Under Pressure can embed itself so deeply under the skin, that the reader becomes a part of the action. There were moments where Catalina and Leese stole my breath. The maze of twists and turns were endless but beyond all the adrenaline was an intriguing story worth sinking my teeth into. Hard to let go in the end.

Lori Foster has a great style for writing realistic, contemporary romance. She brings the characters Leese, Catalina and Justice, totally vivid and alive. Cat is running away from someone, but she's not sure who it is or who to trust. Leese and Justice have been hired to protect her. No one seems to know who to trust or who to run away from. Cat and Leese have an instant attraction. Honestly, the plot was surreal to me. I've read Lori Foster books before but this plot was very different. The romantic subplot was the attraction of Cat and Leese. I'm sure that many will love this book. I was just not a fan of the main story line.

Under Pressure by Lori Foster will be available January 24, 2017 by Harlequin Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

4.5 stars
I have been waiting forever for Leese's story and I am so glad I finally got to read it!
Lori Foster is right at the top of my favorite author list. She knows how to write characters that are real enough they seem to leap off the pages.
Leese started out in another of Lori's series and at first it seemed like he wasn't going to be a very nice guy. But being the master that she is, Lori made Leese the best of men.
Finding that MMA didn't quite suit him, Leese moved onto personal security. I would have liked a little more information about just how he ended up at the Body Armore Agency.
Under Pressure is full of twists and turns and there's loads of information that keeps the reader completely engaged.
I love Cat and her outspoken ways. She kept Leese on his toes and kept me highly entertained.
I also enjoyed Leese's sense of humor and his easy, gentle way with Catalina.
We also get a small visit with the guys from the Ultimate series, Cannon, Armie, and Stack along with a couple more.
Justice made me giggle more than once.
I also love that Lori rarely kills off anyone. And if a character does die, he or she always deserves it.
Under Pressure is a great beginning to a series that's sure to be Amazing.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Leese Phillips takes his job very seriously, his clients safety is his number one priority, and he never gets romantically involved with his clients...well almost never. The moment his feisty and VERY gorgeous new client stumbles into his life he can't help but fall for her, and as much as he knows it's wrong to cross that line, he just can't help himself. Never in his life has he met someone who gets him the way she does, connects with him the way she does, and it's not something he is prepared to let slip away. But with danger lurking around every corner he must find a way to keep his head on straight, feelings at bay, in order to keep her in his life... hopefully for ever.

Catalina Nicholson has heard things, dangerous little details, that she wished that she hadn't because now she is on the run because of them. Danger is lurking around every corner and has her constantly questioning the intentions of everyone she comes in contact with, that is until a tall, mysterious, and oh so handsome man comes to her rescue. The minute Leese wanders into her life she feels safe for the first time in a long time, and makes her feel like she can finally breath a sigh of relief... but it doesn't last long though!

From the moment this one takes off it has you on the edge of your seat gasping for air, and wondering what could possibly happen next, and in true Lori Foster fashion she keeps you guessing right up until the last page is swiped... with a little sexy times mixed in along the way of course too!! I was really excited to see that Leese would finally have a story of his own, from the moment I met him in the Ultimate series I was intrigued with him, and wanted to know more... and I have to say I learned a lot of delectable little details about him!! He is one of those alphas's that can be bad to the bone when he needs to be, but also has a softer side to him, one that is caring and considerate, and then of course he has the sexy side where he knows exactly what his ladies needs and desires are, and goes above and beyond to make her happy! I have to say he might just be my favorite alpha from Ms. Foster yet, move over Armie you have competition!!

If you are looking for a read that has the perfect balance of romance and mystery...then look no further this is the perfect read for you, Mr. Phillips is sure to keep you entertained and blushing from start to finish!

I thought this was a good spin off to the Ultimate series. I do feel like we are missing a bit, like how Leese quit fighting and went towards bodyguarding. It also seems like there is a story behind how Sahara got into the business as well.

I felt for Cat and how she was on the run. For once she lucked onto something good, Leese and Justice protecting her. It was funny how there were sparks from the start between Leese and Cat, but Leese kept trying to take the high road to keep things professional, but Cat wore him down. These two were so cute together, even as they were sequestered.

I liked the bigger story of just who was the bad guy and why. Sahara proved to be a badass herself when going toe to toe with the bad guys. I have a feeling she will accomplish all that she sets out to do. Justice was just as fun and a baby bodyguard learning the ropes. Should make for fun books to come!

