Rock Hard (Rock Kiss Book 2) Paperback – March 10, 2015

Despite being an avid reader, there are very few romance authors I'm willing to purchase on an 'OH GOD THEY HAVE ANOTHER BOOK TAKE MY MONEY' basis. That being said, when it comes to a Nalini Singh book it could be my last five dollars and I'd still fork it over to Kindle so I could read her latest masterpiece. Then when I got enough money I'd probably buy it from the bookstore because I'm weird like that and prefer the real deal over electronic mind numbing ebooks.So, when I got the notice in my inbox that I was going to be able to read Nalini's latest novel in the Rock Kiss Series, Rock Hard, I reacted like a five year old whose mother finally gave them cookies.Before I delve into my rant on why this book was f-ing amazing, here is the back cover blurb:Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.Where do I even begin? I adored this book. More so even than the first two, which were both magnificent! The Rock Kiss Series begins with Rock Addiction, which is Molly and Fox's story and is much more a carnal read than the following stories in the series. Not that it being carnal lessened the writing or the fun in reading it, but it was definitely a departure from Singh's previous two series, The Psychangeling Series and Guild Hunter Series.In Rock Addiction, we're introduced to Charlotte, the heroine in Rock Hard, through her best friend Molly. I begin here because the setup for both Charlotte and Gabe begins in book one. This is how amazing Nalini is, two books prior to Charlotte's and already she has laid the groundwork for both characters. The level of planning that requires, as often times I think most secondary characters aren't meant to get their own story and then demand it of the author, is more than this half panster/half planner - planster? - can say for herself.Still, getting to see the spunk in shy, wounded Charlie-mouse from book one and then His Carnivorousness through her eyes had me drooling in anticipation for their story. From the first book it was obvious that their story would have the heartbreaking love and intimacy that all of Nalini Singh's books have, but also the feistiness and conflict that I have come to expect and love of her books. Despite Charlie and His Carnivorousness referring to Charlie as a 'mouse' she never once acts mouse-ish. Yes, she is horribly broken, scarred and psychologically damaged, but behind the fear and the anxiety is a woman stronger than most. I guess what I'm really getting at is that she had a backbone. And I have found that with all of Ms. Singh's characters. Not one doesn't have the constitution - unless they're the weasely villain - to be strong and heroic in their own right.The wonderful thing about Charlie is that she is both strong and weak. Words that have so many meanings nowadays using them to describe a character is plain wrong, but hard not to do. After the serious abuse that Charlie went through with her previous boyfriend Richard it's no surprise that she has both physical and emotional scars. Yet, behind the anxiety and fear is a girl with more spunk than most. She's willing to stand up to a terrifying, carnivorous t-rex of a man who can be quite surly on a regular basis. Though Charlie thinks herself broken, she is far from it. Cracked, maybe, but broken - no. In fact, she's done what many wouldn't after such horrible torture. She picked herself back up. Yes, she has a few security blankets and hang-ups, but what woman wouldn't. What Rock Hard does is show that even those hang-ups can be overcome. That despite the darkness we are never truly lost and if we accept help from those who love us then beating our demons is always an option. Charlie is the quintessential well rounded character. She has issues, she has likes and dislikes and still has a personality that leaves the reader sitting in their chair peeing themselves because some of her one-liners are so good.Then there is Gabriel Bishop. Oh boy. This man is hot with a capital HOT. Gruff and yet sweet, how can any woman resist his charm and not to mention he has a brain. In fact, his brain is probably his best asset as it helps him win over Charlie. Any woman can go for looks, but if you want to keep him around there better be a brain in that hard head of his and with Gabriel it's working overtime. In fact, it becomes an issue in their relationship for the simple reason that Gabriel is afraid to stop working. He's afraid that he'll become like his father and so he puts that powerful brain of his to work until it becomes a health risk. What's great is, Charlotte by the time this piece of his personality needs to be addressed, has come around and can now fight with him over it. Not once despite Mr. T-Rex's overbearing demeanor, does Charlie ever let him push her around. From the moment she gets her new job, Charlotte and T-Rex are on equal ground.What I loved most about these characters and this story was that it read real to me. Not once did I sit there and say 'psht this would never happen' and while it may never, because as Charlie says when do guys like Gabriel go for girls like her, but because of the depth of character I believed it. Charlie and Gabriel became real. They floated off the page and nagged me to keep reading, even while at work, so I could finish their story. Because they were real, even Richard the weasel was real, I could handle whatever rocky moments they went through and I knew they could too.Nalini always hits it out of the park with her books and it's no mystery as to why. With her beautiful crafted prose, rounded and real characters and a definite heart to her books, they're all superb and bound to be hits. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!

