Want a NOOK? Explore Now
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.
StephC0203
Posted Sat Mar 08 00:00:00 EST 2014
3.5 stars, rounded to 4 for the mystery
I'll start off with the same description I gave the first book in this series--this is not your typical "fluff" romance, and it's more a mystery that happens to have sex scenes (although, not that many...page 261 of 292...). With this one, the underlying mystery/plot is still great, but I just didn't really get why the main characters were immediately so in love, the hero's denying himself a relationship due to his past was mentioned and then ignored, and I'm hoping the future books have a different climax than "someone needs rescued."
I will read the rest of the series because I want to find out how everything is resolved (I know it will work out for the heroes and I'm guessing Becca's dad, but the how's, who's, and why's are still being revealed). FYI, it is obvious that the mystery will not be resolved until the final book--it is a series, after all--so buyer beware if you don't have the patience for that.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love Laura Kaye's books, and I really enjoyed Hard Ink, the first book in this series. Needless to say, I have been waiting on Hard As You Can to see what happens next in this series. The story picks up right after where Hard Ink ends. Though this is Shane and Crystal's story, the other characters in the book also play big roles. The suspense continues as the team continues their quest to get to the bottom of all that has happened to them, and to Becca and Charlie, hoping to redeem themselves and finally discover the truth about what happened in Afghanistan, and figure out how all that ties back to Becca and Charlie. The plot thickens as they discover more about the club where Crystal works, opening up a world of sex, drugs, and human trafficking. Crystal takes a great risk to help them, while maintaining her cover and revealing the truth about her, her sister, and her past to Shane in the process. Things heat up and culminate into an explosive ending where some answers and closure to some problems are found, and even more questions continue to arise.
I really love Shane with his sexy drawl, his panty-dropping smile, and he proves to be quite chivalrous also. I mean the guy's got swagger and is a big piece of walking, talking, eye candy of the best kind. I really liked her reasoning behind it. Her situation is quite heartbreaking. She has been and continues to go through so much, yet she is brave, and focused on what she needs to do to save and protect her sister Jenna, which I found very admirable. There is instant chemistry between Shane and Crystal and really, though Crystal fights it, it is pretty much a "fall hard and fast" type of love situation, occurring under the most intense of circumstances. Shane fights for it. Crystal wants it, but has a hard time believing she could ever have a relationship, and that someone would really even want her when they found out the truth about her and the ugliness she believes about herself.
As far as the other characters, there are quite a few and all play significant roles in the story. We get to see Nick and Becca of course, as well as the other guys, which I've grown quite attached to. The next book in the series will be a novella, and will be Easy and Jenna's story, which I can't wait to read. I don't know who books 3 and 4 will be about, so I am looking forward to finding that out. I really like Nick's brother Jeremy to, and I hope he gets a book or novella somewhere in the process.
The story is told from both Shane and Crystal's point of view, which I enjoyed. I really enjoy Laura Kaye's writing style also. Not only does she bring on the romance and steam, but she creates a suspenseful plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages wanting more. Overall, I really enjoyed Hard as You Can. I liked Hard Ink more than this one, and Nick with his bad boy and mysterious self is my favorite of the Hard Ink guys thus far, but I really did enjoy Shane's story to. This is a fantastic series and a wonderful second installment. Laura Kaye delivers yet again, a story that her readers will want to devour.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Marcy99
Posted Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2014
This was the fabulous 2nd book in the author's "Hard Ink" series and it starts right where the first book ended. While it can be read alone, I'd also recommend reading the first book (Hard As It Gets) for a more in depth look at the characters and the mission they're on.
In the first book Shane, along with the rest of his team, have rescued Charlie from Confessions (a strip club and more) where he'd been tortured, with some help from Crystal who works as a waitress. Shane can't get over this and hopes she can help them further in the investigation into illegal activities...and he also wants to help her in any way he can. He's impressed by her strength and begins having feelings for her. He's been carrying a burden of shame and guilt from an incident within his family and has been questioning his self worth. But deep down, he's just a big old southern gentleman/teddy bear. I loved Shane.
