Marks of Rebellion

Behind Closed Doors #2

by Maggie Cole

He Stole Her Freedom and Wants Her Back…
In the darkness of the night, she climbed out of the dirt pit and tugged on heartstrings I didn’t even know I had. There’s no slow-burn for her. It’s a full-speed freight train of desire mixing with the jungle heat. Her touch brings me to my knees. Her intoxicating kisses flood adrenaline in my veins. But it’s not just about us. Her ex will do anything to get her back. He’s powerful and he has eyes everywhere. No matter where we go, people are watching. And the moment I drop my guard, I lose her. When I rescue her this time, he’ll pay for every mark he’s ever put on her. “MARKS OF REBELLION “ is the second jaw dropping installment in the ”BEHIND CLOSED DOORS” series. Each novel is a stand-alone regarding the HEA of the couple, but the plot develops with each story. This steamy series is for mature readers only and is best if read in order. This series may contain situations that may be sensitive for some readers. Trigger This book contains Domestic Violence.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Dark Romance, Suspense

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

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Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.

She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.

Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.

Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanging By Mere Threads

Edge of the seat meet my backside because that's where I continue to be! I'm hanging by mere threads. The next several books cannot come soon enough! Seriously! I thought every other week releases for this series was ambitious and unnecessary but now I think Maggie has the right of it.

Ok. So here's the skinny on what got me hooked. Vanessa, aka Flower 🌺, has a quick connection with Hunter. I mean, one roll off a bed leads to quickly being impaled. Hey, I'm not complaining because it was 🔥! As was the bathing that followed hours later. And the back of the Jeep and.... Yep. That stuff was hot AF!

The fantastic sizzles aside, the storyline that was introduced in book one continues to unravel as Vanessa's secrets are revealed. It is often painstaking as I read about the trouble they were all experiencing as the women kept their secrets. Trust is their biggest hurdle.

My heart broke time and again as Vanessa frequently dealt with abusive circumstances and flashbacks. There is something to be said for projectile vomiting. At least one good thing comes from her panic attacks - not that I'd wish them on anyone. (Yeah, I'm not spoiling that one.)

The suspense of what the truth of the secrets mean continues to unfurl. Danger lurks even when they think they're safe. Let's just say that an HEA isn't exactly how things end. The path there has potential. But only after more darkness is endured.

We get glimpses of the other women, directly and indirectly, after they've separated. Those make me even more needy for the rest of the story. There's a good chance I will have bitten my nails completely off before we get to the end.

Oh, if you're wondering if this is a stand-alone book, the answer is not really. There are several parts where reading the first story will come in handy. I'm off to find something to do for the next two weeks as I await Haze of Obedience. Wish me luck! 🍀 I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

Vanessa and Hunter have to pull out all the stops if they want to be together, but they are not going to find it easy. They are filled and searched for constantly.
These two will have you on the edge of your seats throughout.
Brilliant characters and storyline

[Flavia Florean-Dumitru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can’t complain. Even if the book has its obvious flaws, I still find it entertaining enough. It’s easy to follow, a bit steamy (1🌶️), nice plot. A palate cleanser for sure.

The second book in the series follows the same characteristics as the first one:

〰️ instant attraction
〰️ cute banter
〰️ PTSD (much more aggresive than Naomi’s)
〰️ HEA

On to Dirk and Zoe’s story.

[Averi Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie cole never falls short. They keep Getting better and better. I definitely can't wait until next book to come out.

[Kelli Miller a_brunette_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series is different then any of the other Maggie Cole books you have read in the best way, tears and goosebumps is all I can say! This books takes you on a wave of intense emotions.

Vanessa and Hunter are couple goals with the way they support each other and take care of one another. You can tell from the very beginning that there is so much between V & H and isn’t just sexual. Their chemistry is off the charts and it shows with the way they respond to each other like they have always known each other.

This series has the most alpha men and the strongest women I have ever read in a series. This is book 2 in the series and if you are questioning whether you should start another book series or start reading Maggie Cole at all, don’t 2nd guess yourself! Just do it!

[Stacy Gigliotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the Behind Closed Doors series that takes you on Hunter and Vanessa’s adventures. As more pieces of the puzzle, that Maggie Cole has artfully pieced together, start to come to light, Hunter and Vanessa must rely on their connection to get them through. This definitely is an edge of your seat, action packed, and very emotional ride, so buckle up and hang on. You will not want this ride to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Moncrief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the Behind Closed Doors Series by Maggie Cole. In this book we get Hunter and Vanessa's story. They make a wonderful couple. Vanessa is my favorite female character Maggie Cole has created. Vanessa is so multi-dimentional and I felt her emotions.

