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Hard Hearts
She may be a hostage. But she’s no damsel in distress…
Becky Rant is off the grid and out for blood. Faking her own death so she can fulfill her promise, the mission leads her on the hunt for a mysterious man with a violent past. But with her sights set squarely on her target, she falls for an ambush she never saw coming…
Bound and beaten for information, her only path to freedom lies in outwitting her cruel abductors. But surviving her captivity and keeping her secret will mean placing her trust in the dangerous man at the center of her crosshairs.
Can Rant fulfill her deadly oath or will her promise get her killed?
Hard Hearts is an adrenaline-pumping thriller. If you like badass heroines, fast-paced action, and twists and turns you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Mike McCrary’s edge-of-your-seat read.
Becky Rant is off the grid and out for blood. Faking her own death so she can fulfill her promise, the mission leads her on the hunt for a mysterious man with a violent past. But with her sights set squarely on her target, she falls for an ambush she never saw coming…
Bound and beaten for information, her only path to freedom lies in outwitting her cruel abductors. But surviving her captivity and keeping her secret will mean placing her trust in the dangerous man at the center of her crosshairs.
Can Rant fulfill her deadly oath or will her promise get her killed?
Hard Hearts is an adrenaline-pumping thriller. If you like badass heroines, fast-paced action, and twists and turns you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Mike McCrary’s edge-of-your-seat read.
- GenresThrillerMystery Thriller
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
68 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Mike McCrary
28 books77 followersMike McCrary is the bestselling author of Someone Savage, Relentless, and the Remo Cobb series. He's been a waiter, a dishwasher, investment analyst, and an unpaid Hollywood intern. He's quit corporate America, come back, been fired, been promoted, been fired again. Currently, he writes stories about questionable people who make questionable decisions. Keep up with Mike at www.mikemccrary.com.
"Mike McCrary is definitely a writer to watch." - John Rector, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Ridge, Already Gone, and The Cold Kiss.
"It's almost inhuman how frequently and effectively this book ups the ante on the reader." - Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse
“… a Hollywood action film in print form.” – Austin Statesman
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 21, 2019
A fantastic new story by author Mike McCray, delving into life on the street, growing up with nothing and what becomes of you! The story goes back between time periods and characters, but is easy to read and to understand what is going on with each character. Becky,Isabel and Johnny were all foster kids, growing up together as 'family' as they had no other.They taught each other anything picked up from the streets, with Johnny teaching both girls how to fight their way out of anything.
Their lives continue as each goes their own way, but the feelings for each other remain. There is fast-paced action as Becky fakes her own death to escape a person she became involved with, hearing things that happened to her friends ,a girl out for revenge! She is tough, with quick wit and no moral code, doing what she feels she must to avenge her friends.
A gritty story told by a girl who fights her way through anything,not knowing any other way...
I received an ARC from the wonderful author, Mike McCray, whose stories always touch your emotions through any darkness along the way. I put my thoughts in this review so others may feel the need to read this amazing,hard-hitting adventure with a young woman trying her best to make things right..
Their lives continue as each goes their own way, but the feelings for each other remain. There is fast-paced action as Becky fakes her own death to escape a person she became involved with, hearing things that happened to her friends ,a girl out for revenge! She is tough, with quick wit and no moral code, doing what she feels she must to avenge her friends.
A gritty story told by a girl who fights her way through anything,not knowing any other way...
I received an ARC from the wonderful author, Mike McCray, whose stories always touch your emotions through any darkness along the way. I put my thoughts in this review so others may feel the need to read this amazing,hard-hitting adventure with a young woman trying her best to make things right..
January 10, 2019
I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to write a review due to a great reading experience. This is a back and forth time period and while I usually have a problem with this type of book, I found I didn't have to look at the chapter heading to know where I was. This was a hard-hitting book pitting two broken people against a common enemy that has torn at both of their lives. There is a point in the book where everything comes together and you never saw it coming. Mike McCrary is a great author who gives his readers hours of reading pleasure.
March 28, 2019
Mike McCrary is the man who got me back into the thriller genre, something I'll always be grateful for. I've read a pretty wide sampling of his works, from Genuinely Dangerous to this. I've always enjoyed McCrary's tight prose, his excellent pacing and tension, and compelling characters.
But I will say this - I think he just keeps getting better. His last two books, Relentless and this one, have both felt like steps above even his previous work. I tore through this book in just two days, which is almost unheard of for me.
McCrary plays with time a lot in this story, revealing every tidbit of information at just the right time to drive the story forward. It's a device that's so easy to screw up, but McCrary handles it like a master. It's never confusing.
Overall, I was incredibly impressed with this book. If you're into some worthwhile thriller reading, this should probably be near the top of your list.
But I will say this - I think he just keeps getting better. His last two books, Relentless and this one, have both felt like steps above even his previous work. I tore through this book in just two days, which is almost unheard of for me.
