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    Hard to Come By: A Hard Ink Novel
    Hard to Come By: A Hard Ink Novel
    Hard to Come By: A Hard Ink Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Hard to Come By: A Hard Ink Novel

    Written by Laura Kaye

    Narrated by Seraphina Valentine

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Five dishonored soldiers.
    Former Special Forces.
    One last mission.
    These are the men of Hard Ink.

    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 sibling 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 their desire 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 it slip away . . .

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateNov 25, 2014
    ISBN9780062359643
    Hard to Come By: A Hard Ink Novel
    Author

    Laura Kaye

    Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink, Raven Riders, and Blasphemy series. 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. Laura also writes historical fiction as the New York Times bestseller, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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    Reviews for Hard to Come By

    4/5

    73 ratings7 reviews

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    • 5/5
      After I read Hard To Come By I wondered why has it taken me so long to read this author!! I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this one, as I look back on how much I enjoyed this story, I realized I definitely need to try out the earlier two books. I do love this genre, its so exciting and sexy, and I really enjoyed what the author has done with this story. Even jumping into the series out of order, I never felt like I was totally lost. The author does a fantastic job of introducing the set up of the story and a bit of past events that never made it feel like I was out of control and needed to read the previous books first. Although I do wish I had read the first two books to get a deeper understanding of past events and what was going on, but I do think that if you catch on quickly than you can read it out of series if you like.The story begins when Derek DiMarzio, along with his team, have been betrayed by their commander and for Derek, its a betrayal of the hardest kind, because this commander is like a father to him. He along with his team and trying to get the bottom of the deception, and their investigation leads them to Emilie Garza, and her brother. Her brother is at the top of their list, and a way to get to him...his sister Emilie. Emilie is a psychologist, and loves her family, but she notices her brother acting strangely and out of character ever since he returned from the war.While having lunch, she meets Derek, who is gorgeous and charming and sweet, and can't resist going on a date with him. But soon her peaceful and normal life goes topsy turvy, and she enters Derek's world of danger and suspense, she learns truths about her brother and who Derek really is and the kind of life he leads. But can Emilie trust a man that has already broken her trust? Or can she trust the man she has started to love?I adored this pair...they were so good for each other and really help each other along the road of danger and intrigue. I love seeing these two learning to trust each other. Derek...well what a hero we have here. He is quite a hoot to see and I was very amused by him. Derek sacrificed one of his legs to save a teammate, and unlike most people, he is good humored about it, and makes jokes all the time relating to it. He is easy going, charming, and passionate about EVERY aspect of his life :). He definitely is the type of man you want as a friend or mate. He is dedicated, good humored, sensitive, and a protector for those he calls family. What's not to love right?Now Emilie, I loved her!! She was such a good match for Derek, and her personality was just great. Emilie has trust issues, with bad experiences in the past, and even though she wants to hold back when it comes to Derek...she doesn't. I loved the way her character really pulls through when needed. Emilie was just a sweet heroine, and I loved her from the first few chapters. She is strong, independent, intelligent and willing to do what it takes to save those she loves. She is committed to doing the right thing, even if it hurts her. It was quite fun seeing her with Derek and the dangers he comes with, but all she is adamant about is honesty...anything else she can handle. I love how upfront she is and there is nothing deceptive about her. She was quite refreshing to read and I really came to admire her.Overall a winner of a romance...and when it comes to romantic suspense...this story has it all!!! Be ready for some thrilling action, super steamy scenes, entertaining moments between the team and Derek, and a intense love story to blow your socks off!!! NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR!!
    • 5/5
      Well, I can say that this looks like it is my favorite book in the series so far! I love the growing bond between all of the characters and the build-up of the plot gets more intense in this one. There were some surprises and revelations I wasn't expecting. Some parts here and there brought me to tears.

      As a series, I think it's important if these books are read in order. You become more invested in these characters than if you read this one as a standalone.

      The Hard Ink team is still trying to track down people responsible for what happened to them a year ago. I don't want to say too much at the risk of spoiling the story. Just be prepared for some gripping intense scenes.

      I really love Derek DiMarzio (Marz) and Emilie Garza's characters. Laura Kaye has written a hero who has faced the worst of situations yet is still able to see the light in life. Abandoned as a child, Marz never knew love. The only connection he had to people was his SF team, and the only father figure he thought he had betrayed them. I love that LK didn't gloss over the physical aspect of being an amputee either. This added to Marz's character much more and make you love him more. Marz has the ability to make you laugh, squirm in your seat with his hotness and dirty talk, and also make your heartbreak a little. And those tattoos!! Yep, just gonna leave it there. I wanted him for myself at times! Lol. Emilie, on the other hand, is another great heroine. She's strong in mind and heart. The things Marz and Emilie had in common were their loyalty and their nature of doing right by people they love, even when it's hard. Plus, their chemistry is scorching. Make sure you have a fan nearby or lots of cold water when you read their scenes.

