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Stark Ink #1
Harder
**Erotic Romance. Graphic sex, violence, language**
Life leads you away...
Adam Stark loves two things-- his art and his family. Years of hard work and single-minded pursuit have set Stark Ink well on its way to becoming the most prestigious tattoo parlor in Rapid City. His success has been hard won and it came with a hefty price tag.
Blood brings you back...
Tragedy strikes and leaves Adam reeling in its wake. His mother's last request seems simple enough: Keep the family together. But Adam's been gone way too long, and this isn't the family he remembers leaving behind. Old wounds have never healed, and dark secrets churn just below the surface. No matter how hard Adam tries, the deceptively easy task of saving the Starks just keeps getting...
Harder
Life leads you away...
Adam Stark loves two things-- his art and his family. Years of hard work and single-minded pursuit have set Stark Ink well on its way to becoming the most prestigious tattoo parlor in Rapid City. His success has been hard won and it came with a hefty price tag.
Blood brings you back...
Tragedy strikes and leaves Adam reeling in its wake. His mother's last request seems simple enough: Keep the family together. But Adam's been gone way too long, and this isn't the family he remembers leaving behind. Old wounds have never healed, and dark secrets churn just below the surface. No matter how hard Adam tries, the deceptively easy task of saving the Starks just keeps getting...
Harder
198 pages, ebook
First published February 2, 2015
125 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Dahlia West
24 books945 followersAmateur Writer. Professional Procrastinator. Voted Least Likely to Succeed in high school. Twice. Dean's list-Purdue University. Honorary Southerner. Future stand-up comedian. Gen X.
www.dahliawest.com
DahliaMWest@gmail.com
Follow me on IG: dahlia_west_13
www.dahliawest.com
DahliaMWest@gmail.com
Follow me on IG: dahlia_west_13
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
dnf
February 7, 2017DNF @ 50%
The romance was already taking a major sideline to the family drama but then, as if that wasn't enough, we get thrown some random MC club debt drama? No thanks. I'm out.
The romance was already taking a major sideline to the family drama but then, as if that wasn't enough, we get thrown some random MC club debt drama? No thanks. I'm out.
January 11, 2016
Adam Stark has been focused on running his tattoo shop and little else. The shop is his baby and he wants it to succeed, but when his mother is diagnosed with cancer and dies shortly after, he has to put his art on a hold and take care of his family. His father isn't doing well and his little sister is about to be suspended from school, so he has a lot on his plate.
First step for Adam is to take care of his sisters school problem, which involves Calla Winslow. Calla just moved to Rapid City is a guidance counselor at the high school. When Adam comes to talk to her about his little sister, she wants to do as much as she can to help him and his family. The two form a connection but a relationship isn't easy when trouble keeps popping up in Adam's life.
I really liked Adam, he was super loyal to his family and put their needs before his. I felt for his predicament and how hard it was to have everything go to shit all at the same time, and the way he handled everything was swoon worthy.
Calla was an okay character but I can't say I really knew anything about her. I felt like she wasn't in the majority of the book because everything was so focused on Adam and his family issues. What I did know about her, though, I liked, and I really liked how understanding she was with everything Adam was dealing with. I just wish I knew more of who she was.
I would have like more romance in the story and less family drama. We didn't get to see much of Adam and Calla together so there was no connection that I could see, even though I kept looking for it. It was a little annoying to keep having Adams drama pop up in the story, and I ended up skimming over a lot of it.
I feel like this book had the first in the series syndrome, and just overloaded us with too much information about the family. Some of the things that happened felt unnecessary and like they were there just to open up a new story for another sibling. I'll be continuing with this series, but I'm not sure when. Next up is Dalton and I'm not sure how I feel about him but I like this author so I'll try anything she writes.
January 7, 2016
Great intro to this series. So good that it's actually piqued my interest for the other installments here.
This one was heartbreakingly beautiful. Real. Poignant. And my heart responded to it.
I also love that everything here is seen through Adam's POV.