Crystal finds herself drawn to Shane since he's the only man to ask her opinion and treat her with respect. She's stuck working at Confessions and in an abusive relationship with a manager there, partly because she needs the money to care for her younger epileptic sister. I really liked how she found her strength throughout this story and began coming out of her shell.
Now I'm eagerly looking forward to Hard To Hold On To, a Hard Ink novella due out in August!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lise_Horton
Posted Mon Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I was waiting less than patiently for Laura Kaye's second Hard Ink installment but it was soooo well worth it! The novel continues with the major conflict of the survivors of a betrayal attempting to figure out the reason their commander turned against them. But meanwhile, from their new headquarters at the Hard Ink location, along comes Crystal Dean. The book is an adrenalin fueled, suspenseful and highly erotic romance ride that begins when Crystal stumbles upon the rescue attempt that snatches a young victim from the clutches of the men who hold her life, and her sister's in their hands. Innately good, Crystal aids the rescuers, but it starts her on a collision course with the man who pays for her sister's epilepsy medication - and makes Crystal pay for it in trade. She's given up her life to protect her sister, and she has all the plans laid out. Plans that are thrown into utter turmoil when she meat Shane McCallan. Once he's met the incredible woman, he can't get her out of his head. When the truth of her hellish existence comes out, he's hell for leather on a crusade to rescue her, rescue her sister and stop the white slavery operation that's sending young women into a life of grotesque torment and death.
The cast is a wonderful amalgam of men and women. The love story is as powerful as the sexual attraction and the action-adventure is riveting and suspenseful - you will seriously be biting your nails as the couple meets the forces responsible for Crystal's horrific treatment, and the men prepared to sacrifice her sister to that same slave trade. Crystal is the perfect tortured heroine and Shane well named. (Of course, this being a perfect romance, Shane DOES come back!).
If you haven't discovered the Hard Ink series, start with book 1, and then hurry hurry hurry to book 2. If you love your erotic romance with a hard edge and lots of blood, guts, grit and danger? Then this is the series - and the book - for you!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Mar 07 00:00:00 EST 2014
This was an OK read but nothing more. It was a copy cat of the first one but with a different team member. It got boring at times. What were supposed to be bad-a$$ action scenes turned out to be flat and lame. And almost nothing new is revealed about the mistery that drives the suspenseful plot. I know there are at least three more books planned for this series, but I am seriously considering not buying them. If I do, it would be because I have read some really good books by this author before. But so far, the two books in this series are quite mediocre.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri May 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This book kept going from the first book. Shane meets "Crystal" rescuing Charlie. Crystal and Shane are attracted to each other, but Crystal doesn't want to let anyone close to her. Crystal is protective of her sister, Jenna, and when things get crazy Crystal asks Shane for help. This was a really good book and I am really enjoying this series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Laura Kaye has done it again this is the 2nd book in the Hard Ink Series and it just blew my mind.
In this book we have southern talking sexy man Shane McCallan who like the rest of his comrades is
battling his own demons. When they rescued Charlie from the night club Confessions he ran smack
dab into Crystal who helped them and from that moment on Shane can not get her out of his mind.
Shane talks his buddies into helping him rescue Crystal and her sister Jenna from the clutches of Church
and Bruno. While doing so they learning even more shocks that one of their men from Afghanistan is also
apart of this entire thing but who knows why?
Shane is oh so Alpha can he save Crystal from Bruno?
The action in this book is off the charts and it’s a CAN NOT PUT DOWN BOOK. I totally recommend it.
Although it is a stand alone I’d suggest grabbing Book 1 so you can follow along with all these SEXY , HOT,
Alpha Men !
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.beeLG
Posted Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Shane and Sara(alias Crystal at club), meet when shame and a friend rescue a buddy being held in basement at Confessions-a strip club and home to Church gang-a very dangerous group who had appointed apostles in place as the bad men who did whatever Church needed.
