Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ . ♥ {3.80}
Action: ♠♠♠.♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥.♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦♦.♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠.♠
Action: 3.5 / Emotion: 3.0 / Romance: 3.5 / Sensuous: 3.5 / Suspense: 3.5 // Laughter: 5 / Giggle: 8 // Tears: 0 / Teary: 2
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Setting: primary: Stewart County, Tennessee
briefly: Mexico
briefly: West Virginia
briefly: Rock Springs, Texas
Era: Present Day (2010)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
After purchasing eight books of The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series, written by Maya Banks, it was time to indulge in a read-fest featuring the Military Romantic Suspense genre. The covers featured hot, hunky, military-looking men to draw a reader's interest. The back cover synopses had one anxious to open each of the books and sit back for many hours of entertainment.
And while No Place To Run, the second book in the series, was entertaining and an enjoyable read, it didn't rock my world. And, quite honestly, this book was even better than the first book of the series, The Darkest Hour. But, sadly, No Place To Run did not generate that intensity, that emotional connection, that special something that makes you want to pick up the next book and keep reading about the members of KGI. Yes, there is some interest, but not enough to keep me from wanting to go grab a book by a sure-thing, go-to author, like Cindy Gerard or Dee Davis, for an outstanding read. This book was just too easy to put down.
The book started great and quickly drew the reader into Sam and Sophie's story with an extremely passionate, hot and heavy, slightly (for Maya Banks) graphic sex scene. Sam is on a KGI mission in Mexico, searching for Alex Mouton, an illegal arms dealer for his contact in the CIA, Adam Resnick. Sam, however, is unable to keep his mind on the mission because he met Sophie, a waitress in a bar, and had been sneaking away to her hotel to carry on a torrid affair.
Personally, it would have been more interesting to read the scene in the bar when Sam and Sophie met to get a picture of the attraction and awareness that existed between them than to open the book with them having great sex. Instead of feeling the "romance" that was building between Sam and Sophie, Banks just jumped right in with the sensuality factor. Thus, after they go their separate ways, Banks has left the reader with no idea of why Sophie can't forget Sam and Sam is so lost in a fog of thoughts of Sophie that his brothers notice his inattention to work. (Come on, turning down work for five months! How are they supposed to pay bills or build the new facility Sam mentioned in the first book of the series?)
One thing Banks did way better in this book than in the first book was to include more action and adventure -- as is appropriate for a Military Romantic Suspense book. After Sam leaves Sophie's hotel room, she goes home, kills her father, steals his "key" (the key to his wealth and records), and five months later, she is on Kentucky Lake trying to make her way to Sam's home because she is five months pregnant and is too tired to keep running from the Mouton organization on her own. She needs help.
After an altercation with an assassin sent by her uncle, Tomas Mouton, Sophie ends up floating on a log and is eventually discovered by Sam and his brothers, Donovan and Garret, who have burgers on the grill, are drinking beer, and trading insults as they sit on his dock. Thus, the story of how Sam and Sophie struggle with their conflicting feelings about the other as they begin to take steps to keep not only Sophie and her baby safe from the Mouton's, but also the entire Kelly family.
As Sophie fed Sam, Donovan, and Garrett breadcrumbs about why she showed up at their dock, wet, beat up, and with a bullet wound, the tension and suspense should have had one sitting on the edge of their seat wondering what was going to happen next. Rather than create that intensity, Banks slowed the pace to begin working on the romantic aspect of the story. But it was difficult to feel those special soft feelings that are supposed to develop between the hero and heroine of a romance novel because Sam and Sophie didn't trust one another.
And Banks needed to insert the male camaraderie between the Kelly brothers. Donovan and Garrett had on their gruff, distrustful, angry faces and were anything but receptive to Sophie and were giving Sam a hard time about knocking up the waitress.
Banks failed to deliver when it came to making Garrett and Donovan so fascinating that we would want to read their books. Rather than continue to build the personalities of Sam's brothers, giving them unique, intriguing attributes that made them special, Banks concentrated on the family unit and how each brother would do anything to protect his family. Not only did Banks fail to give Garrett and Donovan personalities (beyond having military skills that made them alpha bad boys), but she didn't paint a picture of what they looked like. What color is their hair? What color are their eyes? How old are they? Why did they leave the service? Do they have any distinguishing wounds? How can you tell one brother from another if there is nothing descriptive or distinguishing about them?
