Harsh

by Debra Doxer

Each day dies with night, and every dream fades in the morning. That's what Vincent Rossi knows. His life has been one tough break after another. Even when good things happen, they get destroyed because that's how the universe works. It gives and it takes, but it mostly takes. No matter how terrible today is, there's always the promise of tomorrow. That's what Annalise Cantana knows. She's experienced tragedy and triumph in her life. The tragedy happened to her. It was beyond her control. The triumph is her spirit, which, despite the odds, remains unbroken. When this cynical man is hired to protect the woman who refuses to dwell on the negative, their lives become intertwined. Like opposing forces, Vincent and Annalise repel and attract until he is unable to resist the light she brings to each day. She thaws the ice in his veins and makes him smile. She cares about him in a way he doesn't deserve. But hidden beneath the closeness building between them lies a secret that could extinguish that light forever. It would devastate Annalise if she found out, and would unravel the hope Vincent finally dares to embrace. In the end, he must make an impossible hold tight to the first glimmer of happiness in his life, or forsake it all to save her and watch another dream turn to dust. Harsh is a stand-alone contemporary romance.

280 pages, Paperback

Published August 14, 2018

About the author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When not writing, she’s walking her Havanese puppy and forcing her daughter to listen to New Wave 80s music.

Connect with Debra:
www.facebook.com/AuthorDebraDoxer
www.instagram.com/debradoxer
www.twitter.com/debradoxer
debradoxer@gmail.com

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/31/2020)! 🎁

[Debra Doxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harsh is LIVE!

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[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annalise Cantana just wants to fly under the radar and live a normal life. Being from a major crime family, she understands that her last name is synonymous with fear, shady business dealings, and danger. While she loves her family, she prefers to distance herself from the family business, and has changed her last name in order to be just like any other student at Wexler College. Being a Cantana has not only brought her family enormous wealth, but also a wealth of pain. When a threat is made to the Cantanas, her father does whatever he can to ensure his daughter’s safety, he assigns her a live-in bodyguard.

Nothing says “flying under the radar” like having a big, brooding guy following your every move. It’s difficult to explain him to her fellow classmates and friends. Is he a friend, cousin, new beau? To make matters worse, he doesn’t seem to have a very good opinion of Annalise, believing that she is just a rich, spoiled brat. And to top it all off, he isn’t the most verbose house guest. Awkward. Ah, awkward for these characters, but fun for the readers.

I am always drawn to the brooding, quiet types in fiction. There’s something appealing about trying to peel back the layers of these characters to uncover all of their secrets. The quiet ones always seem to be hiding something.

Right from the start, these characters had palpable tension and that push and pull that makes for an enjoyable reading experience. Trying to maneuver around each other in close quarters gave them a better insight into one another, discovering that perhaps there’s more than meets the eye.

Harsh is a fast-paced read that has its share of chemistry, deception, danger, and suspense. It's an entertaining novel that kept my interest from start to finish. I’m looking forward to reading more by Debra Doxer in the near future.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been excited to read this book as Debra Doxer is one of the authors whom I have read everything by. Annalise Cantana knows what it's like to experience tragedy and how hard it is to have someone love the "real" her. That's why at college, she goes by her mother's maiden name so that no one will know she is, in fact, the daughter of a mob boss. Life has been comfortable for her to blend in and be left to her own accord until her father receives threats against his daughter and learns that she may be in danger. Vincent Rossi has proven to be loyal as he helped stand up for Annalise's grandfather in a prison brawl. Now out Vincent has been given the job as Annalise's bodyguard. The thing is though that Vincent has a secret that he is indeed the son of a guy who double-crossed Annalise's dad and killed her Mother. Annalise has a scar from that fateful night. As the story goes along, we read as chemistry starts to develop and bloom between Annalise and Victor. What will happen though when the ante is taken up a notch and looks like there is someone truly out to get Annalise, and it's a lot closer to home than anyone realized? Can Victor save Annalise from ending up dead? Will she forgive him when he reveals the truth of who he is ?
Find out in Harsh by Debra Doxer in this new mobster hit.

[Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fighting wasn’t for sport where Vincent came from. It was survival, and he’d been a survivor all his life.”

Right place, right time? Well it’s all about perception really as Vincent finds himself as a bodyguard to the daughter of the Cantana empire, assigned to keep her safe from the wolves circling the underground business as the family readies to retire from their shady dealings. Annalise is living under the radar, under another name, far removed from her crime family and their exploits. Yet she suddenly finds herself with a shadow and no room to think as her father takes the unseen threat seriously and ensures his daughter safety the only way he knows how, with Vincent. Having proved his worth by saving Annalise’s Grandfather whilst in prison, he is given her to keep safe. Thrown together they are cautious of one another yet they can’t deny the spark between them regardless of circumstance. Can Vincent keep her safe from harm, even if he’s the biggest threat?