Sara's sister, Jenna-has severe epilepsy and suffers grand mal seizures. Her medicines costs $5000 monthly-Sara is forced to date Bruno(apostle), a mean badass man, who pays for the meds and other things. Sara works at Confessions as a waitress, but sees unspeakable things in the club.
Shane's team offers help in the form of a way out. Shane and Sara fall in love with each other despite the overwhelming odds against them.
Very good romance rolled in with lots of suspense, drama, and a spectacular ending.
Laura Wright doesn't disappoint the reader with this book 2 in the "Hard Ink" series. Outstanding reading.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.If you’ve read my review of the first book, you know I thoroughly enjoyed it. That’s probably an understatement, considering I’m still using it as fuel for more than a few daydreams and fantasies. That being said, I was really, really looking forward to the same kind of dynamic and sexual tension (and release) in this book. It didn’t quite deliver in the same way.
BUT, it did deliver in its own way, and I was not disappointed in the least. Shane and Crystal’s story conveyed emotional need and tension on a much more personal level. Due to Crystal’s current predicament and personal history, she desperately needs a protector and benefactor. Shane, with his military background and current mission is the perfect man for each of those jobs. Shane has become the ultimate defender with a fierce protective streak continuously fueled by a personal tragedy involving his sister many years ago. A tragedy he has never learned to let go. Crystal is the daughter of a former mob underboss who died and left her responsible for a huge debt owed to the kingpin. She has paid for it many times over, in my opinion.
These two are made for each other, and seeing them come together and learn to trust and love each other is quite an experience. Although not at all what I was expecting, I was absolutely satisfied with this story and the continuation of the series. I can’t wait to see who’s next up for their HEA!
Rating: 4.5
HEAT Rating: Hot
Reviewed By: Daysie W.
Review Courtesy of: My Book Addictions and More
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2014
When I read Hard As You Can, Laura Kaye’s second book in her suspenseful, romantic and can’t put down Hard Ink Series, I
was hooked by page two. I was once again swept up into the lives of the Hard Ink Team, the mission they were on, how Shane
and Crystal met, and how their story developed and became part of the mission. The love and relationship Shane and Crystal
had by the end of the book, made me want to be Crystal because of Shane. I love both Shane and Crystal and admire them
for the way they dealt with their personal, life changing challenges. Watching the Hard Ink Team struggle to reconnect as
“brothers” was both heartbreaking and joyful. I got tearful, cheered them on and found myself admiring all Special Forces troops
even more, troops who are still out defending our country and the Special Forces in this Hard Ink Series. I just MIGHT have to
read this book again while waiting for the next book in this series, Hard to Come By, to be released!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.starznstripes24
Posted Fri Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I love Laura's books, but this one hit it out of the park for me. This is a fabulous series and I wish we already had all of the books so that I could keep reading. Yeah, I knew Shane was going to have a thing for Crystal at the end of the last book, but I could never have imagined the story the characters had Laura write for them. It took a lot longer for Crystal to completely trust Shane than you normally see in books, but it was absolutely perfect for their story and each of their pasts. Crystal's working at a waitress at a strip club paying off the debts of her dead father. Shane just wants to rescue her, protect her from all dangers and keep her in his life. He's looking for a sense of belonging and self worth even though he doesn't know it. All of the men are. The men are becoming a closer unit emotionally and forgiving the separation that took place once they all returned to the US. As they spend time together, past hurts are coming to light and their strong bonds are not only tested, but are becoming stronger with each passing incident or conversation. I love the suspense and the intel gathering constantly being done by the team. I adore how honorable these men all are and always come down on the side of right. This book (and series) has everything I could want and even things I didn't know I wanted in a good read. I'm so glad that I picked these up in paperback and cannot wait for the rest of the teams stories. If I were you, I'd pick this series up and put it to the top of your to read list.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Mar 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This book was okay. Enjoyed the first book much better. Never felt the connection between Shane and Crystal.
