Never trust anyone. They all betray you in the end. Jerome Red They call me Dread, but what’s in a name? Don’t mess with me, and I won’t fuck with you. Simple. I’m an ex-con and a drifter. My victim wants to punish me, keep me running for the rest of my life, but her time is nearly up. This is just supposed to be another small town to kick around in until my debt to society is paid. Masonry Ink may be a reason to stick around… if I survive. Michelle Tremont I made a mistake three years ago, and I am still paying the price for it. My parents threw me away. I’m alone and frightened, living a life that is one big disappointment after another. Until the day my new housemate blows into town. Tattooed and crass, he should scare the pants off me. Perhaps that’s what he had in mind all along. I’m ready to reclaim my life again. Fear won’t stop me. The days of playing victim are over. One hardened man looking for redemption. A broken girl searching for safety. An unlikely alliance forged in stone Originally published as part of the USA Today Best-Selling An Outlaw Anthology now extended to a full length novel.
In life, we don’t get to pick our parents. Some of us get awesome ones who are there for us through every step of the way. Then there are others who were born into a family that the parents should never be parents.
For both Jerome Red and Michelle Tremont, they were given the parents that should never have been given kids.
Jerome (Rome) (Dread) has serious trust issues after being sent to prison for the crime he committed. Now that he has served his sentence, it’s time to get on with life. Bad talker, Alpha, Tattooed, Good looking, he is the complete package. Different women every night is what makes him remember that, all women are the same. You can never trust them.
Michelle (Baby Girl) has been disowned from her parents. One event that she found herself in, caused total embarrassment for her parents. With no one in her life, she’s become a loner type of person. To work and home is about all that describes her current life. Renting a bedroom in a home, she has a friend there. The lady who owns the home has taken Michelle under her wings and has given the love to her that her parents tossed away.
This is a story of two people learning how to move on in life after being handed the lowest of low blow from their parents. Learning that blood doesn’t determine who your family is. Trusting the right people can make you a better person after all!
It’s not an easy road for these two. Every turn they make for the better, a road block sets them back. Will Dread and Michelle get their happy ending or will the past always be there for them?
Jerome “Dread” grabbed hold of me from the very first chapter and never let go even after finishing this book. This is not your typical inked up bad boy that doesn’t want to settle down or commit to anyone, there’s so much more to this man then you’d expect and as we hear about his past and his story through his eyes you will be consumed. Michelle’s has her own story that she still struggles with after past and ongoing events. This woman is a firecracker at times and I can’t help but laugh at some of her antics. We get a taste of each of the “family members” of Masonry Ink and I am dying to learn more about each and everyone one of them in the future. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on your toes, grabbing for the tissues and swooning throughout then you need to one click your copy now.
Dread was an asshole to everyone for almost the whole book. Several OW's after meeting h. Disgusting character. I can't get over how much of an arrogant ass he was. Michelle has shit parents. I'd have pressed charges against that school and those kids. I am interested in the others at Masonry Ink but I hope the guys do a better job of keeping it in their pants once they meet their h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Dread was definitely a different kind of hero. I liked the ideal of the ex con bad boy with a heartbreaking upbringing. However, the hero never really lived up to my expectations. I was never a fan of the crude language and the way he talked about women. Even up to the end he was referring to the heroine with a pet name he used with every other partner. I also felt like we got more descriptive sex scenes between him and other women then we did with him and the heroine. Spoiler........................
I think some of the guys that the H worked with in the tattoo shop would make better heroes and have pretty interesting stories
Oh my goodness I loved this book! It was great seeing Jerome grow from hate and start to trust! All of the characters in this book are amazing and I can’t wait for more books in this series❤️❤️❤️
This book is a can never put me down till the end .. I read the book in Wanted and i was hooked left wanting more and didn’t I get MORE the story line off dread had me angry for him then him finding his way with the crew and Michelle was all kinds off a emotional rollercoasters I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE CREW TO TELL THERE STORIES XXXXX
Dread is the first book in the Masonry Ink series. Jerome (Dread) and Michelle are running from their past and they are not able see anything good in their future. Loved the story line but really struggled with the description of characters persona versus the actions of the characters. This is my opinion and doesn’t in anyway reflect on the author. Overall an enjoyable story but just wished I had connected to Dread’s character better.
This book was....interesting. I couldn’t stop reading even though Dread made me cringe for most of the book, but something about him pulled me in. I don’t usually feel for traumatized characters like Michelle, but I actually liked her and wanted her to thrive.
I do feel like maybe I missed so,e background on the secondary characters but maybe not.
All in all, I enjoyed it & would read another story set in the world of Masonry Ink.
Dread and Michelle both had a craptastic set of bios. They really don’t deserve the title parents. I’m glad they found some peace and acceptance in each other.
I enjoyed Dread even though Jerome drove me nuts..ugh..just wanted to kick him-lol. It was great getting to know the characters from Masonry Ink, LOVED that Memory (Recycled Memory) had a small useful part in this story, so excited for the upcoming stories in the series!
Dread and Michelle make for a great, hot story! I couldn't help but feel all kinds of emotions for Dread, and relate to Michelle. Of course, the peeps at Masonry Ink make things completely nuts, and I can't wait to read their stories. A tale of trust learning, heart opening and leaving the past behind when there's a bright future ahead make Dread the perfect story. It's a great beginning for what it seems to be a fantastic Series, so I recommend you grab your copy and start reading Dread right now! #MaceisComing
Dread and Michelle both came from broken homes. After an incident in college, Michelle's family disowned her. Dread was beaten on a daily basis growing up. When he was 17 he got set up to take the fall for an assault by someone he trusted. I liked Michelle's character. Even though she'd been threw a traumatic event she still tried to live her life. I liked Dread but man could he be a total dick at times. I liked them together. I just had a hard time connecting with Dread's character. Totally worth reading.
