Review: Softly at Sunrise by Maya Banks

Softly at Sunrise

by Maya Banks

(KGI # 5.5)

Well....a couple of things first.  Even though this story is #5.5 in the series, this actually takes place in the middle of book six.  However, there is only one minor reference to something that I guess happens in that book and everything else is independent.

Problem with automatically buying books by an author you like?  You stop reading blurbs.  At least I do.  Anyway, I'm reading this series already so of course I bought this the day it came out.  But here's the problem.  This story is mainly about Ethan and Rachel.  My least favorite couple in the series.

Ethan and Rachel have had the worst time getting together and quite frankly I had some issues to start with in their book (#1) because their marriage was already in shambles when she got taken and tortured.  How could their marriage be at that low point and then after she's gone through so much we can expect a HEA?  I do think this short story was needed because it gives an epilogue to their romance.  If not an epilogue it opens up another chapter.

I wish I could've seen a little more of them connecting in this story, however they are the same distant people.  Except now Rachel is pregnant...with twins.  And she started working again.

At least I'm happy to see some of the Kelly family that I was missing in the last book!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to read PJ & Cole's book though.  They might take the top spot as my favorite couple (now occupied by Sam and Sophie).

Purchase Links: Amazon

Covers to Covet

Killing Time

by Cindy Gerard

One Eyed Jacks # 1

Mike "Primetime" Brown's story!

Available February 2013

Shades of Gray

KGI # 6

by Maya Banks

P.J. and Cole were sharpshooting rivals on the same KGI team and enjoyed a spirited, uncomplicated camaraderie. Until the night they gave in to their desires and suddenly took their relationship one step further. In the aftermath of their one night stand, they’re called up on a mission that goes terribly wrong, and P.J. walks away from KGI, determined not to drag her teammates into the murky shadows she’s poised to delve into.

Six months later, Cole hasn’t given up his search for P.J., and he’s determined to bring her back home where she belongs. Bent on vengeance, P.J. is on a mission that will plunge her into a serpentine game of payback and make her question everything she’s ever believed in. Cole—and the rest of their team—refuse to let her go it alone. Even if it means sacrificing their loyalty to KGI and their very lives…

Available January 1, 2013

Fall Into You

Loving on the Edge # 3

by Roni Loren

He’ll do anything for you. But you’d better say please.

When tomboy sports reporter Charli Beaumonde loses a dream TV job because she’s not girly enough for primetime, she’s determined to land a big scoop and prove her boss made a mistake. But when she gets too close to a football scandal and finds her life threatened, Charli accepts an offer from family friend Grant Waters to hide out at his place—even if Grant predicts nothing but trouble from his buddy’s hard-headed, uncompromising, irrepressible, younger sister. There’s one more problem…

Grant’s “place” is The Ranch, a BDSM resort in Texas, and he’s used to being in charge —even if that means trying to keep Charli in line. But much to Grant’s surprise, she’s intrigued—even envious—of his trainees. They’re the epitome of what she’s never been: sexy, beguiling, and totally irresistible to a man. Still, Grant doesn’t believe for a minute that the sharp-tongued Charli has it in her to be anyone’s submissive. But Charli’s already on her knees vying for the chance to prove that even the Master can be wrong sometimes.

 Available January 1, 2013

Lush

Delicious # 3

by Lauren Dane

This is the 3rd DELICIOUS Novel and features Mary and Damien…

USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane delivers a second serving of sexy in her new Delicious novel—in which taste and temptation make up a sweet recipe…

Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She’s got everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.

Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were all in high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.

What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon get much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long it’s Damien who wants more of Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to the celebrity news and he’s got a very big job ahead of him—proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand…

 Available April 2, 2013

ARC Review: Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks

3.5 Feathers

Echoes at Dawn

by Maya Banks

(KGI # 5)

Rio is the perfect romantic suspense alpha hero.  At least that's what I thought every time he showed up in this series before.  Then he made it his mission to go after Grace Peterson and rescue her.  Well somehow between that decision and what went down in this book he lost some of that alpha appeal.

This book started out strong for me and slowly fizzled out some of the charm.  At times it felt we weren't getting much progression in the overall story although there was a lot of action.

Grace seemed a lot stronger and ended up being a more delicate type of heroine, even though still stronger than her sister Shea in my opinion.  Grace and Rio still worked well as a couple though, him being the strong protector and relying on her powers at times and there was still some spark.  As a couple I have to say I liked them a lot better than the previous book.  Although the romance might've felt a bit rushed, and I would've liked their connection to develop through a longer period of time.  Rio was still a pretty strong hero even though he was toned down from what I expected.

And then there's the Kelly's...this is not a Kelly family book.  They were mostly absent in this story and I expect the same from the next book as well.  I do expect the next book to be a little more to my liking, being that it's PJ and Cole.  Playful but hard.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

ARC Review: Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks

Whispers in the Dark

by Maya Banks

(KGI # 4)

I think the easiest way to write a review for this book is to just give you a list of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good:
- The Kelly family! Even though we don't get to see as much of all of them as I would've liked, we do get some brother interaction. I look forward to reading this series because I love this family.
- Plenty of action and suspense. Bad guys, running and fighting. The suspense level was excellent.

