Stains of Desire

Behind Closed Doors #5

by Maggie Cole

Everything about this mission is a first. The hemisphere we’re in. The lack of direction from headquarters. The stunning redhead I rescue and inappropriate thoughts I can’t keep to myself.
But the filthier my mouth becomes, the more she responds to me. Then I learn about her daughter. Santiago kidnapped them together, then ripped Millie away and used her as a tool to make Penelope obey him. I vow I will find Millie and deliver her to safety. But the clock is ticking. And Penelope makes me promise her something I don’t want to. If I make good on this promise to her, the window to save her could close. I risk losing her forever. There is no choice. I have to save them both or die trying. “STAINS OF DESIRE” is the fifth 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.

Genres: Military Fiction, Romantic Suspense

394 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]

Penelope: "If I bottled everything I am attracted to in a man, Axel would be the fizz flowing out of the top.

"Since I'm not wearing any panties, I'm holding my legs together and hoping I don't embarrass myself. But the heat I'm feeling isn't from the jungle humidity."

That's an early reaction that Penelope has to Axel. His initial reactions to her on paper and in person are very filthy, very sexy. And given the reason for their introduction, very inappropriate. Did I mention it was sexy, though?

"I shouldn't want any of it. I've been controlled for the last several years. But every part of him is adding more fuel to the fire, and it's a chain reaction of desire powerfully overshadowing my concentration."

- 🔥🍑🍆💥 - 🔥🍑🍆💥 - 🔥🍑🍆💥 - 🔥🍑🍆💥 - 🔥🍑🍆💥 -


4.5 stars - I'm sorry. My mind started to wander thinking about all that heat. Where was I? Ah yes, Axel and Penelope's story. There's no doubt that their chemistry is instantaneous, like off the charts, but Penelope's primary goal is the safety of her daughter, Millie. This causes some serious heartache along the way. Don't be surprised if those pesky tears make an appearance.

The heart wrenching does have balance with such love and sweetness, things like:

Axel: "But everything seems escalated with Penelope—my attraction toward her, how I can see what she's feeling, and the growing insistence in my heart she's different."

The intrigue part of the storyline that has been building and twisting and turning continues on this path. Some things I have suspected are confirmed, while new pieces of the puzzle are revealed or hinted at. True to form, there seem to be more questions left than answered. I REALLY can't wait for the finale!

The first half of the book fills in the parts of prior books that were left open with a good portion overlapping the other stories. The second half of the book really flies by. It's intense. It's crazy. It's an emotional rollercoaster, adrenaline rush and all. More tears fall.

Ryker is still my favorite hero in this series but Axel is giving Andre a run for the money for second place. I don't think Malin will bump them but Ryker and Axel surprised me so I'll reserve judgment. 😉

Just a reminder: this isn't the kind of series you can just jump in anywhere. Reading from book one, sequentially is required. It may seem overwhelming but it's not and the experience is totally worth it! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Flavia Florean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axel and Penelope’s story is 100% my favourite from this series. Of course, he is obsessed with her, but they match perfectly.. and the way he talks to her and she responds, oh my!

There’s only one more book in the series and I cannot wait to understand everything!

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

With her child held captive it’s a hard journey for Penelope and Axel, they have to be careful and quick if they want her back alive.
Penelope also has an ex whose determination is second to non.
Dark themes and violence
Excellent reading

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review Stains Of Desire (Behind Closed Doors #5) by Maggie Cole

Firstly, if you have not read the previous books in the Behind Closed Doors series, then STOP. This series needs to be read in order as the story arc builds with each book.
As with the previous books in the series, Stains of Desire was a fast paced, gripping story that had me riveted from the first to the last chapter.
The writing was strong and I enjoy Ms. Cole’s style of writing. This is Axel and Penelope’s story and was emotional as Axel is torn between protecting Penelope or finding her daughter. More parts to the puzzle are discovered and I cannot wait for the conclusion to this series.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now we are finally getting down to the nitty gritty end of the series and let me tell you, it's a relief.
Absolutely adore this series but so much has been focused on the jungle journey, that the other details are almost overshadowed.
In this book you'll learn more than you did any of the others, and it'll blow your mind and also leave you desperate for answers.
Looking forward to the final book.

