Hard As It Gets: A Hard Ink Novel

Hot, strong ex special forces army men. There, that should be reason enough to buy the book :) oh you need more? Ok. Hard As It Gets is a suspenseful, steamy, HOT romance that brings two very unlikely characters together in search of her missing brother. Finding him is not the only mission though. It will also help to clear the name of said hot ex special forces men. Nick falls for the one woman in the world that reminds him of all the guilt he still harbors but who knew she would be the sunshine he needed to live again.

Why do I always wait to read the amazing books??? This one definitely qualifies as amazing, loved all the guys and the way they came together. Nick and Becca were brilliant together with chemistry that sizzled from the pages. Good thing about waiting though is that I can now binge read the entire series. No waiting for the next one!! If you have read this series yet, I recommend you get started!

I thought this book was going to revolve more around the tattoo parlour, and tattoos in general, considering the name of the series, and over mention of it in the teasers, but that wasn't the case. I liked the military aspect enough to finish the book, but if I wanted that, I'd have bought a series based on that.

Becca's brother has disappeared and the only clue leads her to Hard Ink Tattoo shop and Nick Rixbey. Rixbey had been part of an elite team led by her deceased father- her father who betrayed his team and country and unbeknownst to Becca he ruined the team too. As they start investigating they find a trail to a sophisticated gang called The Church and the plot thickens because her dad was involved in drugs and so is The Church....So the remaining team members elect to get together and find Charley and hopefully find info to clear their names.....

I really liked this book! Each character was great and not just the 2 main characters of this story. Nick and Becca were great together and I believed them as a couple. I felt their connection. The story is well developed, exciting, and intriguing. I hate that we have to wait for the other books! I can't wait to read more about the rest of the team and learn more about their mission. Finally. I've always enjoyed Laura Kaye's books and she is a great writer. She definitely did not disappoint with this book. Great story, great characters, and great writing!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Believable, likable characters that started strong and continued to develop throughout the story. No wilting heroine, but a strong woman who simply needs some help. The men certainly fulfill my idea (and fantasy) of a special ops warrior. I enjoyed the dialogue among all the characters, and was impressed with her writing style. I've already pre-ordered the next in the series, as well as, purchased another of her books from a different series. If you like a good military read (including the very realistic use of the f-word) and enjoy a couple of juicy sex scenes, then this book is for you.

I really liked this book! Each character was great and not just the 2 main characters of this story. Nick and Becca were great together and I believed them as a couple. I felt their connection. The story is well developed, exciting, and intriguing. I hate that we have to wait for the other books! I can't wait to read more about the rest of the team and learn more about their mission. Finally. I've always enjoyed Laura Kaye's books and she is a great writer. She definitely did not disappoint with this book. Great story, great characters, and great writing!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Believable, likable characters that started strong and continued to develop throughout the story. No wilting heroine, but a strong woman who simply needs some help. The men certainly fulfill my idea (and fantasy) of a special ops warrior. I enjoyed the dialogue among all the characters, and was impressed with her writing style. I've already pre-ordered the next in the series, as well as, purchased another of her books from a different series. If you like a good military read (including the very realistic use of the f-word) and enjoy a couple of juicy sex scenes, then this book is for you.

This story has suspense, intrigue, humor and romance. I like it when I get a few laughs from a story especially after nail biting suspense. All of the characters are well written. I like so many of them that I can't pick a favorite. Nick and Becca are a great match. I'm going to read book 2 right away. I need answers.

Loved this book!
It kept me hooked until I finished!
This book tell us the story about Becca, a desperate to find her missing brother Charlie.
She finds help with Nick an ex Special Forces who had worked with her father, but what she didn't know was that her father was not the respectable man she thought.
With a lot of intrigues , drama and of course Nick's hot moments , this book will kept you with eyes wide open!
Crazy to read the next one!

Well hello Nick Rixey!

Full of mystery and intrigue, with a fiesty h, a hot as heck H, and a fantastic cast of side characters, Hard As It Gets is a terrific beginning to the Hard Ink series...I can't wait to dive into the rest of the books to learn more about this awesome group of people!

Great story line... While the romance moved fast... It was a high action book... Intense situation leading to intense feelings... I loved how everyone wasn't hunky dory... The characters had issues but came together anyway...not just the lead heroine and hero... It was emotional and funny... And steamy enough to get you hot and bothered... What more can you ask for in a book

I really enjoyed this book - all of the characters, the storyline, the pace - all very good. I was intrigued enough that when I had to stop reading I looked forward to picking it up again. My only complaint is the mixed use of names/nicknames - was a little confusing at times. The storyline/plot seems as if it will not be resolved until the end of the series - which I am interested in. I'm not a huge fan of book series that focus each on a different character but given how much I liked this book, I will definitely be reading on.

