Forged in Steel (KGI #7) by Maya Banks-a review

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Forged in Steele by Maya Banks (KGI Series # 7)

About the book: Released June 25, 2013

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

Steele, a KGI team leader, is an enigma not even his team mates understand. His emotions are tightly locked down and nothing can break that icy exterior. Nothing except Maren Scofield, a doctor on a mission, a woman who has gotten under Steele’s skin and threatens to crack that unflappable cool he’s legendary for.

Steele is determined not to allow Maren past his carefully guarded defenses, but when she’s in danger, there’s no way he’ll allow anyone else to protect her. She’s hiding something. He’s sure of it. But he isn’t prepared for the shocking discovery her secrets reveal. Or how they will forever alter the course of his destiny. He has a decision to make. Hold tight and shut her out. Or take a chance on something more powerful than he’s ever faced. Love.

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Review:

Forged in Steele begins with Steele’s team going in to rescue a hostage where one of his team is injured. The decision is made to go to Maren’s clinic in order to have him treated. Maren is a friend of KGI and has treated many of their wounded over the years. And, she’s always been enamored with Steele. He’s tight lipped and all business and has earned his nickname, Ice Man. He never lets his emotions show. Not to his team or to anyone else. But for some reason, Maren has starred in a lot of his dreams. On this particular trip he decides to act on his attraction to her, one time, to get her out from under his skin. Silly man……………

Once Maren has tended to the members of KGI, she heads back to her cottage where she finds Steele waiting for her. When Maren’s shock of his attraction wears off, they spend a hot and steamy night together. One night, remember? Yeah, right.

Steele and his team head back to Tennessee where KGI is headquartered and report in. Problem is, Steele can’t get Maren out of his mind. He ultimately heads back to Maren’s place in South America to spend a few days there. Unfortunately, his team is called up for a mission and he has to head back to the States after only a couple of days. He and his team complete their mission, only to discover that Maren is missing. Her clinic hasn’t been opened in days and no one can find her. This is very personal for KGI. Maren has been a friend for a lot of years and that makes her family. Steele’s team heads out to find her, and once they find where she was being held by a crazed drug lord and raid the place, they find it empty. Talk about bad timing……

Over the next few months, yes months, Steele is like a rabid dog following every lead and keeps coming up empty. Finally, Rio (another KGI team leader) receives a call about Maren’s whereabouts and the two teams head out to retrieve Maren. The person who makes the call is an old frenemy of KGI’s (which shocked the hell out of me!!) and holds true to his word and delivers an unharmed Maren to Rio. But, unharmed doesn’t mean she is as she was………. Cryptic?? You betcha!! So, end of story, right? Not so fast. Seems the crazed drug lord wants Maren worse than anyone realizes and that’s when the real suspense starts.

Steele and Maren pick up where they left off and embark on a relationship, of sorts. Seems Steele doesn’t really think he’s relationship material. Steele has promised to keep Maren safe, but the only way to ensure that is to send her into the lion’s den. And, oh what a den it is………… Not relationship material?? Riiiiight……… Someone is trying to take what’s his and he’ll move heaven and earth to bring her back, and God help anyone who gets in his way.

I really liked Forged in Steele. I loved getting to see Steele come out of his self-imposed shell. We get to see the Ice Man thaw. (bad pun intended!!) And the interaction between him and Maren was steamy and heartfelt. We also get to see all of the KGI family. Banks does a wonderful job of letting us keep up with her characters whom have already had their stories told. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’d looooove to be a member of this particular family! The love and respect they have for each other is palpable. Mess with one and you mess with all. Once again, well done Maya, well done!! The next book is Donovan Kelly’s, and I for one can’t wait!! If you haven’t read this series, you’re missing the boat!!! Climb on board ya’ll!!

Reviewed by Vickie M