Blog Tour: HARD AS IT GETS (Hard Ink #1) by Laura Kaye

“Edgy, sexy, and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!”

~J.R. Ward on Hard As It Gets

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 26, 2013

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

Buy at Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback | B&N Nook | B&N Paperback | iTunes

Pre-Order Hard As You Can (Book #2), Avail 2/25/2014: Amazon / B&N

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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

♥♥♥♥

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Dawn’s Review 5 Stars

Hard As It Gets is the perfect blend of romance, humor, badass hero, feisty heroine, sexy good times, and suspense that kept me turning the pages and burning the midnight oil to see what was going to happen next! This is my first book by Laura Kaye and I’m hooked!

The story and suspense blended with romance factor reminds me of some of my favorite stories in this genre. There is a high intensity to the story with just enough romance to keep me happy.

In Hard As It Gets, you meet Nick Rixey and his former Special Forces team (hello, soldiers!!) who have been scattered around following a dust-up from their final mission. Nick, or Rixey, is hotter than hot, protective but not over the top Alpha, flawed and determined to take care of Becca. He is quite a panty-melter too! I loved the moments between him, his brother and his military brothers and of course with Becca!

“Think that’s funny, do ya?”
Grinning, she nodded. “I like you eager.”
He threw the jeans and boxers somewhere behind him. “Eager’s my middle fucking name when I’m around you.”

One of the things I loved about Becca Merritt is she is strong and is a gives-as-good-as-she-gets kind of heroine. She has a no-nonsense attitude and tons of determination to find her brother. I appreciated that Laura Kaye wrote her in a way that didn’t make me want to smack her for doing something dumb during critical moments. And the intensity between her and Nick…whew!

She wanted him.
It was that simple and that complex.

I felt the pace of this story was just right, the characters were well-developed and the use of humor had me snort-giggling a few times. Such as when the names were being tossed around for the puppy. Oh my, too funny!

I love a good serial story and although this was not quite a cliffhanger (there was a level of resolution), it did leave me panting for Shane’s story next. The bonus is that the rest of the Hard Ink team will be back!

Copy provided for honest review

 ♥♥♥♥

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.

Link to author video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCb0qdCz4JI

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