Book Review 30: Darkest Before Dawn (KGI # 10) by Maya Banks

Title: Darkest Before Dawn 
Author: Maya Banks
Release Date:27 October 2015
Publisher: Berkley

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.”

 

Rating: 5/5
Review:

I enjoyed reading the KGI series but I have to admit that Darkest Before Dawn has to be the best of the series so far. Nothing cheesy about this book (then again, this is Hancock’s story). Hancock has been portrayed as someone KGI does not and cannot trust in the past books so I was curious to see how his story would turn out. I finally got ahold of a paperback (because ebooks are wrecking my eyes) and I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.

Hancock met his match in Honor, the girl that was supposed to be just a pawn for achieving “the greater good.” They go through so much downs in their relationship but each still had hope although Hancock had to go and mess things up onemore time… He paid for it eventually.

For me, their story beats the other KGI stories in that it could be real and could happen to anyone given what’s going on in the world these days.

The book is very well written and the characters aren’t one-dimensional. I think Maya Banks outdid herself this time and Darkest Before Dawn is going to be hard to top. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next KGI book Brighter than the Sun (it’s Joe’s turn, and he thought his day would never come) coming out early 2017.

Book Review 29: The Progeny by Tosca Lee

Title: The Progeny
Author: Tosca Lee
Release Date: 24 May 2016
Publisher: Simon and Schuster

New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee brings a modern twist to an ancient mystery surrounding the most notorious female serial killer of all time. A fast-paced thriller for fans of Lee’s Books of Mortals series with Ted Dekker, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and BBC America’s hit series Orphan Black.

Emily Jacobs is the descendant of a serial killer. Now, she’s become the hunted.

She’s on a quest that will take her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders—one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive, and one she must ultimately save.

Filled with adrenaline, romance, and reversals, The Progeny is the present-day saga of a 400-year-old war between the uncanny descendants of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her descendants. A story about the search for self amidst centuries-old intrigues and Europe’s underground scene…and one woman’s mission to survive.

Rating: 4.5/5
Review:
Wow. The Progeny reads like a movie and I can actually see it all happening on the big screen. The book is about Audra who had her memory erased in order to protect something or someone. Without her memory, she has to be careful about who she trusts or else die. She meets people from her past, and it becomes her quest to find out what had caused her to erase her memories because the past was fast catching up with her and lives were at stake. The book felt quite long but every page was worth it as the author described the brutal and dark world that Audra belongs to. It ended when I didn’t want it to end so now I’m left wondering when the sequel will be coming out.

Tosca Lee is a terrific writer with a penchant for vivid details and unpredictable plot twists. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good thriller with substance.

Disclaimer: I received an eGalley of this book from the author/publisher for an honest review.

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: In His Keeping (Slow Burn # 2) by Maya Banks

 

Avon is giving away Three Print Bundles of KEEP ME SAFE and IN HIS KEEPING via Rafflecopter. To join, just click here.

Title: In His Keeping
Author: Maya Banks
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Avon Romance
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo

#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.

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EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Keep Me Safe (Slow Burn # 1) by Maya Banks

Avon is hosting a tour wide giveaway of FIVE print copies of Keep Me Safe via Rafflecopter. To join, just click on the link here.

Title: Keep Me Safe
Author: Maya Banks
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Buy Links: Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kobo

A sizzling story of a woman who risks her life and her heart to find a wealthy man’s missing sister—the first novel in a sexy new romantic suspense series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks.

When Caleb Devereaux’s younger sister is kidnapped, this scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot.

While Ramie can connect to victims and locate them by feeling their pain, her ability comes with a price. Every time she uses it, it costs her a piece of herself. Helping the infuriatingly attractive and impatient Caleb successfully find his sister nearly destroys her. Even though his sexual intensity draws her like a magnet, she needs to get as far away from him as she can.

Deeply remorseful for the pain he’s caused, Caleb is determined to make things right. But just when he thinks Ramie’s vanished forever, she reappears. She’s in trouble and she needs his help. Now, Caleb will do risk everything to protect her—including his heart. . . .

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