We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review & Excerpt Tour for Lori Foster's TOUGH LOVE! TOUGH LOVE is the next novel in her Ultimate Series published by Harlequin HQN. This amazing book releases on August 25th! If you haven't before, make sure you grab the other books in this fantastic series today!
Tough Love
Ultimate, #3
by Lori Foster
Release Date:
August 25th, 2015
Publisher:
Harlequin HQN
Source:
Publisher via NetGalley
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopsis:
She's playing hard to get… to win the MMA fighter of her ultimate fantasies in a sultry new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…
Vanity Baker loves a good, clean match, but she's not above playing a little dirty. She's wanted Stack "The Wolf" Hannigan from day one. Seems as though the best way to corral the famously commitment-phobic fighter is to insist on keeping it casual. And her plan works—deliciously well—until Stack's past steps out of the shadows.
Stack learned early to stay free of attachments. But with sexy, forthright Vanity, he's the one always left wanting more. Then his troublemaking family comes back into the picture, threatening everything Stack cares about—Vanity included. Suddenly he realizes they're much more than friends with benefits. He's ready to go to the mat for her…but will it be in time to protect the woman who's tamed him for good?
Tough Love
Ultimate, #3
by Lori Foster
Release Date:
August 25th, 2015
Publisher:
Harlequin HQN
Source:
Publisher via NetGalley
eARC received in exchange of honest review
Synopsis:
She's playing hard to get… to win the MMA fighter of her ultimate fantasies in a sultry new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…
Vanity Baker loves a good, clean match, but she's not above playing a little dirty. She's wanted Stack "The Wolf" Hannigan from day one. Seems as though the best way to corral the famously commitment-phobic fighter is to insist on keeping it casual. And her plan works—deliciously well—until Stack's past steps out of the shadows.
Stack learned early to stay free of attachments. But with sexy, forthright Vanity, he's the one always left wanting more. Then his troublemaking family comes back into the picture, threatening everything Stack cares about—Vanity included. Suddenly he realizes they're much more than friends with benefits. He's ready to go to the mat for her…but will it be in time to protect the woman who's tamed him for good?
Praise for TOUGH LOVE: “Foster brings her signature blend of heat and sweet to her addictive third Ultimate martial arts contemporary. Foster ably tosses out red herrings and also seamlessly lays the foundation for the next book in this series. This luscious tale will appeal to Foster’s legion of fans and attract new ones—even those who aren’t fans of professional fighting.”- Publishers Weekly
My Review of Hard Knocks Here
My Review of No Limits Here
My Review of Holding Strong Here
My Review of No Limits Here
My Review of Holding Strong Here
Ultimate Series on Goodreads:
Hard Knocks
No Limits
Holding Strong
Tough Love
Fighting Dirty
My Thoughts:
My Rating:
The Ultimate Series by Lori Foster is highly addicting, thrilling, sexy, and suspenseful. If you enjoy reading about gorgeous MMA fighters, then this series is a must read! What I love about Ms. Foster's books is the fact that you can tell she is a talented and seasoned writer. As seen with her Ultimate Series, Ms. Foster knows how to hook her readers with dynamic multi-layered characters, seamless and cohesive plot lines, steamy romance, and high octane suspense.
In Tough Love, we get Stack Hannigan and Vanity Baker's story. Stack doesn't do commitment. He's been intrigued by the beautiful Vanity, but refuses to make a move. Vanity knows what she wants, and what she wants is Stack. So, she devises a plan to reel him in, and hopefully get her happily ever after with her dream guy. Vanity propositions Stack. If he will be her date for their good friends, Cannon and Yvette's wedding, she promises him a happy ending to follow. Vanity hopes that once they spend a passionate night in each other's arms, Stack will see how good they are together, and want more.
Tough Love had all of the elements of a great story. Stack and Vanity's connection with one another was strong. They had friendship, passion, and respect for one another. As the main characters, we get to know both Stack and Vanity on a deep level. We learn about their families, memories from their pasts, as well as their talents, hobbies, and the essence of who they are. Stack was a talented fighter, loyal friend, son, sibling, and all around great guy. He oozed sea appeal and passion.