It has a great set up for all the characters and their own stories, while it didn't take too much away from our lead Hero, Adam, and his personal struggles that begin to tell the tale of his plight & siblings. I really liked the romance here, though I wish there was more given in that department. Still, I liked what we got.
I would recommend this read. I'm definitely checking out book 2.
Happy reading :)
This one was heartbreakingly beautiful. Real. Poignant. And my heart responded to it.
I also love that everything here is seen through Adam's POV.
It has a great set up for all the characters and their own stories, while it didn't take too much away from our lead Hero, Adam, and his personal struggles that begin to tell the tale of his plight & siblings. I really liked the romance here, though I wish there was more given in that department. Still, I liked what we got.
I would recommend this read. I'm definitely checking out book 2.
Happy reading :)
January 15, 2016
This one gets 4- 4.5 stars.
I don't know how I ended up reading this book right now. I picked it up off a recommendation thread in the Kristen Ashley fan group and when I do that I usually let those books sit on the Kindle for a long time. So why does it seem odd? Because this book hit close to home on way too many levels.
The lead, Adam Stark, has just lost his mother. She was there one minute and two weeks later she was gone. Considering she was the heart of the family they run the risk of falling apart. It's very poignant and angsty and since I'm going through something similar these days I was wondering if I should put it down when I realized what was going on. The thing was, I couldn't. I needed to know what would happen next.
There's romance with the very lovely and sweet Calla Winters, but there's an effective family drama as well. I am already reading the second book of the series and I'm planning to pick up the books from an earlier series whose characters make a cameo in this book.
It does have an HEA but the book is heavy and the HEA -- although completely satisfying to me -- is realistic. There's an overriding arc for the series as things are not tied up neatly at all by the end but there is so much hope, it's effective and -- for me -- therapeutic. :)
Not NA. Yay.
I don't know how I ended up reading this book right now. I picked it up off a recommendation thread in the Kristen Ashley fan group and when I do that I usually let those books sit on the Kindle for a long time. So why does it seem odd? Because this book hit close to home on way too many levels.
The lead, Adam Stark, has just lost his mother. She was there one minute and two weeks later she was gone. Considering she was the heart of the family they run the risk of falling apart. It's very poignant and angsty and since I'm going through something similar these days I was wondering if I should put it down when I realized what was going on. The thing was, I couldn't. I needed to know what would happen next.
There's romance with the very lovely and sweet Calla Winters, but there's an effective family drama as well. I am already reading the second book of the series and I'm planning to pick up the books from an earlier series whose characters make a cameo in this book.
It does have an HEA but the book is heavy and the HEA -- although completely satisfying to me -- is realistic. There's an overriding arc for the series as things are not tied up neatly at all by the end but there is so much hope, it's effective and -- for me -- therapeutic. :)
Not NA. Yay.
July 29, 2015
Not a romance, not erotica, no real violence or much sex. Plenty of melodrama. I don't understand why the trigger warning, this is the story of a man whose family is hit by the mother's death, the father's dementia, and a brother's alcoholism. So the story is about him trying to get everything working. Yes, there's a woman, but she's a side dish.
Nothing wrong with it, I guess. I was simply bored and totally uninterested. I found it flat mostly.
Nothing wrong with it, I guess. I was simply bored and totally uninterested. I found it flat mostly.
February 3, 2015
Emotional, but.....