The book is a very emotional ride that kept me engaged throughout the story. There was action and twists and turns that made the story flow very well. Maggie Cole does a phenomenal job of bringing this story to life. I am so looking forward to the next installment of the series. Kudos to Maggie Cole!

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Hunters and Vanessa’s story in this book.

Hunter is a bit of a hothead, quick off the mark and easily riled.
Being with this team has given him another chance, and he’s not going to mess it up. Well that was the plan until he saw her! His flower!
But being Vanessa’s protection is proving harder than it looks, she’s sexy, sassy and in need of a protector, but Hunter keeps getting it wrong! He’s too loud, too brash and just too much! He’s going to have to step back and try harder, but it’s difficult when the woman you’ve fallen for flinches at your touch......

We start with Vanessa being taken by guerrillas, how she was force to wear shackles for months, how she lived with fear and terror, then it kicks up a notch, and she’s sold to her worse nightmare! A man that makes her fiancé look tame. Santiago!!
Vanessa if given a choice would have stayed in that pit forever, she would rather die than go back to Carlos, but she’s a bargaining chip, a font of information, a well of knowledge, but what happens to the well when it runs dry?! Is Vanessa now on borrowed time?
And even when she’s rescued, it’s hard. She’s always scared, panics and jumps at the slightest thing.

Naomi (Depths of Destruction) was a journalist, Vanessa didn’t do anything famous or important, all she did was catch the eye of the wrong man. For years he excluded her family and friends until she was reliant on only him, his ugly side would come out every now and again, a bruise here, a slap there, he was good enough to convince Vanessa he didn’t really mean it. Until she was totally controlled by him. She was only ever a showpiece!! But she knows so much about Carlos’ business dealings (yes it’s all connected)

Most of the book has Hunter and Vanessa trying to get to Honduras for fake passports and then onto Bermuda. Not as many incidents in this book, but the drama is still there.
So when the unexpected happened, I was totally unprepared so see Vanessa and Hunter torn apart!!

This book is totally different from the first story. (Which so far is still my favourite) and my only gripe is that we have sex not long after ages been rescued (she was held captive for eight months, in chains!!)
But other than that I loved the story. How Hunter makes so many mistakes with Vanessa and the people he comes into contact with, he is a little arrogant, so it’s fun to watch him fall in his butt a few times!!

But there is also a few laughs, hilarity can be found even when facing death! And the amount of times Hunter gets it wrong does face me chuckling at his misfortune.

Poor Vanessa had lots of panic attacks and couldn’t really tell Hunter why, as the reader we know why, but reading how Hunter struggles to understand gives the book another dimension.
With this book there is still a lot of drama, still being chased by lots of factions, but this one focuses on the couple rather than the reason they are being chased.

So have we learnt anything from this book that helps us with why the women were taken?
I can’t tell you that, but I can say there are more parts to this puzzle before it’s all sorted.
Oh I forgot to tell you, Vanessa and Hunter.... nope can’t say, you’ll have to read it you send.

Who’s next?

🦋

[whatjtreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the Behind Closed Doors, and I think this one was better than the first. This book focused on Hunter and Vanessa as they tried to escape Belize. Vanessa was first captured by the Guatemalan guerillas and then later sold to Santiago Gomez, a cartel leader who wanted secrets from Vanessa. Vanessa was once the girlfriend of Carlos Garcia, who acts like a leader to the people of Belize, but BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, Carlos is really planning to work with other World Leaders in order to use drugs as a vehicle of making money, based off of getting people more addicted to drugs, but then using the government to fund rehab drug programs even though the bad guys are pilfering the money for themselves.

I thought this was a good premise, but there was so much telling in the writing that a lot of this info dump went over my head. Hunter and Vanessa were interesting people, but I wonder if they were interesting BECAUSE they were with other characters that were MORE interesting (Zoe/Dirk--who had great banter; Ryker and Julieta-who seems to have a REALLY interesting background). Vanessa obviously went through a traumatizing, toxic, abusive, crazy (I could go on) relationship, but I think she could be more fleshed out. All I remember about her is her fear and the fact that she "jump[ed]" a lot whenever Hunter growled or made loud noises. I DO appreciate that she told him not to change for her, but to be more aware of her trauma and communicate. I also like that the characters are older as well, but MORE of how this affects them and their actions/feelings. I also think that in the end, Vanessa did make a conscious decision to trust Hunter and to tell him her secrets, because the fact that all the women kind of said "we can't tell you these secrets because we have to protect you" felt patronizing. But then again, how can these women really trust these men; it's not like they showed the women their credentials, so I get them trying to protect their secrets but also wish there was a better way for them to work together.

