Grace Under Pressure

I absolutely loved this book. It has the right blend of romance and mystery--and ohmygosh--the romance will take your breath away! Ms. Schroeder has created a masterpiece!

Loved this book. It was funny and sexy. The characters were great and I found myself cheering for them to make it work. The sex scenes were hot and got me all tingly! This book is a keeper.

This was the first book of Melissa's I read and I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Grace is a College History Professor who finds herself in more trouble than she can handle, but she finds all the help she needs in her new neighbor and town Sheriff. The characters in the book are great together and make the story great.

Grace Michaels is a college history professor with a very hectic life. Grace has research to do on a diary she plans to write a book about; her ex-fiancé has just shown up in town wanting to talk; her parents have parked their RV in her driveway; and, she's trying to tempt her sexy neighbor, Ren Morello, into a hot, no-strings attached affair. When someone breaks into her house and her office, Grace turns to the new sheriff in town for assistance. Luckily for her, the new sheriff is Ren. Ren Morello has recently gone through a very nasty divorce and has no desire to get involved with Grace, or any woman who doesn't know the score - no commitment allowed. Ren wants nothing more to do with marriage. All he wants is simple, commitment-free sex. Unfortunately for Ren, Grace reminds him of a pinup girl from the 1950's - lush, lovely and captivating. Every time Grace is near, Ren has trouble keeping his hands, and his lips, to himself because she is the only woman he can picture in his bed. When threats to Grace turn almost deadly, Ren appoints himself her protector, and keeping his hands off her delectable body becomes impossible. As the danger increases, the attraction between Grace and Ren grows deeper and more intense. Grace must chose between protecting her heart or her life. Grace Under Pressure is a sexy story with an amazing balance of romance and mystery. Melissa Schroeder keeps readers guessing as to the identity of the person trying to hurt Grace. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs to lighten the mood. Through all the problems, Grace never loses her sense of humor. The character interactions, not only between Ren and Grace but the secondary characters as well, are wonderfully realistic and fun to witness. The developing relationship between Grace's brother and her best friend is just as intense and interesting as that of Grace and Ren. There are quite a few terrific secondary characters, such as the Bachelor Professors, who add so much to this already superb tale. I have to admit that I loved Grace Under Pressure enough to have read it at least three times. Melissa Schroeder's characters are genuine and real. The mystery is captivating and the love story is unforgettable. Watching the commitment-shy Ren fall under Grace's spell is irresistible. This book has it all: romance, fun, mystery, steamy love scenes, wacky characters, and love. Do not miss out on Melissa Schroeder's wonderful book! Grace Under Pressure is a recommended read and definitely a keeper!

Men and romance are not on Grace Michaels' list of priorities. Really, they aren't. She spends her time working and on her research. At least, that was true before the sexy new Sheriff showed up next door. And on her doorstep - over and over again. The word `no' just doesn't seem to be in her vocabulary when Ren Morello is around. Ren isn't cut out for a relationship. All he wants is good old-fashioned sex without commitment. Ren keeps telling himself that, but finds it harder to believe the more he is around Grace. When a break-in at Grace's home turns into a string of attacks on her life, it Ren's duty as Sheriff to protect her, and there is no place he'd rather be. From the very first book I ever read by Melissa Schroeder, I was an instant fan, and she has not let me down yet! Grace Under Pressure is another fantastic book from this author, and is guaranteed to garner new fans that may pick this one as their first Melissa Schroeder title. Grace is a heroine that almost any woman can readily identify with. Her insecurities, her pain, her fears are those common to most of us, making it an easy thing to picture oneself in her shoes. Even with all of that, compounded with the danger she is currently in, she never quite loses her sense of humor, endearing her to both the reader and to Ren himself. Every woman can use a Ren Morello in her life. Strong, sexy, and noble, he is everything you can dream up in a hero - if he can just get past that little quirk that has him believing he isn't cut out for a relationship... Of course, it is just that little quirk that makes watching him fall, however reluctantly, for Grace all the more delicious! While the romance is definitely in the forefront of this story, there is also a very prevalent mystery in the plot. My favorite romance novels are those that have a story that can stand alone even if you removed the romance portion of it, and this one could definitely fill that requirement! Of course, who would WANT to remove the romance, especially when it is as hot as it is in Grace Under Pressure?!