Sandy M’s review of Rush (The Breathless Trilogy, Book 1) by Maya Banks
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Berkley Trade 5 Feb 13
Damn. Between Maya Banks and Sylvia Day, I find myself in a constant state of lust, totally hot and bothered lately. And that’s actually putting it mildly. Ms. Banks’ new Breathless Trilogy begins with Gabe, a man who’s been betrayed and makes damned sure no woman will ever make a fool out of him again. Even Mia, the girl who has grown into a woman he wants like no other. Even if she is his best friend’s little sister.
Gabe knows getting involved with Jace’s sister is taboo, but when she walks into the grand opening of the latest hotel in a chain of very successful business ventures with his partners, he doesn’t care about any consequences. He has to have her. She’s old enough to take a walk into his sexual world, so he demands her time the next morning, ready to make sure he’ll totally possess her, in the bedroom and out.
Finally letting her crush on Gabe Hamilton go, Mia isn’t prepared for his point-blank offer to be his. She’s even more stunned when he hands her a contract. A contract for sex? After reading every word, however, she can understand why the man wants to make sure the women he gets involved with know the score. But Mia is up for anything he wants to introduce her to. Nervous but trusting, Mia throws herself headlong into an affair she’s not sure she’ll survive.
While they can’t get enough of each other, it’s Gabe who tries so hard to hang on to his control when it comes to Mia. Having her every day in his office, at night in his home and bed isn’t enough. Then comes the fear she’ll leave him. But when the chips are down, even after he played the coward and let her down, let other men touch her, Mia’s trust in him is still solid. He vows to never hurt her again, to make sure he’s the only one to give her exactly what she needs.
Gabe’s good intentions go right down the drain, though, when Jace walks in on them and sees exactly what he’d never want his sister involved in. This is where Gabe lets Mia down, and they both suffer for it. What I do like about that whole scenario, though, is how submissive Mia gathers her strength and when it counts most doesn’t just fall back into Gabe’s arms when he finally realizes how stupid he’s been. Gabe is the one who has the difficult journey in this story. It’s quite emotional to see his realization when everything he’s ever wanted is on the verge of being lost to him forever.
I wish all erotica authors were able to write like this. I read very few of those authors. I’m close to thinking this particular talent has to be ingrained somehow, that it’s just there inside waiting to be let free. It’s effortless. Those authors give readers such great stories, the emotional as well as the physical. And Maya Banks is definitely included in that talented lot. Waiting for Jace’s and Ash’s stories is going to be excruciating, but luckily those releases are within months.
Be sure to read this series, whether you start now or later in the year once all three books are on the shelves. You don’t want to miss one word.
Grade: A
Summary:
Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking…
When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.
Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.
As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
