Rock Hard (Rock Kiss Book 2)

Gabriel bishop made me fall in love with rugby.. he is strong and compassionate about his girl.. it is like modern beauty and the beast

This is my first read from this author, it's one of those books which I bought (paid quite a bit more than other books from the same genre) instantly after reading the preview chapters and then just read through in one sitting...I liked the writing/story/characters...it has humour and also showcased a terrible ordeal that the heroine went through and won/survived...I'm definitely going to read more in this series...and when I start on the paranormal genre I'm sure to read this author's work...+18 only...

This was the one I started with in the Rock Kiss series. And I am so glad for it, because when I eventually got around to book 1, I didn't like it as much. Charlotte Baird and Gabriel Bishop are wonderful characters and their interactions are such fun to read. And I love the way it's written so that its part of a great series and yet, is wonderful as a standalone book. Have already reread it several times. Well done, Nalini Singh. Simultaneously looking forward to, and dreading Abe's story, as it would mean the end of the series.

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is the third book in the Rock Kiss series, counting the novella in between. I loved reading the previous two books by Nalini in this series and just could not wait for this one.Starting with the cover, it is hot as usual and instantly creates an image of an alpha hero in our minds that are characteristic of Nalini Singh's romances. The blurb again is very interesting and peeked my interest enough to go further and checkout more about the book.This is the story of Charlotte Baird whom we met first in Rock Addiction and her new Boss, Gabriel Bishop. Charlotte faced a traumatic past and as a result is painfully shy while Gabriel, a former pro rugby player now turned super wealthy and ruthless businessman has no shy bone in his body. Worlds apart and yet connected by their common chemistry towards each other, their love story is full of hurdles, fears and complexities.Can Charlotte leave behind her fears and the trauma of her past to embrace the love she has in the present with Gabriel?Will Gabriel and Charlotte ever have a happily-ever-after?I just loved this book and think this one is the best one in this series so far. Passionate, heartfelt, emotional with an intense romance that filled me with warmth and a happy feeling, Nalini Singh succeeds in bringing to the readers a story that is like a fairy tale but still so real that it feels right at home in the present world.The plot is crisply executed with the former book, Rock Addiction's characters and story beautifully merged to sync with this one. I loved Molly and Charlotte's friendly teasing and enjoyed experiencing their true friendship. Charlotte's and Gabriel's romance is truly a hide and seek match between a mouse and a T-Rex and very entertaining. It was fun to watch them butt heads and then make up to each other through simple gestures like sweet bakery products!Gabriel won my heart with his patience, understanding and love towards Charlotte and how he so carefully and lovingly scraped away each and every one of her insecurities and fears and managed to make her happy again. His every action had me sighing and feeling myself go all starry eyed over him. This is one character I would love to meet in real life. Even his growling, cranky and angry moments were cute and when I saw him with Charlotte and his family, I knew I was a goner.The author pleasantly surprised and awed me with her novel approach of using 'Memos' to propose love in Rock Courtship and here she uses email, hand written notes and in general things we never saw fitting a romance theme in a romantic story!Her writing style is witty, hilarious and just as fluidly emotional and heart-shattering poignant. The story moves at a moderate pace and had me enjoying each and every word in it. The scenes and places are vividly described and I think I am slowly falling in love with New Zealand with each of her descriptions of the places there! I have already read this book twice and know this is one book I can read any number of times and still find it enjoyable!This is the best slow building romance I have read in a long long time and I just loved it!All in all, Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is a must read book for all adult readers of romance. This book has sex scenes and so should be read by readers above eighteen years of age.Super shiny 5 stars to it and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Nalini Singh is a very talented author and one whose books I really like.This review is also available on Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

Charlotte is shy, quiet and she hides behind baggy clothes in the hope to stay "invisible ". The only person she trusts and is really comfortable with is her best friend Molly, who is the main character in Rock Addiction, where Charlotte is introduced as a secondary character. The brief encounters with Charlotte was enough to pique my interest to find out more about her true story.Her story begins with the firm where she is an employee is in serious trouble and in need of recovery. This is where Gabriel Bishop steps in as the CEO. He is an ex Rugby star and is now a very successful business man. His first encounter with Charlotte is very interesting. When she is summoned in his office, she is convinced that she will be getting her marching orders since Mr Bishop is ruthless in getting rid of the dead wood. It turns out that he sees through her lack of confidence and shyness and realises that she is very intelligent and smart. He offers her the position of becoming his personal assistant and once he makes up his mind, he is not to be deterred.Gabriel is fascinated with Charlotte and as they get used to working with each other so closely, he doesn't take much for him to realise that Charlotte struggles with her issues. Despite being a ruthless business man, he is quite understanding and gentle where Charlotte is concerned. Charlotte has nicknamed him TRex and she is the mouse, quite appropriately. It is fun watching their verbal sparring which brings humour to this fascinating story. Charlotte has been through some terrible trauma with her ex boyfriend, leaving her with scars leading to her lack of confidence. Gabriel too has some issues with his past which has turned him into a workaholic.It's a fascinating story where Gabriel and Charlotte bring out the best in each other. They are a perfect match and their relationship is not rushed. It's very nicely paced and getting to the next page can't be quick enough. I love everything about this book and Gabe's family brings this warmth to make for even more interesting reading. I look forward to reading the next one.

