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Intelligence: high. Body: hard. Mission: what no one else can do.
It's been a year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly saw his wife Rachel alive. Now he's received an anonymous phone call claiming Rachel is alive. To find her, Ethan will have to doge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise.
ReadersGroupsLiaison
Posted Sat Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 2010
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Get ready military romantic suspense fans for Maya Banks fantastic new The Kelly Group International (KGI) series for Berkley Sensation which debuts with THE DARKEST HOUR in Sept. 2010. Ex-Navy SEAL, Ethan Kelly is trying to forget the first year anniversary of his wife, Rachel's death by getting drunk when he receives a mysterious FedEx package. Rachel died in an Amazon plane crash while doing relief work in South America. Ethan has been a recluse for the last year to his large, close family which includes his loving parents and five brothers. Ethan's two younger brothers, Joe and Nathan are still in the military. However, his three other brothers, Sam, Garrett and Donovan run KGI, a super elite, top secret business specializing in hostage/kidnap recovery handling jobs the U.S. government can't undertake and they've been trying to recruit Ethan to join them. After going to the cemetery, Ethan opens the envelope and can't believe that there are photos of Rachel as a hostage in the jungle with a message that she is still alive! Ethan takes the photos to his brothers' KGI headquarters and they decide there's enough evidence to try to rescue her. Although injured on the mission, Ethan returns with Rachel determined to help her get well and put their lives back together. But secrets are hindering their progress. Why was Rachel held hostage and is she still in danger? And why does Rachel keep having bad dreams of something not being quite right in their marriage despite Ethan's loving behavior? Maya Banks has penned an absolutely brilliant debut to her KGI military series with THE DARKEST HOUR. Not only are the six Kelly brothers seriously hot heroes, they're men of honor, compassion and the right stuff to accomplish any daring mission. Add to this mix strong, loving women that are their perfect match and you get a phenomenal new romantic suspense series for readers to savor!
18 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GA_Girl
Posted Wed Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I like Maya Banks' books, but this one was a strange combination of sappy drama and lame action. It sounded interesting, if far-fetched: Everyone thinks wife is dead, but she's really alive, held captive by drug cartel and developed amnesia; husband rescues her and then has to protect her from the bad guys. The rescue sequence was ok, but then the book floundered along, dealing with the wife coming back from the dead to a husband that had some big dark secrets (which were pretty stupid - yeah, he was a real jerk before the wife "died", but deal with it and get over it already!). And then Ms. Banks threw in the requisite bad guy and his scheme to kill the wife, which never really took off until the very end.
Based on the other review, this is apparently the first in a series based on the Kelly guys. This could explain why there were all these little side-stories, which never developed into anything that added positively to this book, just cluttered it up. Hopefully the next in the KGI series will be a little more exciting - either that or they should be marketed as sappy dramas for those who like that kind of thing.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
291 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. I actually started the series with the second book instead of this one and was hooked. This book is not my favorite in the series, but overall they are a good read.
• 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.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This has to be the best laid out first book for a dynamic series, since the Suzanne Brockmann series. Into it a quarter of the way I am in tears. The couple in this book are so real and perfect the way you wish all relationships were, JUST REAL. The action scene felt as though I was watching a movie. I usually hate a second story line going on at the same time, but this one blended in perfectly. I read this in 6 hours. I just couldnt put it down. The plot was so awesome, and all of the characters so memorable. I can hardly wati till Dec. 2010 for the second one. You go Girl....
6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Softtail98
Posted Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I really wanted to like this book. It had all the components that normally make for a good read. Hot, Special Forces type guy. Throw in a few hot, Special Forces type guys that happen to be his brother AND, they own their own Good-Guys-Saving-The-World company. The damsel in distress, that just happens to be his wife. Everyone rallying around to save her and the extended family. It really should of added up to a great read. Unfortunately, I kept waiting for the book to grab me and it never did. Everyone and everything in the book did what they were suppose to but it didn't have 'chemistry'.
I also found it increasingly annoying that Ethan called Rachel 'Baby' about every other sentence.
To be fair, the author was setting up alot of ground work for the next books to come in her KGI series but it just bored me. I did buy the second book, No Place To Run, figuring the series would really take off but I found it to be the same in pacing etc. Ironically enough, the annoying factor was in this book as well. It's not calling the wife 'Baby' but putting his hand on her pregnant belly. ALL THE TIME.