The Bad:
- The hero. Is it bad to say that I kinda thought Nathan was a needy baby at times in this book? Don't get me wrong I still liked him, I just liked him a whole lot better in previous books. I understand what he went through with being captured and almost killed was tough but he didn't come across as an alpha male to me. And *hangs head in shame* he seemed a bit inexperienced at certain things, if you know what I mean... I guess I should stop measuring everyone up to Sam's standards!
- The heroine. Shea, Shea, Shea. I could really take her or leave her. She was always first to sacrifice herself for everyone else and it almost cost her dearly many times. And although that requires some balls in itself, I wished she could've been a bit more kick ass.

The Ugly:
- After three books I've come to expect a certain type of story from the series. So I was actually pretty shocked with the supernatural turn of events it's taken. At the beginning I was ok with it thinking it wouldn't be as big of a deal but it took over the whole storyline and it seems the next book as well. I'm not too sure how I feel about it.

So is it a good book? Yes. Not my favorite in this series by any means, but I will be better prepared for the next book I think and probably will enjoy it more. 

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Link: Amazon

Review: Hidden Away by Maya Banks

This was another great addition to the series!!! I enjoyed the storyline, it was setup nicely, and Garrett was such a sweety!!!

He's been one of my favorites, and in his book, again, he's sweet as pie, and sexy as hell! I loved him during the "beach time", when he left the bag of books and wine at her door.... Awww, a man who knows the way to my heart! Sarah was an ok heroine for me, she just doesn't have the spark that Sophie had, but given the circumstances she did ok. My only complaint... not enough sex! LOL I do love how he talked to her. ;)

The side stories as usual were great, I love the whole Kelly family! They're great. Sophie had her baby, and one of my favorite moments was Garrett freaking out about having to take her to the hospital, and then he was the only one there when they were preparing her... I was LMAO!

Rusty... Very sad, but I liked that finally the family is coming around and giving her a place in their hearts, and they're sticking up for her. I really want her to get a book... PLEASE!!!!

I had hopes for PJ and Donovan to get together, but now, after this book, I'm thinking it might be PJ and Cole... :( 

Can't wait for the next book!!!

Review: The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks

I really wanted to give this book a better rating because I loved the story of the KGI in itself and the world Ms. Banks has created so much. However, I didn't feel connected to the main characters and their relationship. I kept wanting to read more about all the other characters, who I love by the way, than the main characters. Not that the story was not well written and kept me on my toes and had a lot of ups and downs, I just didn't care much what happened to them.

Ethan was sweet for the most part (now), but how could he have thought something so crazy before she died, how could she just be ok with such accusations. It felt a bit like the beginning of the Elite Ops series (Lora Leigh), so if you liked that series you'd enjoy this one, but also with a feel for the family vibe in the Nauti series (Lora Leigh).

I wouldn't classify this book as an erotica read though, they only have sex twice (can't remember now) and it is a touchy subject due to her condition, and that aspect I found was well written.

Onto my speculations for this series:  Sam, Garrett and Donovan... I can't wait for their books! Nathan I'm hoping will end up with Rusty, so I'll give them some time for her to grow up, yeah I know there's an age difference but I can see sparks flying. I think Donovan will end up with PJ.

I also like Rio and Steele even though they're not part of the family, they're still part of the team. And Sean I wouldn't mind seeing more of his character developed.

Frank and Marlene are so sweet and just nice, and they're all a very tight family.

The action in this book was great! Military suspense at its best and I'm looking forward to reading book 2, which I'm starting right away.

Review: No Place To Run by Maya Banks

 

I love the KGI world that Ms. Banks has created! I wasn't completely sold on book 1, but this one was excellent!

There's only one word to describe Sam... HOT! I liked him so much better as the hero of this story. He's so alpha and in command, but so soft and sweet like a teddy bear.

Sophie has a very strong personality, doesn't take bullshit from anyone since she's had to protect herself and do what she had to since being a little girl and living in the environment she did, without the love and support of a real family.

We still get a glimpse of spunky Rusty, but we also see a more emotional side to her this time.  I am so intrigued by her character and can't wait to see her grow and mature.  Garrett is his usual grumpy, hard self and we get to see more of Van.

The books starts out in the middle of a mission in Mexico, except page 1 finds us with Sam having some extra-curricular activities with a local waitress, who he seems to just not be able to stay away from.

Lets' just say the chemistry between Sam and Sophie is sizzling.  During this mission he was not aware that she's the daughter of the man he's in Mexico trying to take out.

Sophie has lived a horrible life, her father killed her mother right in front of her, and has made her life a living hell, a prison. She now sees the opportunity to be free and get rid of him, and she takes it. Even though it will end her encounters with Sam forever. Sam, who is quickly becoming an addiction to her.

Now fast forward 5 months... Sam is back home, and can't get Sophie out of his head, he went back for her, tried to find her, but she had just vanished. Except she comes back into his life and finds him, she's been shot... and PREGNANT. She confesses who she is, but not that she killed her father. She knows her uncle is tracking her because of something she stole after killing his father and will stop at nothing to get it. Even killing her, the baby or Sam. But Sam can help her. She knows a bit of who he is, and he can protect her and the baby now that she can't run anymore.

Sam, Garrett and Van are all skeptical, but they protect her until they can get to the bottom of the story, which soon evolves into assassins coming after Sophie, Sam's father having a heart attack, and their mother getting kidnapped from the hospital.

There's a lot of action, specially towards the end of this book, there's many twists, and they all have to prove their loyalties for love and family.  It starts off with a bang and continues on a ride full of passion, intrigue and action that you won't be able to put down.