The Key

Dark Path #2

by K.T. Grant

The seductive world of The Gate continues with The Key…

Erika has reinvented herself as an author of erotic romance under the pseudonym, Lily Fredericks. After her eight month sabbatical in New Orleans, she’s returning to Manhattan to promote her new book. Chris is handling her book tour and wants Erika to give him another chance. She’s forgiven Chris, but Max is always in her thoughts. Sick of waiting for Erika to come to her senses, Max takes matters into his own hands. He’ll go to New Orleans to claim her before it’s too late.

With Erika back in Manhattan, both Chris and Max try to seduce her in the hopes she’ll choose one of them. As both men battle for her heart, a woman from Max’s past reappears, bent on revenge. Chris will ruin Max anyway he can in order to make Erika his own. However Max has something up his sleeve to insure he’s the victor, but not without a price—Erika’s soul.


Can Erika choose between a man who seeks to possess and a man who can’t live without her?

Link: http://ktgrnt.wordpress.com/2014/05/1...

Genres: Romance, BDSM

285 pages, ebook

First published June 6, 2014

About the author

KT Grant is a self-proclaimed eccentric redhead who not only loves to read a wide variety of romances, but also loves writing it. KT has a bad coffee and LEGO set addiction, and doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinion A proud native of New Jersey, KT is multi-published and writes Gay, Lesbian and Straight romance. KT has also been a top ten best-selling author at Amazon.

Reviews

[K.T. Grant]

I wrote this.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to beta read this follow up to THE GATE!

I enjoyed the continuation of Max and Erika's growing relationship. Although Erika came across as indecisive and immature at times and Max was a real jerk... they find away to deal with their issues towards a common ground. I am deeply satisfied with the progress the pair make during the course of the book. I am heavily invested in this pair and want to see them succeed.

The book is full of drama, and some of that comes from the continuing Bryan/Cathrine/Raymond storyline. I enjoyed the twist Ms. Grant tosses into the mix and I hope that we will eventually see a happy ending for all the characters involved. But for now... wow! All I can say is I feel like the each character has some serious issues.

I recommend THE KEY to fans of drama-filled romances, especially those who enjoy flawed characters with issues to work out. I do recommend readers begin with the first book, The Gate, which sets up the world and begins the characters' journeys.

[Ilana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Key
Author: K.T. Grant
Publisher/Year: CreateSpace Publishing 6/20/14
Length: 260
Series: The Dark Path #2

Overview

Erika has reinvented herself as an author of erotic romance under the pseudonym, Lily Fredericks. After her eight month sabbatical in New Orleans, she's returning to Manhattan to promote her new book. Chris is handling her book tour and wants Erika to give him another chance. She's forgiven Chris, but Max is always in her thoughts. Sick of waiting for Erika to come to her senses, Max takes matters into his own hands. He'll go to New Orleans to claim her before it's too late.

With Erika back in Manhattan, both Chris and Max try to seduce her in the hopes she'll choose one of them. As both men battle for her heart, a woman from Max's past reappears, bent on revenge. Chris will ruin Max anyway he can in order to make Erika his own. However Max has something up his sleeve to insure he's the victor, but not without a price-Erika's soul.

Can Erika choose between a man who seeks to possess and a man who can't live without her?

My Thoughts

It's been a while since i read The Gate, and I was a bit afraid that i'd forget the juicy bits of the story and feel like perhaps i'd need to re-read to get up to date. but....NOPE - the way that our lovely author writes this 2nd installment brings you up to speed quickly, and gives you a divergent story line - with 2 parallel bits happening at the same time.

Where we pick up with Ericka and Max is that Ericka's living in New Orleans with her best friend while trying to sort out the choices that she has to make in her life, all the while, finishing her first erotica book (remember she used to be a children's author). Anyhow, this time away from New York was supposed to help her choose between Chris - the man that she's lusted after forever or Max, the one thing in her life that rocks her world and shakes things up in ways in and out of the bedroom. What we see is that she's not ready to forgive Chris for what he's done and she's not ready to let Max in without being cautious.

