Anna Key Marshall is about to get what she’s always wanted: a baby. Granted, it’s through a sperm donor instead of her ex-husband, but you can’t have everything. She has no idea why someone wants her dead, but she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child—even if it means turning to her ex, the Black Ops specialist who broke her heart.
Five years ago, British Intelligence agent Nick Marshall slammed the door on the woman who betrayed him. But now Anna’s back in his life with a vengeance, pregnant and full of attitude. He’d like nothing better than to walk away, but with her life on the line, he has no choice but to do what he does best—protect her at all costs.
As old wounds resurface, Nick begins to doubt his version of what went down with Anna so long ago. And he begins to believe they might have a second chance together. But with Anna’s would-be killer on the loose—it will take the full force and fury of his protective instincts, fueled by a powerful love he can’t leave behind, to hold on to the woman he still loves.
"Hard to Hold was funny, gut-wrenching and sexy." --Melissa Blue, Goodreads
"The author had me glued to each and every sharp edged, quick witted word, until I didn’t want there to be an end. I devoured it like the book glutton I am and I adored every little bit of it." --Tracey, Goodreads
"It was sassy and spunky, kind of like I imagine the author to be in real life. I will definitely be reading more by this author." --Louise, Goodreads
"Loved it, fast paced action and suspense all the way through. Well written and very descriptive, you get a real sense of their characters, flaws and all, very quickly but it doesnt feel rushed." --Julia Steves, Goodreads
I'm not a reviewer. I don't play one on TV either. I know Ms. Black because there are about three degrees of separation in publishing. Since I was curious about her debut book, I willingly volunteered to review this. With that out of the way, let me ramble on about this book.
First, read the blurb i ...more
I have to start this review with a confession. I’m a reader of many genres, but suspense draws out my hidden impatience. I can’t resist the urge to discover the who, what, when and why and I have to sneak a peek of the ending. Yes I’m hanging my head in shame.
That is until now…
My shame didn’t emerge ...more
Wow, what a book. Not my typical kind of book but I kind of liked that it was out of my comfort zone.
I really enjoyed the characters, their fiery personalities, their no-nonsense attitude, you know that 'fuck with me and I'll shoot you, no problem' attitude. It was hot, funny, tense, fast-paced and ...more
Loved it, fast paced action and suspense all the way through. Well written and very descriptive, you get a real sense of their characters, flaws and all, very quickly but it doesnt feel rushed. Nick and Anna had great chemistry despite their difficult past. I loved their banter, although sometimes I ...more
My review of this book has been far too delayed, and for that, I apologise. Unfortunately, life often gets in the way of both reading and writing reviews – I’m counting down to that retirement day by day.
Anyway, back to the novel.
This book was yet another masterpiece by Incy Black. I mentioned in my ...more
Another beautifully written book by the talent that is Incy Black. Not a word wasted. Cant wait for the next instalment... ...more
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'Hard to Hold' the debut novel from Incy Black is a gritty, fast paced story. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, reading long into the night. This dark tale is full of missed chances, wrong choices and lives blighted by t ...more
I finished this book a while ago and couldn’t think what to write as it left me stunned and awed. Others have given you an idea of the plot and I don’t want to spoil anything as this book has so many twists, turns and surprises which kept me glued to the pages which is definitely best experiencing f ...more
I was given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review on its publication date, 28 April 2014 via ebook on Entangled:Ignite. I have also followed this writer’s progress and am very pleased to review her début book.
First of all, nice cover, mmm. Ahem:
Hard to Hold is a novel of romantic suspen ...more
3.75 stars
Uh yeah. I’d like to order a Nick Marshall of my own please. I’d prefer the model without his head up his ass. Nick and Anna’s heads were firmly planted in their asses for a good part of this book. But, don’t let that deter you, this was a VERY GOOD romantic suspense book! It kept me guess ...more
The action starts from the very first page when Anna nearly comes to a sticky end with a lorry, laying in the hospital her next of kin (according to her passport, that she hadn't changed) Nick, her ex husband comes strolling back into her life, it's a love hate relationship and Anna hasn't seen him ...more
Deep, dark and dangerous. From the beginning, Anna Key Marshall and ex-husband, Nick Marshall, hit the ground running and don’t stop in this fast paced, emotional rollercoaster of a story. With twists and red herrings aplenty, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn’t sleep for thinking about what ...more
Hard to put down!
Good read.
I liked the tug of war interactions between Anna and Nick. Nick is hard headed, tough and afraid to show his love while Anna is brave,feisty and caring. I loved how Anna breaks down the barriers Nick keeps erecting. Can't wait for the next book in the "Hard to" series. ...more
Just came to the end of this fab book. As a general rule I’m a pnr fanatic but Incy sucked me in from the beginning with Nick and Anna’s story. It’s choc full of action and as for the suspense, phew. I really didn’t know what way it was going to turn out right up until the end which I absolutely lov ...more
I've found a new author. Thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense story and its characters. Especially Nick, who was frustrating and sexy and won me over immediately. Can't wait to read the whole series. ...more
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry and to hit someone then this book is for you. It’s filled with action, suspense and passion.
What can I say about this book that I loved, loved it. I could not put this read down at all and with that said went to work a little sleep deprive ...more
I have to tell you, this book sucked me in from the first page. The author’s style of writing is very immediate and very deep in the character’s head. We find the heroine, Anna, in the hospital, injured, and the hero, her ex-husband, Nick, has been called because she’s forgotten to take his name off ...more
4.5 stars
Fast paced and action packed, Hard to Hold throws you right into the thick of it from the first page. Incy Black is a new author to me and this, her debut novel, is a well written suspense romance that will have you on edge of your seat the whole way through.
Anna and Nick have a history, a ...more
When I was given the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review, I eagerly accepted, as I love nothing more than reading an author's debut. Apart from the need to satisfy a craving for another exciting story, I am generally curious to read work by another author, to discover their ...more
In many books you read these days there is an Alpha male hero and the weaker (if only slightly) female heroin that although at first appearance is strong, once they come into contact with the hero, seem to lose all sense of strength and backbone.
That is not the case with Hard to Hold. Anna Key Mars ...more
Hard to Hold, Incy Black.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Another book I’ve mixed feelings about. Nick and Anna were a great pair, the premise for the book seemed reasonable, the sex hot and sensual without being OTT, but somehow I just didn't quite excite me as much as I’d expected. Anna, she' ...more
Adventure that takes you on a thrill ride coupled with love between two people that just won't let them give up on each other regardless of their thinking was what I got from the reading of this novel. Nothing juicer than the reading of these kind of novels of second chance mixed with danger and int ...more
I'm so sad that it's over. I wanted to stay in the world of Anna, Nick, and the Service a while longer.
Nick is one of a kind. He's a grade A jerk and he did it all in the name of protecting Anna. His attitude is extremely harsh but he was trying to escape a violent past that he didn't want to touch ...more
Anna Key Marshall is about to get what she’s always wanted: a baby. Granted, it’s through a sperm donor instead of her ex-husband, but you can’t have everything. She has no idea why someone wants her dead, but she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her unborn child—even if it means turning to her ex ...more
Anna had given up on her ex husband years ago and she wanted a family. So she choose to have a baby with an anonymous sperm donor. All of a sudden someone wants her dead. When she ends up in the hospital with a concussion and the nurse calls the very last person on earth that she wanted to speak wit ...more