by Lori Foster
Series: Body Armor #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
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 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 honour. 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...
Under Pressure is the first book in Lori Foster’s romantic suspense series Body Armor. We met Leese Phelp’s in Foster’s Ultimate series, and while we have guest appearances from beloved characters, this series holds its own and gives secondary characters from Ultimate 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 reading into the wee hours 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 starts out as a simple case soon becomes complicated when the very person who hired Body Armor 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 I love these new faces. Cat, is an artist and school teacher. 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 pure 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 by Lori Foster delivered the perfect mix of suspense and heat Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Jennifer
I have this one sitting on my Kindle from NG. I need to move it up my TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you do. Hey, I got Any Time, Any Place downloaded. I had to purge the Audio player Manager and it is finally fixed.
Ashley Montgomery
Sounds like another winner from one of my favorite authors. Glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad she is a fav!
Cyn
Glad you enjoyed this one too! I was starting to really like Leese in the Ultimate series, and I’m happy that he totally won me over in his book!
I’m excited for Justice’s book, too! But Sahara is definitely my favourite character of the book (: Awesome review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh agreed I liked Sahara a lot and cannot wait for Justice’s book 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Coffee under pressure would be in a percolator! Bwahaha
The Bibliophile Babe
I’m in the mood for a good alpha!
kimbacaffeinate
Always and this one cooks…and not just breakfast!
Bookworm Brandee
When I first started the review I read “Coffee Dates…” as “Coffee Under Pressure” and I was like, what?!? LOL This sounds like a great start to a new series. I need to get back to reading Foster because you’re right, even though she has a formula, you still can’t help but be sucked in. 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to see this was an enjoyable one. Mm…a man that can cook. yes please!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. Food I haven’t cooked always tastes better 🙂
Katherine
I’m a sucker for a body guard type romance and somehow I’ve yet to read anything by Lori Foster. This sounds like a super fun read and Leese sounds awesome!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy her books. Thanks Katherine
Braine
Leese, what a unique name.
I have two Foster books here, why haven’t I read them? So many great books, not enough free time to read anymore *sobs*
Happy Tuesday, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I feel you Braine!
Michele
Should I even admit that it was the “took some dark turns” that hooked me? lol I’m such a suspense addict lately. Thanks for the great review and adding to my list 😉
kimbacaffeinate
You are talking to someone who gets excited by the words serial killer…LOL
Mary Kirkland
That sounds great. I may have to read this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Her series are a lot of fun, and the characters hook me.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Formulaic doesn’t bother me as long as I know what I’m getting. Sometimes that is why you go to these things because you know exactly what you are going to get. My kind of relaxation. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly. They are comfort reads. I know in sense what to expect and devour them usually in a night.
blodeuedd
I have only read one by her, but it was a good one
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad and hope you try more.
Kathryn
I am certainly going to take note of this and especially as it is the start of a series I can get on board. I don’t mind formulaic when the characters just draw you in. And I really enjoy romantic suspense.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try her. My favorite series of hers was Love Undercover. Suspense, police offers…good times!
Angela Adams
A good romantic suspense always gets added to my list. Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too!
Quinn's Book Nook
I liked Under Pressure, but it wasn’t my favorite. I am super excited for Justice’s story, though. He totally won me over.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed. The instalove was ok, she has done better, but I loved all the secondary characters and agree, I am excited for Justice’s story.
Sophia Rose
A lady boss and ex-MMA fighters as security workers sounds great. I can be sold on instalove if done right. I love seeing a heroine overcome a lot like you describe.
kimbacaffeinate
The instalove aspect was ok, hence the 4 and not higher..but enjoyable all the same.
Heidi
I, too, have not tried this author, but I need to. This sounds like a good place to start and who can resist sexy elite agents?
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, you can dive in here. I had fun with it. Although my favorite series is her Love Under Cover series.
Stormi Johnson
I need to try this author, I know a lot of bloggers like her. I like romantic suspense, so I will put her on my list of authors to try.
kimbacaffeinate
Honestly, I have a good time with her books, some more than others but always good time.
Kristin
Awww, see, you make this series sound much better than another review I saw for it. I get Foster’s formula and I thought I was kind of over it but the suspense you mention AND the visit from former characters has me wanting to read this new one!!! I did love Leese from the Ultimate series b/c he came in as a “lost/bad” guy and turned out to be a friend to the girls in the series. I liked him a lot and he deserved a HEA. Hmmmmm… You kill my TBR sometimes!!!!!!!!
Awesome review, chica!!!!
kimbacaffeinate
She switches things up and I like the suspense angle. Some of the new characters already have me looking forward to the next.
Nise'
I will always pick up a Lori Foster book and was hoping Leese would get a story.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you enjoy her too Nise 🙂
Anna
This one sounds tasty. It’s on the TBR pile. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Anna!
Debbie Haupt
I have this one on my pile 😉
thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, enjoy!
kindlemom1
I love the ones that keep you reading until the wee hours of the morning. 😉 Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, thanks Ali!
Christy LoveOfBooks
Damn, already on to a new series? I still need to read the MMA one. I love how a lot of her book series are connected in some way.
kimbacaffeinate
I like that about them too. Connected but you don’t feel left out if you are a noobie 😉