Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.
When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their “one week stand” only complicates matters.
Because she’ll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he’ll do everything he can to hold her.
Note: Stand-alone, M/F, HEA.
***WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!***
Early Readers say…
“One to Hold is One to buy! Holy mother of god is Derek Alexander HOT!!!!” –Karrie, Panty Dropping Book Blog
“Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Will have you waiting up at night for your husband so you can recreate scenes.” –Magan Vernon, author of The Only One
“Beautiful, meaningful and extremely sexy. Tia Louise created an amazing story that hooked me and kept me guessing.” –Patricia, Smokin’ Hot Book Blog
“A sexy read with just the right amount of drama. Louise’s characters pulled me in and didn’t let go.” –Kate Roth, author of The Low Notes
“Well paced, well written, steamy and downright exciting.” –Jennifer Kyle, Goodreads reviewer
“Super HOT, AMAZING chemistry, and a really great story line.”–Jamie~Book Boyfriend Ho, Goodreads reviewer
I was lucky enough to get to sit down with Melissa and Derek for an interview – if you want to avoid any spoilers skip the last third of the interview, when I question both of them! I hate to give away spoilers – but I had to ask, and they surprised me by actually answering me!
I’m so very excited about my interview with Melissa and Derek. I loved their story and can’t wait to pick their brains. We decide to meet at a little local coffee shop on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I arrive early and get a table towards the back and wait for my guests to arrive. When they do…they take my breath away. They’re just a flat out gorgeous couple. Once I stop drooling, I wave at them and rise as they make their wave over to greet me. We make small talk about the weather and what they have been up to as we get our coffee orders…well, two coffee’s and a hot chocolate for a certain someone who is having cravings! (Apparently chocolate is mandatory!)
Lisa: “Thank you both so much for sitting down with me.”
Melissa: “Of course, we’re only too happy to.”
Lisa: “I don’t want to be too much of a pain, so I’ll get straight to it, sound good?”
Derek: “Sounds like a plan.”
Lisa: “Alright Melissa, ladies first – you ready?”
Melissa: “Sure am.”
Lisa: “I have to know, do you regret not going to find Derek the second night? Or do you think it would have made leaving him that much harder?”
Melissa: “Hmm… that’s a hard question. At the time, it was the right decision. And maybe I should’ve been stronger when I saw him again later. But I guess in the end it all worked out. Leaving him was hard no matter what.”
Lisa: “Good point! If you couldn’t work in the marketing field, what could you see yourself doing?”
Melissa: “Marketing for me is helping people, business owners in particular. So I guess if I weren’t helping them promote their businesses, I’d help them in some other way. I like finding worthwhile people and shining a light on them.”
Lisa: “Awesome – I can definitely see that. Can you imagine your life without Elaine? Y’all have been friends for forever what’s one of your favorite memories of the two of you together?”
Melissa: “No, I can not imagine my life without Elaine. She was my first friend when we moved to Wilmington when I was in fourth grade, and she’s been my best friend ever since. We have so many fun memories, but I guess my favorites are of when we used to sit up all night watching movies together in high school. We went through a major John Hughes phase… Breakfast Club.” 🙂
Lisa: “Ya’ll have great taste in movies! Love it! Have you had any further contact with Sloan or is that just a bad chapter in your life that you would like to forget?”
Melissa: “I haven’t heard from him. And I don’t expect I will—at least if he knows what’s good for him.”
Lisa: “Well that’s good, do you regret not ending it with Sloan sooner and letting it get to the point that it did?”
Melissa: “I want to regret everything about him, but if I do, then things might not have ended up the way they did…”
Lisa: “Alright, curiosity has got the best of me…were you always as sexually adventurous as you were with Derek? He seems to bring out a different side to you…do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing?”
Melissa: “He does have a way of getting me to try things…”
She says as a pinkish hue graces her cheeks. Derek pulls her closer to his side, kissing the top of her head. His Cheshire cat smile tells me how much he enjoys getting her to try new things!
Melissa: “I think it’s a very good thing. LOL!” 🙂
Lisa: “I think so too! Derek, how about you?”