Nor did Banks give readers many details on how Ethan and Rachel (from The Darkest Hour) were doing. She sent them to Hawaii so they could work on their marriage. This book takes place almost a year after The Darkest Hour and apparently Rachel isn't doing any better. When Ethan and Rachel return to help Sam and Sophie, Rachel is still described as fragile and as Garrett's special friend. That's about it!
briefly: Mexico
briefly: West Virginia
briefly: Rock Springs, Texas
Era: Present Day (2010)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
After purchasing eight books of The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series, written by Maya Banks, it was time to indulge in a read-fest featuring the Military Romantic Suspense genre. The covers featured hot, hunky, military-looking men to draw a reader's interest. The back cover synopses had one anxious to open each of the books and sit back for many hours of entertainment.
And while No Place To Run, the second book in the series, was entertaining and an enjoyable read, it didn't rock my world. And, quite honestly, this book was even better than the first book of the series, The Darkest Hour. But, sadly, No Place To Run did not generate that intensity, that emotional connection, that special something that makes you want to pick up the next book and keep reading about the members of KGI. Yes, there is some interest, but not enough to keep me from wanting to go grab a book by a sure-thing, go-to author, like Cindy Gerard or Dee Davis, for an outstanding read. This book was just too easy to put down.
The book started great and quickly drew the reader into Sam and Sophie's story with an extremely passionate, hot and heavy, slightly (for Maya Banks) graphic sex scene. Sam is on a KGI mission in Mexico, searching for Alex Mouton, an illegal arms dealer for his contact in the CIA, Adam Resnick. Sam, however, is unable to keep his mind on the mission because he met Sophie, a waitress in a bar, and had been sneaking away to her hotel to carry on a torrid affair.
Personally, it would have been more interesting to read the scene in the bar when Sam and Sophie met to get a picture of the attraction and awareness that existed between them than to open the book with them having great sex. Instead of feeling the "romance" that was building between Sam and Sophie, Banks just jumped right in with the sensuality factor. Thus, after they go their separate ways, Banks has left the reader with no idea of why Sophie can't forget Sam and Sam is so lost in a fog of thoughts of Sophie that his brothers notice his inattention to work. (Come on, turning down work for five months! How are they supposed to pay bills or build the new facility Sam mentioned in the first book of the series?)
One thing Banks did way better in this book than in the first book was to include more action and adventure -- as is appropriate for a Military Romantic Suspense book. After Sam leaves Sophie's hotel room, she goes home, kills her father, steals his "key" (the key to his wealth and records), and five months later, she is on Kentucky Lake trying to make her way to Sam's home because she is five months pregnant and is too tired to keep running from the Mouton organization on her own. She needs help.
After an altercation with an assassin sent by her uncle, Tomas Mouton, Sophie ends up floating on a log and is eventually discovered by Sam and his brothers, Donovan and Garret, who have burgers on the grill, are drinking beer, and trading insults as they sit on his dock. Thus, the story of how Sam and Sophie struggle with their conflicting feelings about the other as they begin to take steps to keep not only Sophie and her baby safe from the Mouton's, but also the entire Kelly family.
As Sophie fed Sam, Donovan, and Garrett breadcrumbs about why she showed up at their dock, wet, beat up, and with a bullet wound, the tension and suspense should have had one sitting on the edge of their seat wondering what was going to happen next. Rather than create that intensity, Banks slowed the pace to begin working on the romantic aspect of the story. But it was difficult to feel those special soft feelings that are supposed to develop between the hero and heroine of a romance novel because Sam and Sophie didn't trust one another.
And Banks needed to insert the male camaraderie between the Kelly brothers. Donovan and Garrett had on their gruff, distrustful, angry faces and were anything but receptive to Sophie and were giving Sam a hard time about knocking up the waitress.
Banks failed to deliver when it came to making Garrett and Donovan so fascinating that we would want to read their books. Rather than continue to build the personalities of Sam's brothers, giving them unique, intriguing attributes that made them special, Banks concentrated on the family unit and how each brother would do anything to protect his family. Not only did Banks fail to give Garrett and Donovan personalities (beyond having military skills that made them alpha bad boys), but she didn't paint a picture of what they looked like. What color is their hair? What color are their eyes? How old are they? Why did they leave the service? Do they have any distinguishing wounds? How can you tell one brother from another if there is nothing descriptive or distinguishing about them?
