Laura Kaye

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.

A Hard Ink Novel

Hard As You Can

Anna Ureta

Received in exchange for an honest review.
NOTE: Rewritten review as original was lost.

First Kaye had me screaming, OH MY GOD NICK!
Now I’m screaming OH MY GOD SHANE!!!~

The Hard Ink boys are on fire! I can’t decide which one I like better; they’re just both so amazing. (After a recent quiz Kaye posted on facebook I found out my ideal match was Nick, which wasn’t so bad since he was my original love). But let’s be serious for a second. This follow-up was BEYOND PERFECT. Shane was perfect, Crystal was amazing, the entire story consumed me, enraged me, and made my heart melt. What can these Hard Ink men NOT do.

Saving Charlie has brought the men of Hard Ink one step closer to learning the truth about why he and his sister were attacked by the notorious gang called the Church. Helping them get away from the club Confessions was a waitress named Crystal and she has just as many problems as they do. Forced to work there to pay off her father’s debt and to provide her sister with health care, Crystal faces problems such as abuse, harassment, and has crazy boyfriend problems. But all of that will change when she saves enough money to get out. Only now she’s caught up with Shane and the Hard Ink boys and Church. Stuck in the middle between a rock and a sexy man, Crystal is forced to make a really tough decision. Do what’s right or do what’s easy. After meeting her in the club and getting Crystal to help them, Shane McCallan starts to grow fond of the young waitress. Carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, dark secrets about his past seem to hold him back from being completely honest with her. But the heart wants what it wants. He just hopes Crystal feels the same.

Right from the beginning, Hard As You Can throws you right back into Hard As It Gets by taking the reader right back into Confessions where waitress Crystal, is watching Charlie’s rescue. I love that right at the start of the book readers get a little bit of a refresher of what’s going on in the story and a lot of details are touched on again as you read through the second book.

From what I’ve seen there’s always someone to admire in the Hard Ink books. You can’t help but LOVE Crystal for her determination to take care of her sister despite all the bad things that are happening to her family and that have been happening. I also admire her bravery and courage for doing the right thing and trusting Shane to help. When you’re in a dire situation and have been trying to live independently it’s hard to ask for help from anyone.

After reading this book I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think I’m FALLING FOR SHANE. I swore to be Nick Rixey’s girl (especially after I took a quiz Kaye posted). It’s so hard not to love him though. His sense of honour, his willingness to help others, and let’s not forget those southern manners. Is that just a thing I keep hearing about? Or are southern manners really all that. I’ve never been to the south, SOMEONE RECTIFY THIS FOR ME~ Besides being a hunk and a gentleman, you know he’s had life experiences, really emotional ones; it’s as if he’s carrying so much guilt, weight, and acts like his sole purpose in life is to atone for things he screwed up on when he was younger. Life experiences change people, and people need life experience to grow and be better people.

 “No. What he did out there, that wasn’t okay with you. Jesus I could see it in your eyes, your body, the way your ____ing hands shook.” He heaved a deep breath, like he was attempt to calm himself. “And if it wasn’t okay with you, it’s sure as hell not okay with me.” Closer, yet. So close his chest brushed hers. “In point of fact, I have a major _____ing problem with a male forcing a woman to do anything,” he said, his eyes burning with molten silver. “But let me be clear, Crystal. Seeing him all over you like that would do bad things to me even if you wanted his attention. So my intentions here” –he pursed his lips and shook his head– “they’re not all honourable. Because I want you. I want you so bad I can hardly breathe.”

Seriously, if you’re not reading this series you need to be reading this series, that’s it, there’s just nothing more to it. It’s amazing. Period. Done. FINITE~ Laura Kaye has done it again! She has WOWed and dazzled me and driven me insane. Insane for Shane LOL! I made a funny. I can’t wait for the next book in the Hard Ink series and I bet I know who our next Hard Ink lover is going to be…;)

5.5/6 Hearts of Love

Because I can give .5s!
I really should change my rating system or just all the books I’m reading wow me over a 5. Maybe I’m just too easy to please :P

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance 
  
    
  
 
 
  
    Summary 
  
 
When Crystal first meets Shane McCallan, he rambled in the dance club where she was working, gorgeous and charming, she got a glimpse of what it would be like to really be treated with respect and affection. But Crystal is in a bad spot and must be careful of her actions or her sister may pay the price. But when she sees Shane back with a few other men, to rescue their friend who has been tortured and held prisoner, she aids them. Crystal doesn't know why she risked herself like that, but she would do it again just to get a glance at those kind eyes. Crystal and Shane keep meeting up accidentally and the attraction between them builds. Shane along with his other teammates, need information on the Churches Gang and Crystal is the perfect way to get in, but there is more than one reason Shane is building a trust with Crystal. He admires her, and he knows that she is in a bad situation, and wants to help her get out of it. He knows that not everything is as it seems, and Crystal is the way in not only in destroying Church's evil ways and putting a stop to the drug runs and the selling of women, but also she is the way to opening his heart that has been closed off for years.
 
  
    The Hero 
  
 
Shane McCallan, is part of a special forces team, they have been ruined and betrayed and are searching for answers and a way to clear their names. Shane has always been protective of women, and if he hears or notices one being hurt by a man...he interceds, its automatic for him. Shane carries a huge burden of guilt from a mistake he made in the past when he was just a teenager. His sister was kidnapped, and he was babysitting at age thirteen, and he has blamed himself ever since. Shane is quite protective and caring and he wants to save Crystal. Shane is one of my favorites so far, just because of his protective instincts especially when it comes to women being abused. He takes action and doesn't hold back if he senses something wrong. And there is this scene (which I won't reveal too much about) that really won me over with this character. Where Shane battles with his inner demons, over what he can and can't do and almost put everyone he loves at risk for wanting to do the right thing. I admired his character so much mostly because has such a open heart, he is a fighter and can handle just about anything, but he has this kind and affectionate nature I couldn't get enough of.
 