Will continue with the series though. Hope the next book is better.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Mar 04 00:00:00 EST 2014
## Good but not great. I liked the first book better for sure. In the first story I loved that the 'team' reunited to find out who set them up in Afghanistan so they can clear their names. I wish Ms. Kaye had continued more along those lines since that wasn't resolved in the first book. Now in this second book the story is starting to get too convoluted. Too many different things going on. The romance was strange in this one as well. The hero loved the heroine right off the bat without them getting to know each other. That was really hard to believe. Even though this wasn't my favorite book, I did still enjoy it and will buy the next one. Oh and please let there be a story for Jeremy (I would gladly be his heroine).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2014
Boring! I found this book to be the same format as the prequel: Girl in distress, pretty boy savior. Boy has unresolved emotional issues, so does the girl. While she is under extreme duress with her issues, she can't wait to get into his pants, it's all rationalized on her part. What I do not like about this book is how the good guys turn out to be vigilantes, killing and fire bombing in the name of justice, outside of the law. The original mystery from the first book does not make any progress in this book. This book is just passing time. How many more of these installments do I have to go through to soleve the original mystery from the first book. For me, a waste of time and MONEY on this book.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Feb 26 00:00:00 EST 2014
Liked the first book a lot more
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WolfFaerie17
Posted Sat Sep 27 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Sara Dean is known as Crystal for the last four years. She's carrying the heavy burden left by her father while trying to protect her sister Jenna. She dared to do something that she wouldn't have done four years ago~think of someone other than her sister or her. Sara is haunted by the eyes Pretty Boy had. Pretty Boy is actually Shane McCallan former Special Forces Medic thinks it was very brave of Crystal to help his men. Shane and his fellow Special Forces members are on a mission to find out what Colonel Frank Merritt was hiding that got them dishonorable discharge and threatened with prison if they didn't keep their mouths shut. They've got several clues that they're working thru to make important connections. When Shane reappears at Confessions to talk to Crystal. He finds himself boiling with rage at the sight of Crystal's bruised face. Shane has never known attraction like this before but it could affect the mission. For Crystal seeing Shane again makes her want, wish, and hope things in her life were different. Will The Hard Ink men find the truth they're seeking? Can either Shane or Sara admit their attraction? Your answers await you in Hard as You Can.
This second installment in Hard Ink Series definitely heart wrenching, heart breaking, and hopeful. I loved how the author slowly built story and characters bit by bit without losing the threads of storytelling through out the whole book. I gotta admit this series is becoming a new favorite series for me as well as must buy too. Definitely looking forward to next installment in the series.
ClassyCaliGal
Posted Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I read this book over the course of three days, it wouldn't take that long if I didn't have other things to do. Overall I loved this book, I felt as though it were well written and well thought out. The character development was there, although I would have like more on Crystal (Sara). One thing that I had to keep looking over was the backstory which I'm sure was fully explained in the first book, but you only get hints about it in this book, which sometimes as the reader made me feel left out of what otherwise would have been very engaging. That is the reason for one less star, but other than that, I definitely recommend it to all who enjoy the protective nature that some men provide, and of course some steamy sex scenes ;)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AppalachiaGal
Posted Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I think the writer definitely has great writing and storytelling skills. I was very interested in this book from the beginning.
However, somewhere towards the last few chapters I lost interest. Maybe it had something to do with the main
character, Crystal. One would think that her character would have developed "tougher skin" than what was
portrayed in the book. Also, if she had truly been abused and lived through such hellish events, why was she so quick to fall
for Shane? I don't know.....the main character seemed to lack depth, but that's just my opinion. Overall, it's a good book. Maybe I should have started with a different book from this author?
Anonymous
Posted Fri Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Last book doesn't come out till fall this year. 1st book was better. Im assuming the next book, like this book are just fillers untill the last book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Hidearee
Posted Tue Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
It has been a long time since I have read a book that is written so well that the characters come to life. This series is finally that for me again. The characters are so real that I dream about them when I go to sleep at night. I can't wait for the other books in this series and to be sure I get them I have already ordered them. I will also be checking out more books by this Ms.Kaye. Awesome series!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
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 ...