Review: A Hard Nut To Crack
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2012
Renee LaRuse has created 2 characters in Misha and Mark that jumped off the page and became individuals anyone could relate to. Tatted is a IR about putting your past to rest so you can get on with your future. Misha a Cop is dealing with controlling mother issues and trying to live up to her dead father's legacy when she is called to transport Mark an ex-con and old High School classmate to lockup. Mark had a crush on Misha back in the day and when he meets her again he instantly recognized her, and even though he was hand cuffed he flirted outrageously and thus begin the rocky courtship of 2 people that never should have gotten together.The theme of a H/h that are  socially unequal coming together is a standard theme in the Romance Genre, but what made Tatted a stand out read was Misha and Mark, their characters were so in the moment, I kept thinking I know this woman. How she dealt with the loss of a beloved father that caused her to choose a profession that was not for her. The hurt and lack of trust in herself to have and maintain a healthy relationship with a man due to past betrayals. If you have not been down that road I'm sure you know a few people that have. Misha was closed off emotionally from living her life to the fullest. It took a special person like Mark a hood rat to look beneath her tough cop persona to the real woman and realize she was hurting and needed a friend first and then a lover. He knew Misha would be a hard nut to crack but he also knew she would be well worth the time and effort it would take to tare down her walls. Mark had plans for the future and they all revolved around Misha. He was ready and determined to leave his ghetto life behind and become legit, someone he could be proud of as well as Misha. How he stood by Misha in her time of need and his inner thoughts about his past life and what he wanted for his family will have you eagerly turning the pages to see how they reach their HEA.My only complaint is how easily Misha was able to talk her family into accepting Mark. Her father was killed in the line of duty by a white supremacist, I just could not by into her mother simply patting Misha's hand and telling her everything would be ok. Especially since some of Misha's problem with her mother was her mother's inability to deal with her father's death. Also I hate when authors take a strong h in an authority position and turn her into a sniveling ninny the moment they get a love interest. There were a few moments I thought Misha was being a little ridiculous in suspecting Mark of foul play but then I thought about the late night Hen Parties of calming a friend's real and imaginary fears over a man.....and thought, I know this woman.