Under pressure is the first book in a new series by Lori Foster. I wanted to read a book by Foster for a long time, but I never got the chance. So, this the first book of hers that I read and I wasn't disappointed by the result.

This book follows Cat a woman who was on the run after witnessing something she shouldn't have and Leese, the man who was sent to find her and keep her safe. When Leese finds Cat he thought that his job was done and he could return Cat to her family, but he later learns that Cat ran away for a very good reason and she is afraid of going back home and to her stepfather who is not as good as the world thought he was. In order to keep her safe he takes he takes her to a safe place and together they try to bring her stepfather down, even though that puts both of their lives at risk.

Cat wasn't the kind of heroine who let the others step on her and even though she was afraid about what might happen to Leese and the others at Body armor she was strong and I liked her. She wasn't annoying or whinny and she was the perfect match for Leese who does whatever he thinks it's the best in order to save the people he loves. I liked him too. They were a great set of characters and I will miss them until the next book comes out.

Under pressure isn't just Cat and Leese' story. It's about Sahara, Justice and the other guys. I was hoping that Sahara and Justice were going to be a couple, but I guess that no chemistry comment was true after all. Judging from my blurb of the second book the main theme of the series will be a bodyguard who falls for his/her client. I an also hoping that Sahara's brother isn't dead and that he will come back, but I guess I am wasting my time hoping for something like that. I loved all the people who work at Body armor and I will be waiting for their stories.

I liked the story and the characters, who were developed and complex enough for me. Each of them has something unique that held my interest. I wasn't bored while I was reading the story which is something that lately happens more often than it did before. I don't see a reason why the readers wouldn't at least like the story. The book gets a solid 4 star rating from me.

Under Pressure kicks off Lori Foster's new series, Body Armor series.

Cat overheard something she shouldn't have and has been on the run since. She doesn't know who to trust or how to proceed, but she knows that she's in danger and she knows why and who from.

When Leese is assigned protective detail from his employer, Body Armor, he reads up on his new charge, a wealthy girl who he's been told struck out on her own and has the family concerned. But once he catches up to Cat and picks up clues, he realizes nothing he thought about the situation fits and there's more going on.

As Cat lets him in, the chemistry between them flares, and while she's willing to give in immediately, Leese is not. He wants to do his job, and keep her safe, and feels he can't let his feelings override any of that. But Cat trusts him, the first man in a long time she's trusted, and as he protects her and works with her that deepens as do her feelings.

I loved the sizzling chemistry between these two from the start, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife, but more than that their closeness can be seen from the start. Without knowing anything about him, somehow Cat knows that she can trust Leese at the start, though she's wary with how much trust to put in him, she knows on some level he can help her.

I loved the rest of the crew we meet during the course of the book from Body Armor, from Sahara to Justice and more. Each offered up glimpses of what to expect in coming novels, and each had something to add to the current story.

Lori Foster has a way of smoothly blending the danger, the mystery, and the romantic elements of the story into one tantalizing tale. Smoothly going from a conversation full of banter, to a straight conversation full of important details, to a smooth attempt at seduction. From one scene to the next, Foster builds up the story, and does it in a way that captivated me. The emotions Cat feels, her fear, her wanting to trust, her confusion over where she is, and so much more is written so beautifully that not only could I feel it all, I could see how it fit each part of the story and how it formed the person Cat was.

I look forward to what is to come in this series, the combination of suspense and romance and the touches of humor are sure to make the next story as enjoyable as Under Pressure was.

I rarely read romantic suspense or thrillers anymore, because they’re all about the sex and lust when what I enjoy the most is the connection. Way to make me eat my words. It’s not that there isn’t sensual and explicit sex in Under Pressure, because there is, at least to the level of a modern contemporary romance, but there’s more to the romance than just that. Heavy thriller readers might find this a little lighter on that aspect, but the danger isn’t lacking either.