Harsh is a story of deceit, double dealing and lies. Caught up in a tempestuous plot, Annalise always tries to find the silver lining and her sunny nature keeps her going although she hides her pain well Vincent recognises her bruised soul. Defying expectations neither one of them are as they first appear and slowly they open up to one another whilst the world around them begins to crumble. Forbidden attraction, lust and longing can Annalise survive the storm to come?

This is the first story I have read by this author and I was wrapped up in her narrative, lost to her characters and drunk on their emotions. It’s a wonderfully well written story that slowly unfurls and develops into a highly suspenseful and emotive story. I loved the characters and the plot twists. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a bad boy romance.

A four and a half star read.

~*~ Reviewed on behalf of Obsessed by Books~*~

[Shelby (BookLoversHaveMoreFun) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

Harsh was an expected treat from Debra Doxer. I love how all of her books are SO different. She can write just about ANYTHING. This book was filled with suspense, twists, and AMAZING chemistry. Leisi and Vincent MADE the story. I gobbled this book up because of them. Thank you Debra for another thrilling ride!!!

[Beyond The Covers Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annalise is a ray of sunshine. She sees the good in everything and everyone. She's attending college under an alias since she is the daughter of the Cantana organization. 

When evil threatens Annalise's family's life, her father hires her bodyguard. The same man who saved her grandfather's life whilst he was in prison. Will Annalise be able to tolerate this rude, brooding beefcake bob that is now living with her?

Vincent has had a troubled life. He's been surrounded by darkness and suffered one disappointment after another until Annalise gave him a glimmer of hope that brought light into his heart.

Evils are lurking in the shadows waiting for every opportunity to attack Annalise and expose her identity. 

When Vincent's dark secret is revealed, he is taken back. The secret is darker than he ever imagined. A secret that could destroy his relationship with Annalise.

Debra Doxer has beautifully written a suspenseful romance that will have you flipping through the pages as the web of lies and deceit are unfolded. I would definitely recommend Harsh.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being this is the first book I have read by this author. I went in with an open mind as I have been burned in the past as well as surprised. The author was able to paint such a vivid picture of the characters, of their chemistry and of the world surrounding them. We got a glimpse into their pasts. Making you even more invested in this book. A tale of forbidden love filled with lies, betrayal and so much sexiness. - By Vanessa

[Fran Zoch, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had my heart in my throat I kept rooting for these two to get together and that his secret would not tear them apart .
This is an awesome mob daughter. Bodyguard love story in ways you would never expect.
Vincent has only had bad things and dark days in his life until Annalise now he Hope's for a bright future but the past may just ruin that.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story! If you're a fan of the mob genre, I recommend this one by Doxer. The heroine is able to chip away at our hero's gruff exterior little by little and show him happiness and light. I found the character backgrounds to be well developed and felt very excited reading this one.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Jimmy Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romantic story that builds and develops

This is a romantic story about Annalise and Vincent. Annalise is the beautiful daughter of a crime boss who only seeks a normal life with college and friends. Vincent is the big quiet guy who has been hired to be her body guard and follow her around. As the story develops, feelings of contempt change to like and then something stronger. Love blooms between these two lovers but secrets buried just below the surface may destroy everything. A well written love interest that keeps you reading to see what happens between the two lovers. A must read for any real romantic out there. Check this one out and tell me what you think.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully worded

I can't say I didn't see the ending coming. Doxer did a great job foreshadowing the twist. But I fell in love with Annalise's view of the world. When life demanded that she break apart, she found reasons to smile. It's the only version of "happiness is a choice" that I'll ever agree with.

[Jeannine Allison]

Break @ 60%

[David Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the one hand, our first-person point-of-view protagonist is the same everywoman we see in a lot of romance novels, but on the other hand, the male love interest, Vincent Rossi, is a much richer character than we usually get to enjoy.

By “richer character”, I mean in terms of richness of character; he’s not the vain billionaire control freak we see increasingly often in romance novels—and nor, for that matter, is he prone to the emotional outbursts associated not only with archetype, but also with many other male love interests in romance novels, included to show sensitivity and such.

Instead, Vincent is understated from start to finish. He’s quiet, but not timid. Even-tempered, but not cold. Strong, but not arrogant. Profound, but not self-absorbed.

For that matter, he’s physically attractive, but neither he nor the narrator are preoccupied with looks. Notwithstanding the abs on the front cover (I think it is now required by law to have abs on the front of romance novels that have at least one male character?), we’re given enough information about his looks to imagine him physically, and the rest conveyed by his bearing, and we care much more for his slightest smile than we do for his jawline, or for a flicker of feeling in his eyes than we do for the thick eyelashes we’d be hearing about a male protagonist having in another romance novel.