This 2nd installment takes us through what their lives become once Ericka returns to NYC, older, wiser and in a different head space. She has to find a way to make her career a success both for herself and for the publishing house while finding a way to let Max in since we slowly see that it's what she wants. Max of course is the powerful mogul that's not just a dom in his club, but in their life too. He wants something more concrete for the 2 of them, and it's up to him to make Ericka comfortable with it.

The parallel story that we also get is between Catherine (the other owner of The Gate), her master Raymond and Bryan, the young'in that we met in the first book. Turns out that there's more of a bond between these 3 than initially thought. Not only is he tied to Catherine (Cathy as he likes to call her) since she took his virginity, but turns out that he knows her master - he's family. Ironic situation that they are in. anyhow, Raymond is so in love with Catherine that he's willing to find a way to make it work and it's never easy. He offers twists and proposals to sort it out, and it's a challenge at the end of the book that really makes thing interesting, if not completely expected.

So, throughout this bridge book, we get a roller coaster of emotions with these love triangles, and that's something that's interesting. There's no shortage of passion and steam among anyone, and i think that if you want variety - you get it here.

For me, one of the better things in this book was the re-introduction of Page, Chris's sister who had been in a 'relationship' with Max in the past and almost killed herself as a result of it. she' re-emerges and brings with her a bit of trouble, not just for Max but we can assume for Ericka as well. where this story ends up is someone landing in the hospital because of an attack and we don't know for sure what the motive was yet. The questions beg us to wonder who's going to survive in book 3, and which relationships will hold together.

If i'm completely honest with you guys though, i don't know that i care so much about Catherine's story right now - i feel like it would be a better novella. While there's a lot of sex and tension there, i feel like it detracts from the main story line that we came to love - Ericka/Max/Chris - and what was going to happen. Having 2 love triangles amidst this story makes it more complicated and while i read it all, there were moments that i wondered if i would be better off just skipping through the catherine chapters to get back to Max.

The teaser for 'The Lock' - book 3 really makes you wonder - since we were already questioning the relationship between Page and her new fiance which happens to be someone that Max detests - but what was teased here makes it much more clear at least what the fiance Abe is out for - now what Page's motivation in it all? that's still to be determined, and makes for a great cliffhanger. Now if only we didn't have to wait until 2015. oh well...

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Key picks up the story line that started in The Gate, the first book in the Dark Path series. I have not read The Gate, but it was fairly easy to pick up on the story line and the author does a good job filling in the back story that is necessary to the current plot line. I really enjoyed this book and liked the dual story lines within it, and it was interesting getting a peak into the BDSM world that these characters live in.

You could really feel Erika’s need to find herself. She’s struggling with the loss of her father and trying to make sense out of her feelings for the two men who have tried to claim her. She’s determined to prove to herself and everyone – especially Max and Chris, her two suitors – that she can make it on her own and be the strong woman that she knows she can be. She had moved to New Orleans to try and get her life in order and make sense of her feelings, but her book is about to release and she must return to New York and face the two men that she ran from. What I loved about Erika is that you could definitely see her becoming a very strong woman, and although she struggled with her submissive reactions and feelings towards Max, you just got the sense she was going to be able to stand on her own two feet no matter what choices she made. When all sorts of craziness erupts around her, Erika has to confront her feelings and make some tough decisions – ones that will set the path to her future in motion.

Catherine was another story. She has gone back to Raymond, her Master, but is still dealing with feelings that were stirred in her by another man while she was away from Raymond. When she is forced to confront those feelings head on things get a bit nerve-wracking…Raymond demands Catherine’s obedience, and you can just feel the tension as the events unfold around her. It was interesting to watch Catherine struggle with her submissive side, and even though we are left unsure where things will end up, I enjoyed the build-up of emotions that Catherine was trying to sort through.

