Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

TAUT The Ford Book- J. A. Huss
Series: Rook and Ronin spinoff #2
Published by: Selfpublished, on 20 January 2014
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Erotica
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Purchase

Ford Aston is known for many things. Being an emotionless, messed up bastard, a freakishly smart social outcast, and a cold, domineering master who keeps "pets" instead of girlfriends.
And after Rook broke his heart, he plans to keep it that way.
Ashleigh is known for nothing, and that's exactly what she's got going for her. She's broke, stranded in the mountains with a three month old baby, and Ford Aston is screwing with her head.
Big. Time.
And she plans to mess with his right back.
It's a coy game at first, filled with flirting, and innuendo--but Ford soon realizes something is not quite right with Ashleigh. In fact, something is seriously, seriously wrong and the closer they get to their final destination, the closer Ford gets to the truth.
One night of devastation, self-loathing, and emptiness turns into the best thing that ever happened to Ford Aston. But one day of in-your-face reality threatens Ashleigh's whole existence.

Taut is harsh. It’s always honest. It is very gritty. It is almost hopeless. Taut is filled with all the emotions Ford thought he couldn’t feel. There is also Ash, the perfect woman for Ford, even if he doesn’t realize this straight away. And of course, Kate, Ash’ three-month-old daughter is part of the seduction for Ford. He never even understood before now that he wanted and needed his own team – a home team.

I was already in love with Ford – I always knew there was more to him than what he showed people in Tragic and Panic, and Taut exceeded my expectations of him. Ash was able to worm her way into my heart very quickly, too. I could sense the tragic loss in her, and even if I guessed where she had to go and talk to Tony, it didn’t take away any of the emotions that came with those scenes at all.

A road trip, Ford finally starting to deal a little bit with his past, and opening up to another human being completely was the main attraction in Taut. At the same time, there are so many other attractions, too, and I am so happy there will be more books in the Rook and Ronin universe, these characters easily come to life with Ms. Huss words, and they are so complex and full of flaws it’s just impossible to not love them all.

The whole story is very intense, both because Ford is dealing with his demons in a way he has never done before, and because Ash has her very own demons to deal with. There is a lot of heartbreak, a lot of darkness and a tiny sliver of hope that shines on all of it. The writing grabbed me from the first word, and I could hardly sleep for want of knowing how Ford was going to react to these new feelings he discovered in himself. His growth is simply amazing – from the guy who seemed so cold and calculating to a man who is capable of caring so much he just knows he wants someone else in his life for the first time ever.

So I can let go an move on. I turn away. I walk out. And I never look back.

Ronin might have a penchant for gambling, but I have a penchant for holding grudges. Even as an infant, apparently.

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I don’t have tears. I’m deformed. This is not logical reasoning and I realize this If I had no tears I’d need eye drops. i’d have all kinds of eye problems, and my vision is perfect. So of course, I make tears, I just don’t cry tears.

“So you’re punishing her. Because she loves you in a way that doesn’t satisfy you?” Ashleigh shakes her head. “That’s fucked up.”

“You’re like crazy sexy, Ford. And all this weird shit you do, that just adds to it. I’m not sure why, but I like your strangeness. It’s real.