He shoots me a panty melting smile and a wink. Yup! That’s what I thought…
Lisa: “Alright Derek, enough with the cute smiles, it’s your turn. What do you like the most about your job? What’s the thing you hate the most?”
Derek: “When I was a kid, I devoured detective novels and spy movies. I really like that sometimes my job is like Mission Impossible, but most of the time, it’s boring paperwork and sifting through pages of numbers or emails. (Not scaling the sides of skyscrapers in Dubai.)”
Lisa: “Hmm…yeah, the only thing I got out of that is how adorable I think it is that you used to read detective novels as a kid. So, how did you and Patrick meet? I feel like there is a story there…”
Derek: “Patrick is the younger brother of my first business partner Stuart. He wanted to get in the business, and I didn’t want to change the name on everything. Stuart vouched for him, so I gave him a shot. And yes, there is a story there. It’s mostly a story of how now I won’t have to fire him, or at the very least kick his ass, thanks to Elaine… But you’ll get more of that soon.”
Lisa: “Oooh…can’t wait to hear the full story! Now, I have to ask a tough question, losing your wife must have been one of the hardest things you’ve had to go through – and you’ve been through a lot! What was it about Melissa that made you want to act on your feelings? After 6 years I can’t imagine you hadn’t seen a beautiful woman before…”
Derek: “In my previous answer, I said I was ready to fire Patrick, but I suppose I should also thank him. For the first few years after Alison died, I didn’t even see women. Then I guess it just became a habit, going through the motions, passing the days, doing time. Patrick challenged me for it—partly by sleeping with every woman in the office, but also by demanding I get back in the game. Little brothers can be a pain in the ass, but I suppose I was thinking about his words and starting to look around again when I saw Melissa.”
Lisa: “Wow, way to go Patrick. 🙂 Answering Sloan’s email – a blessing or a curse?”
Derek: “Blessing in disguise.”
Lisa: “Nice. Alright, another toughy…the day Melissa came to your office…explain what went through your mind, how did you feel, etc.”
Derek: “I remember that moment too well. I was beyond happy to see her. But then she told me why she was there, and it all went to hell.”
Lisa: “Okay, no more tough questions – let’s have some fun with both of you. What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”
Melissa: “Those big strong arms.”
She smiles appreciatively as she runs her hands up one of said big strong arms.
Derek: “Everything. But mostly that face she makes when she’s being stubborn with me. She wins every time.”
Melissa let’s out a laugh.
Melissa: “Good to know!”
Lisa: “Worst Regret? Favorite Memory? Biggest flaw? Worst pet peeve?”
Melissa: “All of those? Ummm… Well, I can’t really regret anything because then I wouldn’t be here. But my favorite memory is possibly of a family restroom.”
She looks up a Derek and a devious grin curves her mouth. Derek leans down to plant a deliciously slow kiss on her lips. As he pulls back, their gaze is heated…hmm…might need to wrap this up soon!
Derek: “Here, I’ll finish. Biggest flaw is perhaps I’m a bit inflexible at times. But my pet peeve is … well, let’s just say bad behavior. Selfish choices.”
Lisa: “Okay…I have to be nosey…can I have baby details? (I promise – I can keep a secret!)”
Melissa: “You mean names? I’m totally winning. We’re calling him Dex.”
I clasp my hands over my mouth so I don’t audibly squee and scare people.
Derek: “What she also just told you is it’s a boy.”
Lisa: “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you both. So if you’re both in a sharing mood, I have another nosey question – can I have wedding details? (I promise…I won’t tell!)”
Together: “Elope.”
Lisa: “I like that…maybe an Arizona wedding?” 😉
Melissa: “Just because of our past… But we’ll probably wait until after Dex is here.”
Derek: “Or maybe not.”
Melissa: “We’ll see. First we have to decide on where we’ll live.”
Lisa: “Speaking of that…any decision on where you’re going to live yet? I’m dying to know!”
Derek: “We’re still working out the details.”
Lisa: “Gotcha. So, where do you see yourselves in five years?”
Melissa: “Together. Wherever that might be.”
Lisa: “Good plan! Alright, time for a little rapid fire…tell me the first thing that comes to mind – Arizona?”
Melissa: “Sex.”
Derek laughs, shaking as his head, as he responds.