5+++ Stars***Chapter 1: Charlie-mouse Meets T-Rex… and Things Happen....***..... and don't they just!!!! The T-Rex in this story is the gorgeous, tattooed ex pro rugby playing God turned CEO, Gabriel Bishop. Brought in to rescue the ailing company, Saxon & Archer Corp., Gabriel wreaks havoc and when he's not threatening to fire people he is actually firing people. This is Charlotte Baird's worst nightmare. A hardworking and timid employee so frightened of her own shadow, thanks to the abuse she suffered at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, she is terrified of Gabriel. After initially wrongly assuming him to be an office intruder and in an attempt to defend herself and the company, Charlie and Gabriel get off to an unorthodox start.It's not long before Gabriel starts to realise that Charlie is the glue he needs to save this company, and himself, and after making her his PA, the scene of set for an unusual relationship. Step by step, Gabriel starts to break away at the layers of armour Charlie has firmly fixed around herself and before she knows it, her inner fire starts to come out and the mouse starts to growl.Gabriel and Charlie both have pasts they are haunted by but together they start to change their perceptions of world and the people around them. It's not long before Charlie is going toe to toe with Gabriel but will she ever be able to give him her full trust. The humour and quirkiness of each character is portrayed perfectly, despite the underlying theme, and when Gabriel starts to really let go with Charlie this story quickly explodes.***A kiss today, nakedness tomorrow—Gabriel liked to think positive and plan ahead.***This story had me so absorbed in it that I didn't want to put it down and I especially didn't want it to end. The torment faced by Charlie is believable and not unnecessarily drawn out and the domineering and overshadowing personality of Gabriel is the perfect compliment to Charlie's nervousness. For me this was the best book in the series so far. Molly is still present in Charlie's life and Fox gets to make the odd appearance as well but this book can easily be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone story.As you will have seen above, the chapter headings in this book are as enjoyable as the story, they are wickedly funny and entertaining and set up the story perfectly.Nalini Singh really took this book by the horns and wrung out the best possible story possible. I loved the humour, the sexiness, the sadness and the hope that it inspired. And the best part, she's already writing the next instalment.Reviewed on behalf of Jezabell Girl & Friends...

I really loved this book. I really really really loved this bookI loved how Charlotte problems was handled and how Charlotte learnt to deal with them. They was not swept under the carpet or did the suddenly disappear once she was with Gabriel.Gabriel was not going to give up on his mouse, there was something there, something that he wanted and needed.(panic attacks are not life threatening but when you're in the middle of having a panic attack it can feel like you are dying.)Charlotte was so much stronger than she thought she was and she just got stronger and stronger over time, which is what would happen. Gabriel helped her, was there for her and in turn she was there for him. I liked how neither of them was perfect, that the had flaws.the banter between them was refreshing and had me laughing. Charlotte gave as good as she got. I am glad Richard is gone and now Gabriel and Charlotte can have a happy and wonderful life.I found all the characters was believable and relatable. I have been on a journey with Gabriel and Charlotte, a journey of forgiveness and acceptance. It's been amazing.Charlie the T-rex tamer. Gabriel the mouse manager.I want more. I need more. I want to read about Charlotte and Gabriel's wedding

I feel like a child who's been denied her favourite toy. I was so upset when I finished Rock Hard because... I had finished Rock Hard. I became so submersed in the characters, particularly Gabriel the hero, and the plot, that when I read the last word in the book, I had a mini sulk going on. I berated myself over reading the book too fast, but I just couldn't put it down.I have always enjoyed Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series because of her gift of creating different worlds and characters by weaving words into powerful narrative and emotions. I wondered if she could create the same magic in the contemporary Rock Hard. Yes she could and she did.I was mildly interested when Charlotte started hyperventilating when out for dinner with Gabriel 'T-Rex' Bishop the new CEO, but gripped by the time he called her into his office to discuss her future with the company. Despite Charlotte's timidity and her tendency to become mute in Gabriel's presence, his irritation over both flaws didn't stop him from taking a chance on her as his new PA, although he felt she wouldn't last for long working for him if she didn't get her act together.I was, in turn, frustrated and sympathetic towards Charlotte's frailties and hang-ups, but admired her strength in rising above them when she had to. I felt I was walking in her shoes, which made for a multi-faceted character, who I kept rooting for throughout the story. I loved Gabriel full-stop despite his ruthlessness and hot temper - he did have a gentle side. He was a mixture of sexy God and devious wolf as he 'stalked' Charlotte.My one gripe was the length of time it took the characters to have their first sexual encounter - 3/4 of the way through the book was too much for my impatient nature rather than the love scenes happening at the right time for the characters and the plotline. In fact, the first love scene could not have happened any sooner if Charlotte was to be believable. But the author kept the level of sexual tension and frustration high throughout. However, Nalini did not fail to disappoint. The love scenes were hot with a capital T without being crass. That woman knows how to write!I would recommend Rock Hard to all lovers of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. I'm going to read Charlotte's friend Molly's story next in Rock Addiction.

I adored this book.It was a different pace from book 1. The first book was very heavy on the sex scenes (not a complaint, merely an observation) which fit well with that story. This book was different. Due to Charlotte's issues, the sex scenes didn't appear until much later in the story (which made more sense with this particular book). Instead, the story revolves around Gabriel's patient seduction of Charlotte and her determined path to recovery and independence. Their relationship grows gradually and there is a much stronger connection between them than merely physical attraction.The book is well written and engaging. Although this book had a totally different feel from book 1, I loved this one every bit as much. I'll definitely be buying book 3.