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KGI #5
Stummes Echo
Flieh, wenn du kannst...
Grace Peterson ist auf der Flucht. Monatelang wurde sie von einer Verbrecherbande gefangen gehalten, die ihre Fähigkeit, andere Menschen zu heilen, auf skrupellose Art und Weise ausbeutete. Allein und verzweifelt versucht sie nun, ihren Verfolgern zu entkommen. In letzter Sekunde gelingt es dem KGI-Agenten Rio, sie in Sicherheit zu bringen. Doch die Gefahr ist noch lange nicht vorbei. Denn nicht nur die Bande hat es auf Grace' Gabe abgesehen ...
Grace Peterson ist auf der Flucht. Monatelang wurde sie von einer Verbrecherbande gefangen gehalten, die ihre Fähigkeit, andere Menschen zu heilen, auf skrupellose Art und Weise ausbeutete. Allein und verzweifelt versucht sie nun, ihren Verfolgern zu entkommen. In letzter Sekunde gelingt es dem KGI-Agenten Rio, sie in Sicherheit zu bringen. Doch die Gefahr ist noch lange nicht vorbei. Denn nicht nur die Bande hat es auf Grace' Gabe abgesehen ...
372 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2012
771 people are currently reading
5591 people want to read
About the author
Maya Banks
242 books21.5k followersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 733 reviews
May 16, 2022
This book promising romance, action and thriller. With a paranormal dust. And its successfully deliver all of that aspect. Rio is certainly nails it as alpha male with excess of fierceness and heart of fluffy bear. I wish he is my knight in shinning armour.
Grace is a mysterius woman. With a paranormal ability. She is so vulnerable. It takes me a while for her to grow on me. The story blends perfectly. I just feel bit unease with the insta love. Its just happening too fast and without well developed characters.
Overal i enjoy the book.
4 stars
Grace is a mysterius woman. With a paranormal ability. She is so vulnerable. It takes me a while for her to grow on me. The story blends perfectly. I just feel bit unease with the insta love. Its just happening too fast and without well developed characters.
Overal i enjoy the book.
4 stars
April 30, 2025
It was ok with lot of action and tense moments. Though I'm used to some kind of betrayal from the hero in the books I've read so far from Banks. It felt kind of cheesy in some points hence the 3 stars. Also the second dying scene was an overkill for me. One should have been enough.
August 10, 2017
Rio, ljubaviiiiiiiiiii ♥
January 19, 2014
I enjoyed this book so much more than the previous book. I don't know what it was exactly, seeing as Grace had similar abilities to her sister. I think that maybe it was because that it wasn't such a huge shock this time. I knew it was coming.
This book moved at a much better pace. It was action-packed from the very first page...
I thought that the storylines were pretty great too. Especially the one about Titan. I liked that Rio had a connection to them from the past.
There were so many things I liked about this book but I have to say, a I have said before with this series, parts of the ending were just too sweet.
Overall, this was a brilliant addition to the series and I have to say that I am really excited to read PJ's book.
*Thanks Marcella for an awesome buddy read*
This book moved at a much better pace. It was action-packed from the very first page...
I thought that the storylines were pretty great too. Especially the one about Titan. I liked that Rio had a connection to them from the past.
There were so many things I liked about this book but I have to say, a I have said before with this series, parts of the ending were just too sweet.
Overall, this was a brilliant addition to the series and I have to say that I am really excited to read PJ's book.
*Thanks Marcella for an awesome buddy read*
September 1, 2023
re-read - via audible
I did not love it, but still liked it. The second half was much better to listen to than the first. Grace was one kick ass chick!
Prior comments
3.5 stars. Which is a good rating. Since I enjoyed the previous story about Shea's abilities I figured what the hell and read this one even though it is even more far fetched. But I liked the story of Grace and Rio. The reason for the average review is that I thought it was a bit weaker on the character development side. Can't give lots of details on what I wanted, it just did not tick all of my boxes. However, I still enjoyed it and would recommend.
Safety Gang Safe
I did not love it, but still liked it. The second half was much better to listen to than the first. Grace was one kick ass chick!
Prior comments
3.5 stars. Which is a good rating. Since I enjoyed the previous story about Shea's abilities I figured what the hell and read this one even though it is even more far fetched. But I liked the story of Grace and Rio. The reason for the average review is that I thought it was a bit weaker on the character development side. Can't give lots of details on what I wanted, it just did not tick all of my boxes. However, I still enjoyed it and would recommend.
Safety Gang Safe
August 16, 2012
Nice follow up to MB's previous (and my favorite) book in the KGI series (Whispers in the Dark) about two telepathic sisters whose rare skills with healing and telepathy are being exploited by some shadowy government-type groups.
In this book, Grace Peterson is on the run, worn out and nearly physically and mentally broken by people who have been experimenting with her powers of healing. Everything from broken bones, diseases, and even mental illness--Grace has been kept prisoner, forced to use her powers. Grace escapes from the facility where she's been held and is on the run in the Colorado wilderness, unaware help has been sent by her sister Shea. Sexy KGI agent Rio has been sent to find Grace, and bring her back to her sister Shea, who is now living at KGI's Tennessee compound with her fiance Nathan Kelly. But Rio is not the only one looking to find Grace--another force is out there, looking to bring Grace back to heal one more very important person--and this time Grace may not survive the healing. Will Rio be able to protect Grace and reunite her with her sister, or will she meet her end while forced to engage in the most challenging healing yet?
Rio...with a haircut...
I liked this book--nearly everything about it. Grace started off as this weary, broken, needy character who barely had the will to live after all she'd been through. And after reading about what her life was like and what she went through, I could hardly blame her for wanting to give up. But then she met Rio (*sigh*). And she learned to trust someone (besides her sister). Rio gave her back her confidence in herself, gave her a reason to fight, and a reason to hope for a future. I loved Rio. He had his own issues that he was struggling with, and I liked reading about his somewhat shadowy past and the heartbreaks he went through. I enjoyed the connection Rio and Grace had with each other--both emotional and physical. Loved the time they spent together in Rio's hideaway in Belize. Their love scenes were hot, but didn't take over the book. Rio was a good combination of protective alpha hero with a soft, tender side.
By the end of the book, in the showdown between the good guys (KGI) protecting Grace and the baddies waiting to take Grace back to do a healing that could kill her, Grace turned into one kickass heroine. Where did that come from? It's as if Rio's love for her ignited a fighting spirit in her that wouldn't be denied. I liked that about her, even though that 180 was a bit jarring at first. Watching Grace do her healings and the aftereffect on her body...wow, that got to be emotional at times. Who could live through that? And while the climax of the book was exciting and suspenseful, what happened afterward,
So all in all, a pretty riveting read. A unique (and at times angsty) plot, likable characters, some hot encounters, and a healthy dose of suspense. And oh yeah--some members of Rio's team surely deserve their own stories! Not a whole lot of the Kelly family in this one, but fans of the series should still find this a very enjoyable read. Nice edition to one of my favorite ongoing RS series. 4 1/2 stars
Note: This series is best read in order, but they could be read as stand alones if you must. However, with this book, I would advise to at least read Whispers in the Dark before this one--it works much better that way and gives you a one-two punch.
