Holding Strong by Lori Foster Release Week

 

Book 2_Holding Strong by Lori Foster_cover

 

 

An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.

Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need more than she knows…

Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…

 EBOOK:            AMAZON       BARNES & NOBLE    iBOOKS     KOBO
PRINT:   AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE  BAM
Holding Strong will have you holding
your breath while burning fingers quickly turn the pages.”
“…a fun and sexy read. It has a touch of suspense to it as
well to keep the pace of the story going along.”
“The men of Foster’s Ultimate series may be powerful
fighters, but they are all heart, and none more so than the hero of this
installment. His unwavering support for his feisty, frightened heroine redeems
them both in time, but it is their searing chemistry that will hold readers’
attention.”
“Foster…manages to keep characters evolving throughout the
course of a novel, becoming true ‘heroes’ by the time ‘The End’ rolls around.”

 

Shaking his head, Denver turned back to the bar—and almost bumped into Cherry Peyton. The time of the night and so much dancing had left her bouncy blond hair a little messy, her makeup a little smudged, her skin flushed and dewy.

She looked so damn hot, his guts tightened.

One hand on the stool next to him, she asked, “Mind if I join you?”

Struggling with himself, Denver hesitated too long, causing her to retrench.

“Unless you’d rather I didn’t?” Watching him with big dark eyes that now looked wounded, she let out a breath. “You’re probably hoping to hook up, right? Stack and Miles already did, so I didn’t want to get in their way.”

Yeah, until he’d gotten preoccupied with watching her, that had been the plan. A one-night stand with a nameless woman he’d never have to see again. Relieve some stress. Get his head together. Then walk away.

Man, had shit gone awry on that plan.

And again, he’d hesitated too long.

Twisting her mouth, she nodded. “Got it.” She tucked her hair behind her ear with trembling fingers. “Sorry I intruded. It won’t happen again.” Her cheeks were hot, her eyes glassy as she turned away.

“Hey.” Before she’d taken a full step, Denver gestured at the seat. “Suit yourself.”

Given the length of time it had taken him to issue the invite, she should have been insulted. He half expected her to tell him to go to hell.

Instead, after considering him for several heartbeats, she slid that shapely ass up next to him.

“You’re staying in the hotel across the street, too?”

Why did she ask about the hotel? Looking at her lips, he said, “Yeah.”

“So am I.”

Damn, he didn’t need to know that.

She blew a curl away from her face. “I’m glad I decided not to drive back tonight.” Releasing a deep breath, she closed her eyes. “I’m beat.”

Seeing Cherry rub her temples, he asked, “Headache?”

“It’s so loud in here.”

Frowning, Denver stroked back her soft hair and put his palm to her forehead. Damn it. “You’re hot.”

At first she froze, while the rise and fall of her breasts gave away her deeper breathing.

Because of a simple touch? How was he supposed to resist that? Slowly, he withdrew.

And she relaxed. “Thanks. I think you’re hot, too.” She smiled at her jest. “Too much dancing, I guess. It’s so noisy and warm and…I should probably turn in.”

Denver watched her slide back off that barstool without commenting, without an offer to walk her over, without…anything.

She hesitated, giving him plenty of opportunity, and he saw the moment she gave up—probably on more than tonight.

Maybe for good.

It’d be for the best, but damn, the idea bothered him.

After a soft sigh, she said, “Good night, Denver.”

He felt like a coward. “Cherry.” Reaching out, he caught her wrist.

She turned, her gaze searching his.

“Hang on.”

Her short, humorless laugh cut him. “Why?”

Without meaning to, he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. Her hand was so small, delicate and soft.

There were a lot of rowdy guys hanging around, adrenaline pumping from the fights, either from watching or partaking, their discretion weakened by alcohol.

That excuse served as good as any.

“I’ll walk you over.”

“You really don’t need to do that. It’s just across the street.” She stared up at him. “Unless you want to.”

Yeah, he wanted that—and so much more. They both knew it. The only question now was whether or not they’d each follow through.

