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Most people would take an all-expense=paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder committed by her half brother-a personal enemy of KGI. But Garrett hadn't planned on falling for Sarah. When he glimpses her dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe-even as she disappears, running for her life.
I usually don't find myself enjoying romantic suspense because I like my romance books to be simple and realistic, something I can snuggle up with after a long day and not have to think too deeply about. Hidden Away, March's upcoming Berkley Sensation release, is an exception though. Frankly, I loved it.
Let me begin with the story line first. I had not realized, when I started reading, that this book was the third installment of Maya Banks's KGI series. So, much of the plot was confusing, but I had it down pat once I was about halfway-through; it wasn't that hard to figure out and I will personally say it makes a great stand-alone novel. The Kellys are a noble, cunning family with a proud line of spies, agents, and soldiers alike. All of the Kelly sons were once part of the Marine or the Army yet Garrett Kelly, though only in his thirties, is retired due to injuries. He now accepts top-secret missions to save and protect refugees and victims of crime or war. And he thought by leaving the military, the hard part was over -- until he was assigned Sarah's case.
To make a long story short, Sarah Daniels was raped by her boss, Allen Cross, and her half-brother, Marcus, rebounds with a cold vengeance by murdering him. Once the trigger is pulled though, is when Marcus realizes that killing a man right in his office is a tragic mistake, and Sarah, the only witness of the shooting, is forced to run away in order to keep her half-brother safe from the government.
Even before actually meeting Sarah, Garrett knows there is something about her that draws him to her. He willingly accepts the mission, and locates Sarah at her "hiding place" way too easily. Though he is hired by the very men who want to convict Marcus, he lies to Sarah saying Marcus is the one who brought him to her, and unfortunately, Sarah believes him.
Hidden Away is a story of failed trust, loyalty, and deceit. Sarah's journey of losing herself within Garrett's charm and kindness is portrayed beautifully, only to have it shatter when she finds out he is actually after Marcus. Garrett's struggle to remain loyal to his family and the KGI, but "fall head over ass" is admittedly enlivening, but heartbreaking at the same time. And the way Sarah is able to rebuild her trust in the man she realizes she loves is a warm, hopeful ride that is complemented by strong passion and scintillating romance.
By far, Hidden Away was made enjoyable most by Banks's writing style. Her voice is rich and detailed, but not too flowery, and her writing contains LOTS of humor, provided, it's mostly crude. However, that's my kind of story: one with wit and vulgarity, so I found it entertaining. A warning for the more genteel: there is a lot of swearing in this book. Maybe one or two swear words per page, oftentimes more. I didn't have a problem with it, but some of you might, so it's just a heads up.
Another thing I loved about this novel. Berkley Sensation is the erotic imprint of the Berkley Publishing Group. Unlike most erotic novels however, Hidden Away does not have characters sleeping with each other all over the place within the first few chapters. In fact, despite major flirting, innocent kissing, and somewhat heavy petting, actual sex does not occur until about the last quarter of the book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think it enhanced my anticipation of the story because I knew Sarah and Garrett had it bad for each other; it was just a matter of when the
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 26 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I love the KGI series. I really appreciate that they're not all about sex (although they don't lack their steamy scenes) and they actually have a very intriguing plot. The characters are easy to fall in love with- who doesn't love gorgeous, built, military men?- and the victims are easy to relate too. I am really hoping that the author continues with this seriers. I would love to read something about PJ, Cole, and/or Steele.
I highly recommend this series. (#2 is my favorite)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Marcus Lattimer made a fortune that has people doing whatever he demands; he pays for loyalty. He lives by one code only: His Honor. No one dare cross Lattimer, but Allen Cross of Cross Enterprise did. Thus, his honor impugned by an A-hole, Lattimer visits this creature of habit Cretan at the man's office; takes out a gun and fires between the eyes. However, Marcus failed to consider that his Achilles Heel, his beloved half-sister Sarah Daniels will arrive trying to prevent his killing her former employer ; only she witnesses the murder of Allen. She flees when repulsive Stanley Cross snarls at her.
