by Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Caught between desire and loyalty… Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there. When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust. As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…
Hard to Come By the third book in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye is hands down one of my favorites. Derek and Emile’s story is sweet and hot and we gain more insight into the overall ARC situation. I love spending time with this motley band of brothers and the woman who steal their hearts.
Five Reasons to grab a Mocha Coffee and curl up by the fire with Hard to Come By….
- Derek DiMarzio aka “Marz” is part of a disgraced Special Forces team, who sacrificed his leg to save a teammate and boosted moral until they were rescued. I have had a soft spot for Marz since the beginning and love this gentle, optimistic, caring soul. He can be funny and lightens everyone’s moods.I just want to squeeze him! He is the total package making him a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. I cannot help but smile when I think of him.
- The storyline in Hard to Come By is intense to be sure, but Kaye toned this one down, gone are the over the top elements of the previous book. We get a strong story with all the danger and interaction of the team. Kaye has this gift for drawing you in and holding your attention to the last page. She gives you a connection to her characters.
- We see progress in the overall arc of Hard Ink. We gain significant knowledge and one tidbit changes the game for the men and woman of Hard Ink. I loved the dynamics of the team working together and their shared excitement as pieces fall together. The party is far from over, but the directive is become more honed.
- The romance is a nice mix of sweet and heat. While things progressed rapidly, Kaye made me connect with Marz and Emile allowing me to feel their emotions and the romance felt genuine. Marz surprised me in the bedroom, for such a good boy the man is naughty and it notched up the heat. While the action did not allow for too much cuddle time, I enjoyed the moments they shared.
- The characters in Hard Ink are all strong, well-developed, complicated and swoon-worthy. I love this crew. We are introduced to a new character, Katherine Rixey and gads I so hope we see more of this strong, snarky fireball. Emilie like all of the female characters in Hard Ink is strong, confident and well-rounded. She calls it like she sees it, and I enjoyed her story. My only gripe..shopping Emilie? Really?
Hard to Come By and the Hard Ink series is a fantastic romantic suspense series with a cast of characters you want to spend time with. I cannot wait for Jeremy’s story in the novella, Hard to Be Good and Beckett’s story in Hard to Let Go scheduled for March and July.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Bookworm Brandee
This is a series I’ve wanted to dive into. I’m glad you enjoyed this one so well. It’s nice to see that the story arc is going strong and the characters are so well developed. And thanks for the 5 reasons to grab a mocha and read it! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love Laura and recommend all of her works!
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I really need to read a Laura Kaye book! {ogles the cover} this one sounds great.
A great review Kimba. Sharon – Obsession with Books
kimbacaffeinate
This series is fun, with high action and romance:)
Bea
I’ve only read one, I need to catch up. I’m glad there’s forward motion on the overall story arc.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Bea, I think this was my favorite to date 🙂
Paij Slater
Sounds interesting 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
They are, I love solving the case, the action and of course the men 🙂
Sharlene Wegner
If this book wasn’t already on my list, I would have to pick it up for the cover alone!
kimbacaffeinate
Nice right? You are going to love Marz 🙂
Shy
I haven’t tried out this series yet but this review has me interested. I guess it will be added to my never ending TBR pile.
kimbacaffeinate
Ha..I have one of those piles too Shy!
R_Hunt
Hot-looking guy, sorry not my type of book really but glad you enjoyed it!
A side note: Please send me the email concerning Black Friday with the link up links please so I can put them in my post I’m scheduling. I think I messed my old one up, lol…thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Will do. I love the suspense in this series, and ok the romances are hot.
