TOUGH LOVE (Ultimate #3) by Lori Foster-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 25, 2015

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?

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REVIEW: TOUGH LOVE is the third installment in Lori Foster’s adult, contemporary MMA Ultimate erotic romance series. This is model/artist Vanity Baker, and MMA fighter Stack “The Wolf” Hannigan’s storyline. TOUGH LOVE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives TOUGH LOVE follows the building relationship between Vanity and Stack. Vanity invited Stack to be her plus one for Cannon and Yvette’s (No Limits #1) wedding with the promise of something more at the end of the night. What ensues is a series of interruptions including a car accident involving a drunk driver; the introduction of Vanity to Stack’s mother and long suffering sister; and several assaults and attempted robberies disguised as a means to distract Stack from the woman who calls to his heart.

Like many of the series’ heroines Vanity is a rabid fan of the MMA and one man in particular- Stack Hannigan. For months Vanity’s attempts to flirt and seduce Stack have gone unnoticed or ignored until a promise of one night of $ex if Stack accompanies Vanity to their friend’s nuptial’s. Unbeknownst to Vanity, Stack has been attracted to our storyline heroine for as long as he can remember but when his past comes back hoping to reconnect, Vanity’s safety will be his number one concern. The relationship between Stack and Vanity begins as friends to an arrangement for a potential friends with benefits option but quickly escalates into something more. The $ex scenes are provocative and hot.

TOUGH LOVE also looks at dysfunctional family values; love, betrayal, heartbreak and distrust. Stack’s sister has found her herself in a difficult situation with a husband whose own life is spiraling out of control; and his mother has a difficult time saying no to her only daughter. Years before, Vanity’s family were all lost in a horrific accident; our heroine is the sole heir and with it came financial freedom and the ability to financially help whoever she can. But Vanity isn’t one to sit back and enjoy the money; she works three jobs to keep herself busy-never once asking anyone for assistance or help. It is Vanity’s attempts to help Stack’s extended family that find our heroine in deeper trouble than she could have imagined. Vanity tends to be a little naïve when it comes to trust and money; she has a habit of revealing too much information at the wrong place and the wrong time.

Lori Foster’s ULTIMATE MMA series has a large ensemble cast of characters. All of the previous storyline couples and characters play a secondary and supporting role throughout the story. The mysterious and reclusive MMA fighter Armie Jacboson may or may not have feelings for Cannon’s younger sister Merissa; and Vanity’s best friend and personal guardian Leese-another MMA fighter who has yet to come into his prime- knows that Vanity is off limits when Stack stakes a claim in front of their friends and fellow fighters.

The world building continues to focus on the fighters of the MMA and the women whom they love. The fighting is secondary to the storyline premise; in fact, there are no professional fight sequences or bouts anywhere within the TOUGH LOVE storyline-we do get a glimpse into a self defense class aimed at keeping everyone safe. All of Lori’s heroes are alpha male; dominant and over protective. Staking a claim is part of their DNA and personality.

My only concern was the ‘conflict’ and ‘tension’ woven into the storyline, and throughout Vanity and Stack’s relationship. There were so many threats from different directions that I couldn’t help but wonder if the author had a difficult time with the ‘who and why’. In the end, everything was a blur yet I felt nothing was completely resolved.

TOUGH LOVE is an entertaining storyline. There are moments of heartbreak and betrayal; tenderness and devotion; falling in love and letting go. The premise had a little bit of mystery and suspense; the characters are colorful and spirited; the romance is impassioned and intense. TOUGH LOVE sees another MMA fighter finding love with the woman who stole his heart.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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BACK TO BUCKHORN
(Buckhorn Brothers #7)
by Lori Foster
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Original Release Date: June 2, 2014

For odd-girl-out Zoey Hodge, the best thing about Buckhorn, Kentucky, was leaving it behind. And now she’s back—at least until she can nurse her mother back to health and hightail it out of there anew. But there’s one person she doesn’t mind seeing again. Garrett Hudson was one of the few who was always kind to her. Now he’s a firefighter—still one of the good guys, but with a sexy alpha charm that’s tempting her inner bad girl.

In school, Zoey was smart, witty and unafraid to be herself. Garrett fell hard back then, and he’s falling even faster now. As far as he’s concerned, there are all kinds of reasons Zoey should stick around. Her pet grooming business. Her mom. And the chance for him to prove that he can be her real-life hero in every way that matters.

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REVIEW: BACK TO BUCKHORN is a bonus novella included at the back of TOUGH LOVE originally released in June 2014 as part of Lori Foster’s BUCKHORN BROTHERS series. BACK TO BUCKHORN looks at the second generation of family-Garrett Hudson and Zoey Hodge. Garret is the son of Morgan Hudson (Buckhorn Brothers #2).

Zoey’s return, after a seven year absence, brings back too many memories for a number of people in the small town of Buckhorn and with it the potential for retribution and revenge. But Garrett is all about protecting Zoey Hodge-the woman he can’t stop thinking about since her return.

BACK TO BUCKHORN is a quick read; a friends to lovers storyline that ends with a commitment towards the future and a happily ever after. Morgan Hudson makes a cameo appearance –no longer the sheriff but the town’s popular mayor; and Garret’s sister Amber goes all mother bear in order to protect her friend Zoey Hodge.