HOT ASSET – Lauren Layne
21 Wall Street,  Book 1
Montlake Romance
ISBN: 9781503901063
May 2018
Contemporary Romance

New York City – Present Day

Ian Bradley is a hotshot financial guru but now he's officially under SEC (Security and Exchanges Commission) investigation. The SEC agent, Lara McKenzie, has set up shop in his office and he can't get his mind off her. Oh, of course Ian's worried about the investigation even though he knows he is innocent, but the beautiful agent is turning his head in ways that no other woman has done before. However, it's business only between them. But what about after-hours?

Lara needs this assignment to prove fruitful as it will have her on the fast track to the job she really wants: entrance into the FBI academy. She can't let herself be distracted by hot and handsome Ian as she doesn't want to taint the investigation. Of course, there are sparks flying between them, but Lara can't let Ian tempt her. As her days are spent perusing Ian's information and coming into contact with him, Lara finds herself even more hot and bothered by him. Will her lustful feelings about Ian torpedo her investigation?

In HOT ASSET, there is plenty of sexual chemistry between Ian and Lara right from the moment they meet, but once he realizes she's investigating him, he should've disliked her. However, Ian's frustration at the investigation is tempered by his developing feelings for Lara. They didn't invite the attraction, but it has built a huge wall between them. Getting involved could hurt both of them in the investigation. And since Lara wants to be in the FBI and has been ordered by her boss to find the dirt on Ian, she's between a rock and a hard wall. Will she ultimately have to choose between her career and Ian?

Ian might be a playboy but he's not loose with his company. That is why he's shocked at the investigation. Someone has it out for him and he can't think why. He tries to charm the information out of Lara, but it only ends up being fruitless…and him fighting a growing attraction to her. As readers soon learn in HOT ASSET, there is a suspicion that Ian is in fact being set up. Will we learn why? Will Ian and Lara finally get between the sheets without compromising the investigation?

HOT ASSET is the first story in the  21 Wall Street  series and readers get to meet Ian's friends and co-workers, including Kennedy, Matt, Sabrina, and Kate. I can't wait to see what's in store for them in their respective tales.

I highly recommend HOT ASSET, as it's an enjoyable tale of two people battling each other to save their careers, only to find love.

Patti Fischer