Reviews by Jackie & Robin: Mastered by Maya Banks

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Breathless Trilogy comes the first novel in the Enforcers series—a bold new direction in erotic romance that explores the games men and women play, and the price they’re willing to pay for pleasure.

What he wants, he takes with no remorse or guilt.

She stood out in his club like a gem, unspoiled and untouched. A lamb among wolves, she clearly didn’t belong. Drawn to her innocence he watched as she was surrounded by men who saw what he did—but no one but him could touch her. He summoned her to his private quarters. He sensed her fear. He also recognized the desire in her eyes. And he knew she wouldn’t leave before he possessed her. She had no need to know his secrets. Not until he had her under his complete and utter control.

What he wants, she isn’t sure she can give him.

The moment he told her want he wanted, she couldn’t resist. Instinct told her to run, but her heart said stay and walk the fine line between pleasure and pain. Though she wasn’t sure she could ever completely surrender, the primal part of her wanted to try, even knowing this man could break her in ways she never imagined. Because once he possessed her, he owned her and it would be too late to turn back. She can only pray that he doesn’t destroy her in the end.


Coming May 2016: The Enforcers Book II: Dominated

Add to Goodreads

Amazon US   Amazon UK  BN

4 Star Review

I was given this book for a honest review
The only other books I have read by Maya Banks is The Breathless Series so I was interested to read this one with another alpha male, I was not disappointed but I do love a good Dom/sub story.
Drake Donovan is rough around the edges, he can be brutal but he will protect what is his ......
Evangeline is sweet and innocent and from the start I wasn't sure if I was going to like her but as the story goes on she grows on you.
This book is an erotic romance and its all about being swept off your feet, being pampered and sometimes being spanked. Drake is a kinky Dom and he need Evangeline to give herself and submit to him......
This book is hot and I mean hot as hell and it has some great secondary male characters who work for Drake and I hope Maya gives each one of them there own book.
I do have to say there is a cliffhanger and I really hope we are not waiting to long for the next part of Drake and Evangeline's story......................

 3.5 stars

Evangeline has just been dumped shortly after giving her virginity to her boyfriend.  In order to build her confidence, her roommates give her a makeover and a VIP ticket to one of the hottest nightclubs in town, owned by self-made millionaire Drake Donovan.  Once inside the club, Evangeline has a confrontation with her ex and his new girlfriend.  Drake happens to be viewing the in-club security camera and orders his security to stop the confrontation and bring Evangeline to him. There is an undeniable attraction and hot chemistry between them.  Drake quickly invites Evangeline into his luxurious world.  Something Evangeline, being a small town southern girl sending every dime she makes to her parents, has never been a part of before.  Drake also lets Evangeline know that he will not take “no” for an answer, he relentlessly pursues her and demands her obedience.  Within his world, Drake has created a brotherhood of men he trusts and relies on.  So what truly holds these men together and what could tear them apart?

This was a good book.  The beginning of this book is a little predictable to me.  I am not going to say that is necessarily a bad thing.  Boy has to meet girl somehow.  There was a turning point in the novel where I no longer felt this way and I was glad to have stayed with the book.  I was not convinced with how quickly Evangeline agreed to Drake taking over in her life.  There was some mental push back for Evangeline; it just moved a little quick for me.  Some of that can be attributed to her naivety and innocence; I just wanted her to know more about Drake before their lives became so intertwined.  The other issue I had with this novel was every male’s reaction to Evangeline.  Every male on Drake’s team had an urge to protect her and want to step in Drake’s place should the relationship not work out.  This grew tiresome after a little while, however I wonder if this will not come into play later in the plot.  In addition, for this reason, I rank this as a good book

.

I was left thinking about the continuation of the plot, after I had finished.  I wanted to know what happened and how each person could come out of the hole they had created.  So, I am vested in this series.  I like a book that makes me think about it after the last page is turned.  Sometimes, I  forget the plot of one book before I finish the next one.  This was not the case with Mastered, at the last page I quickly checked to see when the sequel would come out.

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of pets. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker.

Website  Goodreads  Amazon   Facebook

Review by Maimeo's Angels: Darkest Before Dawn by Maya Banks

THE ALL-NEW KGI NOVEL from the “incredibly awesome" (Jaci Burton) #1 New York Times bestselling author of When Day Breaks.

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...

The enigmatic Hancock has been both opponent and ally to the KGI teams for as long as they've known him. Always working a deep game, Hancock's true allegiance has never been apparent, but one thing is for certain—he never lets anything get in the way of duty.

But now, his absolute belief in the primacy of his ultimate goal is challenged by a captive he's been ordered to guard, no matter how much she suffers in her prison. She's the only woman who's ever managed to penetrate the rigid walls surrounding his icy heart, but will he allow his perplexing feelings for the beautiful victim to destroy a mission he's spent years working to complete or will he be forced to sacrifice her for “the greater good.”

