Review: Hard to Let Go by Laura Kaye

Title: Hard to Let Go
By: Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #4
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Five dishonored soldiers.

Former Special Forces.

One last mission.

These are the men of Hard Ink.

Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters the biggest complication yet—seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.

A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers’ Hard Ink Tattoo following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger’s gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he’s also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat’s brothers are at war with criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett’s sights—and his arms. Not to mention their enemies’ crosshairs.

Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have come to the end of one of our beloved series Hard Ink.  It always seems hard to accept the fact that a series is over and while you can always reread the books, there can never be any more surprises and that is when the sadness takes hold.  There will be no more wondering how wonderful the next couple will be, what light will be shed on certain secrets, and who is good or who is bad in the game.  I will say that Laura Kaye did a wonderful job on the entire series, writing Kat and Beckett, and keeping me interested in not only the action throughout but the love stories as well.

Beckett and Kat’s story was the perfect story to wrap up this amazing series.  Beckett and his badassness has never let any emotion through – actually, they are none existent.  He is tough as nails and probably could eat nail.  And sweet Kat, who drops in on her brothers at a very wrong time, has a knack for getting under Beckett’s hard exterior and messing with his absent emotions.  (Yep, it is one of those great love stories.)  I think the only way to describe their time together would be ‘extremely sexy’ oh, and ‘perfect.’

However, like the rest of the books, this is not all about a boy meeting a girl; it is about clearing our boy’s names and bringing those who wronged them to justice.  Kaye did just that as she wove her story to it’s final end with brilliant action, amazing characters, and wonderful love.

And the end?...Oh, the feels!

Also, I just say that we are going to get a Hard Ink #4.5 that involves a certain Raven member (Ike) and female tattoo artist (Jessica.) And…if that wasn’t exciting enough for you, we are also getting a book about Dare, Raven’s leader.  It’s like its Christmas!

Release Day Launch: Hard To Let Go by Laura Kaye

 

We are so excited to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Laura Kaye's HARD TO LET GO! HARD TO LET GO is the 4^th novel in Laura's Hard Ink Series, published by Avon Romance. Grab your copy of this sexy, suspenseful book today!!

 

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Hard to Let Go on Goodreads

EXCERPT: Taking a deep breath, Beckett knocked on the door. No answer. He turned the knob, and the door opened. “Go away,” came a strained voice. Beckett poked his head through the opening. Kat sat in a ball in the corner, her legs pulled up to her chest, her arms hugging herself tight. “Aw, Jesus, Beckett. Really?” Her face was splotchy and her eyes watery, though he didn’t see any tears. Ten-to-one she was going through some adrenaline letdown right now, too. Which no doubt made it all worse. That shit could fuck you up even when you were used to how it left you feeling drained and shaky, by how all the stress you’d suppressed during the height of the crisis boomeranged twice over after the fact. He came into the room, closed the door, and turned the lock for good measure. And then he crossed to Kat, scooped his arms under her knees and behind her back and lifted her up against him. She smacked his chest. “Put me down.” “No.” He moved to the edge of the bed. “I don’t need this right now, Beckett. Put me down.” “Yes, you do,” he said, sitting on the edge of the mattress. He pulled her face in against his throat and smoothed her hair back from her cheek. She trembled against him, just the littlest bit, her skin hot to the touch. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and hugged her tighter. “You did good, kid.” Every one of her muscles went tight. Her hand fisted in his shirt. And her breath caught as she buried her face against his neck and shoulder. Then Kat burst out crying. And it was like being torn apart and put back together, all at once. He hated her pain, but he adored that she wasn’t hiding herself from him, and that she was letting him be there for her. He didn’t shush her, or try to talk her down, or encourage her to dry her eyes. To be sure, her tears were like daggers in his heart—they hurt like fucking hell. But the only way she was going to feel better was to let this shit out. Ironic realization for him—he did actually see that. But just because you could see what was good for others didn’t mean you had the first goddamned idea how to apply those principles in your own life. And that was a problem for another time anyway. What mattered right now was Kat. What mattered … was Kat.

