UNDER PRESSURE by Lori Foster: Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Under Pressure by Lori Foster
Series: Body Armor #1
Published by HQN Books
Publication Date: January 24th 2017
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Format: eARC
Goodreads
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.

He can protect anything except his heart

Leese Phelps’s road hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s brought him to the perfect job — working for the elite Body Armor security agency. And what his newest assignment lacks in size, she makes up for in fire and backbone. But being drawn to Catalina Nicholson is a dangerous complication, especially since it could be the very man who hired Leese who’s threatening her.

What Catalina knows could get her killed. But who’d believe the sordid truth about her powerful stepfather? Beyond Leese’s ripped body and brooding gaze is a man of impeccable honour. He’s the last person she expects to trust — and the first who’s ever made her feel safe. And he’s the only one who can help her expose a deadly secret, if they can just stay alive long enough…

 

Review

UNDER PRESSURE was a very interesting and enjoyable read, filled with both suspense and tender emotion and if this story is anything to go by, I’ll say that this new series is off to a great start.

Catalina Nicholson has been on the run for weeks from the hired goons on her heels courtesy of her stepfather and his powerful friends. She knows she has to keep going or risk paying with her life if she relaxes for a minute, but for a woman with a pampered and protected upbringing, living on the streets is hard and she’s almost at the end of her rope. Until a stranger steps up to help her out and she finds someone she can trust in and who can keep her safe.

Leese Phelps has one assignment: protect Catalina at all costs and he takes his job very seriously, but with Cat becoming very important to him as more than a client, he’s even more invested in keeping her safe. But how do you protect a woman who’s not forthcoming with the truth and how will all of this impact their relationship when the threats to Cat have been neutralized?

So, I was not sure what expect when I started reading this book because I still think of Leese as the MMA fighter but I was pleasantly surprised by this story. He was still the kind and sweet guy we knew, only more dangerous. Even more, Cat was a really great character. She was feisty, quirky and courageous, and staying alive for so long by herself on the streets was a testament to her inner strength. Together they seem like an unlikely fit, especially for anyone who was first introduced to a cocky Leese in the Ultimate series, but this Leese is a lot steadier and more confident, which balanced out Cat’s high energy. I also liked that the downtime gave Leese and Cat time to do everyday stuff and get to know each other very well.

I really enjoyed how artfully Ms. Foster peppered the story with new and very interesting characters, filling out parts of the story that could have become boring otherwise. I’m looking forward to more from this series and will recommend it to any suspense fan who prefers a less frenetic pace in a book.

 

 

 

Excerpt

“You do tempt me,” she whispered, her smile in place. “I didn’t realize it was mutual though.”

“Now you do.” And maybe she’d be more circum­spect.

“Because I’m convenient?” she asked. “Or some­what—” her expression pinched “—desperate?”

The uncertainty twisted his guts. He glanced at her mouth. “Because you’re hot.”

Her teeth bit into her bottom lip. “You really think so?”

Intuitively knowing she needed to hear it, he shared his thoughts. It wasn’t in the best interest of his sanity, but he liked seeing her blush.

He especially liked the way she looked at him.

“You, lady, are sexiness in a very small, sweet pack­age.”

“Usually I’m told I’m too thin.”

Leese slowly shook his head. “You have the right look and the right attitude to push all my buttons.”

Gifting him with that cocky smile he admired, she opened her hands on his chest. “Mmm. I think I like that.”

“What?”

“Pushing your buttons.” Her fingers trailed up to his shoulders, then around his neck.

Leese started to lean down when Justice knocked again.

Cat froze, then panicked. “Oh my God. That’s Jus­tice, right? I forgot all about him!” She pushed against Leese, trying to slide free.

He wanted to groan.

In truth, he should thank Justice for keeping him from doing anything insane. “Shh. Take it easy.” He rolled to the side of her and watched her shoot off the bed, then make a mad dash around to the bedroom.

Her ass looked really nice as she did so.

After scrubbing both hands over his face, Leese forced himself from the bed and went to the door. He peeked out first.

Justice stood there holding a tray with coffee and a basket of Danish pastries. Time to get the day started.

Past time to work through the puzzle of the current case: Catalina Nicholson.

 

 

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