HARD LOVE by Meredith Wild
September
15, 2015
Forever Trade Paperback
The Hacker Series #5
Days after their wedding, Blake and
Erica Landon embark on their honeymoon-a journey that deepens their bond and
promises to fade the scars of their past. Just when their troubles seem
safely behind them, scandal surrounding would-be Governor Daniel Fitzgerald's
election threatens their newfound peace. Back home, Blake finds himself at the
center of the controversy, haunted by the transgressions of his hacker past
that he has no wish to relive.
With Blake's freedom at stake and their
future in peril, Erica will stop at nothing to clear his name. But when Blake
defies the authorities and refuses to seek the truth, their world gradually
begins to crumble. Will he let his past win? Or can Erica convince him that
their life together is worth fighting for-now more than ever...
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We walked the now familiar path back
to our hotel, through the dark uneven streets out of Dublin’s city center. A
hint of rain and the lingering scent of the fresh flowers that had been sold on
the streets hours earlier filled the air.
I held Blake’s hand, admiring the
details of the building architecture framing the old streets, greeting the
bright-eyed faces that met us on the sidewalk. It was almost midnight, but our
schedule was a mess and I was in no rush to be anywhere as long as we were
together. Seeing my old professor again had been a flashback to a simpler time
in my life. So much had happened since that first meeting in the Angelcom
boardroom that he’d arranged with Max’s initial support. I could have never
known then that I’d fall head over heels for the cocky investor sitting across
from me…that I’d be his wife. But here we were, bound together as closely as
two people could be.
Blake caught me closer to his side
and brushed a soft kiss over my cheek. “I like Brendan. I can see why he’s
become a friend.”
I smiled. “It seems odd to call him
that, but it’s true. He encouraged me to build the business when I had so many
doubts. He’s the reason I took the path I did.”
“A path that led you straight to me.”
He squeezed my hand. “Lucky me.”
I was lucky too. I couldn’t deny it.
But I could have never imagined traveling the road I had.
“You’re quiet. What are you thinking
about?” he asked.
I blew out a breath and shook my
head. “The business, I guess. I can’t help but feel like I…failed somehow.”
He glanced down at me. “You didn’t
fail. You learned.”
I scuffed the sole of my boots
against the stones as we walked, avoiding his stare.
“I’ve been around the block a few
times, you know. You should trust me.”
I smirked. “That’s why I married you,
of course. For your business acumen and wealth of knowledge.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
“And your mountains of money,” I
added quickly.
He frowned. “You’re trying to tell me
you didn’t marry me for my dashing good looks? I might be insulted.”
I pursed my lips, trying to look
serious. “If I had to pick one thing that tipped the scales, I’d say it was
your exceptional skills in bed. I think that’s where you really excel.”
“Well then”—he laughed, his eyes
twinkling—“at least my purpose is clear.”
He gave my ass a firm squeeze.
Laughing, I pushed him away as we approached a street performer who was
crooning for the barest of audiences. A small group of French-speaking tourists
stood nearby, and an older man, dirty from the streets, sat on the opposite
side of the street with a sloppy grin.
We slowed to listen as the tourists
dispersed. The song was sad, but rich with love—raw and emotional the way he
delivered each verse. Blake turned me to him, bringing us chest to chest. Our
fingers laced, his breath warm against my hair, he led us into a simple
nameless dance. I swayed toward him and closed my eyes, clinging to his
muscular frame the way I clung to every magical moment between us.
Straining for the lyrics through the
singer’s thick accent, I caught the verses.
When misfortune falls sure no man can
shun it.
I was blindfolded I’ll ne’er deny.
Now at nights when I go to my bed of
slumber,
the thoughts of my true love run in
my mind.
Another moment passed as the young
man’s voice faded into the night. The song was a somber one, made light only by
his passionate delivery of it. Like so much of life, the pain was what you made
it. He’d made something sad beautiful.
I sighed, still tight against Blake’s
chest. His body emanated warmth. His heartbeat was a steady reminder of his
support, his love—a force that had saved me, changed me, and healed me in ways
I’d never thought possible. He tipped my chin up, the glint in his eyes
matching the passion in my heart. He parted his full lips, but hesitated, a
wordless moment passing between us.
“I’m going to show you the whole
world, Erica.”
“I can’t imagine enjoying a minute of
it without you,” I whispered.
He stilled our slow dance, tracing a
fingertip over my lips, his countenance now serious in a way that threatened my
next breath.
“And I’m going to make you fall in
love with me all over again. Every morning and every night. In every city and
at the edge of every ocean. I’ll remind you why you’re mine and why I’ve always
been yours.”
I drew in an unsteady breath, feeling
his promise all the way to my soul. Swallowing hard, I found my voice. “I think
you’re on the right track.”
I arched toward him until our lips
met. Soft and slow at first, the kiss went deeper, stealing every thought that
didn’t revolve around his taste and touch.
We broke apart slightly when a
gravelly voice interrupted us.
“Go make love to her, lad, before she
changes her mind already.”
