* TOUGH ENOUGH ( A Tall, Dark, & Dangerous novel, Book 2) by M. LEIGHTON * RELEASE DAY * BOOK REVIEW *

Posted November 3, 2015 by Maria in Blog Tour, Book Recommendation, Book Release, Book Reviews / 0 Comments

* TOUGH ENOUGH ( A Tall, Dark, & Dangerous novel, Book 2) by M. LEIGHTON * RELEASE DAY * BOOK REVIEW *four-stars

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

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Maria’s Thoughts:

Tough Enough is book 2 in M. Leighton’s Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series. It can be read as a standalone because it is about a different set of characters. However, if you’re like me, you’ll want to read the books in order so that you know all the characters involved and there are no little spoilers. I LOVED book 1, Strong Enough and was looking forward to reading this one. And author Michelle Leighton did not disappoint. This story focuses on the characters of Kiefer Rogan and Katie Rydale.

“Despite the attraction that I feel toward him, Rogan just became more dangerous to me than ever before. Now I can relate to him on a deeper level, a purely emotional level. I can relate to a violent past.”

If you’ve read any of M. Leighton’s books, you know that she can write a man like no other. And Rogan is one hot, sexy, smart, sweet, confident and dangerous man. Dangerous only because of his past. He is charming and beyond delicious. Add a hard to get, sassy, wary, damaged female lead who has forgotten who she is, metaphorically not literally, and the combination makes for great banter and thick tension. Not to mention, the way our hero reacts to her, makes for some good humor. One of my favorite things about author M. Leighton’s writing is the way she utilizes dual POV. She does it so well. It helps me really get into the main characters’ heads and really get to know them. It helps when they do something that makes me want to shake them, which happens often with the female character. But, I do get where she is coming from because of Leighton’s background story writing. LOL!

“If I could make a living finding new ways to make you come, that’s all I’d do. Every day for the rest of my life.”

Sweet lord!! Tough Enough has the right amount of angst, steam, and twists to keep the reader engaged. I enjoyed the pacing, even when I was impatiently waiting for Rogan and Katie to get it on. Leighton builds the desire, the want, the chemistry until it finally ignites. And to her sexpertise, the love scenes are smoking. I like the way she slowly develops their relationship, despite the insta-lust, it wasn’t insta-love. Our hero really has his work cut out for him. Katie has been hurt in the past so deeply that she changed on a very deep level. Her fear and unwillingness to trust or get close to any man is very strong. Rogan sees this and slowly works towards breaking through her walls. He is just awesome!!

“You need to see that I’d do anything for you. I’d give up anything for you, I’d take on anything for you. I’d run, I’d fly, I’d fight. I’d do anything to prove to you that I love you.”

Swoon!!! The main storyline that connects the series was woven in well. It wasn’t awkwardly thrown into the plot. I enjoyed seeing Jasper again and cannot wait to meet the next hero in the third installment of this series. Tough Enough is a great read. Fans of M. Leighton and this genre will not be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

four-stars

About Michelle 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 horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

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