Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories

Book SynopsisBuyer beware . . .Looking for a tattoo—and maybe a little something extra: a burst of good luck, a dollop of true love, or even a hex on an ex? Head to the quiet and mysterious Gage, the best skin artist in town. Using unique potions—a blend of extraordinary ingredients and special inks—to etch the right symbol, he can fulfill any heart's desire. But in a place like Low Town, where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires happily walk among humanity, everything has its price.No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Tower where cruel witches and warlocks rule, a decision that cost him the right to practice magic. And if he disobeys, his punishment—execution—will be swift.Though he's tried to fly under the radar, Gage can't hide from powerful warlocks who want him dead—or the secrets of his own past. But with the help of his friends, Trixie, a gorgeous elf who hides her true identity, and a hulking troll named Bronx, Gage might just make it through this enchanted world alive.My ThoughtsThe day this book came out as a free read on Amazon for Kindle was one that made me whoop for joy as wanted to read it ever since the author first let fans of her Dark Days series know about this first book in the new Asylum Tales series. So far there are three novellas; including the one in the Blood By Moonlight anthology with short stories from authors Jocelynn Drake, Terri Garey and Caris Roane that takes place 3 months after the events in Angel's Ink. Not having read the two novellas that take place prior to the first full length book and detail the events of how Bronx and Trixie came to work with Gage at the tattoo parlor it is no hardship to start off the series without reading them first.When first met Gage in Blood By Moonlight anthology I knew that he would be somewhat similar in character personality wise to author Jim Butchers wizard Harry Dresden and author John Levitt's magical practicioner Mason in his Dog Days series. All three men somehow manage to be sarcastic wise crackers at the most inopportune moments and all three characters use of magic defies the odds when it comes to getting them out of troublesome situations.Gage is more than just a disowned warlock however, he has managed to keep his ability to feel kinship with his former human brethren, in fact unlike the witches and warlocks that strike fear into the hearts of most humans Gage tries very hard to be helpful all the while also trying to keep a low profile living a life of his choosing rather than the one that others tried to force upon him.This is a great start to an urban fantasy series, I think my favorite part is the time that Gage and his coworkers spend at the Asylum tattoo parlor. One can hear the sound of the tattoo guns, smell the mingled odors of the inks and other fluids as the tattoo's come to life on the bodies whose owners willingly lie on a table to acquire the art that they have chosen to display and the somewhat questionable neighborhood lends to the stories ambiance as well every time Gage describes the surrounding area around the tattoo shop in a little more detail.The events that take place in this first story leave threads open that should eventually become full length stories in the series in their own right, although in my opinion this first book ties up things pretty well at the end while at the same time leaving readers with more to explore which makes me look forward to book 2 [b:Dead Man's Deal|16065783|Dead Man's Deal (The Asylum Tales, #2)|Jocelynn Drake|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357270818s/16065783.jpg|21856431].