In this book, Grace Peterson is on the run, worn out and nearly physically and mentally broken by people who have been experimenting with her powers of healing. Everything from broken bones, diseases, and even mental illness--Grace has been kept prisoner, forced to use her powers. Grace escapes from the facility where she's been held and is on the run in the Colorado wilderness, unaware help has been sent by her sister Shea. Sexy KGI agent Rio has been sent to find Grace, and bring her back to her sister Shea, who is now living at KGI's Tennessee compound with her fiance Nathan Kelly. But Rio is not the only one looking to find Grace--another force is out there, looking to bring Grace back to heal one more very important person--and this time Grace may not survive the healing. Will Rio be able to protect Grace and reunite her with her sister, or will she meet her end while forced to engage in the most challenging healing yet?
Rio...with a haircut...
I liked this book--nearly everything about it. Grace started off as this weary, broken, needy character who barely had the will to live after all she'd been through. And after reading about what her life was like and what she went through, I could hardly blame her for wanting to give up. But then she met Rio (*sigh*). And she learned to trust someone (besides her sister). Rio gave her back her confidence in herself, gave her a reason to fight, and a reason to hope for a future. I loved Rio. He had his own issues that he was struggling with, and I liked reading about his somewhat shadowy past and the heartbreaks he went through. I enjoyed the connection Rio and Grace had with each other--both emotional and physical. Loved the time they spent together in Rio's hideaway in Belize. Their love scenes were hot, but didn't take over the book. Rio was a good combination of protective alpha hero with a soft, tender side.
By the end of the book, in the showdown between the good guys (KGI) protecting Grace and the baddies waiting to take Grace back to do a healing that could kill her, Grace turned into one kickass heroine. Where did that come from? It's as if Rio's love for her ignited a fighting spirit in her that wouldn't be denied. I liked that about her, even though that 180 was a bit jarring at first. Watching Grace do her healings and the aftereffect on her body...wow, that got to be emotional at times. Who could live through that? And while the climax of the book was exciting and suspenseful, what happened afterward,
So all in all, a pretty riveting read. A unique (and at times angsty) plot, likable characters, some hot encounters, and a healthy dose of suspense. And oh yeah--some members of Rio's team surely deserve their own stories! Not a whole lot of the Kelly family in this one, but fans of the series should still find this a very enjoyable read. Nice edition to one of my favorite ongoing RS series. 4 1/2 stars
Note: This series is best read in order, but they could be read as stand alones if you must. However, with this book, I would advise to at least read Whispers in the Dark before this one--it works much better that way and gives you a one-two punch.
July 6, 2012
Rating 3.5 stars
This is kind of continued with the other book, since Grace and Shea are sisters. Grace has the ability to heal people, something that is painful to her since she absorbs that person's disease. To save her sister Grace cut their mental link and now she has escaped from her captors, injured and on the verge of giving up when Rio's team gets to her.
Grace is pushed beyond her limits to survive and Rio doesn't coddle her instead makes her take strength from her reserves and they take shelter in his house in Belize until further arrangements can be made. He also knows that Titan is also on their trail. Titan is a special ops group who at one point was led by Rio. Rio was an idealistic solider who joined Titan and did everything they said, dabbling in shades of grey and then he started questioning it. He let his parents think he died and then found his pregnant sister beaten by her husband and she died, he avenged her but his parents couldn't accept him back, so he joined KGI where he had more control.
This book had insta-love, Rio saw Grace on tape and wanted her to be his, I kind of didn't get this. Grace is pretty much broken so much so that she wanted to die at one point but Rio helps her.
I found the book kind of sugary as far as the romance is concerned. There is betrayal as well from someone in Rio's team who needs Grace's abilities. At the end of the book we find out that Titan had another objective, the world thinks Grace is dead so she has to be careful all her life, remain hidden in Rio's house and they acquire a daughter as well(of the man who wanted Grace to heal her).
I am a fast reader but this book took me a long while because I kept getting distracted by other things. The book just wasn't that good and authors should keep PNR and RS separate.
This is kind of continued with the other book, since Grace and Shea are sisters. Grace has the ability to heal people, something that is painful to her since she absorbs that person's disease. To save her sister Grace cut their mental link and now she has escaped from her captors, injured and on the verge of giving up when Rio's team gets to her.
Grace is pushed beyond her limits to survive and Rio doesn't coddle her instead makes her take strength from her reserves and they take shelter in his house in Belize until further arrangements can be made. He also knows that Titan is also on their trail. Titan is a special ops group who at one point was led by Rio. Rio was an idealistic solider who joined Titan and did everything they said, dabbling in shades of grey and then he started questioning it. He let his parents think he died and then found his pregnant sister beaten by her husband and she died, he avenged her but his parents couldn't accept him back, so he joined KGI where he had more control.
This book had insta-love, Rio saw Grace on tape and wanted her to be his, I kind of didn't get this. Grace is pretty much broken so much so that she wanted to die at one point but Rio helps her.
I found the book kind of sugary as far as the romance is concerned. There is betrayal as well from someone in Rio's team who needs Grace's abilities. At the end of the book we find out that Titan had another objective, the world thinks Grace is dead so she has to be careful all her life, remain hidden in Rio's house and they acquire a daughter as well(of the man who wanted Grace to heal her).
I am a fast reader but this book took me a long while because I kept getting distracted by other things. The book just wasn't that good and authors should keep PNR and RS separate.
July 12, 2025
Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
3.5 stars.
Highly repetitive. It drove me nuts!
The story started off with a bang. Hooked me immediately. I was really excited to start reading this one. It has been awhile since I read a Maya Banks KGI book and I was really looking forward to getting back into the series. The beginning of this one was full of promise.
The main characters, Grace and Rio were interesting and the suspense was spot on.
Then bam, the repetition started.
As I continued to read the suspense and romance kept me intrigued. There is even a bit of humor to lighten things up.
But once again, repetition reared its ugly head.
These statements were repeated so many times in the story it made me want to scream.
'Rio wasn’t going to kill her.'
'....he’d risked his life. His team had risked their lives....'
'Before, I was ready to die. I had given up. I didn’t care what happened to me because....'
'But now I have people who matter to me...'
'..... I don’t want them to die for me. I don’t want them to make sacrifices for me.'
And that is just a sample of some of the repetitive thoughts. It really detracted from the story. All this repetition could have been used to up the action and suspense. There were lots of opportunities to up the intensity of the danger Grace, Rio, his team and KGI were in. But alas, this wasn't done. Wasted words.
Am I going to continue with the series?
Yep. you bet I am.
However. I will go into them a bit more cautiously.
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
3.5 stars.
Highly repetitive. It drove me nuts!
The story started off with a bang. Hooked me immediately. I was really excited to start reading this one. It has been awhile since I read a Maya Banks KGI book and I was really looking forward to getting back into the series. The beginning of this one was full of promise.
The main characters, Grace and Rio were interesting and the suspense was spot on.
Then bam, the repetition started.
As I continued to read the suspense and romance kept me intrigued. There is even a bit of humor to lighten things up.
But once again, repetition reared its ugly head.
These statements were repeated so many times in the story it made me want to scream.
'Rio wasn’t going to kill her.'
'....he’d risked his life. His team had risked their lives....'
'Before, I was ready to die. I had given up. I didn’t care what happened to me because....'
'But now I have people who matter to me...'
'..... I don’t want them to die for me. I don’t want them to make sacrifices for me.'
And that is just a sample of some of the repetitive thoughts. It really detracted from the story. All this repetition could have been used to up the action and suspense. There were lots of opportunities to up the intensity of the danger Grace, Rio, his team and KGI were in. But alas, this wasn't done. Wasted words.
Am I going to continue with the series?
Yep. you bet I am.
However. I will go into them a bit more cautiously.
July 18, 2022
Echoes at Dawn was such a fascinating book and I just had to pick this one as it picks up after Whispers in the Dark. This is a story that features a heroine, that is on the run because she was genetically manipulated and has healing capabilities and someone is after her. Then steps in Rio, who works for the KGI and has his own team, and he goes after her. But instantly they have a connection to each other and help each other survive.
I was so fascinated by this story and the heroine truly impressed me. She has capabilities but she is also smart and has this trust in Rio that is essential for her survival. Rio is one uber alpha male, probably the most alpha I have seen in the series so far and has a Latino background and I really enjoyed how the author handled the representation. We see how well matched our characters are, and they truly fit each other so right. The ending though was such a shocker, and I wasn't expecting it at all (don't worry there is a form of a HEA but not quite that satisfying) I am hoping through the buildup of the series, we see these two couples find their way to a more satisfying HEA though.
I was so fascinated by this story and the heroine truly impressed me. She has capabilities but she is also smart and has this trust in Rio that is essential for her survival. Rio is one uber alpha male, probably the most alpha I have seen in the series so far and has a Latino background and I really enjoyed how the author handled the representation. We see how well matched our characters are, and they truly fit each other so right. The ending though was such a shocker, and I wasn't expecting it at all (don't worry there is a form of a HEA but not quite that satisfying) I am hoping through the buildup of the series, we see these two couples find their way to a more satisfying HEA though.
July 4, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 3.5/5
The story opens with Grace fighting for her life. She’s on the run, she’s incredibly weak from being held captive and being forced to use her gift of healing on numerous people. She can heal anyone by taking their injury or disease into her own body and using her accelerated healing abilities to fight off whatever it was she took in. She has her limits and death isn’t something her ability can keep away and she’s at her limit now. She’s alone, running from men who want to grab her and use her healing power, but if Rio has anything to say about it, he’ll find her first and keep her safe from everyone.
When we last saw Rio in Whispers in the Dark, he had taken one look at Grace on a surveillance video and knew he had to be the one to rescue her. Grace’s sister, Shea, was already being watched over by the man she loves, Nathan Kelly, but Grace was out there alone and had no one. Rio tracks her down, helping her recover and regain her strength. The threat to both Shea and Grace is still out there but Grace is the one they want now. A man desperate for his dying daughter to live hires a group, Titan, to bring Grace in to heal his cancer stricken young daughter. Rio is very familiar with the group Titan, and knows they’ll stop at nothing to complete whatever mission they’ve agreed to. Failure isn’t an option for them and Rio along with KGI and Steele’s team, plan their attack to make sure Grace and Shea can live their lives in peace.
I liked the relationship between Rio and Grace. Rio is very alpha, very much about protecting Grace and keeping her safe and he’s felt a connection with her since the first time he saw her on the video. Grace has been through hell. Her “gift” causes her so pain, but the guilt she feels when she sees a sick child or someone that she knows she can help drives her to do more than she really should. Throughout the book, Grace is constantly recovering from helping someone. Grace has also lived a very solitary life. She’s never gotten close to anyone other than her sister Shea and with Rio, she experiences a lot of firsts. Their romance felt very much like a whirlwind. There were definitely some swoon worthy moments between the two, but one thing that I’ve never been a big fan of is a declaration of love after only knowing the person for a few days. It happens between them and I understand how intense and emotional their scenes are, but it still felt a little fast. As it was with Shea and Nathan, there is still the element of Grace’s telepathy and she and Rio can speak to each other in their minds. I could take or leave this and really in the end, if felt like the things they were saying in their minds mirrored what they were already saying out loud, so I’m still a little puzzled as to why this storyline was brought into the series in the first place.
They’re not on page for long, but I have to mention P.J. and Cole and how much I’m looking forward to their story. P.J. is a smartass, tough and even in just a few short pages, they made me laugh and cheer and I’m so looking forward to them leading their own book.
The story takes place primarily at Rio’s home in Belize. There’s a ton of action in the first part of the book and Rio’s team is front and center during all of it. I liked getting to know his team members and put personalities with a few of the names. That said, since this was Rio and Grace’s show, the Kelly family was MIA for almost the entire book. They’re there in the background, in the form of KGI, but I missed the big Kelly family scenes. And yes, I absolutely get that it wouldn’t have made sense to have that in Rio’s book, he’s a part of KGI, but he’s definitely a man who takes orders from no one, including Sam and KGI. We do get a nice big family scene at the end and a well-deserved moment for Shea and Grace.
I overall enjoyed the story. Personally, I needed to look at this as a story within the KGI series, but very separate in its own way. Rio is very sweet with Grace and he shows a different side to the Rio we’ve known in prior books. He’s still that same hard, leader who will do what it takes to get the job done, but he’s more emotional with Grace and let’s himself feel love and be loved for the first time. Rio and Grace had a nice romance, I just wish the pace of it had slowed down a little or had more of a time passage. This book can certainly be read as a stand alone and fans of the KGI series will enjoy getting to know Rio a little more up close and personal.
Blog rating: 3.5/5
The story opens with Grace fighting for her life. She’s on the run, she’s incredibly weak from being held captive and being forced to use her gift of healing on numerous people. She can heal anyone by taking their injury or disease into her own body and using her accelerated healing abilities to fight off whatever it was she took in. She has her limits and death isn’t something her ability can keep away and she’s at her limit now. She’s alone, running from men who want to grab her and use her healing power, but if Rio has anything to say about it, he’ll find her first and keep her safe from everyone.
When we last saw Rio in Whispers in the Dark, he had taken one look at Grace on a surveillance video and knew he had to be the one to rescue her. Grace’s sister, Shea, was already being watched over by the man she loves, Nathan Kelly, but Grace was out there alone and had no one. Rio tracks her down, helping her recover and regain her strength. The threat to both Shea and Grace is still out there but Grace is the one they want now. A man desperate for his dying daughter to live hires a group, Titan, to bring Grace in to heal his cancer stricken young daughter. Rio is very familiar with the group Titan, and knows they’ll stop at nothing to complete whatever mission they’ve agreed to. Failure isn’t an option for them and Rio along with KGI and Steele’s team, plan their attack to make sure Grace and Shea can live their lives in peace.
I liked the relationship between Rio and Grace. Rio is very alpha, very much about protecting Grace and keeping her safe and he’s felt a connection with her since the first time he saw her on the video. Grace has been through hell. Her “gift” causes her so pain, but the guilt she feels when she sees a sick child or someone that she knows she can help drives her to do more than she really should. Throughout the book, Grace is constantly recovering from helping someone. Grace has also lived a very solitary life. She’s never gotten close to anyone other than her sister Shea and with Rio, she experiences a lot of firsts. Their romance felt very much like a whirlwind. There were definitely some swoon worthy moments between the two, but one thing that I’ve never been a big fan of is a declaration of love after only knowing the person for a few days. It happens between them and I understand how intense and emotional their scenes are, but it still felt a little fast. As it was with Shea and Nathan, there is still the element of Grace’s telepathy and she and Rio can speak to each other in their minds. I could take or leave this and really in the end, if felt like the things they were saying in their minds mirrored what they were already saying out loud, so I’m still a little puzzled as to why this storyline was brought into the series in the first place.
They’re not on page for long, but I have to mention P.J. and Cole and how much I’m looking forward to their story. P.J. is a smartass, tough and even in just a few short pages, they made me laugh and cheer and I’m so looking forward to them leading their own book.
The story takes place primarily at Rio’s home in Belize. There’s a ton of action in the first part of the book and Rio’s team is front and center during all of it. I liked getting to know his team members and put personalities with a few of the names. That said, since this was Rio and Grace’s show, the Kelly family was MIA for almost the entire book. They’re there in the background, in the form of KGI, but I missed the big Kelly family scenes. And yes, I absolutely get that it wouldn’t have made sense to have that in Rio’s book, he’s a part of KGI, but he’s definitely a man who takes orders from no one, including Sam and KGI. We do get a nice big family scene at the end and a well-deserved moment for Shea and Grace.
I overall enjoyed the story. Personally, I needed to look at this as a story within the KGI series, but very separate in its own way. Rio is very sweet with Grace and he shows a different side to the Rio we’ve known in prior books. He’s still that same hard, leader who will do what it takes to get the job done, but he’s more emotional with Grace and let’s himself feel love and be loved for the first time. Rio and Grace had a nice romance, I just wish the pace of it had slowed down a little or had more of a time passage. This book can certainly be read as a stand alone and fans of the KGI series will enjoy getting to know Rio a little more up close and personal.
July 6, 2012
FRIGGIN LOVED IT! It's probably best if I just start out by saying that I adore this series and ALL those hot KGI men, the entire Kelly Family and all of the women as well! If there was a book series that I could throw myself into, it would be this one, but how ever would I choose which guy I wanted?? LOL! ;)
Anyway - you got a fair idea of Rio in the previous books and at the end of the last book you got a tiny sneak peak of Grace, the sister of Shea. I knew going into it that I would love it because I was pretty much crushing big time on Rio before I even opened this book up! I love a big, bad-ass guy, who will do anything in his power to protect an innocent...and when he has a heart of gold and a super soft side it's just all that more appealing.
I had about 80 pages left in the book and I put it down because I was getting really anxious and KNEW that the big bad event of the book was about to happen and I was really stressing out about it. Grace had been through so much horrible stuff and my heart just broke for her so many times throughout the book. And after you get a little more of Rio's back story you heart breaks just a little bit for him too. And you KNOW that they can't loose each other...and damn that Maya Banks for stressing me out like that!! I also KNEW there would be a HEA, cause there always is, but I was really feeling upset this time around. I finished this at the pool and had to put my sunglasses on because I didn't want anybody to see my CRYING! Yes, really, I was crying!
Now I am stuck waiting for the next installment of the KGI series, which is Cole and PJ's story, which I have no doubt will be pure awesomeness!
On a side note - I pre-ordered this from Amazon and as I was reading today half the book fell out of the binding! That makes me VERY unhappy!! No brand new book should do that! WTH?
Anyway - you got a fair idea of Rio in the previous books and at the end of the last book you got a tiny sneak peak of Grace, the sister of Shea. I knew going into it that I would love it because I was pretty much crushing big time on Rio before I even opened this book up! I love a big, bad-ass guy, who will do anything in his power to protect an innocent...and when he has a heart of gold and a super soft side it's just all that more appealing.
I had about 80 pages left in the book and I put it down because I was getting really anxious and KNEW that the big bad event of the book was about to happen and I was really stressing out about it. Grace had been through so much horrible stuff and my heart just broke for her so many times throughout the book. And after you get a little more of Rio's back story you heart breaks just a little bit for him too. And you KNOW that they can't loose each other...and damn that Maya Banks for stressing me out like that!! I also KNEW there would be a HEA, cause there always is, but I was really feeling upset this time around. I finished this at the pool and had to put my sunglasses on because I didn't want anybody to see my CRYING! Yes, really, I was crying!
Now I am stuck waiting for the next installment of the KGI series, which is Cole and PJ's story, which I have no doubt will be pure awesomeness!
On a side note - I pre-ordered this from Amazon and as I was reading today half the book fell out of the binding! That makes me VERY unhappy!! No brand new book should do that! WTH?
March 11, 2012
Grace and Rio. The action remains high through most of the book with plateaus of peace to give you a breath as Grace heals for one reason or another. She is a stong woman and her character development at least in determination is well thought out by Banks. The brain link reunion with her sister Shea is better than the actual reunion on the wedding day...not saying whose wedding.
Rio is the brooding alpha hero we all love and he doesn't let you down in any way. I am beginning to feel an ever so slight lack of sustainable interest from Banks in this book. By that I mean, there is some of Banks usual passion missing here. Barely percievable. Is KGI beginning to run it's course? Hope not. The next book is P.J. the hot alpha chick on the team.
Rio saves Grace from her captors and takes her back to his hidden hideaway in the jungles of another country. Grace shows unbelieveable strength in walking away from her captors, literally, at Rio's side. Can not help but call her one strong lady. Later the evil bad guy wants her captured again to save the life of his dieing daugher Elizabeth. Does he get his way or not. That is the thread through much of the story. Of course he does, Grace goes and then desplays her incredible stategic thinking. Then she does her thing at a cost higher then I had expected. Bit of a surprise there at the climax of the story. Always good.
The HEA was perfect, first with family and friends and then on their own. Only one thread left dangling at the end of this story. One that I really don't care one way or the other about. I enjoyed reading the book and it did have all of the elements I look for in this type of read.
Rio is the brooding alpha hero we all love and he doesn't let you down in any way. I am beginning to feel an ever so slight lack of sustainable interest from Banks in this book. By that I mean, there is some of Banks usual passion missing here. Barely percievable. Is KGI beginning to run it's course? Hope not. The next book is P.J. the hot alpha chick on the team.
Rio saves Grace from her captors and takes her back to his hidden hideaway in the jungles of another country. Grace shows unbelieveable strength in walking away from her captors, literally, at Rio's side. Can not help but call her one strong lady. Later the evil bad guy wants her captured again to save the life of his dieing daugher Elizabeth. Does he get his way or not. That is the thread through much of the story. Of course he does, Grace goes and then desplays her incredible stategic thinking. Then she does her thing at a cost higher then I had expected. Bit of a surprise there at the climax of the story. Always good.
The HEA was perfect, first with family and friends and then on their own. Only one thread left dangling at the end of this story. One that I really don't care one way or the other about. I enjoyed reading the book and it did have all of the elements I look for in this type of read.
July 29, 2012
Darnit! I wish I could put my finger on the exact reason this disappointed me, but it was really just a culmination of a lot of little things. 1. Yes, she is fierce. Please stop telling me how fierce Grace is. 2. Bad guys shoot to kill...never made sense Titan letting them get away in the first place. 3. I got it, the Kelly's are the most incredible family in the world. 4. Grace is fierce. 5. Psychic abilities and secret government organizations only appear when you need to fix a damaged plot line. 6. What was with the wrap up? Are you kidding me with the nice neat bow? It was like Ms Banks didn't want to pursue this storyline anymore so she decided to jam in as much closure as possible. Hopefully the next story with PJ gets us back to the basic good writing of romantic action that appealed before.
November 7, 2012
Very uneven book. Parts were great, parts really dragged.
August 19, 2016
4 Stars - Romantic Suspense with a touch of Paranormal.
February 28, 2014
It was a struggle to get through this book, and this is going to be a long review, so brace yourself.
Reading this series pretty much back to back might have made me a little jaded to it. The heroine is always the in-need-of-a-hero type, with a few unique details to change it up. The hero is always super protective and borderline an ass. Up until now, Maya Banks has walked that line, but managed to keep things interesting. Even with the introduction of a paranormal plot line and characters in the last book, which came out of left field given the ordinary, if paramilitary, world KGI lives in, was interesting.
But holy crap did the wheels come off of this one for me.
I didn't understand or care about either Rio or Grace, which was a huge disappointment because I liked both of them prior to Echoes at Dawn. But it turns out that while I enjoyed them as secondary characters, I didn't like them as main characters AT ALL.
Rio was annoying and overbearing and just pushy - character traits that I don't find attractive to this degree. Grace came off at times as whiny, weak, and a broken record, repeating the same ground over and over and over. Their romance was unbelievable to me, not because the action, but because I didn't believe they had any the chemistry; it felt so forced, and their passages together were ones that, truthfully, I skimmed or just skipped all together.
Because the worst part was that these characters seemed to have split personalities. One minute Grace is weak, but suddenly she's fierce. One minute Rio is a sweetheart, then he's a pushy, demanding know-it-all. Dealing with them was just exhausting because I never knew which personality was going to come through in this chapter. Maybe this wouldn't have bothered me quite so much if I felt in any way connected to them. Maybe if I had felt something for either character, I would have been able to say that everyone's got insecure moments, but I didn't and I couldn't, and instead of trying to understand them, I wanted to wash my hands of them. I hit the 40% mark and wanted it all over with.
So, why didn't I DNF this? Part of me wished I could. I tried. But I had to know how everything got resolved, and so I pushed myself through this book. And somewhere around the 75% mark did the action FINALLY pick up.
I don't want to not like it. I tried to get into it, tried to like it even a little, I really did. But the magic of the Kellys is that they are a family, and they always have each other's back. At no time did I believe that Rio really bought into that, or added to the Kelly family. He even said that he trusted no one, so how does this really add to the KGI series? I mean, really? What does this add, other than tying off Grace's plot line?
Which was kind of a mess.
This was a huge, disappointing, total miss for me. I wish Rio and Grace had had a different story altogether. None of it worked, and if this is how the series is going to go, it may be time to stop reading.
Reading this series pretty much back to back might have made me a little jaded to it. The heroine is always the in-need-of-a-hero type, with a few unique details to change it up. The hero is always super protective and borderline an ass. Up until now, Maya Banks has walked that line, but managed to keep things interesting. Even with the introduction of a paranormal plot line and characters in the last book, which came out of left field given the ordinary, if paramilitary, world KGI lives in, was interesting.
But holy crap did the wheels come off of this one for me.
I didn't understand or care about either Rio or Grace, which was a huge disappointment because I liked both of them prior to Echoes at Dawn. But it turns out that while I enjoyed them as secondary characters, I didn't like them as main characters AT ALL.
Rio was annoying and overbearing and just pushy - character traits that I don't find attractive to this degree. Grace came off at times as whiny, weak, and a broken record, repeating the same ground over and over and over. Their romance was unbelievable to me, not because the action, but because I didn't believe they had any the chemistry; it felt so forced, and their passages together were ones that, truthfully, I skimmed or just skipped all together.
Because the worst part was that these characters seemed to have split personalities. One minute Grace is weak, but suddenly she's fierce. One minute Rio is a sweetheart, then he's a pushy, demanding know-it-all. Dealing with them was just exhausting because I never knew which personality was going to come through in this chapter. Maybe this wouldn't have bothered me quite so much if I felt in any way connected to them. Maybe if I had felt something for either character, I would have been able to say that everyone's got insecure moments, but I didn't and I couldn't, and instead of trying to understand them, I wanted to wash my hands of them. I hit the 40% mark and wanted it all over with.
So, why didn't I DNF this? Part of me wished I could. I tried. But I had to know how everything got resolved, and so I pushed myself through this book. And somewhere around the 75% mark did the action FINALLY pick up.
I don't want to not like it. I tried to get into it, tried to like it even a little, I really did. But the magic of the Kellys is that they are a family, and they always have each other's back. At no time did I believe that Rio really bought into that, or added to the Kelly family. He even said that he trusted no one, so how does this really add to the KGI series? I mean, really? What does this add, other than tying off Grace's plot line?
Which was kind of a mess.
This was a huge, disappointing, total miss for me. I wish Rio and Grace had had a different story altogether. None of it worked, and if this is how the series is going to go, it may be time to stop reading.
July 9, 2012
2.5 stars/5
This story picks up right where the fourth book left off... Grace is running through the woods away from her captors and running out of time. She's at the end of her endurance, has literally decided she is ready to give up. In rushes Rio and his KGI team who rescue her and carry her off the mountain and to safety. What follows is an instant love between Grace and Rio, who can speak into each other's minds and decide that true love is real and they want to be together forever... Grace becomes respected and loved by all in the KGI group while saving the day and Rio's life by the end of the book.
After reading some of the other reviews I can safely say I am going to be one of the people in the minority who found this book a little ridiculous. I would also like to say, regardless of the harshness of this review, that I am a Maya Banks fan. I've followed her through all of the genres she has tried her hand at and enjoyed myself. There are just several things about this book that bothered me. First, I am not a fan of instant love in a story line. It seems kind of a cop out to not have any build up what so ever in building the relationship between the H/h. In the last book Rio saw Grace on a surveillance video and just had to be the one to rescue her. Apparently he just "knew" that she was going to be his. Ummm, ok.
Approximately three or four days after Grace is so injured and traumatized from her experience in captivity as a test subject she and Rio are sexing it up... WITHOUT A CONDOM, because you know, he just "knew". I was shaking my head at this one. A couple hours after their first sextapade Rio is uttering the word "mine" and telling Grace he will go into hell to rescue her. Sigh.
Their relationship was so sugary sweet at some points I just had to put the book down and take a break. It was starting to send me into sugar overdose. When Grace called Rio a "fluffball deep inside" I kind of threw up in my mouth a little bit. I just do not understand how someone who is at such a low point in her life, who has been used and abused and hunted down for her entire life can just go down the love canal that swiftly without even a shred of doubt or proof that Rio was who he said he was. She fell into bed with him within days of being on her death bed, let him do her without a condom, while being a virgin by the way, and when he starts throwing out words like "mine" and "love" she gets all gushy. Her body is so worn out and sick because of her many healings and she isn't even concerned that pregnancy might happen when no condom is used during sex? I know that this is fiction but... I like to have just a little bit of believability.
It still really bothers me that what started out as a romantic suspense series has seemingly morphed into a paranormal romance series. I truly enjoyed the first three books and was puzzled at the last book. It was so out of left field, I still can't figure out why the direction of the series was changed. It makes me wonder if the next book, about PJ and Cole, will be back to romantic suspense or will there be some kind of paranormal aspect inserted into the story. I LIKE paranormal romance, I read quite a bit of it in fact, I might have liked this book and the previous one more if I had read them as book one and two of a paranormal series, but when I pick up a book expecting it to be one thing and then am given something completely different it is a little perplexing.
Yes, I plan on reading the next book. I've actually been looking forward to PJ and Cole's book for awhile. The exerpt kind of got me a little excited. But please, please let's return to the romantic suspense of the first three books that I enjoyed so much. Let there be some tension, some angst. I like the Kelly's. I want to finish reading their story. I was dissapointed in this installment, but am willing to continue on in the hopes that book four and five were flukes.
This story picks up right where the fourth book left off... Grace is running through the woods away from her captors and running out of time. She's at the end of her endurance, has literally decided she is ready to give up. In rushes Rio and his KGI team who rescue her and carry her off the mountain and to safety. What follows is an instant love between Grace and Rio, who can speak into each other's minds and decide that true love is real and they want to be together forever... Grace becomes respected and loved by all in the KGI group while saving the day and Rio's life by the end of the book.
After reading some of the other reviews I can safely say I am going to be one of the people in the minority who found this book a little ridiculous. I would also like to say, regardless of the harshness of this review, that I am a Maya Banks fan. I've followed her through all of the genres she has tried her hand at and enjoyed myself. There are just several things about this book that bothered me. First, I am not a fan of instant love in a story line. It seems kind of a cop out to not have any build up what so ever in building the relationship between the H/h. In the last book Rio saw Grace on a surveillance video and just had to be the one to rescue her. Apparently he just "knew" that she was going to be his. Ummm, ok.
Approximately three or four days after Grace is so injured and traumatized from her experience in captivity as a test subject she and Rio are sexing it up... WITHOUT A CONDOM, because you know, he just "knew". I was shaking my head at this one. A couple hours after their first sextapade Rio is uttering the word "mine" and telling Grace he will go into hell to rescue her. Sigh.
Their relationship was so sugary sweet at some points I just had to put the book down and take a break. It was starting to send me into sugar overdose. When Grace called Rio a "fluffball deep inside" I kind of threw up in my mouth a little bit. I just do not understand how someone who is at such a low point in her life, who has been used and abused and hunted down for her entire life can just go down the love canal that swiftly without even a shred of doubt or proof that Rio was who he said he was. She fell into bed with him within days of being on her death bed, let him do her without a condom, while being a virgin by the way, and when he starts throwing out words like "mine" and "love" she gets all gushy. Her body is so worn out and sick because of her many healings and she isn't even concerned that pregnancy might happen when no condom is used during sex? I know that this is fiction but... I like to have just a little bit of believability.
It still really bothers me that what started out as a romantic suspense series has seemingly morphed into a paranormal romance series. I truly enjoyed the first three books and was puzzled at the last book. It was so out of left field, I still can't figure out why the direction of the series was changed. It makes me wonder if the next book, about PJ and Cole, will be back to romantic suspense or will there be some kind of paranormal aspect inserted into the story. I LIKE paranormal romance, I read quite a bit of it in fact, I might have liked this book and the previous one more if I had read them as book one and two of a paranormal series, but when I pick up a book expecting it to be one thing and then am given something completely different it is a little perplexing.
Yes, I plan on reading the next book. I've actually been looking forward to PJ and Cole's book for awhile. The exerpt kind of got me a little excited. But please, please let's return to the romantic suspense of the first three books that I enjoyed so much. Let there be some tension, some angst. I like the Kelly's. I want to finish reading their story. I was dissapointed in this installment, but am willing to continue on in the hopes that book four and five were flukes.
December 31, 2012
WOW!!! LOVE THIS!!
I have to say this right off the bat, I FREAKIN LOVE RIO!! Seriously, love him (giggly, I would swoon at his feet if he were real) love him!!! And I am 50! how ridiculous and embarrassing is that. lol...
This story is about Grace, Shea's sister from book 4 Whispers in the Dark, two sisters that are telepathic and can heal others. Grace has been on the run, having escaped the people who were holding her and torturing her, forcing her to heal people despite what it does to her physically. She is weak and near death and running in the mountains of Colorado.
Rio and and his team are on a mission to find her and bring her to safety. Rio and his team work for KGI run by Sam Kelly (*swoon*). Throughout the previous books in this series I never got a real handle of what this guy was about. Always in the background getting the job done. What I learned in this book was that he is a scary, hot, badass, kinda guy. I mean the guy lives in the jungle! But what seriously pushed me over the edge was his enlightened attitude. He knew he needed more than strong muscles, but a smart, trained mind. And of course there was his tender, loving heart. (ok I am babbling, cuz i am crushing on him so much).
What I also loved about this book was the action of course, I could picture myself marching through the jungle, ready to kill the baddies!! What i missed was the Kelly brothers, They were not in the book much, but on the flip side I really enjoyed the men in Rio's team.
