Controlled Drift

Black Tide #3

by Maia Dylan

Niko Keahi has survived everything the world has ever thrown at him—cartels, mercenaries, and black-ops missions that should have killed him twice over. But nothing prepared him for waking up restrained on a jet, being sold under the wrong name, and realizing someone powerful wants him alive… for reasons he doesn’t yet understand. The man coming for him is the last one he ever expected.

Ethan Rhodes was supposed to be Niko’s past. A brilliant pilot who disappeared overnight, leaving only silence and heartbreak behind. But when Niko is taken, Ethan flies back into his life with the kind of skill that bends airspace and the kind of determination that doesn’t care who notices.

As Black Tide races to intercept a shadow syndicate tied to the Directorate, Niko and Ethan are forced to confront everything they lost—and everything they still want. Ethan is no longer just a pilot. He is Pyre—a man who has spent years dismantling his father’s criminal empire from the inside, burning routes, money, and lives that deserved to fall.

And Gregory Rhodes, the monster who made him, is not done yet. With assassins closing in, a hostage taken, and a war igniting in the shadows, Niko and Ethan must decide what they are willing to destroy to keep each other safe—and whether love can survive when the world is on fire.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2026

About the author

Mother, Wife, Author, and all around crazy...

I write the kind of books that I love to read. Love stories between strong men and their independent soulmates. Usually, their path to Happily Ever After is a bumpy one, but there is always a Happy Ever After.

​In the world's I create there is someone (or two, or three) for everyone! Love comes in many forms and I believe it is all beautiful and should be celebrated!

I live, love and write in New Zealand, married to my husband of eleven years with two beautiful children who I truly believe were sent as a blessing, but sometimes to try my patience, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Reviews

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. I loved Niko and Ethan in this. Both of these men have a shortish set of skills that make them dangerous and in high demand when people need to be rescued. Both having a past, they’ve been away from one another. But bite that they’re reconnecting due to their services being needed, that spark between them ignites again. I loved these two and their time together. They were hot and spicy and they were made for one another. The danger and chaos, the action and suspense. These few pages panned it all in there. And nothing was lacking. Perfectly written, well balanced, and one hell of a read.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Controlled Drift is the third book in the Black Tide series. It picks up right where book two left off. From the very beginning, this installment pulls readers straight back into the danger, loyalty, suspense, and emotional intensity that make this series so compelling.

The characters in this series continue to be one of its greatest strengths. The men of Black Tide are skilled, dangerous, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically protective of the people they love. Niko and Ethan are no exception. Like the rest of the Black Tide men, they have the specialized skills needed for the dangerous world they live in, and they are every bit as alpha, intense, and deadly when someone threatens what belongs to them.

In this book, both Niko and Ethan are both targets, alebit Niko accidentally, which raises the stakes and keeps the action moving. The storyline is packed with suspense, danger, drama, and nonstop tension from the very first page. There is a constant sense that something is coming, and that energy keeps the book moving at a fast, addictive pace.

The romance between Niko and Ethan is just as compelling as the action. Their story carries the weight of time, distance, and unresolved emotion, which makes their reconnection feel even more satisfying. The chemistry between them is steamy, but what makes their relationship work is the sense that their love has endured even through separation. Their connection is intense, passionate, and worth both the fight and the wait.

What I enjoy most about Controlled Drift is how well the romance and suspense balance each other. The action never overwhelms the emotional core of the story, and the romance never slows down the danger surrounding them. Niko and Ethan’s relationship gives the book heart, while the threats against them keep the pages turning.

The ending sets up the next book perfectly, with hints that the fourth installment may focus on Keanu along with two new characters, Rangi and Alexios. There definitely seems to be a past there, or at the very least the ghost of one, and I am already curious to see how that story unfolds.

Overall, Controlled Drift is an action-packed, suspenseful, steamy, and highly entertaining addition to the Black Tide series. Niko and Ethan’s story delivers danger, passion, loyalty, and emotional payoff, while also setting the stage for what looks like another intense ride in book four. I can hardly wait.