I really really enjoyed this book starts with Becca Merritt hoes to a tattoo shop but she is looking for her brother who she hasn't heard from.This tattoo shop is a whole lot more than that, not going to giveaway anymore you just need to read it,plenty of action,romance, what more could you want in a book.The Character are all very well done as are the supporting characters.Laura Kaye writes a great story.Must read!!

Good start of the series. Liked the characters and the story was very well developed, i liked it a lot. This book ends in a cliffhanger, not on the couple for on the safety of everyone, i mean, they saved everyone but the bad guys know who were their targets and they weren't caught or killed and the victims are safe but they can never live freely if the bad guys are out there...this will continue... maybe until the last book... hope it doesn't take long

This was my first book by Laura Kaye, but definitely not my last. What a great start to a series. The book was a great mix of romance and suspense. I loved reading as Becca was able to give Nick back the sunshine in his life. Can not wait for the next book!! I also look forward to reading the rest of the teams stories. If you are looking for a book you don't want to put down, this one is for you.

I was pretty impressed by this little romance book. It was well written, good story and likeable characters. One never knows with romance stories if they will go into the "cheesy" range but this kept it's believability for the most part. I will buy the sequel when it comes out. I would recommend the book for some entertainment. BTW - she does a good job with the "intimate" scenes.

I loved this book please read this book first. The first in a series. I was hooked at the first page. I couldn't get enough I quickly read the next book and I am waiting for the next. The books leave you ready for the next book with a little teaser. I love the story behind this book. Its not just another romance book. They aren't millionairs with everything at their finger tip. These are real characters with what could be real problems.

I liked this book overall, but I expected more romance. The majority of the story focused on the kidnapping of Becca's brother Charlie. There was a lot of buildup and suspense, but too many unanswered questions for me at the end. I'm assuming those will be addressed in the second book. Jeremy was my favorite......he cracked me up with his dirty T-shirts.

I love this book, will definitely be reading the entire series. Only saw one error and that was in the beginning where its says that Nick owned a Challenger but later it was a Charger. But, that's okay cause both cars are very sexy, just like Nick.

The cover grabs your attention right off...the glorious tatts.
The couple bracing on the front cover shows connection.
Not only is this a romantic book, military, special forces...gangs and drugs, but great action, love and commitment...a lot of stuff going on and it doesn't conclude, the next books comes out March..
I would not recommend under age of 18, very graphic in some areas...

I absolutely loved this book. She, Laura Kaye, is officially my new favorite author. There is a hot sassy man and there is actually a plot... A GOOD PLOT. Now I like a good steamy book as much as the next girl but this book had so much more. The characters had depth and was a great story. I couldn't put it down. I have to agree with another poster that my only complaint was that I have to WAIT 2 WEEKS to get the next book. That is really unfair.

I loved Hard as it Gets! Suspense, romance, this book has at all. I loved Nick and Becca's story. I'd love to see their storyline continue even when this series concludes.

Their story is hot, hot, hot! There are steamy scenes throughout the book, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. My favorite of this series!

This book has it all..there's mystery, suspense, romance and actual intelligent characters. I loved everything from the computer geeks to the knowledge surrounding all the military talk and scenes. Loved the bond that these guys formed not just while in Afghanistan but even when they returned home. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Wow! What an amazing book! I thought that it would just be a focus on Nick and Becca, but I loved the plot of mystery that was intertwined with their story. All of the characters were so awesome, and I found myself engrossed in this book and eager to find out how the story would wrap up. I can't wait until the next book! Laura Kaye is definitely an author I'll continue to follow!

Becca and Nick have a great story. Well developed H/h, chemistry and story line. Great mixture of action, suspense and romance. I think this is great start what I suspect will be a wonderful rollercoaster ride of a series! Can't wait for the next book!

I don't normally read suspense, but I really enjoyed this book! It was action packed, and the pace was good. I live not too far from Baltimore, so her description of the city and bay were spot on. I felt the characters were well developed and I loved the maturity of Becca & Nick. I'm eager to read the next book in this series

As I read through this book on dishonored soldiers and cover ups, I could see Snow White & the seven dwarfs in my head as Becca joined in on the special team of sexy men. This book has its fair share of sex, love, & intrigue.I love it, can't wait to read the next one find the ending! Some times the way the author wrote the speech patterns it sounded awkward, but press through & enjoy it!!

SERIES: Hard Ink #1

--ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY--
Sister desperately searches for missing brother and must rely on the help of dead father's ex-special forces team for answers.