Under Pressure is the first book in Lori Foster's romantic suspense series Body Armor. We meet Leese Phelp's in Foster's Ultimate series, and while we see guest appearances from beloved characters this series holds its own and gives secondary characters from that series their own stories. This suspenseful tale introduces us to new characters and delivers a heated romance.

Coffee dates with Under Pressure

First Date: While Foster's books tend to be formulaic she never ceases to have me flipping the pages and falling for new characters. Former MMA fighter Leese Phelps is now working for an elite security agency known as Body Armor. He along with his partner, Justice (yes another Ultimate character) are instructed to extract Cataline Nicolson and protect her at all costs. What started out as a simple case soon becomes complicated when the very person who hired them wants Cat dead. Foster quickly pulled me in with her colorful characters and intriguing plot.

Second Date: The case itself was an interesting one. The villains had deep pockets with reach offering plenty of intense action scenes. We meet Sahara, the head of Body Armor a sassy, lethal women with snark and I loved her. While I am anxious for Justine's story, I do hope we get hers as well. We meet other members of Body Armor, and each was unique. Cat, is an artist and school teacher, and once you hear her story, you'll admire the heck out of her. Even with her life at risk, she was more concerned for others around her. The romance began with physical attraction and quickly became heated. While some may cry instalove, I swallowed the pill and quickly became caught up in wanting an HEA.

Third Date: Leese is completely swoon-worthy, and quite the lethal weapon. The man can also cook, making him dreamy in my book! The suspense angle took some dark turns and had me flipping the pages as plans were laid to face their opponents. Foster added a few twists, had beloved characters make cameos and gave us Leese's backstory allowing readers to connect fully. The case wrapped up and wasn't rushed. Foster even gave us an epilogue that left me smiling.

Under Pressure delivered a suspenseful heated romance that will keep you warm on a cold winter's night. I am looking forwarding to reading more books in the Body Armor series.

Under Pressure was very slow-paced, and for quite a bit of it, the only characters present were Leese and Cat. The mystery and the suspense was well done, though, and, of course, Foster's writing impeccable.

While I found the suspense and the mystery part of Under Pressure to be well executed, I also found it to be a very slow read. It picked up a bit in the middle, then slowed back down until near the end. Cat was a bit too naïve for my taste in the beginning, but as she shared a bit more of herself with Leese, I got her reasoning. She was trusting in some ways, and extremely wary in others. And she really needed to feel safe, and I understand why Leese made her feel that way. I had already met Leese, of course, as he's a part of the Ultimate universe. He fit the role of a body guard very well, and the way he was able to make sure Cat would be safe even when she didn't want to let him, proved that he was the man for the job.

For long parts of the story, Under Pressure was a closed partition in which only Cat and Leese evolved. I would definitely have enjoyed getting to know Sahara better, because a female boss of an agency dealing with personal security and body guards is hot! When she was on the scene, she showed some serious skills, plus, she was also very smart and fair when it came to her employees.

Another good book from Lori Foster. I just found it a little difficult to totally buy into the story.

Lori Foster totally had me fooled when she first introduced Leese in the Ultimate series. At first, second, and maybe third glance, Leese was nothing but a smarmy jerk who happened to be a decent MMA fighter. Then Lori Foster did a completely believable grand reveal and whaddya know, this guy is everything.

Leese is revealed to be not just an amazing bodyguard with protective and patient instincts; he's also got a smoldering yet chivalrous side that has him trying not to give in to Catalina's blatant sexual invitations. He's basically her hot knight in shining armor. Speaking of armor, I have to throw in three words: Naked. Fighting. Scene. When a guy can viciously disarm two armed thugs while still dripping from the shower, now that's a badass.

I do have to say that Catalina (Cat) got on my every nerve for much of the book. For someone who has been on the run from powerful bad guys, she has a lot of TSTL/Mary Sue moments. In many ways, Leese is a fantastic fit for her because his steady alpha protective presence balances her flighty nature.

And while there are appearances from the guys from Ultimate, Under Pressure is Leese's moment to redeem himself from past sins and to reveal himself as the ultimate protector. The author did a fantastic job redeeming the jerk, and I'm looking forward to more of the Body Armor guys.

