A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he’s never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…
Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He’s also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she’s older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.
Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather’s legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette’s scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he’ll break all the rules to do it…
Releasing: August 26
When need be, I can fight dirty, though usually I just fight for sport. But when it comes to you, I fight to win.
I’ve been a HUGE Lori Foster fan since reading her very first SBC Fighters book years ago. Ever since then, I’ve been stalking the poor author in hopes that’d she’d write another MMA series. Considering that she’s a big fan of sport and it’s very evident in her writing, it just makes it all the better. So when Cannon was first introduced in Getting Rowdy, I’ve been practically salivating at the thought of him getting his own book. I kid you not. Allow me to quote my own review
On a different note, I am absolutely DYING to get a book for Cannon. He was one of my favorite parts of this book. Please please please give us a book for him. Did I happen to mention that he’s a fighter? I would squeal like a teenage girl spotting Justin Bieber if Lori Foster gives us another series like her SBC Fighters with Cannon. Seriously, I’m not even embarrassed to admit that.
So when I began reading this book and realized that Cannon is THE Cannon, I had a little moment
The one thing that I’ve truly come to appreciate in Miss Foster’s books is the way she ties all her characters together flawlessly, even from earlier series. We got Rowdy, Logan, Reese, Dash…and even Havoc had a mention.
Having said that, you can definitely read this as a standalone, though I would recommend reading the novella Hard Knocks, just to get a better introduction to all the fighters. Now on to the review.
Cannon
If you’re looking for a sweet yet incredibly sexy, protective and possessive yet not OTT hero, you simply must meet Cannon.
Three years ago, Cannon rescued her and her grandfather from kidnappers. Yvette has always harbored a school girl crush on the sexy fighter, but then he walked away from her. She was too young, too needy, too vulnerable…or so she thought. But Cannon never forgot the beautiful girl with the green eyes, so when her grandfather’s passing and will gives him the opportunity to fix the wrongs of years’ past, he doesn’t think twice. He wants Yvette, and he’ll have her, but first he needs to convince her.
The one thing that I always liked about Cannon, even when he was a young man in the other series, he was always the sweet guy. He was the neighborhood protector, the nice guy, yet he still exuded that sexy and dangerous vibe without coming off like an asshole. I was so happy to see that didn’t change in his own book. He was still the swoony protector, and still the nice guy. While he hasn’t been a saint in the 3 years he hasn’t seen Yvette, he was dubbed “the Saint” in the SBC for a reason; he treats everyone, even his one night stands with kindness. This is not your stereotypical asshole fighter book hero.
Cannon loses no time at all in making his intentions clear to Yvette. His feelings for her haven’t changed, and if anything they’ve only intensified through the years.
Yvette has always had feelings for Cannon, but she never thought he’d reciprocate it. But she’s not the same woman that she was when he rescued her. She’s older, wiser, and determined to fix her problems herself and not be seen as the vulnerable and needy girl used to be.
If you’re looking for some fighting action here, you won’t get it. This is very strictly a romance book with a hero that just happens to be a fighter. And honestly? I can’t complain in the least.
This was a slow burn and slower paced romance, meaning the author didn’t throw the MCs into bed at the very first opportunity. Not even close. The sexual chemistry and tension between them was palpable by the time they burned up the sheets together…and boy did they burn them up. But the sex wasn’t at the center of this book. The romance was. And the romance was perfection. Lori Foster was the author that first introduced me to contemporary romance, and all these books later she continues to remind me why she’s one of my go-to authors in the genre.
This book had a little bit of everything; romance, suspense, and some action. Even a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
Yvette was a character that in any other circumstance would bother me with her insecurities, but something about her just worked for me here. Sure I was frustrated with her a few times, but I also understood why she felt the way that she did, so I was able to look past it.
Then there were the side character; Armie, Denver, Stack, Vanity, Rissy, and Cherry. One future pairing has already been made clear, and let me just tell you I can already tell that that book will be SCORCHING. I can’t wait. I’m so happy that Lori has has written another MMA series, and can’t wait for more. This was the perfect book and couple to start off what promises to be another amazing series.
***ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest revew***
DGR: We first meet Cannon as a young man in Getting Rowdy. Did you know then that you would be writing a book for him? (I have to admit my first thought when I read the book was, ‘please please start another series with him like your SBC Fighters series’. I was a big fan of that series, obviously.)
DGR: I also know you’re a big fan of the MMA, does that make your writing process for this series more fun?
LF: Yes, definitely. It also makes it easier in some ways, more difficult in others. I have a lot of respect for these professional athletes and I want to do them justice while also romanticizing them and enhancing natural qualities enough to make them “book worthy” heroes. Because I love the sport, I feel familiar with it. But again, the realities of training and competing should never read like a how-to manual for a romance novel. So I have to gloss over some things, expound on others. Overall, my MMA series is about ripped, capable fighters falling in love and working through some suspense elements. NOT about actual fighting.
DGR: I personally loved Cannon’s combination of possessive and protective with super sweet. Can you tell the readers any more enticing details about his character?
LF: Like many of my heroes, he’s a natural born protector. He has a sister he adores, a neighborhood he’s loyal to, and a wealth of honorable, sometimes quirky friends. I like to write characters that have some flaws, but I have to admit, Cannon doesn’t have many. 🙂
DGR: What was your favorite part to write for No Limits?
This is awful to admit, but my favorite part to write was Armie Jacobson. He’s a character who will end up with his own book, and from the first time he showed up, he was hilarious and outrageous and he’d say and do things that surprised me and had me grinning. He’s a perfect best friend for the very responsible Cannon, and I have a feeling readers will enjoy him as much as I have.
DGR: This is an over-asked question, I’m sure, but I still have to ask. Who would be your dream cast to play Cannon and Yvette?
LF: Well shoot. That’s always a toughie because while I love movies, I almost never remember the names of actors. Josh Duhamel is always a hottie, and he’s big enough to be Cannon, although maybe he’s a little older. Not sure. Mila Kunis has the right look for Yvette, if she could play a quieter, more reserved part.
DGR: There were many interesting side characters introduced; Armie, Denver, Stack, Vanity, Rissy, and Cherry. Any hints who’s up next and who’ll be the heroine to bring him to his knees?
LF: Yes! I’m almost done writing Denver’s story now. It’s titled HOLDING STRONG and should be out April/May 2015. Denver is one of the bigger fighters (in more ways than the obvious) and he’s a little more alpha, a little less laidback than Cannon. He and Cherry showed some attraction in NO LIMITS, and in their own book they finally get together, but also have some issues to work out. Denver sees her as the ultimate party girl, and since he’s pretty possessive, that bugs him a lot. Both of them also have troublesome pasts that have to be resolved.
DGR: Armie (dreamy sigh). He was so much fun to read as a character. I think I highlighted everything he ever said. When is his book and can you give us any more details about him to tide us over in the wait?
LF: See!? I loved Armie too. I think you’re going to love him even more in HOLDING STRONG. But I don’t see Armie getting his own book until… the end of the series. Sorry. Cannon is first, Denver is second. Stack will likely be third. That leaves Armie for last. But the good part is that we’ll get to see Armie playing in his secondary role for a while longer. 🙂
DGR: I love that you also included several characters from other series like Rowdy, Logan, and of course even my favorite, Havoc, got a mention. Are any of the boys from SBC Fighters series going to be making any more appearances in this series?
LF: They are! I had to get permission from previous publishers to include them, but everyone is on board so expect some cameos and some longer roles as the two SBC series mesh. You can expect to see Dean (Havoc) Conor from CAUSING HAVOC, and Simon (Sublime) Evans from SIMON SAYS, and maybe even some peeks from Jude Jamison, JUDE’S LAW. 🙂
DGR: Anything else you’d like to let the readers know about this No Limits and the Ultimate series?
LF: Readers can catch early “sneak preview” excerpts on my website – www.LoriFoster.com and can win fun goodies like T-shirts, mouse pads, key chains, etc… on my Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/LoriFoster
Thank you!
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