 Hard Ink Series Trailer:

Link: https://youtu.be/qM45fjLJXXk

About HARD TO LET GO: Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters his biggest complication yet—a seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey. A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers’ Hard Ink Tattoo shop following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger’s gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he’s also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat’s brothers are at war with the criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett’s sights . . . and in his arms. Not to mention their enemies’ crosshairs. Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.  
  

Praise for HARD TO LET GO: “Kaye wraps up her bestselling series with this action-packed story, highlighting her talent for alpha military heroes, hot romance, and an ensemble cast of characters who are unique and engaging. A super sexy, high-octane romantic suspense novel that concludes the popular Hard Ink series in a completely satisfying way.” ~Kirkus Reviews “TOP PICK! Kaye brings her Hard Ink series to a spectacular conclusion that successfully wraps up the overarching mystery and brings closure to her compelling characters. Kaye really nails it with this awesome book and series!” ~RT Book Reviews “HARD TO LET GO will blow you away! Anyone who has been following Laura Kaye’s fantastic Hard Ink series will expect something great for the last book in the series, and to say HARD TO LET GO does not disappoint would be the understatement of the year! Ms. Kaye writes sex scenes like it’s nobody’s business, and the blistering chemistry between Kat and Becket will leave you panting and begging for more! If you expected world-class action in HARD TO LET GO, think again and multiply that by ten! HARD TO LET GO has to be the most explosive conclusion to a series ever! Do not miss it at any cost!” ~Fresh Fiction And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:

HARD AS IT GETS

HARD AS YOU CAN

HARD TO HOLD ON TO

HARD TO COME BY

HARD TO BE GOOD

  Praise for the Hard Ink Series: "TOP PICK! If you're looking for danger, gritty action, and sizzling passion, then Kaye has just the book and the series for you." ~RT Book Reviews Magazine
 



   
About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. 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.        

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Title: Up In Smoke
By: Tessa Bailey
Series: Crossing the Line #2
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Never start a fire you can’t control…

Connor Bannon is supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he's spent the last two years working as a street enforcer in Brooklyn for his cousin's crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he's now in Chicago, working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team—all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair—Connor’s notorious iron control slips.

Erin "she's getting away" O'Dea knows two things. She hates authority. And… Nope, that's it. When she's forced to operate on the “right” side of the law, her fear of being confined and controlled blazes to the surface. The last thing she expects is a control freak like Connor to soothe her when she needs it most. Worse, something behind the sexy ex-soldier's eyes ignites a dangerous inferno of desire. One that invites Erin to play with fire. And one that could get them both killed…

This girl is always a huge fan of anything Tessa Bailey but I have to be honest when I say that as much as I wanted this book to rock my world, it just didn’t.  (Man, it kills me to type that.) 

I think the story line was a solid plus; a group of misfit individuals working with Chicago P.D. to bring down the town’s badies; Erin and Connor being amongst that group.  In a true Bailey fashion, we got one ‘hot-tempered, alpha-male, who is sexy beyond belief’ and he pairs up with an ‘awesome, feisty, don’t take crap’ woman.  Things started out right. Their first meeting was a lustful one but was instantly cut short because of Erin’s phobia.  She can’t stand to be touched so as you can imagine, this creates all sorts of problems for Connor and his controlling personality. 

I think what sidetracked me from the instant love I usually feel for Bailey’s characters is that I couldn’t feel for Erin and Connor or them together as a couple.  Maybe it was her fear that wouldn’t allow Connor to touch her in the beginning that held back a scene for me that would make me believe them together as a couple.  It felt like most of their time together was out of pure lust and attraction and there was never love.   It was also the instant love at first sight that was hard for me to wrap my brain around when there was no touching involved.  Just Connor’s presence could calm Erin down after a few days of knowing him.  I felt like for a woman who has lived most of her life in fear being touched and never trusting anyone, her instant trust of Connor was hard to grasp.

There were some great action scenes, which Bailey always excels at writing.  Also, we get to follow more Bowen, Sera, and Derek around and it is always good to see some past favorites. I will say that Bailey sure knows how to write sexy scenes in all of her books.  She is also still one of my favorite authors hands down and I am excited to see what she has in store for Austin and Penny.

