I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Echoes at Dawn
by
Maya Banks
romantic suspense in Paperback edition that was published by Penguin on July 3, 2012 and has 307 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Sweet Surrender, Colters' Woman, Sweet Persuasion, Sweet Seduction, In Bed with a Highlander, Darkest Hour, Seduction of a Highland Lass, Colters' Lady, No Place to Run, Men Out of Uniform, Red-Hot Summer, Never Love a Highlander, Brazen, Sweet Temptation, Whispers in the Dark, "Colters' Wife", Colters' Promise, Undone By Her Tender Touch, Four Play, Cherished, The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress, Never Seduce a Scot, Highlander Most Wanted, "Softly at Sunrise", Shades of Gray, Rush, Fever, Forged in Steele, Burn, Colters' Daughter, Colters' Gift, Be With Me, When Day Breaks, After the Storm, Taking It All, Keep Me Safe, Darkest Before Dawn, Enticed by His Forgotten Lover, Sweet Possession, Sweet Addiction
Fifth in the KGI romantic suspense series revolving around the Kelly brothers and their independent security company. The couple focus is on Rio and Grace Peterson.
My Take
At last!!! I have been waiting for Banks to take care of Grace, and it seems like forever I’ve been waiting!
Banks does not disappoint! Plenty of action, betrayals, and a surprise twist at the end.
Nice handling of Grace’s reaction to being stashed away by Rio. Believable in Grace’s lack of trust and Rio is so patient and yet insistent. Although, the whole “mine” thing would have my hackles up.
I’m surprised that Shea didn’t give Rio something — a letter, verbal speech, a story — to help him convince Grace they were the good guys.
Why would Rio choose to let his family think he died? Other than joining Titan, there was no compelling reason to do this to his family. Young idealism…? No. Never a good excuse.
I love how gentle and strong Rio is with Grace. Although in earlier installments, Banks led us to believe that Rio might have some psychic ability of his own, yet, in his own story, there’s nothing. What’s with that?
Wow! Grace is amazing in that hostage standoff. Just amazing. Then she pulls the same thing on Farnsworth. You go, girl! Smart. Brave. Balls of steel on her! I love how Banks turns all the cards on Farnsworth. Yee-hah!
The Story
Grace’s life is still in danger. She may have escaped the cell they were holding her in, but they are putting every effort into tracking her down. Her skills are too great. And they’ve been paid. The men tracking her, however, don’t realize that KGI is also searching for Grace, to fulfill a promise made to her sister.
Rio has his own reasons to find her. He can’t get her out of his mind. She’s his. Whether she knows it or not.
The Characters
Rio, a.k.a., Eduardo Bezerra, leads his KGI team of Diego, Terrence, Mitch Browning, Alton, and Decker. It’s his way of making up for past sins. Rosalina is the sister Rio feels he failed. It’s what happened to her that made up his mind to leave Titan. Sumathi is Browning’s woman and Ana is their baby girl who is dying.
Grace Peterson is a gifted psychic healer captured and used for her abilities. She’s escaped her tormenters and she’s on the run. Well, “run” for her is anyone else’s stagger. She’s too weak, but she refuses to contact Shea, her sister, for fear of endangering her.
Sam Kelly is Rio’s liaison with KGI in this installment. Too much is happening. Too many betrayals keep Rio from trusting anyone . Sophie is Sam’s wife and they have a little girl. P.J. Rutherford is intended to be Grace’s substitute to lure Titan in. Yeah, all the rest of KGI shows up briefly.
Adam Resnick is KGI’s contact with the government. He also believes he’s Shea and Grace’s brother and he claims he wants to help. No one at KGI trusts the bastard anymore. Not after events in Whispers in the Dark. He’s already in trouble with his own people for blowing the lid off the experiment.
Gordon Farnsworth needs Grace’s abilities to cure his little girl, Elizabeth. He’s so wealthy, powerful, and evil that he never considers simply asking. It’s just so much easier to destroy.
Titan is an off-the-books black ops team which follows orders and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Rio was once a part of it. Now, Hancock leads them. And he’s more machine than man.
The Cover and Title
The background is a violently red sunset in the jungle with a tense Rio in a filthy wifebeater and camo pants, shoulder holsters, and a really big gun ready to protect his woman.
I haven’t a clue how the title refers to the story. It certainly sounds good. Maybe it’s a reference to Rio’s previous employer??