Nor did Banks give readers many details on how Ethan and Rachel (from The Darkest Hour) were doing. She sent them to Hawaii so they could work on their marriage. This book takes place almost a year after The Darkest Hour and apparently Rachel isn't doing any better. When Ethan and Rachel return to help Sam and Sophie, Rachel is still described as fragile and as Garrett's special friend. That's about it!
Banks fails to connect the reader to the characters on a deep, emotional, 'I know this person' level. I don't know how authors do this, but you can tell when it happens. As a romance reader, when you read a book, you want to walk in the shoes of the heroine and feel the same things about the hero that she does. Sure, we couldn't help but feel compassion for poor Sophie who was raised by a cold, emotionless father, who traded in illegal arms, women, children, or anything else that would bring him wealth and power. But that emotional tie to Sophie was missing. And it is impossible to explain why. For instance, why didn't the scene where Sophie was sitting in the living room of the Kelly family, watching Marlene fuss over her big, strapping sons, and was envious of the love she felt in that room, of the fact that Sam had the childhood that was her greatest dream, move a reader to tears?
It seems like Banks picks out one particular affectation that should move a reader to feel the same way that Sophie felt and then repeats that scene over and over (and over) again to draw the reader into Sophie's psyche. What mother doesn't feel that special bond of love towards the child she is carrying when she feels that child kick her and move within her? And what father isn't going to be moved by the same thing? And, yes, it was special when Sam felt his daughter move the first time, and, okay, the second, but come on, how many times must Banks use this tool to tempt the reader to melt at the magic that existed between Sam and Sophie whenever they were feeling their child move.
Is that all there is between Sam and Sophie? Well, besides great sex! Apparently so, because Banks failed to deliver when it came to developing the background of these two protagonists. Banks didn't paint a picture of who Sam and Sophie were.
She did, however, continue to pepper the book with intense, a bit graphic, passionate, yet tender love scenes. It seems that this is Banks' forte and so she uses it nicely in Sam and Sophie's story.
Basically, Sam was one of those strong, handsome, hunky, alpha Kelly boys that is supposed to melt a reader's heart simply because he looked great on the cover of the book. But he had no unique personality. What made him more special (in this, his book) than the other Kelly boys? Banks painted Sam as a single-dimensional character. His father had raised all his sons the same way, thus, they all turned out the same way. Come on, make Sam a unique Kelly boy in his book.
At least Banks did a better job at describing Sophie, but not by much. At least we know she was an innocent-looking, tiny, delicate little thing with blond hair, expressive blue eyes, and curves in all the right places. But how old is Sophie? How long did she have to live under her father's iron hand? How did she develop such a trusting relationship with the maid and the driver that they were willing to risk their lives to help her? Again, a cut-out, cardboard character who grew up with a monster, fell in love with the man with whom she had a torrid affair, got pregnant, and was on the run from her brutal family. The only three defining characteristics that Banks assigned to Sophie were, {1} she loved her baby beyond measure and would do anything to protect her, {2} she dreamed of having a family full of love, just like Sam's, and {3} she didn't give up.
One thing Banks did a great job with was creating laughter. Who could not help but laugh at the thought of big, gruff military men like Sam, Garrett, and Donovan having to deal with getting Sophie a bra so she had dry clothes to change into after taking a bath? Especially when the only woman in the Kelly household who could help was their mother. And then when Sam was in the bathroom helping Sophie get dressed because of her wounded arm and the scene that developed which resulted in her finishing with, "I look like a goober." (page 122)
Banks included many of the secondary characters that she introduced in the first book of the series. Frank and Marlene were again featured, being wonderful parents to both their sons and their "strays," Sean and Rusty. Sam had to bring Sophie to his parents house, where he was meeting with his two team leaders, Steele and Rio, and their men to assign protective details for his entire family. Marlene was still the star of the show when it came to her interaction with her sons.