2 1/2 stars. ***SLIGHT spoilers ahead***. Ok, so I'm not sure how to rank this one. It's not that I didn't like it. It's just so out of the realm of what I wanted and expected for this character. We met Adam in the "Burnout" series, and I immediately liked him, and wanted to know his story. And that's pretty much what we got--HIS story. I really wouldn't consider it a "romance" at all. To me, Calla, the h, seems more like a secondary character--and not a major one. I felt that if the h's character was excluded from the story all together, it would not change the feel of the book. I did think it was well written. It has a good flow, and is easy to read. The time line is not very long, and is emotional and heartbreaking. The H comes back to the folds of his family after a long absence, (he's just a lot older than most of his siblings, and on his own) and everything is falling apart. There were a few times I wanted to reach through my iPad and give Adam a hug. Amongst other things, the reader finds funerals, nursing homes, rehabs, school problems, motorcycle baddies, a broken family, and a majorly struggling hero doing his best to fix everything. I'm just a romance junkie, and that was missing. It had potential for me--tattooed playboy meets sweet guidance counselor. It did have the required intimate scenes, but they seemed more like "hook-ups", then all of a sudden the H and h were a couple towards the end. It also ended very abruptly, with a HFN, and many unanswered questions. I did not think it was "bad", just not my thing. I know the author is writing multiple books from this series simultaneously, so I am assuming some of these issues will be sorted out. It's not that I think the story is "bad", it's just not my cup of tea--so I'm going right down the middle and giving it 2 1/2 stars.
2 1/2 stars. ***SLIGHT spoilers ahead***. Ok, so I'm not sure how to rank this one. It's not that I didn't like it. It's just so out of the realm of what I wanted and expected for this character. We met Adam in the "Burnout" series, and I immediately liked him, and wanted to know his story. And that's pretty much what we got--HIS story. I really wouldn't consider it a "romance" at all. To me, Calla, the h, seems more like a secondary character--and not a major one. I felt that if the h's character was excluded from the story all together, it would not change the feel of the book. I did think it was well written. It has a good flow, and is easy to read. The time line is not very long, and is emotional and heartbreaking. The H comes back to the folds of his family after a long absence, (he's just a lot older than most of his siblings, and on his own) and everything is falling apart. There were a few times I wanted to reach through my iPad and give Adam a hug. Amongst other things, the reader finds funerals, nursing homes, rehabs, school problems, motorcycle baddies, a broken family, and a majorly struggling hero doing his best to fix everything. I'm just a romance junkie, and that was missing. It had potential for me--tattooed playboy meets sweet guidance counselor. It did have the required intimate scenes, but they seemed more like "hook-ups", then all of a sudden the H and h were a couple towards the end. It also ended very abruptly, with a HFN, and many unanswered questions. I did not think it was "bad", just not my thing. I know the author is writing multiple books from this series simultaneously, so I am assuming some of these issues will be sorted out. It's not that I think the story is "bad", it's just not my cup of tea--so I'm going right down the middle and giving it 2 1/2 stars.
March 6, 2015
Harder (Stark Ink Book 1)
By Dahlia West
How do you catch up when life moved on without you?
Dahlia West returns to Rapid City, South Dakota with, Stark Ink, a new series revolving around the Stark family: father Douglas, sons Adam, Dalton, and Jonah, and baby sister Ava. Oldest son, Adam Stark is the owner of Stark Ink, a tattoo shop and the first book in the series, Harder, tells his story while introducing us to the rest of the family.
And what a family they are. Adam’s story opens at what is, he believes at the time, the lowest point of his life; his mother’s funeral. As the days after the funeral unfold, Adam quickly learns that over the previous year, while he was busy preparing, building and opening Stark Ink, the strong family unit he believed was standing behind him was in fact imploding. He also quickly realizes that not only did he completely miss it all, but he is now the only hope for fixing it. The result is a man who is overwhelmed in waves of reality that leave little time to recover, swamping him in loss, confusion, frustration and guilt.
Help comes first in the form of Calla Winslow, guidance counsellor to high school junior, Ava. Calla, new to the school and the area is healing from a loss of her own and together she and Adam work to keep him together as he digs deeper in to each of the problems his family is facing and must come up with a plan on how to deal with each one. Adam’s journey is one of self-discovery, forgiveness, the sacrifices of growing up and learning just how dangerous taking those around us for granted can be.
West’s style and storyline worked well to give life to Adam’s struggles and the story was well paced. Readers are drawn into Adam’s sense of hopelessness from the start. The time in between the start of the story and when he meets Calla builds a strong base on which not only this story develops, but on which the seeds for future stories are planted. Fans of West’s previous series, Burnout (and if you’re not a fan….you SHOULD be!) will be glad to hear that the gang at the garage make a brief appearance in Harder as Adam works through his issues. Overall the book is well written and moves quickly without being choppy.