Though there’s definitely a crisis of life and death, and one with more than one true villain, there’s also a lot of downtime where the two of them get to know each other and turn that instant soulmate connection into something deeper and more complicated. These are times when they are safe, or at least believe themselves to be, so they can just be people and you can see their relationship develop. They spend a good portion of the book sequestered, which doesn’t mean nothing happens or that they don’t keep trying to piece together the scope of the danger. Cat makes this task more difficult because she’s determined to keep her bodyguards safe by keeping them ignorant. Part of the sequestered time is spent with Leese trying to get her to reveal all she knows.

Leese kicks ass as a bodyguard¸ and former MMA (mixed martial arts) professional fighter, but Cat is pretty darn effective herself if not in the physical violence way. She’s smart, has excellent survival skills and instincts, and is determined not to be a victim or put anyone else at risk no matter what. She even shows calm under pressure and quick thinking when quite rightly terrified. Some of the villains are more villainous than others, while just who is leading the charge against her is complicated in all sorts of good ways.

Cat’s been told her whole life that she’s the awkward one who is passable and mediocre. It takes a special guy to let her start to see the person she really is. Leese might struggle with her need to protect him as much as she does his need to slay her dragons and risk himself in the process, but he doesn’t cut her down or undermine her growing confidence to do so.

The book is an indictment of corruption and evil men hiding behind wealth and smiles, but even there it’s not exactly as it seems, with good plot seeding and not as broad sweeps as it might appear. It definitely serves as an intriguing introduction to a series crossing bodyguards with MMA fighters as well. With Sahara (another fascinating person) at the helm of Body Armor, I suspect there are many interesting stories ahead. She believes there’s no reason why bodyguards can’t look fantastic at the same time as being competent at their jobs.

I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Leese and Cat either. They are both good people of the type that makes a difference in the world, a trend among many of the “good guys” introduced here. If this is where the thriller romance genre is maturing, it just might be time to head over to that section of the shelf again.

P.S. I received this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

For me, Lori Foster is an Auto-buy. Her characters are strong and interesting, the relationships sexy yet respectful (a must!). However, for some reason this title did not click for me the way her books usually do. Several times when reading it, I would set it aside for a day or two before picking it back up - usually I read her titles in one sitting.

The set up was interesting, the conflict had punch, and I liked the characters - and, ultimately, I enjoyed the book enough to give it 4 stars. But if I had a patron who'd never read Lori Foster, I'd suggest they start with another one of her titles - in short, this title was strong but lacked that little spark of magic that usually sucks me in so completely with her books.

If you have read any of the MMA series by Ms. Foster, you will already know Leese. He was not my favorite character at first, but I love how through the MMA books and in this story, you learn how he has turned his life around. I have been waiting impatiently for his story to come out! This is the beginning of the Body Armor series, and it highlights a spin off world to the MMA series of Ms. Foster, including appearances by favorite characters. In this book, Leese is tasked with protecting Cat, who is in danger from the moment she appears in the story. What follows is a story full of depth building their relationship. Cat has been burned before, on multiple counts and sides, so I loved reading about how she came to trust Leese and I loved reading about how their relationship developed. It was also great seeing Justice appearing in this story and starting to learn about the characters that we will meet over the next books. I can’t wait until the next book in the series!

First off, I see Lori Foster's name, and I'm gonna sign up for the promo and buy the book. I've read so many of her books and not one has ever disappointed me! She definitely knows how to write strong, MMA-fighter, security males and the sassy women who captivate them!

Leese is a former fighter turned bodyguard who has been hired to find and protect Catalina. But Cat isn't the easiest person to protect for a variety of reasons. She's been used to taking care of herself while on the run for things she mistakenly heard. Plus, the people who hired the Body Armor agency to find and protect her might just be the ones Cat can't trust.

This book was suspenseful and thrilling and had the hot times you expect with a Lori Foster novel. I can't wait for Justice's story! I feel like there's more than meets the eye to that massive man.