McCrary plays with time a lot in this story, revealing every tidbit of information at just the right time to drive the story forward. It's a device that's so easy to screw up, but McCrary handles it like a master. It's never confusing.
Overall, I was incredibly impressed with this book. If you're into some worthwhile thriller reading, this should probably be near the top of your list.
January 14, 2019
Hard Hearts - One of my favorite authors always guaranteeing a good read, but this time the story and I didn't gee and haw. Don't get me wrong, it was good in many places and had good storylines and characters, but I couldn't get into this story easily and stay immersed. Usually read a McCrary book in one sitting, I did this one in three days, sporadically. It's still worth reading if you like strong, disciplined women, assassins and revenge, loyalty and betrayal, and doing what it takes to survive and protecting the innocent when the wrong people are after you. Although this book has violence, it's not gory-graphic, just the moves executed. It's a clean read. The is ending is perfect. I think BR and H would make a good series. I contacted the author to review his books. 4.5*
Genuinely Dangerous - How many times can a guy step in it? This is a rollercoaster ride through Hades and then some. Depravity; psychos and more sickos; twisted egos; and the list goes on. It's like watching a train wreck and you can't look away. Of course, there's humor, and bits and bobs of normalcy, but don't blink you'll miss it. This book even mentions Remo and more than likely set the foundation for the Remo Cobb series, which I enjoyed. Jesus wept. is not the shortest sentence, chapter 115 has a shorter one and it made me laugh. It's been a while since I've read this type of twisted story and it kept reminding me of a movie I had seen that could have been Ruby's family. So if you want to take a walk on a sick and twisting path, this is the book. Or if you liked Pulp Fiction, you'll like this book. 5*
Relentless - I was clueless about the storyline, so I really didn't want to read Relentless after I read the first couple of chapters. I don't care about LA, designer clothes and fancy cars; you got em, great but so what. But I've read a few books by Mr. McCrary and love his work, so I hung in there. Glad I did because the pace picked up, the plot turned intriguing and suspenseful, and the characters ranged the gamut from weak to pure evil, with plenty of manipulation from several directions. I figured out a few things, except one thing: what was actually wanted in the end by the bad guy. I want to say more, but I don't do spoilers; this is a review, not a book report. Another well written, well thought out story. 5*
Genuinely Dangerous - How many times can a guy step in it? This is a rollercoaster ride through Hades and then some. Depravity; psychos and more sickos; twisted egos; and the list goes on. It's like watching a train wreck and you can't look away. Of course, there's humor, and bits and bobs of normalcy, but don't blink you'll miss it. This book even mentions Remo and more than likely set the foundation for the Remo Cobb series, which I enjoyed. Jesus wept. is not the shortest sentence, chapter 115 has a shorter one and it made me laugh. It's been a while since I've read this type of twisted story and it kept reminding me of a movie I had seen that could have been Ruby's family. So if you want to take a walk on a sick and twisting path, this is the book. Or if you liked Pulp Fiction, you'll like this book. 5*
Relentless - I was clueless about the storyline, so I really didn't want to read Relentless after I read the first couple of chapters. I don't care about LA, designer clothes and fancy cars; you got em, great but so what. But I've read a few books by Mr. McCrary and love his work, so I hung in there. Glad I did because the pace picked up, the plot turned intriguing and suspenseful, and the characters ranged the gamut from weak to pure evil, with plenty of manipulation from several directions. I figured out a few things, except one thing: what was actually wanted in the end by the bad guy. I want to say more, but I don't do spoilers; this is a review, not a book report. Another well written, well thought out story. 5*
May 27, 2019
I love thrillers and I love three-dimensional heroines, so I was excited to try this book.
The writing is good. It’s not outstanding, but I did like the short sentences and the sentence rhythm was strong. Unfortunately, it also gets repetitive after a while; the author often repeats phrases in just a slightly different way, and this is excessive and unnecessary.
The story is fast-paced. I enjoyed this, and the scenes are quick and either action-packed or intriguing enough to keep you turning pages. My only big disappointment? The actual logistics of the Big Bad and the world/theme are super vague. Becky and Hank’s jobs and pasts are very murky and unclear, and they are never fleshed out to the extent every plot needs to be. It’s too thin. Maybe if the book was longer, the author could have worked on this factor. As is, it falls short.
The characters are disappointing. Becky is this apparent badass, but her actual personality is nonexistent. Sure, she fights bloody, holds her own, and snipes at the villains, but it’s all very cardboard action heroine. She does not feel human or relatable in the slightest. The occasional bit of sass and kicking ass in a fight doesn’t make you a three-dimensional character.
Hank is even worse. He’s a loner, a killer, and apparently we’re supposed to feel sorry for him. Except that’s hard, because he kills women and his remorse is hard to swallow when the women themselves and their pain isn’t properly acknowledged. He’s all heartbroken over Isabel and how attached to her he apparently was, and yet HELLO?? You still murdered her, dude. I am so over the whole “I wish I didn’t have to kill people, but I’m an assassin” theme; it’s overused.
