Sandy M’s review of Echoes at Dawn (KGI, Book 5) by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 3 Jul 12
I await the books in this series with bated breath. Anxiously. Until I can’t wait anymore. And, luckily for me, it’s about that time that a new KGI story comes around so I don’t keel over. Until the next go-round with the next book anyway. Though this addition to the series focuses on Rio instead of one of those hunky Kelly boys – and I have to say I was a little nervous about that since I lurve me those boys – I should have known better than to fret. Maya Banks’ talent just won’t let her write anything but sexy, to-die-for heroes and intelligent, kiss-ass heroines when it comes to romantic suspense.
When we last saw Rio in Whispers in the Dark, he’d just stepped in and demanded he be given the assignment of rescuing Grace Peterson from those who held her captive. He promised Shea, her sister, he would bring Grace home. There’s something about the woman that calls to Rio, despite the fact he’s never met her. He and his team have come close to having her in their grasp several times, but something always happens to give the enemy the upper hand. But Rio can feel it, they’re close this time. Grace will be his soon. She’ll be safe, finally.
Having been forced to use her healing powers to heal person after person over and over again, Grace is now hanging onto life by a thread. She narrowly escaped her captors during the confusion after an explosion where she was being held, but she knows she’s now being hunted. Perhaps it’s just better to let go into the next world to find the peace she so desperately seeks. But before that can happen, she’s taken once again – this time by a man who seems to truly care what happens to her and who knows her sister. Can she trust him? Or is he just playing her to get what everyone always wants from her?
Now that Grace is safe with him, Rio plans to allow her time to heal herself, because knowing that Titan, a U.S.-backed and very unofficial black ops group, is after Grace is more bad news Rio doesn’t need. The only people he trusts right now are his team. Even the Kellys are suspect in the trust department. Eventually, however, Rio needs them and their resources, but before they can execute their plan, Titan strikes. It’s Grace who takes matters into her own hands, driving her destiny as best she can. This woman has a backbone like you wouldn’t believe. Especially after the torture she’s been through. I cheered her on at this point in the book, taking everyone by surprise with her demands. But it works and Grace faces this new enemy on her terms.
Both Rio and Grace have so much to overcome. Not once has Rio shared the guilt he carries of his past, but with Grace it’s different and he finds himself opening up to her. Grace’s life has always been on the run, protecting herself and her sister, never having a life of her own. It’s like heaven to be with Rio in his home, watching him cook, teasing, sharing a bed. It’s normal, and that’s all Grace has ever wanted. They heal each other the more they get to know one another. As tender as Rio can be with Grace, I love his straightforward “You’re mine” when she asks about the future. Their lovemaking is intense as they learn each other’s bodies and hearts.
I also enjoy Terrence and Diego, who are part of Rio’s team. One thing that really stands out in all of the heroes in this series is their protectiveness, chivalry, and definitely admiration of the women. Both Terrence and Diego would die to protect Grace and they admire her spirit and spunk, especially during the scene in the plane when Titan shows up, as well as on the tarmac when Grace lets everyone know how the current scenario is going to go down. I’m also very curious about Resnick’s character. Surprise after surprise has been cropping up about this man the last two books. Though he’s questionable right now, I think I’d love to see him get his own story and heroine. If anyone can turn a character around or pull one from the brink, Maya Banks can.
Another interesting tidbit is the next book in the series, Softly at Sunrise, a visit with Ethan and Rachel again. I’m really looking forward to this, because another aspect of Ms. Banks’ writing is the emotion she crams into her stories. And their story, at least so far for me, is the most emotional of all. So the anticipation is quite high until August when it hits the shelves.
As usual, I love everything about this book. Even the villain you have to feel for – just a bit. You can understand his emotion and why he does what he does to Grace, but you still want him to go down hard for it all. My appetite for this series never wanes, and once more I’m on pins and needles with bated breath until the next installment is in my hands.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Grace Peterson is desperate, in hiding, and on the run after escaping a shadowy group determined to exploit her extraordinary ability to heal others. Her only lifeline—an unerring telepathic ability she shares with her sister—has been severed, leaving her alone and vulnerable. And time is fast running out…
Enlisted to bring Grace home is Rio, relentless member of the KGI. He’s unprepared for his reaction to this wounded, damaged woman, and he’s fiercely determined to protect her from those who nearly destroyed her. In Rio, she finds a safe haven, and for the first time…hope. But the mission is far from over. The danger Grace has eluded is fast closing in. And now it’s pitching two lovers toward an unfamiliar horizon, with no place left to hide.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
