Author Lori Foster throws her readers into a heart pounding story line filled with life, love and danger in UNDER PRESSURE. Leese has moved on from his MMA world into security, though he uses that skill in his new life very well. Cat isn't the most trusting of people but then as you read you will definitely understand why. At least she learns quickly how to deal with Leese and his determination to protect, I do believe it is the love that really throws her for a loop. The bad guys are really, really bad and I had no problem with how that all ended. I also liked how Sahara Silver, owner of the agency, is able to get her job done while looking like a model but being intellectual, and able to do a little butt kicking herself.

There is always the added pleasure of seeing past series characters. In this case those from Ms. Foster's MMA books, showing up to lend a hand. I love that an author who does cross over storylines doesn't just forget about the guys we have all come to love and want to see more of. In UNDER PRESSURE we get to see Cannon, Armie, Stack and the other guys join in with helping to keep Cat safe.

If you are looking for a book filled with sexy men, who are strong yet tender to their women; women who will do what ever they must to survive and protect those they love; while adding in a lot of action of the steamy as well as dangerous type then UNDER PRESSURE is one you will love.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

You may find the complete review on: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=62044

Lori Foster continues to hit it out of the park. Under Pressure is a home run.

I loved this book and am getting ready to start the next book in the series. Will be recommending this series to all my customers.

I have been waiting on Leese since Denver’s story. I anticipated his story, much like Armie’s story, Lori Foster is always a must buy for me so I was super excited to see where she'd go with Leese and this spin off series.

That being said; you do not have to have read any of the other stories or series, to understand everything in this book. While some characters from previous books do pop in, you will not be lost or in the dark about anything. Once you've read Leese though, I do think you should make a run for the Ultimate series.

So let us get to Leese. He is a sexy, honorable, and a smart alpha male. He’s a former MMA fighter now a bodyguard, hired to protect Catalina from a threat that’s not quite clear at first. She’s not shy about her attraction to Leese, and it was an entertaining watching his attempts to keep her firmly in the client only box. Not a cookie cutter plot storyline, the twists kept the suspense at just the right level but I did at one point just BEG for sex.

Justice, from the Ultimate series is the secondary character and will be hopefully getting his own story too. Sahara is a new character, big boss lady in charge of her guards and one that inspires fierce loyalty. I love that there is an Ultimate reunion although not for the best reasons but great to see all the characters again.

Thought this was a good start and I liked the progression of Cat and Leese relationship.

For some reason Under Pressure is my very first Lori Foster book. Don’t ask me how or why I haven’t read her before, but I am planning on remedying that situation as much as possible!! This book was a great intro – it had a bunch of elements that kept me pinned to my chair until the very last page.

I always forget how much I love a romantic suspense story and Under Pressure is a great reminder. From the get-go, you are riding shotgun along with these characters as they play cat and mouse with some fairly ruthless individuals.

Catalina Nicholson is my favorite kind of heroine – at first blush she seems to need a lot of protection, but with each page, you discover that she is a badass to the nth power. I loved her strength and determination, as it fueled this story in all of the best ways.

Leese Phelps is pure alpha!! I adored him for just for this, but that underneath his heart was pure gold. This man doesn’t let up, he is loyal and honor-bound to those most important to him. That’s not just friends, but also co-workers and most importantly – the woman he has sworn to protect with his own life.

While Cat and Leese seemed to be complete opposites, their hearts were matching puzzle pieces. Their chemistry was perfect on all levels.

The twists and turns of this story kept me on edge. Like I said before, this book has a bunch of elements that I love – all woven together into a book that makes a reader wanting more and more!!

Happy reading!!

5 Stars!

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, suspense, secrets, and heartbreak.

This is Catalina and Leese’s story. Leese is a bodyguard for the elite Body Armor security agency. His assignment is to find Cat and protect her. What is he protecting her from he does not know yet. Cat knows things that will get her killed. She overheard a conversion and is now on the run. Even know she knows she should run from Leese she feels safe with him. What happens when danger comes for her? Will Leese be able to protect her? Will they have to bring the danger to them to figure who all is after her? As the danger get closer and closer they are fighting there attraction but are they together because of the danger or because they are truly falling for each other?

This story also pulled in some of the men from the Ultimate Series. Always nice to get a few updates on some characters we love and miss. I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story from this author.