Release Day Launch: Voy A Baynot Scars Novelette

HE REFUSES TO GIVE IN. SHE REFUSES TO GIVE IT UP.
Alexandra Mancuso knows all about regrets. She talked to the wrong person and started a war that’s ravaged her newly adopted motorcycle club family and threatens to cost Alex her life. Now, she’s cautious with the commitments she makes.
Ryan Stone, road captain for the Forsaken Motorcycle Club regrets nothing—except putting Cub in danger one time too many. The Forsaken Motorcycle Club has a plan to end the war with the Mancuso crime family and they need everyone’s head in the game. But Ryan can’t focus on the club when he’s so distracted by a certain reckless brunette. She gives him everything except for what he really wants.
Today, he refuses to take no for an answer and maybe, just maybe, this time Alex won’t be able to stand her ground.
True love always defies the odds.

Death comes in Armani. Salvation comes in leather.

Principessa to the Mancuso crime family, Alexandra knows a thing or two about living outside the bounds of the law. Suffocated by the future her father has laid out for her, she makes a choice she can't take back, changing the entire trajectory of her life.

Thrust into the dark and dangerous world of the Forsaken Motorcycle Club for her own protection, Alex finds herself faced with the last thing she needs right now: the man of her dreams. He’s sex in leather, the devil incarnate, and one hell of a kisser. But he’s also off-limits. Ryan Stone can be her friend, but he’s forbidden to be her lover.

Third-generation Forsaken, Ryan knows nothing other than life on two wheels, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He enjoys the many privileges that come with the patch, and the only laws he recognizes are the ones set-forth by his club. That is, until who he wants more than anything isn’t allowed on the back of his bike —or in his bed. Balancing his desire for her body, and need to keep her safe, Ryan tries to keep Alex at a distance. Finally having made a choice for herself, she’s done hearing the word “no” and will push boundaries even Ryan himself doesn’t dare cross.

Love is never more tempting than when it’s forbidden.

As a child, JC was fascinated by things that went bump in the night. As they say, some things never change. Now, as an adult, she divides her time between the sexy law men, mythical creatures, and kick-ass heroines that live inside her head and pursuing her bachelor's degree in English. JC is a San Francisco Bay Area native, but has also called both Texas and Louisiana home. These days she rocks her flip flops year round in Northern California and can't imagine a climate more beautiful.

JC writes adult, new adult, and young adult fiction. She dabbles in many different genres including science fiction, horror, chick lit, and murder mysteries, yet she is most enthralled by supernatural stories-- and everything has at least a splash of romance.

WEBSITE  TWITTER  FACEBOOK   AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE   GOODREADS

Release Day Blitz: Be The One by Nina Levine with Review

~Beware Explicit Content in this Post~


Title: Be The One

Rockstar Romance

Author: Nina Levine

Release Date: June 26, 2015

Add to: Goodreads
BUY IT NOW: AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON AU | AMAZON CA | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO 

Jett Vaughn has one thing on his mind these days - Presley Hart.  He will do anything it takes to make her his.  At least, he thinks he will.

Presley Hart wants one thing in life - a man who will make her his number one.  After being married to a man who never put her first, she swore she'd never settle for second best again.  At least, she thought she wouldn't.

When Jett's life comes crashing down around him, his flaws are laid bare for all to see.  Presley stands by her man but there's only so much she can do to help him.  She loves him and wants to be with him but she has her limits and Jett's about to reach them.

In the midst of hurt, loss and destruction, can love win out?  Can a man who is struggling to find his way, show the woman he loves just how much he wants her to be the one?  Or is there only so much a heart can take before enough's enough?

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EXCERPT

I squeeze him and then drop to my knees to take him into my mouth. After I treat him to my mouth and tongue for a moment, I let him go and take him back into my hand. Looking up at him, I suggest, “That might be something I would let you boss me around on.”

His hands grab me under my arms and pull me up. He lifts me and turns around to deposit me on the vanity. After I’ve wrapped my legs around him, he kisses me hard and growls, “I did consider bossing you into sucking my dick for longer but it turns out I want inside of your pussy more than your mouth.”

“Turns out I want that, too. You gonna take care of that or are you all talk and no action?”

His eyes flash heat at me and he hisses. Running his finger over my lips, he says, “I’ve fucking missed this dirty mouth. I’m not sure what I like more – the words coming out of it or the way it fits perfectly around my cock.”

