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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. |
BOOK INFO
Released: November 26th 2013
Series: Hard Ink #1
Published by Avon
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
“Hard As It Gets was an excellent read. This may be Ms. Kaye’s best work yet!!!”~Under the Covers
Nick Rixey and his comrades received a dishonorable discharged from the Army. And the possibility to redeem them just walked in his life, literally. Becca Merritt goes to Hard Ink Tattoo shop not knowing what to expect but in hopes to find a way to her missing brother. Fortunately, the clue she received led her to the right place. Mystery will be solved, old friends will reconnect, and there is a dog who I shall not name is finally named. . Of course, there will be some hot lovin’.
I feel like I hit the jackpot on this one. Nick is hot, full of military background, and he is an honest to goodness a great guy! He really played the character of a “knight in shining armor” of the 21st century well. He avoided to help Becca but he jst couldn’t ignore her. Becca is not my favorite heroine, but I like her. She knows loyalty, and she has a strong character. She was very determined, and she will do anything to find her brother. She was also very kind hearted.
Their romance was sweet, and the sexual tension between them was high. But what I liked most about this book was the amount of mystery and suspense that Ms. Kaye added to this novel. There were some twists, turns and clues leading up to the end of this book. Unfortunately, there were some unresolved issues that most likely will continue on to the next book. I had no idea where the story was leading me and as much as I tried guessing, I could not predict what was going to happen. There wasn’t a cliff hanger per se, but this group will have to continue with their search to clear out their names.
The secondary characters absolutely sucked me in. She added a good amount of camaraderie and banter between the men. You can tell they all have their troubled past and Ms. Kaye gave enough info to get to know them. Shane, Nick’s close friend had gotten my attention, but I’m going to admit. I have the hots for Jeremy. Jeremy, Nick’s brother will sweep you off your feet. His persona is flirty, and he uses his shirt collection to his full advantage. Oh, and he is also tatted…need I say more?
Hard Ink was an excellent read. This may be Ms. Kaye’s best work yet!!!
*Review copy provided by publisher
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Introducing Nick and Becca from Hard As It Gets
I am absolutely thrilled to be celebrating the release of my sexy contemporary romance, Hard As It Gets, the first book in my new Hard Ink series. If you like sexy, gritty contemporaries, military heroes and themes, and even a little suspense, Hard As It Gets is the perfect book for you! *grins*
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Nick Rixey and Becca Merritt, the hero and heroine of Hard As It Gets. They just sizzled together on the page and I really enjoyed writing them. I hope you love them, too! So, without further ado, please meet Hard As It Gets’s Nick and Becca:
MEET HERO NICK RIXEY:
Becca’s first impression of Nick:
“I’m Nick Rixey. Who wants to know?”
Becca jumped at the deep sound of the man’s voice. Geez. How long had he been standing there? And, big as he was, how had she not heard him approach? It was like he’d materialized out of thin air.
The surprise of his appearance pounded adrenaline through her system. Her racing pulse had absolutely nothing to do with the bulge of his impressive biceps straining the sleeves of his black T-shirt, the hints of ink just visible on his upper arms, nor with his harsh yet darkly handsome face. And definitely not with the way his jeans hung on those lean hips. Right. Definitely not.
Given who her father was, or had been, this was the type of man she’d expected to find at the end of Charlie’s cryptic note. His dark hair was a little on the long side, but the hard edges and leashed strength of his body clearly read ex-military.
Nick’s Job: Process Server, Part-time Tattoo Artist
3 Words that Describe Nick: Tortured, Alpha, Heroic
3 Things he Loves about Heroine Becca Merritt: Her courage, her compassion, the way she takes away his hurt
Who could play Nick if the book was made into a movie? Tyler Hoechlin hung above my desk for months (in fact, he just may still be there!), so he’s got the look for sure!
MEET HEROINE BECCA MERRITT:
Nick’s first impression of Becca:
Becca Merritt was the all-American girl personified, with her fierce blue eyes and wavy hair the rich color of honey. Bet she tastes as sweet, too. And, damn, that body. It was all he’d been able to do not to gawk at the curves her fitted T-shirt hugged, or trace his eyes over the lace just visible through the thin cotton. It was like the sun had strolled through their front door, casting heat and light all over him. Only the haunted dark circles under her eyes ruined the analogy.
Becca’s Job: ER nurse
3 Words that Describe Becca: Loyal, Compassionate, Strong
3 Things she Loves about Hero Nick Rixey: His intensity (in everything), his strength, his willingness to help her and her brother
Who could play Becca if the book was made into a movie? With her wholesome prettiness, Blake Lively would make a good Becca Merritt!
Do you have a question for either of the characters or their author lady? Ask away and we’d all be happy to chat!
Thanks for reading!
Laura
“Edgy, sexy, and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!”
~J.R. Ward on Hard As It Gets
About Hard As It Gets:
Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.
