STONE PRINCESS (Clifton Forge #3) by DEVNEY PERRY

“I’m not perfect, Presley. I’m just a man, flawed like any other. The perfection is an illusion.”

We are so completely invested in The Tin Gypsy series and after reading the last two books (Riven Knight and Stone Princess)back to back, we’re now desperate for the release of Noble Prince in November! In Stone Princess Devney Perry beautifully combined elements we crave – Hollywood romance, small-town romance and biker romance. Whilst this biker series may not be the dark and edgy MC books we normally associate with this theme, the author delivers the warring biker ‘feel’ in the underlying presence of hostility between the now-defunct Tin Gypsy’s and rival MC Club, the Arrowhead Warriors. Their rivalry and revenge simmer throughout the series, giving each book that suspenseful edge we devour, mixed with passion, banter heartfelt emotion.

We’ve been really looking forward to Presley Marks story. We knew there would be a lot to this twenty eight year old, who fled Chicago, on her own some ten years earlier, ending up in Clifton Forge, Montana and brought into the fold of the Tin Gypsy MC club as one of their own. Protected and loved by the former bikers, making her mark working in the office of the club’s repair shop, Clifton Forge Garage. We had so many questions about Presley, and wow, did her story deliver. Devney Perry certainly went dark with Presley’s past which was horrific, painful and heartbreaking. What this little pixie lacked in stature, she more than made up for in heart and tenacity.

“We don’t talk about you,” he said.
“No.” I turned my eyes to the yard.
“Why?”
“I don’t like my story.”

Presley had suffered a broken heart and the worst of humiliation when she was left at the altar on her wedding day, and despite all the warning from her friends, she didn’t see it coming. Left to lick her wounds, Presley buries herself in her work. However, what Presley didn’t count on was the day Hollywood heartthrob (swoon), Shaw Valance would walk into the Garage. There to film a movie about a murder in Clifton Forge, Shaw is instantly smitten by the frowning, prickly Presley. Shaw craves real in his life, and Presley is as real as they come.

“Kiss me, Shaw.” He framed my face. “Where?”
“Here.” I pointed to my lips. Everywhere.

Presley isn’t happy about the movie (and we’re giving nothing away here for fear of spoiling Riven Knight if you haven’t read it yet) and Shaw, ever the Hollywood hero is taking a risk playing the villain, another point Presley isn’t happy about – she doesn’t want this person to garner any glorification. Shaw opens up about the movie, and his part, slowly gaining her trust.

‘One of these days, I’d do something to make her smile and laugh. She’d be gorgeous, smiling with no walls in place. ‘

There is so much to Presley’s story – we couldn’t have anticipated the heart-wrenching journey it would take us on. Shaw, too, had demons from his past he needs to put to rest. Presley has built up walls, can Shaw dismantle them and find his way into her heart? And what of the expiration date on their romance? Shaw lives in LA, Presley is firmly planted in Montana? Presley is deeply private, Shaw’s life is on display for all. As their goodbyes loomed, our hearts plummeted.

‘His laughter was like music, and the more I heard it, the more I could make out the different notes. Like his smile, it was different when it was real. I was huskier and came from deeper in his throat. It was raw and unrefined.’

We enjoyed this story so much! We swooned like crazy over Shaw Valance, and we giggled at his wicked sense of humour – his easy-going nature complimenting Presley’s prickly personality perfectly. Oh did we swoon! Learning more about the relationship between Draven and Presley made our hearts soar yet tinged them with sorrow. It wasn’t only the characters, it was the beautifully rich Montana countryside Devney Perry so vividly captures, bringing the stunning landscape into our imaginations and making it a character of its own.  What a perfect way to spend a weekend reading! We can’t wipe the smiles off our faces!

“You better not break my heart.”