 

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/

Holding Strong by Lori Foster Release Week

 

Book 2_Holding Strong by Lori Foster_cover

 

 

An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.

Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need more than she knows…

Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…

 EBOOK:            AMAZON       BARNES & NOBLE    iBOOKS     KOBO
PRINT:   AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE  BAM
Holding Strong will have you holding
your breath while burning fingers quickly turn the pages.”
“…a fun and sexy read. It has a touch of suspense to it as
well to keep the pace of the story going along.”
“The men of Foster’s Ultimate series may be powerful
fighters, but they are all heart, and none more so than the hero of this
installment. His unwavering support for his feisty, frightened heroine redeems
them both in time, but it is their searing chemistry that will hold readers’
attention.”
“Foster…manages to keep characters evolving throughout the
course of a novel, becoming true ‘heroes’ by the time ‘The End’ rolls around.”

 

Watching her laugh, seeing her tease and flirt, burned his ass big-time. He loved when she laughed and teased with him—not so much when it was with other guys.

And therein lay the problem. He had a near-savage lust for her. When he looked

at her, when he heard that carefree laugh, he felt dangerously close to losing it.

Contemplating decisions and possible mistakes, Denver Lewis sipped his beer. He should look away

from her but knew he wouldn’t. She was all tits and ass and attitude in a petite frame, and God love the girl, she turned him on.

He’d avoided her, refused to be drawn in by her tempting smiles, and all in all given her the cold

shoulder since determining they wouldn’t suit. He had no right to judge her for having fun elsewhere.

 

But knowing and accepting that as true didn’t talk him off the ledge. No, if anything it wound him tighter.

Damn, she looked good. The shifting lights in the club played with her dark blond hair and the curves of her lush little body. His buddy Stack, another fighter, drew her into a fast dance. She didn’t refuse. Ever.

Cherry Peyton was always the life of the party. The loud music competed with the furious drumming of Denver’s heart as he monitored her every move. The music’s wild tempo kept her body from touching Stack’s. They danced around each other and the rest of the crowd on the floor. Every guy there made note of her, seeing her once and then taking a longer look. Her happiness, her laugh and that killer bod all combined for one hell of an impact on the male libido.

For over an hour, Denver watched her draw attention and smiles and, no doubt, sexual thoughts. He ignored other women who tried to get his attention, those who came up to him and propositioned him in modest and sometimes lewd ways.

Yeah, he wanted to get laid. But he wanted Cherry, not anyone else. It pissed him off that he couldn’t get her out of his head. He should have had her before decreeing theirs an acquaintance-only relationship, then maybe he could have some perspective when it came to seeing her with other men.

Then again, maybe not—because days after meeting her, he’d known sex wasn’t the only thing he wanted. He’d already begun to think of her as his, even though he hadn’t even kissed her yet. If only his territorial tendencies didn’t clash so badly with her playfulparty-girl personality. Seeing her accept her third glass of wine, he finished off his beer and called it quits.

At least on the alcohol. He stewed while watching her indulge in several dances with too many different guys—never mind that they were all from their group, fighters that she, and he, knew well and trusted as friends. They’d all come down en masse to cheer on one of their own. Fighters from the rec center who sparred and coached together. Men he’d known forever. Men who had befriended Cherry when she’d become roommates with Merissa, another fighter’s sister. She was well and truly enmeshed in his life, friends with his friends, a part of their inner group, and if he wasn’t denying himself like a freaking masochist he’d be over there with them right now. She’d be laughing and joking with him. Dancing with him. Treating him like everyone else. That she was so well accepted in their circle made it even more impossible to stop thinking about her, because everywhere he went, he saw her. Finally, after a robust dance that had her laughing aloud, Cherry began to fade. She dropped into a chair at a table with three other fighters and a few women. Her gaze never once came his way—almost as if she knew where he was and avoided making eye contact with him.

Suited Denver fine. Mostly.

Damn it.

 

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/