*ARC received for an honest review*

In Lori Foster’s newest book we meet Leese and Catalina, she is running from something and he has been hired to look after her, but not everything is what it seems.

The story was really good, the writing was superb as always but I did have some trouble connecting with the main characters, especially Catalina, I found her a little annoying which took away a little from my reading experience, that said, the chemistry between Leese and Catalina was super hot.

One thing I did love were the side characters because they were so so compelling and you can just tell they have their own stories to tell. I ended up loving Sahara and Justice and I hope they get their own book soon.

I would recommend this book because I think it was a great way to introduce us to this series and to this new world, with new characters that I’m sure are going to make amazing main characters in the future.

This was a great start to a new series! I enjoyed having Leese's story after seeing him pop up in other books. Catalina was a great character, and the storyline kept me engrossed throughout the book. I can't wait for more in the series!

Cat is on the run from her step-father and his dangerous business 'friends'.
She's been evading all sorts of guys sent after her for weeks, but now she's been found.

Leese, an MMA fighter turned bodyguard, is now working for Body Armor - the bodyguard agency run by Sahara. (Who inherited the company from her brother - but that is another story and might be told one day☺!!)

Leese's been tasked to find Cat and keep her safe.

But it's not easy keeping someone safe who's not telling the whole truth yet about what she's actually running from. And also this insane attraction on both sides might make it a bit harder to concentrate on the job.
But Leese is a professional - his only job is to keep his girl safe....

Lots of very dangerous and sexy reading hours for us to 'suffer' through until those two can ride off into their Happily-Ever-After sunset together! ☺

WHAT WiLL HAPPEN TO CAT & LEESE???
WiLL THERE BE A HEA???
READ THE BOOK TO FiND OUT ☺

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I ADORED THIS BOOK!!!

Do you remember Leese from the Ultimate Fighter series? We first didn't like him much, but he changed a lot towards the end, and I was so looking forward to this new series!!!

I reallly loved Cat and Leese!
They were so adorable together - insta-attraction on both sides. Only poor Leese tried to stay strong - he's not supposed to fall for a client! Adorable!

And poor Cat - she's not sure who to trust in the beginning. She's running away from very scary people with lots of influence in many important places.

But Sahara and her boys will protect her with everything they have! And they have a lot! ☺

This was the perfect Romantic Suspense story.

• funny • sexy • adorable • exciting • suspensy •

I loved it!

And I also really loved trainee bodyguard Justice - he'll be the next books' hero!

UNDER PRESSURE was such an adorable and sexy and exciting romantic suspense story! Run to your nearest amazon to have your own body guarded by Leese! ☺



Ready for book #2 now!!! ... Justice! ♥

Great start to a new series. We have some familiar friends in Leese and Justice but they are just the beginning. We are graced with visits, and a little help, from The Ultimate Series. Foster has a way of writing strong women that still need a little help from their men. The men like to be needed and take care of their women. Her couples form a partnership that will stand the challenges of not only their own stories but future series appearances.

Leese is great at his job. He has a sixth sense about danger and trusts his training. He has never gotten involved with a client and doesn't intend to start now, but can he hold her off for seven days?

Catalina has been in hiding for weeks but honestly, she is not very good at it. If Leese could find her so could the people she is running from. It is not clear who is after her, especially when one of the suspects is footing the bill for her bodyguard.

Sarhara has inherited and taken over her brothers personal security company. Scott is presumed and declared dead, along with his girlfriend, in a lost at sea tragedy. (I am sure we will revisit in a later book.) One of the first changes she made to the company was to look for sex appeal. Clients were happy to pay a premium for a better looking personal security expert. Ex MMA fighters more than fit her high standards.

Under Pressure is the first book in Lori Foster's new series, Body Armour. It also has a characters spin off from her last series Extreme, Leese Phelps. Fans of the series will remember him as a not so nice guy turned into a good guy. Well now Leese is all grown up and all responsible since becoming a body guard for the Body Armor company. His new boss is a the ever charming, beautiful with nerves of steel Sahara Silver. His new assignment to protect a young lady who appears to have run away from home. But our intrepid heroine is far from the flighty woman her stepfather has made her up to be. She happens to be a witness to a crime committed and the people who are after her are not playing nice. Under Pressure will make you fall in love with Cat, she is definitely a one of a kind female lead, her personality is refreshingly frank in trying to protect those around her and of course her outright lust for one Leese Phelps. Leese has grown up in this book, more mature and definitely hero material. Under Pressure will also have readers on the edge of their seat with the action and suspense going on. The secondary characters who are definitely going to get their own books are also kick ass. Under Pressure is a great start to a new series from Ms. Foster.