It's just a personal quirk, and maybe I missed it, but Banks tends to leave out names as she told Sam and Sophie's story. For instance, readers would have to rely on the back cover blurb to know the name of the business operated by the Kelly boys was Kelly Group International. Banks did not reveal this information to readers as she told the story. Yes, she used the initials KGI and she called them the Kelly Group, but she didn't use the formal title nor did she give readers a detailed description of KGI.
And what about last names. The only reason we know Sophie's last name is Lundgren is because it's on the back cover. Was Lundgren in the book somewhere? And readers would have to rely on their memory from book one to know that P.J.'s last name was Rutherford and that Cole was actually the nickname of David Coletrane.
So in closing, No Place To Run, the second book in The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series, is an entertaining and enjoyable read, but it is not a favorite. The details featured in this book include: {1} Sam Kelly, a single-dimensional hero, the oldest Kelly son, and leader of KGI; {2} Sophie Lundgren, an under-developed heroine, who is fascinating in that she does not know the word "quit" and loves Sam and the baby they created; {3} enough action and adventure to make the story exciting; {4} a degree of emotional connection to the characters to bring forth laughter, but the lack of depth that brings forth tears; {5} some romance built between Sam and Sophie as they spent time together; {6} the lovemaking scenes were passionate, intense, and kind of graphic; {7} an understated degree of suspense; and {8} minimally developed secondary characters: {a} Frank Kelly, {b} Marlene Kelly, {c} Garrett Kelly, {d} Donovan Kelly, {e} Ethan Kelly, {f} Rachel Kelly, {g} Sean, {h} Rusty, {i} Adam Resnick, {j} Steele, {k} Rio, {l} P.J. [Rutherford], {m} [David] "Cole" [Coletrane], {n} Alex Mouton, and {m} Tomas Mouton. Because these first two books of this series were so disappointing in {1} the single-dimensional character development, {2} lack of emotional connection, and {3} lack of edgy suspense, there's a 50/50 chance I'll move on to another series.
--Vonda M. Reid (Friday, January 9, 2015 : 3:21 a.m.) [357]
It seems like Banks picks out one particular affectation that should move a reader to feel the same way that Sophie felt and then repeats that scene over and over (and over) again to draw the reader into Sophie's psyche. What mother doesn't feel that special bond of love towards the child she is carrying when she feels that child kick her and move within her? And what father isn't going to be moved by the same thing? And, yes, it was special when Sam felt his daughter move the first time, and, okay, the second, but come on, how many times must Banks use this tool to tempt the reader to melt at the magic that existed between Sam and Sophie whenever they were feeling their child move.
Is that all there is between Sam and Sophie? Well, besides great sex! Apparently so, because Banks failed to deliver when it came to developing the background of these two protagonists. Banks didn't paint a picture of who Sam and Sophie were.
She did, however, continue to pepper the book with intense, a bit graphic, passionate, yet tender love scenes. It seems that this is Banks' forte and so she uses it nicely in Sam and Sophie's story.
Basically, Sam was one of those strong, handsome, hunky, alpha Kelly boys that is supposed to melt a reader's heart simply because he looked great on the cover of the book. But he had no unique personality. What made him more special (in this, his book) than the other Kelly boys? Banks painted Sam as a single-dimensional character. His father had raised all his sons the same way, thus, they all turned out the same way. Come on, make Sam a unique Kelly boy in his book.
Growing up, his dad had been his rock. He'd been the rock to six rambunctious, rowdy boys and he'd infused his core values in all of them.Surely Sam did things in his life more distinctly and differently than his brothers. Why did he leave the military to start his own Special Ops company? Let there be more about him than the mission, the one woman who fascinated him, the baby they made, and his love and loyalty to family. But that's all that Banks gave us when she developed Sam's personality. Not only was his personality not painted in different vibrant colors, but the physical description of Sam left the readers with a hazy picture of the man we were supposed to be falling for (along with the heroine). Why is Banks so stingy with physical descriptions of her characters? Besides being a tall, muscled, firm-jawed, good-looking, thirty-six year old man with stubble and ice blue eyes, readers are left to make up the rest of the picture of what Sam must look like.
