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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Sixth in the KGI romantic suspense series revolving around the Kelly family and their friends and employees. The couple focus is on P.J. Rutherford and David Coletrane.
It includes the KGI novella, "Softly at Sunrise", 6.5, at the back.
My Take
This was the most disappointing entry in this series. My problem was with the initial undercover mission. As competent as the Kellys and their teams have been in previous stories, I just don't buy their lack of competence in this one. From the initial party to the meet-up in Vienna. Nor do I buy that P.J. would be so trusting.
I do not mean to trivialize what P.J. went through, but I feel that Banks does. Banks just tells us what happens. She doesn't pull me into the story and really make me feel how awful P.J.'s experience was, and that makes the rest of the story and P.J.'s determination and fears lacking. Intellectually, I understand how horrible it was, but there is no depth to it.
Cole's reactions before and during just don't cut it either. He goes from supporting P.J. in the field to a roll in the hay and now he's freaking out about a mission? And I do mean FREAKING. No, it's too abrupt.
I do understand P.J. wanting to protect KGI, but she should have let the boys say no instead of saying it for them. That's a minor issue though. I realize that Banks needed it this way to make her point.
LOL, I did enjoy Cole's coming to P.J.'s "rescue" in Denver! I also enjoyed seeing the shoe on the other foot; it's such a rarity for the woman to be skittish after sex. Events with her old team have caused P.J. to be cautious, and she has no intention of the past repeating itself. Although, I find this a facile excuse for P.J.'s behavior. It's too simplistic. I did like Cole's consideration, his support of her behavior. It was quite insightful. Not something I'd expect from a huge, muscle-bound soldier. Yeah, I'm stereotyping. I think it's part of what I did enjoy about it. Getting stood on my head!
God, I am a bloodthirsty woman! I so approved of P.J.'s actions in that hostage stand-off!
The Story
We're introduced to P.J. just after a completed mission when Coltrane shows up at her favored bar.
It will create a complication when an emergency mission crops up and P.J. has to go undercover in a dangerous situation. One for which she will be determined on revenge.
The Characters
P.J. Rutherford is former S.W.A.T. and an excellent sniper; she's on Steele's team along with David "Cole" Coletrane, a good marksman, but not as good as P.J.; Baker; Renshaw; and, Dolphin.
Jimmy, Mike, and Derek, her ex-lover, are former S.W.A.T. Former friends. The guys who turned on her.
The Kellys who run KGI include:
Sam (army) and Sophie are happily married and the parents of a beautiful baby girl, Charlotte. Sarah and Garrett (Marine) are recently wed. Donovan "Van" (Marine) is the computer genius; these three Kelly brothers started KGI and run it today. The remaining Kelly brothers joined later: Ethan, a former SEAL, and Rachel are working through her fears; and, Nathan and Joe, the twins.
Rio's team consists of Diego, Terrence (Rio's second), Alton, and Decker. He and Grace Peterson, a gifted psychic healer, still live under the radar in his hideout in Central America. They have taken in Elizabeth Farnsworth (Echoes at Dawn).
The third team consists of Nathan and Joe, Swanson "Swanny", Nathan's friend, (see Whispers in the Dark, 4), and two new recruits: Skylar Watkins and Zane Edgerton.
Adam Resnick is CIA and KGI's contact with the government. Their not-so-trusted contact since events in Whispers in the Dark. Cathy is one of the nurses on the base and a friend of P.J.'s. Katia is a call girl who takes a huge chance.
Carter Brumley is a major trafficker in children. Gregory Nelson is his second-in-command.
The Cover
The cover is golden with a profile of P.J. in her peach form-fitting tank top with some amazing cleavage and her khaki pants, a wide belt securing her holstered gun, as she glares over her shoulder with Coltrane in white T and pants holding a scoped rifle, watching her back.
The title refers to P.J.'s initial belief in things being black and white when, in reality, life is full of Shades of Gray.
It includes the KGI novella, "Softly at Sunrise", 6.5, at the back.
My Take
This was the most disappointing entry in this series. My problem was with the initial undercover mission. As competent as the Kellys and their teams have been in previous stories, I just don't buy their lack of competence in this one. From the initial party to the meet-up in Vienna. Nor do I buy that P.J. would be so trusting.
I do not mean to trivialize what P.J. went through, but I feel that Banks does. Banks just tells us what happens. She doesn't pull me into the story and really make me feel how awful P.J.'s experience was, and that makes the rest of the story and P.J.'s determination and fears lacking. Intellectually, I understand how horrible it was, but there is no depth to it.
Cole's reactions before and during just don't cut it either. He goes from supporting P.J. in the field to a roll in the hay and now he's freaking out about a mission? And I do mean FREAKING. No, it's too abrupt.
I do understand P.J. wanting to protect KGI, but she should have let the boys say no instead of saying it for them. That's a minor issue though. I realize that Banks needed it this way to make her point.
LOL, I did enjoy Cole's coming to P.J.'s "rescue" in Denver! I also enjoyed seeing the shoe on the other foot; it's such a rarity for the woman to be skittish after sex. Events with her old team have caused P.J. to be cautious, and she has no intention of the past repeating itself. Although, I find this a facile excuse for P.J.'s behavior. It's too simplistic. I did like Cole's consideration, his support of her behavior. It was quite insightful. Not something I'd expect from a huge, muscle-bound soldier. Yeah, I'm stereotyping. I think it's part of what I did enjoy about it. Getting stood on my head!
God, I am a bloodthirsty woman! I so approved of P.J.'s actions in that hostage stand-off!
The Story
We're introduced to P.J. just after a completed mission when Coltrane shows up at her favored bar.
It will create a complication when an emergency mission crops up and P.J. has to go undercover in a dangerous situation. One for which she will be determined on revenge.