4.25 stars-- UNDER PRESSURE is the first installment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult BODY ARMOR romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women of the Body Armor Security Team. This is former MMA fighter Leese Phelps, and grade school art teacher Catalina Nicholson’s story line. The BODY ARMOR series is a spin off from Lori Foster’s MMA romance series ULTIMATE. Several of the Ultimate characters cross-over for cohesion and familiarity. You do not have to have read the previous series to understand or follow Body Armor.

Told from several third person points of view including Leese and Catalina UNDER PRESSURE focuses on Catalina Nicholson-a young woman on the run following an altercation with her step-father and several very powerful and dangerous men wherein our heroine discovers that life as she knows it is about to change. Enter Leese Phelps, a former MMA fighter, whose has been hired to protect our story line heroine from the people trying to destroy her life. What ensues is the building relationship between Leese and Catalina, and the search for the truth.

Catalina Nicholson grew up privileged-the stepdaughter to a man with power and wealth but a man with connections that have threatened her life-on the run, with no place to go our heroine literally falls into the arms of Leese Phelps, a man who will lose his heart to the woman he has been hired to protect.

The relationship between Leese and Catalina is quick to develop as our heroine is a woman who speaks her mind. Catalina wants Leese, even if for only one night, but the threats against Catalina have made life difficult for the people at Body Armor. Leese is a man trying to keep his distance from the woman that calls to his heart but Catalina is determined to make Leese her own. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top graphic sexual language and text.

We are introduced to Leese’s boss and owner at Body Armor Sahara Silver, as well as former MMA fighter Justice Wallington. Several of the MMA fighters from Lori’s ULTIMATE series cross over for familiarity and fun. The requisite evil has many faces including a man with political power and wealth.

UNDER PRESSURE is a story of romance, suspense, action and love. The premise is intriguing and intense; the characters are engaging, colorful and energetic; the romance is sensual and passionate. There are plenty lighthearted moments when the Ultimate fighters get together and reminisce about times past. UNDER PRESSURE is a thrilling and exiting adventure where one man must protect the woman that owns him body and soul.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Under Pressure is the exciting start of a new Lori Foster series, with some familiar faces for fans of Foster's Ultimate Fighters series. Leese Phelps has transitioned from being an MMA fighter to bodyguard at the elite Body Armor security agency. He's calm, cool, and collected but his newest assignment throws him for a loop: protecting Catalina Nicholson from unknown threats. Cat has been on the run for over a month and is wearing down. So when an unknown man steps up to defend her against a group of street toughs, she lets him. Turns out, he's her new bodyguard and has been hired by one of the very men she's trying to run from. But Cat trusts her instincts, and her instincts say that Leese is one of the good guys. Soon they are working with Body Armor's boss Sahara Silver and new hire (and former MMA fighter) Justice to not only protect Cat from those out to get her, but to bring down some very powerful men whose secrets are worth killing to protect.

Lori Foster has done it again, creating an exciting plot, a believable romance, and a world we hate to leave. While it was fun to get to see some of the characters from the Ultimate Fighters series (Leese was always a favorite of mine!) a reader new to Foster's books won't feel like they need to read that series in order to follow this one. Though they will probably want to read them while waiting for Justice's book to come out in March! Leese is a great contrast to a stereotypical movie bodyguard- he thinks first, uses a gun only as a last resort. His sense of humor, calm demeanor, and overall caring (and hotness) make it no surprise that Catalina is instantly drawn to him. Catalina is the woman we all wish we could be if we ever found ourselves in her position: resourceful, strong, and a survivor. While running from powerful men she's overheard admitting to murder she sees herself as a coward while everyone else sees her as being both strong and brave enough to even try and get away. She sees her fear as a weakness while we see it as not only perfectly normal, but are impressed that she has powered through it. She wants to protect Leese and her new friends at Body Armor, which Leese may see as a lack of confidence in his abilities but is a sign of her strength and love.

