Review: Shades of Gray by Maya Banks


OMIGODIFREAKINGLOVEDTHISBOOK!!!! 5++++ stars!!!!!

Ok, now that that's over... :D First off, let me just say that this is one of my all time favorite series! I have loved each and every book. Even when I was thrown for a loop with the added paranormal bits in the last two. Admittedly, while I did love the books, I have to say those two were not my favorites. Especially after finishing this one. I have had a fan girl crush on Cole from the beginning and I am always a sucker for the strong female lead so P.J. has also been a favorite non-Kelly KGI member as well. I was so happy for them to finally get their story!

So we start off hot and heavy with some serious bedroom action between Cole and P.J.! *swoon for Cole* Shades of Gray picks up pretty much right after Echoes, as the team is on R & R after the double wedding. Cole has decided to hell with it and goes after P.J. to let her know he's interested *wink wink* They have off the charts hot sex and then the next morning are called up for a mission. Bummer as I was looking forward to more action of the bedroom sort! *sigh* ❤ Cole.... *ahem* Where was I... Oh yeah so they are after the lowest of the low. A human trafficker who deals in little girls. *cough* sick mother fu##er *cough*

Ok, this is where shit gets heavy

The mission goes to hell. And by that I mean OH MY GOD Maya Banks, I cannot believe you wrote that!!! I really can't even tell you anymore as it'll give crucial plot info away, but seriously, my ❤ literally broke in half! I have never, well I take that back there was that one time (Chasing Nikki), felt so completely ripped apart for a fictional character. P.J. (and her team) has to endure something incredibly awful. So terrible she needs to get away, and quits KGI. I'm trying really hard here not to give away anything that you can't read in the blurb, but she's out for vengeance. P.J. is mia for 6 months, all the while Cole is searching for her. When she finally surfaces, the team gets together to do what they do! 

I think one of the things I loved most about this book is that there wasn't the normal mushiness that we sometimes find with the Kelly clan. While there are some definite tender moments, I never once found myself rolling my eyes at it. The dynamic between Cole and P.J was just perfect. They are really two characters that are meant to be together. Aside from the beginning, there wasn't any sex in this one. I know that might be somewhat of a spoiler, at least I was kinda sad about it, but to be honest, with the way the plot went, there was no need for it! I was really blown away with this one. I don't know if its because we went back to the non paranormal story line, or if it was the darker theme of this plot?! Whatever it is, I loved it! I was heartbroken for what went down, but in the end, I had a huge goofy grin on my face! I think this may be the best of the series so far! *shrugs* maybe.... :)

Now for Steele's book! (And PLEASE can we have a book for Donovan after that!!!)

Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks

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!! 


http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-at-Dawn-ebook/dp/B006CUFWAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342048660&sr=8-1&keywords=Echoes+at+Dawn