Book Title: Lukas (Ashes & Embers #3)
Author: Carian Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 30, 2015
Hosted by: Book Fancy
Storm’s younger cousin.
Vandal’s little brother.
You’ve met him in the background.
The sweet one.
The nice one.
The one they can all rely on.
The good one.
He’s a tattoo artist. He plays metal and classical music – on the violin.
He’s got a body built for sin.
He’s 24.
In comes Ivy. She’s a 36 year old single mom who hasn’t dated in 18 years.
All she wanted was a tattoo.
She got a helluva lot more 🙂
Being good has never been so bad.
Reviews by Lita Thomas, Theresa Martin & Tanya Rae
Lita Thomas’s Review: 4.5 ★★★★’s
Lukas (Ashes & Embers, #3) By Carian Cole tells the story of Lukas who is the brother of Vandal. Lukas is troubled but gifted person. He owns a tattoo parlor, is an amazing artist and musician. In walks Ivy, after 18 years of marriage she over hears a conversation between her husband and a person he just professed his love for. Ivy has only loved one man, married straight out of high school and a mother at 18. She now finds herself a single mother of one daughter 18 and a son 7 years old. Her husband has left her for his hygienist in his practice. Devastated over the loss of her marriage and her husband leaving her for a younger women Ivy decides to do somethings for herself. First order of business is a tattoo she has always wanted but her husband never liked the ideal. Ivy ends up going to Lukas to get the tattoo. Over several sessions something is developing between Lukas and Ivy, there is just one problem Lukas is 24 and Ivy is 36. This type of relationship has so many issues not just the age difference alone but added in outside forces makes for a very interesting story. There were other characters that I was very interested to know more about. Even though this was the 3rd book in the series I was able to read and enjoy the book without reading the previous 2 books. If anything I am more interested in reading the 2 previous books. I give this book 4.5 O’s. (O’s for Orgasms)
Theresa Martin’s Review: 5.0 ★★★★★
Having caught her husband having a long-term affair, and with him leaving his family behind, the last thing Ivy wanted was another relationship. Trying to embrace being a newly single woman and mother, Ivy decides to do some things she couldn’t as a married woman. She wanted to color her hair, and get a tattoo. Upon arriving at the first appointment for her tattoo, Ivy meets Lukas. Sparks fly immediately, but neither Ivy nor Lukas act on them. Lukas, with his long hair, tats all over isn’t Ivy’s usual cup of tea. Let alone the fact that at 24, he’s 22 years her junior. But there is just something about him. Lukas feels the pull to Ivy, and wants to snatch her up for his very own. But after getting to know her while chatting during her ink sessions, he knows he needs to tread lightly with her.
Ivy learns that contrary to his appearance, Lukas is a very sweet, smart, and caring man. He’s very responsible, and takes care of those around him. After a bit of soul searching, Ivy decides to give into her attraction. Despite Ivy’s issues with their ages, they become closer, and things seem to be going well. His friends and family like Ivy and her kids, and vice versa.
With Ivy’s ex-husband Paul not liking the fact that Ivy has moved on (yes, he did cheat on her and left her for his mistress), he’s trying to throw a wrench in her happiness.
I adored Lukas from the time he and Ivy met. He owned his feelings, even though they scared him, and went after what he knew was his. His childhood has a lot to do with the man he has grown to be, and I was gutted and proud of what he’s worked so hard to overcome. Sorry, but if I get any more specific, that would be a spoiler. There are a few twists in this story that made me love Lukas even more.
Lukas is the third book in the Ashes & Embers series. This is my first Carian Cole book, but will definitely not be my last. This book was a great standalone, but it gave enough of the other band members that I want to know their stories.
I received this ARC for an honest review, and I give it 5 stars.
Tanya Rae’s Review: 5.0 ★★★★★
Divorcee older woman Ivy (she is 36) meets Lukas a younger man (he is 24). Oh holy hell (BTW is hell holy) anyway OMG I love “Chinese buffet” and Gargoyles! And, no I can’t say more because I don’t do spoilers but, if you want HOT, HAWT, HOT you need to read this book! Lukas makes me wish that the hubby was 24 again!
This book runs concurrently with Vandal the 2nd book in this series. I still have not had a chance to read Storm the 1st book in this series. I have Storm on my Kindle just waiting to be read. Now if I can just clear up some time from the reviews that I do on my blog.
Carian Cole had me crying again with some very emotional parts to Lukas. BTW I hate crying but, when I do I know that it is a really good story because it has me emotionally invested. I am really loving this series and if I could give more than 5 stars I would. I can’t wait to read more.
I was gifted a complimentary copy of Lukas for an honest review and I give Lukas 5 ★★★★★’s
Storm (Ashes & Embers #1) Buy Links:
Vandal (Ashes & Embers #2) Buy Links:
I have a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls that try to tame them and win their hearts. My debut series, Ashes & Embers, follows the lives of rock band members as they find, and sometimes lose, the loves of their lives.
My first novel in the Ashes & Embers series, Storm, was published in September of 2014 and book 2, Vandal, was published in February 2015 with several more of this series planned throughout 2015.
Born and raised a Jersey girl, I now reside in beautiful New Hampshire with my husband and our multitude of furry pets and spend most of my time writing, reading, and vacuuming.
TaSTy WordGasms 