Laura Kaye

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

A Hard Ink Novel

Hard As It Gets

Anna Ureta

Received from author in exchange for an honest review.

This book took a little longer than usual to finish, only because I’m participating in nanowrimo and a lot of my reading time has been taken up by writing time.

But in NO WAY did that mean I didn’t enjoy this book from start to finish. It really surprised me.

I knew nothing about Laura Kaye. Never read her books, didn’t look up reviews, nothing. I was caught solely by the blurb and was immediately hooked. EX-MILITARY, SEXY TATTOOED MEN, and an investigation that uncovers a secret about Becca’s father? That’s definitely a recipe for an intense contemporary romance if I ever read one.

Becca Merritt is in trouble. She doesn’t know who or why, but she knows she’s in danger and she needs help finding her brother Charlie. That help comes from Nick Rixey – former Special Forces. She’s his ex-commander’s daughter and he feels no obligation to help her. Having already given years of his life only to be betrayed he has absolutely no sympathy for her. But when the situation turns sour and Becca’s life is in danger he calls upon his old teammates to help solve the mystery and see what secrets put her life and her brother’s life in the middle of an organized crime ring.

I will admit the story was a bit slow for me in the very beginning, and literally I mean Chapter 1. It didn’t catch my attention right away as I had hoped but then again I don’t expect EVERY book I read to. Everything after Chapter 2 though PERFECT! It definitely took some time for the characters to grow on me and for the story to really feel interesting. I’ll admit I had THE WORST initial reaction to the main characters which now I look back and am ashamed over. Kaye has definitely created a cast of colourful characters in a very serious story, but still shows them in a wonderfully easy-going light.

Hard As It Gets does NOT feel like your typical contemporary romance novel. I think I was more excited to find out where the story was going than to see Nick and Becca get together. But when they did get together…Oh man…were they ever hot.

For one thing Becca isn’t and doesn’t seem like your typical almost occasionally defenseless female lead (not that female leads have to be useless and defenseless). She’s very independent and seems like the type of woman who can definitely take care of herself. If it wasn’t for all the bad things happening around her that endangered her life I bet she wouldn’t even call out to Nick for help. Becca is definitely on my list for bad-ass female leads. And she’s not the typical kick-ass heroine that makes her bad-ass, it’s her attitude toward life, her composure, how she manages to keep it all together that ears her my respect.

When first meeting Nick Rixey I thought he came off as rather assholish and douchebaggy (though I doubt those are real words, I’m pretty sure I just made them up). HOWEVER he does a quick turn-around and completely redeems himself in my books. He’s caring and considerate, he has tattoos and was in the military; Nick Rixey is like a FREAKING SWISS ARMY KNIFE! He can do it all! The only problem with men who can do everything is that they’re usually hiding something pretty important… and Nick is no exception to this.

 “Well, that would be a shame, because it would mean I can’t cook you my specialty.”

 “You have a specialty?”

 He crossed his arms, “Of course I have a specialty.”

 She just bet he did. A soldier who carried her bag, tried to open the car door for her, put her up in his house to protect her, and now offered to cook her inner. This guy was ten kinds of dangers. And in more ways than she’d expected when she’d come to him for help. “Well, then, I eat meat.”

I definitely love Becca for all her wonderful qualities. She’s a strong independent woman, she’s very down to earth and hardly a pushover. I also didn’t think I’d like Nick as much as I do. I mean it took me at least 100 PAGES for his character to grow on me. I mean really, when he’s first introduced he SCREAMS asshole meanie pants jerky jerk! But when they’re alone together and he’s intent on Becca feel better, he really has a genuine desire to want to make her happy, or at least keep her from breaking down. More points to him for having a serious amount of moral fiber…

Don’t let all Nick’s goodness and caring self-fool you though… He’s a BEAST. He’s mad sexy, dangerously addicting, and I’m pretty sure he could make any woman weak in the knees.

 “Because I want to make you hold onto that bag while I bury myself in you so had and so deep you don’t know your own name. But than tomorrow, in the light of day, when your brother’s still missing and we’re still trying to figure out the mystery of who broke into your house, getting fucked by a stranger in a warehouse will be just one more thing you have to deal with. And I won’t do that to you.”

Overall, Becca and Nick are an addicting couple, and I promise if you’re not addicted to them you’ll be HOOKED onto the story as I was. Kaye has definitely got this reader hooked onto the men of Hard Ink… and just when you think it’s over you’re probably dead wrong, because this is only the beginning.