Under Pressure is a fast read, well written, and with all of what I've come to expect in a Lori Foster book: humor, witty dialogue, off the charts chemistry, believable relationships, and creepy bad guys. The twists and turns come as we try to figure out exactly how many bad guys we're up against, who is working with whom, who is not? Secondary characters like Sahara, Justice, and Enoch are as carefully written as the main characters and readers can be sure that we will continue to see them grow throughout the series. Tender, quiet moments and sizzlingly sexiness combined with heart-pounding danger led to a story I couldn't wait to get through and was sorry to have to put down when it ended.

Warning: Don't start this book in the evening- you'll stay up all night to find out what happens next!

What can I say about the first book Lori Foster's newest series...I can say that this story catches your attention from the beginning, draws you in, and makes you root for Leese and Cat from beginning to end. There are some tough subject that are brought up in this book, but it is done with class and care. Those who have read books by Lori Foster in the past and knew who Leese was before this story will get to see old favorites again. There is everything that a good romantic suspense needs: attraction, intrigue, steamy sex, humor, plot twists, and a HEA. I don't want to recap the story, but know that it was a fantastic one. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.

Foster starts her newest series with everything her fans have eagerly come to expect from her romantic suspense novels. There is a hunky hero with a strong moral code and the muscle to take on the bad guys, a damsel in distress who is more than a simpering cardboard cutout but instead possess true strength of her own, and plenty of steam, tenderness, and conflict along with the actions and thrills.
Catalina Nicholson knows a secret that could get her killed. On the run and unsure who she can trust, she finds herself under the protection of Body Armor security agency employee Leese Phelps. While sparks immediately fly, Catalina is wary of revealing what she knows- especially since the man who hired Leese might be one of the people determined to see her permanently silenced before the truth becomes known.

4.5 stars

Leese was a favorite secondary character of mine in the Ultimate series and I am loving his new direction in this spinoff series!

For those who haven't read the other books, Leese wasn't always the most likable person when we first met him but he found a way to redeem himself and became a part of the MMA fighter family. After some soul searching, he decided that while he enjoyed MMA, he would never be a big star in the sport and looked at a new path for his future. Now he is putting his skills to to good use as a close proximity bodyguard for the prestigious Body Armor agency along with fellow fighter and friend Justice.

His current assignment: locate and protect Catalina Nicholson, daughter of a wealthy businessman who has decided to go off on her own. From the first moment Leese makes contact, it becomes apparent he doesn't have the full picture of the situation. Cat is an enigma, at times too trusting for her own good and at times appearing to be streetwise, suspicious and closed off in a way that speaks of lessons learned in a way that no wealthy socialite turned teacher should know.

Cat can't afford to trust anyone but she irrationally feels a sense of safety with Leese despite not knowing him from Adam. He doesn't have the appearance of the usual goons who have been searching for her, and Justice most definitely doesn't blend with his Mohawk and behemoth size. It takes some convincing but she finally starts to spill a few details when the guys take her to Body Armor HQ owner Sahara Silver. Cat overheard a conversation between some extremely powerful men that implicates them in a crime and they know she knows. They won't stop until she is dead to ensure her silence, and one seriously creepy lecherous henchmen has her in his sights with the worst intentions possible. She won't disclose names in a vain attempt to keep the vultures off her trail courtesy of a poorly executed search for information but she seriously underestimates her protectors' skills and determination.

The undeniable attraction between Cat and Leese doesn't go unnoticed and certainly makes things interesting! Cat is down to earth, blunt speaking, and endearingly awkward at time but she has learned the value of living in the moment and still has plenty of spirit. All those things definitely work for Leese but he is a good guy at heart and doesn’t want to take advantage of her while she is in a vulnerable state. Now that they are sharing a living space and hiding out while he and Sahara try to unravel the mystery, his willpower is about to be tested by one pint sized beauty who won't take no for an answer...

Leese and Cat have a great dynamic and chemistry that has them both wondering where they are heading but if they can't solve her immediate problems they won't have a future. Cat's refusal to share everything she knows may just put them all in mortal danger.

Under Pressure had a great element of mystery and suspense that kept me turning the pages, and I thoroughly enjoyed the heat and the banter between Leese and Cat. Familiar faces from the Ultimate series were a fun addition for me, but I really want to know more about Sahara, the owner of Body Armor. She took over running the agency as a result of a tragedy that haunts her but she is also an intelligent woman with drive that will not be messed with. I look forward to the continuation of the series and can't wait to see what comes next!

