Review: Savior by Rhys Ford

Title: Savior by Rhys Ford
415 Ink Series Book Two
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Romance
Length: 220 pages/Word Count: 84,525
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

415 Ink: Book Two

A savior lies in the heart of every good man, but sometimes only love can awaken the man inside the savior.

The world’s had it out for San Francisco firefighter Mace Crawford from the moment he was born. Rescued from a horrific home life and dragged through an uncaring foster system, he’s dedicated his life to saving people, including the men he calls his brothers. As second-in-command of their knitted-together clan, Mace guides his younger siblings, helps out at 415 Ink, the family tattoo shop, and most of all, makes sure the brothers don’t discover his darkest secrets.

It’s a lonely life with one big problem—he’s sworn off love, and Rob Claussen, one of 415 Ink’s tattoo artists, has gotten under his skin in the worst way possible.

Mace’s world is too tight, too controlled to let Rob into his life, much less his heart, but the brash Filipino inker is there every time Mace turns around. He can’t let Rob in without shaking the foundations of the life he’s built, but when an evil from his past resurfaces, Mace is forced to choose between protecting his lies and saving the man he’s too scared to love.

Review:

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.