Savior

Rhys broke my heart with Mace but then stiched it back together with this amazing story. Mace has endured more in his lifetime than is imaginable. He was tortured and abused by his psychotic father. After being rescued from that horrific life he spent years in the foster system until he met Bear.

The found family that Bear has created is a sanctuary for these five brothers. A home that none of them imagined for themselves. Mace is so frightened of losing his home and family that he holds a part of himself away. This all changes when he finally gives in to the feelings he has for Rob. Rob works at the family Tatto shop 415 Ink. There is a no fraternization policy between owners and employees.

What Rob gives to Mace is a feeling of total acceptance. Rob sees who Mace is at his core and values that. This let's Mace begin to imagine a future that allows him to have a committed relationship.

Mace's Dad adds more damage to his life but with Rob's support and his family's love he rises above all that happens and seizes his chance for love and happiness.

This world that Rhys has created is full of such rich, diverse characters that add so much depth to this series. I can't wait for the rest of the brothers to get their story and HEA!

Starting this book, I didn’t think there was any way it could be better than book one. But, boy was I wrong. Every part of this book was Awesome. I loved the characters and the plot, storyline. It had conflict and drama and angst, but just the right amount of everything, nothing was too drawn out or overdone. We get the perfect amount of character development and communication between the two main characters Mace and Rob. And the chemistry and heat is off the charts HOT. The two men fit perfectly together and I loved that Mace was able to find the other half of himself in Rob. With every horrible thing Mace has gone through in life leading up to the point in the story, he fully deserves every moment of happiness he gets in life. Rob is awesome, I really liked getting to know his character and background. Knowing and seeing that he was willing to do whatever was needed to look past Mace’s rough edges, to see all his insecurities and still try to help Mace overcome them, just shows how perfect Rob was for Mace. I totally connected with Mace and his need to run. Knowing his thoughts and feelings behind it and his reasoning, really made me fall in love with him. I just wanted him to be happy. He’s one of those characters you wish you could just jump into the book and hug to try and make everything they have to deal with in life better. And make him realized that he is really a lot stronger as a person than he thinks and believes he is. Mace’s dad needs to rot in Hell, he is a horrible human being who deserves worse than death for what he put Mace and others through.

I LOVE this whole entire family, how they bond together and stick by each other no matter what happens. I need more of this series ASAP. Like, I will be holding my breath waiting on book three. I really hope its Ivo’s book and that he ends up with the cop… Ivo has the best personality and we’ve only gotten snippets of him so far. I really can’t wait for more.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Oh, my goodness. How I love the world that Rhys has created in San Francisco! This series just keeps getting better and better. I love when a broken character finds the love of his life and discovers that he wasn't really broken at all. Just a little chipped around the edges. Mace and Rob worked very well together. I love the way they compimented each other's strengths and weaknesses. I love the dynamics of this series. The brothers are so very different but are one cohesive unit when it counts. Well done Rhys!!

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

As a die hard and long time Rhys Ford fangirl, anytime there's a new book out I think it's a reason to celebrate. I mean, new words from Rhys is always worthy of squeeing loudly, but I have to say her 415 Ink Series has me excited like I haven't been since Sinner's Gin. Don't get me wrong, EVERY book Rhys writes is amazing, but this series is something special. This found family of five, these men who are all so fierce and loyal and broken have something extraordinary to them. Rebel, the first book of the series, was fabulous and I was immediately enraptured by Bear, Luke, Gus, Ivo, and Mace and their dynamic. Rebel was about Gus and second chances. In Savior, it's time to find out all about Mace.

I've got to honest, of the five brothers we were introduced to in Rebel, Mace Crawford wasn't exactly my favorite. He came off as a bit-or a lot depending on your viewpoint-of an asshole. Judgmental and brash and condescending, there was definitely something a bit unappealing about him. At least in my opinion anyway, but I trust Rhys in all things, so I knew there had to be more to this guy and boy was I ever right! By the end of Savior, I was madly in love with Mace and my heart ached for all he's been through. I mean, yes, I KNEW there had to be a reason for his attitude and there was no doubt he loved his family with his whole heart but man it took some work to get underneath all those layers. You just knew it was going to take someone special to be up for the job and Rob Claussen was just the guy to do it.