Add to Goodreads

Amazon US  BN  Amazon UK

4.0 star  
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through the publisher and Netgalley.

This is book 10 in the KGI series. Having read the previous books I was excited to see what Maya Banks had in store for Guy Hancock and Honor Cambridge. This series is one of my favorites and I wasn’t disappointed. Although this book, like the others can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend you read the previous books if possible as it makes it easier when characters from previous books appear.

As we have come to expect from the KGI series, the men are tough, alpha males not afraid to charge, sometimes violent always determined to succeed. Guy Hancock is no different; in fact he is darker than the previous heroes of the series. A man so used to being deep undercover, that it is hard to remember whether he is on the side of good or evil. 

The first part of the book in my opinion took a bit to get through and at times it did seem a tad repetitious. I also found it hard to understand how a woman, any woman could absolve someone of the betrayal that Hancock is guilty of. Honor is so selfless, it is almost unbelievable.

Having said that the chemistry between Hancock and Honor is intense; neither can understand the feelings they have. When Hancock gives in to the inevitable it is heart wrenching, he knows what he is about to do and the repercussions for Honor. 

Honor, is feisty, courageous and determined the only survivor of a terrorist attack and despite the fact that she is now being hunted she absolutely refuses to give in. 

Several of the characters from her previous books in the series also make an appearance which I was pleased to see since I love all the Kelly’s and their extended families. Although this was not my favorite KGI book, I cannot wait to read more in this series and hopefully we won’t have to wait too long. Who will be next I wonder? 

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of pets. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker.

Website  Goodreads  Facebook  Amazon  

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Review by Maimeo's Angels: Safe at Last by Maya Banks

The third book in the beloved #1 bestselling author’s sexy, romantic suspense Slow Burn series…

They say young love doesn’t last, but a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with unique abilities and the hometown golden boy were determined to defy the odds. For Zack Covington, Anna-Grace—his “Gracie”—was the one. Until one night forever alters the course of their future, when a devastated Gracie disappears without a trace, leaving Zack to agonize over what happened to the girl he loved. As the years pass, his desperate efforts to find her uncovered nothing.

Now working for Devereaux Security, he stumbles across a painting featuring a special place only he and Gracie would know. The image is too perfectly rendered for it to be coincidence. His Gracie must be alive. When he finally tracks her down, he is shocked—and heart-broken—to discover the wounded shell of the girl he once knew and still loves. Her psychic gifts are gone, and worse, she believes he betrayed her all those years ago.

Zack has enemies, and once his weakness is discovered, Gracie becomes a target for revenge. He’ll have to save her before he can earn her trust and her love. And he vows they’ll never be torn apart again. 

Amazon US    Amazon UK    BN

5 star   

I was given this ARC for an honest review.

This is book 3 in the Slow Burn series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books Keep Me Safe and In His Keeping and in fact I loved Safe At Last so much that I couldn’t put it down; I had to read it all in one go.

For 12 years Gracie has lived in fear and utter desolation knowing that the only person she has ever loved (Zack) betrayed her in the most heinous way. For those same 12 years Zack too lived in fear, gripped in terror wondering why Gracie was torn from his life, his future destroyed, leaving him without a word. Although a part of them hates the other, there is underlying love in both their hearts, although I suspect that Gracie would deny that emphatically.

A chance meeting brings these two face to face again when Devereaux Security Services (DSS) is asked to provide security at an art exhibition of an unknown artist. Can you imagine the shock when Zack and Gracie (the unknown artist) see each other for the first time in 12 years? Zack is incredulous and Gracie collapses after being paralysed with fear when she sees Zack. The terror in her eyes breaks his heart. He cannot understand her reaction. Lies, deceit, treachery and miss communication abound between Zack and his Gracie.

An enemy of Zack’s and the DSS rears its ugly head when Gracie is caught in the crossfire with devastating consequences. Secrets will be revealed with such anguish that as a reader I was heartbroken as the story unfolded.

What an emotional roller coaster this book was to read. It deals with some extremely heavy issues and I must say that Maya Banks wrote them with great integrity. At no stage did I feel that they had been included for sensationalism. They were an integral core to the story of Zack Covington and Anna -Grace (Gracie to Zack).

This book is one that touched me to the depths of my soul. So many layers, so much heartache but through it all is Zack's determination to seek out the truth and see justice, not only for Gracie but himself and to hold those responsible to account.

Zack and Gracie do eventually get to their happily ever after, however what they have to endure is almost too much and I cheered long and loud when they finally made it. If ever a couple deserved to find happiness again, it was these two.

I cannot wait to read more in this series and hopefully we won’t have to wait too long. Who will be next I wonder?

I love Maya Bank’s writing and this book to me is another winner.

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of pets. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker.

Wesite  Twitter  Goodreads   Amazon   Facebook