Review: 5 Passionate, Poetic, Panty-Melting, Pulse Pounding Stars!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 21, 2014
My Thoughts:Hard Time, is the first book that I've read by author Cara McKenna.  I'm always a little nervous, when I begin a story from a new to me author.  However, I've been really excited to read a book by Ms. McKenna, because one of my favorite bloggers, Andrea@ The Bookish Babe is a huge fan of hers, and can't sing her enough praise.  As I began, Hard Time, the first thought that struck me was "I wonder how she's going to pull of this story plot off?"  I mean here we have a story about a young librarian who works part time in a prison and falls in love with a hardened criminal.  Just based off of the plot, I had to wonder if Annie, the main character was going to come off as naive and lacking in common sense.  However, I decided to keep an open mind, as Andrea had suggestion in her review, and just enjoy the ride.I loved this story for so many reasons.  For one, Eric Collier was a very complex character.  He wasn't what you would expect of a hardened criminal.  That is in no way to say that he was a softie or a pushover, because he wasn't.  Eric had a dangerous quality about him.  He has6' 3" and pure muscle.  He had a quiet intensity to him, and all we learn at the beginning of the story is that he landed a 10-year sentence in Cousins Corrections Facility located in Darren, Michigan.  Annie use to live in South Carolina, but after she escaped a dangerous relationship in which she was physically abused, she decided she needed a new beginning.  Annie is an educated woman who comes from an upper middle class background.  She decided she wants to make a positive difference in the world, and spends her week working in the prison, a retirement home, and hospital helping those in need with literacy, and writing skills.  She meets Eric when she is teaching a book discussion course, and resource lab at the prison.  There is a definite attraction, and sizzling chemistry between these two from the very beginning.  As Annie and Eric get to know one another, she helps him with his dysgraphia, and gets to know him as a person, not just a prison inmate.Eric proved the quality of his character to Annie, and it was easy to see why she couldn't help but fall in love with him.  He was a man with a code of honor, loyal to his loved ones, and put those he cared about above his own well-being.  He was a romantic at heart, and Annie the most beautiful love letters.  He wanted to be worthy of Annie, and wanted to give her his all.  Annie was a great character as well.  She was intelligent, had a beautiful heart, and learned how to find strength from within, and trust her instincts.  I loved the do-gooder quality that she possessed, and thought that Annie and Eric shared a special connection, and complimented each other.My Rating:Ms. McKenna's writing was an aphrodisiac.  Her characters jumped off the page.  The chemistry, emotions, and desires expressed were seamlessly portrayed.  Every interaction between Annie and Eric made my heart beat a little faster.  The whole story was such a great experience.  Every kiss experienced was a sensual experience, and every emotion was palpable.  I give Hard Time, by Cara McKenna, 5 Passionate, Poetic, Panty-Melting, Pulse Pounding Stars!My Favorite Quote:"I turned back over, enclosed in strong arms and male heat.  Wrapped in a body that offered me everything a man could, be it pleasure or desire or the darkest depths of loyalty and honor.  Wrapped in uncertainty and inevitability.  Wrapped in everything good and bad, beautiful and ugly, black and white and gray.  And green.  Everything that made a man worth loving.  Everything that made a woman run.  Into his arms, or out of his reach."  (eARC, Loc. 2023)~Annie