I love it when an author creates a new series especially one filled with suspense, action and hello romance. Lori Foster has created such a series like that I am still getting over the action in this book. We have Leese Phelps who is an ex-MMA fighter and Cat who is definetly not appreciating his skills. She has always been a fighter Cat always landing on her feet. It is surprising though that no matter how hard Leese wants to protect her she fights back. Lori Foster created a security agency filled with hot MMA fighters looking for more than fighting and women they can`t say no to. Cannot wait for more of this series and boy if you love suspense, action and romance Lori Foster new Body Armor series is for you…

As Lori Foster so often does, her new Body Armor series is a spinoff from her previous series, Ultimate. The character who ties the two series together is Leese Phelps, who began Ultimate as somewhat of a jerk of a side character, but ended the series as a solidly good guy who realized that while he might be a good MMA fighter, he was never going to be a champion.

We get enough of his background in Under Pressure that it isn’t necessary to read Ultimate to see where he’s coming from – but the series is a lot of fun if you like sports romance at all.

As Under Pressure begins, Leese is now the number one bodyguard at Sahara Silver’s Body Armor agency. Sahara, as the new owner of Body Armor, recruited Leese from the MMA because she has a plan. She plans to transform the image of bodyguards from suited thugs carrying ill-concealed guns to something charming, appealing, deadly and ripped. With the addition of Leese and his friend Justice, she’s off to an excellent start.

The body that Leese has been assigned to guard is that of Catalina Nicholson. The contract is a bit mysterious, as her wealthy stepfather has paid Body Armor upfront to protect Cat from anyone and everyone, including himself, who might come after her. Whatever is going on here, it is obviously way more than meets the eye.

And so is Cat. Leese finds her attempting to sneak into the bus terminal, dragging a busted suitcase in the snow, facing down the thug who clearly plans to grab her and rape her, just for starters. When Leese sends the bastard scurrying back to his lair, Cat decides to give Leese limited trust. She has to trust somebody – she’s been on the run for six weeks, and is worn down to her last frazzle.

But as much as Cat wants to trust Leese, she has some serious trust issues, and with good reason. The very first person on the list of people she is running from is that same stepfather who paid for her bodyguards. Unfortunately for Cat, Leese, and the entire crew at Body Armor, he is far from the most dangerous on that list.

And Cat is too scared, and a bit too selfless to give up that list of names. Because she is just sure that in a contest of reputations, she will always come out the loser. And that her best chance of saving everyone else is always going to be to give herself up to what she sees as her inevitable fate. She just doesn’t want to take anyone else with her.

Especially not after she makes the classic mistake of falling for her bodyguard. And Leese makes the equally irresponsible mistake of falling for not just the body he’s guarding, but also for the woman inside it.

Escape Rating B-: This is very much a mixed feelings review. There were a lot of things about Under Pressure that I liked, and one that turned me completely off. Unfortunately, the part that turned me off looks like a repeating pattern from Ultimate, and not one of the good ones.

As the first book in the series, there is a lot of set up in this story. While the gang from Ultimate does appear near the end, this is all about the new gang at Body Armor, and we, as well as Cat, get introduced to Sahara and the team she is building. Sahara has some big plans for her new agency, and readers will also end up hoping that Sahara gets resolution on her own issues, particularly the issues surrounding her missing and presumed dead brother. But hopefully that’s another book.

The story in Under Pressure is one of the classic tropes – the bodyguard and his protectee falling for each other in the intense atmosphere of danger and ongoing death threats. In the case of Leese and Cat, it does seem like insta-lust that morphs into love rather quickly. From the descriptions, the insta-lust is very easy to understand, but the story doesn’t quite sell the development of the emotional relationship, at least not to this reader.

But it’s Cat’s need for protection, and the reasons behind it, that drive the suspense part of this plot. Cat overheard her wealthy stepfather, an even wealthier and more influential U.S. Senator, and their two bodyguards plan to cover up a murder. In particular, the murder of a young woman who said “no” to the Senator’s more depraved tastes. Cat can’t sort out just how deeply her stepfather is involved in this shitshow, so she runs. And keeps running. They really are after her.