[D. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The complexity of this story line astonishes me!!! Being able to see it unfold through all the characters viewpoints is eye-opening. The build up to the incredible end of the storyline is going to be epic.

[Mia Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stains of Desire run deep and so does book 5 as Behind Closed Doors nears its end.

Maggie Cole is an evil genius!

***No Spoilers***

With one book left in the series, Axel, Penelope and Millie's story gets intense and only has you wondering what in the actual heck just happened and if we'll ever truly find out what happens behind closed doors!?

This is book 5, second to last in the Behind Closed Doors series and must be read in order, be sure to read books 1-4.

[Mariocrazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stains of Desire is the 5th book for Behind Closed Doors, and you won’t be disappointed!
Penelope and Axel need each other, but Penelope needs to find her daughter Millie! Be prepared to witness the extraordinary love of a parent that will stop at nothing! Axel’s devotion is a tear-jerker you don’t want to miss! Get ready for a double layer of excitement with Axel’s dirty mouth and Penelope’s fight to get her daughter back in her arms! The Global Leaders are evil but love and devotion may just be enough!

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

[Booze Boobs Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pulse pounding, edge of your seat, heart racing romance that is so much more than your typical happily ever after. The 5th book in the Behind Closed Doors series manages to pull readers even further into a world of hot men, gorgeous women, and the corruption surrounding them all. The story of a mother who will do anything for her child and the man who would do anything for her. Maggie Cole once again has another smash hit on her hands and readers will be begging for the final book!

[Stacy Gigliotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stains of Desire is the fifth book in the Behind Closed Doors series and the book I’ve been waiting for. We follow Axel and Penelope through their dirty hot romance and adventures to find Penelope’s daughter. Their story definitely has you fanning yourself from all the steam coming off the pages.

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

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope and Axel bring the series to a penultimate finish.....

Penelope is a secretary to an important man, it’s ok at first, but his true colours soon come to the surface, he becomes both her boss and her boyfriend. He has a bargaining chip that he uses to control Penelope, her little girl called Millie!
She’s kept isolated in Panama, she’s not even allowed gone to visit family. Slowly he is her only source of communication with the outside world!

But Penelope and her daughter are kidnapped by Santiago Gomez (this guy appears in most of the books!) And if that’s not bad enough, Penelope has to watch as her daughter is carried away from her screaming!
Santiago wants what’s inside Penelope’s mind, if she talks she knows she’s dead! So by giving him snippets she hopes to remain alive king enough to be reunited with her daughter…..

Axel works for Interpol as a clearance operative, but was a marine before that. He takes his job seriously and has never once thought to question his superior officer! Until now….
He was sent to Central American to rescue six women being held in a pit by Santiago Gomez.
But meeting Penelope has thrown him off his game, he can’t stop thinking about her. And I’m his line of work that’s a dangerous business!

World leaders are banding together to control the world! Media, money and power are their aims, the women are nothing more than pawns, expendable, in fact they are in danger of being used, abused and then killed!

So, if you’ve followed the series you’ll be aware that a group of women were held by a terrorist leader!
The women are then rescued by a crack retrieval team.
The men are then paired off with the women, their job is to keep them alive until they can hand them off to the proper authorities.
But all is not what it seems! The women have unusual stories and backgrounds, it seems higher powers are at work here!

Each book concentrated on one couple. All the stories intertwine with one another, so I would recommend you read them in order.

They need to get to Bermuda (it’s where the group are heading) if they can get passports, then they can just disappear! But Penelope won’t go without Millie. So it’s a race against time to find her, rescue her and meet up with the team….

They have to deal with manipulation, threats, danger, betrayal, lies, secrets, corrupt politicians and drug cartels. But still have time to fall in love with one another!

It’s a great read, a little repetitive but with a different point of view.
It does break off and we get quality time with Axel and Penelope.
It’s heartbreaking reading the splitting up of a mother and child.
It has more info on the world leaders and their plan for world domination.
And when they are caught and Axel is made to fight time and time again, you do have to wonder if this couple will ever see one another or the team again.

And with one book left it’s left to wrap it all up.

