Review: Secrets and Ink by Lou Harper
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 10, 2013
Have you ever had a time in your life when so much was going wrong that you felt like you'd been cursed? Jem of 'Secrets of Ink' is convinced that he is. When he was younger, he made a lot of bad choices which he deeply regrets but he's now trying to live a decent life. The only thing is, the bad things keep happening i.e., a house fell on him, his lover deserted him, his car got stolen twice, his car windows got broken, and he got rear-ended by an uninsured motorist. His credit card number got stolen, then his wallet, and the list goes on. I'd think I was cursed too if all that happened to me. When he meets Detective Nick Davies, he starts to think that just maybe the curse has lifted, but he's wrong; the bad things continue. His past comes back to haunt him in a very melodramatic and dangerous way. Perhaps he will have another chance to turn his life around...if he survives.Jem is really trying hard to overcome a sordid past. He's lost contact with the person who led him astray, his ex-boyfriend, and thinks he's gone for good. Then he starts receiving pictures taken years ago when they were together. Jem doesn't see it for the threat it is; he thinks that his ex is playing a bad joke on him. Meanwhile, Nick, a police detective, starts frequenting the store and finally asks Jem out for coffee. Jem hopes that his luck has changed and he can finally have a normal relationship. The first time they are in bed together, Nick recognizes the tattoo on Jem's back and is shocked because it brings back memories, not just of arresting Jem, but of his reaction to Jem at the time. Jem misinterprets the look on Nick's face for one of disgust and runs before Nick has time to explain. He sees no point in staying since he figures Nick can't want him anymore so there's no sense in discussing it further. He's totally despondent and slips back into his pitiful single state, believing that he's still cursed. Fortunately, Nick is persistent and talks Jem into giving their relationship another try. When the picture turns out to be a bigger deal than Jem realizes, he does some investigating of his own and ends up in more trouble than ever.There's more to Nick than just what's on the surface. He's a great police detective and unfortunately the one who arrested Jem for hustling years ago. He doesn't believe Jem when he tells him about being cursed, but when Jem lists all the things that have happened, Nick has to agree that he has had some bad luck, but still will not agree that he's cursed. Nick is very considerate, by waiting outside the store for Jem to ask him for a coffee date, since he doesn't want Jem to get in trouble at work. It's also nice that he asks his coworker for suggestions of things Jem may like. Nick is a romantic, set on pleasing Jem especially after their aborted first try. When Jem tells him about the pictures, Nick's investigative skills kick in. Unlike Jem, he sees something more sinister behind it, especially when one of the Johns turns out to be a popular movie star. When Jem tries to do some investigating on his own, Nick is furious, but by then, they are embroiled in a hornet's nest of major proportions.One of my favorite things about this story is the witty, sometimes sarcastic banter between the characters. It kept me smiling and gave the story a good rhythm. I loved Jem although I felt sorry for him. He was trying so hard to do better and life kept slapping him down. I liked his tenacity and his bravery. Nick was great too. I was especially proud of him for putting the past behind him and seeing things as they are now. I recommend this story to everyone who wants a love story entwined with a murder mystery, where the good guys prevail and all ends happily. Thanks, Lou! I really enjoyed the story.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.