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

[Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niko Keahi and Ethan Rhodes had a past. They had been lovers at one time until Ethan’s father took that all away, forcing him into a marriage with a woman from another crime family, threating both Miko and Ethan’s younger brother Marko. She hadn’t wanted the marriage either a bore a child sired by her lover. But when she died, leaving Poppy as technically an orphan, Ethan was the only father she had ever known and he disappeared with her.
As a critical member of Black Tide, a para-military group of assassins for the right reasons, when Niko is kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity, Black Tide reaches out to Ethan to help them get Niko back. Because Ethan is one of the most talented pilots in the world and he owns the fastest commercial jet in the world, two things Black Tide needs to save Niko.
Controlled Drift has the requisite amount of gun battles and high tech ogling for any Black Ops junkie, but it is also a love story. It is book 3 of 3, but was released as a standalone. Be as that may, when I finished this book I loved it so much I ran right back to Amazon and bought books 1 and 2 in the series as this is just the genre I adore. Now I am looking forward to what I hope will be another release as there were enough things hanging to suggest it. Niko and Ethan do get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of Black Tide. Books should be read in series order for maximum enjoyment.

'With assassins closing in, a hostage taken, and a war igniting in the shadows, Niko and Ethan must decide what they are willing to destroy to keep each other safe—and whether love can survive when the world is on fire.'

The characters were very complex and compelling and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Another great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Niko and Ethan, have history followed by Ethan's unexpected, unexplained ghosting. Then they are brought together when Niko is captured and Ethan comes back into his life as his rescurer. This is an intense story of lost love, mistaken identity, responsibility, obligations, misunderstandings, miscommunications, bravery, risk, danger, seriously dysfunctional family and adventure extraordinare. Non stop action with no obvious gaurantee of success except for skill, determination, never leaving a man behind and hutzpah! Great adventure, non stop adrenaline rush, intense, nice cover art! Great series, well done!

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I was looking for a little more of their Hawaiian language because I find it absolutely sexy, but it was missing from this book. But it was still a very well-written book. This was Niko and Ethan's book. Ethan shouldn't have disappeared from Niko's life without a word, but years later, he was there to help rescue Niko when he was kidnapped, mistaken for Luca. And when you find out why Ethan left, it's heartbreaking. But love like theirs is meant to last. Now I'm excited for Keanu, Rangi, and Alexios's book.

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

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan “Pyre” Rhodes has been slowly dismantling his father’s illicit empire bit by bit. He gets a call about rescuing Niko who has been kidnapped. Niko and Ethan went to flight school together when one day Ethan just disappeared from class, that was three years ago. The people who have Niko think he is someone else. This is the third book of the Black Tide series, and is riveting from page one. It brings in Sniper Team Bravo and Pathfinders characters into these stories. Action packed, plenty of drama, romance and spice it’s a just what I like.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first entry into the Black Tide series and this is exactly what I like to see in an male oriented action/romance story. Ethan and Niko were apart for reasons that were not expressed, but after one crazy rescue, threats of violence and utterances of coercion, they and the rest of the Black Tide group, join together to teach a lesson not soon forgotten. Niko and Ethan's relationship takes intimacy to new heights.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three of the Black Tide series and what a great story. Ethan and Niko are great, they are very complex and intense and are absolutely perfect together. The plot is wicked, intriguing, intense and well paced. The world building continues to excel and impress. Another great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niko and Ethan finally get their chance to heal old wounds and excise some ghosts. After finally allowing Black-Tide to help him and to get his brother back, Ethan and Niko get their HEA!.

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

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fast paced third book in this series. The romantic part was enjoyand pulling. Great coupled pair.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Controlled Drift is book three of the Black Tide series and It picks up right where book two left off and again grabs your attention from the first page with the fast paced and action packed story.