Showing posts with label Maya Banks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maya Banks. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday (217) Wherever You Are (KGI #12) by Maya Banks






"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I'm waiting on:

Wherever You Are (KGI, #12)

Wherever You Are (KGI #12) by

A KGI novel of nonstop suspense and explosive passion from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brighter Than the Sun.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering.
Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...


When some well-deserved R & R turns into a volatile situation for Skylar Watkins, she knows her team will never get to her in time. Her only hope is a promise once made to her by a desperate, grateful man—and his squad is within range…

Driven by a steely demeanor and fierce loyalty, the warrior now tasked with saving Skylar’s life knows her value to the KGI. He’s seen firsthand how daring—and lethal—she can be. He’ll get her back or die trying, but what he isn’t prepared for is the desire to keep her close, for wanting her to remain in his arms and under his watch…forever.
(Blurb via Goodreads)
Expected publication: November 6, 2018

What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

{eARC Romance Review} Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by Maya Banks

Brighter Than the Sun (KGI, #11)

Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by

Searing action and passion ignite the latest KGI novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Darkest Before Dawn.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering.
Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...


As the last unattached member of the Kelly clan, Joe is more than ready to risk life and limb on any mission he’s assigned to, but when it comes to love, he’ll keep his distance. He’s content to watch his brothers become thoroughly domesticated.

Zoe’s had nothing but heartbreak in her life, and she’s determined to start over with a completely new identity, thanks to her college friend, Rusty Kelly. But it’s the gorgeous smile and tender words of Joe Kelly that begin to weaken her resolve to never risk her heart again. And Joe will have to put everything on the line to save Zoe, when secrets of her past resurface—and threaten to tear them apart…
(Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} 336 pages. Published March 7th 2017 by Berkley Book.eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!
{Review} 

I enjoyed watching Joe fall. The last brother has seen his each and every of his brothers succumb to love but he has resisted. When Rusty brings home her friend Zoe, a skittish woman with secrets in her eyes, Joe can't help but fall. Admittedly things move fast, the Kelly men fall fast, but Joe's a sweetheart to Zoe. He wants to show her his favorite places, a fun time and that's she safe with him. Zoe is a sweet girl who had been taken in, her trust betrayed, and fearing for her life, she turns to the only person she can, her friend Rusty. The Kelly family is a revelation to Zoe, to think that there are so many people who love and look after each other.

While I liked Joe and Zoe's search for their happily ever after I thought the most intriguing element of the story was The Rusty and Sean Situation. A background character in the other books in the series Rusty has really grown into an interesting character. She's super smart - something she either keeps from her brothers or her brothers haven't bothered to learn about her - fiercely loyal and protective and in love with Sean. I admired her bravery, in going after what she wanted, but timing and harsh words demolish her heart, confidence, and causes her to take her life in a drastically different direction. I'm eager to learn what happens next.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Teaser Tuesday (133) Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

“This is better than a romance novel." P.J. said with a wistful sigh.

"You read that stuff?" Cole demanded.

"Why the hell do you ask the question like that?" P.J. said, annoyance evident in her tone and expression.

"You just didn't seem the type," Cole mumbled.

She flipped him the bird, and Shea had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. P.J. was easily half Cole's size but she also looked like she had the confidence to take on the much larger man. She might even kick his ass. The idea intrigued Shea greatly.

"I'm tempted to shove one of my romance novels up your ass." P.J. said sharply. "But I love my books too much to desecrate them like that, I'll settle for my boot."

Cole held up his hands in surrender. "I won't say another word. Romance novels are great. I love romance novels. I think everyone should read them.”
Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Teaser Tuesday (103) Safe at Last by Maya Banks



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
“Rage. Grief. Fury. Soul-deep sorrow.”

page 56, Safe at Last by Maya Banks

Friday, February 13, 2015

{Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway} In His Keeping (Slow Burn #2) by Maya Banks



In His Keeping
Slow Burn #2
By: Maya Banks
Releasing January 27th, 2015
Avon Romance

Blurb
#1 bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and steamy Slow Burn trilogy with this second book-a twisting tale featuring a strong yet vulnerable heroine in danger and the sexy alpha hero who must save her.

Abandoned as a baby to a young wealthy couple and raised in a world of privilege, Arial has no hint of her past or who she belonged to. Her only link lies in the one thing that sets her apart from everyone else—telekinetic powers. Protected by her adoptive parents and hidden from the public to keep her gift secret, Ari is raised in the lap of luxury, and isolation. That is, until someone begins threatening her life.

Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. As the head of Deveraux Security, he’s more than familiar with the realities of physic powers. So when a family friend approaches him about protecting his daughter, he’s more than ready to jump on board. What Beau isn’t prepared for is the extent of his attraction to his beautiful and powerful client. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. Even if it costs him his life.
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21900558-in-his-keeping?from_search=true

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/in-his-keeping-1

{Excerpt}

He would have laughed at the idea of fate and soul mates. The professor of his Human Resources and Development class had once said that the concept of there only being one person out there for you was utterly false. That you could fall in love— and love—many different people in your life.

He’d believed the exact same thing until one day a beautiful chestnut-headed, brown-eyed, adorably shy woman had walked into his life and his existence had been irrevocably changed. He’d known since the very first time she’d shyly accepted a dinner invitation with him that he was already in so deep that he had no hope of ever finding his way out. He hadn’t wanted to.