🦋

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure how, but each book seems to get better than the last. Yet, each book has been some of the best I’ve read in a series. I love the way these books are written with each character having their own book running parallel to the others, but while each book is about the path that the characters take to get their rescued partner to safety, each path has their own obstacles and situations to deal with. Each one has a deadly path no matter how you look at it. These books are full of action, danger, passion and loyalty from these men and strong women that hold a lot of secrets. It’s a series about corrupt politicians, powerful players, and the pawns in their power plays. I’ve loved each and every book in this series so far and I am so excited for the final book Risks of Temptation.

Axel and Penelope have an added obstacle in their path to freedom and safety, they have to find Millie, Penelope’s daughter that was taken from her several months after her abduction. With Penelope being the first woman to have been taken, she was with Santiago the longest and while I expected her time with Santiago to have been more brutal physically than it was, she endured a great pain and heartbreak when her daughter was taken from her and used as leverage over her.

Axel has promised Penelope to find Millie and bring her to safety but at what cost? He has to find a way to fulfill his promise, but his heart is breaking with each turn that he takes, and he isn’t sure that he can fulfill his promise to Penelope. The strength that these women have is amazing. They hold so much inside to protect other that it’s hard to believe they can still be as strong as they are to keep going to find safety and then to keep working with the men that rescued them to make sure that the powers that be don’t succeed in their path to rule. I am anxious to read the final book in the series but on the other hand, I am not excited for this series to end. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride in South America and these couples deserve their HEA, but I hate to see it end. I am anxious to read Malin and Emilia’s story though. I give this story a 5-star review and highly recommend this book and series to readers that are looking for something along the lines of espionage, secret dealings, and strong women that can take down some of the most powerful men in the world.

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

Four and 1/2 big stars!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2021
Penelope has been tormented for the past 18 months - when she was taken hostage by the cartel and separate from her daughter. She worked for the British Ambassador to Panama and has been privy to espionage at the highest levels of international government. The cartel wanted to be able to use her for what she knows.

Axel is a 43 year old former Marine who is now working as part of an extraction team for Interpol. What Axel and the other team members is don’t know is that they are being manipulated to extract these women, not to save them, but rather to return them to the “global leaders” whose secrets they hold so they can be “dealt” with. Axel is immediately attracted to Penelope and once he figures out something fishy is going on, he wants to save the girl (and her daughter) at all costs.

Stains of the Desire is the 5th installment of Maggie Cole’s Behind Closed Doors series. It’s the story of Penelope and Axel. These books are not standalones, despite having different main characters in each of the books. The books all run concurrently and offer each couples’ perspectives of the overarching story in the books. Each subsequent novel has provided a larger, more detailed picture.

I’m actually been enjoying this series more and more. We’ve been waiting for Penelope’s story for a while now, all wondering and worrying about her getting her daughter returned to her. We also find out way more of the overarching story which added to how much I enjoyed it. This is another super insta-lust/insta-love story where the hero gets feelings just from seeing a picture of his “target”. The book is super steamy and involves a bit more kink than the previous books as Axel acts more like a Dom with her in some ways. The books have a lot of twists and turns despite the previous stories and it stayed interesting until the end. Can’t wait to read the wrap up book!

[Kelli Miller a_brunette_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited about Axel and Penelope’s story from the very beginning of this series. Since each man and woman are getting their own book in this series I knew theirs would be epic. We didn’t really know much about him so I was curious as to what kind of man he was. In each of the other books we got a glimpse of how the other guys were but with Axel there wasn’t as much time spent with him so he was a mystery to me. And Axel did not disappoint. All the men in this series are seriously alpha but I would have to say Axel is the most alpha. And he is hot, hot, hot, and his dirty talk makes him extra sexy!

Penelope and Axel just every other “couple” they are put in a situation where they must survive and given the circumstances that were against them along the way they tried to conquer all the demons surrounding them! Penelope just wants to find her daughter Millie and be reunited with her after so much time apart and along the way she found the one thing that was missing in her life, a sense of comfort and safety and she found that in Axel along with some really hot sex!

This is book 5 in the Behind Closed Doors series and this one will keep you on the edge of your seat just like the other books in this series. Please read these books in order it helps you understand the story better if you do! Maggie Cole’s writing in this series is the brilliant and the best I have seen from her. You can tell this series was a labor of love with a lot of research done! Do not hesitate when I tell you to start this series when you can you will not be disappointed!