Be a good man, have honor and integrity, protect those weaker than you, and never suffer injustice. (Sam, page 230)
At least Banks did a better job at describing Sophie, but not by much. At least we know she was an innocent-looking, tiny, delicate little thing with blond hair, expressive blue eyes, and curves in all the right places. But how old is Sophie? How long did she have to live under her father's iron hand? How did she develop such a trusting relationship with the maid and the driver that they were willing to risk their lives to help her? Again, a cut-out, cardboard character who grew up with a monster, fell in love with the man with whom she had a torrid affair, got pregnant, and was on the run from her brutal family. The only three defining characteristics that Banks assigned to Sophie were, {1} she loved her baby beyond measure and would do anything to protect her, {2} she dreamed of having a family full of love, just like Sam's, and {3} she didn't give up.
One thing Banks did a great job with was creating laughter. Who could not help but laugh at the thought of big, gruff military men like Sam, Garrett, and Donovan having to deal with getting Sophie a bra so she had dry clothes to change into after taking a bath? Especially when the only woman in the Kelly household who could help was their mother. And then when Sam was in the bathroom helping Sophie get dressed because of her wounded arm and the scene that developed which resulted in her finishing with, "I look like a goober." (page 122)
Banks included many of the secondary characters that she introduced in the first book of the series. Frank and Marlene were again featured, being wonderful parents to both their sons and their "strays," Sean and Rusty. Sam had to bring Sophie to his parents house, where he was meeting with his two team leaders, Steele and Rio, and their men to assign protective details for his entire family. Marlene was still the star of the show when it came to her interaction with her sons.
The feminine voice came closer, and in another moment a small woman rounded the corner as if on wheels. She collided with Garrett, bounced off and then promptly pounced on the much larger man.Frank was just as perfect as Marlene as he took Rusty to task, who was being a typical snarky teen, who didn't get along with her foster brothers. Couldn't help but smile when Rusty remarked, "Sounds like Marlene needs to be lecturing someone else on safe sex, not me." (page 126)
"Garrett!"
She pulled him into her arms, and Sophie watched in fascination as Garrett transformed in front of her eyes. He went from surly, scowling ape, to a gentle mama's boy. It was mind boggling. (Sophie, page 108)
Rusty turned back to Sophie and rolled her eyes. "He's another stray Marlene picked up. Though personally I think he's worn out his welcome."Although they are fascinating simply because of their position with KGI, Steele and Rio were, again, given a bit of page time in which Steele continues to come across as cold, unfeeling and all business, with just a hint of softness.
"Rusty," Frank said in his gravelly voice. "That's enough, young lady."
To Sophie's surprise, Rusty shut up and straightened in her seat. Sophie could swear there was genuine respect and affection in the young girl's eyes when she looked at the Kelly patriarch. (Sophie, page 127)
Steele stepped forward, and soon the remaining members of KGI formed a circle around her. She was trapped. Nowhere to run. No place she could deny her value.Rio is featured as he talks to Sophie (because she reminds him of his sister, Magdalena), who is overwhelmed by the room full of big, buff, hardened military men in camo pants and black t-shirts. Banks had given readers just a glimmer of these two men, which prompts us to want to continue reading book after book in this series to learn if there is more to them.
"KGI doesn't hide behind a woman. Even one as courageous as yourself," Steele said in his quiet, stern voice. (Sophie, page 242)
"Why are you being nice to me?" She asked bluntly.Another fascinating member of KGI is given a bit more definition in this book. P.J. [Rutherford] is given a tiny point of view voice in the book to show her skills and her competitive nature. P.J. is fascinating simply because she is a lone woman in a group of hardened men. Again, Banks has given readers just a hint of P.J.'s personality. But the description alone is enough to prompt readers to want to read her story.
His eyebrows went up and he studied her for a moment. "Why wouldn't I be?"
She shrugged. "You don't know me."
"I think maybe you're used to people not being very nice to you. Maybe it's time to alter your expectations, hmm?" (Sophie and Rio, page 137)
P.J. was small and surprisingly feminine-looking, or maybe it was because she was surrounded by much larger, terse males. She was quite pretty in an understated way. She had a tan that testified to time spent outdoors. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, simple and no nonsense, just like she appeared. Her eyes, though, were a clear shade of green, beautiful enough that Sophie found herself staring unabashedly at the fascinating woman.While Banks did a great job of adding a lot of exciting action, especially at the end of the book, because she spent so much time trying to feature the unity between the Kelly family, she failed to create that spine-tingling, edge-of-your-seat suspenseful aura that makes for a great Romantic Suspense read. Thus, No Place To Run is more of a romance book than a suspenseful book. Nevertheless, as a Contemporary Romance read, this book is an enjoyable, easy read.