Anyway, as I’ve talked about Vincent for four paragraphs (I think he sells the book though, in fairness), I’ll close with a note in the story itself: the action and mystery part was to me neither especially exciting nor mysterious, but I don’t think readers are reading the book for this.

[Sunny Shelly Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Mob romances aren’t my jam, and I did not realize that Harsh was in that genre. So admittedly, I felt a tad disconnected from Vincent and Annalise for that reason. That said, the storytelling is solid and the story is well-written. Just not my personal preference.

Annalise is the daughter of a Mob boss, and Vincent is tapped as her personal bodyguard. Despite the world she lives in, Annalise sees the bright side of everything... and Vincent lives in a world where darkness and disappointment is all he’s ever known. But as the guarded and the guardian spend more time together, she chips away at his gruff exterior and unmasks the tormented soul beneath. He’s a man who has never been shown or received love, and she is determined to be the light in his life, for however long they may have.

But Vincent is holding back a whopper of a secret, and it threatens to not only tear him and Annalise apart, but put his very life at risk. Will he grab onto the love and light she’s shown him, or succumb to the darkness?

Like I said, the story is solid, and the characters are nicely developed and the romance unfolds at a great pace. It just wasn’t a book I was crazy about due to my personal genre and trope preferences. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

[Julius Blitzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romantic story between two young people, which has its own nuances. The story begins with an explanation of the girl's life: under what conditions she lived and how she was brought up. Loneliness. This is what surrounded the girl after the death of her mother. Earlier Annalise was surrounded by love and care, but after a sunny day comes a gloomy night and it was her stepmother. The house no longer has that atmosphere as it used to be. The house is now for the girl it’s a floor, walls and a table.
Annalise was so afraid to love and be loved, because once she had already lost a very close person to her. She found Vincent, who seemed to her to give her these emotions and feelings, but it turned out differently. What will be between them? How will the relationship develop?
It was easy and interesting for me to read, especially after a hard day, when you read about such relationships between young people. Highly recommended!

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harsh is a true romantic story with stress on emotions and feelings rather than on sensuality and hormones. It is a love story of sunshine versus storm where both are attractive and vulnerable but with a terrible truth between them that has the power to wreck havoc between them. The heroine is an underworld don's daughter and the guy is an ex-convict. However, nothing is villainous or criminal in the book while violence is limited and disapproved. The romantic built up is steady and the love is sweet and giving rather than demanding and dominating. I loved the fact that there were two epilogues so that we could look further into the lives of the protagonists while not lingering on obvious things like enchanting weddings and honeymoons.
The story is narrated in the first person and alternates between the two lead pairs (mostly the heroin Annalise). Vincent the hero is short on words but large in everything else. The book gave me a warm feeling even in my middle age.

[Charlie Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of romance, love, desire, crime and going against the law, this is a real thriller of a book.

I loved this mix of genres the only thing more exciting than a love story is a love story between underworld figures, those that are normally hidden to the rest of us in society.

Annalise and Vincent are in some ways the exact opposite of each other and them coming together is intriguing to watch. Annalise is always super positive while Vincent focuses more on the dark sides of life. It’s interesting how opposites often attract like this, and the love in this book truly felt real.

Overall, fantastically written.

[Archie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Book!
An appealing story filled with two characters who are opposite, repelled but attract each other. The story is about Annalise, the daughter of mob boss, but she wants to distant herself away from that crime life and want to lead a normal college student lively life. But due to circumstances she has now Vincent, a body guard assigned who is almost opposite of her. The story revolves around them and the challenges they face as they get close to each other. The story flows quite well and has some suspense, romance and enough material to keep engaged.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harsh takes an interesting look at clashing personalities and how our mood and outlook can affect both us and those around us. However, even that description is a bit emotional for how tense this book truly is. It is much more of an action story that combines some equally interesting elements.

While I found these elements to be a large theme, the story is an action drama that evaluates some interesting psychological questions. A great for those that want action, or those that want to get a bit philosophical.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being this is the first book I have read by this author. I went in with an open mind as I have been burned in the past as well as surprised. The author was able to paint such a vivid picture of the characters, of their chemistry and of the world surrounding them. We got a glimpse into their pasts. Making you even more invested in this book. A tale of forbidden love filled with lies, betrayal and so much sexiness.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read books by this author before and ive throughly enjoyed them.
This book though took me out of my usual reading genre. Its a mob/mafia story and i dont really care for that genre.
Putting that aside, i will say that this book is very well written and detailed. It flowed quite easily and it was quite manageable.