Cat’s understandable fear is that no one will believe her. The Senator is rich, influential and beloved. He has perfected a sterling reputation as a kindly, twinkly grandfather, albeit one who hides a sack of slime underneath his expensive suits. On that other hand, her stepfather has given their inner circle the impression that Cat is flighty and unstable, just because she’d rather be a teacher than live the life of a pampered society princess.

And of course the Senator has bought off more than a few police departments and probably government agencies. The murder cover up that she heard is far from the first. And she knows that hers is next.

So Cat’s unwillingness to trust is at least somewhat understandable. She knows that the rich can buy off anyone they want, she’s seen it happen. And she knows that the Senator’s reputation is above reproach. No one will WANT to believe what she heard.

But of course her lack of trust in Leese and Sahara puts more people in danger than her trust ever would. This becomes another story where the heroine looks foolish for not letting other people help her, even if she needs to give up some of her agency to get that done. However, this wasn’t the part that really made me grit my teeth.

Cat is in plenty of trouble. They really are out to get her, and they really will kill her if they catch her. Even more, they really will kill anyone and everyone around her to get to her, and she is the kind of person who will see those deaths as being all her fault. But there’s an added element here. One of the killers is the Senator’s bodyguard, who in addition to being a cold-blooded murderer, also has an extremely unhealthy interest in imprisoning Cat and breaking her to his will. The addition of the crazed sexual-stalker murdering arsehole felt over-the-top. It is not necessary for their to be a sick sexual component for a woman to be in extreme danger. And it’s an added element that I’m just plain tired of as well as completely creeped out by.

I hope that the creepy-stalker-sexual-predator thing is not a big part of the story in the next book in this series, Hard Justice. I really liked Justice’s character in Under Pressure, and I’m looking forward to him being the hero of the next story.

Under Pressure is the first book in Lori Foster’s Body Armor series and a spin-off of her wildly popular Ultimate series. In this series she melds a variety of book types she’s well know for; MMA, suspense, and bad-a$$ protective heroes. Characters from her Ultimate series appear including the hero who has left his MMA days behind to become a bodyguard. I enjoyed this book quite a lot and felt that Ms. Foster, set the series up nicely without losing the romance of the couple which often happens in the first book of the series. We are introduced to several characters, but not so many as your head starts to spin trying to keep them straight especially if you read the Ultimate series. Under Pressure was intense at times but it was tempered with some sweet, sexy moments and lots of interesting dialog as well.
Leese Phelps is sure of one thing; his latest assignment is going to be the end of him. She might be from a wealthy family, but she has sprit and gumption and she is going to be hell on wheels to keep safe and he knows he will do everything possible to make sure he succeeds. This is a different Leese from the one we were introduced to in Foster’s Ultimate series, he’s grown up, he’s matured and he is very, very happy with his new occupation.
Being on the run for the last couple of months has made Catalina Nicholson tired and weary, but she refuses to just roll over at do what some man wants just because he’s deemed it so. I like that despite her sheltered upbringing and never really having to worry about anything, when she realized she was in danger she figured a way to get out of it often outsmarting those looking for her until she meets Leese and she begins to realize that he might be someone she can trust.
Being holed up to make sure Catalina is safe could have been a snooze fest, but instead it gave them time to really get to know one another especially after Leese made it known he would not get physical with her right away (and yes Cat was a little bit annoying about that at first). I enjoyed the times they spent together talking, cooking, working out, and verbally sparring.
There were some fantastic secondary characters in this story and I honestly can’t wait to see what Ms. Foster has in store for them especially the agency owner, Sahara and Justice whose story is next. The camaraderie between them was fantastic and a joy to read.
Some suspense, sexual tension leading up to some hot, steamy times, and a cast of vibrant and exciting characters made Under Pressure a fantastic start to a new series.