There were some things that did bother me about the characters: 
-For someone who has experience in Interpol, I thought that Hunter made a lot of rookie mistakes (like leaving the napkin, or wanting to rush off and save Vanessa when she was kidnapped without really thinking his plan through)
-the inner monologue was a bit off for me: the insecurities about whether they're in a relationship or not, the self doubt about being not being good enough for the other person but then wanting to act on the attraction, Vanessa comparing the past and present relationship and waffling between being with Hunter or leaving him at the slightest inconvenience had me exasperated sometimes.

Overall, I think this book was better than the first, and we get a lot more detailed stories and were let in to some big plot secrets. 

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book, while I loved the story itself, wasn’t really my cup of tea. There was something about the characters and their fast-paced relationship that didn’t really sit all that well with me.

In Marks of Rebellion, Vanessa, AKA Flower, is traumatized by her past and present. She’s rescued from a jungle lockup by Hunter and the rest of the Interpol boys, but that doesn’t mean she’s out of the line of fire. Her abusive fiancé will do anything to get her back, but Hunter will do anything to keep her safe.

Vanessa is a victim of abuse, both physical and emotional, and she quite literally falls into bed with a man she barely knows before she’s healed at all. It just felt very unrealistic to me. This was furthered by the seemingly selective nature of her panic attacks and their triggers— a gun shot and someone raising their voice can trigger a full episode from her, but being threatened by two men and forced to sit with her hands above her head thrills her.

On a more positive note, once I got passed how quickly Vanessa and Hunter’s relationship came to be, I loved them together. I just think I would have loved them more if there was a little more time between them being strangers and them being full-on devoted to one another.

The plot itself was really interesting. I love the connections between each couple and the different stories that are in twined with one another. It was a little confusing for me in the beginning, but I haven’t read the first book in this series. This book CAN be read as a standalone, and everything is explained in more detail as the book progresses, but it is a little bewildering when you first start it.

There was something a little off about some parts of dialogue for me, as well as the narrative. I think this is only my own opinion, however, and others will likely enjoy it a lot more than I did. The author’s style of writing includes a lot of the characters specific thoughts, like little conversations they have with themselves in the middle of dialogue, and this just isn’t something I really like in books. Don’t get me wrong, I like the occasional witty thought from characters, but there was just enough of it in this book that it felt like it was losing flow and therefore had an effect.

When deciding what to rate this book, I was a little torn. I really did like the plot and the story itself, but Cole’s style just isn’t for me. I want to stress again that that is nothing but my own opinion, however, and if you like fast-paced romance with a little (maybe a lot) of danger thrown into the mix, this could very well be a great book to add to your shelves!

I have received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

He let his guard down for a few minutes, but that’s all it took for her to be in jeopardy again and Hunter to lose Vanessa again. However, he won’t let her stay in the clutches of the devil for long this time. He will get her back and make sure that her life is no longer in danger from her fiancé ever again.

Vanessa was taken and sold to a drug lord, but not for the reasons you would think. She is valuable in the manner of what she knows, not for her body. From one hell to another Vanessa trusts no one and has no idea if she’ll make it out of any of this alive, but when Interpol shows up to rescue one of the women that was taken as well, she will get to feel freedom for a bit again. Only to have it ripped away again. She’s not sure she will survive this time though.

I love the Behind Closed Doors series and Marks of Rebellion is just as good as the first book in the series. The danger, intrigue and suspense in this book makes is a great read. I was introduced to Hunter and Vanessa in Depths of Destruction, book one in the series, but I didn’t know where their story led them until reading Marks of Rebellion. Although the books are intertwined, the stories and characters lead their own path. Ms. Cole leaves each couple’s book a suspense until you get into it. Depths of Destruction is the first book in the Behind Closed Doors series where we meet six men that are former military now turned International Rescue. They are sent to the jungles of Bolivia where they are to rescue a reporter, but they find that there is more to this rescue than what they are told and it leads to these six men having to rescue, protect, and guide these women to safety with a lot of danger, betrayal, twists, and turns along the way. I love getting lost in the story and the suspense that each one brings. I give this story a 5-star review and highly recommend it for readers that love a steamy, suspenseful story with Alpha males and powerful, smart and strong women that bring these men to their knees.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced second book in the Behind Closed Doors series.