BIANCA

Do you remember Leese from the Ultimate Fighter series? We first didn't like him much, but he changed a lot towards the end, and I was so looking forward to this new series!!!

I reallly loved Cat and Leese!
They were so adorable together - insta-attraction on both sides. Only poor Leese tried to stay strong - he's not supposed to fall for a client! Adorable!

And poor Cat - she's not sure who to trust in the beginning. She's running away from very scary people with lots of influence in many important places.
But Sahara and her boys will protect her with everything they have! And they have a lot! ☺

This was the perfect Romantic Suspense story.

• funny • sexy • adorable • exciting • suspensy •

I loved it!
And I also really loved trainee bodyguard Justice - he'll be the next books' hero!


JANEANE
If you read Lori's Ultimate Fighter series, you might remember Leese - he was a bit unlikable at times, but as the series progressed you kinda couldn't help but like him?

But even if you haven't read that series, you will adore him in Under Pressure.

Under Pressure is a fast paced, sexy, suspenseful story, full of action and a healthy dose of sexy bodyguard action.

I adored the insta-attraction between Leese and Cat, and the fact that they fought it, and didn't just dive into bed together. Cat is just too cute for words, I couldn't help but love her right from the beginning.

There is lots of danger and action and wondering who is going to be the next person to cause them drama. Lots of naughty politicians and rich people who think they can get away with stuff.

I love everyone banding together to give them a big middle finger!

I really liked the trainee bodyguard Justice - another MMA fighter of course. Can't wait to see where his story goes. And Miles - oh yes I need to know more Miles!

Please don't leave me waiting too long Ms Foster

Under Pressure by Lori Foster was a romantic suspense that kept me on my toes throughout the entire story.

The characters in this book were vibrant and colorful. Their personalities instantly attracted me and held my attention. From the spunky and sassy Catalina who was fighting to hold her own to the broody and alpha Leese who made sure that he would protect her at all costs. And how could you not love all of Leese's friends? I am DYING to know more about them!!! Looks like there is a past series I may need to dig into!

This was a fast-paced read that will have you watching as Cat and Leese fight their attraction to each other as they fight to keep her safe from those out to hurt her. I loved watching their attraction grow as they got to know each other better. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a complimentary copy of Under Pressure.

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.

If you are regular followers of the website, you might have caught on the fact that I read about 90% of my books 'blind', not knowing how the cover looks like and who wrote the book, just open the file with the book's name and get going. This said to explain that I had no idea this was Lori Foster's work at the beginning, but soon recognized the characters from the MMA series, that this is a spin-off, and silently cheered with high expectations of the coming events.
I loved the characters, they had a rare originality to them, distinct qualities, that were easy to recognize and relate to. Leese Phelps, who's story started in the previous series, is tough, protective, capable, and intimidating as a bodyguard, yet caring, loving, and so tender when it came to Catalina Nicholson.
Cat was a bit more complex character to know. She is in a tough spot, her life is in danger, the culprits after her are merciless and brutal. She managed to hide for six weeks on her own, and now, just in time, Body Armor security agency steps in to help. Yet she is aware of the fact that one wrong move and her loved ones are in danger for their lives, as well. Trust is hard to come by in that situation, it is a tightrope she has to balance on, she is exhausted after her run and hiding on her own, yet to let lose and give up all the information she has could put everyone around her in danger. In this situation, in my mind, she had a lot of room to be difficult, whiny, or clingy, yet she shows a backbone and desire to stand for herself, and fight for the justice to be done. All her life she has been told she is different and doesn't fit in, and finally, she finds people who accept her, embrace her, and care for her just as she is.
Cat's attraction to Leese is immediate, she is burning for him and not about to hide it. The temptation is great to Leese since his adoration toward Cat has been just growing inside of him the more he gets to know her. The connection, understanding, the awe between them is palpable and glowing with heat, the love scenes between them are scorching hot yet filled with tender, loving warmth.
The secondary characters were drawn with distinct lines, especially Justice. There were intrigue and humor to them in just the right doses to wake the interest and have me craving to find out about their destinies.
The suspense builds up through the tale, with surprising twists taking the plot into new directions. The crescendo at the end is filled with fierce, cruel, and ruthless, on the edge action that comes to a heroic, sudden ending.
This story is a delightful mix of intense suspense, deadly action, and cherished romance with a compelling plot with curious twists, and fascinating characters that allured my mind, promising an energized and exciting series to come!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side