It must be noted, however, that this is completely Adam’s story and not necessarily the ‘romance’ readers may expect. The narrative is written in third person, but the only internal dialogue we hear is Adam’s and the perspective is wholly his. We only learn about Calla through the details that she gives to Adam. We do gain understanding of where she is in her life this way, but nothing of her motivations, hurts, decisions or hopes, except as gained through conversations with Adam. This demanded an adjustment on my part and is the reason for 4 stars instead of 5. I would have liked to ‘get inside’ Calla’s head and followed along as she processed what was going on in her life. While the resulting story was still really good, I did miss that insight. The ending was also a bit abrupt and didn’t really give me the satisfaction I was expecting.
If it’s romance, hearts and flowers you’re looking for, this may not be your book. If it is honest, forthright and emotional storytelling, then you’re in a good place.
Harder, Stark Ink #1 by Dahlia West
Get it. Read it. Enjoy!
By Dahlia West
How do you catch up when life moved on without you?
Dahlia West returns to Rapid City, South Dakota with, Stark Ink, a new series revolving around the Stark family: father Douglas, sons Adam, Dalton, and Jonah, and baby sister Ava. Oldest son, Adam Stark is the owner of Stark Ink, a tattoo shop and the first book in the series, Harder, tells his story while introducing us to the rest of the family.
And what a family they are. Adam’s story opens at what is, he believes at the time, the lowest point of his life; his mother’s funeral. As the days after the funeral unfold, Adam quickly learns that over the previous year, while he was busy preparing, building and opening Stark Ink, the strong family unit he believed was standing behind him was in fact imploding. He also quickly realizes that not only did he completely miss it all, but he is now the only hope for fixing it. The result is a man who is overwhelmed in waves of reality that leave little time to recover, swamping him in loss, confusion, frustration and guilt.
Help comes first in the form of Calla Winslow, guidance counsellor to high school junior, Ava. Calla, new to the school and the area is healing from a loss of her own and together she and Adam work to keep him together as he digs deeper in to each of the problems his family is facing and must come up with a plan on how to deal with each one. Adam’s journey is one of self-discovery, forgiveness, the sacrifices of growing up and learning just how dangerous taking those around us for granted can be.
West’s style and storyline worked well to give life to Adam’s struggles and the story was well paced. Readers are drawn into Adam’s sense of hopelessness from the start. The time in between the start of the story and when he meets Calla builds a strong base on which not only this story develops, but on which the seeds for future stories are planted. Fans of West’s previous series, Burnout (and if you’re not a fan….you SHOULD be!) will be glad to hear that the gang at the garage make a brief appearance in Harder as Adam works through his issues. Overall the book is well written and moves quickly without being choppy.
It must be noted, however, that this is completely Adam’s story and not necessarily the ‘romance’ readers may expect. The narrative is written in third person, but the only internal dialogue we hear is Adam’s and the perspective is wholly his. We only learn about Calla through the details that she gives to Adam. We do gain understanding of where she is in her life this way, but nothing of her motivations, hurts, decisions or hopes, except as gained through conversations with Adam. This demanded an adjustment on my part and is the reason for 4 stars instead of 5. I would have liked to ‘get inside’ Calla’s head and followed along as she processed what was going on in her life. While the resulting story was still really good, I did miss that insight. The ending was also a bit abrupt and didn’t really give me the satisfaction I was expecting.
If it’s romance, hearts and flowers you’re looking for, this may not be your book. If it is honest, forthright and emotional storytelling, then you’re in a good place.
Harder, Stark Ink #1 by Dahlia West
Get it. Read it. Enjoy!