I won't be reading the rest of the series and I wish I wouldn't of spent the time and money on the second book.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mirandaGC
Posted Sat Sep 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010
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Such a great book if not for the three kids I would never have put it down the characters were so real and you couldn't help but fall in love with them the whole story line seemed so well thought out I couldn't wait for the next page. The only bad thing about this book is waiting till Nov. for the next one. This book is a must read and make sure you have down time to read it because after the first page you won't want to put it down.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2012
I was reluctant to read this series of books, thinking they would be like most other romance novels: boy saves girl,he becomes her hero and they live happily ever after. I could not have been more wrong.
The emotions, character development, action and story line are well done.
I cried and laughed through this book. You can feel the characters emotions and love they have for each other.
Be sure to read the following books in this series. The author continues with the same writing qualities...
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Nov 06 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I admit that i was not sure i was gonna like the book.....but WOW! I was so captured by the storyline and the characters that it was like they were my friendsand family. The series is on the top of my list of favorites and i cant wait to read ones coming out next year.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Feb 19 00:00:00 EST 2012
Love this book. Emotional, but action packed, never boring. Makes you want to read the others in the series.
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.mttn769
Posted Sat Jan 07 00:00:00 EST 2012
This book is the type of book i would read on vacation so that i can escape to another world of military hunks and hottie.... so much testosterone yet so much passion and love....captures real life and is believable, not some over the top romance. I look forward to reading more books by Maya Banks because this one hit my taste right away...had trouble with romance novels before but never again with this one! Ms. Banks definitely set the bar pretty high for other action pack romance novels to come!!!
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.Myra-Natishna
Posted Mon Jan 02 00:00:00 EST 2012
The KGI Series is ranked my all time favorite! I cry when Ethan cries in this one. In No Place To Run, I fell in love with how Sophie sacrifices herself for the Kelly family. I've always been in love with Garrett, but Donovan will always be my favorite. Him &Steele. The way he and Sarah connect was the best. And how Sarah is so courageous, ughhh, I love her. She's so sweet and I just love her. The Kelly bond touches my heart and I can read the books over and over again until I go blind. : )
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Nov 27 00:00:00 EST 2011
Ms. Banks created in "The Darkest Hour" a great romance along with a great para-military suspense. The amazing part is she did this while creating 9 other novels or novellas during the same year - 2010. Prolific is an apt title for this author. Bunny
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.I really loved this book. It was packed full of adventure, drama, and love. I fell in love with the Kelly family and can't wait to read the next book. Enjoy
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Really really a good book! I'm on the third book in the KGI Series and can't stop reading them. I like that the family is involved in all the stories. There is a great plot to the books and a lot of romance. This series is very different from some other books I've read by Myra Banks. As I said they have a story, it's not just sex. The characters really pull you in! Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 2013
Lauren Dane is one of my favorite authors (not writers). To me, in this genre especially, there is a BIG difference.
Since I hate to give too many plot details, suffice it to say that the brothers who make up KGI each are given fantastic characterizations.
I've never been a fan of military type romance books, but this book hooked me within 25 pages.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
**Zevon Manic**
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ratita72
Posted Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 EST 2012
At first I was not so sure, and I got the sample...boy was I mistaken, once I finished reading the first chapter I bought the whole book. Its a wonderful book, the characters are so real and the men are simply amazing...now I just bought the sencond and third book in the series...Loved it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Feb 11 00:00:00 EST 2012
Im hooked. This book was absolutely AMAZING, getting ready to start the next one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 2011
Loved this book. Great start to a series
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Here. But not yet. Gray, you know what one of Ices kits name is...right?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ssmommie75TB
Posted Thu Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I really enjoyed reading The Darkest Hour. Ethan and Rachel had a lot of problems to work through after he had rescued her from death.
Add in the suspense and you have another great Maya Banks book.
Overview
Intelligence: high. Body: hard. Mission: what no one else can do.
It's been a year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly saw his wife Rachel alive. Now he's received an anonymous phone call claiming Rachel is alive. To find her, Ethan will have to doge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise.