For readers who detest spoilers of any kind, feel free to ignore this section and go right on to picking yourself up a copy of the books.
However, if you are a reader who is particularly selective about the content you read, no matter the reason, then please click on the following tabs (with the full knowledge you might be spoiling key moments in the books for yourself)…
Are the spoiler-free readers all gone? Yes? Alright then!
(Takes a deep breath…)
Please be aware that while the Bear Ink series is ultimately stories of love, resilience, acceptance, and building a supportive found family, the books often touch on sensitive content that some readers may find difficult, including:
- 3rd Person
- Dual POV
- Size difference (& difficulties)
- Age gap (26 & 31)
- Angst
- Suspense
- Character growth
- Comedic Mixups
- Drama
- Cultural / family drama
- Mature situations
- Mistakes
- Misunderstandings (not miscommunication - they immediately confront/communicate)
- Trauma
- Disability rep
- Hookup Culture
- Antagonist characters antagonize
- Banter
- Swearing
- Standalone, but could turn into series featuring some of the other characters in the future if folks like it
They are not a dark stories, however. And there are also good examples of parenting (both genetic, adopted, and quasi-parental-figure-shaped) also exist within this story, as well as positive representations within the law enforcement/legal community.
Violence comes in the form of:
- Reference to Car Accident (off-page, before story begins)
- Reference to Motorcycle Accident (off-page, before story begins)
- Racism (at an MC)
All steamy scenes are between two explicitly consenting adult men; open door, wildly enthusiastic, and absolutely joyful. Enjoy those chapters without fear, y'all!
- Explicit MM sex
- An initial foray into BDSM play
- MC's brother's boyfriend is a lecher
- Chronic Illness (well-managed)
- Reference to transplant (Heart - well-managed)
- Reference to surgeries/medical procedures
- Wes is HIV Positive (well-managed & safe about it)
- Undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U)
- Reference to PTSD (both MCs)
- Dante has anxiety
- Brief mention of blood during tattoo process
- Brief mention of tattoo machine (and needles)
- Mention of tattoo artist tools
- Reference to drinking
- Reference to smoking/quitting smoking
- Adopted Family
- Dante is a widower
- Reference to loss (off-page, before story begins)
- Going through the grief process
All that said, if you run across something in these books you believe should have been on this list, or is just plain wildly incorrect, please hit that Contact button above and let me know so I can fix it. I've tried my best to work with primary sources and researched the heck out of my topics, but I'm under no illusion that I (or these books) are perfect. And too, while this series is ultimately a work of fiction, some portions were also drawn off (or at least extrapolated from) my personal, lived experiences; including ones I was injured during or my memory is otherwise blurred for, and therefore might be somewhat unreliable (and definitely biased). It's difficult sometimes to know what might shock someone to whom this isn't their 'normal' when you're so close to the subject matter.
Help from readers like you has been invaluable in making sure this series is as enjoyable as possible for everyone. These books wouldn't even exist without the support of so many amazing people, and I am truly grateful and touched by the response it has received right from the outset of its creation, on through the path to publishing, and beyond.
I'm so excited for you to discover Bear Ink, the town of Chance's Harbor, and join all our guys on their journeys to a very Happily Ever After.
- CJ Pines