BOOK REVIEW ~ HARD AS YOU CAN BY LAURA KAYE

Title: Hard As You Can (Hard Ink, Book Two)
Author: Laura Kaye

Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Paperback, 384 pages

ARC provided by Edelweiss

Book Blurb

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

Book Review 

Laura Kaye has done it again and penned a brilliant romantic suspense with Hard As You Can--the second book in the Hard Ink series.

In fact, I enjoyed this book more than the first.

I think that is due to the on-going story ARC as well as understanding the characters that make up this series. As each fascinating trait or quirk is revealed, I fall more in love with the men of Hard Ink.

Shane McCallan won my vote as all-time favorite with his tenderness and huge heart. His desire to protect Sara (aka Crystal) and her sister was palpable. And the way he holds himself responsible for his own sister's kidnapping broke my heart.

After literally running into Crystal in a strip club during a mission to rescue Charlie, Shane cannot get her out of his mind. And he's determined to find out more about this mysterious woman. When their current mission leads them back to Confessions, Shane reaches out to Crystal for information. When Shane realizes just how dangerous Crystal's current situation is, he can't help but want to reach out and help her. And just maybe, his guilt for not being able to help his little sister years ago will somehow be lessened.

Crystal is waiting for a chance to escape the hell her life has become.For the moment, she is left with no other choice but to work at Confessions as a waitress. And her boyfriend, Bruno Ashe, is paying for the expensive medication her sister needs to help control her seizures. Crystal knows that the club is the devil's playground--one that deals with drugs and the selling of women as slaves. But she puts on a smile and plays the role, praying for the day when she and her sister can escape.

When Shane asks for information that will help bring him and his friends closer to discovering who is behind their dishonorable discharge, Crystal decides to take the risk and helps him out. Used to being treated like a possession, Shane's behavior toward her is a welcome surprise. And Crystal starts to yearn for something that isn't possible, especially when she has no plans to stay in Baltimore.

Hard As You Can is action-oriented and filled with a twisty plot to keep you reading until the last page. And once you're there...you'll be begging for book three.

BOOK REVIEW ~ HARD AS IT GETS BY LAURA KAYE

Title: Hard As It Gets
Author: Laura Kaye
Release Date: November 26, 2013

Reviewer purchased own copy of paperback for review


Book Blurb

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...





Book Review 


I love a great start to a new series. Laura Kaye has written a compelling read that keeps the reader's attention. There is a fast-paced plot filled with action, addictive characters, and military intrigue.

Lets talk about the hero of this book. Nick Rixey. He is super sexy, mysterious, a little dark and rough around the edges. But when you get to the yummy center of his character, you fall ass-over-elbow for him. He has so many interesting layers to him--faults and all--that I was immediately charmed.

And Nick is not the only one I fell hard for. Kaye gives us a heapin' load of Alpha males that I want to know more about. All of them unique, quirky, and interesting in their own way.

Then, there is Becca Merritt, the heroine. She is not only likable, but has such a fierceness about her to be admired. She wasn't weak, but still had a vulnerability to her that made her character believable. And I was totally envious--I mean, she is surrounded by a smorgasbord of men, all willing to stick their necks on the line in order to help her and keep her safe.

There is no fluff romance here--no tatted hero with very little character development and even less plot. I cannot wait to see how the Hard Ink story plot continues, as the bad guy is still out there.

Great characters, plot twists, and shoot 'em up action mixed with sexy times that will knock your socks off. Laura Kaye has written a solid beginning for her Hard Ink series and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book.