January 23, 2016
Title: Harder
Series: Stark Ink #1
Author: Dahlia West
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 198
Heat Level: 4 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kay the Snitch Bitch
Adam Stark has the weight if the world on his shoulders. After spending most of his time building his tattoo business up, he now has family issues. Huge issues. You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Well, it's flash flooding in Adam's life.
His mother has just died, his brother is a drunk, his dad had early onset Alzheimer's, his youngest brother is a recluse and his little sister is about to be suspended from high school. His mom left him a note and asked him to take care of each of his family members. He's determined to do just that but he's extremely overwhelmed.
I don't want to give it all away, so I'll stop here. Just know there's great sex scenes, a little suspense, some love and a family on the cusp of imploding.
Series: Stark Ink #1
Author: Dahlia West
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 198
Heat Level: 4 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kay the Snitch Bitch
Adam Stark has the weight if the world on his shoulders. After spending most of his time building his tattoo business up, he now has family issues. Huge issues. You know the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Well, it's flash flooding in Adam's life.
His mother has just died, his brother is a drunk, his dad had early onset Alzheimer's, his youngest brother is a recluse and his little sister is about to be suspended from high school. His mom left him a note and asked him to take care of each of his family members. He's determined to do just that but he's extremely overwhelmed.
I don't want to give it all away, so I'll stop here. Just know there's great sex scenes, a little suspense, some love and a family on the cusp of imploding.
February 3, 2015
Fantastic book!
You know how you have a favorite actor and you say, "he/she could read from the phone book and it would a good movie"? That's how I feel about Dahlia West books.
This is a complete departure from The Burnout Series, but it's still so good.
The romance is on the lighter side, but it's so sweet that it doesn't need to be heavy or drama filled.
I cannot wait to see where the next Stark Ink book will go and I know I will drop everything to read it in a day.
You know how you have a favorite actor and you say, "he/she could read from the phone book and it would a good movie"? That's how I feel about Dahlia West books.
This is a complete departure from The Burnout Series, but it's still so good.
The romance is on the lighter side, but it's so sweet that it doesn't need to be heavy or drama filled.
I cannot wait to see where the next Stark Ink book will go and I know I will drop everything to read it in a day.
Want to read
January 12, 2015Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Want to read
July 29, 2015Free today on Amazon 07-29-15.
http://www.amazon.com/Harder-Stark-In...
http://www.amazon.com/Harder-Stark-In...
January 4, 2016
Harder (Stark Ink #1)
Dahlia West
5 stars
Dahlia West please don’t ever never ever ever quit writing. Wow … The Stark family. Swoon. I cannot believe Im just not getting to this series. However between ARC’s appearing daily on my kindle I continued to push these back. Im so glad I clicked this up yesterday because I consumed Adam and his life. If you remember we meet Adam when Daisy (Easy’s woman) befriends him in The Burnout series. And yes you get a short quip into the guys. Alone that had me bouncing on my heels. This series is going to prove to be no different.
Adam Stark has just lost his mother. Leaving him a letter to hold the family together he has no idea how distant he has been – time only seemed like a minute but it was much longer than that. Stark Ink was just on its way to turning the curve; making enough money to hire some additional artist but life just hit a brick wall and everything is sitting on Adams shoulders.
In this first release we meet the entire Stark Family and it’s a beautiful one. Each Stark sibling is fighting against something even their father. Thank goodness an angel appears to help Adam sort through his demons. Maybe he can make this work. Maybe he can change the train wreck that is unfolding right before his eyes.
I absolutely love this book and have already clicked up and dove into Dalton’s story; book two; Better. Im going to read on, hold my heart into my chest, hold my breath and press on. I have a feeling Im going to be jumping for joy, wiping away tears and wishing I was a part of the Stark crew even more so than I do now.
Miriam and Douglas Stark .. you have done well. All you have to do according to Calla ……. is have faith. Pop Stark .. you crack me up .. the meaning of Army .. bwwwaahhhhh! LOVE this character.