Lori Foster does it again in her newest book, Under Pressure, the first in a spin-off series from her previous Ultimate series! You met Leese in the previous books, in which he isn't the best of guys. But he redeems his character (which really wasn't all that bad to begin with) as he's assigned to protect Catalina. Body Armor is filled with sexy bodyguards and other awesome characters, Enoch, Sahara, etc. Cameos by the whole Ultimate gang included. Foster had me reading wide-eyed with my hand over my mouth at times, while others I was cheering, and still others crying. Suspense, sexy times, and her trademark Happily-Ever-After. I cannot wait to dive into the next book in the Body Armor series!
ARC provided through NetGalley and reviewed because I wanted to. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1781532085

Under Pressure
I have been looking forward to this book, and Ms. Foster does not disappoint. I loved it!
This is the first of four books in the new Body Armor series. Body Armor is the name of the bodyguard agency whose owner is hiring some of the MMA fighters we met in the Ultimate series. This is the story of Leese, who we met in Denver & Cherry’s book.
Leese made a serious mistake in the Ultimate series and was given a second chance by those characters. Now he just has to prove to himself that he is worth another chance. The book also sets the stage for the series of four about the bodyguard agency. Although not intrusive, questions are raised which I expect will be answered over the course of the four books.
This is a fast-paced adventure which, although part of a series, stands alone. Those who have enjoyed her other books will delight in seeing familiar characters, but most are secondary to the story.
This is a love story between Leese and Catalina. Love hits him hard and unexpectedly. Cat is a tiny, fiery woman and he wants to protect her but she wants to stand on her own two feet. She has been doing it for a long time. Sparks fly between them in a romantic way, but also because Cat gets annoyed at Leese for thinking she cannot take care of herself or for thinking he can handle the bad guys without her help.
I must admit I was startled when, just a few pages into the book, we met the bad guy – and his first name is Tesh. That has been my last name for over half my life, and I know a lot of Teshes, but I have never met one as a first name. Tesh Coleman is really a bad apple. Murder and rape are business as usual for him. He wants Cat for his own personal use, and his boss wants her dead. Leese and Cat and the Body Armor agency have their hands full protecting her.
I was given a free copy of this book, but this review contains only my own thoughts.

My Review: I didn't know I was in the mood for a good romantic suspense until I picked this up. I was sucked in from the very beginning, since you dive right into the story. I devoured this in one-sitting - I had to know what was going to happen to Leese and Cat. Leese was a character I loved from the Ultimate series, and I was so happy to find out he was getting his own book. Despite his rocky start, he was really a good guy - and he proves that in Under Pressure. He's made mistakes, and he's doing his best to make up for it. And in my opinion, he succeeded and then some!

My biggest issue was with Cat. I had a hard time getting into her character in the beginning, and there were a few times when I wanted to shake her until she got over herself and would tell Leese everything. I partially understand her motives - she thought she was keeping them safe. But if you want everyone to be safe, don't you think making sure they have enough information to prepare for what's coming is the best way to go?? As the book progressed, I got along with her better, and I think she really shined at the end.

My second favorite thing about this book (the first, of course, being Leese! And maybe Justice) is how it managed to follow that romantic suspense "script," but still felt different and original. You know how it's going to end, there's going to be a final showdown and the like, but getting to that point - and how it played out - was a surprise. Now I am that much more eager for the next book - Hard Justice, coming in April!

Cover Lovin': Oh my, yes! Two thumbs up.

Recommendation: Under Pressure is the beginning of the Body Armor series, so you can dive right in with no trouble. Though characters from earlier books by Lori Foster do show up, and Leese does have a history with them.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). This would have been a five star read, but my issues with Cat in the beginning knocked it down a star. But this book is 100% worth a read!

Under Pressure is the first book in the new Body Armor series (it's a branch off from her Ultimate series). The main character, Leese Phelps has been hired to protect Catalina Nicholson by her step-father. Nothing is what it seems, however, and they end up trying to protect Cat from her step-father as well as from a rich and powerful senator who wants her silenced. Ms. Foster's characters are well drawn and interesting, however, the pacing of the plot seems to be off and little slow. This title is definitely worth the read and I'm looking forward to the next in this new series. (3 out of 5)

Lori Foster is the queen of the contemporary, suspenseful romance. We always buy multiple copies for our library.

Another hit out of the park for Lori Foster. We've moved on from the boxers (though these characters are from that universe) to body guards. As always, we've got a hot man looking out for a troubled lady. It really doesn't matter what the storyline is, I will always read one of these books by Foster.