See Meep's review, it's thorough and accurate. ( )

This novel was merely average, for me.

I like these characters, and I like that Mace's story resolves, but of all the Rhys Ford novels I've read (many if not all), this one had the most repetition of background and reasoning and so on. I actually skimmed parts of it because that's boring. It's one I'll never re-read.

However, the last scene is Ivo's, and that one I am looking forward to. ( )

Savior is the second book in the ‘415 Ink’ series. It’s the story of San Francisco firefighter Mace Crawford and Rob Claussen, one of the tattoo artists at 415 Ink. The story is told in third person from both Mace and Rob’s pov.



Savior had me hooked right from the start. Just like the author’s other books I’ve read, the writing pulled me in. The descriptions were vivid and I felt the emotions, especially Mace’s. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. There’s enough information supplied about the brother, Gus, from book one, but not so much as to drag the plot down by rehashing the previous story.

I noticed similar running themes in this story with Fish Sticks Fridays, one of the author’s other stories, which I also enjoyed. Both had one of the main characters love of reading as one of their salvations. That’s not bad, just something I noticed. There was also another aspect that was similar but I can’t remember right now.

The characters all had distinct personalities, even the secondary characters. However, I would’ve liked a little more info about Rob. For me, he almost felt like a secondary character even though he wasn’t. There wasn’t much distinctive about him in personality like there was with the brothers. Rob was rather ordinary, but that worked for Mace. Mace on the other hand was complicated and his past was heart wrenching. He had multiple quirks that wouldn’t make sense to outsiders, but when Mace explained to Rob why he did what he did, those quirks made sense. The author did a great job showing that through glimpses of Mace’s everyday life.

There are questions I have about Mace’s past because some things didn’t make sense to me. I will put the questions behind a cut. Mace’s father kidnapped him at a young age, and Mace lived with him for five years. Why was the topic about Mace’s schooling never brought up? I certainly could have forgotten if there was a brief mention of school and hope I'm merely mistaken that there wasn't. It was repeated in the story that Mace’s father kept him in the closet when people visited so no one would know he was living with his dad but brought out when his dad wanted 'entertainment' for the dad's friends. However, what about school? Did Mace go to school? Were fake documents created to get Mace into school since he was kidnapped and not supposed to be ‘Mace’? Wouldn’t the teachers have noticed odd things about Mace? What about Mace and his homework? Did Mace complete his homework? If not, how does he advance to the next grade? What about teacher and parent meetings? With Mace’s father being so horrific, I can’t imagine him at all helpful towards Mace’s schooling, in fact he’d most likely hinder Mace in every way possible. The topic of Mace going to or not going to school was skipped over as if it wasn’t an issue. For me, it reads like a huge hole in the story. It’s a big enough life situation that can’t be ignored. Mace had a horrible life and yet not one mention about his schooling. He doesn’t even mention it to Rob. He doesn’t seem to have any carry-over problems with learning, for instance reading, because he may have missed out on his schooling. I’m bothered about the lack of information on the issue because Mace makes a big deal of how often he was put in the closet so people didn’t know he lived with his dad. He’d be locked in for days and no one from school wondered where he was or why he wasn’t in school? Maybe this is just typical of how schools work. They don’t keep track of kids or check up on them.

The other issue I had was Mace said his dad sealed the cracks of the door with duct tape, I may be remembering incorrectly but I thought I remember the mention of bubble wrap over the door as well or something similar, to make the closet super quiet, sort of like solitary confinement. If that’s true, I have to ask how did the air get through? Mace is locked in for days he’s using up the air and I’m not sure if enough air could get through the cracks. Maybe when he’s small he’d have enough air, but when he was older I find that really hard to believe. I could be forgetting something in the story but what I remember, I have questions.

The characters were definitely the crowning glory of this book. I’m glad Mace found his peace and HEA with Rob. The author also had a few characters from her other books make a brief appearance. One of the characters was Miki. I haven’t read the series with that particular character, but I do recognize the name. If readers have read that series, they’ll probably like it when Miki and the others make their appearance.

I enjoyed Savior and will read future books in the series, plus go back and read book one. I give the story 4 Stars, and recommend it to other readers.

This ARC was given to me for an honest and unbiased review.

( )

It's a serious understatement to say that fire fighter Mace is just a bit tortured. It was almost painful to listen to him. To complicate the situation Rob, a talented tattoo artist at 415 Ink, is attracted to Mace big time. The usual complications go through Mace's head...it's too complicated, he doesn't deserve a guy like Rob...he's not good at relationships etc. Rob is frustrated with the mixed signals that he keeps getting from Mace...and so was I to some extent. They do of course eventually get their act together. Usually, Rhys Ford gets 5 stars for anything she writes but this was too much like walking through either a mine field or a field of molasse. The book was good, and I’ll definitely re-read it at some point and will go on with the series. ( )

Savior by Rhys Ford is an emotionally compelling journey of healing and love. This second installment in the 415 Ink series can be read as standalone but I also highly recommend the first book in the series as well.

Firefighter Mason "Mace" Crawford has worked hard to put his extremely dysfunctional and abusive childhood behind him. He is mostly successful since he has devised a few coping mechanisms that help hold his demons at bay. However, an unexpected rescue at the scene of a fire revives some of Mace's most terrifying memories from his past. Because he fears the reactions of the brothers of his heart, he has not revealed any of these heart-rending experiences to them. He is also struggling with low self-worth so he avoids relationships which is why his reaction to 415 Ink tattoo artist Rob Claussen is troubling. Mace is a co-owner in the tattoo shop so he tries to ignore his very inconvenient attraction to Rob but how long can these two men ignore their smoldering desire for one another?

On the surface, Mace appears to have moved past his troubled childhood since he shares a tight bond with the family he has made for himself. He has a few quirks that both his fellow fire-fighters and brothers accept without giving him too much grief over. But none of the people have an inkling of the secrets he is keeping and Mace wants to keep it that way. However, once he receives shocking news that brings all of the shameful memories rushing back, will Rob convince Mace to trust him enough to confide in him?

Rob's relationship with his family is somewhat rocky but he is much happier since he decided to follow his dream of becoming a tattoo artist. Mace has been on his radar ever since they met, but he remains tongue-tied and shy in his presence. The two continue cautiously circling around each other until a cataclysmic event finally leads to them acting on their sizzling passion. But it is not until Mace's past collides with his present that Rob finally persuades him it is time to talk about the events from his childhood.

Although there is a romantic aspect to the plot, the main focus of the novel is Mace making peace with his childhood. He reveals the things that most haunt him to Rob whose acceptance of this part of his life is just the beginning of his healing process. Mace remains fearful of confiding in his brothers, but he finally accepts the fact that he will never truly completely heal until he tells them the truth about the darkest, painful and most shameful piece of his past.

Savior is a heartwarming novel with a marvelous cast of characters and deeply moving storyline. Mace is a charming character who has made a wonderful life for himself in spite of his traumatic past. Rob and Mace's romance moves at a realistic pace. Rhys Ford brings the novel to a heartfelt conclusion that is quite satisfying. Readers will be quite pleased with the intriguing glimpse of the couple who will be featured in the next installment of the 415 Ink series. ( )