These books are free on Kindle Unlimited as well as The Burnout series featuring shooter and the boys. Click them all up! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
Dahlia West
5 stars
Dahlia West please don’t ever never ever ever quit writing. Wow … The Stark family. Swoon. I cannot believe Im just not getting to this series. However between ARC’s appearing daily on my kindle I continued to push these back. Im so glad I clicked this up yesterday because I consumed Adam and his life. If you remember we meet Adam when Daisy (Easy’s woman) befriends him in The Burnout series. And yes you get a short quip into the guys. Alone that had me bouncing on my heels. This series is going to prove to be no different.
Adam Stark has just lost his mother. Leaving him a letter to hold the family together he has no idea how distant he has been – time only seemed like a minute but it was much longer than that. Stark Ink was just on its way to turning the curve; making enough money to hire some additional artist but life just hit a brick wall and everything is sitting on Adams shoulders.
In this first release we meet the entire Stark Family and it’s a beautiful one. Each Stark sibling is fighting against something even their father. Thank goodness an angel appears to help Adam sort through his demons. Maybe he can make this work. Maybe he can change the train wreck that is unfolding right before his eyes.
I absolutely love this book and have already clicked up and dove into Dalton’s story; book two; Better. Im going to read on, hold my heart into my chest, hold my breath and press on. I have a feeling Im going to be jumping for joy, wiping away tears and wishing I was a part of the Stark crew even more so than I do now.
Miriam and Douglas Stark .. you have done well. All you have to do according to Calla ……. is have faith. Pop Stark .. you crack me up .. the meaning of Army .. bwwwaahhhhh! LOVE this character.
These books are free on Kindle Unlimited as well as The Burnout series featuring shooter and the boys. Click them all up! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
September 24, 2015
So, I thought this was going to be the typical tattoo shop, bad boy book. Was I wrong. While it does have a tatted up bad boy who also owns a tattoo shop, there is a lot more depth to this book and the characters in it. They are dealing with issues of life, death, sickness, bikers and teenagers in all their angsty glory. Also, I did not realize this series has ties to another of the author's series, the Burnout series. The main characters are both easy to like and you get a really good feel for the emotional pain that Adam is having to deal with. You feel his pain and that he needs to be there for his family in their time of need. The only real problem I had was the relationship between Adam and Calla was a little unrealistic. It was too rushed and I didn't get the feeling of them really getting to know each other before they were just, bam, a couple. Having said all that, I am looking forward to reading the remaining books in this series to see if they are all this well written; also, I want to see how everyone comes together in the end.
March 16, 2016
* Drama, dysfunction, and lots of it ! *
My gosh it's a lot for one family to endure. The Mom was their glue, and now she's gone. Big, strong, tattoo parlor owner, Adam, wants to fulfill his Mom's last request, to hold the family together, but it seems impossible. Dad has dementia and anger, there's an alcoholic brother, his sister needs school counseling, and Jonah is brooding and surly. We also have the demands of the motorcycle club mates.
Calming Calla creates a mild romance, but no big sizzle.
Adam is so overwhelmed with all the problems, In my opinion, they'll probably get closer as the other issues get settled. Adam is amazingly formidable as he attempts to hold everyone together. This is a heavy drama that will have you cheer for Adam, and sneer at some others.
Overall, it's a well written tale, and it will warm your heart. ENJOY !!
======================================
August 6, 2015
This is my first Dahlia West book and I can tell you that I am completely hooked on her writing. This book touched my heart. Adam is dealing with the death of a love one, a father who is starting with Alzheimer, a brother's alcoholism, a teen hiding a secret and another teen just wanting to find his place in the world and be a man. You will cry with Adam as he tries to keep his family together and on the right path. He gets help and finds love along the way when he is called to his sister's school and meets her guidance counselor. He runs into lots of bumps along the way but you will be routing for him as he tries to keep his family together.
I loved the characters in this book they were not your typical characters that you find in romance novels and the story is definitely not sugarcoated.
I loved the characters in this book they were not your typical characters that you find in romance novels and the story is definitely not sugarcoated.