There’s also the fact that the characters’ emotional journey isn’t there. Becky and Isabel were best friends for years, and yet Becky barely blinks when she finds out that her friend was a druggie and is now dead. Even if she was a villain, she’s still dead and you guys were still friends. Please process it! But Becky doesn’t.
If you like a fast-paced action thrillers with lots of blood, this one is for you. But I wanted more from the characters and the plot.
The writing is good. It’s not outstanding, but I did like the short sentences and the sentence rhythm was strong. Unfortunately, it also gets repetitive after a while; the author often repeats phrases in just a slightly different way, and this is excessive and unnecessary.
The story is fast-paced. I enjoyed this, and the scenes are quick and either action-packed or intriguing enough to keep you turning pages. My only big disappointment? The actual logistics of the Big Bad and the world/theme are super vague. Becky and Hank’s jobs and pasts are very murky and unclear, and they are never fleshed out to the extent every plot needs to be. It’s too thin. Maybe if the book was longer, the author could have worked on this factor. As is, it falls short.
The characters are disappointing. Becky is this apparent badass, but her actual personality is nonexistent. Sure, she fights bloody, holds her own, and snipes at the villains, but it’s all very cardboard action heroine. She does not feel human or relatable in the slightest. The occasional bit of sass and kicking ass in a fight doesn’t make you a three-dimensional character.
Hank is even worse. He’s a loner, a killer, and apparently we’re supposed to feel sorry for him. Except that’s hard, because he kills women and his remorse is hard to swallow when the women themselves and their pain isn’t properly acknowledged. He’s all heartbroken over Isabel and how attached to her he apparently was, and yet HELLO?? You still murdered her, dude. I am so over the whole “I wish I didn’t have to kill people, but I’m an assassin” theme; it’s overused.
There’s also the fact that the characters’ emotional journey isn’t there. Becky and Isabel were best friends for years, and yet Becky barely blinks when she finds out that her friend was a druggie and is now dead. Even if she was a villain, she’s still dead and you guys were still friends. Please process it! But Becky doesn’t.
If you like a fast-paced action thrillers with lots of blood, this one is for you. But I wanted more from the characters and the plot.
September 21, 2019
DNF - OMG!!! This book was a hot mess from the get go.
I typically don't have a problem with stories that flip back from one time to another or one location to another but, this one was ridiculously messy, convoluted and disorganized. It took me a week to get through Part 1 (100pgs/41%) because everytime I picked it up to read it, I'd get through 15 or so pgs of heaping pile of crap and I'd start asking myself why am I reading this crap and end up tossing it because I couldn't stand it and still don't have a clue what the plot or premise of this book is. No more.
I have way too much else on my reading list to waste another minute with this. I know I'm the minority here but whatever.
I typically don't have a problem with stories that flip back from one time to another or one location to another but, this one was ridiculously messy, convoluted and disorganized. It took me a week to get through Part 1 (100pgs/41%) because everytime I picked it up to read it, I'd get through 15 or so pgs of heaping pile of crap and I'd start asking myself why am I reading this crap and end up tossing it because I couldn't stand it and still don't have a clue what the plot or premise of this book is. No more.
I have way too much else on my reading list to waste another minute with this. I know I'm the minority here but whatever.
January 16, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review. I really liked the characters the two protagonists Becky Rant and Hank. They are people broken by the system and full of anger and the desire for revenge. The book kept you on the edge of your seat with its unexpected twists and turns. The fast pace and gritty characters continually keep you off guard. You can't help loving Becky Rant and Hank because of what they go through and have gone through in their lives. This fast paced, hard hitting story will keep you turning pages! A must read!
February 9, 2019
I was given an advance copy of this book to review. I think this is McCrary’s best book ever. The characters are interesting and well developed. It’s largely written from the lead female character’s point of view. There is lots of violent action through the the twists and turns of the plot and numerous flashbacks. It’s a great read. I highly recommend it.
February 11, 2019
This is a fast paced thriller full of twists and turns. The characters are well developed and the storyline is entertaining. I always enjoy reading a McCrary offering. I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
January 13, 2019
Loved this fast paced book
Great characters
Action packed
His best yet
Great characters
Action packed
His best yet
February 20, 2019
A good book from Mike, which I enjoyed, although not as much as the other ones I have read. Worth a read
March 19, 2020
Loved it! McCrary has the ability to put insane characters into insane situations and make you love them.
I just loved this book. Great, wild, violent fun from beginning to end.
I just loved this book. Great, wild, violent fun from beginning to end.
November 14, 2019
Page turning thrill ride! Becky Rant. What a badass. McCrary draws you in with snips and slices of Becky Rant’s life, building her story and the suspense to dizzying heights. You know it’s good when you can’t stop reading. What makes it great? Knowing you’re going to flip back to page one the second it’s over. Loved this book!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews