Isis always knew her bank robbers were ruthless, dangerous, and brilliant. After all, they take their names from gods. They’ve eluded law enforcement agencies across the globe. And with just the crook of a little finger they’re able to bend her to their every kinky desire.
But it isn’t until the threatening letter arrives for her that she realizes just how ruthless, dangerous and brilliant her three men are.
The stalker’s threats unleash the robbers’ most primal and possessive instincts as they blaze a path of destruction through the criminal underground. The culprit lands in a prison hospital before the outlaws can get their hands on him, but at least Isis is safe. Or is she? Can the robbers let go of their obsession with banks long enough to recognize the danger swirling around her?
Annika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who loves reading, taking pictures of her cats, consuming boatloads of chocolate suckers, and helping animals. She lives in the Twin Cities with her awesome husband and adorable cats.
This series has been one of the most surprising books I've read this year so far. I really love these characters so much and the story is pretty damn great. I read the books all one after the other, it was so addicting! And I wonder, will there be more books? I do hope so!
The Deeper Game, the third book in the series kicked things up a notch when a stalker threatens to ruin everything Isis has build with the god pack. In the meanwhile Isis tries to convince her guys that they don't have to keep robbing banks but they are hell-bent on getting revenge. When Isis receives an intimidating letter, Zeus, Odin and Thor really show how fierce and even kind of scary they can be. Throw in a lot of kinky sex and you have one hell of a book!
So this book was really intense. Like REALLY! There isn't just the excitement of planning to rob a big bank but also the threat of Isis' stalker. While reading I could never guess who exactly it would be. I mean, it could've been anyone so I was a bit surprised by who it was and how screwed up and psycho he turned out to be. Isis as always was a great character. I genuinely like her because she's so funny, honestly loves her three guys and just wants them all to be a family.
And what can I say about the guys that I haven't said before? I love them ALL! To be honest, I never quite read a book like this about bank robbers and never thought them as hot but damn, I changed my mind the moment I read the first book. Zeus, Odin and Thor are some of the most sexy male characters I have read about, no question there! They were fiercely protective of Isis and quite agressive in this book. I just adore them!
Overall, The Deeper Game was sizzling hot, with fantastic writing, a great plot and just awesome. I had a blast reading it and it's one of my favorites now (as are the other books). So highly recommended!
I gotta tell you I loved this series. I didn't think I would. It's about bank robbing hero's. Seriously? But it was great and I didn't want it to end. I want another book because I still don't see how this can go on with bank robbing and not getting caught and trying to stay away from the bad guys. Loved all the characters and loved that Isis was a strong female while still submitting to her guys.
I finished this on a plane! While trying to not let anyone else see what I was reading on my phone. I turned down the brightness and angled it just so, hoping no one would glimpse words like "cock." It was okay, because after I finished I read a very intellectual book, because I have layers.
The balance of smut and plot in this book is perfect. The only real issue I had here was that the raunch factor of the sex scene language was amped up from the first two books. Like, please don't tell me a cock is bulbous. I don't want to read about "holes" or "puckers." I'm not overly bothered, and won't deduct stars in this case, but I feel the need to warn some readers. Or maybe I just don't recall properly from the first book, since I read it forever ago. But I felt like this book is getting really down and dirty with the sexy times.
However, this is still fun, if not taken too seriously, and the emotional factor between the foursome really starts to become apparent. Emotion and smut, my catnip! I've already checked out the next book from the library.
The God Pack has its sights set on the toughest, riskiest heist yet. The stakes are high and then the danger gets deeper when Isis receives a threatening delivery. Now Thor, Odin, and Zeus not only have to scope out banks, they also have to sniff out the rat in their criminal underworld.
The sexy adventures continue; ultimate fantasies are granted. But despite its erotic nature, love runs strong in this tale of one woman and three bank robbers.
“‘Never with anyone else baby. Ever…This thing is as real as it gets.’”
Ah, swoon a little as your heart and panties melt for these men committed to one woman. The gods exhibit how amazing they are, their best qualities shining through in this one. They even display their awesomeness dispensing some insightful advice to their fellow male criminals, who make interesting additions to the story. I loved how they put this:
“‘It’s like the parole board…They don’t give a shit about excuses. They need to see you have insight into how you f*cked up and that you have control over your own actions going forward.’”
It’s all about commitment to the pack, but will vengeance overshadow the family they believe in?
The Hostage Bargain was a story that gave me more than anticipated. The Wrong Turn wasn’t quite as enjoyable, but it set things up well for the future of the series. The Deeper Game was an enjoyable third addition to the series.