Angela Adams
That book cover clearly “sells” the story. Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..yeah it might make me pick it up and read the synopsis.
aurian
This does sound good, but I have only read her Anemoi series so far. Glad you love this Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I have book one of those and so need to read them. Thanks Aurian 🙂
Lupdilup
I’m glad to hear to that Derek and Emile’s story is a good combo sweet and Hot – I’m also very OK with the fact that the action didn’t allowed for too much cuddle time 🙂 I just finished 2 erotica novels and now I’m ready for some action..lol
Thank Kimba, great job!
kimbacaffeinate
overheating huh? LOL This has some but plenty of action as well 🙂
Heidi
Gosh the characters sound fantastic as does the romance. I need to check this out. I am in the middle of a slump!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope it passes soon Heidi. Funks are not fun 🙂
Braine
I know I’m a broken record… Yup need to catch up with this too! I’m 2.5 books behind! Gah! I shouldn’t have read those funky reads last week, collosal waste of reading time when I had this series on my kindle!
kimbacaffeinate
Gah is right..catch up!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh your profile accidentally links to your url.con instead of your url.com ..thought we lost you there for a minute *wipes brow*
kindlemom1
I really do need to make it a point to read this author.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh agreed. Thanks Ali.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I think I’ll have to push this series up the wishlist. I’ve been wanting to try the books and I’m going to have to start collecting them all. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes! I hope you love them 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Wow, what’s not to love about this series. Thanks Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. a band of brothers, strong woman, suspense and a little heat.
Candace
I’ve heard really great things about this series, I’m glad you really loved this one!
kimbacaffeinate
I did Marz was special 🙂
Carrie
Listen you! You’re costing me a fortune! Your review is so good I had to check it out and then ended up buying the first two plus a novella and then pre-ordered this one too. They sound sooo good! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooops. Well on the upside you now have plenty to keep you warm Carrie. I hope you enjoy the heck out of them!
Nick
This sounds like it was a complete winner for you, Kim! I’ve read a few books by Laura Kaye and they’ve been great. It looks like I should get a start on this one as well! Marz sounds very swoony! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You would totally melt for him Nick..so many attributes you like in a man:)
Jennifer
I’ve got this one on my Kindle. I didn’t have as much reading time this weekend as I wanted so I didn’t get to it. But I’ll read on it this week.
kimbacaffeinate
Well I am glad you have it lined up. Hope you get to read it soon Jennifer 🙂
Mary
I love this series!! I do wish that the overall arc would move along a bit faster because I really want to know what’s really going on but the romance and smexytimes make up for it.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, but was glad we got some progress:)
Lily
Nope, I still haven’t read this series but i’m just going to sit here and admire the cover, okay? lol 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
hehe. Ok. *hands you a cup of cocoa*
Brandi Breathes Books
Like the sound of one with a great balance of ssweet and heat
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good one Brandi 🙂
The Brunette Bookworm
I loved this book and Marz! So sweet and sexy and loved seeing all the guys again :).
kimbacaffeinate
So glad you loved it too 🙂
Stephanie Faris
I’ve never even heard of Laura Kaye, but this sounds like a great series.
kimbacaffeinate
If you like romantic suspense you should totally try this series. 🙂
Carmel
I love it when secondary characters in a series finally make their debut as the main couple, and the fact that Derek & Emilie’s story was your fav yet shows that there’s been a nice progression so far in the Hard Ink plot arc. I want to squeeze Marz too!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Carmel, and yes he is so squeezable.
Jennifer Bielman
I think I read book 1 of this series. Hmm, can’t remember. I love that the characters were all awesome. That’s like my number one in books.
kimbacaffeinate
This type of series is my favorite, where the secondary characters each get a book, and you get this sense of friendship and family.
Silvia
I haven’t read this series, but a band of brothers always sounds a good choice to me! 😉
Glad you had a blast!
kimbacaffeinate
Completely agree, I love that bond they share
blodeuedd
*Looks at the cover*
Why does she look so scared?
kimbacaffeinate
people want to hurt her.
Melliane
Oh yes I heard great things about this author but haven’t read any of her books. But in fact I think I have one. But not sure what. I’ll have to investigate. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you try her soon Melliane 🙂