Jem Mitchell believes himself to be cursed. Bad things have been happening to him nonstop. However, while at work at a gourmet grocery, he catches the eye of a LA Detective named Nick Davies. It's only when Detective Davies asks him out that he believes that his luck may be changing.

Sparks fly like the Fourth of July between Jem and Nick. But it isn't until Nick recognizes Jem's signature tattoo that he realizes that they have crossed paths before. As the secrets of Jem's pasts are revealed and come to haunt him once again, Jem's friend is murdered, creating a suspense plot that carries this story right to the very end!

As my first novel by Lou Harper, there were two things I noticed first. One being that the author's writing style is highly engaging, upbeat and a blast to read. I found myself laughing out loud at some of Jem's antics while also swooning with Harper's ability to create a charming romance for Jem and Nick. Since this book is short at 130 pages, I really felt that the romance would have been much stronger if there wasn't such a tight word count. Towards the end, when the suspense slows down its pace and the loose ties are cleaned up, I wanted to see more emphasis on their romance, especially since their first encounter was so quick and blazing.

Harper toys with Shibari, the sensual Japanese art of bondage. This came as a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting it at all, though it was still a little dash of something spicy.

SECRETS AND INK is a quick, suspenseful read filled with hilarious antics, fun sexy times and a heady dose of passion!