Dressed in a black T-shirt and camo pants. A large knife was secured to her belt, and she wore a shoulder holster with a pistol tucked under her arm.
Sophie felt a rush of envy. Here was a woman who was wholly self-sufficient. She didn't need the men who surrounded her. She was obviously an equal, and she could take care of herself. These men trusted her to look out not only for herself but for the team as well. (Sophie, page 135)
It's just a personal quirk, and maybe I missed it, but Banks tends to leave out names as she told Sam and Sophie's story. For instance, readers would have to rely on the back cover blurb to know the name of the business operated by the Kelly boys was Kelly Group International. Banks did not reveal this information to readers as she told the story. Yes, she used the initials KGI and she called them the Kelly Group, but she didn't use the formal title nor did she give readers a detailed description of KGI.
And what about last names. The only reason we know Sophie's last name is Lundgren is because it's on the back cover. Was Lundgren in the book somewhere? And readers would have to rely on their memory from book one to know that P.J.'s last name was Rutherford and that Cole was actually the nickname of David Coletrane.
So in closing, No Place To Run, the second book in The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series, is an entertaining and enjoyable read, but it is not a favorite. The details featured in this book include: {1} Sam Kelly, a single-dimensional hero, the oldest Kelly son, and leader of KGI; {2} Sophie Lundgren, an under-developed heroine, who is fascinating in that she does not know the word "quit" and loves Sam and the baby they created; {3} enough action and adventure to make the story exciting; {4} a degree of emotional connection to the characters to bring forth laughter, but the lack of depth that brings forth tears; {5} some romance built between Sam and Sophie as they spent time together; {6} the lovemaking scenes were passionate, intense, and kind of graphic; {7} an understated degree of suspense; and {8} minimally developed secondary characters: {a} Frank Kelly, {b} Marlene Kelly, {c} Garrett Kelly, {d} Donovan Kelly, {e} Ethan Kelly, {f} Rachel Kelly, {g} Sean, {h} Rusty, {i} Adam Resnick, {j} Steele, {k} Rio, {l} P.J. [Rutherford], {m} [David] "Cole" [Coletrane], {n} Alex Mouton, and {m} Tomas Mouton. Because these first two books of this series were so disappointing in {1} the single-dimensional character development, {2} lack of emotional connection, and {3} lack of edgy suspense, there's a 50/50 chance I'll move on to another series.
--Vonda M. Reid (Friday, January 9, 2015 : 3:21 a.m.) [357]
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Books In The Series: "The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series"
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 09-2010 | The Darkest Hour | Ethan Kelly: ex-Navy SEAL, Fourth Son | Rachel Kelly: his wife, captive |
| 02. | 12-2010 | No Place To Run | Sam Kelly: KGI co-Owner, First Son | Sophie Lundgren: daughter to arms dealer |
| 03. | 03-2011 | Hidden Away | Garrett Kelly: KGI co-Owner, Second Son | Sarah Daniels: half sister of Garrett's nemesis |
| 04. | 01-2012 | Whispers In The Dark | Nathan Kelly: prisoner of war | Shea Peterson: telepathic connection |
| 05. | 07-2012 | Echoes At Dawn | Rio (Eduardo Bezerra): KGI Team Leader | Grace Peterson: telepathic and healer |
| 5.5 | 08-2012 | Softly At Sunrise | Ethan Kelly: KGI Operative, Fourth Son | Rachel Kelly: his wife |
| 06. | 01-2013 | Shades of Gray | David "Cole" Coletrane: KGI Sniper, Steele's Team | P.J. (Penelope Jane) Rutherford: KGI's best sniper |
| 07. | 06-2013 | Forged In Steele | Jackson "Ice Man" Steele: KGI Team Leader | Dr. Maren Scofield: Doctor in Costa Rica |
| 08. | 01-2014 | After The Storm | Donovan Kelly: KGI co-Owner, Third Son | Eve "Evie" [Breckenridge]: On The Run From Step-Father |
| 09. | 06-2014 | When Day Breaks | Daryl "Swanny" Swanson: scarred from battle | Eden: supermodel |
| 10. | 06-2015 | Darkest Before Dawn | Hancock:: leader of Titan | . . . |
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Characters Found In "No Place To Run"