Of all the men I think I liked Max the most. As pushy, arrogant and egotistical as he could be, he always had Erika’s welfare at the forefront. And even though Erika continually fought her relationship with Max and tried to not let that spark between them drive all sense of reason from her mind to the point that she felt she was losing herself to him, Max was very aware of Erika’s needs and he didn't try to dominate everything about her. You could really get the sense that Max needed Erika and that need extended beyond a Dom/Sub relationship.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one to see how things end up for Erika, Catherine and all the men. There were quite a few loose threads left at the end of The Key, but I think the main story lines were complete and the ending did a good job setting up the next book. The author does a good job with her character development and using all the supporting characters effectively to move the story forward and give it added depth. I’ll definitely be coming back for more of K.T. Grant!

I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Key is book two in the Dark Path series by K.T. Grant. This book is not one I would recommend reading without reading book one first. In fact, I really wish I had read book one again before starting this one. I had intended to, but just ran out of time. I really enjoyed book one and wanted to get immersed in the world again before starting this book.

We pretty much start about eight months since the end of book one. Erika has moved to New Orleans with a friend to get away from all the drama (and the two men) that was part of her life in New York. She wanted mostly wanted to get away from everything that happened in the first book. She not only is she trying to recover from the many things that were thrown at her, she is also in the process of writing, what she expects to be a best selling erotica novel. She is hoping that this will help save the publishing company that her father built. It is putting more pressure on her than just a regular book release would on an author, as if that wasn't enough.

Catherine talks to Max, that she is going on an extended vacation in Maui. She plans to go back to her Master, who she has been avoiding for months. Her hope is to be back in New York in less than a year. Catherine has a lot to work through with her Master, from their past and from what has happened while they were apart. She gets much more page time in this book, which I was really glad to see. I loved reading her story.

When Max and Erika get back together, he has a real hard time not being the over dominate man that he Dom side wants him to be. But Erika, is not the same timid girl he first met. She is much more independent, than the timid woman from the beginning of the series. That makes things much harder for him, because she doesn't want to take his word as law. It causes many problems with this relationship that is just starting to be rebuilt.

Overall, I enjoyed this book just as much as book one. It has some great plot lines between the different characters, there is pretty much two stories going on, one in New Orleans/New York and the one in Maui. The characters all have very well developed and very strong personalities. There are some very strong BDSM and menage scenes, which were very well written.

Like book one, this book ends abruptly. I was not real happy with where the story ended. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. I can't believe I have to wait a year for the next book (book three is hopefully coming out in 2015, not sure exactly when). I can't wait to see where this story goes next.

This series is great for readers who like reading the BDSM and menage stories. The characters are damaged and have a lot of healing to go through, so it is not just sex on the page.

**Book was provided to me by the author. This review is my opinion and was not requested or provoked in anyway by the author.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continued Seduction

The Key continues the lust and secret-filled story of Erika, Max, and Chris. Erika has spent the past eight months in New Orleans sharing only the occasional text message with Max and some business correspondences with Chris. Erika hasn’t spent her entire time away focusing on her personal relationships; she has also reinvented herself as an author. The once children’s book author is now getting ready to launch her first erotic romance. And the launch of her book means her return to Manhattan… and Max and Chris. Max, however, is not a patient man so he travels to New Orleans on supposed business and makes sure that he has a not-so-random run in with Erika. The sparks are still there and still undeniable. But so is Erika’s concern that Max has the potential to take her life down a dark path. Erika is focusing on her book release but is also still grieving the loss of her father and trying to stabilize all of her personal relationships. When things seem like they might start to fall into place, Chris’ sister Page, an ex of Max’s, comes to town. It appears Page has returned to seek revenge on the broken heart and humiliation that Max left her with- and she’s found reinforcements.

It was both relief and torture to be able to read this book immediately after completing the first in the series, The Gate. I loved being able to jump right into the next part of the story and get more fully submerged in the plot, but now I am stuck anticipating the yet released third book! I enjoyed the fact that the author took the plot to another level and did not make the second book simply about the continued hostilities and love triangle of Max, Erika, Chris. Max is sharing more of his secrets with Erika so that allows the plot to develop and progress, and Erika does not seem quite so torn in matters of the heart.

