He can protect anything except his heart Leese Phelps’s road hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s brought him to the perfect job–working for the elite Body Armor security agency. And what his newest assignment lacks in size, she makes up for in fire and backbone. But being drawn to Catalina Nicholson is a dangerous complication, especially since it could be the very man who hired Leese who’s … hired Leese who’s threatening her.
What Catalina knows could get her killed. But who’d believe the sordid truth about her powerful stepfather? Beyond Leese’s ripped body and brooding gaze is a man of impeccable honor. He’s the last person she expects to trust–and the first who’s ever made her feel safe. And he’s the only one who can help her expose a deadly secret, if they can just stay alive long enough…
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I love this whole series
First book in a new series. Some can be hit and miss with world and character building, but this story eased along comfortably like I already knew these people.
Catalina ‘Cat’ is on the run from her step-father and other unscrupulous men who will stop at nothing to capture her. She has witnessed a conversation with high powered people and reptutations are on the line. Her step-father hires a security team to track her down and protect her. Leese is an ex-MMA fighter and will put his life on the line to save her (also he’s sexy as). The chemistry between them sizzled out of my kindle. There is drama, kidnapping, murder and more action inbetween the lust making for one great adventurous love story. I hightly recommend this book and look forward to more in the series.
*Big huge happy sigh* What a great beginning to a new spin off series from the Ultimate Series. I have been dying for Leese’s story since he first appeared in Holding Strong as a cocky and not so nice guy who learned from his mistakes and tried to be a better man. I’ve watched him grow in Tough Love and Fighting Dirty and now he’s turned into a wonderful hero with his own love story. (Note that you don’t need to read the other books before you read Under Pressure because this is a stand alone and you won’t really miss anything about Leese from his appearance in the other series, but if you’re obsessed like me and would like to see how he was in the past, totally go back and read the other series later.) Now back to Leese and Catalina. I absolutely loved them both. She was so adorable and funny. She was strong and always spoke her mind. She found herself in a very scary situation but she didn’t allow it to change who she was. Loved that. Leese was hot, sexy and determined to keep her safe no matter what and the chemistry between the two of them was off the charts. This story was action packed, filled with despicable villains, and wonderful secondary characters I’d love to see more of in the future. It was just so amazing that I finished it the first time around so quickly that I had to go back and reread it slower because I didn’t want to leave their world so soon. Now I must wait impatiently for book 2 but I guess I’m one of the lucky ones able to read this book before it was released so I shouldn’t complain too much about the wait.
* I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader copy of this book *
Lori Foster does not disappoint. Great story. Great characters.
4.5*
I adored Lori Foster’s Ultimate series and was sad when it came to an end. Especially because we never really got to know much about Leese, one of the secondary characters who made an impression on me, and I’m sure on many other readers! So I was delighted when I heard she was writing a spin-off series based on Leese and a few of the other side characters from that series. And that it was going to be about bodyguards??? Sign me up, please!
Ms. Foster doesn’t waste any time (re)introducing Leese and Justice, we’re thrown right into the action with them from page 1 of Under Pressure. And the action is non-stop from there. Leese is tasked with protecting Catalina Nicholson, but from whom we’re not really sure. The mystery and intrigue had me flipping pages quickly, trying to figure out just who was responsible for putting Cat, and everyone around her, in danger. Twists and turns kept the story moving and the characters kept it interesting!
If you’re familiar at all with any of Lori Foster’s books, you know she’s one of the best at creating strong, protective, chivalrous alpha males…and Leese Phelps is no exception! His protective nature and caring personality makes him a perfect fit as a bodyguard. He’s definitely a changed man from when we met him originally in the Ultimate series, and he really captured my heart. And mine wasn’t the only heart he stole- Cat, after her initial leeriness and hesitancy because of everything that was happening around and to her, realizes that Leese is something special. While he does everything he can to fight the attraction to her, his client, she’s pretty relentless in her pursuit of him. And it’s quite entertaining- a little levity in what is otherwise a tense situation.
Under Pressure is a terrific start to what I’m sure will be another outstanding series from Lori Foster. It’s suspensful, romantic, engaging, an all around enjoyable read. Cat and Leese are such a sweet couple, one of the sweetest I think she’s written. I’m really quite excited for the rest of the books in this series, I’m ready to jump right into Justice’s book!
*Although Leese was originally introduced in the Ultimate series, Under Pressure can absolutely be read as a completely separate book that stands on its own.
She is my new favorite author!
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!
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!