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Sam Kelly | [Hero] hard, strong, firm jawline with hint of stubble; sexy; pale blue eyes, like ice; hard chest; strong arms (41) 36-y-o (48) hard; muscled (59) best at stalking prey; patient; cunning (83) tall; muscled (88) piercing blue eyes (93) condescending jerk; in total command mode (100) conscientious; didn't do anything half-assed; intensely loyal to the people he loved (173) came from a family of military men; former Army (174) extraordinarily good-looking (182) blatant masculinity and comfort (183) |
| Sophie Lundgren | [Heroine] expressive blue eyes (1) waitress in dive in small town, Mexico; slim waist (2) shapely legs (4) delicate; feminine (5) 100% woman; soft and feminine with curves in all the right places (8) young; amusedly fresh-faced and deceptively innocent; no one took her seriously or saw her as a threat (14) smart woman (21) cute, blond, and innocent looking; sheer grit and determination (24) little bit of a thing (51) looked delicate and frail, but under that deceptive façade was a devious woman who had no compunction about carrying out the orders of her father (78) 10-y-o when father killed mother (248) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Baker | [Rare Appearances] KGI operative; KGI; clad in black shirt and camo pants; looked hard, not just muscled, but hard in the sense that he'd seen and endured a lot; military man; disciplined; more than just money guided his motivation; his loyalty couldn't be bought (134) |
| Dr. Caldwell | [One Appearance] doctor in charge of Frank Kelly's care (256) |
| [David] "Cole" [Coletrane] | [Secondary Character] [Book 6 / Shades of Gray] KGI sharpshooter; on Steele's team (137) |
| Dolphin | [Rare Appearances] KGI operative; KGI; clad in black shirt and camo pants; looked hard, not just muscled, but hard in the sense that he'd seen and endured a lot; military man; disciplined; more than just money guided his motivation; his loyalty couldn't be bought (134) swims like a Dolphin (137) |
| Alex Mouton | [Secondary Character] extensive arms network; KGI searching for him to shut him down (12) could spot weaknesses in a second (16) not casual about anything; coldly aloof and calculating; demanded obedience with chillingly positive results (17) Sophie's father (73) an arms's dealer that occupied the number two spot on U.S. government's most wanted list (74) a man who'd been responsible for more deaths than a lot of wars (78) a first-class ass hole; traffic in women and children (104) no conscience (220) cold, calculating sociopath; life means nothing to him, except his own (223) didn't negotiate; didn't bargain; he demanded, and if his demands weren't met, he acted (240) he moved into places and took over (243) killed Sophie's mother (247) cold eyes that betrayed no fear (287) |
| Tomas Mouton | [Secondary Character] Sophie's uncle; would carry on her father's legacy of selling death; did not have access to Sophie's father's resources or wealth (23) was Alex Mouton's patsy; had no power; just took up space in the Mouton's organization; sees his opportunity to take over the network; his first order of business would have been to recover the key Sophie had stolen and execute her for her betrayal of the Mouton family (97) would make an example of Sophie (98) not as ruthless as Alex, tried to be, but he was weaker (219) all he wants, all he craves, is wealth and power (241) |
| Donovan "Van" Kelly | [Secondary Character] [Book 8 / After The Storm] Sam's younger brother (29) not an uptight bone in his body (32) trained as a medic (54) fly planes and choppers (55) a Marine (174) |
| Ethan Kelly | [Secondary Character] [Book 1 / The Darkest Hour] Rachel's husband; left for 2 weeks in Hawaii (30) a Navy SEAL (174) short-cropped hair (265) |
| Frank Kelly | [Secondary Character] burly older man; bark worse than his bite (126) gravelly voice; Kelly patriarch; studied Sophie intently (127) been the rock to six rambunctious, rowdy boys and infused his core values in all of them: be a good man, have honor and integrity, protect those weaker than you, and never suffer injustice (230) married 40 years (235) |