Author Maggie Cole hit the ground running with book two in this series, and although it is Hunter and Vanessa’s story, I believe you do need be reading book one, Depths Of Destruction first. What I will say, is that this series is one hell of an adrenaline filled roller coaster series that keeps you in the dark, yet on your toes with lots of sexy action and adventure. Each book covers a separate couple with the plot undercurrent running through, so there is absolutely no need to wait for the whole series to be out before starting. In fact, don’t wait!! Start now!

This is Hunter and Vanessa’s story, and Ms Cole has mixed things up a bit this time so it’s definitely not more of the same.

Vanessa is the keeper of big secrets of powerful men, and essentially, whoever owns those secrets, owns the power. She’s been captured and traded as a commodity by the same guerrillas who have kidnapped five other women and been sold. In book one, the women were rescued, but Vanessa was subsequently recaptured by her original possessive and abusive boyfriend, and as this is told in a dual POV, I got the heart-breaking privilege of being inside her head and experiencing her trauma and panic attacks first hand. She was strong, but even the strongest still suffer.

Hunter kept watch, and I felt his frustration and impotence as he and his team worked to try and find a way to rescue her from an almost impossible situation. My heart melted at the way he was able to offer her a show of love and support in the most subtle and romantic way possible without drawing attention and endangering her situation.

Wow. Just wow. More ground has been covered in the wider plot, but there is still so much more to find out and I can’t wait. Maggie Cole is a new to me author, but she has definitely piqued my interest with this second 5-star book in her amazing series 🖤

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest and voluntary review. This is the second book in the behind closed doors series. One doesn't need to read the other book, or even in order, to be able to read this book and understand what's going on. The series is six women were rescued from a pit in Belize where they were being held by a drug lord. Each woman was kidnapped from some where in South America for the knowledge that they have. They are rescued by Interpol soon after Naomi's kidnapping (book 1). The Interpol team feels that something is off with this op, and decide to break the rules and not complete the mission and turn all 6 women over to Interpol. They all split up with a plan to meet in Honduras, buy some fake passports, and get out of South America. Each book chronicles one couples' voyage.
In this book we have Hunter with Interpol and Vanessa who is the girlfriend of a high ranking politician in Belize. The things she knows could probably cripple countries. Obviously her boyfriend wants her back, but she has no intentions of going back. Hunter has no intentions of letting that happen, but sometimes other factors come in to play and the best laid plans blow up in your face.
While you don't need to read the other books, it's fun to read scenes that occurred in the first book in Hunter and Vanessa's point of view instead of Andrea and Naomi's. You get a different perspective of those scenes. I'm sure that will hold true for me with book 3. I'm intrigued by the order of the couples as you will. as I tried to figure out in book 1 who we'd follow for book 2, and that wasn't what I expected. There are some unanswered questions in each book, but if you were a person that didn't like that book and didn't want to read the rest, those questions don't take away from the HEA of the book you read.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Per Author 'Trigger Warning: This book contains Domestic Violence.'

Vanessa 'Flower' was a therapist until a corrupt politician, Carlos Garcia set his eyes on her. He wined and dined her and then took over her world and tried to beat her into submission. She was captured by Guatemalan guerrillas and turned over to Santiago Gomez, a cartel leader. He'll keep her in the pit with the other women until she tells him the information she has on her abusive, corrupt ex.

Hunter Ward and his team are hired by Interpol to retrieve the women but he finds himself wanting to claim his target for his own.

Each of the women have secrets that puts their life in danger and makes them wanted by powerful people. When the team realizes more is going on than they were told they split up to get the women to safety.

There's action, steam and a lot of PTSD trauma as Hunter and 'Flower' try to keep ahead of her ex. He's determined to own and control her and keep her from divulging any secrets. All while giving us little bits and pieces of the other women's stories to tantalize us on how they are all connected.

Interesting, steamy read, with a great balance of action, mystery and heat.. I would have liked to see the attraction and connection develop a little bit later than it did, it seemed a bit creepy at first. However Hunter clearly has his 'Flower's' best interests at heart and I got over it.