This time we have two new characters being added into the story that are going to add to the tension and deceit. The few glimpses that we get of Page perfectly depict her as a fantastic villain- the secretive kind that is unsuspected by most other characters in the book. Ms. Grant does a great job of quickly developing that character through backstory and a few brief encounters between her and Erika. Then there is Abraham who is only mentioned in this book so we have to wait until book three to truly see where his intentions lie. This character, and his potential for troublemaking, are teased just enough by the author that I am left wanting to meet him and fully learn about him. Ms. Grant writes great characters.

This book does not lose any of the steam, seduction or intrigue that was well-developed in the first book. I am anxiously awaiting The Lock, the third book in this series.

Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dark and complex world found in The Gate Continues

The Key is the second book in the Dark Path series by K. T. Grant. This book is best read by reading the prior book in the series first to fully understand the plotlines, and characters.

The beginning of the story leaves wondering how this book will end. By the end of the first chapter, I could not wait to finish the book. The author did a good job of bringing the reader in to her world. She did a great job of making the world she created very realistic. The pace of the story was a steady fast pace from the first page to the last. The main characters and the secondary characters were motivating and realistic. I loved that Erika and Max each had faults that they each had to battle making them realistic.

The point of view stayed with Erika all the way through. I do wish I could have seen things from Max’s or even Chris’s point of view. The main conflict of the story is the continued stormy relationship between Max and Erika. It seems in the eight months from the end of the first book and this book, nothing has changed. I find it hard to believe that in all that time Erika is still at a loss as to what to do with Max’s proposal. The conflict keeps the story moving along and leaves you wanting to know more. The level of conflict is perfect, anymore and it would have detracted from the overall storyline. The dialogue between the characters was honest and distinct. The characters voice matched not only the setting but fit their overall personality. The ending leaves you wondering how this story will turn out in the next book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

** Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 out of 5 stars***

I absolutely loved The Gate (Dark Path Series #1) and have said multiple times it is my favorite KT Grant book. I was super excited to see what happened next with Erika, Max, and even Chris. I was lucky enough to be provided a review copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.

I love this series so much. Erika and Max are my favorite characters, although Catherine, Raymond and Bryan are also pretty awesome. I still don't like Chris, and I really did give him a chance to redeem himself in this book.

Erika and Max are just as hot as ever together in this book. Seriously they can't be in the same room with one another without wanting to tear each other's clothes off. I love Erika and Max as a couple! I know they still have issues to work through, but I just love them together.

The Raymond/Catherine/Bryan storyline intrigues me so much. While I know Raymond and Catherine are together, I really want Catherine to be free to choose who she wants to be with and how she wants to live. I'm excited to see where this storyline goes in the next book.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't like Chris. I did give him another chance in this book and while he did own up to being in the wrong to Erika, he didn't change how he continued to act about Max and especially about Max and Erika together.

I've loved both books in the Dark Path Series from KT Grant and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Mary Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The drama continues with this great BDSM romance that has many unexpected twists and turns: Erika asserts her independence and works to keep Max and Chris at arm's length as she tries to find herself and stand on her own two feet. She does let Max know that he is the man she loves. Chris is still a jerk as he works to roll out her new book. He's also brought in his sister Paige to torture Max and hopefully create the drama needed to get Erika away from Max. There are still a lot of unanswered questions so on the whole this relationship/triangle didn't move forward very much for me in The Key. Now, the storyline of Catherine, Raymond and Bryan got very interesting and to me stole the show in this book. There are several hidden surprises within this triangle and I must admit I'm more anxious to find out how this all plays out for the three of them. I am looking forward to part 3 to find out how all the tangled webs in both love triangles get resolved. Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Second Book!!!!!!
My main disappointment is I have to still wait for book 3 to find out what happens next.
I had to read both books back to back, and I was so glad I did. I was able to continue the story.
I still love Max!! He is by far my favorite character during this series. As for Chris I disliked him more and more. I felt like he was still stringing Erika along just so she wouldn't be with Max.
Other then ending in a cliffhanger I was beyond happy with where the story left off.
Cant wait to read the next book!!!!!
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherri Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

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