      The plot in these books is intertwined but LK ends each book in places where you feel satisfied and not in so much of a cliffhanger, which I appreciate! While it does bring forth more questions, I'm happy with the outcome so that I don't hate waiting on pins and needles to getting the next book and enjoying as much as I with this one.
    • 4/5
      Ok this one was pretty cute. You can’t help but fall in love with Derek’s optimism for life. He’s always trying to get everyone’s spirits up around him.

      As our favourite special forces team keeps unearthing more involved with the suspicious way they were disgraced from the army, they learn there are more players involved than they originally thought. It’s a possibility to use the sister of a suspect to gain information… but can Derek go through with it when he seems drawn to Emily for reasons he can’t explain?

      Emily knows something has happened with her brother. He did not return from the war the same. As much as she wants to help him, loyalty to her family and her mother are preventing her from taking action. She thinks nothing special about meeting a man and possibly going out with him like every other normal person… until things start to unravel around both of them and Emily learns Derek has had ulterior motives this whole time…

      Can these two navigate the trials around them and also learn to trust each other enough to make it out unscathed…? This book is full of twists and turns. Enough to keep you on your toes, and it also has enough light heartfelt moments that butter you up along the way!
    • 4/5
      Read/Listened for Fun (Physical/Audible)Overall Rating: 4.00Story Rating: 4.00Character Rating: 4.00Audio Rating: 3.50 (not part of the overall rating)Read It/Rate It Thoughts: Hard to Come was such a good entry in this hard hitting, on the edge series by Laura Kaye. I specifically liked what Emilie brought to the group. Her love story with Derek was spot-on and really perfect for them!Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Seraphine Valentine / Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins Seraphine does a great job with the series but I am not a huge fan of her voice for Derek. That really is the only one I don't love. The rest she does really great!Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
    • 4/5
      I really love this series. I couldn't put this book down. Loved it!
    • 4/5
      Emilie and Derek (Marz)

      This is book #3 in the Hard Ink Series, yet less than a week as gone by. This series is packed with everything happening quickly. A big clue is unlocked at the end of this book; how will I ever wait till #4.

      Emilie and Derek have as quick and loving a courtship as all the others of the Unit have had with every bit as much danger!
    • 4/5
      4 "Love is Hard to Come By" Stars! Could true love possibly grow out of deception? Lovers of action-packed, passionate reads, who love their heroes alpha strong and reassuringly protective, along with a bit of suspense mixed in, will not want to miss Hard To Come By. The pace of this book is sure to keep your undivided attention. From the intriguing scenes that will leave you guessing as to the underlying conspiracy surrounding the circumstances that led to the downfall of the ex-military special forces team that forms the backbone of this series, to the romantic, and, let me say, highly erotic, encounters between the main hero and heroine of this story; there is nonstop action to keep you entertained the whole way.First off, it is worth noting, that although the romance of this book generally functions as a standalone, the underlying suspense is a continuation from the prior books in the series and ends in a cliffhanger. Accordingly, while this book can be read on its own, to fully enjoy the entire story line, the Hard Ink series is best read in order.A more loyal team of men you will never meet. Chief among them is Derek "Marz" DiMarzio. Growing up as an orphan, he never knew what it meant to have family until he joined the military. There his teammates became his family. A family he would give up anything for, including his life and health. A conviction that unfortunately became a reality when he sacrificed himself to save his friends and lost one of his legs in the process. On a mission to avenge the deaths of the fallen teammates who were not as lucky and died that day they were ambushed, as well as, to clear the survivors' names of the wrongdoing that the conspiracy has left them tarnished with, Marz along with the other remaining members of his team, and few related parties they have picked up along the way, have gotten together to uncover the truth. It is during one of these covert operations, that Marz meets Emilie Garza. His assignment is to divert her attention long enough to allow his teammates to explore her home for evidence of her brother's whereabouts, who is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy. The last thing Marz expects is to fall for an "operational asset." Emilie too is clearly taken with Marz, but will she still feel the same way, once she learns he's after her beloved big brother? I enjoyed Marz's and Emilie's love story. What seems initially as an unlikely scenario, is well developed and understandable by the time the connection between this couple, born out of equal parts desire and danger, comes to fruition. Additionally, I applaud Laura Kaya for sensitively bringing to light the difficulties that amputees face, both physically and emotionally, as well as demonstrating how they can overcome seemingly invincible hurdles towards resuming normal life activities. All in all Hard to Come By was a hit and I look forward to reading more action-packed, romantic and erotic, suspense-filled reads from the Hard Ink Series!Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.