Hard as it Gets

Hard as It Gets by Laura Kaye

My rating:

3 stars—I liked it.

My thoughts:

This book is the first installment of the Hard Ink series. First and last for me. It really could have been such a good book—that’s how it still gets three stars.

I liked the beginning and I liked the characters. The problems? The characters all went by multiple names-- Derek, Marz, Murda…all the same guy. They are even called different names in the same passage! This quickly became very confusing. Too many characters to start with and then they all go by three different names.

And the worst… the author doesn’t resolve the main plot in this book. She leaves it wide open. Apparently in SIX books it is resolved. I really don’t need to know that badly.

Description from Goodreads.com:

“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…”

Her Forbidden Hero

Her Forbidden Hero by Laura Kaye

My rating (out of 5 stars):

3 stars—I liked it.

My thoughts:

I came back to read the first in this series after liking the second. I hate to read out of order but sometimes one slips through my radar! I like Kaye’s writing style—emotional with strong characters.

Romance readers—I recommend giving Kaye a try!

Description Goodreads.com:

“She’s always been off-limits…

Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend’s little sister, but her return home changes that…and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco’s not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he’s not about to let her see the mess he’s become.

…but now she’s all grown up.

When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can’t stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa’s not looking for protection—not anymore. Now that she’s back in his life, she’s determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time…”

One Night With a Hero

One Night With a Hero by Laura Kaye

My rating:

3 stars—I liked it.

My thoughts:

Turned out this was #2 in a series…so I need to go back and read #1! Even though I jumped in to the series, I really liked this author’s voice. I loved the characters. I’m usually not a fan of pregnancy drama and that is quick way to make me stop reading. But I didn’t hate it here. I wish she would have gone a different route, but I kept reading.

I will definitely go back and read #1 and also try more by Kaye.

Description Goodreads.com:

“After growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Army Special Forces Sgt. Brady Scott vowed never to marry or have kids. Sent stateside to get his head on straight—and his anger in check—Brady’s looking for a distraction. He finds it in his beautiful new neighbor’s one-night-only offer for hot sex, but her ability to make him forget is addictive. Suddenly, Brady’s not so sure he can stay away.

…what they need is each other.

Orphaned as a child, community center director Joss Daniels swore she’d never put herself in a position to be left behind again, but she can’t deny herself one sizzling night with the sexy soldier who makes her laugh and kisses her senseless. When Joss discovers she’s pregnant, Brady’s rejection leaves her feeling abandoned. Now, they must overcome their fears before they lose the love and security they’ve found in each other, but can they let go of the past to create a future together?”