Ride Hard by Laura Kaye

Title: Ride Hard 

Series: Raven Riders MC #1

Author: Laura Kaye 

Release Day: April 26, 2016

Publisher: Avon

A shy and distrustful woman running from a controlling ex-fiance seeks shelter with an outlaw motorcycle club with a tradition of protecting those who can't defend themselves, and falls under the watchful eye of the club's mysterious and intense leader who's intent on discovering all her secrets

Brotherhood. Club. Family.

They live and ride by their own rules.

These are the Raven Riders . . .

Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile.

Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could.

The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before . . .

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I loved the Hard Ink guys and Ride Hard is the first book in the spinoff series. We first met Haven and Dare in the Hard Ink books. 

Dare Kenyon is the President of the Raven Riders MC. He is loyal to the club. The Ravens make their money by racing and providing security. They are not squeaky clean but they are not bad people either. On the contrary, the club helps relocate abused women in need of a new life.  When Dare took over the club because of his past and a woman from the club who was abused, he made it their mission to help anyone in need of a fresh start. This is how Haven and Cora end up being the guests of The Ravens. 

Haven Randall is finally out of her dad's abusive hand. She escaped him and later on, she and her best friend were rescued by the Hard Ink guys with the Raven's help from the Church gang. Haven is timid and scared of her shadow. She has been a prisoner for so long that she is unsure of how to live free. The only person who makes her feel safe is Dare. With him, she wants to live dangerously. 

This book had a slow build up and it was so different than the frantic love stories the Hard Ink guys had. Saying that I liked Dare, he was a nice guy. He was fair with the club and he tried to do right by them. He tried to stay closer to the right side of the law. However, he would do anything to protect what's his. Dare gave Haven everything she needed to feel comfortable around people again. He understood her situation and he was patient with her. When they were finally together, it was hot!

Haven's character improved with time. She went from skittish to comfortable in her own shoes. I think having Cora by her side, supporting her, helped a lot too. 

After reading this one,  I want so many other characters to tell their stories too.  

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs 

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ride Hard by Laura Kaye

Title: Ride Hard

Author: Laura Kaye

Series: Raven Riders MC#1

Release Day: April 26, 2016

Publisher: Avon

Goodreads

Brotherhood. Club. Family.

They live and ride by their own rules.

These are the Raven Riders…

Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile.

Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could.

The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before… 

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Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and upcoming Raven Riders 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. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day. 

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Hard to Be Good (Hard Ink #3.5) by Laura Kaye

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This is Jeremy and Charlie’s novella and it has everything that I want to read about. Hot ex-military guys trying to clear their name, tattoo artists being badass, a motorcycle club and pets in the mix. You see, what’s not to like?

This series has become one of my favorites and I knew this book wouldn’t disappoint me either. Laura Kaye has a true talent to make me happy, cry, laugh and sigh. The romance between Jeremy and Charlie was just perfect! I was rooting for them to get together since the moment they met in Hard as It Gets. Charlie is shy and smart. He tries to avoid people while Jeremy is an extrovert, with funny T shirts, and with a body full of tattoos.  

“I’ve loved the things we shared today, Charlie. For real. But what I’m feeling for you isn’t just physical. It’s something more. I’m not sure what yet, but I . . .” Jeremy shrugged. “ . . . don’t want you to think this is just about sex for me.”

Their romance has been building up during all the prior books. Now that Jeremy feels responsible for the lives lost in the last battle against the bad guys, Charlie is there for him, supporting him and making him deal with his guilt. Just like Jeremy was always there for Charlie after his kidnapping and torture. Having them as a couple made perfect sense despite appearing to be so different.

It’s always nice to revisit with the old characters too. I liked learning more about the ones who don’t have a story yet, *cough*Dare*cough*. The addition of Cy was just the icing on the cake. 

I can’t wait for Trigger and Kay’s book next. 

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Hard to Hold on To (Hard Ink #2.5) by Laura Kaye

Hard To Hold On To

This is Easy's novella. Edward "Easy" Cantrell is battling his own fight with PTSD. He feels guilty about surviving the mission that changed his life and killed his best friend over a year ago. When he was called by Nick to come and help rescue the son of his ex-commander who betrayed them in Afghanistan and maybe get some answers, he felt like he finally had a purpose in life.

“He should feel happy—or at least happier—but those feelings were foreign countries for Easy. Had been for a long time.”

What they discover was so much more than lies including sex slavery, drugs, gangs with human collateral damage. One of those is Jenna Dean. When Jenna is saved by the team, the only person who brings her security is Easy. She wants to be with him. She is also attracted to him. Easy is thrilled to feel needed and this time he won't fail the person who believes in him.

“Because I like you. And you deserve to be treated with kindness. And it feels good to be needed.”

My thoughts:

I love this series. The Hard Ink books have romance, action, tattoos, beautiful men, great heroines and a cute one legged dog. What more can you ask for?

I have loved every couple and I can see love is in the air for a few more. I do wonder if one of the Raven Riders MC guys will fall in love too.

One of the things that I love about Laura's writing is that these characters deal with real issues. The one that is affecting Easy is unfortunately too common in our military.

I can't wait for the next book! 

“I see a woman who’s made me feel more alive in the past few days than I have in a long, long time.”

A complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 Fangs

ML