Maxi Nevar's life got complicated and chaotic real fast with the loss of her mother and grandmother close together, the discovery that her fiance was cheating and the pressure from her siblings. The quickest way to relive the  stress for her was to get laid, but the planned one-night stand became more than that as she found herself blown away by what she shared with Miles Dartman.

But she did not stick around to find out what could come out of it, only to find herself in need of his professional services as a bodyguard not long after she split. Now that he's back in her life, Miles seems to want more from her, especially her trust, but Maxi isn't willing to open herself up to another man who would walk away from her when he gets tired and it's up to Miles to convince her that he wants forever with her.

From the very first encounter with Maxi, Miles wanted more but she successfully kept him at an arm's length and then vanished into thin air. She's back  now for help and he's understandably upset about her disappearing act but he's not going to let her go off on her own while she's in danger. Plus, their close proximity gives him all the opportunity he needs to convince her of his intentions.

 Maxi and Miles definitely had some scorching chemistry and really enjoyable dialogue, but the best part of this book for me was the suspense. From the very first page, I was really invested in finding out who was behind all the stuff happening and Ms. Foster did a really great job building up the suspense all the way to the end, including a list of possible villains to chose from.

My least favorite part of the story was Maxi's ostrich act, refusing to see what was in front of her and her constant waffling was almost a buzz-killer. I have read the first book in this series and I kind of expected the drama, plus the cameos from the characters in her Ultimate series and the previous books in this series more than made up for it.

I enjoyed the drama and suspense in this story and have to say that this book does wonderfully as a stand-alone, but if you haven't read the previous books, you definitely will want to after reading this.

Close Contact

Body Armor Series - Book 3



By Lori Foster

HQN - December 2017

Contemporary Romance



Close Contact is the third story in Lori Foster's Body Armor series. This new series follows Ms Foster's Ultimate series and is tied to additional ones. If you want to read everything in order, start with her SBC series, then read the following, Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series, Love Undercover series, the short story Hard Knocks which is the prequel to the Ultimate series. Then comes the new Body Armor series.

Maxi Nevar was scared. She'd thought things were happening in, and around, her home, but when she awoke outside, she knew she'd been poisoned. Someone had managed to come into her home, poison her, and move her while unconscious out of her house. She hadn't planned to ever see Miles Dartman again, but he was the only person she believed she could turn to for help.

Miles had never expected to see Maxi again. They'd gotten together, but she'd made it clear that she only wanted casual... and to disappear. Which she had effectively accomplished. But when she appeared, so vulnerable, at their office, Miles knew that his feelings for Maxi were much more than casual. He would find who was perpetuating the attacks on Maxi, and in the process, he would prove to her just how perfect they were together.

Close Contact was a fun story full of romance, friends and suspense. Miles and Maxi were both fascinating, and made a wonderful couple. I loved how Maxi embraced the legacy of her grandmother's home and property, as well as her dedication to the innumerable cats living on the property. It was entertaining to see Miles jump into the chaos of Maxi's life. I loved visiting with old friends, and the suspense built slowly. I was surprised, however, by a couple of their choices, especially considering the known risk to Maxi. I look forward to the next story in the Body Armor series.







Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Maxi and Miles have a casual relationship going on where it really just sex no string attached. Thing its been two months since Miles has heard from her and he was starting to develop feelings for her. Suddenly in comes Maxi coming to his job requesting him to be her body guard after a series of problems and the thing that really got her seeking help was when she was left roofed outside. Now they are are close proximity where things are starting to not only heat up but the stalkers tactics seem to be getting worse.

I've been following along this series and loving each character that I've been coming across and really appreciate seeing them pop up from time to time seeing them after their HEA. Of course this book was no different. I loved seeing the connection between Maxi and Miles. I enjoyed getting to see their backstories and seeing the reasoning behind many of the choices that were made throughout the book. I loved that there was enough mystery and suspense to keep things interesting. I loved that there was plenty going on in the book to keep things interesting. Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing whats in store for the next characters in the next book.

