Review: Clipped Wings prequel short story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2014
Cupcakes and Ink is a prequel short story for Helena Hunting's new Clipped Wings series. Considering it has less than 40 pages you can't expect too much of a story from this prequel but it is a great taster of the series and a really nice introduction to the characters that has definitely left me wanting more.We meet Tenley as she arrives in a new town where she has moved to escape something from her past, we don't yet know what happened to her but we do know that it has left her damaged and wanting to start afresh. She doesn't know anyone in Chicago but she's found a reasonably cheap apartment and a part time job in the antique shop downstairs to tide her over until she starts college. She comes across as very shy and she seems to want to keep to herself but she is also incredibly intrigued by Hayden, the tattoo artist who works in the shop opposite her and who happens to be the nephew of her new boss and landlady.We know even less about Hayden than we do about Tenley, it is hinted at that he is hiding something about his past but we don't know much more than that and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better as the series continues. I can't resist a guy with tattoos and I definitely have a thing for tattoo artists so I have a feeling I'm going to love him! Cupcakes and Ink shows their hesitant first encounters where Tenley is desperately trying to keep her distance while Hayden pushes to get to know her. There is a strong attraction on both sides and it will be interesting to see how long it takes Hayden to persuade Tenley to have a proper conversation with him.Overall I really enjoyed this short story but I have to say I think it's incredibly expensive for what it is and I would have been disappointed if I'd paid the current price of 1.99. This is the kind of taster that is often offered for free as a way of hooking a reader and making them want to read a series and I'd say if it is offered as a freebie or at a very discounted price then it's definitely worth giving it a try but at the current price I'd be hesitant to recommend it. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Clipped Wings though because I want to know more about these characters.