I could not put this book down. I was reading it in while i waited in line at the grocery store, any place i was still for a minute i was reading.

I remember Leese from previous books and i really liked him so I was glad to see him getting his own story. Cat was such a funny, interesting person. I just loved her character and when you love both characters it is hard not to fall in love with a book. I rarely read a book twice but this will be on that i will.. I loved how Leese was always the gentleman where it concerns Cat.

This is a must read you will not be disappointed.

First let me just say, I love MMA Fighters. So the fact that Leese started out as one, already scored points with me. I love that he was alpha and protective and was completely swoony. Catalina was strong and at times frustrating, but I love them together. They sizzled on the page and their chemistry was off the charts. It is definitely what pulled me. The suspense though is what kept me reading and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. I loved every minute of the heart pounding, exciting, steamy story. I can't wait for more.

I have been looking forward to Leese getting his own story. This spin-off will be a fun one. Leese is a former MMA fighter turned bodyguard and while he may have been hired from a man to keep his stepdaughter safe he doesn't know if he should trust him.

Catalina knows too many secrets of the ultra rich and famous, enough to put her in the cross hairs. She is being hunted and constantly in danger, until Leese catches up with her. She may fight him but soon realizes he is on her side. Heart pounding, action and a killer connection between the two main characters. Looking forward to the other books in this series.

My rating: 3.5 stars
Under Pressure is the first title in the Body Armor Series by Lori Foster. In this book we follow the story of Leese Phelps whom we've met in Denever's book is no longer a SBC fighter and is currently employed as a body guard. His job is to protect rich girl Catalina and keep her safe. Back in the other books Leese was a cocky man with a crush on Saint's little sister, here it seems that Leese has grown a little more mature then we previous has seen him to be. My grip and this is only my grip is how many times will this guy say honey towards Cat. I understand he is suppose to be the nice guy but something about his niceness just rubbed me a tad in the wrong way. Like I get the fact that he is nice you don't have to hit us over the head with the idea each time he opens his mouth and she is inexperienced in life because of her sheltered up bringing. So she's the kind of damsel who can't save herself but is also very trusting towards these two bodyguards whom she doesn't know. It was an okay book I kind of expected more from Leese...

Under Pressure is the first book in a sizzling new series by Lori Foster called Body Armor which combines former MMA fighters with a elite security firm that provides protection. Body Armor is a spin-off from the Ultimate series about the same MMA fighters. Alpha protective heroes meet their matches in the equally strong females they are protecting.

Leese Phelps first appeared in the Ultimate series as not quite the greatest of guys, but he pulls himself together and creates a man who can be trusted and befriended. He holds onto his past a little too long in this story and with it some values that make him who he is today. Protection helps define who he is and this new job as a bodyguard to Catalina Nicholson is going to challenge him on new levels.

Catalina Nicholson was a quandary to me. She was refreshingly blunt, but also held secrets close. A privileged life hasn't changed her core values, but when she overhears something, she knows she has to keep the secret or risk others being in danger. In fact, Cat holds onto that secret to a weeeeeee bit too long. When Catalina wants something, she isn't afraid to ask for it or even continue to go for it. Her character was amusing to watch as she tries to tempt Leese, while also trying to sacrifice herself for the good of all.

I appreciated the nod to a bad boy turned good with some tests thrown in to prove his worth. MMA fighting is a thing of the past, so if you wanted action, it comes in the form of good guy/bad guy action. Leese holds onto internal struggles a long while and then suddenly it seems he gets over it real fast. The story does tend to drag some in the middle when Cat won't tell the secret and Leese won't give in to her advances. It's a cat and mouse fight that left me turning pages faster than I can read.

The fighters from Ultimate make appearances throughout the story in different ways, proving once again that friendship and family fight for each other. Justice is a standing figure throughout the story and Miles might be joining soon. Boss lady Sahara is one Hell of a lady boss. I hope we get her story as well.