So this is my first book in this series and it was really great!! I really liked Miles and Maxi. though there were times I wanted to hit Maxi upside the head cause how did she not know that Miles loved her. He showed her every way possible. The mystery part wasn't really a mystery to me as I know who it was right at the beginning. I really enjoyed reading the building relationship between Miles and Maxi. I look forward to reading Sahara's book.

Scorching hot sex and suspense are always a good combination. Miles and Maxi's story drew me in like I was there with them. I couldn't put it down. Lori is an amazing storyteller.

I love Lori Foster, and I was so glad when she started this series with some of my favorite fighters from her previous books. Miles has just started working for Body Armor when the woman who gave him the best nights of his life then left without a word shows up at his work a mess of her usual self. She needs his protection, and even though he is furious with her and doesn't really trust her, he still wants her. Someone has been gaslighting her and it has turned dangerous. She needs protection, and she will only trust Miles.

This story had so many of my past favorite characters along with really nice steamy scenes, a lot of suspense, and some nicely done misdirection. I'm so ready to get Sahara's and Brand's story next.

I loved this one. I gobbled it right up which resulted in a book hangover. It was so hard to put this one down. I loved Miles and Maxi. They both get a second chance. One of my favorite parts was the cats and how swoon worthy Miles was with them. The Body Armor gang make cameos. That was another of my favorite parts. The suspense element kept me on the edge of my seat and eagerly turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. This was a well rounded book in my opinion. It had a heart, heat, and story. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received an free copy for an honest review:

MMA fighter Miles Dartman’s casual arrangement with personal shopper Maxi Nevar would be many men’s fantasy. She seeks him out, they have mindblowing sex, she leaves. Rinse, repeat. Yet lately, Miles wants more. And when Maxi requests his services via the Body Armor security agency, he’s ready to finally break through her defenses—and protect her day and night.

Receiving a large inheritance has brought chaos and uncertainty into Maxi’s life. Her ex has resurfaced, along with lots of former “friends,” and someone is making mysterious threats. Then there’s Miles, who doesn’t ask for anything…except her trust. Pleasure is easy. Now Maxihas to give her heart as well as her body…or risk losing a man who could be everything she needs.

I love the way that Lori Foster tells a story and that this book connects to her other books especially the Ultimate series. You get to reconnect to your favorite MMA fighters. I especially love how well developed her characters and the plot of the story are written. If you want to see if Miles and Maxi finally get together and to see how the other bodyguards, MMA fighters and their families and see who is trying to convince Maxi that she is going crazy then this book is for you

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lori Foster continues to NOT disappoint! The story of Miles and Maxi contains all the romance and suspense that Lori continues to throw in her Body Armor series as well as those protective male alphas from the Ultimate series! Love how the old and new friends are always there for each other unconditionally. This book had me on the edge from start to first. Even when I thought I knew who the suspect was, Lori somehow was able to through me off the track. You rock Lori!!! Can’t wait for Sahara’s story as that should be HOT!

CLOSE CONTACT is amazing! I am a big fan of author Lori Foster and can honestly say there isn't anything she has written that I haven't liked, but this one just hit a lot of aww notes for me. Maxi is a tough young woman, who has made mistakes and believes, wrongly, that she must continue to make "restitution" for those youthful follies. So did her family, until Maxi was able to get them to back off and start to leave her alone. It was Miles who gave her the push to not believe the crap that she was an underachiever, just different and that it is OK. I had also wondered why Miles left the MMA (for those new to Ms. Foster that is mixed martial arts fighting) and that gets explained here. Sorry, you will have to read to find out, but I will say that Miles did the right thing leaving.

I have a thing for books that have guys who act like family though there is no blood, and this is one of the series that does that. Miles' friends, both in Body Armor and in MMA, have his back, which means, in turn, have Maxi's. There are a number of times the guys, and boss lady Sahara Silver show up and a party follows, but it is also them showing their support that I enjoy. The danger that is clipping at Maxi's heels is one that the reader will not see coming as it is way off from the left field, and this author knows how to lead you off this way and that before giving you the bad guy.

