HARD TO HANDLE

Hard to Handle is a gritty, sexy, action-packed page turner.

Harley Handleman has been scheduled for an SBC title fight three times, and something always happens to derail his dream of a title. Recovered from an elbow injury, he is training for and determined not to miss the next opportunity to come his way. Harley is a man who doesn’t make attachments, not since his mother died of cancer, that is. He takes from women what he wants, when he wants and doesn’t stick around for the post coital chatter session. His only long-term relationships are with his coach, Satch, and his landlady of the past three years, Anastasia. The verbal sparring keeps Harley on his toes and when danger comes to Stasia’s door he is the one to protect her, not knowing he is finally about to lose his heart to the sexy woman who haunts his dreams.

Anastasia Bradley has been Harley’s landlady for the past three years in Echo Lake. She has been attracted to the big lunk for just as long. When Harley’s Uncle Satch hires her to be his life coach, it puts her at odds with the sexy fighter, making it difficult to keep her mind on business. When danger comes to her door, she does not want Harley involved, yet he steps in to protect her anyway. Knowing Harley’s “love-em and leave-em” reputation, she is not willing to become another groupie. But the more they are thrown together, and the more dangerous the situation, who will protect her from losing her heart or maybe even her life?

The SBC Fighters series continues with a romantic adventure featuring Harley Handleman as he sets out to win the championship once again. Life has thrown this warrior a lot of curves, but the biggest one is yet to come; a lovely lady named Anastasia Bradley. As a reader, I must admit Harley found a place in my heart in Simon Says and so I was anticipating his story. My expectations were met and surpassed once again by Lori Foster. She took this fictional cast and brought them to vivid life on the pages. These are real people, warts and all which makes them easy to relate to. A plethora of former characters and introductions to new ones make the story a fast moving skillfully woven intrigue with enough twists and turns to keep this reader up late into the night to finish, yet sad for the story to end. Harley and Anastasia is a fine pairing; strong and intelligent, witty and likable. I was captured and held by the sexual chemistry evident from the first introduction. The secondary romance will well please readers hoping Barber would find a love of his own. Not only does Lori Foster write passion well, but she also makes it real.