  
    The Heroine 
  
 
Crystal McCallan, has been put in a bad situation not of her own making. When she was just a teenager, her father was branded a traitor among the club, sent to prison and Crystal was taken captive....raped, beaten and even whipped. She had a savior, and in return for her acting the girlfriend act, her younger sister is left alone. Crystal has only eight more months and then she and her sister can be free. She has never told her sister of what has really happened to her, and the price she has had to pay for their fathers mistakes. My heart ached for Crystal. At first you know that she is in a bad spot, but it isn't until certain truths are revealed, that you realize how much Crystal has suffered. She will do anything in her power to save her sister.

  
    “I’m tired of being afraid,” she said, her breath hitching. Shane shook his head. “The definition of courage is action in the face of fear. By that definition, sweetness, you’re the bravest person I know.”
  

I loved her strength and courage, but also she has this loving nature and despite what has happened to her she is sweet and kind. I love that no matter how bad it got, it didn't break Crystal, it only made her stronger and a fighter.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
Hard As You Can is the second book in this fabulous Hard Ink Series. And what a fabulous book this was. I have had it on my Nook forever it seems, and when I was looking for a new book to read from my shelf, I decided to pick this one up. I have been in the mood for romantic suspense lately and this one just seemed perfect for me. From the first couple of pages I was pulled in and I got caught up in the story. I just couldn't put it down, it is the type of book that will keep you up late reading. What was most wonderful about this book was the emotional engagement. It really tugged at those heart strings, in an almost painful way at times. We get to see more interaction between the team members and loved the humor.

  
    “Why were you so happy to see me? You know, besides my general awesomeness."
  
  

  

  
    Marz pushed out of his chair, big grin on his face, and held out his hands. "I'm getting married!"
  
  

  

  
    Shane sighed. The expressions on the other two said they'd already been down this road. "All right. I'll bite."
  
  

  

  
    "I think the appropriate sentiment is 'congratulations'," Marz said, crossing his arms and feigning insult.
  
  

  

  
    "Just spill the brilliance of whatever this is about," Shane said.
  
  

  

  
    "Only because you acknowledged its brilliance." Marz sat excitement rolling off the guy. "I figured out how to solve the problem of getting us eyes and ears in the back of Confessions."
  
  

  

  
    "By getting married?"
  
  

  

  
    "By pretending to get married. And what does every pretend groom need?" Marz's grin was full of anticipation.
  
  

  

  
    "A bride?" Shane said.
  
  

  

  
    Marz rolled his eyes and waved his hands. "Okay, but what else?"
  
  

  

  
    Shane looked between the three of them. And then the lightbulb went on. "A bachelor party," Shane said.
  
  

  

  
    Marz clapped his hands. "Ding ding ding. Give the man a cigar."
  
  

  

  
    Yup. The idea was, in fact, brilliant. Really brilliant.”
  

It was such fun to see the team again, and I love all the characters and reading this book was a reminder on how much I adore Laura Kaye. She is fabulous and one of my favorites when it comes to this genre. She really balances a love story with a suspenseful plot real well. They flow so smoothly with one another, and I loved the way the story develops. The romance between Shane and Crystal is poignant and powerful. They have a spark, but they also want more than just sex....you see them bonding on a emotional level quite early in the story and it really sets the stage for the rest of the story to progress.

  
    He leaned down and cupped her face in his hand. “Every one of the men on my team has scars. And you know what those scars are?” Heaving a shaky breath, she shook her head. “They’re proof of survival. They’re badges of honor. They’re marks of strength.” Shane swallowed hard. “You don’t have to show me, Crystal. But you do need to know there’s nothing on your body I won’t love and respect. Because it’s you.” The words reached into her chest and soothed her heart.
  

I think one of the other things that I couldn't get enough of  was the supporting side characters...they rocked the house in this one. We have Shane's team and brothers and I loved the feeling of family you get from them. They tease and mock each other, but they also are at each other's back 100%. There were a couple of others, the bartender at the club...he was friends with Crystal's father and tries to protect and shield her when he can. Then we have Crystal's younger sister, Jane. She was superb, and she is like her sister in many ways, but she fights for Crystal just as Shane is trying to do. I really admired how Jane stands up to Crystal, and that Crystal needs to fight for freedom and get away from the abuse that Jane senses is happening. I really loved her character because only a sister can see what is truly happening and fights to save her. This story was fantastic, and I just gobbled up every delicious moment.
 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
I love the pose here, its so sensual and moving. And love the back with the tattoo....gorgeous!! I love the artwork.
 
  
    Overall View 
  
 
Hard As You Can is a stimulating read that will have you at the edge of your seat in anticipation....thrilling, edgy and captivating!! You are not going to want to miss out on this one.

  

  
    
      I want you. I want you so bad I can hardly breathe.
    
    

  


  
    
  
  


  
    Hard As It Gets (1)
  
  


  
    Hard As You Can (2)
  
  


  
    Hard To Hold Onto (2.5)
  
  


  
    Hard To Come By (3) 
  
  


  
    Hard To Be Good (3.5)
  
  


  
    Hard To Let Go (4)
  
  


  
    Hard as Steel (4.5)

Lynn Braden

This is a good second entry in the Hard Ink series. As in the first book, however, the main characters fall in love much too quickly. Also, some of the dialogue is not believable. Otherwise this is a good story continuing the mystery of the SEALS who have seemingly endured betrayal at the hands of their commander. However, things may not be as they seemed in the beginning. Some of the emotions don't ring true in this story, but overall this is a good book.

Hard As You Can A Hard Ink Novel

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