Must-read romances: 'Rock Hard,' 'Chain of Command'

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

What it's about (courtesy of TKA Distribution):

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.

Why you should read it: Given Charlotte's introduction to her floundering employer's intimidating new CEO involved the lobbing of a large stapler at his head, continuing to make it her mission to stay invisible at work seems wise. Staying clear of men is her specialty after all, so keeping her head down and doing the work foisted on her by one of her employer's bottom-feeders comes naturally. In his quest to improve the company's performance, T-Rex takes a no-holds-barred approach when separating the office personnel wheat from the chaff, and he soon identifies that Charlotte is the brains behind the PA desk. So the bottom-feeder is given the boot, joining innumerable other now previous employees. To her horror, Charlotte is promoted into the demanding position of personal assistant to Mr. Intimidation himself … Gabriel Bishop.

Charlotte is an abuse survivor who suffers significant post-traumatic symptoms, and Nalini Singh once again reveals her talent as an author by showing sensitivity and understanding of her heroine's unique needs. Charlotte and Gabriel's relationship is advanced very slowly. He is at first annoyed by the fact that his shy little mouse quakes in her boots when he is anywhere close to her, but soon ascertains that someone has hurt Charlotte, which triggers his protective instincts. Gabriel may be a ruthless businessman and demanding employer, but he understands Charlotte's vulnerability and, while firm, shows her compassion and tenderness. It was uplifting to see Charlotte's confidence and self-esteem improve as she employs her keen intelligence and business sense to stay one step ahead of the boss and use subtle dry wit to put the growly, powerful T-Rex in his place. Gabriel is a keeper. I loved how he is always cognizant of Charlotte's reactions to intimacy and respects her limitations, but ... some dirty talk followed by hot foreplay doesn't hurt. ;)

In a way, Rock Hard is a Cinderella story. There is no evil stepmother, but there is a monster in Charlotte's past, and she is imprisoned by her fears. Gabriel is the Prince Charming who helps her heal and enjoy life again. Rock Hard is emotional, sensual and packed full of witty dialogue, making for darn good fun! (The chapter titles are a hoot!)

Rock Addiction — and Fox, its charismatic rock star hero — was my favorite read of 2014. Rock Hard, and the equally alluring Gabriel, is another keeper and will be at the top of my list of 2015 favorite reads. The timelines of Rock Addiction and Rock Hard overlap, but it isn't repetitive, and reading the latter as a stand-alone will not be a disadvantage.

The Rock Kiss series, so far:

• Rock Addiction (Molly and Fox)

• Rock Courtship (David and Thea), novella

• Rock Hard (Charlotte and Gabriel)

Chain of Command by HelenKay Dimon

What it's about (courtesy of Carina Press):

Retired marine Sawyer Cain can't forget all he's seen and lost, but he can try to start over. Opening a gun range with his closest friends is the first step toward a new life—one where he finally buries the guilt he can't seem to shake. So much depends on the property he needs to buy…and the gorgeous but completely frustrating woman who refuses to sell it.

Hailey Thorne is done—with loss and with anything military, after the closest thing she had to an uncle died in Afghanistan. When Sawyer shows up on her porch he has military written all over him. He's one more in a long line of people who wants the land she inherited, and suddenly he's everywhere she goes. Hailey can't get the broad-shouldered, dirty-talking, dead-serious man out of her head. Or her life.

Sawyer's not above using his skills in the bedroom to try to convince her to sell, and Hailey is more than willing to let him. Their pleasure-only arrangement works…until emotions get in the way. But Sawyer has a secret he's convinced will have Hailey hating him forever, and Hailey's not willing to risk loving anyone she could lose.

Why you should read it: Prolific and versatile author HelenKay Dimon doesn't disappoint in the unpredictable, humorous and clever first novel of her Greenway Range series. Sawyer developed lethal skills and smarts during his years serving in military special ops, however his experience doesn't prepare him for dealing with the frustrating, stubborn and very hot Hailey Thorne. Therefore, negotiating a business deal presents a significant challenge … there is the whole wanting her in his bed thing, but that may be a problem, too, because of her greeting him on her front porch with a bat in hand.

"Is there any chance you'd consider putting the weapon aside?"

She glanced down her arm. "It's a bat."

"Right, and I don't want you swinging it at my head."

Yikes! Relationship conflict can make or break a romance, and witnessing these two survive more than a few skirmishes makes for a fun, engrossing read that is brimming with sexual tension. I did, at times, feel sorry for poor Sawyer because Hailey is difficult and it seems he can't win for trying. She doesn't trust easily and feels Sawyer may be using her so he can win a bid to establish a business on a portion of her property … but then he's a good and honest guy, right?

Dimon enhances her narrative by integrating a cast of exceptional secondary characters who all scream for their own stories. Sawyer and Hailey burn up the sheets, and you can also look forward to a suspense subplot that requires intervention from the story's protective, masculine alpha male military men.

The series title, Greenway Range, has special and emotional significance to Sawyer and will make you a little heart-sore. Chain of Command is a winner, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which will be Sawyer's sister Molly and his best buddy Jason's story. Jason is a jaded almost divorcee and womanizer — look for fireworks and fun. : )

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I'm currently engrossed in The List, Anne Calhoun's latest erotic romance. Calhoun's work is on my auto-buy list, and her sexy emotional stories never disappoint. The List will be one of my recommended reads, and I'll be talking about it soon. : )

Lea Franczak cannot remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. She's read and enjoyed multiple genres but is especially partial to contemporary and erotic romance, dark gritty romantic suspense, paranormal romance and has recently become a New Adult junkie. Lea has been blogging and reviewing since 2008 and is also HEA's Tweeter Extraordinaire. Follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).