Lori Foster - Holding Strong

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…

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster Praise Title Page Dear Reader CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE THE WEDDING (Bonus Scene) Extract Copyright

“Readers will be thrilled with Foster’s new sexy batch of fight club heroes and the women who love them.”

—Kirkus Reviews on No Limits

“Storytelling at its best! Lori Foster should be on everyone’s auto-buy list.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon on No Limits

“Foster’s writing satisfies all appetites with plenty of searing sexual tension and page-turning action in this steamy, edgy, and surprisingly tender novel.”

—Publishers Weekly on Getting Rowdy

“Foster hits every note (or power chord) of the true alpha male hero.”

—Publishers Weekly on Bare It All

“A sexy, believable roller coaster of action and romance.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Run the Risk

“Bestseller Foster…has an amazing ability to capture a man’s emotions and lust with sizzling sex scenes and meld it with a strong woman’s point of view.”

—Publishers Weekly on A Perfect Storm

“Foster rounds out her searing trilogy with a story that tilts toward the sizzling and sexy side of the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews on Savor the Danger

“The fast-paced thriller keeps these well-developed characters moving…Foster’s series will continue to garner fans with this exciting installment.”

—Publishers Weekly on Trace of Fever

“Steamy, edgy, and taut.”

—Library Journal on When You Dare

Holding Strong

Lori Foster

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Reader Dear Reader CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE THE WEDDING (Bonus Scene) Extract Copyright ,

My newest Ultimate series, with books that each stand alone but are connected by characters who know each other, involves mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and falling in love. The books are not about fighting, but rather they are about high-level athletes fitting a monogamous, long-term relationship into the hectic schedule of training, travel, diet and competition.

The sport brings with it some hunky, capable alpha heroes so that all I need to do is add in the romance. Superfun for me and, given the reaction to the first two stories (Hard Knocks, an e-prequel novella, and No Limits, a novel), readers are enjoying them, too. I’m thrilled with the feedback I’ve gotten so far, and now I have my favorite couple yet!

Denver is big, strong, lethal in his skill, but he’s no match for Cherry once she decides she wants him. As always, they have several things they need to work out—all while Denver keeps up with his training. This is one of my sexiest books ever, but that’s because Denver is one of my sexiest heroes—something Cherry loves about him.

If you’re not familiar with MMA, it is a full-contact, full-body combat sport allowing the use of strikes from hands, feet, elbows and knees, along with grappling techniques (think wrestling, but with submissions using manipulation of joints like elbows, knees and ankles), both standing and on the ground. The UFC—Ultimate Fighting Championship—is the best-known organization; my fictional version is the SBC, or Supreme Battle Challenge. Many different disciplines are learned—Brazilian jujitsu, muay Thai, wrestling, boxing and kickboxing. You might read a term like a headlock, or an arm bar, or an ankle pick…just know that those are different terms used to describe the action, and given the scene, you should be able to get a visual. There won’t be much of that, though, because as I said, the core of these stories is romance—sexy, fun, one-on-one romance.

After No Limits released, I got (happily!) bombarded with reader letters and emails asking which of the fighters would be next. Now you know it’s Denver, and after him will be Stack. Armie, bless his kinky soul, will be last because let’s face it, Armie has some things to work out before he plays the role of romantic hero. But if you’d like a sneak peek into the plans, check the back of this book for a special “bonus scene” from No Limits hero Cannon’s point of view.

And of course, you are always welcome to reach out to me. I’m very active on most social media forums including Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads, and my email address is listed on my website at lorifoster.com.

I hope you continue to enjoy the Ultimate series. Do let me know!

Happy reading to all,

Lori Foster

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text 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…

Praise Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster Praise Title Page Dear Reader CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE THE WEDDING (Bonus Scene) Extract Copyright “Readers will be thrilled with Foster’s new sexy batch of fight club heroes and the women who love them.