Vanity was lonely, but she finally found a home by making friends with the fighters from the recreational center, and their significant others. She was amazingly talented, but what really shone through was her beautiful heart. Vanity was extremely giving and selfless. She would give you the shoes off of her feet if you needed them. She was also a no nonsense, straight-forward type of person, but always gave people the benefit of the doubt.
As you can tell, I loved the main characters. However, the secondary characters were just as amazing, which is typical of a Lori Foster book. This close and cohesive group of fighters, and the girls they love, all have unique and likable personalties. I feel like I know each of these characters on an individual level. I love how loyal and protective they are of one another, and how they are like one giant family.
There is also an element of suspense in this novel. I don't want to give any spoilers, but will say that it upped the entertainment factor in the book, and was another brilliant aspect of the story. I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series, and have been waiting on pins and needles to read, Armie and Merissa's story, Fighting Dirty. I love how Ms. Foster gives us little teasers of each upcoming story in the current story. She knows how to wet a reader's appetite for more! Another thing I'd like to mention is that this series doesn't need to be read in order. However, all of the books are so good, that once you read one, you will surely want to read them all.
My Rating:
Book Teaser:
Book Trailer:
Book Excerpt:
Oblivious, Tabby said, “Mom, did you know Stack brought a woman with him?”
That got both of his mother’s eyes open. She even lifted to one elbow. “What? Who?” She looked around.
“Where is she?”
“In the waiting room with Phil. You should see her. She’s beautiful, built and really nice, too.”
“Stack,” his mother said, getting her first good look at him. “Are you in a tux?”
“Be right back.”
“I want to meet her!”
Stack didn’t reply. For a woman who only moments before had been incapacitated with a headache, his mother still knew how to issue orders. Urgency made his stride long and hurried as he went down the hall, past friendly nurses and a few worried visitors, all the way to the waiting room.
Vanity had her nose in a magazine.
And Phil, fucking Phil, was seated too close beside her, talking nonstop, fake laughing, schmoozing, doing his utmost to get her attention.
Vanity ignored him—just as she sometimes ignored Stack. But this time, as she felt his stare and looked up, she immediately put the magazine aside. Smiling, she came to him, walking right into his arms. “Hey.” She squeezed him with comforting concern. “How’s your mom?”
In that moment, Stack felt a lot of things. Too many things, damn it. At either side of her head he threaded his fingers into her long hair, anchoring her for his kiss.
Out of deference for the hospital atmosphere, he kept it brief. “She’s okay. How are you holding up?”
“Me?” She laughed, looking not just gorgeous, but precious, too. Her hand rubbed his biceps. “I’m not the one who was hurt.”
That earned her another kiss before he lifted her arm and feathered his fingertips over the soft skin above the bandage. “It’s been one hell of a day. You haven’t had any sleep.” “Neither have you.” That sweet, teasing smile twitched into place. In the barest of whispers, she said, “But at least I had two orgasms, so all in all, for me, it’s been a pretty good twenty-four hours.”
Urges rushed through Stack. The urge to hold her. To laugh with her. To use her to chase away the endless frustration he worked so hard to hide. To maybe confide in her about how badly he wanted to demolish Phil—and why.
To somehow claim her…for more than a quick taste.
In that moment it all became clear to him. Vanity tried to control things. But he needed that control, and once he had it he’d sway her to his way of thinking.
About the Author:
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
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Sweet Lord! Where have these books been hiding?!!! Getting the first book now! If I had to get in the ring with a book boyfriend, it'd definitely have to be either David "Tag" Taggert from Amy Harmon's The Song of David, or Gideon Cross from the Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the secondary characters are just as good as the main ones. Great Review! Will be checking this series out.
ReplyDeleteLoved this review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a good read and I love when we really get to see and know the characters on many levels. I like the sound of them as well. They sound like characters that really fit together.
I do love this author, but I haven't read this series yet. I do have the second book on my bookshelf and hopefully I will get to it soon. I love that there is a feeling of family and strong bonds. Great review, you definitely have me excited to start the series.
ReplyDeleteDo like it when there's a little suspense thrown in. Can't wait to get to this one.
ReplyDelete