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Hard Case: A Lawyer Protector Dark Romance
Morally Gray Lawyer. Innocent Client. Forbidden Desire.
Saving her could destroy the control that keeps his monster caged.
Slate Rawlings keeps mobsters out of prison and darkness tightly leashed behind designer suits. Control, distance, and success are the rules that keep him safe—until he’s assigned to defend an innocent woman who makes him imagine all the things he shouldn’t.
Rose is warm, honest, and everything Slate avoids. Wanting her awakens the monster he’s spent years denying. She deserves better than a man with a blackened soul.
But when Rose becomes a target, Slate is the only one who can save her.
Walking away isn’t an option.
Neither is resisting temptation.
Because blackened soul or not, Slate knows one thing for certain—he’s going to make Rose his in every way imaginable.
A sexy, emotionally charged dark romance about forbidden desire, moral conflict, and surrendering to love.
About the Hard as Nails Series
Hard as Nails is a dark contemporary romance series featuring dangerous heroes seeking redemption through fierce love and loyalty. Each story delivers intense emotion, protective devotion, and hard-won happily-ever-afters.
⭐ What readers are saying
“If you’re looking for a hot, sexy, emotional read, Virna DePaul delivers!”
“This is an author whose work continues to delight.”
“…intense, intricate, and insomnia-inducing.”
“Steamy, heart-warming, and action-packed!”
“The twists and turns of the fast-paced plot are delightful.”
--Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review)
📚 Hard as Nails Series
Each book can be read as a standalone, but the series is best enjoyed in order.Hard TimeHard CaseHard CoreHard PlaceHard Act
Saving her could destroy the control that keeps his monster caged.
Slate Rawlings keeps mobsters out of prison and darkness tightly leashed behind designer suits. Control, distance, and success are the rules that keep him safe—until he’s assigned to defend an innocent woman who makes him imagine all the things he shouldn’t.
Rose is warm, honest, and everything Slate avoids. Wanting her awakens the monster he’s spent years denying. She deserves better than a man with a blackened soul.
But when Rose becomes a target, Slate is the only one who can save her.
Walking away isn’t an option.
Neither is resisting temptation.
Because blackened soul or not, Slate knows one thing for certain—he’s going to make Rose his in every way imaginable.
A sexy, emotionally charged dark romance about forbidden desire, moral conflict, and surrendering to love.
About the Hard as Nails Series
Hard as Nails is a dark contemporary romance series featuring dangerous heroes seeking redemption through fierce love and loyalty. Each story delivers intense emotion, protective devotion, and hard-won happily-ever-afters.
⭐ What readers are saying
“If you’re looking for a hot, sexy, emotional read, Virna DePaul delivers!”
“This is an author whose work continues to delight.”
“…intense, intricate, and insomnia-inducing.”
“Steamy, heart-warming, and action-packed!”
“The twists and turns of the fast-paced plot are delightful.”
--Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review)
📚 Hard as Nails Series
Each book can be read as a standalone, but the series is best enjoyed in order.Hard TimeHard CaseHard CoreHard PlaceHard Act
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Virna DePaul
213 books987 followersA former prosecutor, Virna DePaul writes "heat, heart, & HEA" for Harlequin and Random House. She is also a bestselling Indie author, with Bedding The Wrong Brother being a top 100 contemporary romance on Amazon with over 150 5* reviews. www.virnadepaul.com
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