What I also liked was the way Grace evolved, frightened, running, broken. She finally decides enough is enough of people using and abusing her and she starts to kick ass!! (you are fierce girl)
Loved this book!!
I have to say this right off the bat, I FREAKIN LOVE RIO!! Seriously, love him (giggly, I would swoon at his feet if he were real) love him!!! And I am 50! how ridiculous and embarrassing is that. lol...
This story is about Grace, Shea's sister from book 4 Whispers in the Dark, two sisters that are telepathic and can heal others. Grace has been on the run, having escaped the people who were holding her and torturing her, forcing her to heal people despite what it does to her physically. She is weak and near death and running in the mountains of Colorado.
Rio and and his team are on a mission to find her and bring her to safety. Rio and his team work for KGI run by Sam Kelly (*swoon*). Throughout the previous books in this series I never got a real handle of what this guy was about. Always in the background getting the job done. What I learned in this book was that he is a scary, hot, badass, kinda guy. I mean the guy lives in the jungle! But what seriously pushed me over the edge was his enlightened attitude. He knew he needed more than strong muscles, but a smart, trained mind. And of course there was his tender, loving heart. (ok I am babbling, cuz i am crushing on him so much).
What I also loved about this book was the action of course, I could picture myself marching through the jungle, ready to kill the baddies!! What i missed was the Kelly brothers, They were not in the book much, but on the flip side I really enjoyed the men in Rio's team.
What I also liked was the way Grace evolved, frightened, running, broken. She finally decides enough is enough of people using and abusing her and she starts to kick ass!! (you are fierce girl)
Loved this book!!
July 31, 2012
Could not stand the heroine in this book. Oh, how I tried to like her. She was a healer. A very powerful healer, but she hopped up on my TSTL shelf right away and if I had a "cry at the drop of a hat" shelf, she'd have been in first place.
Felt outside of the entire story. Struggled to get over 3/4 finished and finally gave up.
The exchange between H/h were "off" for me. Seemed like the emotion was not there and the constant "tears." I'm sorry, but the story seemed "corny" for lack of a better term. Can't give away much without posting spoilers, but the other men just hanging out while the H/h "carried on." How the H chose to let her stand on her own, then not. She was a grown woman. I just can't stand weak females, nor do I like overly aggressive. There's a fine line in there and this h was at the too far one way for my taste.
Sorry, enjoyed the others in this series to date, but this one was a bomb for This Reader.
Felt outside of the entire story. Struggled to get over 3/4 finished and finally gave up.
The exchange between H/h were "off" for me. Seemed like the emotion was not there and the constant "tears." I'm sorry, but the story seemed "corny" for lack of a better term. Can't give away much without posting spoilers, but the other men just hanging out while the H/h "carried on." How the H chose to let her stand on her own, then not. She was a grown woman. I just can't stand weak females, nor do I like overly aggressive. There's a fine line in there and this h was at the too far one way for my taste.
Sorry, enjoyed the others in this series to date, but this one was a bomb for This Reader.
February 11, 2013
There's nothing better than a strong heroine to bring a tough warrior to his knees. Grace and Rio sure didn't disappoint, the sizzling chemistry, non-stop action, great plot, hot smexin' and loveable secondary characters, makes this an enjoyable and engaging read. Enjoy!
December 28, 2012
**3.5 stars**
October 23, 2018
3.5/5 estrellas. Me gustó la acción pero algo hay en el comportamiento de Rio que me sentó como un jarro de agua fría. Se enamora y deja de ser un hombre razonable.
December 14, 2020
Rio ( Eduardo Bezzara) has been around since the start, and he’s always portrayed as friendly (especially compared to Steel) and charismatic. We met Grace the last book, she can heal others by taking their injuries into her body then using her accelerated healing to heal herself. Rio was smitten as soon as he saw Grace on surveillance so he volunteered/demanded he be the one to rescue her. I liked Rio, but really struggled with Grace. I’m so over the emotionally wimpy h’s that dominate this series.
If there was a theme to this book it would be “almost dead” because I can’t tell you the number of times Grace almost died. Along with several other characters Rio, Elizabeth......
Bottom Line-I found it ok, but I just don’t dig the para-sci fi element of these two books. I also felt like it was basically a redo of the last book with a different sister and different danger. FYI-this one is Kelly-lite.
*For those that follow series it ends with double weddings. Nathan/Shea & Garett/Sarah
If there was a theme to this book it would be “almost dead” because I can’t tell you the number of times Grace almost died. Along with several other characters Rio, Elizabeth......
Bottom Line-I found it ok, but I just don’t dig the para-sci fi element of these two books. I also felt like it was basically a redo of the last book with a different sister and different danger. FYI-this one is Kelly-lite.
*For those that follow series it ends with double weddings. Nathan/Shea & Garett/Sarah
January 9, 2018
This was my favorite in the KGI series so far. I loved Grace and Rio. I also liked that the story arc concerning Grace and Shea came to a conclusion and the author didn't drag it out. This was also the last audio book of the series that's part of romance unlimited. I wish the entire series was part of the program.
June 3, 2017
4,5/5 stars
July 5, 2012
OMG!!! I love Maya Banks! This is one of my all time favorite series and I am thoroughly happy with its latest installment! I have to admit, with Whispers in the Dark I was taken by surprise with the paranormal element (and I love paranormals by the way), which even at the end and even though I loved the book, I was still unsure how I felt about it. Same feelings applied to Echoes even though I was eagerly waiting for its release date! That being said, this book fu*#in rocks! I have been interested in / intrigued by Rio from the first and when I found out he was getting his own book I was thrilled! This book was just as awesome as the rest and I don't even know where to begin! We all knew from the last book, when Rio demands ;) to be the one to find Grace that something is there, and boy is there! Grace is so broken, mentally and physically that she's at her wits end, about to give up when Rio swoops in and gives her something to live for. While reading this today, I updated my status periodically with some of my favorite lines from Rio, and I must say I think I'm in luurve! :) In Echoes at Dawn, we see a side of Rio that has never before been seen up close and personal! We even find out *gasp* his real name! The action in this one doesn't disappoint and neither do the (wink wink) love scenes! We meet a few new characters and fall in love with an adorable girl named Elizabeth. I was very glad with how this book ends for everyone and I am now impatiently waiting for January so I can read about P.J and (more winks;)) David Coletraine, my other favorite non Kelly KGI member! Now I'll leave you with those lines I mentioned earlier!
** “I don’t expect you to understand it. Hell, I don’t understand it myself. But I do expect you to accept it. And me. Because, honey, whether you realize it or not, I’m going to be a steady presence in your life from now on. It’s just a matter of how and where I fit in when all of this is over with, but I’m telling you right now, I’m not going away.”
