New Ink on Life (Thorn and Thistle #1)

Davids’s debut, first in the Thorn and Thistle contemporary series, blends a delightfully nuanced opposites-attract romance with real-world issues of health and healing. MJ Flores is struggling to keep her tattoo studio, the Thorn & Thistle, in the black. She’s also trying to overcome the betrayal of her former business partner and girlfriend. She’s hardly in the mood to take on a new apprentice, much less the quiet and painfully shy woman who’s asking for a job. Cassie Whiteaker endured extensive treatments for breast cancer, and expects to be declared cancer-free in a few months. She is determined to start living again. When she arrives at the shop, she’s dismayed to find her new boss floundering. MJ agrees to let Cassie use her business skills to keep the shop going in return for lessons in how to be a badass tattoo artist. As their partnership develops into a passionate and profound love, both Cassie and MJ find a new strength to fight for their shop, their art, and each other. The protagonists are vibrant and their connection is honest and real. This moving and deeply fulfilling romance marks the launch of a very promising series. Agent: Saritza Hernandez, Corvisiero Literary. (June)