This story includes scenes that may be difficult for some readers due to violence, abuse and sexual situations.

I received a free copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marks of Rebellion is only the second book in the Behind Closed Doors series, and the leveled up craving I already have going on is unreal. What's crazy is that none of the books are taking long to be released, and yet, it seems like it's been forever since I experienced Depths of Destruction (Book 1) when in reality it's only been a couple of weeks, so it's obvious that Maggie Cole is all that & a bag of chips in my eyes. Each book consists of a new couple but while I'm sure some could try to read them out of order but I'm telling you DO NOT DO IT! The underlying suspenseful tone is something which is going to build with each new book as all the girls that were rescued have secrets that they're not willing to give up so the big picture is finally clear & they're going to build upon each couple's story. Each clue is sprinkled in so just when you think you have one answer, there are 20 more that made me want to pull my hair out. It makes for some serious twists that kept the f-bombs dropping loud & proud with action keeping me on the edge of my seat. If all of that isn't enough, Vanessa & Hunter tried to short circuit my kindle with the heat they produce making for some scorching hot sexy times. I'm ready for the next book because apparently each book will have me getting closer to the edge because I NEED TO KNOW NOW, and I honestly think you'll have a grand ole time as well! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL! 

[Trish (Beautiful Chaos Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this series gets better and better. I read the Depths of Destruction (Andre and Naomi's POV) and, it was good. We got Naomi's take on the goings-on in her country, Belize, that brought all of them together. Maggie Cole is playing this out perfectly with this series--Marks of Rebellion is Hunter and Vanessa's story. Once again, the same circumstances but from Hunter and Vanessa's POV. With that POV, we get more of the underlying plot of the story revealed.

Vanessa's story is a hard one to read. The brutality inflicted upon her before her meeting Hunter is tough. You empathize with Hunter and Vanessa as they try to help her through the anxiety and panic attacks. What Vanessa continues to go through in their story is necessary for the plot but brutal; the things Hunter does to let her know he's there are tender and poignant.

In this series, each novel removes layers of the central plot that I am sure is building to a major payoff in the last book. So far, the two stories we have gotten have told us just enough about the other characters to create interest. I have enjoyed the first two books in this series, and I look forward to the next. I will warn, the evil men in these books brutalize these women. For some, this might be too much, but it is not gratuitous; it fits the overall storyline of this suspenseful series.

[Melissa Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the 'Behind Closed Doors' series. You must read 'Depths of Destruction' prior to this.

This series is riveting! I love that each book starts out in the same place , we get to see and feel what each character is feeling during all these events that are forever changing their lives.




Vanessa is captured and placed in 'The Pit' with several other women , who've all been captured , each for a different reason. All of them have some sort of "information" that global leaders don't want getting out. She's been shackled for weeks and feels as if this is better than going back to Carlos. The damage he's insued on her will prove to always be in the back of her mind. Can she overcome a violent past ?

Hunter is a former military man who now takes orders from Interpol and his team lead Andre. Upon rescuing her he knows that he needs to keep her safe from whatever her demons include. She's damaged and learning to accept the gentle touch of a man. Hunter is so very gentle and patient with her, will he bring her out of her shell? And help banish those demons that haunt her thoughts.

Hunter slips up and Vanessa is taken. Will he ever get her back? Will she be too far gone? Can he get her out of Belize and to safety?


**Spoiler?** When he starts picking and arranging the Red Hibiscuses 😍 SWOON!

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter and Vanessa 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the Behind Closed Doors series and is the story of Hunter and Vanessa. The story is told concurrently with Depths of Destruction (book 1), but told from Hunter and Vanessa’s point of view and progresses the overall storyline further.  Vanessa meets Hunter when he is part of the Interpol team that frees her from the cartel that snatched her. She was kidnapped to send a message to her fiancé who is the head of a drug cartel, but she has secrets that some want to stay buried. When the members of the Interpol team split up, each with one of the targets, Hunter and Vanessa become very close. Once Vanessa’s abusive fiancé kidnaps her back, it’s up to Hunter to save her.