Derek: “Sex.”
Lisa: “Floating Heart Necklaces?” 🙂
Melissa: “Oh… swoon!”
Derek simply smiles. Answer received…the man has skills.
Lisa: “I agree Melissa! Patrick?”
Melissa: “Love him.”
Derek: “He’s improving.”
Lisa: “Family Bathrooms?” 😉
Melissa: “OMG!”
She covers her face with both hands laughing. Derek shrugs.
Derek: “It was conveniently located.”
Lisa: “Hey…it worked! Fire Pits?
Melissa recovers from laughing, still a little red from embarrassment. She smiles warmly.
Melissa: “So wonderful. Bonding, warm…”
Derek: “What she said.”
Lisa: “The color red?” 🙂
Derek: “Favorite.”
Melissa: “Taking over my wardrobe.”
Lisa: “Sloan?”
Melissa: “No comment.”
Derek: “Dead.”
Lisa: “This ones for Melissa…Derek?”
Melissa: “Wonderful. Everything. Love.”
Lisa: “Very good answers. Alright, Derek, your turn – Melissa?
Derek: “Gorgeous. Life.”
Lisa: “Alright, last rapid fire, Love?”
Melissa: “Derek. Oh! And little Dex.”
Derek: “Mel, first and always.”
Lisa: “Smart Man! Okay…last part of the interview…a little game of either/or. On a beach or in a bathroom?” 😉
Derek throws his head back laughing.
Melissa: “Ew, that’s hard! I don’t know…”
Lisa: “Alright, I’ll give ya’ll a pass…chocolate or vanilla?”
Both: “Chocolate.”
Lisa: “Hard or soft?”
Derek and Melissa turn and glance at each other.
Melissa: “What number are we on?”
I can’t stop the giggle that emerges.
Lisa: “We’ll just pass on that one too. Go out or stay in?”
Melissa: “Out.”
Derek: “Whatever she says.”
Lisa: “City or Beach?”
Melissa’s face lights up with a beaming smile.
Melissa: “Beach.”
Derek rolls his eyes and sighs.
Lisa: “Books or movies?”
Melissa: “Books.”
Derek: “Depends on the movie. Depends on the book.”
Lisa: “Good answer Melissa! Fast or slow?”
Once again, they turn and share another glance.
Derek: “What number are we on?”
Melissa: “The first time is usually fast and hard…”
She giggles as Derek gives her a look so steamy, I’m glad we’re almost done with this interview!
Derek: “I’m feeling like a first time right now…”
Melissa slaps his arm playfully and he smiles at her as he leans down and kisses her. They’re just too delicious for words. Love them. We sit and chat as we finish our coffee. I get a little scoop from Melissa about Patrick and Elaine…sigh…all too soon, we’re saying our goodbyes and I give them both a hug as we go our separate ways.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
4 “red” “floating heart necklace” Kisses
A sure way to a dirty book lovers heart is some hot and steamy action right off the bat. One to Hold hooked me within the first 10% with that, but it held my attention with so much more. The mystery, the intrigue, the characters, the twists! I devoured this book within a matter of hours and it not only satisfied my dirty book whore, but it pulled on my heart strings and left me giggling like a school girl at the end.
Melissa Jones…my poor Melissa is sad…broken…a shell of what she once was before her marriage. But she has a plan and is on the road to a happier life…a better life before the ‘bastard fucknut’ – her words, not mine, although I love them and will definitely try and find a way to use them in my every day language. So, on the advice of her best friend, they go away for a little R&R to a spa in the Arizona desert, a trip that will eventually change the course of her life. Although Melissa has been through some shit, she is still a strong woman…a confident woman…and a very sexy woman…one that happens to catch the eye of an equally sexy man.
‘This was not me. I did not fantasize about hooking up with strange men in bars. And a cocky alpha who studied me like I was a frontier landscape he was ready to conquer had never been my type. He probably wanted to tie me up or handcuff me to something. A delicious shiver passed through me at the thought.’