**“I don’t know what to say,” she finally managed to get out.
Rio’s smile was gentle but assured. “There’s nothing at all to say, Grace. You’re mine. You’ve been mine from the beginning. You never stood a chance once I decided that I was going to be the man who brought you home.” Only Rio could get away with that! :)
**“I’m going to make love to you, Grace. Not right this minute. I’m not going to pressure you or rush this. But from the moment I saw you on that video surveillance tape, you were mine. I have no explanation for it. I don’t even entirely understand the connection. But it’s there, and I think you feel it too. I’m willing to wait until the moment is right, but you’re mine." Can we say SWOON!!
** “I don’t expect you to understand it. Hell, I don’t understand it myself. But I do expect you to accept it. And me. Because, honey, whether you realize it or not, I’m going to be a steady presence in your life from now on. It’s just a matter of how and where I fit in when all of this is over with, but I’m telling you right now, I’m not going away.”
**“I don’t know what to say,” she finally managed to get out.
Rio’s smile was gentle but assured. “There’s nothing at all to say, Grace. You’re mine. You’ve been mine from the beginning. You never stood a chance once I decided that I was going to be the man who brought you home.” Only Rio could get away with that! :)
**“I’m going to make love to you, Grace. Not right this minute. I’m not going to pressure you or rush this. But from the moment I saw you on that video surveillance tape, you were mine. I have no explanation for it. I don’t even entirely understand the connection. But it’s there, and I think you feel it too. I’m willing to wait until the moment is right, but you’re mine." Can we say SWOON!!
September 12, 2015
3.5 stars
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Rio is the perfect romantic suspense alpha hero. At least that's what I thought every time he showed up in this series before. Then he made it his mission to go after Grace Peterson and rescue her. Well somehow between that decision and what went down in this book he lost some of that alpha appeal.
This book started out strong for me and slowly fizzled out some of the charm. At times it felt we weren't getting much progression in the overall story although there was a lot of action.
Grace seemed a lot stronger and ended up being a more delicate type of heroine, even though still stronger than her sister Shea in my opinion. Grace and Rio still worked well as a couple though, him being the strong protector and relying on her powers at times and there was still some spark. As a couple I have to say I liked them a lot better than the previous book. Although the romance might've felt a bit rushed, and I would've liked their connection to develop through a longer period of time. Rio was still a pretty strong hero even though he was toned down from what I expected.
And then there's the Kelly's...this is not a Kelly family book. They were mostly absent in this story and I expect the same from the next book as well. I do expect the next book to be a little more to my liking, being that it's PJ and Cole. Playful but hard.
*ARC provided by publisher
This review was posted at Under the Covers
Rio is the perfect romantic suspense alpha hero. At least that's what I thought every time he showed up in this series before. Then he made it his mission to go after Grace Peterson and rescue her. Well somehow between that decision and what went down in this book he lost some of that alpha appeal.
This book started out strong for me and slowly fizzled out some of the charm. At times it felt we weren't getting much progression in the overall story although there was a lot of action.
Grace seemed a lot stronger and ended up being a more delicate type of heroine, even though still stronger than her sister Shea in my opinion. Grace and Rio still worked well as a couple though, him being the strong protector and relying on her powers at times and there was still some spark. As a couple I have to say I liked them a lot better than the previous book. Although the romance might've felt a bit rushed, and I would've liked their connection to develop through a longer period of time. Rio was still a pretty strong hero even though he was toned down from what I expected.
And then there's the Kelly's...this is not a Kelly family book. They were mostly absent in this story and I expect the same from the next book as well. I do expect the next book to be a little more to my liking, being that it's PJ and Cole. Playful but hard.
*ARC provided by publisher
February 22, 2016
This one was really good. I loved Rio! Rio and Grace may a great couple and to me one of the best books in the series so far. Grace had been on the run for over a year, separated from her sister and trying to stay out of the clutches of someone after her. She has the ability to heal people and there are governments out there that would do anything to posses her talents...even her own. Rio is the man that has volunteered to bring her home to her sister Shea. But before Rio could get to her, she had been captured. By the time he did manage to get to her, she had managed to escape her captors, but was still very weak from healing sick person after sick person. She was put through some pretty horrific situations.
I liked Grace and thought she was a good fit for Rio. Rio is MB's typical he-man alpha with a tortured past, but a really awesome cook. What is not to love? I enjoyed the book and don't mind the paranormal element. What did bother me was I think Resnick got the shaft and I don't see how what went down can stay down, especially with Shea knowing the truth. I don't know why he was kept out of the picture there at the end, but do hope someday he gets his own story, because to me his is a very lonely man. I am not sure what the point was of keeping him away from Shea and Grace. I do hope that Swanni and Steele get their stories soon. Also I hope we hear from bad-ass bad boy Hancock again...that is going to have to be one special woman to take him down and find his heart. Overall a strong story and it brought me back to the series.
I liked Grace and thought she was a good fit for Rio. Rio is MB's typical he-man alpha with a tortured past, but a really awesome cook. What is not to love? I enjoyed the book and don't mind the paranormal element. What did bother me was I think Resnick got the shaft and I don't see how what went down can stay down, especially with Shea knowing the truth. I don't know why he was kept out of the picture there at the end, but do hope someday he gets his own story, because to me his is a very lonely man. I am not sure what the point was of keeping him away from Shea and Grace. I do hope that Swanni and Steele get their stories soon. Also I hope we hear from bad-ass bad boy Hancock again...that is going to have to be one special woman to take him down and find his heart. Overall a strong story and it brought me back to the series.
August 30, 2012
4.5, I seriously loved Rio!Not my favorite of the series but it was still damn good.So much action and Rio was such a warrior but beneath that was a tender lover. Grace man at first she was weak in every sense of the word but toward the end she had a back bone and was such a trooper. I was bummed that there wasn't as much Kelly family as I would have liked but then this is Rio's book. Loved all the action and all the calm moments between Rio and Grace.
I think the reason I gave it 4.5 instead of 5 was because the issue with Browning. Stuff went down and I felt for him in a big way but it was never resolved at the end. I didn't like that. Also something was bugging me about the whole thing. Its not even a big deal but some reason it has been bothering me. See Browning and his woman claimed that Grace wasn't forced to help but in fact she was. At least in the beginning, when you are tricked and being held in an iron grip that leaves red marks and he say I wont hurt you but I will if I have too then pulls a gun on her, isn't that force? Yes she helped of her own free will when she found out why he did what he did but still. For some reason this bothered me in a big way. Ok whatever Im over it seriously. lol
I think the reason I gave it 4.5 instead of 5 was because the issue with Browning. Stuff went down and I felt for him in a big way but it was never resolved at the end. I didn't like that. Also something was bugging me about the whole thing. Its not even a big deal but some reason it has been bothering me. See Browning and his woman claimed that Grace wasn't forced to help but in fact she was. At least in the beginning, when you are tricked and being held in an iron grip that leaves red marks and he say I wont hurt you but I will if I have too then pulls a gun on her, isn't that force? Yes she helped of her own free will when she found out why he did what he did but still. For some reason this bothered me in a big way. Ok whatever Im over it seriously. lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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