This is my second Maggie Cole novel.  I really enjoyed this one. I actually liked Hunter and Vanessa more than I did André and Naomi. They had really good banter back and forth and the smexy times were super hot! I still struggle with most of the story being told through dialogue, but the storyline is great and it’s easy to get invested in these characters.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this author and series by the Hidden Gems ARC program. This is the second book in the series and starts with the same group of people in which a team from Interpol comes to rescue a group of women who are being held hostage. As they attempt to leave, the team becomes skeptical about their orders from Interpol to return the hostages. They decide to split up and each member of the team takes one of the women.
In this book we follow Vivian and Hunter as they try to get to safety. Vivian was involved with a prominent politician from Belize who was physically and mentally abusive. Due to his powerful status, she was trapped for years in this prison that he created. Her response and recovery from this relationship is a large part of her and how she develops a relationship with Hunter. Also, her ex brought her to high profile meetings with powerful leaders that made her knowledge unbelievably valuable. This part of the story expands on what the women who were kidnapped knew and why they were taken. It adds to the action and adventure of the story that keeps you reading. Will definitely continue to read the series.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the stuff that happens behind closed doors....

Marks of Rebellion is the second book in the Behind Closed Doors series and is the story of Hunter and Vanessa. I would suggest you read the first book, Depths of Destruction, first as there is a story arc that goes though the series. As soon as Hunter laid eyes on Vanessa he was hooked and that was it for him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and protected. Vanessa has endured things that would break most people but yet she continues to fight for something better. She keeps secrets that will see her killed if she cannot get to safety. She also suffers from panic attacks which are hard to read but adds a depth to her character and the relationship that grows between her and Hunter. To say that Hunter and Vanessa are burning hot is an understatement as they are steamier that the Belize jungle.
This story has a lot of pulse racing and heart pounding moments, and then add in the sizzling passion. I really enjoyed this book and this series.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes Batman! This book was seriously hot and steamy. Each book I read in this series, it just gets better and better.

Hunter and Vanessa sizzled from the beginning. I seriously could not read this book fast enough. The story line is fast and furious and the only time it slowed down was for some sexy time which, lets be honest, I was ok with lol.

This book had me on the end of my seat majority of the way. The secrets each of the women hold close to their chest is big. The suspense and the angst is electric and it makes you want more.

Even though you are enjoying the current main characters, the other side stories and characters that get touched on and you know their story is coming and you wonder what is in store.

Maggie has created a series that is seriously addicting with characters that you love, with depth and back stories that are touching and in this instance, sad and heart wrenching, but with story lines that are pretty intense yet fiery, fast paced and yet enjoyable. What more could you want in a book and series...

Bring on the next book I say...

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next saga behind closed doors. Hunter and Vanessa are on the run and we are desperately seeking Vanessa’s secrets. Will she give them up for us the reader or will she keep them close? Another non-stop adventure that will keep you scratching you head wondering what the heck is going on. I cannot imagine panic attacks like the ones Vanessa has but I think they are very real and disable people so horribly. It was hard reading about her attacks that she could do nothing about. Hunter tries but cannot help all of the time. The love story was so beautifully written and the flowers…oh the flowers. I am hooked and must continue reading this series. If you like romantic suspense and want to read it, just know that it is best to start with book 1 (this is book 2) to get the whole picture (well, not the whole picture because we still don’t know what is going on with the other men and women). You won’t regret it.

I received a complimentary copy from Hidden Gems.

[Catherine Kroeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and this series are so amazing that they should be an HBO mini-series. Maggie Cole is such an amazing writer! Her books should be #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List! She just blows me away with her ability to weave so much depth, emotion, and life into her books. Vanessa and Hunter's story is a steamy, sexy, and shocking rollercoaster of emotion. Vanessa has endured things that would break anyone and she continues to fight with an inner strength I wish I had. Hunter is a protective sexy alpha male, who will do anything for the woman he loves.
I love that Maggie intertwines this series, like her others. We get to see the situation from different POVs in each of the books. This allows her readers to get to know and learn more about all of the characters, which for me just makes me fall in love with them more. A must-read book, a must-read series, and a MUST-read author!!!

[One Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

K🌺🖤🌺🖤🌺🖤🌺🖤🌺🖤🌺🖤🌺

This Vanessa & Hunter pov of the series of events of drug lords and dirty government. Vanessa is stuck with it cause her 'forced' fiancee is the main one behind it all and he is abusive to her. She goes through alot of trauma and thankfully she has Hunter & his team & fellow strong women to support her. She will overcome it !! Hunter I felt is heart break when he had to watch her for month and wait to rescue her once again. You can feel how much he loves her. And Vanessa slowly relaxing and start to feel like a girl falling in love

I am a new fan of Maggie's and she has not disappoint in book 2!! This series is getting better BUT I can not wait for Zoe & Dirk story. And k want to know what happened Dirk when we thought he was dead and leaving behind a broken heated Zoe.