I’ll be honest and say it was obvious from the start how this one was going to play out, but that did not take away from the amusement of the story. The series is a wonderful combination of humour and steam, and The Deeper Game is the perfect example of how Annika Martin combines the two. Things are so ridiculous, but they work so well. It keeps you hooked, ensuring you’re happy to devour it in a single sitting.
Without a doubt, if you’ve enjoyed the prior books in the series you need to give this one a read. It certainly leaves you curious about what will come next in the series.
Cant believe the story ended but I loved the book and how it all played out. the boys are so hot and so smart. recommend this to anyone who loves possessive bad boys.
Annika Martin's ridiculous/delightful series about a lady shacked up with a trio of bank robbers is basically only time I've ever thought "WOW, the characterization, dialog and prose in this outlandish erotica novella are all really superior."
So - I mean, is this Great Literature? No, it's a series of books about a girl who gets taken hostage by three hunky bank robbers and then, given that she's an adrenaline junkie trapped in a stifling non-existence, chooses to stay. (And Do It a lot with the three dudes.) Books about one lady and multiple dudes are generally not my jam, but I read these books anyway, because they are just so fun and charming. Throughout the three books, I have frequently noted a line of dialog that made me smile or laugh, and the characterization is good and interesting and specific. Not just "Oh, they're all hunky Ken doll billionaires". The three bank robbers are distinct people whose emotional geography makes actual sense. The way they speak is distinct. The heroine is fun and smart and imperfect.
This book is the third in the series, and I think you need to read the first two to understand and appreciate this one. I've enjoyed the series as a whole, but I'm giving this installment four stars instead of five because there's a sequence that involves what feels to me like dubious consent. I have no judgment about people who enjoy that sort of thing, but there weren't any warnings shown on Amazon, where I bought it, and... I wish there had been.
More about the dubious-consent sequence (trigger warnings for rape, presumably, apply):
But in general, I think these books are so fun and funny and the exact opposite of the many horrible erotic romances available on Kindle some of us slog through for unclear reasons, ahem.
This series was different, it was crazy, hot, silly and totally unbelievable but I couldn't put it down. The first book 'The Hostage Bargain' drew me in and while it wasn't, for me anyway the 5 star read I'd hoped for it was enough for me to continue on, the second book 'The Wrong Turn' I really enjoyed even though it was more sex than story and this the final book in this series I loved. Isis has a stalker and while his identity is no secret it's the reason behind his actions where the mystery lies. Plans are in motion for one huge heist but is now the best time, with everything that's going on should the heist be postponed, where do the guys priorities lie? This series and these characters really grew on me and this book, particularly towards the end had me reading as fast as I could just to find out what happened. It's not the last we'll see of these guys since I gather there's to be a spin-off book. This would have been a 5 star read but there was one scene which I really wasn't sure about, actually I am sure, I didn't like it at all so it's 4.5 stars.
I'm not sure if it was the story or if it was me, but I can say the robbers lost their entertainment value. I did like the message at the end. Let's just say that they adjusted their perspectives about what's really important in life.
While this strange arrangement was thrilling at first, I still don't understand the dynamic of the relationship and how these men, or Isis for that matter, would be comfortable with it for the long haul. I would like a bit of a glimpse into their future.
Also, as for the stalker... I figured it out immediately. The men were stupid that they didn't. That may be why they lost my love. I just can't love those who can't see the obvious.
I sort of lost it for Isis, too. I mean I respect her devotion to the pack, but to garner such devotion to men she'd known for three months? It just happened so quickly. There was no event which tied them all together, so it made no sense. I don't know. Maybe the whole premise just lost its novelty to me.
A better look into the future would have been a great way to end the book. The way it ended, things seemed bleak.
The Deeper Game (Taken Hostage by Kinky Bank Robbers Book 3) by Annika Martin ****Stars This is the third book of the series and is my favorite of them so far. Isis has a stalker which is driving her God Pack crazy. Isis is also trying to convince the guys that they don’t have to live like they are. She understands that Thor has a need to help people. His Doctor training is coming through. Zeus is still the leader and at times is scary as hell but never with Isis’s. You can feel the love he has for her. Odin seems to be the one, who can step back and look at things a little differently. When Isis stalker keeps leaving tit-bits of information, they follow up. However are they been played? Odin has a weird feeling about the robbery, and yet the men go ahead with the planned robbery. Isis stalker seems to be one step ahead of them. Can the God Pack save her and work out who the stalker is. I must admit this book was more intense and the story was a lot stronger. Overall I have enjoyed this story. If you are looking for something a little different, with some sizzling hot chemistry, then this series could be it. Hot books and Sassy Girls
I thought that this book brought about a good close to things. I liked that at the end the author talked about more books, it will be interesting to see where things go from there.