5/5 Hearts of Love 

Check out more of my reviews at http://www.akiikomorireading.com

Lover of Romance 

Originally Posted On Addicted To Romance
 Summary 
Becca Merritt, when receiving a frantic message from her brother, Charles, to find Nick Rixey, and learning of her brothers disappearance, she has no idea where to turn. She knows that Nick worked with her father in the military, and was part of the team he led. So she goes into the Hard Ink Tattoo parlor, to ask for his help. Becca is a nurse, and has never known the danger of gangs and terrorists, until her brother's kidnapping. Nicholas Rixey, when first seeing Becca some into his brothers parlor, is intrigued despite his feelings toward her father, who betrayed their team, and they lost six of their team members, brothers he would have died for. Now he and the other remaining living members, are considered outcasts of the military, and not honored for their years of sacrifice. Nick knows that the last thing he wants to do is help a Merritt, but helping her and saving her brother, may lead them to being honored again. But as he helps investigate, Nick and Becca learn that the danger is more than they thought, and it will take working along side his team, with every asset they have, to survive. 
The Hero 
Nicholas Rixey, fought in the military, mostly overseas, where he and other members of his team were on Special Forces. He sacrificed and dedicated his life to his country, and ended up being betrayed by his mentor and a man he had admired and respected. Nick suffers from a back injury, from that fateful day where his life changed. He works with his young brother at a Tattoo Parlor, and is a talented artist. But inking tattoos is not where he though he would lead his life. Nick, is one hell of a hero. He is sexy, dangerous, and has the type of sense of humor you could relate with on a personal level. He is charming and has a certain sexual appeal to him that makes him irresistible. His character is full of depth and you being to admire him. He is such a human character, he makes mistakes and has faults, but those qualities make him seem real to the reader. 
The Heroine 
Becca Merritt, adores her family. She has lost her father and her brother already, and has only one living member left and he has been kidnapped. But Becca isn't going to just lay down, she will find her brother with or without Nick's help. I loved her tenacity, stubborn will, and sweet nature. She is passionate, and quite a fighter. She doesn't back down from a challenge, and I loved her smart wit and the way she endears herself to Nick. She was such a lovely character, and I really liked seeing her grow from page 1 to page 358. From the beginning of the story, I admired her. I never found anything I didn't like about her, because she loved fiercely and didn't shy away from danger, just because she might get hurt. As certain truths are revealed, I loved how compassionate she is especially toward the team. Overall a very sweet and likable character you can't resist falling in love with.
Plot and Story Line 
The story starts off with a intriguing start. I was instantly pulled into the story. Now I have read quite a few Romantic Suspense novels, but I will say this author is at the top of my list. She is a phenomenal storyteller, and she adds that level of tension and thrilling excitement to each of her stories. Hard As It Gets is the second book that I have read from this author, but is the first in the series. (I know I am reading it out of order...what else is new? ;) Well the story starts off with Becca asking Nick for help, and quite frankly his answer isn't the most encouraging for Becca. So she goes off on her own in search of her own answers. But when she is put in danger, Nick can't resist Becca and has a need to help her find her brother. They both have a attraction to each other, and there is quite a bit of sexual magnetism, but you also see the seeds of a real relationship that goes deeper than just sex. I enjoyed seeing the way these characters grew and developed as the story progressed. We also get to see other members of the team, and the start of them working for a way to redeem themselves. I will say my favorite secondary character, is Jeremy, Nick's younger brother. He is so funny, and I had a hoot of fun with him. I honestly can't wait to read his story. What I found compelling about this book was the effortless way that this author combines suspense and mystery, with a endearing love story. There was a balance in the book, that I wasn't quite expecting, and there wasn't any chopping connections in the plot. The flow was pretty smooth, and it seemed to blend together in a harmonious way that you don't normally see in Romantic Suspense. If you have yet to try this out out and you love a thrilling contemporary romance...this author is for you. I guarantee you won't regret it. 
Cover 
Now when I first saw this cover, it played mind tricks on me. I don't know if any of you had the same reaction. But at first glance (and it still happens), oh the curse of the mind, is it looks like instead of holding hands, its gripping his pectoral. Kinda confused me at first but then I really looked at it...and I then I was like Oh....LOL. You just have to laugh at yourself.
Overall View
A sexy and full of edge romance, that really keeps your heart rate up. A thrilling romance of action, sizzling sexual tension, and a whopper of a love story. A impossible to put down read! A must read for Romantic Suspense lovers...or anyone that loves a romance to give you thrills from head to toe. BRILLIANT!!

Lynn Braden

This is a great beginning to a new series. I really liked the love story between Nick and Becca even though they seemed to fall for each other a little too quickly. The mystery that I assume will be a part of the entire series is really interesting. It makes me anxious for the next book.

Chantale

I absolutely loved this book . I loved it so much that not even halfway through it I went online and bought the second book on the series and I added all of Laura Kaye's books to my extremely long wish list and added them all to the top of the list . 
I can't wait to read more .

Hard As It Gets A Hard Ink Novel

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