Sportochick's Musings: ARC Review: Holding Strong by Lori Foster

~ Genre ~ MMA Fighter, Contemporary Romance

~ Blurb ~

An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night from a woman fleeing her past in New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster'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 facade. 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…

~ My Review ~ 4.5 HEARTS

This is my first book by author Lori Foster and I will admit I am hooked on her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

This book contain a lot of characters/relationships and though I got confused a few times there was enough great detail and background on each relationship that I quickly got unconfused.

I enjoyed Cherry’s flirty personality, her strength and how she deals with crises in her life. Her strength of character is believable and comes across strongly throughout the pages.

Denver starts out the gate as a tough guy not interested in the flirt. Well it is too funny how he kept protesting but couldn’t stay away. I like how the author continually developed his character and the progression was extremely entertaining.

There are some intense scenes with Cherry’s foster brothers that take this book from fluffy to suspenseful and those scenes add an additional intensity to this book.

I was very pleased with how it ended as well as the setups for the next books and can’t wait to read them.

At the end there is a special bonus scene called The Wedding it’s a Cannon Colter Bonus Scene. What a delightful scene. I loved it and it is a great lead in to the next few books.

I give this a 4.5 Hearts and hope everyone reads this series.

I was given this ARC for an honest opinion by Netgalley.

~ My Rating ~

~ 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/

Career Highlights •In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.

•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.

•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.

•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.

•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” atwww.llfoster.com.

•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.

•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.

•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.

•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.