February 21, 2015
I believe this is a spin off from the authors previous series. Not having read that series, I will say that this was a good book. I don't think I need to read the other series due to the way this book was written. Adam was very well described and I think the author did a great job in engaging the reader with Adams persona. Calla doesn't come into this book for a while but I was content with that because I got a chance to truly know the hero in this book. While not overly sexual I felt there was enough in it to keep the reader happy and engaged. There doesn't always have to be super drama and sometimes I just want to read a book that keeps me attentive. Yes, this book does that ! I look forward to reading more from this series!
Review Courtesy of Just One More Page Blog
Review Courtesy of Just One More Page Blog
November 29, 2015
I one clicked this because I love everything Dahlia has done. After one clicking I looked at the reviews. Reading the reviews gave me a clue of what to expect but honestly it didn't matter if they were all one star I was going into this with a open mind. And I am so glad I did.
This book is about love and redemption, struggling to find you way, faith and fa8mily. Don't go into this expecting a instant love story. It reads a lot like the Burnout series. It's a slow build and their is so much more than romance and hot sex(and yeah the Sex was a added bonus) I was never disappointed until I realized it was over and I wanted more of Adam and Calla. I can't wait to see where she takes Dalton and Ava and Jonah.
This book is about love and redemption, struggling to find you way, faith and fa8mily. Don't go into this expecting a instant love story. It reads a lot like the Burnout series. It's a slow build and their is so much more than romance and hot sex(and yeah the Sex was a added bonus) I was never disappointed until I realized it was over and I wanted more of Adam and Calla. I can't wait to see where she takes Dalton and Ava and Jonah.
April 1, 2015
I had read other works by this author so when I saw this being promoted on my Nook I took a chance and purchased it. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The work takes you through the details of the lives of the Stark family. Emotionally battered with the loss of their main support (Miriam Stark) the rest of the family has to fight to keep the family together through that loss as well as learning of their father's failing health. Bouts of alcoholism, a brother that needs more space than most and a sister trying to care for their ailing father, the Stark family must work together to keep their world from falling apart. A great read.
August 22, 2015
Not at all what I expected, but I liked it nonetheless. The main focus is the H, Adam, and his struggle with trying to keep his family from falling apart after his mother dies. The h, Calla, is more of a minor character and I would have liked to learn more about her and her back story, but that's really the only complaint I have. This story was refreshing, though at times emotionally draining. It was nice to finally read about real people, though...people with financial struggles and family issues who make it work in the end without some miraculous ending that solves all their troubles.
I like Dahlia West's writing style and fresh approach and look forward to reading more from her.
I like Dahlia West's writing style and fresh approach and look forward to reading more from her.
August 14, 2015
Having the binding force of the family gone upon the death of Miriam Stark caused the family to start to crater. Eldest son Adam finds himself in the awkward position of trying to put everyone back on track and in the process learns just how much "family" means to him, as well as finding an inner strength he never used before.
These people are realistically portrayed and were enjoyable to get to know, as was the romance between Adam and Calla.
These people are realistically portrayed and were enjoyable to get to know, as was the romance between Adam and Calla.
August 19, 2015
Emotional book that gives you a glimpse inside a families life! One of loss, love, strength and family!
The Starks are an amazing family that never really had anything that they didn't work for! But as the oldest child when things went down hill, Adam, was there to hold everyone up! His life isn't at all easy, but a saying once said anything that you want never comes easy!
Amazing read and an emotional one at that!
The Starks are an amazing family that never really had anything that they didn't work for! But as the oldest child when things went down hill, Adam, was there to hold everyone up! His life isn't at all easy, but a saying once said anything that you want never comes easy!
Amazing read and an emotional one at that!
January 12, 2016
Harder is my first Dahlia West book & honestly I didn't think I was going to enjoy the story. It took about 20‰ into the book before I was even remotely interested in what was going to come next. And then, quite simply it all fell into place. Its well written & the characters do seem to develop through the short book. Adam & Calla seem well-matched, despite very differing backgrounds & I want to see more of them & the rest of the family. This series shows real possibilities. .
