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Sunshine, secrets, and swoon-worthy stories—June's featured reads are your perfect summer escape.

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He doesn�t need a woman in his life; she knows he can�t live without her.


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A promise rekindled. A secret revealed. A second chance at the family they never had.


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A cowboy with a second chance. A waitress with a hidden gift. And a small town where love paints a brand-new beginning.


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She�s racing for a prize. He�s dodging romance. Together, they might just cross the finish line to love.


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She steals from the mob for justice. He�s the FBI agent who could take her down�or fall for her instead.


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He�s her only protection. She�s carrying his child. Together, they must outwit a killer before time runs out.


Hard To Be Good

Hard To Be Good, April 2015
Hard Ink Novella
by Laura Kaye

Avon
Featuring: Jeremy Rixey; Charlie Merritt
160 pages
ISBN: 0062369490
EAN: 9780062369499
Kindle: B00L1AAGAM
Hardcover / e-Book
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"True Love That Will Leave You Cheering Wildly and Begging for More!"

Fresh Fiction Review

Hard To Be Good
Laura Kaye

Reviewed by Monique Daoust
Posted April 15, 2015

Novella / Short Story

Jeremy Rixey has always been easygoing...until an explosion destroys his business and leaves him feeling ashamed. Long-time enemies of his brother, Nick, bombed the building where Jeremy had his tattoo shop, Hard Ink. Jeremy froze when facing a life and death situation, and two men died. He feels useless and guilty. Charlie Merritt has been recuperating from the injuries he suffered when he was kidnapped. In spite of his ordeal, Charlie has remained serene. He is a loner, a computer geek, but he admires Jeremy's cockiness and apparent indifference. Charlie and Jeremy connected from the beginning, both being non-military and feeling a bit the outsiders; ; Charlie and his sister are staying at Jeremy's along with Nick's Special Forces team, their biker associates, and a gaggle of significant others. Charlie and Jeremy often work together behind the scenes, and they enjoy a comfortable friendship. However Jeremy would like a lot more from Charlie, but he is unsure if he should make his intentions known. When I learned that Laura Kaye was writing Jeremy Rixey's story, I was ecstatic: the tattooed, pierced, bisexual, and charming Jeremy has been a favourite character of mine ever since the first book of the fabulous Hard Ink series. And to my great pleasure and utter delight, HARD TO BE GOOD more than lives up to my exceedingly high expectations! Ms. Kaye provides solid background on the story arc as well as the several recurring characters, so that newcomers to the series can easily follow. Ms. Kaye is a master at writing young, hip, and gritty characters in an uncluttered, urban style that is modern and real. The dialogue is pitch-perfect, the banter between Jeremy and his older brother Nick is priceless, and the story moves briskly. In HARD TO BE GOOD, Laura Kaye provides more insight into Jeremy's already multifaceted personality, and has crafted a beautiful and poignant story. Falling in love was never a priority for Jeremy, but he relates to Charlie in a way he never thought possible; the chemistry between the two men is combustible and irresistible. And as much as I love Jeremy, Charlie is just about as fascinating, appealing, and lovable. Charlie is brilliant but uncomfortable in his sexuality, and he doesn't feel he belongs anywhere until he meets the Rixeys. Their relationship emerges from profound respect and true friendship. They are human, genuine, young, and virile. HARD TO BE GOOD is everything a romance novel should be: it sizzles with hot, sexy scenes, very touching moments, real passion, and true love. Laura Kaye does an outstanding job with HARD TO BE GOOD, and fans will be clamoring for even more of Jeremy and Charlie!

Learn more about Hard To Be Good

SUMMARY

Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother's stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy's whole world has been turned upside down--not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever. Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he's drawn into the SF team's investigation of his army colonel father's corruption, he's surprised to find acceptance and friendship--especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie's opposite in almost every way. With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can't help but wonder why they're trying so hard to be good..


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