Rob's been working at 415 Ink, learning from Bear and lusting after off limits Mace. Not only is he Bear's brother, but he's also part owner of 415 Ink and even though Rob knows he shouldn't, he can't help but want Mace. The feeling is mutual, as we are shown, and their chemistry is on fire (pun intended since Mace is a firefighter!) hot and though they try, they really can't stay away from each other. In time, and little by little, Rob begins to chip away at Mace's walls and then there's a nasty encounter with Mace's truly evil and vile father that brings them even closer together. Mace has been afraid of his father his whole life and he's kept secrets from his childhood deeply buried to the point that's he's kept people from getting too close.

Once Mace comes clean not only to Rob but to his family about the horrors of his childhood, it was so awesome watching Mace bloom into this guy that just melted my heart. He's got this vulnerability to him that is SO appealing and it's no wonder Rob fell head over heels in love with the man. I love how Rhys shows his growth, from this guy who snarls and snaps into one who calls his neighbor Grandma and lets himself fall in love with Rob. There's not a ton of page time spent on Rob and Mace together, but I didn't mind that. I really enjoyed getting to know each of them and seeing Mace with his brothers and Rey was fabulous. As always, Rhys's storytelling is engrossing and evocative, leaving me alternating between smiles and tears. The way she writes families of all kinds, man, I'm not sure there's anyone that does it better. How she captures each nuance, how there's frustration and anger sometimes but it's always rooted in love and that ALWAYS shines through her writing.

To say that I'm dying for the next book and Ivo's story is an understatement if there ever was one and I can't wait to see more of Gus, Mace, Luke and Bear as well. If you haven't started this series, what are you waiting for? It has some of everything, laughs and angst and heat and so SO much heart! Be sure to start with Rebel then Savior so you can anxiously wait with the rest of us for book 3 because I guarantee you'll want more 415 Ink!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book two in the 415 Ink series, and while not totally necessary, I would recommend that you read book one, Rebel first. Not least because I said so, but it will give you a little bit more understanding of these men and how their family works.

When Mace's past comes back into his life, will he let his demons beat him? Or will he finally start to believe that Rob, that HE is worth it?

Okay.

So!

After reading Rebel, I knew Ms Ford was gonna wreck me, but silly me started this book in my lunch break at work and I was woefully unprepared with what Ford was throwing at me!

These five men, brothers in all ways but blood, have a strong tight bond but Mace thinks they will disown him when they find out what his father made him do as a child. And those things that he did? No one should have to do those things to survive, let alone a ten year old child.

Rob is convinced that Mace hates him, when quite the opposite is true and when they give into the obvious chemistry that has been simmering away?? It boils over in spectacular fashion! Rob has family issues, and I never quite got to grips with what they were but it didn't spoil my reading experience.

But Mace? He really did break my heart! This big strong fireman, who needs noise and needs to leave a nightlight on, broke my freaking heart in the way only Ford can do!


She is, quite simply, a Master at her craft, and I never know what she is going to throw at me. No matter which way you see a story going, it doesn't. It goes off on it's own sweet way, and you just keep page turning and page turning until, well, until you run out of book and you are left with a little paragraph that throws you into the next book!

All these guys have history, there are little snippets and hints thrown in here that makes your brain think about Bear, about Ivo an about Luke. Luke I'm finding the most tight lipped of them all and it's HIS story I want to read next, but Ivo is up first, I think. Bear and Ivo have a tale to tell and I just wonder what Ford is going to throw at us for the remaining three brothers.

I just want to read them all, but no matter what you THINK will come out, you know, you jut KNOW that Ford will blow that all out of the window and I will be left a blubbering mess in my lunch break and I will have to face customers with red eyes! And I WILL, and I won't care.

Because I simply CANNOT fault this book!

5 stunning and emotional stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**