HARD TO HANDLE

Author: Lori Foster ISBN: 9780425219720 2/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: BERKLEY

Extreme fighter Harley Handleman has an outlook on life as hard as his muscular body. Fate has dealt him a sucker punch—and a low blow, at that. First, there were his failed attempts at the title belt. Then, Harley's mother lost her fight with breast cancer, leaving him with no family but his trainer, Uncle Satch. Taking a break in the mountains seemed like a good idea. But his vacation isn't nearly as restful as he expccted—thanks to his landlady, Anastasia Bradley. Their verbal sparring keeps him on his toes, and the sensual sparks that fly between them would knock out a lesser man. The last thing Harley wants is more complications in his life, so he's determined to keep his distance from the alluring Stasia. But someone else has also noticed Stasia—someone who is putting her life in danger. To protect Stasia, Harley must stay close, but his growing feelings for her may be a hit hard to handle...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

HARD TO HANDLE is my first Lori Foster read, but I hope it will not be my last! This fast paced, sexy, and "great read guaranteed" book is one that I enjoyed from start to finish.

I admit to knowing less than zero about extreme fighting, but something tells me that Lori Foster has most of it right. Her attention to how men act in such situations, and how women respond to them, make this read not only entertaining and amusing, but downright insightful. I enjoy all that male/female misunderstanding and banter, and Foster's dialogue and scene setting perfects it.

As much as I like this book, especially the hero and heroine, Anastasia and Harley, I have to say the side mystery of the heroine possibly being in danger is more of a distraction than anything. I see why Foster uses it in the beginning of the book, but something better could have worked to bring the two lovers together. But, because everything else about the story works, I can deal with it.

So, HARD TO HANDLE is a HOT romance and a great read. I can't ask for more than that!

Shannon Johnson