Behind us, the man who’d made his
home for the night in the entryway of a high-end store offered an imperfect
grin, pairing his words of wisdom with a friendly tip of his small bottle of
liquor.
I smiled, and Blake, by the dark look
in his eyes, seemed to immediately accept the stranger’s challenge.
“I plan to,” he murmured, his tone
all velvet and delicious threat. My skin tingled and he took my mouth again
with a kiss that promised so much more.
Meredith Wild never disappoints. Hard Love pretty much has everything you
could want in a book. A killer plot,
suspense, drama, love, intense passion…it’s all there. The characters are phenomenal and if you are
reading this review, I am sure you probably already know that from the previous
4 installments. Meredith has a way with
her words and builds her scenes and suspense so well, that it puts you at the
edge of your seat, flipping those pages to find out what happens next. I love that!
Hard Love is the final book in the Hacker series,
and immediately picks up where book 4, Hard Limit leaves us. Blake and Erica are blissfully unaware while
on their honeymoon, not letting the real world in for a chance to steal away
their happy. While abroad, they are
having an amazing time connecting, and dang is their chemistry off the charts
hot! And of course when they return home
their world is again knocked off its axis.
I love that in this book we get dual pov’s. It was interesting to hear things from Blake’s
pov. Both of these characters whom had
started off so stubborn at the beginning of the series, (and well, they still
are) have turned into what each other needs.
I have loved seeing them evolve. Blake
and Erica have gone through hell and back and always found their way back to
each other, and they deserve some peace.
Their relationship is stronger, and Hard Love is simply about that. Unrelenting, soul consuming, love.
This was a fantastic ending to an amazing
series. Although I am sad to see it come
to an end, I am happy with the way things turned out. This is really a series that should not be
missed. There is a little bit of
everything in it for everyone, so if you haven’t read the first books, I really
feel like you should. I was invested in
this story from the very start, from the very first book, and that never
wavered until the end of Hard Love.
Meredith
Wild is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and
international bestselling author of romance. Living on Florida’s Gulf Coast
with her husband and three children, she refers to herself as a techie,
whiskey-appreciator, and hopeless romantic. When she isn't living in the
fantasy world of her characters, she can usually be found at Facebook. You can learn more about her upcoming
projects at Website.
Social Media
Links:
HARDWIRED by Meredith Wild (May 12,
2015; Forever Trade Paperback; The Hacker Series #1)
Determined to overcome a difficult
past, Erica Hathaway learns early on how to make it on her own. Days after her
college graduation she finds herself face to face with a panel of investors who
will make or break her fledgling startup. The only thing she didn't prepare for
was going weak in the knees over an arrogant and gorgeous investor who's seemingly
determined to derail her presentation.
Billionaire and rumored hacker Blake Landon has already made his fortune in software, and he's used to getting what he wants with very little resistance. Captivated by Erica's drive and unassuming beauty, he's wanted nothing more since she stepped into his boardroom. Determined to win her over, he breaks down her defenses and fights for her trust, even if that means sacrificing a level of control he's grown accustomed to. But when Blake uncovers a dark secret from Erica's past, he threatens not just her trust, but the life she's fought so hard to create.
Buy the book!
HARDPRESSED by Meredith Wild (May 12,
2015; Forever Trade Paperback; The Hacker Series #2)
Despite Blake Landon's controlling
ways, the young and wealthy hacker finally won the trust of the woman he loves.
Internet entrepreneur Erica Hathaway broke down the walls that kept her
from opening her heart and her business to Blake. Ready to start this new
chapter in her life, Erica is determined not to let anything come between them,
even if that means giving Blake back some of the control he craves in and out
of the bedroom. But when demons from her past threaten their future,
Erica makes a decision that could change their lives forever.
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HARDLINE by Meredith Wild (May 12,
2015; Forever Trade Paperback; The Hacker Series #3)
Software mogul Blake Landon has met his
match in headstrong Erica Hathaway. While his controlling nature and her
independent spirit continue to battle, Blake has no intention of letting her
out of his life again. Erica has given Blake her trust and her love,
determined that they will conquer any challenges together. But when he demands
more and tests the boundaries of her commitment, she is forced to face the dark
desires he's kept hidden. As their bonds grow tighter, their enemies close
in. With Erica's start-up in danger, Blake's frustration grows as he tries to
protect her from those who would ruin her only to get to him. Can their
relationship survive when Blake's enemies cross the line and threaten more than
her livelihood?
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HARD LIMIT by Meredith Wild (May 12,
2015; Forever Trade Paperback; The Hacker Series #4)
Blake Landon is a man who has
everything-wealth, good looks, and the love of Erica Hathaway. The power couple
has been through hell and back, and when life has torn them apart, somehow they
have always found their way back to each other, more in love and stronger than
ever. On the verge of making the ultimate commitment, Erica uncovers an
unsettling chapter of Blake's history. As she makes peace with her own past and
the family who left her behind, she presses Blake to tear down the last walls
between them. Determined to know the man he once was, she opens a door to a
world beyond her wildest imagination-a world that has her questioning the
limits of her own desires. As danger lurks and dark secrets come to light,
will the past destroy their promise of forever?
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