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Review + Interview with Shane: Hard As You Can (#2, Hard Ink) by Laura Kaye

My Thoughts

Sexy and enticing, crackling with irresistible chemistry
as danger looms at every turn.

Related Posts: My review of Hard As It Gets (#1), Read an Extended Excerptof Hard As It Gets (#1)

Synopsis

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.

My Review

“Sometimes you gotta break some rules to do what’s right.”

The men of Hard Ink are back and they are more dangerous, more determined than ever. The stakes have been raised and as they might have said, shit’s gotten real. After rescuing Charlie, the team has learned more about the vile and corrupt dealings of the Church gang. They learn they’ve been trafficking girls … a fact that shatters Shane McCallan in more ways than one. Shane’s life is laden with guilt, shouldering a burden from so long ago when his sister Molly disappeared on his watch. Since then, he’s not only become a fixer, but one that is intent on helping women to escape the brutal realities whom some inadvertently find themselves in. When Shane runs into Crystal Dean, a beautiful waitress that unexpectedly helps their crew while at Confessions, he’s completely taken by her, but it’s not until afterwards that she can’t escape his thoughts. He wonders if she’s okay. Did she suffer any repercussions as a result of coming to their aid?

“Crystal was well aware that much of her life was a lie, a charade, a play in a never-ending series of one acts wherein the climax determined whether she lived or died, remained free or got lost forever in the dark, seedy, underbelly of the world. Sad, sad fact that this place, this situation, this life wasn’t even close to the worst that there was.”

Crystal’s shoulders also bear the pressure of responsibility as she lives on the brink between life and death, a constant danger looming, a single misstep having very real consequences. She would know. With a promise made long ago and a debt that needed to be repaid, Crystal needs to stay at Confessions to provide for her sister, but she’s biding time before she can escape and start fresh. The last thing she needs is a disruptive force like Shane McCallan.

“He was a fire she had no business playing with.”

The story unfolds partly through Shane’s perspective and we get to see just how much he struggles to make sense of his emotions and his instincts to fix all the issues that surround him. Shane has a strong sense of loyalty and honor, always motivated to do the right thing no matter the cost. One of the intriguing things about Shane is that he’s all rough and tough on the exterior, a well-trained chameleon lethal and ready for any situation. Yet, his emotions run deep and he feels things profoundly. The feelings he’s begun to feel for Crystal are unexpected, but they suddenly breathe a new life into him. And perhaps if he could protect her, he could do what he wasn’t able to do for Molly.

“Saving her might represent a chance to earn a little redemption.”

For Crystal, Shane is showing her a level of caring that her current boyfriend (and Church gang member) has never considered showing. Shane is protective. Kind. Gentle. And the desired that he’s aroused in her is unstoppable. Every time their together the air is thick with longing. With so much at stake, however, Crystal is so afraid to let her heart feel anything for him when it seems like an impossibility for her to be free of Bruno, Church and everything that defines her imprisoning reality.

“Her heart told her Shane might well be the most dangerous man she’d ever met because he mad her want, wish, maybe even dream.”

Shane and Crystal’s story is one of finding the courage to take a chance at reveling in something real, despite the risks. I think book 1 had a stronger element of suspense, while this one focused a bit more on the relationship, but just as the first one, the story is captivating and the characters unique, alpha and totally badass. We are still unraveling the bigger mystery at the end of this book and so I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment, Hard to Hold on To, a novella out in August. So far I am wholly enjoying this series!

“You’re so good to me, Shane McCallan. Do you know that? You’re the best man I’ve ever known.”

Reading Order and Purchase Links

#2.5 Hard to Hold Onto
#3 Hard to Come By
#4 Untitled

Interview with Shane McCallen

What was it about Crystal that first drew you to her?

At first? The fact that she was beautiful and in trouble. But it didn’t take me long to realize there was so much more to her. Her selflessness, her bravery, her strength. And she made me want things I never thought I’d have.

You quickly realized that every time you sought Crystal, you were putting her in danger, but yet, you couldn’t stay away. How did you reconcile your feelings to keep her safe while at the same time, giving in to your intensifying feelings to get to know her, to be with her?

Yeah. Once I’d put her further into harm’s way, I couldn’t stay away. Not with my history. Not with how I’d failed my sister. And not with the certainty that Crystal’s situation was already so dangerous as to be unsustainable. What I did was like setting the attic on fire in a house already burning down. And all that was aside from the fact that my teammates and I needed intel from Crystal. That made it a matter of honor to help her.

How did it feel to be re-united with Nick? You were the closest of friends and what happened tore you two apart. Tell us about your relationship with him. How is it now?

It was rough, man. I’m not gonna lie. When you’re best friends and brothers-in-arms with someone and that shit falls apart, it cuts. Deep. But as hard as it was to be around him again, it also felt good. Right. And that was part of what hurt, too. Now? We’ve made amends—including me, because not everything that happened lay on Nick’s shoulders. So things are good. We’re tight. And we have a job to do.

Have you dared to imagine what you would do should your names be cleared and your honor publicly restored? What do you see in your future?

To be honest, right now I can’t see beyond the end of this situation. There are so many moving parts and we still don’t know all the players. I hope that the end game might be we clear our names, but I’m not counting on it. Yet. Because we didn’t get in this position in the first place except that someone with some major pull set the ball in motion in the first place. So all I see in my future right now are my brothers and my sweetness.

What do you think needs to happen for your crew to be successful? Are you confident you can take down such an organized and notorious gang?

We could use some damn luck. That’s for sure. And a break in some intel so we can connect the dots. We have new allies, so that helps a lot. And some new leads. As for the rest, I have confidence in my brothers and faith in our skills.

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.

Giveaway

There are TWO giveaways!!!! One is through the rafflecopter below and
the second one gives you a chance at winning one of Shane’s purple butterfly necklace (pictured below). All you have to do is comment on this post and leave your email address as a part of that comment!!!