Hard to Handle

In keeping with my one book every two days pattern, I found myself plowing through another one of Lori Foster's SBC Fighter's books called Hard to Handle.  This is the series that I found myself breaking my strict "thou shalt not read out of order" rule because I became too enthralled with the cover and premise of her fourth book, My Man, Michael.  I swear to you, I had no idea, at the time, that the book was the fourth in a series. By the time I realized it, the damage was done. Luckily that fourth book truly was a stand alone novel and I never felt that it hurt me to read out of order. 

I had every intention of reading the first three books in this series in order (you know, to right my wrong), but my library isn't cooperating. Some other library goer (who is now on my poo list) won't return the first book and the second one, although listed as checked in, has gone missing.  Lovely.  I had no choice but to just go ahead and read the third. Order be damned.  However, with this one, I felt that I was really hurting by not reading the others first. Characters were coming in and out and mentioned in a way that I felt I should have already been introduced to them in the other books. But I moved forward and managed to (barely) keep everyone straight in my head.

Alright so the storyline.  Harley "Hard to Handle" Handleman (a little cheesy there, Lori) is a SBC fighter in his prime.  Being so close to earning the title belt that he can almost taste it, Harley will be darned if yet another distraction in his personal life will come between him and his career goal.  As soon as his injured elbow is better, he is back in the game--this time, no excuses. No distractions.

That is, until Harley begins noticing that his seemingly uninterested, "not his type" landlord is actually rather hot...and very intriguing.  Ah crap. Another distraction. 

Anastasia Bradley is an independent, highly successful woman.  Normally deeply fulfilled in her career as a life coach, Anastasia finds herself taking a little break after a previous client of hers caused some trouble.  She finds herself spending more time in her cottage in the mountains, where it just so happens Harley is recouping from his injuries right up the road.  She steers clear though. Landlord is about the only role she is willing to play in that man's life. Afterall, small mountain towns tend to talk and she is already well aware of his reputation. A ladies' man.  She would just be another conquest and there is little appeal in that...even if she is dying to see Harley without his clothes on.

After it becomes clear that Anatasia is the target of an unknown enemy, Harley finds himself playing protector. Although he is trying to refuse distractions, he can't help but worry about frail, fragile lil Stasia...he also can't help wanting to get her into bed. 

It's a typical push and pull, say the opposite of what you mean romance novel.  It moves along quickly and although there is really only one intense love scene, it's a doozy so I'll forgive Foster for not throwing in a few more.  The ending is a bit predictable but I find predictable to be comforting sometimes so I went with it.

However, I'll say this:  When I read reviews on Amazon.com of My Man, Michael, I was a bit shocked to see how harshly people judged Lori and her book.  Afterall, I thought it was pretty well done.  I liked the characters and although it was all a bit far fetched and hookey sci fi/time travel for my usual tastes, I dug it enough to not feel that it wasted my time. Granted I can admit, not everyone would feel that way, but I didn't think it was *that* bad.  Now that I have read Hard to Handle? I can see why fans of the SBC fighter series are ticked.  The first three apparently are about some of the main fighters in the league and are all very real life, real relationship type scenerios.  I can see, completely now, why fans would think she went totally off her rocker with number four.  I think I may actutally be a bit glad I read out of order in this case.

Since I have to wait for the other two SBC figher books (which yes, of course, I have on hold at my library), I am moving on to Anita Blake # 7.  I was shocked to see my library had the next four installments in stock so you better believe I grabbed those suckers and shoved them into my tote bag.  The next week I will be consumed, I am sure, by this series and will, most likely, just review them as a whole when I am done.