Tuff Enough: A Steamy Private Security Friends-to-Lovers Romance

Samantha Cole

Blackhawk Security Book 1 · Suspenseful Seduction Publishing

About this ebook

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE • PROTECTIVE HERO • NEIGHBORS TO LOVERS

A Heart-Stopping Romance About Danger, Protection, and Love Worth Fighting For

Some neighbors borrow sugar. Others save your life...

Retired from the military, private security operative Jason "Tuff" Tanner craves action on the job and peace at home. But when his new neighbor becomes someone's target, his quiet world explodes—along with feelings he's never felt for any woman.

Animal Control Officer Concetta "Chet" Suarez thought her biggest worry was rescuing strays. Now someone wants her dead, and the protective man next door might be her only salvation—and the love she never saw coming.

The threats are escalating. The attraction is undeniable. And time is running out.

She's in the crosshairs, and his heart's on the line—will he lose her before he gets the chance to make her his?

🔥 TROPES 🔥

💫 Neighbors to Lovers

🖤 Military/Security Operative Hero

💪 Strong Heroine in Danger

👑 Alpha Protector

💔 Stalker Suspense

👮🏽‍♀️ Animal Control Officer 

⭐ Forced Proximity

🌶️ Spicy Romance

💕 Hero's Emotional Awakening

🐕 Adorable Rescue Dog

💖 Life-or-Death Stakes

🔥 Undeniable Chemistry

Perfect for fans of Susan Stoker, Maya Banks, and Cristin Harber—readers who crave protective alpha heroes, relatable heroines, and BookTok-worthy romantic suspense that delivers both steam and thrills.

If you love alpha protectors, neighbors to lovers, and romantic suspense where love conquers danger, then one-click this addictive thriller now!

***The Blackhawk Security series is a spinoff of Samantha Cole's popular Trident Security series.

Ratings and reviews

This is Tuff and Chet’s story. She is an animal Control Officer and he works secret security . They are neighbors. What will he do when his neighbor becomes a target? He has kept his distance so far, but will he be able to after he helps her? Can she get him to understand she is attracted to him? This book was slow through most of the book, but at the end of the falling action and resolution it was good. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Blackhawk Security members always fight for the under-dog! What's not to love about the electricity that tingles between Tuff and Chet while they both avoid them like bad karma. After Chet's encounter at her apartment, and some rescued dogs were kidnapped, Tuff engages his boss at Blackhawk for help to figure out what is going on as Chet becomes important to him. Samantha weaves a wicked web as the dogs become part of a bigger plot!

Chet and Tuff are neighbours. No amount of avoidance by Tuff, Chet and her curves are on his mind. All changes until Meat a recused fighting dog brings these two together. Friends with benefits sounds a good idea, hmm you know that is not going to work with these two. I loved how we have the the Blackhawk Security and Trident Security men and women. Chet is a strong woman who works as a dog trainer and rescuer. Oh with an ex from hell. Wow we have full on action, twists and who did what and why

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-Winning Author Samantha Cole is a retired policewoman and former paramedic. Using her life experiences and training, she strives to find the perfect mix of suspense and romance for her readers to enjoy.

Awards:

Wannabe in Wyoming (co-authored by J.B. Havens) won the bronze medal in the 2021 Readers’ Favorite Awards in the General Romance category.

Scattered Moments in Time won the gold medal in the 2020 Readers’ Favorite Awards in the Fiction Anthology category.

The Road to Solace won the silver medal in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards in the Contemporary Romance category.

Samantha has over thirty-five books published throughout several different series as well as a few standalone novels. A full list can be found on her website - www.samanthacoleauthor.com.