The Characters
P.J. Rutherford is former S.W.A.T. and an excellent sniper; she's on Steele's team along with David "Cole" Coletrane, a good marksman, but not as good as P.J.; Baker; Renshaw; and, Dolphin.
Jimmy, Mike, and Derek, her ex-lover, are former S.W.A.T. Former friends. The guys who turned on her.
The Kellys who run KGI include:
Sam (army) and Sophie are happily married and the parents of a beautiful baby girl, Charlotte. Sarah and Garrett (Marine) are recently wed. Donovan "Van" (Marine) is the computer genius; these three Kelly brothers started KGI and run it today. The remaining Kelly brothers joined later: Ethan, a former SEAL, and Rachel are working through her fears; and, Nathan and Joe, the twins.
Rio's team consists of Diego, Terrence (Rio's second), Alton, and Decker. He and Grace Peterson, a gifted psychic healer, still live under the radar in his hideout in Central America. They have taken in Elizabeth Farnsworth (Echoes at Dawn).
The third team consists of Nathan and Joe, Swanson "Swanny", Nathan's friend, (see Whispers in the Dark, 4), and two new recruits: Skylar Watkins and Zane Edgerton.
Adam Resnick is CIA and KGI's contact with the government. Their not-so-trusted contact since events in Whispers in the Dark. Cathy is one of the nurses on the base and a friend of P.J.'s. Katia is a call girl who takes a huge chance.
Carter Brumley is a major trafficker in children. Gregory Nelson is his second-in-command.
The Cover
The cover is golden with a profile of P.J. in her peach form-fitting tank top with some amazing cleavage and her khaki pants, a wide belt securing her holstered gun, as she glares over her shoulder with Coltrane in white T and pants holding a scoped rifle, watching her back.
The title refers to P.J.'s initial belief in things being black and white when, in reality, life is full of Shades of Gray.
P.J. Is such a badass chick. I really love this series. I've always enjoyed the banter between Cole and P.J. but getting to see the other side and vulnerability of both characters was really great. Awesome book. They might just be my favorite KGI couple. :) So tough to choose!
Possibly the best in this series so fast. The author creates strong female characters (and male characters) who face down challenges but learn to dig into their hearts and build relationships too. Plus, romance in the side. Easy read, really draws you in.
I was almost convinced not to read this book from a serie I love very much by the reviews I read there on Goodreads... fortunately, I always try to form my own opinion, so I ignored them and gave it a try.
I loved it, just as much as the others (if not a little more).
Do not give up easily on it!
I loved it, just as much as the others (if not a little more).
Do not give up easily on it!
This was easily my favourite in the KGI series!!...I loved PJ and Cole right from the start..they were a perfect fit..This book had it all...It started off with a bang!..a mission gone wrong, and didnt let up till the end:).Very entertaining!
fast-paced
this one was ok. i liked that they focused on a vengeful woman in this one, but it dragged a little. may take a break from the series.
Shades of Gray, released on December 31, 2012.
This story concentrates on PJ who's left KGI and we find out why. Hot steamy sex scenes with one of her team mates-what was she thinking?
Mission they all meet about is a man that they need to take down because he wants to buy young girls and exploit them. She agrees to be the decoy but something goes wrong and they have taken her and abused her while the team listens on...
She gives up her spot on the team and unknowingly goes after Nelson and his boss. The team come to her rescue but she's missed the main guy....she is SO damaged. The Kelly women help her heal and she feels a part of them.
She stays with Cole and she gets intel about more girls being stolen...
My audio copy also included the previous book, Softly at Sunrise.
This story concentrates on PJ who's left KGI and we find out why. Hot steamy sex scenes with one of her team mates-what was she thinking?
Mission they all meet about is a man that they need to take down because he wants to buy young girls and exploit them. She agrees to be the decoy but something goes wrong and they have taken her and abused her while the team listens on...
She gives up her spot on the team and unknowingly goes after Nelson and his boss. The team come to her rescue but she's missed the main guy....she is SO damaged. The Kelly women help her heal and she feels a part of them.
She stays with Cole and she gets intel about more girls being stolen...
My audio copy also included the previous book, Softly at Sunrise.
I really enjoy Maya Banks and I’ve really enjoyed her KGI series. I’ve loved that she’s expanded from the original Kelly family and is giving us the HEA to the additional sexy, alpha heroes that are on the team. What made this story even better was that we finally got to see more of P.J., the only female on the KGI team. P.J. is a kick ass heroine and sniper who can put the boys to shame any day. She’s a valued member of the team and even though she’s a very private person, she connects with Cole. After a hot and steamy night ends too soon when they are called back to duty, P.J. is put front and center as she tries to get close to a human trafficker. *SPOILER ALERT* This is where the story got pretty tough for me. P.J. is connected with her team via audio the entire time she’s out on her mission including when she’s drugged and raped. Now, I’ve read heroines who were raped in their past but this is the first time I’ve ever had a heroine raped during the story. What made it worse for me was for her team of strong alpha men listen because they weren’t close enough to save her. This is a scene that was hard to read and a scene that has since stuck with me. *SPOILER COMPETE* Because of P.J.’s experience on this last mission she quits and breaks off on her own to heal and to hunt down the men that hurt her. What she doesn’t realize is that her KGI team is hurting with her and would do anything to help her. After six months pass they finally connect again but P.J. isn’t quite ready to open herself up to any other emotion except revenge. Working with Cole again makes her face so many emotions she was avoiding including the feelings she has for him. Cole won’t let P.J. get away from him again and will do anything to protect her but I loved that he recognized her strengths and didn’t try to coddle her but welcomed her input and experience in a fight. Another good read from Maya Banks and another fun read in the KGI series.