First I'd like to address my headline. I can understand we all have different expectations and impressions of books and I respect that but I hate when certain people write good or bad review stating half truths or outright lies as their arguments. Certain reviewer wrote that there were no references to rugby and no En Zed colloquialisms or references to even what town in the world this story is set in. For said reviewer, not only did they watch the game on stadium and at home, they played one in "one of many Auckland's park". So, not sure how she missed those rugby references. Or town references. Must have read another book. Also, please refrain from advertising other author's books in your reviews if you are not decent enough to thoroughly read or listen the book you're reviewing. It's fault play at best. That said, I did like the book (imagine that) although not nearly as much as author's other series. This is light, romantic, sweet read with not as much depth but with solid characters and almost realistic life drama. I sey almost as the heroine was brutalized and abused and I'm not sure anyone would get over such drama in so little time. Some things in book were described in miniscule details and it was a bit annoying. Anyway, I guess my expectation for this book was met. If you are in a mood for light, romantic, somewhat steamy romance, with anguished heroine and happy ending, go for it. Certainly, for huge fans of Psy/changeling and/or Guild Hunter series, lower your expectation. This is not Nalini nor genre you are used to.

I almost didn't get this book, because I just didn't really like the first one in the series (not enough story, too much sex for me) but I love Nalini Singh. She is probably my favorite author so I thought I'd give the second one a try and I am so glad I did.This book is about Charlotte Baird who is hiding due to a trauma she went through. She is "a mouse" and she doesn't think she she will ever dare to change. The company she works for hires Gabriel Bishop is an ex-professional rugby player who now takes over failing companies and turns them around. He is a strong, intimidating man who goes in and fires a lot of the staff so Charlotte nicknames him T-Rex. She believes she will be next to be fired. However, she isn't fired she is promoted to be Gabriel's PA. She nicknames her boss T-RexGabriel Bishop is an ex-professional rugby player who has made a name for himself as a turnaround artist for failing companies. Gabriel sees past the mouse to the intelligent and sexy woman behind the mouse and he intrigued by glimpses of a strong woman.I loved this book because of the strong, complex characters of Charlotte and Gabriel. Nalini did an amazing job of letting Charlotte slowly grow throughout the book and begin to overcome the trauma in her past. It was SO NICE to see a book where the h didn't "just get over it" when she met and fell for the H. Charlotte and Gabriel's relationship grows over time. She gets him to open up and he helps her cope with her past. He is strong and pushes Charlotte but also patient and understanding and knows when to back off. I was also glad that they atleast acknowledged the issues with a boss/employee relationship. They were quickly dismissed but at least they were acknowledged.The scenes between Charlotte and Gabriel are emotional, powerful and realistic. There are no quick fixes and you get to see Charlotte fight through her fears and Gabriel's real hurt when she is afraid of him (even though he knows it isn't truly him she is afraid of). You see both characters frustration and determination. I admired Charlotte and really liked her but I loved Gabriel. He was a wonderfully Alpha character with a patient, caring, and protective core.There are no silly misunderstandings or lack of communication in this book. Just real characters dealing with complex real situations. This book is what I have come to expect from a Nalini Singh book. Strong characters and wonderful relationships with complex issues and backgrounds. This book doesn't have the over the top amount of sex in it that the first one does and yet it is still hot and sexy. There are also some lighter humorous moments in the book between Charlotte and Gabriel.Overall a great book, a must read and one I will read again.