Gavin was a man who was decisive, could handle any issue flung his way. He had the total package, or so women liked to tell him. Good-looking, charismatic, dark and brooding and wealthy. He was no naïve fool. The last attribute was his most compelling one. The women he’d been with hadn’t likely given thought to anything beyond the tag that was solidly fixed on his
forehead. Billionaire.

He’d actually laid eyes on Ginger the very first time, ironically, when he’d been out with another woman. He’d had his e tire evening planned, in fact. Nice dinner, intimate atmosphere, flirt with his date, whose name completely escaped him now, and then go back to her place to have sex before returning to his own apartment.

No one came to his home or invaded his private sanctuary. Sex was always at his date’s place or in a hotel, and he always left afterward. To some women that made him a cold bastard, but he was hardly hypocrite enough to indulge in postcoital cuddle when he’d made it clear that there would be no emotional entanglements.

He hadn’t stayed when he’d dropped his date off, much to her disappointment. His mind had been too occupied with the sweet, smiling waitress with big brown shy eyes who blushed when he stared at her for too long.

He wasn’t normally so ill-mannered or lacking in social graces, but he’d been captivated by her from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, and so the next night, he’d gone back to the restaurant. Alone. He’d made certain he was seated in her section of tables and he’d proceeded to be the most demanding of customers, commanding her attention every few minutes for some trumped-up need.

It had taken three agonizingly long weeks before he’d been able to talk her into going out with him to dinner. Three weeks of self-induced celibacy because he’d known that she would be the last woman in his bed forever, so he hadn’t minded the wait.

It had then taken him six more months of dating before he took things further than heated good-night kisses and feeling the warmth of her soft body against his while he held her. It had been the best six months of his life.

The night he’d finally taken her to bed and very gently made her his, he’d proposed and she’d cried all over him. It had taken him three more months of her practically living with him to talk her into accepting his marriage proposal, but once he’d gained her acceptance, his patience had fled. He’d hustled her in front of a judge at the very first opportunity and had claimed her for all time.

After a blissful year of having her entirely to himself—and he was extremely possessive and selfish of his time with her— she’d begun talking about having his child. He hadn’t thought he could be happier than he was, but then he’d begun imagining sweet little girls who looked just like their mama and he’d been determined to fill their home with a dozen if that was what she wanted. And that was where they’d hit a brick wall.

   
{Details} eARC, 432 pages. Published January 27th 2015 by Harper Collins (first published January 6th 2015). Source: eARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Non-stop action and excitement. A woman with special abilities and a strength she wasn't aware of. A natural born protector who meets the woman he's determined to claim.

While I was eager to get to see Beau and Ari together, they are awesome together, the book starts out with another love story - Gavin and Ginger, Ari's parents - and how Ari came into their lives. We get to see not only Ari's abilities but the family that they will do anything to protect. 


Life is good for Ari, although she feels a bit too dependent on her family, until she is attacked and is forced to use her abilities to keep her safe. Suddenly her secret is revealed, her life is in danger and all alone, she turns to Beau Devereaux for help.

Beau is big and hard, an alpha male. He's uber protective and once he's committed to something there isn't anything that will stop him. Ari is soft and sweet, devoted to her family, protected and cherished. She doesn't see herself as a strong person but over the course of the book she develops not only her abilities but also confidence in herself. I thought they were perfect for each other, strong where the other is weak, they're both loyal defenders who love fiercely.

The storyline is exciting with gun fights, car chases, an explosion or two, and will keep you turning the pages in order to find out what happens next. The romance is sweet and hot although not too hot because there isn't much time for that when people trying to kill them.


Though In His Keeping is book two in the Slow Burn series it isn't necessary to read book one, Keep Me Safe, first although I highly recommend it, Maya Bank's heroes are something else. I adored Zack who appeared frequently in In His Keeping and can't wait to read his story in book three, Safe At Last.
Author Info
Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels.
She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a Calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Three Print Bundles of KEEP ME SAFE and IN HIS KEEPING)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, March 17, 2014

{Historical Romance Review} In Bed With A Highlander by Maya Banks


In Bed with a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy, #1)

Maya Banks' beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy—and to surrender their hearts to love.
Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan's clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin's strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land. (Blurb via Goodreads)
 

Buy: Amazon + Barnes&Noble + The Book Depository

{Details} Mass Market Paperback, 351 pages. Published August 30th 2011 by Ballantine Books. Source: won in a blog giveaway

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review}
"Mairin Stuart knelt on the stone floor beside her pallet and bowed her head in her evening prayer." (page 1, line 1)
I liked Mairin. Brave, impulsive,  charming, reckless, stubborn, with a tendency to blurt out her thoughts, Mairin. I felt for her. She's without family, without a home, destined to be a pawn, to be used for her inheritance. Even when she does find a home she still struggles to find her place, to figure out how to fit in.

Ewan is all alpha male. He's bossy, protective, a devoted father, a fierce warrior, and he's just as stubborn as Mairin. I thought Ewan and Mairin were a good match. I liked their banter and they way they challenged each other. Banks did a good job in showing Ewan and Mairin's developing emotional connection but their sexual chemistry fell flat. Their relationship was definitely more exciting outside of the bedroom.

I loved the secondary characters, Ewan's brothers Alaric and Caelen (I can't wait to read their stories), Maddie and Bertha, and dear small Crispin.

The storyline was exciting. There was always something happening, danger and escapades - I couldn't put it down.