I liked that the guys gave Isis her fantasy, but wasn't too sure about it at the start because I wondered if it was the trouble that seemed to be seeking them.
I found Isis questioning Odin, the tattoos and the job to be interesting. I wished that the guys would have taken her more series, but get why they didn't.
I think where all of them are at the end of the book is a good place, one that will let them all be happy.
The Deeper Game This book is the third in the series, and I think you need to read the first two to understand and appreciate this one. I've enjoyed the series as a whole... There isn't just the excitement of planning to rob a big bank but also the threat of Isis' stalker. While his identity is no secret it's the reason behind his actions where the mystery lies. Plans are in motion for one huge heist but is now the best time, with everything that's going on should the heist be postponed, where do the guys priorities lie? This series and these characters really grew on me and this book, particularly towards the end had me reading as fast as I could just to find out what happened.
3.5 stars but not quite enough to round it up to 4. It's a classic woman-in-danger story, which is not usually my jam, but I did appreciate how Martin used the scenario to have Isis question how far her bank robber boyfriends would go to protect her versus pursue their bank robbing vengeance.
This is a novel-length story that follows Isis getting deeper into bank robbing with her three beaus. This time they're determined to hit one of the toughest banks, and it takes a lot of pre-planning as well as working with Marcus, who used to work with the girl group bank robbers, the Giraffes. But just as they're getting into it, a seeming-stalker leaves a creepy message for Isis. The guys go hard on investigating, but when push comes to shove, will they choose the bank robbery or keeping Isis safe?
Like DUH we know what they will choose, but this story did have me harbor a doubt or two. It continues to be fun to take this banana-pants setup somewhat seriously. The standout moments, one good and one kinda iffy, were: GOOD - the conflict between Isis and Odin over whether or not the guys are too devoted to their vengeance bank robbing, which had surprising depth, and IFFY - a dubcon-lite forest scene that will either be hot or horrifying, depending on personal opinion. (For me I was a bit like, YIKES.)
Oh yeah and if you like dudes going apeshit caveman and needing to "claim" their women when the women are threatened by other men, then there will be a rainstorm scene in this book right up your alley involving Isis and Zeus. Personally for me, I like what it did to spice things up between Zeus and Thor a little (oh yeah, Thor eventually gets involved).
So, I continue to like this series but in no rush to read it through. Each entry is kind of nice to savor.
Can I just start by saying I love the bank robbers!!! All of the bank robbers are fiercely protective of ice, so when a stalker decides to target her, their protective nature turns them absolutely feral.
Now, if you then add into the plan of pulling off the biggest and most prestigious bank in all the land, things get a little bit messy.
Can I just say the Elf Woods scene will live free in my memory for a very, very long time.
Book 4 I cant wait. What an absolutely amazing book series.
The Deeper Game The pack had decided to take on the best bank in the world although everyone seems to be having bad feelings. Is it simply a bad feeling though, or is someone trying to stop them? Isis is trying to think about long term planning and it's hard to get the guys to go along for the ride.
Book three in The Bank Robbers is definitely very quirkaliciously Annika Martin, but it has a deeper edge to it. Higher stakes, bigger payoffs, in love and in bank robbing. And I’m so there for it!
I wonder where we go next? I’m completely addicted to this series!
If you read my reviews of Book 1 & 2, you know where I stand. I frigging Love this series. Read it. It is amazing. These heroes will rock your world. They are so hot. This book is my go-to. Annika Martin - you are so talented. Please write more in this series.
Wasn't a terribly big fan of the plot twist or the fantasy scene; the twist just felt out-of-the-blue relative to the rest of the series, and the fantasy felt a little niche to appeal to readers? But maybe that was the point for the author? Unknown.
I absolutely love this series! This is the second time I have read it now and I loved it as much as I did the first time. The foursome has so much chemistry that it makes you fall for them. My favourite part is the woodland guys scene. I’m hoping there’s another one in an upcoming book haha!
2.5? They just seem so eye rolling cringe, but I keep reading them. Also their tattoo sounds so dumb and ugly. It still seems weird that they could be in love because they don't seem to know each other. I also feel like they treat her like a child sometimes.