If you are looking for hunks who fight for those they love, women who are feisty with good hearts, some intriguing twists to dangerous situations, but intermixed with fun, laughter and a lot of sweet and steamy loving, then get your hands on CLOSE CONTACT right now!

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

The complete review may be found at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=64178

Pain, confusion, eerie darkness, silence and memory loss and that is just the first page! Lori grabs you from the first sentence into Maxi’s world and doesn’t let go until the last page. Maxi has her hands full after her Mom and Grandmother pass away and she is left with a farm full of cats and someone who is not happy she’s there. Maxi hires her ex-lover who is a retired MMA fighter turned body guard and the sparks fly, literally! Miles is super-hot, over protective and just the right type of danger Maxi needs in her current world of chaos and threats. They have everything together if only Maxi will set her heart free for Miles to guard instead of just her body!!!

Reviewed by Monique

Maxi Nevar recently inherited her grandmother’s farmhouse in small-town Ohio, and soon after she moved in, odd little things started happening. When Maxi awakens in the middle of the night outside her home, knowing full well that she hadn’t been drunk, she knows she has to do something about it. Maxi had had a “three-night stand” with former MMA fighter Miles Dartman a couple of months ago, and although they didn’t know much about each other, Maxi remembered that Miles worked as a bodyguard at the Body Armor Agency, and that’s where she went, hoping he wouldn’t be too angry that she hadn’t called after the third time, even though she would have liked to.

Lori Foster was one of the first romance authors I read, and CLOSE CONTACT reminded me that it had been far too long since I have devoured a book by Ms. Foster. Lori Foster has perfected the fine art of crafting a believable romance along with heart-pounding suspense, and vivid descriptions of the environment where the action takes place; in this case, the visuals for the farmhouse were rather priceless. Add irresistible, sexy heroes and clever, no-nonsense heroines and you have a winning combination. I loved Maxi right from the start: she is faced with a dangerous situation, she acts rationally, and I knew CLOSE CONTACT would be a great read! Miles is one of Ms. Foster’s best leading men; he is tough, logical, compassionate, and he even loves cats!

CLOSE CONTACT is such a cozy read with its sure and steady pace, fabulous banter between the MMA friends; and just great dialogues all around. I loved how Maxi and Miles’ relationship easily glided from merely sexual to more. The secondary characters are amazing in their complexity as well: Woody, Maxi’s neighbour; local cop Fletcher, and the formidable Sahara Silver, Miles’ boss at Body Armor. I adored her and you better believe that I will grab Fast Burn, the next book and Sahara’s story, as soon as it is available. Lori Foster shines brighter than ever!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Miles and Maxi were interesting. I liked the idea that they were a previous "series of one night stands" and that there was an attraction and a reluctant trust (at least reluctant on her part) between them.

I thought this was an interesting place to start a story, with a potential stalker and a need of a bodyguard, and already knowing and trusting the person you are hiring.

There was a bit of an attachment to him that pulled the relationship forward, and I liked and thought that this part was a little off...I think I wanted them to be together before he was the reason that she was safe at home...but at the same time, I see the plot development there as Maxi would likely never have been willing to have the relationship progress without this need between them.

I did enjoy this overall. There were parts of it that felt a little formulaic, mainly the reason they were together, but it didn't really pull me out of the story all that much and I enjoyed the book.

I recommend this title.

This is the Book 3 in the Body Armor series. This is the first book in this series that I have read and I can tell you now, I will be going back and getting the first two books. What an awesome book. I have to say that Lori Foster has another hit on her hands with this one. It opens with Maxi waking up in a field, not knowing what has happened and why she’s out there. She lives on an isolated farm that her grandmother left her, along with all the cats. And now she’s scared. So what does she do? She hires her one night stand, Miles, as a bodyguard who can help her solve the mystery of all the bad things that are happening to her. We get so much in this book. There’s mystery, suspense, love and friendship. Family comes back together when you think it’s going to be torn apart. You get so much happening that you don’t want to put the book down. At least, that’s how it was with me. I kept saying one more chapter until there wasn’t any more left. This was such a great book. I can’t wait to read the stories involving the rest of the guys at the Body Armor agency. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book that I received from Net Galley.