Derek Alexander…oh my…tall, dark, handsome and alpha – yes please! Derek is powerful and charming and sexy and swoony and delicious. My feelings for Derek developed over time…at first, he was a hot, sexy, 6’2” distraction…then he started pulling on those little heart strings I mentioned earlier…and it was a quick fall. I fell right along with Melissa…it’s hard not to. And then…I was sad…then hurt…then betrayed…confused – I was all over the map. But once the ‘truth’ comes out, all was forgiven and forgotten and I was right back to those good old heart warming, loving and sexy feelings. Even with those not so great feelings, I was still drawn to him – I wanted to know why, I was upset but I needed explanations…unlike Melissa who didn’t want to know anything, she just wanted to forget and move on. But you can’t move on from Derek Alexander.
‘“Red is definitely your color,” he said in that low voice that made me wish for the nearest family bathroom.’
Yes…Derek and Melissa have a hot, passionate and amazingly sexy connection. Like off the charts, melt your panties, hot and steamy connection. Wow…just…wow. And Melissa fights it tooth and nail that what they have is more than just this out of control sexual chemistry. Derek is exactly what Melissa needs…just not at the right time and Melissa is exactly what Derek needs, but his reason for meeting her is a little…shitty. I’m being vague with good reason – how everything unfolds is very crucial to the plot and angst and I don’t want to spoil anything because trust me…I did not see this one coming! Maybe I was just too wrapped up in the sexy and swoon, but…yeah, I loved that I didn’t see it coming and hated the way it made me feel.
‘He lowered his face to gently kiss me, and right then it was inescapable. The seemingly endless kiss he pressed, soft lips lingering against mine, tongue lightly touching my tongue, sealed it for me. He was everything I wanted. He was safe with me, I felt safe with him, and I wanted him to hold me forever so badly.’
So, I’m going to address the ‘no-nut sphincter taster’ – once again, not my words, those are Elaine’s (Melissa’s best friend) and another little gem I will be stealing. Sloan Reynolds. Excuse me while I vomit. He’s a piece of shit. Sorry…not going to sugar coat this one. He’s a complete douche canoe with a side of ass hat to boot. Sloan is the soon to be ex-husband…the source of all Melissa’s pain…and he just won’t go away. Ugh…hate talking about him…he’s just yuck yuckity yuck! He’s not necessarily the cause for the angst…but he’s definitely the cause of some of the drama. His presence is an anchor and source of torment to Melissa and the moment she is set free from him…is just awesome.
‘He’d survive without his heart. He had mine to use in its place.’
It wasn’t just the sex that drew me to Derek and Melissa…did they have a fast love affair? Yes…they have a week and there is a lot of push and pull and of course that made me like them more, but the speed of their relationship didn’t bother me, because I felt their connection. It was initially based on sex, but I did feel like they got to know each other and it didn’t feel like it had only been a week. They had an instant pull and draw to each other, which just made feeling comfortable with their relationship that much easier. There was an ease and comfortability that usually takes time to develop but for the Derek and Melissa…I just got it. What else did I love about them…I loved the things he said to her, I loved the necklace he got her, I loved the ‘Christmas surprise’ and I especially loved how they had sex pretty much anywhere and everywhere – hello hotness! I also loved that their best friends developed a relationship too – can I beg for a Elaine and Patrick book?!? 🙂
‘He rose to a sitting position beside me, catching my hand and pulling the back of it to his lips. “I want more than a week this time,” he said, his voice turning gentle. “Much more.” He apused and then held my gaze. “One day soon, when you’re feeling whole again, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”’
There are very few times I can feel this satisfied with the ending of a book…9 times out of 10 I always want more, but I really could not be more satisfied with where Derek and Melissa’s story ending. They are happy, I told you I giggled like a school girl at the end…it was just a sweet, romantic and perfect ending to their story. One To Hold was a whirlwind of a book that completely knocked me off my game and out of a wicked book hangover that I had been stuck in – I loved every second of it! It was sexy, sweet, hot and wonderful. And even better news…it’s going to be a series!!! SQUEEEE – bring on Patrick and One To Keep!
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Tia Louise is a former journalist now writing sexy novels for sexy adults. All of her stories are inspired by real heroes. Have a truffle, darling. Say yes~
I love this interview + review so much! Mel & Derek really opened up for you!!! *wink* 🙂 Thanks~ <3 Tia