CIA Agent Adam Resnick visits Kelly Group International (KGI) because he believes Lattimer finally screwed up with what appears to be a personal vendetta; he wants injured KGI operative Garrett Kelly, who lost a team due to the man's betrayal, on the job. He explains the Cross murder gives them the ability to bring down Lattimer through his sibling. They send to Garrett to keep Sarah safe while using her to catch her half-brother. However, he never anticipated that he would fall in love with the woman he earned her trust through lies.
Few romantic suspense thrillers start stronger than Hidden Away does as the players are introduced through the homicide. However, part of the island tryst slows down the otherwise action-packed story line as Garrett tactically seduces Sarah. Still they are a wonderful pairing as each sees Lattimer differently, which makes the cold killer the match-breaker. Readers will appreciate this tense tale as the audience anticipates two High Noon confrontations in paradise.
Harriet Klausner
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
290 pages • Romantic Suspense.
Great series! Maya Banks has been added to my list of top authors. I love the character development and the story line doesn't give me a sense of deja vu like some other authors.
• 1 - Darkest Hour (291 pgs)
• 2 - No Place to Run (239 pgs)
• 3 - Hidden Away (290 pgs)
• 4 - Whispers in the Dark (327 pgs)
• 5 - Echoes at Dawn (276 pgs)
• 6 - Shades of Gray (257 pgs)
• 7 - Forged in Steele (324 pgs)
• 8 - After the Storm (to be released Dec 2013)
Other recommendations: Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, and Black Knights Inc series by Julie Ann Walker.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Sep 09 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This one shows us Garrett Kelly who is sent on a mission to "baby sit" Sarah Daniels while she is renting a sea side cabin. He is really trying to find Sarah's brother and since the team thinks the brother will come to Sarah at the cabin or that Sarah will lead Garrett to him, having Garrett there seemed like a good idea.
Garrett is fantastic. He is big and strong and can handle anything without fear - except women. They scare him and he doesn't know how to deal with them. He's not very comfortable with children either. Sarah is a loving woman who seems the best in everyone and tries to help them. She is quite naive and not very wise in the ways of the world so she puts herself in dangerous situations without even realizing it.
I love the KGI books with all the Kelly brothers. KGI is a special-ops type company that does hostage and fugitive recovery all over the world. I highly recommend this book.
lhuels
Posted Fri Aug 22 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I really like this series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ssmommie75TB
Posted Sat Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Garrett and Sarah were an amazing couple with what seemed like everyone in the world out to get them. Hidden Away is a very well
written novel. Maya Banks continues to blow me away with her amazing writing style.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Left rp for ever
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Posted Mon Aug 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Love, is a feeling you get for another person after time. :P
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Posted Wed Mar 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Bios....res 2 <br> Main camp....res 3 <br> Warriors den....res 4 <br> App den....res 5 <br> Nursery....res 6 <br> Med den....res 7 <br> Leaders den: res 8 Hunting/training/patrolling territory.... all other results
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Posted Sun Dec 29 00:00:00 EST 2013
Love all three so far
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Posted Thu Dec 19 00:00:00 EST 2013
Loved it
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Posted Tue Jul 16 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This book was just barely ok for me. I thought it dragged a lot. I've read all the previous books in this series and liked this one least. And whats up with not giving a physical discription of the main characters, in this case, the heroine. To me, that is important. Helps you connect with them.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Ran off
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
(Are you going to check here often today?)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2013
A portal appears as shade walks through
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Maya Banks is just a great author if you like sexy, romance, and lots of suspense with big strong protective guys. I really liked this one because it talks about loss, regret, family and 2nd chances.
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Posted Sun Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 2013
love it
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Posted Fri May 31 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Oh Garrett, Garrett, Garrett. The Kelly brother who needs this "vacation" but gets the surprise of his life hen he meets Sarah. I was cheering for this couple. I loved how Sarah got away from him and he subsequently found her. The description of Rio's hideaway had me wishing this place existed! One of my favorite parts is at the end when the brothers go to rusty's school to handle her "situation". Had me smiling for her. God I love the Kelly brothers. Can't wait to read each of their stories.
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Posted Mon May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Wonderful ending. Lots of intregue and bad guys.
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Overview
Most people would take an all-expense=paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder committed by her half brother-a personal enemy of KGI. But Garrett hadn't planned on falling for Sarah. When he glimpses her dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe-even as she disappears, running for her life.