March 10, 2016
DNF @70%, this story has too many storylines Im tired for the hero Adam, im getting tired just by reading it. The poor guy cant even get a normal night with 8 hours sleep.
So im stopping, I found the insta match between the H and H a little too fast, the troubles from the MC, the help from the boys from the garage, his siblings, his dad and his mom. Just too much for one book.
So im stopping, I found the insta match between the H and H a little too fast, the troubles from the MC, the help from the boys from the garage, his siblings, his dad and his mom. Just too much for one book.
August 7, 2015
A Little disappointing compared to her "Burnout" series which I loved. I sstill enjoyed it though.
August 1, 2016
Super sweet read!
I love Adam, I love how he becomes the man of the family ver night. But I think I need to check the reading order of how these series are intertwined.
I love Adam, I love how he becomes the man of the family ver night. But I think I need to check the reading order of how these series are intertwined.
April 25, 2016
The family conflicts did take away from the romance a bit but i still enjoyed it :)
Read
September 26, 2016Book slump...;( might come back to this. Just not what I need right now.
December 6, 2016
Book one of Stark series by Dahlia West.
Adam Stark has work very hard to get his tattoo business off the ground but unfortunately he's been ignoring his family while all his focus was on his business.
His mother is dying with cancer and his other family can't cope so he becomes responsible for looking after his mother.
When everything falls apart he steps up and try's to keep his family together.
His father starts to shows signs of dementia, Jonah Adams adopted brother is disappearing without helping and Ava Adams adopted sister is missing school.
Dalton is brother has become a alcoholic and lost the love of his life.
He meets Ava's guidance counsellor called Calla and falls for each other.
Loved this book especially as it was about Adam trying to sort thing. It's feels more what a real family goes through everyday.
This story reminds me of Carrie Ann Ryan tattoo series but still love this as well.
Adam Stark has work very hard to get his tattoo business off the ground but unfortunately he's been ignoring his family while all his focus was on his business.
His mother is dying with cancer and his other family can't cope so he becomes responsible for looking after his mother.
When everything falls apart he steps up and try's to keep his family together.
His father starts to shows signs of dementia, Jonah Adams adopted brother is disappearing without helping and Ava Adams adopted sister is missing school.
Dalton is brother has become a alcoholic and lost the love of his life.
He meets Ava's guidance counsellor called Calla and falls for each other.
Loved this book especially as it was about Adam trying to sort thing. It's feels more what a real family goes through everyday.
This story reminds me of Carrie Ann Ryan tattoo series but still love this as well.
December 13, 2018
3.5 stars
This is the first book in a spin-off of the Burnout series. We first met Adam in Easy, he is a tattoo artist who interacted with several of those characters. He loses his mother in the beginning of this book, and he struggles with that and trying to keep his family together. Calla is a high school guidance counselor who is worried about Adam’s sister, Ava. She meets Adam when he shows up for a conference about Ava. Will they find their way together or will life end their relationship before it begins? There are a few typos and a couple of places where it doesn’t seem the timeline meshes, but I did enjoy it.
This is the first book in a spin-off of the Burnout series. We first met Adam in Easy, he is a tattoo artist who interacted with several of those characters. He loses his mother in the beginning of this book, and he struggles with that and trying to keep his family together. Calla is a high school guidance counselor who is worried about Adam’s sister, Ava. She meets Adam when he shows up for a conference about Ava. Will they find their way together or will life end their relationship before it begins? There are a few typos and a couple of places where it doesn’t seem the timeline meshes, but I did enjoy it.
December 1, 2017
I’m giving 4 stars because I was seriously impressed with the family story line. That said, there was very little of the h and the romantic story definitely had a back seat to the family. The MC drama could have been used to prop up the romance with a dramatic climax but I’m forgiving the rather unclimatic ending because I can see the MC story is going to unfold a different way in its own series. I completely understand some of the low star ratings. But West had me in tears so if she earns my emotions, then she earns my stars.
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