Veena’s review of Brighter Than The Sun (KGI, Book 11) by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 07 Mar 17

This book is a bit of a departure from the norm in a series which is full of action-packed adventures. The various members of the tactical teams have found romance while under the threat of fire, but this story is much slower paced with a lot of emotion and nowhere near as much action as in the past.  

Zoe is the daughter of a criminal master mind.  She made friends with Rusty Kelly when they both attended the same college.  When Zoe finds herself caught up in her father’s world and in danger, she reaches out to the only friend she has for help.  Fortunately for Zoe, Rusty Kelly has watched her brothers rescue victims and set them up with new identities far from the dangers that stalk them. Rusty helps Zoe set up a new identify and lay a false trail to keep the criminals pursuing her from finding her.

Rusty then brings her friend home into the secure Kelly compound to spend the summer with her at her parents’ home.  It seems all the warriors in the KGI tactical teams are also home for the summer, training and assimilating new recruits onto their teams.

Joe Kelly is the only unattached Kelly brother.  He’s quite happy with his bachelor life and has no intentions to succumbing to his brothers’ teasing or his mother’s attempts at matchmaking – until he sees Zoe across his parents’ backyard.  Before he knows it, he finds himself making overtures to show her the local area and get to know her better. Joe has seen wounded victims before and recognizes that he’ll need to go slow with Zoe and coax her story out of her, while he woos her and shows her how beautiful he finds her.

Unfortunately Zoe’s past catches up with her and she’s taken from Joe’s home, which is the only house outside the compound.  The author gives her readers no indication how the bad guys found Zoe because the identify that Rusty prepared for her is so rock solid that even Donavan couldn’t break it.  Nevertheless, we have the hostage rescue action that brings the team together and bonds them.

When the dust settles from the accusations and counter-accusations, there will be some hurts that will take a long time healing.  I can’t wait to see how the next book will play this out.

Grade: C

Summary:

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…

Read an excerpt.