Book Review: Tough Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #2) by M. Leighton

Tough Enough
Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #3

By:
M. Leighton

Published:
Nov. 3, 2015

Publisher:
Berkley

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Goodreads

Source:
eARC from publisher in exchange for a honest review

GR's Summary:

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the second book in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy. 

He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart? 

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars. 

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid. 

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most. 

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

Tall, Dark & Dangerous Series:
My Review of Tough Enough Here

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My Thoughts:

Tough Enough was a riveting and soul stirring read.  It was my favorite type of story; meaningful and entertaining.  I became so involved in the world of Rogan and Katie, that I found myself going through the same emotions as the characters.  Tough Enough was unforgettable, beautiful, and a story that is worthwhile.  I highly recommend it.

Katie is a very talented make-up artist for the stars.  She is quiet, reserved, and tries to fade in to the background.  What we learn early on is that Katie wasn't always this way.  Horrific events from her past have caused her so much pain.  These scars have not healed.  Therefore, she doesn't trust easily, and has a very lonely isolated life that just consists of her one good friend Mona, and her cat.

Rogan is a famous MMA champion turned movie star.  He is use to women throwing themselves at him, and not having to work hard to get a woman to want him.  When he meets his make-up artist Katie, he is intrigued by the reserved beauty that keeps her distance from him.  He wants to get to know her, but she poses a huge challenge for him.  He decides that he is going to impress her and win her over, and when Rogan sets his mind to something, he never loses.  However, Katie and Rogan's dangerous secrets could be the end of a promising and lasting love.

Tough Enough was a story about life, survival, healing, and overcoming the obstacles in front of you.  It was about empowering yourself, and learning how to truly live and be happy again.  This story touched my heart deeply.  We all have scars, some worse than others.  Rogan taught Katie how to live again and experience happiness.  He was so giving, charming and thoughtful.  The way he listened to Katie and went out of his way to make her feel special made me smile.

Katie was so strong.  She was knocked down by life, and what she went through was horrifying.  I loved watching her blossom.  She transformed before my eyes, and was a great example of healing, resilience, and courage.  The connection between her and Rogan was powerful.  When you add in both the intense physical attraction with the deep emotional connection, you get the most beautiful of love stories. 

My Rating:

I give, Tough Love, by M. Leighton, 4.5 Powerful, Resonating, Living not just surviving, Gorgeous Love Story Filled Stars!  I am really enjoying the Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series.  I am looking forward to reading Brave Enough, and learning more about Tag (Rogan's military friend's story.)

Book Teasers:

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About M. Leighton: 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

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Book Review: Strong Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous #1) by M. Leighton

Strong Enough

Tall, Dark, and Dangerous, #1
by M. Leighton

Release Date:
August 4th, 2015

Publisher:
Berkley

Source:
Publisher

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Is she strong enough to trust the most dangerous man she’s ever met? And is he strong enough to let her? 

How would I describe myself? Well, I’m Muse Harper. I’m a twenty-something painter who loves red wine, quirky movies, and men with a fatal flaw. But that was before I met Jasper King. He became my fatal flaw. Eight months ago, I had a choice to make—abandon everything I’ve ever known to protect my family, or stay and risk someone getting hurt. I chose the former. My plan was working just fine until I found out my father had gone missing. 

That’s when I met Jasper. A bounty hunter with the eyes of a tiger and the nose of a bloodhound, he was supposed to help me find my father. What I didn’t know was that meeting him was no accident. Hunting people isn’t all that Jasper does. And helping me was only part of his plan. I just wish I’d found out sooner, before my heart got involved. But even then, I don’t know if I’d have done things differently. 

Now, I have another choice to make—trust the man that I’m falling in love with and hope that he’ll do the right thing, or run as far away from him as I can get.

Purchase Links:

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Tall, Dark, and Dangerous Series on Goodreads:

My Thoughts:

Strong Enough is the first book in M. Leighton's new Tall, Dark, and Dangerous Series.  As you know, I am a big fan of M. Leighton's stories, and am always excited to read her books.  Strong Enough had intrigue, secrets, suspense, action, and passion.  It had a flair to it that reminded me of the Sin Brothers Series by Rebecca Zanetti, minus the paranormal aspect.  Fans of romantic suspense should check out this new series!

M. Leighton hooks her readers with a dark, disturbing, and emotional prologue.  It sets the stage as a way to better get to know and understand the male lead, Jasper King.  The female lead, Muse Harper, hires Jasper, a bounty hunter to find her missing father.  Muse and her father, "The Colonel" are extremely close and exchange a phone call only once a month, due to the fact that her father is in danger.  Muse doesn't know all of the details, but her father never misses their monthly phone call, and so Muse knows that something is wrong.  Muse and Jasper embark on a journey together in order to find her father.    

This is the type of story that is shrouded in mystery, and we as readers get little pieces of the puzzle from the beginning to the end of the story, at which time all will be revealed.  Along the way, we get to know two very different main characters.  Muse is very open, trusting, sweet, talkative, optimistic, and a little bit naive.  She's had bad luck with men, and is looking for someone that will love her enough to never let her go.  Jasper is quiet, intense, keeps to himself, is very closed off, shields his thoughts, and is always in control of his emotions.  However, we see an interesting change take place in Jasper, as Muse slowly makes him feel things he's never felt before, want a life that he never imagined he could have, and slowly share an emotional intimacy with another person for the first time.

Jasper is a very complex, multi-layered character.  Your heart will hurt for him, and you will pull for him to find happiness.  Muse is very likable.  She has a very good heart, and I immediately loved her character.  There is always a sensual undercurrent between Muse and Jasper.  The craving and hunger they have for one another is a living, and breathing, visceral reality.  However, it was the deep emotional layers in the story that had me mesmerized by this couple's butterfly inducing connection.  Also, add in spine-tingling suspense, action, a complex mystery to solve, and you are delivered an outstanding story.         

My Rating:

I give, Strong Enough, by M. Leighton 4 Compelling, Beautiful Broken Man, Erotic Intoxication, Covert Danger Filled Stars!  I'm looking forward to continuing this series!  

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

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