices and it was heart melting to watch Jude convince Cypress that true love is not a weakness but a strength. A very beautiful romance with plenty of heart and heat.

About the author

Naima Simone's love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey, Sandra Brown, and Linda Howard many years ago. Well, not that many. She is only eighteen...ish. Though her first attempt at a romance novel starring Ralph Tresvant from New Edition never saw the light of day, her love of romance, reading, and writing has endured. Published since 2009, she spends her days—and nights—creating stories of unique men and women who experience the first bites of desire, the dizzying heights of passion, and the tender, healing heat of love.

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bulletproof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Come visit Naima at www.naimasimone.com.