Monday, September 21, 2015

Review: Ruby Ink (Clairmont #1) by L.J. Wilson

Rating: ★★★★★ stars
Date published: March 31st, 2015
Publisher: AB Edge
Synopsis: How far will seduction take you? The question is asked and answers unfold in Ruby Ink, the first Clairmont series novel.

Aaron Clairmont has been granted an early parole. He returns home to Nickel Springs and finds employment at Abstract Enchantment, a trendy new inn. But Aaron’s mind can’t let go of its predecessor, the vintage Rose Arch Inn, the setting for his passionate love affair with Ruby Vasquez. Ruby—the girl he lost after his secret underworld life unraveled, shocking everyone who thought they knew him.

Freedom comes fast at Aaron—a family desperate to reconnect, an employer cast as his savior, and the steamy memories he can’t escape. Just as Aaron surrenders to starting anew, he realizes the diabolical trap he’s been lured into—a fresh hell that makes prison look like a country club. Lives are at stake, his family and Ruby’s. Ruby Vasquez—the woman Aaron never thought he’d see again. The one destined to collide with his future.


What I Thought:


Life has a funny way of throwing a wrench into your plans. While that holds true for the characters in this book, it also holds true for me. You see, I've had this book in my possession for almost 7 months now but only recently had time to sit down and read it. I truly loved this book. It was so much better than I was hoping it'd be and I wish I'd read it sooner.

All it took to capture my interest and attention was the prologue. It's just a handful of pages, but it shows the beginning and fall of an almost fairy tale like relationship. My heart broke for both Ruby and Aaron. Nothing was going to be the same for them after that. Redemption for Aaron wasn't going to be easy. He didn't come home from jail the same as when he went in. Plus being around familiar places wasn't as much a blessing as he'd have liked especially when the memories associated with those places didn't let him rest. 

Before I get into how much I loved Aaron and Ruby, I've got to tell you about the story as a whole. First of all it's amazing. There are so many turns and twists, each one larger than the one before it, changing the trajectory of the story. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next for a very large portion of this book because I didn't see the majority of those twists coming. There was one in particular were I was chanting in my head as I read, "Please don't let it be her. Please don't let it be her," over and over again. Besides being full of surprises, it was HOT! It's much hotter than any of the other books written by L.J. Wilson under her other pen name. 

Aaron completely stole my heart. I'll admit to being shocked when his crime was revealed, but getting to know him and who he was was allowed me to see the motive behind it. I loved how committed he was to his family and trying to do the right thing while staying on the right side of the law. I loved his determination to overcome all of the challenges he was facing after leaving jail and being thrust into unfamiliar environments. Most of all, I loved his unwavering love for Ruby.

I loved Ruby too. She's down to earth and a natural beauty. She loves fiercely and loyally. She' was destroyed by Aaron's betrayal and her pain changed her. Ruby is considerate to a fault. She too had a resolve of steel. Aaron and Ruby together were incandescent. I could almost feel their attraction to each on a  cellular level. They were truly the keepers of the others soul. Of course their relationship wasn't smooth at all. There were moments when I wanted reach into my e-reader and get rid of all the obstacles hindering them from reuniting. 

L.J. Wilson has written this fantastic second chance romance that defies categorization. This book elements of so many different stories that are interwoven seamlessly and effortlessly. She manages to connect readers to a story told in the third person, something most writers struggle to do. You don't know what to expect but all you can do is devour each page frantically, at least that's how it was for me. When I finished this book I was left with an overwhelming sense of admiration for L.J. Wilson for this amazing story and wonderment as to how I was going to verbalize that coherently. I'm beyond eager to read the next book. While reading, I fell in love with not only Aaron and Ruby, but the entire Clairmont family. I have a feeling this entire series is going to be full of passion, drama, suspense, and discovery. I can't wait to find out for myself!


Purchase Links


About the Author
Coming Winter 2016-THE MISSION, Book Two in the Clairmont Series Novels!

RUBY INK, on sale now! "Sultry, sensual... intensely emotional and full of heart. L. J. Wilson is a discovery."--Shannon McKenna New York Times bestselling author

L. J. Wilson is the pen name of award-winning author Laura Spinella. The Clairmont series novels are her foray into seductive romance, a facet of her women's fiction that have readers clamoring for more. Beautiful Disaster and Perfect Timing, her mainstream work, have earned multiple awards, including the distinguished Golden Leaf and Golden Quill awards for Best First Book, as well as being named a RITA finalist.

Written with a "best-of" mindset, L. J. Wilson novels are sensual reads for discerning book lovers—in-depth stories that delve even deeper into her characters' relationships and romances.

Laura describes herself as an "East Coast kind of girl," growing up on Long Island, graduating from the University of Georgia, and having lived on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She now resides outside Boston with her family. Visit her alternate website at http://www.lauraspinella.net
 

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased an e-copy of my own. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*

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