Safe at Last (Slow Burn Series #3) by Maya Banks-a review

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About the book: Release Date June 23, 2015

They say young love doesn’t last, but a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with unique abilities and the hometown golden boy were determined to defy the odds. For Zack Covington, Anna-Grace—his “Gracie”—was the one. Until one night forever alters the course of their future, when a devastated Gracie disappears without a trace, leaving Zack to agonize over what happened to the girl he loved. As the years pass, his desperate efforts to find her uncovered nothing.

Now working for Devereaux Security, he stumbles across a painting featuring a special place only he and Gracie would know. The image is too perfectly rendered for it to be coincidence. His Gracie must be alive. When he finally tracks her down, he is shocked—and heart-broken—to discover the wounded shell of the girl he once knew and still loves. Her psychic gifts are gone, and worse, she believes he betrayed her all those years ago.

Zack has enemies, and once his weakness is discovered, Gracie becomes a target for revenge. He’ll have to save her before he can earn her trust and her love. And he vows they’ll never be torn apart again.

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Review:

To say that Gracie has been through hell is an understatement. That one night twelve years ago was so horrid that she never thought she’d be able to pick herself up and build a life for herself. But she did. As a promising artist, she has finally gotten up the nerve to let Wade, a friend and art gallery owner host a show in her honor. It’s been a long road for her to come out of her self-imposed shell, but Wade had finally convinced her that it was time.

Zack has searched for Gracie for twelve long years. After he graduated from college, he played pro football until an injury caused him to call it quits. He just didn’t have the stomach for it without Gracie by his side. They’d had plans….big plans and it just wasn’t the same without her. He’d made enough money and invested it wisely and had taken a job with Devereaux Security. He loved his job and his co-workers. The only thing missing from his life was Grace. He had no idea if she was dead or alive, but he knew that he was only living half of a life until he found out what happened to her.

Zack and some of his teammates from DSS, Devereaux Security Systems, had to visit a client who had hired them to provide security for an event. Once they entered the art gallery, Zack spotted a picture that took him back twelve long years. A place where he and Gracie had been happy. As they were discussing the job with Wade, the front door opened and in walked Gracie. HIS Gracie. But her reaction to him was nothing like he’d expected. She was scared of him and wanted as far away from him as she could get. Once Wade tells them to leave, Zack is utterly shell shocked and devastated. His friends rally around him, of course, and vow to help him find out what’s got Gracie so scared. Be careful what you wish for….because as an old enemy pops up and causes DSS to rally the troops. And, when Zack finally finds out why Gracie left him all those years ago, God help the ones who cost him everything.

Safe at Last is Maya Banks at her best. I love this series. I love the paranormal aspect of it and I love the characters. All of them! Gracie’s story, however, is a hard one to stomach. The things that she endured at the hands of people that should have helped to protect her all those years ago will make you sick. But, to her credit, she tried to get past it and built a life for herself. A lonely life, but a life none the less. Zack was AWESOME. Yes, he’s an alpha male who will move heaven and earth to protect those he considers his, but he is also an old soul and very soft hearted when it counts.

We also get to see Ramie and Ari and their guys, Beau and Caleb, as well as the rest of DSS that we’ve gotten to know. And, the women KICK ASS!! I can’t wait to see what unfolds for the rest of the group. Safe at Last is a great addition to the Slow Burn series. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing and turning the pages, this one is for you. Well done, Maya Banks! Very well done!

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Vickie M

Keep Me Safe
Slow Burn #1
by Maya Banks
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: October 7, 2014

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Click HERE for Vickie’s review of KEEP ME SAFE by Maya Banks

About the book: Release Date October 7, 2014

A sizzling story of a woman who risks her life and her heart to find a wealthy man’s missing sister—the first novel in a sexy new romantic suspense series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks

When Caleb Devereaux’s younger sister is kidnapped, this scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot.

While Ramie can connect to victims and locate them by feeling their pain, her ability comes with a price. Every time she uses it, it costs her a piece of herself. Helping the infuriatingly attractive and impatient Caleb successfully find his sister nearly destroys her. Even though his sexual intensity draws her like a magnet, she needs to get as far away from him as she can.

Deeply remorseful for the pain he’s caused, Caleb is determined to make things right. But just when he thinks Ramie’s vanished forever, she reappears. She’s in trouble and she needs his help. Now, Caleb will risk everything to protect her—including his heart. . . .

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In His Keeping
Slow Burn Series – #2
by Maya Banks
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, paranormal romance

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of IN HIS KEEPING

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About the book:

Arial knows the rules that keep her safe. She’s been following them since she was a little girl: Do not tell. Do not show. But in a moment of terror, facing an attacker intent on taking more than just her life, Ari has no choice but to unleash the psychic powers she’s been hiding since childhood.
Now, with her abilities revealed, a bigger threat looms – something that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her parents and her secretive upbringing. But this isn’t a fight she can face on her own.

As the head of Devereaux Security, Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. But when he takes on a new client – a beautiful young woman with an extraordinary gift – Beau isn’t prepared for the extent of his attraction to her. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. No matter what it costs him personally. Even his heart and soul.