Really recommend you read Depth of Destruction first then this😍

🖤MUST READ SERIES OF 2021🖤

Military, army forces again a dirty government & drug lords what more could you possibly want !!

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

While you don't have to read the first book in this series which is "Depth's of Destruction" I would recommend it not only because it is just so good but also because it gives you the basic's of the story line Six women kidnapped and held in a jungle compound all rescued by a team a team that feels something isn't right so they split each taking a different woman with them and with a date and destination to reconnect at The first book was Andre and Naomi story This is Vanessa and Hunter's story

She is the girlfriend of a powerful man and the secrets she knows could topple governments so now that she ahs been rescued he is determined that she will be under his control again But Hunter has no intention of letting that happen and when it does he will grab her back straight away. Meanwhile the emotion and feelings between them are exploding Can they have a future together Now desperately waiting for book three "Haze of Obedience" Zoe & Dirks story

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply moving:
Wow, what an amazing story! It was intense, emotional and totally captivating. There was plenty of danger and drama but the strong emotional connection between the characters and some sweet, tender moments were good counterbalances.
My heart went out to poor Vanessa who was captured and held against her will. Hunter was so dedicated and caring that I couldn't help falling in love with him too.
This is the second book in the series and I'd highly recommend reading them in order so as to fully appreciate the complexity of the overall story arc. There were so many layers to the mystery and intrigue and I enjoyed finding out a little more about all of the secrets that Vanessa in particular knew. I can't wait to read the remainder of the books in this awesome series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Esmeralda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot, sexy, lustful and alpha man in love! Maggie call has done it again Marks of Rebellion is the second book of her behind closed doors series. I love story between Vanessa and Hunter is not only riveting but sexy and overall genuine. The need forof Hunter to protect and make sure that Vanessa is okay but also show his devotion and love for her is described by one word flower. From the very beginning he calls Vanessa flower the word that it's so simple but shows his love and devotion and that he is more than willing to do anything to make sure she is safe and is taken care of and protected. Vanessa finds herself in love with this alpha male who has come to save her from the clutches of her kidnapper. Maggie Cole has created a world where you are pulled into a tantalizing romantic steamy but also adventurous story within a criminal world that intrigues you.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review Marks Of Rebellion (Behind Closed Doors #2) by Maggie Cole

Firstly, if you have not read the previous book Depths Of Destruction STOP. This series needs to be read in order as the story arc builds with each book. There may be parts of this book that causes triggers in some readers, so be prepared, you have been warned.
As with the first book in the series, Marks of Rebellion had me hooked from the first to the last chapter and I had a hard time putting this book down.
The writing was strong and I was drawn in to enjoyed Ms. Cole’s style of writing. This is Hunter and Vanessa's story which brought to light more clues, and pieces to the puzzle and was an entertaining story filled with drama and suspense.
As Hunter battles to rescue Vanessa yet again and to keep her safe the chemistry between them builds. This was an intense story that I really enjoyed.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter Ward & Vanessa Catillo are hot, hot, hot in this non-stop turbulent adventure! Through jungles, over rivers and seas and on roller coaster rides in a Jeep, this book took me to places I had never even imagined before. Strong characters and a scary but relevant story line kept me on the edge of my seat. The realism with which Maggie Cole writes this story had me wondering if it was really fiction - which only added to the excitement of the journey. It made me wonder if it could be possible that this book holds a foundation of truth behind the fiction? Will you think so too?? THAT’S GOOD WRITING!!! Don’t miss this totally gripping 2nd book in the Behind Closed Doors series! You’ll be glad you dove into this indescribable world.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all this series, Behind Closed Doors, Is packed with non stop action, drama, and chemistry!! OMG... I have now read the first 2 books, and am TRYING to patiently wait for the rest of the books to be released!!! You will Love these books. You really become engaged in what happens to the people in them! I really thought I loved Andre and Naomi so much that Hunger and Vanessa wouldn't compare, boy was I wrong... I am just as in love with them and their story! I really love how Maggie brings in all of the characters into each book, even tho its focused on one couple. I am so happy to be reading these books and falling in love with the people in them! I find myself thinking of them when I am unable to be reading about them! So worth the read you guys! This series will SUCK you in!!! You will Love Maggie Cole and her books as much as I do!!