The Body Armor Agency needs a new motto. Perhaps something on the order of “We’ll protect your body, and we’ll steal your heart.” Because this series, so far, is all wrapped in the trope of the bodyguard and his protectee falling for each other while dodging whatever is after her.

The start of Close Contact is a bit different from the other books, because MMA fighter turned bodyguard Miles Dartmann and personal shopper Maxi Nevar already know each other, in the Biblical sense, before the book begins.

That Maxi is the one who cut and run from their no-strings-attached fling still bothers Miles. A lot. And not just because he’s usually the one who leaves. It felt like they were really starting to get somewhere, and not just between the sheets, when Maxi disappeared without a trace.

But when she wakes up in the middle of the night, out in the middle of the field next to the house she inherited from her grandmother, with no recollection of how she got there, she remembers that Miles was about to start his new job as a bodyguard when they hooked up.

Because Maxi needs a bodyguard. She’s not sure who she needs guarding from, or even why, but someone keeps messing with her, her house, her stuff, and her life. At first, she chalked up the tiny incidents as misremembering or accidents, but waking up by the pond could only have happened the way it did if someone put her there.

The question is why. And for answers, she turns to Miles, his boss Sahara Silver, and Body Armor.

At first, only Sahara believes Maxi. Miles, still stinging a bit from Maxi’s rejection, is certain that there’s another jilted lover in there someplace who decided to get some payback. It’s not until he comes out to Maxi’s rather remote little farmhouse and witnesses things for himself that he finally gets on board.

And just as he does, the incidents ramp up. Whatever is happening is escalating, and Maxi still doesn’t know why.

It could have to do with her inheritance of the farmhouse and her grandmother’s surprisingly large assets. After all, her brother and sister both believe that they should have gotten a bigger share, and that Maxi should sell the property and just give it to them.

It could be her cheating ex-fiance, who suddenly seems to want her back now that she’s come into her inheritance, and won’t take no for an answer.

It could be the local law enforcement officer who seems to be waiting for Maxi to fall into his arms. A plan that is definitely thwarted by Miles’ presence in Maxi’s life – and eventually her bed.
But the longer that Miles spends with Maxi, the more of the potential suspects he is able to eliminate. And the closer that he gets to the woman who has staked out a place in his heart.

The hotter their romance gets, the more the suspense ratchets up. When the villain is finally revealed, it’s a surprise to everyone involved. Very nearly a deadly one.

Escape Rating A-: Close Contact is every bit as much fun as Hard Justice, the previous book in the series. And I absolutely loved that one.

One of the things I enjoyed about Close Contact was definitely Maxi. And not just because she feels not merely duty-bound, but actually enjoys taking care of all of her grandmother’s many, many (many) cats.

Don’t worry, she’s not a hoarder. The cats live outside, and mostly in the barn. But her grandmother loved them and Maxi cares for them – especially after one of them sticks by her the night she wakes up by the pond.

But what I really liked about Maxi was the way that she takes her life by the horns and learns to stand up for herself. She’s always felt like a bit of a failure, because she isn’t as ambitious and hard-driving as her siblings. But even though she’s used to jumping when they say jump, she still doesn’t give in or change what she believes is right, although she tries to keep the peace between them. It’s interesting watching that dynamic change over the course of the story.

Also, Maxi is right, at least about who isn’t her tormentor. Miles wants to suspect both her siblings and her ex, and they do all have reasons that foster that suspicion. But Maxi knows it isn’t them. I’m also glad it isn’t the ex, because that trope has been done to death.

And something else that was really well done was the forthright way that Miles dealt with the end of his MMA career and the reasons for that ending. I wish that the real-life NFL was half so honest about the risks of concussions and CTE.

The suspense part of this story ratchets up nicely. Or chillingly. It’s done well. The perpetrator is the person everyone least suspects, and the reasons for the whole mess are utterly tragic but at least began from a place that is easy to empathize with, even if the current results are well beyond the pale.