I dig my fingernails into his back and pull him closer. “I tell you what, you hurry up and get that cock of yours inside me and I’ll treat you to both words and tongue all day long.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, woman, I’m going to bang you so fucking hard you might not be able to speak for the rest of the day.” He positions his cock at my entrance and I try to push myself even further against him so I can force it in, but he’s teasing me and pulls away at the last moment.

“I’m game if you are,” I practically beg him. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Mr. Rockstar.”

His hungry eyes are all over me and it’s like a switch is flipped and he can’t hold back any longer. He thrusts in and my eyes roll back in my head. He wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to fuck me hard. Hard is what I just got. And I’m in fucking heaven.

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ALL YOUR REASONS (CRAVE #1) BY NINA LEVINE

FREE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED TIME

Amzn US | Amzn UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS | GOOGLE PLAY

When heartbreaker meets ball breaker, sparks will fly.

Rockstar, Jett Vaughn, isn’t against settling down, but no woman has ever held his attention long enough for a relationship to develop. That is until he meets Presley Hart. She’s confident, opinionated and headstrong. She drives him to the edge of crazy, but he can’t deny how she makes him feel.

He wants her heart, but she only wants his body. 

Presley’s not against giving her heart to a man, but she has too many reasons why he’s not the one to give it to. Jett isn’t a man who will take no for an answer though. He’s about to declare war on her reasons and take what he wants.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestselling Author Nina Levine, is an Aussie author who writes stories about alpha men and the strong, independent women they love.

When she isn't creating with words, she loves to create with paint and paper. Often though, she can be found curled up with a good book and some chocolate. 

I love to chat with the readers of my book so please visit me or contact me here:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | AMAZON | NEWSLETTER

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To celebrate the release of BE THE ONE, I am giving away a paperback of BE THE ONE with a signed swag pack and two runners up with receive a signed swag pack. Open Internationally. Good Luck xx

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This is a smoking hot and steamy novel with an explicit level off the charts, so consider yourself forewarned! Nina Levine is vixen of a writer, and while every novel has been an example of her ample talent, Be The One took us to a whole new level. Jett and Presley are the most amazing couple, and the intensity bleeding from their relationship is at times a bit overwhelming. The finality of Jett's words in All Your Reasons promising a fight for Presley drove my anticipation for this story, and I was rewarded with another great story as their  budding relationship transforms into forever kind of love. My heart pours out for Jett and Presley throughout this story, but they are both a unique kind of character that seems grounded and genuine. It was nice to see powerful story line that does not require the ridiculous fan fare to their issues. I really enjoy Levine stories, because they carry a very realistic similarity. I am in love with Crave as a whole, and look forward to seeing just what is behind Van's character. This will definitely not be the end of this series, but I was happy to see Jett and Presley find their own peace together.

Review: The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons

Title: The Forgotten Mountain
By: Heather Lyons
Series: The Collectors' Society #3
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

If you have been following my reviews on in this series, you will know that the first two books rocked and received our 5 out of 5 (might I add lovely) books icon as a rating.  So how did the third book fair?

The Forgotten Mountain is basically pure brilliance.  I have no idea how Lyons dreams up these amazing characters and worlds.  I would have never thought to take most of the classic books and spin their characters and plots around to build an entirely new and wondrous series. 

As always, this book, like the following two, is filled with every kind of situation that kept me on my toes and actually fist-pumping to myself while others were around.  I will also admit that once I received the ARC, I gave a few fist-pumps just because I was so excited.

The last that we know of, Finn and Victor are hurt and in another time line while Alice is back at the society and searching not only for Finn (and Victor) but some serious answers.  In this book, we the readers get some of those questions answered.  We learn how all of these villains are interconnected with each other and we find out just how far Alice and Finn are willing to go for each other.

Instead of going on and on about how much I loved this book and how much I love the series (because I think I made it very apparent in the first three paragraphs of this review,) I am just going to end my review soon and let you be the judge.  I have no doubt that you will feel the same way that I do: mad love for this series and Heather Lyons.

*Just a side note: the book covers are so beautiful and it is amazing how they capture that specific book’s plot.*