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…
Read Chapter 1 of Hard As It Gets
LAURA KAYE’S HARD AS IT GETS TOUR SCHEDULE
November 29 – December 8, 2013
November 29
Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.com/
Martini Times Romance http://martinitimes.com
Book Addict Mumma http://bookaddictmumma.wordpress.com
The Book Vamps http://thebookvamps.us
Just Booked http://justbooked.blogspot.com/
Mary Elizabeth’s Crazy Book Obsession http://www.maryelizabethscrazybookobsession.com/
A Love Affair With Books http://www.aloveaffairwithbooks.com/
November 30
mommy’s a book whore http://mommysabookwhore.blogspot.com
Crystal’s Many Reviews http://www.crystalsmanyreviews.blogspot.com
Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads http://shaynareneesspicyreads.com
The Book Bellas www.thebookbellas.com
Louisa’s Reviews http://louisasreviews.wordpress.com/
Reading Between the Wines http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/
Talk Supe http://www.talkingsupe.com
Romance Readoholic http://romancereadoholic.blogspot.com/
December 1
The Book Junkie http://jothebookjunkie.blogspot.com
Room With Books http://roomwithbooks.wordpress.com
Crazy, Chaotic Book Babes http://crazychaoticbookbabes.blogspot.com
Schmexy Girl Book Blog http://www.schmexygirlbookblog.com
Foxylutely Book Reviews http://foxylutely.blogspot.co.uk
Snarky Mom Reads… http://www.snarkymomreads.com
December 2
Renee Entress’s Blog http://reneeentress.blogspot.com
Love Between the Sheets http://www.readlovelust.com
Hesperia Loves Books http://www.hesperialovesbooks.com
Fab Fun and Tantalizing Reads http://fabfunandtantalizingreads.com
Reading Books Like a Boss http://readingbookslikeaboss.com
Keep Calm & Read Romance http://keepcalmandreadromance.blogspot.com
The SubClub Books www.thesubclubbooks.com
December 3
Sugar and Spice Book Reviews http://sugarandspiceandeverythingnaughty.blogspot.com/
my daily romance http://mydailyromance.com/
Book Nerds Anonymous http://avasmith.org
The Reading Cafe http://www.thereadingcafe.com/
Rumpled Sheets Blog http://rumpledsheetsblog.wordpress.com/
Chris’ Book Blog Emporium http://chrisbookblogemporium.blogspot.com/
December 4
Love N. Books http://LoveNBooks.com
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The Book Hangover http://www.thebookhangover.wordpress.com
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SMIBookClub http://SMIBookClub.com
December 5
Just One More Romance http://justonemoreromance.blogspot.com/
The Blushing Reader www.blushingreader.com
Bookaholics Blog http://bookaholics2.blogspot.com
The Bookish Babe http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com
Nette’s Bookshelf Reviews http://www.nettesbookshelf.blogspot.com
December 6
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com
Liezel’s Book Blog http://liezelsbookblog.net
Under the Covers www.underthecoversbookblog.com
BeanieBrain Reader http://beaniebrainreader.blogspot.com/
December 7
Smardy Pants Book Blog http://smardy-pants.blogspot.com/
Book Liaison http://www.bookliaison.net
Romance Addict Book Blog http://www.romanceaddictbookblog.com/
C.W. Book Reviews http://www.houseofmalfunction.com/c-w-book-reviews
Christine’s Blog http://www.shebookblogs.com/
Love Drug Book Blog http://direeljagurl32.blogspot.com/
December 8
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Literary Nook http://literarynook.com
Submit and Devour http://submitanddevour.com
akiiKOMORI reading www.akiikomorireading.com
Tiffany Talks Books tiffanytalksbooks.com
About Laura Kaye
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Five (5) print copies of HARD AS IT GETS, provided by the publisher
are up for grabs during this tour!
I coblog and review here at Under the Covers and occasionally review for Hot Listens.I love to read PNR, UF, Contemporary, New Adult, and Romantic Suspense. Occasionally, I will venture to Erotica, BDSM reads and rarely Historical Romance. There are some sub-genres that I don’t always enjoy, but I’m open to stepping out of my comfort zone.For the most part, as long as there’s a hint of romance, I’m pretty much in.
- ARC Review: Bewitched by Darynda Jones - October 8, 2020
- Review: Betwixt by Darynda Jones - October 8, 2020
- ARC Review: The Graveyard Shift by Darynda Jones - June 12, 2020
This book is on my Amazon wishlist, the buzz on the book has been positive from what I’ve seen.
Hi Amy, It is a great read. thanks for passing by. ~Angela
Sounds good….thanks angela…was there anything specific that makes becca not a fav?
Nothing specific, Elizabeth. She just didn’t stand out as much. Hope you give it a try. ~Angela
Just like you Angela,Jeremy simply got my heart 😀
It would be really awesome if Laura Kaye decide to write book for him,that would be great! 🙂
This was great read!
Thank you for the lovely review 🙂
Thanks for your comments Bube and thanks for passing by. ~Angela
I’m looking forward to reading this…Thanks for the great review Angela!
Thanks Timitra. Much appreciated as always. ~Angela
I haven’t read Laura’s books yet, but I’ve seen such good comments that I think I should.
I love Laura’s books. Try this one, Diane. ~Angela
I’m new to Laura Kaye’s books, however I look forward to getting to know the author & her books! Thanks for the giveaway chance! 🙂
Good luck Brenda! ~Angela
Laura is new to me but I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this awesome read.
Thanks for passing by Asheley. ~Angela
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