The romance in Close Contact is a bit fast, but it makes sense in context. They were already on their way to falling for each other when Maxi disappeared, so it makes sense that once they are forced into each other’s company, things eventually pick up where they left off. And it is right that they do.

If you like bodyguard romances, the Body Armor series is a winner. And you don’t have to read them all to get into them, but they’re fun, so why not?

We also get a chance to see hints of the next book in the series. It looks like Body Armor owner Sahara Silver may have finally met her match. And I can’t wait to read all about it in Fast Burn.

A danger and intrigue filled reunion! With the next book in her Body Armor series, Lori Foster grabs our attention with a gripping plot from page one. We go along for the danger filled ride of Miles and Maxi’s reunion. They have a super sexy connection and watching the chemistry sizzle between them is mesmerizing. Strong characters mixed in with a familiar cast of friendly faces make for a lot of fun as we trudge through the mystery to find out who is terrorizing her … and why! Looking forward to more in the series!

Miles Dartman enjoys life in the fast lane as much as the next guy. As a notable MMA champ turned bodyguard, he has no problem getting the ladies and living the good life … until he meets a woman who he actually wants more than just a casual fling with and gets rejected. He still hasn’t gotten over the sting of that when she’s all of a sudden back in his life looking for help.

Stylist Maxi Nevar finds herself in over her head when strange things start happening after an inheritance. She overlooks the small things, but when a major personal safety breach occurs, she decides she has no choice but to get some help … and the one guy she knows that is a good guy at heart happens to work at Body Armor security agency.

This a great story in the Body Armor series, when you think they can't get any better a new one comes out. It has a little mystery and romance and an Alpha male all wrapped into one, Miles is so protective of Maxi and goes to any length to keep her safe. The story flows so well and makes it hard to put down.
Lori Foster books are always amazing.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Great sexy romance, wonderful mystery plot and a touch of humor make this a good book. I really like the hot romance and mystery, but the angst and martyr and repetitiousness just kinda killed the buzz of a great romantic-suspense lite plot.

Miles and Maxi have had a steamy, sexy, no-strings attached affair and each has been happy with that, well Maxi appeared to be happy, Miles - not so much. Miles is at a point in his life where fighting just isn't enough and his relationship with Maxi, he wants more. Just as Miles seeks to deepen their relationship - Maxi disappears.

Maxi has a lot to deal with, her mother died during a procedure and shortly after, her dear grandmother falls down the stairs and dies. Her affair with Miles, such as it is, was solely to let off the pressure her siblings were heaping on her. When Maxi starts to feel connected to Miles, she splits. Her grandmother's farm is now hers, along with all her many cats and she intends to make it her home, much to the displeasure of her brother and sister who want her to sell and split the proceeds. When strange thing begin happening and Maxi wakes up after being drugged, she is terrified and goes to Body Armor and Miles for protection. Miles was none to happy with the disappearing act Maxi pulled, but the anger soon turns to lust when they are in such close surroundings. Maxi is afraid that Miles will never forgive her, but the sex is just to great not to indulge. 3 1/2 Stars

Foster delivers another great contemporary with her sexy MMA fighter series! Miles and Maxi’s story was a scrumptious delight of sexy attraction and second chances! I loved Miles’s thoughtful nature and got a kick out of Maxi’s stubbornness. I also loved the mystery twist! It provided a a nice thread of suspense that had me trying to guess who the bad guy was until the end! I am also highly anticipating Sahara and Brand’s story next! Talk about sexy...

If you’re looking for a fun, sexy read with mild suspense, definitely check this book out!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What can I say, but Lori knows how to write this genre well. From the strong male characters that make you swoon with their alpha energy. The former MMA fighters turned bodyguards are not only strong but have a deep sense of protectiveness of those they care about, which is true of Miles.

He let Maxi get away once but now that she needs his protection he isn't going to let her get away again. He finds himself at home in her inherited ranch house helping with projects around the house and caring for her numerous feral cats while keeping her protecting from threats intended to scare her into selling the land. The sparks that fly are enough to heat up the pages of the book. I couldn't read this book fast enough.