Two broken individuals, who find each other at a time when it became necessary. This novel has so many themes but the themes flow together to make a fascinating read. Jerome (Rome) and Michelle have a ways to go but they will get there. Masonry Ink is an interesting place. Hopefully more stories from there will be forthcoming.
I bought this book at a book signing a few weeks ago and I am so glad I did! This is the first book I have read by this author and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read the next one in the series. The characters are amazing and you are going to fall in love with them.
I won a copy in a contest and am glad I did! Awesome rrad! Loved the characters! I couldn't put it down! I am so ready for the next books in this series!
SH took me on a wild ride with Dread and Michelle’s tale. She didn’t hold back with the twists and I was glued to my kindle from start to finish.
Michelle is a sweet soul who has a set of parents that are as worthless as used toilet paper. This heroine’s backstory hurt me so much, but made her come back so much sweeter. I adore how she never lost her sweetness as she got her confidence back.
Jerome, aka Dread, is a young man trying to get his future started after spending last part of his childhood and beginning of his adulthood in prison. He had me frustratedly yelling more than once over his way of thinking and treatment of others, but as his backstory played out I realized that this poor guy was a victim himself. For him to be someone I strongly disliked in the beginning, I ended up loving wholeheartedly.
This talented queen wrote an emotionally driven romance that has burned its imprint on my soul with unforgettable characters and unique plot. SH shattered my heart to dust, only to press the remains back together in a whole new shape with this tale. The characters are so well developed and their growth is phenomenal - even with a road that is full of twists, turns and pitfall bumps. It’s suspenseful and emotional with just the right amount of action, humor and steam - I loved every single word and seriously can’t wait to meet the others from Masonry Ink.
My first read by this author and when I finish this review, I'm diving straight into Mace Fox!
Straight off this gripped me, there was just something there that had me glued and I just had to find out what happened - both before and after!!
We have Jerome Red, aka Dread, and he is quite the plank! I wouldn't call him a woman-hater but he definitely lacks respect. An ex-com, drifting by, waiting on his parole coming to an end so he can finally start afresh completely and trying not to get caught....and we're not talking about the law! He's had it tough, abusive father, absent mother, strange stepmother as well as...well, I'll leave that for you to read about!
Then there's Michelle, the one who made my heart hurt so bad! A victim of hazing and the child of two worthless parents that didn't even try and protect her, or even attempt help. I swear, I was angry for her! She's now this shy introverted lass barely surviving and in dire need of a friend, instead she gets landed with Rome for a roomie!
Really interesting storyline, very interesting characters that I can't wait to read more on. Unlikely friendships, dangerous situations, mystery and banter - I seriously cracked up at some of it!
An excellent read and I'm excited for more!
round - which doesn't have a high opinion of them and when you learn more of his story
“Rome! You’ll never guess what happened—” My housemate came up short, mid-sentence, once she saw me wobbling in the hall. I was so shit-faced it took me awhile to focus my eyes long enough to see her clearly. Her red hair was loose and flowing. My hand itched to grab hold of it and yank her head backwards, hard enough to expose the sweet smell of her neck I remembered through my drunken haze. She wore a matching pajama set with goddamn flowers on them. Fuck, could she get any fucking sexier? Her deep, expressive eyes darted back and forth between me and my new friend. Unmistakable confusion shone momentarily. “Baby girl,” I slurred. “Meet… baby girl.” I pointed to the chick holding on to my arm, at least I thought I did. Coulda’ been aiming at her fucking shadow for all I knew. “I didn’t realize…” She shook her head as if to clear it. “Have fun, guys.” She retreated back into her room and lightly closed the door.
Wow, this was an amazing read! SH, you have captivated me!
One of the best books I've read in the past year! Dread doesn't have that long left on his parole, but there is someone who is stalking him. Dread leaves to start over in a different town. Michelle has had a difficult past few years. Having been the victim of a college hazing, Michelle has lost her family and self-esteem. When Dread and Michelle become housemate's, the saying, " let the games begin" is a testimony to all things that will come. Dread has a filthy mouth, and says the most shocking things, that the reader can't help but laugh. Michelle suprisingly, does the same thing. I cannot sing this books praises enough! I love the combination of simplicity and emotion that is displaced so seemingly between these two. Readers, you will not be disappointed by this book!
3.5 stars This was a hard read. Rome is a filthy crude man. Completely unsocialized. Once you get more of his backstory, you understand why. What a miserable life he’s led. He’s a one and done. Don’t learn their names. No kissing. No face to face. Call them Baby Girl if he has to call them anything. Get gone or get them gone before the night is over. Michelle is disowned by her parents. They think she’s shameful for an incident caught on video, over which she had no control. Rome and Michelle meet. He hates her, as he does all women. She’s frightened of him, as she is all things. The story, their story, is hard and tough and heartbreaking. And then, triumphant. I like this Masonry Ink series. Hoping we get stories on most of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a great idea for a story, two people who were traumatized by the very people who were supposed to love and support them, their families. Dread was abandoned by his mother and his father was abusive. When his father remarried the woman who became his stepmother she was overly interested in him. Michelle had a good upbringing until she went to college and was filmed during a rude hazing incident. Her parents disowned her, although it wasn’t her fault. They were both so damaged that they were pretty dysfunctional, but they were very lucky to find themselves rooming in a home owned by a lovely older woman who loved and supported them both. I really enjoyed their story.