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel and Penelope – Physical and passionate

Wow, when reading this book, I tried to work out how the title could fit to our couple and it was soon apparent just how intense and steamy the chemistry was, so the love-marking between was pretty amped on high, to say the least!!!

While we might guess that Author Maggie Cole has a certain formula going for her books within this series, this most certainly isn’t the case, and she makes the term ‘horses for courses’ apply here. ‘Stains’ suggest shame or embarrassment whereas in Penelope’s case, with Axel, they are badges of ownership, ones to be proudly worn. So, when she ends up recaptured, the person she escaped from is far from happy.

Stains of Desire was the fifth awesome read in Ms Cole’s addictive six book series, Behind Closed Doors. It was hot, intense, action packed, sometimes brutal and even more romantic in my mind. Each book concentrates on an individual couple, but there is an underlying and common plot thread that author Maggie Cole is tormenting her readers with, so you absolutely have to start with book one.

Six women, six rescuers, Ms Cole has the reader questioning every person who featured in the past of these women. We know they were kidnapped for the secrets they carry, so in Stains of Desire, what is it that Penelope knows, and I tell you now, the story is artfully intertwined with the others. Wheels within wheels. 5 Stars 🖤

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fifth installment of Behind Closed Doors Penelope and Axel endure heartbreaking decisions. They have to deal with manipulation, threats, danger, betrayal, lies, secrets, corrupt politicians and drug cartels. These two race against the clock ticking trying to get to Bermuda and also to save Millie.

Penelope and her young daughter Millie are kidnapped by Santiago Gomez when they were going to an appointment. She is originally from England but was working in the UK Embassy in Panama City when she disappeared over a year and a half ago. She had been held captive and threatened by her boss/boyfriend William for many years, not even allowed to visit her family in England.

Axel works for Interpol as a level six clearance operative and was a marine before that. He was sent to the Central American jungle to rescue six women being held in a pit by Santiago Gomez. Axel and his team report to Luis Couture but they don't know how involved he is with the Global Leaders, the US President and UK Prime Minister.

Well written storyline that takes you on this dangerous adventure along with the characters. The description of the places, the intense emotions the characters go through and the dire need to make the evil men pay for what they have done is felt throughout every page.

[Melissa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the beautiful redheaded Penelope steps out of that jungle pit, I immediately start thinking inappropriate thoughts, I just can't keep to myself. She was kidnapped by Santiago along with her daughter and her daughter Millie was ripped away from her and used to make her obey him. Being away from Millie is pushing Penelope into a dark depressing hole that I keep pulling her out of. Our attraction is so hot for each other but she makes me promise that rescuing Millie must be my number one priority. Before I can get Penelope to safety and look for Millie, Penelope is ripped away again. The clock is tick tick ticking in my head to find Millie and get them both to safety. Taking the time to find Millie is closing the window to save Penelope. I will risk it all to save them both.
Axel and Penelope's story in another hot jungle love that shows you more of the secrets Behind Closed Doors. Maggie Cole does it again telling their story and intertwining the story of all the Hot Jungle Loves!
Each book is a stand alone but is recommended to read the series in order to get the entwining story of all the women from the jungle pit and the Alpha males that rescue them.
This series may contain situations that maybe sensitive to some readers.

[Ashley Jasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure where to start with Stains of Desire. It was intense from the start and didn't let up. Now if you're new to the series (I've only read one other book in it), you'll be alright because the timeline overlaps for each couple.

I liked Axel. The gentle giant that couldn't get his focus straight when it came to the woman in his charge. It had never happened to him before and that was how he knew, she was his. And for as much as she tried to deny it, Penelope felt it too. She is one strong woman. To have endured all she had and still be able to give herself to Axel the way she did speaks to her resiliency.

I will say for as emotionally charged as things were for Penelope and Axel, I found some of their conversations and language repetitive, even in the same chapter. That being said, it also spoke to Penelope's state of mind as the need to find Millie heats up.