--WHAT ARE THE ISSUES--
Charlie is all Becca has left of her family and she'll do anything to find him. The last time they talked they got into a fight over Charlie's claims that their military father was not what he seemed and now Charlie's gone missing. Nick was a dedicated soldier until an ambush killed half his team, including their CO, Colonel Merritt, who they've just discovered was corrupt. But when the badly injured surviving members make it back to base, they find themselves blamed for the ambush, their personnel files altered, and their freedom threatened. Discharged and abandoned from the military, Nick wants nothing to do with the Colonel's children until he realizes that Charlie may have found something to clear his team's name. However, a Non-Disclosure Agreement means that Nick can't tell Becca anything about what really happened overseas.

--WHAT I LIKED AND DIDN'T LIKE--
This book was absolutely amazing and it's rocketed up into my top 5 favorite books ever! Mature, intelligent heroine? Check! Gruff, protective, but still lovable hero? Check! Band of badass brothers? Check! Tattoos, Tattoos, & Tattoos? Triple Check! There is quiet the grand mystery going on in this one, and I will caution that the overall resolution to what happened to Nick's team does not get solved in this book.

Great Chemistry and insta-love done right -- I loved Becca and Nick! Readers often complain about insta-love, but Laura Kaye knows how to write it correctly. Yes Becca and Nick fall in love over a few short days, but Kaye manages to capture that intangible essence of love. That feeling of safety, acceptance, and commitment that you feel with another person. The way they become your touchstone, your rock, and your support. The way a certain person just makes you feel better by simply being next to you. These are all important parts of love that do not require a set length of time to develop, they can happen instantly.

A Heroine I Can Truly Respect -- The circumstances that Becca is under are way out of the norm but I admire her rolling with everything and being smart about her actions. Even when things get revealed in an upsetting way, she's still mature enough to do what needs to be done. And once she thinks things through she's willing to accept and grow.

Brilliant Secondary Characters -- In fact they're really not secondary characters. Nick's brother Jeremy was great, and probably my favorite additional character so far. He's funny, goofy, covered in tattoos, and loves to wear innuendo shirts. He might be the younger brother, but his love and support for Nick was beautiful to see. The scene where Jeremy insists that Nick tell him what's going on was so real and poignant. It made me wish I had siblings, just so we could love each other like these brothers do. I also loved the Special Forces guys and can't wait to see them begin to reconnect with each other. Even though things ended badly after they were discharged and they didn't stay in touch, they're still brothers and they still live by the code that represents. These are some rough, tough, and somewhat dented soldiers and I can't wait to see them fall in love.

--FINAL THOUGHTS--
Laura Kaye has rocketed into my top favorite authors and I am totally in love with this couple.

This was such an awesome start to the series! Becca shows up at Hard Ink looking for Nick Rixey because her brother has gone missing. From there the mystery keeps building as Nick calls in his ex-special forces team and they all pitch in to find Becca's brother and figure out what exactly happened to cause them to be dishonorably discharged. The mystery continues in the second book, so I am looking forward to getting my hands on it at the end of February.

I loved, loved, loved this! It as well written, well edited and that's just the icing on top of his delicious cake. The guys are uber hot, the story is thrilling, exciting and grabs you and keeps you hanging on. I can't wait to read more of this series, I have no doubt it's going to be fantastic!

5 Stars. Rebecca's brother, Charlie, has disappeared. He left her a cryptic note that led her to the door of Hard Ink. Who and what she finds there will change her life forever and may save the life of the last of her remaining family if they can find him in time.

My favorite things in my favorite place! Hot alpha ex-military guys in my home town of Baltimore. Laura Kaye does her research and it shows in the accuracy of her descriptions of places in Baltimore. She sets up all of the characters nicely for some hot future stories as well. Nick and Becca are a combustible couple and Ioved the backdrop of the tattoo business. Looking forward to the next story in the series!

Steamy romance; gorgeous ex-special forces buddies reunite to help rescue the brother of a damsel in distress. Ends with a cliffhanger. Had some insights worth highlighting. Such as:
Stay positive until you have a solid reason to think otherwise.

This book was fantastic. Can't say enough about Nick Rixey. Alpha Male, good looking, sexy, protective of Becca the moment he discovers she's in danger. The love scenes are sizzling and the plot keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens. Can't wait for the next installment.

I really enjoyed this military type suspense. The tattoo elements were equally exciting. I loved the characters and can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens to them.The writing was excellent. The language and the sex were graphic, but that should be expected with this genre of story. Great book!

What more could a girl ask for? Kaye developed likeable characters that have depth. She has also laid a strong framework for a series of books: extensive cast of characters, well structured plot that will no doubt evolve little by little, while giving an HEA that satisfies. Will definitely read the next book.