Hard Times

by Blayne Cooper

Book Overview

Years ago, Lorna Malachi, a frightened teenager, was plunged into a nightmare called Blue Ridge Women's Correctional Facility. Terrified and desperate to belong, she sold her soul one piece at a time. She survived to sit atop of the ever-shifting trash heap of prison society.

Lorna has learned the hard way not to trust anyone, particularly penal system virgins like Kellie Holloway, her unrepentant new cellmate. But Kellie's pride and cluelessness...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1883523907
• ISBN13: 9781883523909
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Spinsters Ink Books
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended Cooper

I have always been a fan of Blayne Cooper and this book merely solidifies my opinion of her as a wonderfully talented author. Cooper often places her stories in unique settings. For example, there was `Road to Glory' set in a "ghost town" and `The Last Train Home' set in a poor urban setting. Taking place mostly in prison, this story is certainly a tale of triumph under unbearable circumstances. Lorna Malachi killed her abusive father when she was 17. Although she was defending her younger sister at the time, her unlikable mother testified against her and Lorna was sentenced to life in prison - with the possibility of parole. Lorna has been in prison for almost 20 years when she gets a new cellmate. Kellie Holloway is sentenced to a little over 2 years in prison for shooting a police officer while he was trying to arrest her. Funny thing, he was arresting her for extortion but she was acquitted of that charge. The naïve Kellie finds herself in a medium-security prison sharing a cell with bad girl Lorna. It doesn't take long for the women to see through each other's façade and to forge a tentative friendship. Eventually, although Lorna has always been attracted to men, their friendship becomes more. The come to feel so much for each other they are eventually willing to risk everything - Kellie's upcoming release date and Lorna's chance at parole - to defend each other. This isn't a story for the faint of heart. It takes a lot for these women to overcome their well-established fears and they take the reader on their personal journeys. It's hard for me to relate to their fears, but easy to relate to their willingness to sacrifice everything for their partner. `Hard Times' is a wonder book and I highly recommend it.

This an extraordinary book about women in prison.

Ms.Cooper once again proves that she was born to write. I found this author when I picked up a copy of The Last Train Home. I was so impressed with her writing style. I've since read everything she's written that I can get my hands on. And while this book is a departure from her other works I highly recommend it. As an avid reader I've had the opportunity to read romances, suspense, and my favorite romantic suspense and I can honestly say this is one of the best. This is not a cookie cutter novel. This book starts out very strong and keeps pace the entire way. Through out the story you will feel a connection with the characters, which is imperative to me in order to enjoy a book and feel part of it. I stayed up until 3am to finish it. It was intense! The title of the book is an apt and ambiguous description of the ordeal of the characters and situations she describes. The end result...a novel that will absorb the reader until the final page.

Another Solid Performance

While prison tales don't usually get my attention, this author does. Blayne proves that no matter what the premise she can craft an engaging tale. Well developed characters and a realistic time line made this one believable story. Even in a prison setting, the author finds the right balance of humor, drama, and romance. This was one book I didn't want to put down until finished. Nicely done.

another winner

I, too, am a Cooper fan, but one doesn't have to know her other work to enjoy this one. Cooper has taken the "women in prison" genre and given it just the right twist to make it her own. Yes, prison is a grim place, but Cooper understands that it's the souls of the inmates that makes it so dreadful. Her characters have soul. They change and grow by knowing and learning to love one another. That, for me, is the most satisfying part of any good romance. Seeing how the power of love can inspire a person to change. Up until now, "Last Train Home" was my favorite Blayne Cooper novel. But I think "Hard Times" has taken its place.

Best yet

Admittedly, I'm a huge Blayne Cooper fan. Every time she comes out with a new book I think to myself this is the best one since Cobb Island. The last book, Unbreakable, I thought would be the best. I mean how can an author keep outdoing herself? Well, she did it. This book is grittier than her light-hearted fares and sexier than her romances. I didn't think the prison scene would work but dang if she didn't top herself again. Excellent read!