While I enjoyed the story, it isn't without some violence that was deep, meaningful and at points gutted me. I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't a hit out the park. Recommending this story to anyone wanting some heat, love and a characters willing to risk it all for each other.

Under Pressure is entertaining. Leese and Catalina are very likable and their attraction is hot. There is also plenty of intrigue to keep the reader fully engaged. From the opening scene, Catalina is running for her life. Even knowing that Cat has only shared part of the story of how she came to be hunted, Under Armor’s owner, Sahara, insists Leese and Cat stay in the building where they will be protected. Cloistered in the penthouse above Under Armor, Leese and Cat have a lot of time to really get to know each other. Their attraction is sizzling and they get to use their time alone to great advantage. Even as Leese and the entire Under Armor agency prove they’ll do whatever it takes to protect Cat, she can’t bring herself to tell them the whole truth about who’s after her. She knows how much danger anyone who knows the truth will be in and can’t bring that on Leese and his co-workers. The man after Cat can’t afford to let her get away so before long Cat’s life is in grave danger again. After an ambush in which Leese is shot, Cat finally tells her new friends the name of the very powerful man who’s impeccable reputation revolves around ensuring Cat never talks about what she’s overheard. Though there’s no doubt the good guys will win, the intense fight to the end will keep the reader firmly on the edge of their seat. The supporting cast are all well written and add depth to the book. I look forward to seeing more of them in subsequent books.

Hot sex, love, hate, pleasure, pain. This book has it all.

reviewed by Jem Stone

Lori Foster’s new series, Body Armor is a good intro to her new world. It’s an MMA series, and while not the best I’ve read, was full of suspense and hotness that is typical of Lori Foster. Foster is an A-List romance author and her suspense is a must read.
Under Pressure is a spin-off from the Ultimate series. Leese, introduced in that series leaves MMA to become a bodyguard. Not original, I’ve read a few of these types of romances, so while the writing is top notch, I wish it had a little bit more to it. The book is full of phenomenally original characters, though, and it’s wild ride from the beginning to the end. I liked the interplay between the couple, and while the romance happened quickly, it was romantic. It’s definitely a series you’ll want to check out if you like the MMA romances or bodyguard romances.

So Body Armor is a spin off from Lori Foster’s last romance suspense series Ultimate featuring Leese Phelps. I have to admit, he was slowly winning me over in the old series, so I was excited to see him get his own book! I actually really loved that he admits to the fact that he was kind of a jerk at the start (of the Ultimate series) but now shows us how hard he’s work to become a better person by Under Pressure.

Leese has left the MMA world and has moved into the body guard life which he’s totally loving. Than he get’s an assignment that changes his whole (love) life. Enter Catalina Nicholson, art teacher, daughter of a rich man, knower of a secret that someone would kill to silence forever.

The romance, though somewhat a bit insta-lust/love, was quite cute. I liked that Cat was very open about the fact that she lusted for Leese and I think it helped keep their relationship very honest. I was a little fearful that there’d be too much White Knight syndrome happening, what with Leese coming to Cat’s rescue. But I think it was balanced out quite well. The thing that probably annoyed me was the fact that Cat was very much all about the martyring herself. It doesn’t make you weak to ask for help, sheesh. Anyway, I liked the chemistry between the two and was happy to see them together.

The suspense part of the book was a little cliche (especially the villain), but overall not bad. There’s some action and plotting, and threats uttered.

Let’s talk about the secondary characters! Justice, Leese’s new recruit to the team, is hilarious and adorable and a can’t wait for his book. Sahara, boss of Body Armor, is freak’n queen! She is so sassy and badass and brilliant and I just love her so much!!!

“You need to be careful too, Sahara.”
She cooked her head. “I would tell you that careful is my middle name – ” her expression hardened “- but actually it’s vengeance.”

Overall, Under Pressure was a great introduction to the new series! I loved that we got to see a bunch of old friends, but also got introduced to a bunch of new great characters. With a good dose of suspense and steamy romance, it’s everything you would want in a Lori Foster novel.