Catch to Release

by Lacey Schmidt

On the verge of finally releasing her own record label, lesbian folk-rock star, Shay Greenaura, finds herself caught up in more than just her music. When the threats she receives turn deadly, her manager contracts a security firm for protection. Addison Weller, a former Diplomatic Security Services agent is called in to assess the threats against Shay. Can Addison overcome the setback of her previous security detail and save Shay? Or will their undeniable attraction, brewing silently between them, prove a distraction and be the fatal catch? Follow this fast-paced adventure to its surprising romantic conclusion.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2016

About the author

I earned a doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology that has afforded me many opportunities to learn how all kinds of interesting people help make the world go around. Many of these heart-warming and heart-aching experiences continue to influence my writing. My previous fiction publications include a poetry book called The Nightshade Lexicon, short stories (Love’s Luck in the anthology It's in Her Kiss, Peaches for Honey in Christmas Medley, A Lone Star in The Texas Collection), and the lesbian romance novels A Walk Away, Catch to Release, and Playing With Matches published by Affinity Rainbow Publications. I have also published a creative non-fiction article in Bottom Dog Press' Unbroken Circle: Stories of Cultural Diversity in the South. Finally, I have written many peer-reviewed articles about the psychology of teamwork and leadership in extreme environments (i.e. NASA's spaceflight operations) and for Minerva Work Solutions' professional development guide, 50 Ways to Work Wiser. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Sound Cloud, or Google+ if you’re so inclined.

Reviews

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than good, it's brilliant!

I absolutely loved everything in this story. The plot line had my heart racing within the first pages and it was all along an adrenaline rush. All the characters are awesome and made this story special. The main characters are perfect for each others and Addy reeled me right in. The chemistry is definitely in the air. Shay is a hot musician, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of a highly popular band and she is developing her own record label. Her life and the lives of everyone in her immediate vicinity are in great danger. Someone will stop at nothing to destroy everything that Shay loves. Can Weller's team protect everyone? I don't go into the story plot, I can't even begin to explain all the things that happened in this book. Nothing is straightforward, there are always twists, turns and unexpected events. I'm new to this author and I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm so thrilled that I checked this one out. Go and read this yourselves otherwise you'll miss a fabulous story.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former DSS Agent Addy owns her own security firm specializing in protecting Government officials from judges to Diplomats. This time the assignment is much different. As a favour to a friend, she and her team are to recommend security measures and protection to the quirky lesbian singer and entrepreneur Shay. Shay is a bit of a hippie chick and wants nothing to do with security and protection, she just wants to do her thing. The problem is, at least one person has it out for her. Threats are one thing but now they are targeting her young daughter. Can Shay get along with Addy enough to get the job done? Will she take the safety measures seriously? Will she actually listen or leave herself open to attack? These questions and more will be answered when you read this thriller.


Oh my goodness! By chapter four I am already scared for Shay and by the end of chapter thirteen I'm down right terrified! Even with the capable former agent I'm not sure how this is going to end well for anyone!! I'm not even half way through the book, how will I survive the tension and apprehension long enough to finish it? Yikes!!

SO, ok, yes I tend to be a bit dramatic, but really now, this is a very good and technically sound novel! Addy is a woman I could go for big time. She's fierce, strong and dangerous with a gun and a kick ass attitude. Shay is a naive granola girl that, in spite of some really rotten years as a youngster, still wants to believe in the goodness of everyone She is open and generous. Both are very easy to care about.

I loved how this book made me sit on the edge of my seat despite my objections. The story was most engaging and obviously drew me in rather quickly. The different setting were vivid and detailed, I liked how I became a part of the story. I also liked the characters. Even the bad guy/girl/evil doer (you will find out) was particularly good at being nasty and mean.

I adored how this story ended up everything nice and neatly. Too often there are stories that leave you wondering HOW the couple gets to the HEA. This one tells you and it left me very satisfied. This is the first book of Ms Schmidt's that I have read but it will not be the last nor will I wait long to read another.

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never quite ‘real’ nor believable. Went in all sorts of directions, more thriller than romance, more WTF than sensible.

[Char Dafoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the typical bodyguard story that I'm used to reading. Usually the protected are defiant, stubborn, generally a pain in the caboose, and as some of those aspects ring true for the protected in this story, they don't remain that way for long. This story also didn't have the typical insta-attraction where both parties struggle to keep it in their pants, either. While there was attraction between protected and protector it was subtle that was slowly built over time. This was a humble, down to earth story, kind of like the vegan food a lot of the characters were eating. My favourite character was Iva, the protagonists little baby girl. She stole the show everytime she was in a scene. I felt this story centred on the actual threat and bodyguard part of it then the slow friendship/romance between the protagonists, whereas other bodyguard stories focuses more on the relationship than the threat(s).

The writing style had me doubting if I liked it or not but then quickly learned that this author was pretty smart with their metaphors and how they created sentences that flowed easily that also made you think. I would say the style is a little unorthodox but it worked!

[C. Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, predictable plot

This book was well written, in terms of use of language and editing. However, the plot left me frustrated as it read like the movie The Bodyguard. It had so much potential but never capitalised on it, hence the frustration.

[Amirantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well writen book. 3.5 Stars

The end seemed uninspired, especially considerin all the possibilities that were hinted at.
The characters could have been better developed, besides Addy, they all seem very superficial, yes even Shay who seems like nothing but a walking cliché. (I didn't like her at all as a person)

Now, I almost want to tell you exactly what the problems are but for that I'd have to spoiler the book, and I totally don't want to do that for you readers out there.

Although the plot was lacking in the end, it was very enjoyable to read. I don't know why but still I was contemplaiting giving 4 Stars but I will settle on 3.5 Stars :)

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters great mystery

An action-packed, entertaining story with interesting characters & riveting plot lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story good flow

I enjoyed this story, it had a nice collection of characters and story lines. The author kept the flow very nicely. Never gave away to much to soon.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is the second of Ms. Schmidt's that I have completed and it was quite a fun ride. For anyone seeking context on the substance of the plot, beyond the synopsis, it was, for me, a cross between Xena and The Bodyguard. Loved Weller and her team, particularly Reyna, Shay less so, while Robo and his oddly depicted spouse, Syl, were unnecessary supporting characters. The presence of two security threats was excessive and detracted from the shaping of a deeper introspection into the development of the central villain and his relation to Shay's dysfunctional former spouse. The romantic subplot was done quite well and there was sufficient charm to the book that I would welcome another entry into the series-with greater editing. A number of grammatical/spelling errors were present throughout the text, such as the reference to George "Straight" and Weller's "strait" nose, which are common occurrences in the writing process and easily remedied prior to publication. Still, the author possesses a keen ability to present the finest aspects of the romantic thriller effectively and kept me partially awake in the wee hours and removed from a work related brief.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like reading these storylines, the whole bodyguard thing. I always wonder how it's possible to not care about the person you're protecting. I mean, logically it's the only way but at the same time wouldn't you do better when you're emotionally invested too?