With more questions than answers at every turn, it was a race against time and power to get to safety. And when an unexpected ally joins the ranks, it forces the guys to expand their smaller circle of trust and question one of their own. From start to finish Penelope and Axel's romance was chaotic and full of twists. I'm looking forward to seeing how Maggie Cole wraps up the series.

[Bethany Bessant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't be bingeing this series anymore because I'm finding that I like the individual books less and less as I go along. Even still, Stains of Desire was one of the better books in the series in terms of relationship development and smut. I liked that there was a bit more going on with Penelope than the other women had in their stories because she was dealing with the trauma of losing her child and the internal conflict of falling in love when she felt like she should've spent all her energy looking for her child. Just like in all of the other books, their relationship was incredibly insta-love, and there was no third-act conflict between the characters themselves. I think that's something about this series that I find really frustrating because the plot itself isn't super interesting to me either so it makes for a very low stakes read. But I did really like that the third act of this book went in a different direction to all the others by splitting Penelope and Axel up in a way I didn't expect. I'm still keen to read the last book in the series and see how this whole thing resolves itself, but I think that's more because I want to check the series off my list, rather than because of genuine enjoyment and curiosity in it all wrapping up.

[Dawn Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Penelope and Axel, their story did not disappoint. We are winding down the emotional, gut wrenching, suspenseful and I cannot put it down series. The story is very descriptive and that pulls you into the time and place that is this story. When you can get lost in a story and forget where you are and what time it is, you know the author is extraordinary. I know I should be writing more about the story, but I just want to add what a find that Maggie Cole is, I stumbled upon her thru an Arc that was offered to me and the rest is history. Back to the story...Stains is book 5 in the BCD series and in this one we are getting down and dirty. Our eyes are being opened to many factors that are happening, yet, there are still many questions that are unanswered and leave us on edge waiting for that final book in the series. Millie! Oh my, what a sweet, emotional time that was! Tears were flowing so have the tissue ready. If you ae reading this review and have not decided whether you want to read the BCD series, Ill help you with your decision....YES! Make the commitment, and it is a commitment, to read each of these books. They are worth the time and emotion you will put into each one.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start out by saying that Stains of Desire is the 5th book in this super exciting series, and while each book is about a different couple, you still HAVE TO READ THEM IN ORDER! See, there's a HUGE plotline that is rolling through each book as each heroine has something else to add to the mystery so you have been warned. Penelope has had a very rough go of it as she's the first to be taken the group that led to all of the women being in a hole in the ground, and it's even worse for her (if possible) as she's been there longer & they took her 4 year old daughter away & Penelope didn't know where she was. Axel is the sexy hero who gets Penelope, and it hardly takes anytime before their chemistry is out of control so there are some super sexy times along the way. As these two take their own path to get to safety, things go sideways of course since she's just as valuable as the other women, but again, there's her tiny human Millie to consider. With the crazy twists coming in hot, and danger stalking their every move, will Axel be able to get Penelope to safety while finding Millie as well?! You know what to do to find out! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[R K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes.

Okay so at first it took me a while to get into this. But when Penelope let down her guard and the loss of he daughter and Axels love and patience and all of that combined made me an emotional mess. I can't even imagine the pain she must've felt being away from Millie for so long. And enduring the torment of the lewd asshole William. Boy am I glad she did what she did to him. I love the bond between Penelope and Axel. At first glance Penelope appears the most kept and devoid of some of the emotions or traumas the other women exhibited. But as you read on you realise her pain is very much profound and as any mother would do her pain and grief is suffocated. Sue to her commitment and fear for Millie she is unable to grieve or let loose. This hit me the most because in all essence I'm the face of danger and normal life alone, a lot of mother's would put their child first. Axels patience and love and care towards her was absolutely beautiful and heart warming. A gentle giant! Can't wait to read the finale!

[Beckey Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Behind Closed Door series and it has it all. Axel and Penelope's story is a page turner and just like the others I couldn't put it down. Axel is torn between his oath and promise to Penelope or saving her first. Penelope will do whatever it takes to save her daughter from the evil around them even if it means staying a prisoner with the very one she loathes. The chemistry between the two feels so real I needed a cold shower. There is so much raw emotion that pours out from the pages and sinks its hooks into you. I cried with them, felt their fear and rage, and cheered them on. We get a deeper insight into the key players of the Global Leaders and how things work but are still left with questions that will have me back for the next book as well. You will not regret taking this roller coaster ride.

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

[Lindsay Elmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book five of the Behind Closed Doors series, we get to know the story of Axel and Penelope. While we are introduced to them in previous books of the series, they are still a mystery until now. The tension has been building in each book as we learn more about the global leaders and their evil plans to take over the globe with the war on drugs.

Axel and Penelope are both caught in the middle and through action packed scenes, they are both trying to find the answers and search for Penelope's young daughter. The passion and love between Axel and Penelope continues to grow and the strongest love comes through in that of a mother's love for their child.

Just when you think you know what is going to happen, Maggie Cole always finds a way to bring out the emotions and tug at the heart strings. But in the end, love always wins!

[Krista Killey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Maggie Cole has delivered a mind blowing and steamy cliffhanger. If you have been reading the Behind Closed Doors series, you have to make sure to read the last installment, Stains of Desire. Axel and Penelope are now my newest favorite Maggie Cole couple. Their chemistry is even better than all the other BCD couples. And the Steam! Get a fan girls, because this book is by far the steamiest in the series. The plot is great also. It will leaving drooling for the last book in the series, because boy are there some serious plot twists in Stains of Desire. You will definitely be left with more questions than answers, though some of your questions from book 4 may be answered in Stains. Run, don't walk to your nearest Kindle or bookstore to grab this book.

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

[Emma bramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this series by this author. This is the amazing story of Axel and Penelope. This is a heart stopping, edge of your seat amazing story with these characters. These books just keep getting better and better the more you read. Once you pick this book up you won't want to put it down till you've finished it. This story has it all well developed characters, hot and steamy moments and well written story line. This book is a fantastic addition to this amazing series of books from this author.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
www.obsessedbookreviews.com

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific story in this thrilling series. Suspense, danger, action, adventure and swoon-worthy romance. This fifth installment in the Behind Closed Doors series is an outstanding addition with favorites Axel and Penelope up against the corruption and evil of the Global Leaders. An insta love/lust with sexy characters had my heart pounding as Axel executes his mission to reunite Penelope and her daughter. Like previous stories Axel receives a picture of his target and has an instant connection with strong feelings. Our hero is a dominant hunk and our heroine is onboard with his demanding sexiness. It's super steamy with a side of kink. Hot! Lots of twists and turns all the way to the fabulous ending. I look forward to the next installment in the fantastic romance suspense series. Loved it! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.

[Cindy Woschnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel, a multi-talented hot stud, rescues Penelope, green eyes, from the pit of despair. Her daughter has been kidnapped and Axel vows to find her daughter and promises to keep them both safe. Where will they be safe?
Penelope's child is missing and Axel and Penelope are running from a drug cartel while sadistic politicians will stop at nothing to get back what they believe is theirs.
Power, sex, money, sex, drugs, sex, control, sex, deception, and SEX!
To be the most powerful in the world is the objective and everyone is expendable. Can Axel and Penelope really find a forever love amidst the chaos and create a new Family unit with her daughter Millie? Read Maggie Cole's sexually charged novel and find out!

[Brandy Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stains of Desire is my favorite book in the series so far! This gripping, fast paced story will have you at the edge of your seat as so many secrets about the Global Leaders are finally revealed. This book has it all with action, suspense, danger, heartache, and plenty of steam. Dirty talking, super sexy, dominate Axel is my new favorite!! He is caring and protective and willing to do whatever it takes to protect Penelope and rescue her daughter. I loved Axel and Penelope! Their chemistry is explosive and they definitely bought the steam! This series is absolutely amazing and I can't wait to see how it all comes together in the end.

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

[Lisa O'D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this series many times, basically it's about a special ops mission to rescue a group of women from the jungle.

I love how each book in the series is dedicated to one of the hot special ops men, with all the books starting at the same rescue mission point, who all go their separate ways, criss crossing each other in the series but do they manage to get their women to safety and meet up again?

I'm glad I discovered this series after it had finished as there is no way I could have waited for each book to be released.

Guess what, the whole series will be available to buy together in a box set on kindle unlimited from early March 2022 for a limited time for around £7.00. You need to buy the box set!