| Garrett Kelly | [Secondary Character] [Book 3 / Hidden Away] Sam's younger brother; didn't act like anybody's younger brother; closest brother to Rachel; had a protective streak a mile wide when it came to people he loved (30) didn't like to take time off because it gave him too much time to think about the shit that went down with his special ops team before he left the Marines (34) big; mean-looking (42) suspicious (47) arms crossed over broad chest (70) control freak (106) transformed from surly, scowling ape, to a gentle mama's boy (108) a Marine (174) looked like you could break a rock with his face (198) |
| Joe Kelly | [No Appearance] [Book x / Title] sent e-mail to brothers that were bugging out soon (33) active duty Army (175) |
| Marlene Kelly | [Secondary Character] mother to Kelly boys; has a nose for her sons' lies (33) small woman; same scowl as sons; quite ferocious if need be (108) fierce pride and love shown from her eyes when looked at sons (136) married 40 years (235) |
| Nathan Kelly | [No Appearance] [Book 4 / Whispers In The Dark] sent e-mail to brothers that were bugging out soon (33) active duty Army (175) |
| Rachel Kelly | [Secondary Character] [Book 1 / The Darkest Hour] Ethan's wife; left for 2 weeks in Hawaii (30) tough; a fighter (175) special bond with Garrett; slender form (265) brown hair (266) |
| Marcus Lattimer | [No Appearance] man responsible for mission gone wrong with Garrett's Marines; Garrett searching for him (34) dirty; a traitor (35) |
| Magdalena | [No Appearance] Rio's little sister (136) passed on a few years ago; beautiful when she was pregnant (137) |
| Maria | [No Appearance] Sophie's mother (293) |
| Kyle Phillips | [One Appearance] U.S. Marine Corp; met Resnick in Del Rio as exited plane (272) |
| Adam Resnick | [Secondary Character] KGI's CIA contact (36) upper-level CIA; Sam saved his life (176) high strung (271) |
| Renshaw | [Rare Appearances] KGI operative; KGI; clad in black shirt and camo pants; looked hard, not just muscled, but hard in the sense that he'd seen and endured a lot; military man; disciplined; more than just money guided his motivation; his loyalty couldn't be bought (134) |
| Dr. Richards | [One Appearance] doctor who checked out Sophie and the baby at the hospital (250) |
| Rio | [Secondary Character] [Book 5 / Echoes At Dawn] getting restless (32) KGI; clad in black shirt and camo pants; looked hard, not just muscled, but hard in the sense that he'd seen and endured a lot; military man; disciplined; more than just money guided his motivation; his loyalty couldn't be bought (134) tall, dark-haired man; looked fierce, but there was something soft in his eyes; white teeth flashed when he smiled (136) KGI Team Leader (137) |
| Rusty | [Secondary Character] interesting shade of green in her chestnut hair, a nose piercing; a row of earrings in her left ear; stood out like an orange neon glow in this seemingly conservative, straight-laced household (126) smart-mouthed young lady; likes to needle the boys; the stray that Marlene adopted (126) genuine respect and affection when she looked at Frank (127) hated sitcoms (191) almost a year with the Kelly family; the boys had never accepted her (231) |
| P.J. [Rutherford] | [Secondary Character] [Book 6 / Shades of Gray] KGI; lone woman in group of hardened men (134) small and surprisingly feminine-looking; quite pretty in an understated way; had a tan that testified to time spent outdoors; her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, simple and no nonsense, just like she appeared; her eyes were a clear shade of green; dressed in a black T-shirt and camo pants; a large knife was secured to her belt, and she wore a shoulder holster with a pistol tucked under her arm; a woman who was wholly self-sufficient; she was obviously an equal, and she could take care of herself; these men trusted her to look out not only for herself but for the team as well (135) sharpshooter; on Steele's team (137) |
| Sean | [Secondary Character] young sheriff's deputy (126) another stray Marlene picked up (127) Frank and Marlene were like parents to him; another son in an already large family; a good cop (257) |
| Steele | [Secondary Character] [Book 7 / Forged In Steele] getting restless (32) KGI; clad in black shirt and camo pants; looked hard, not just muscled, but hard in the sense that he'd seen and endured a lot; military man; disciplined; more than just money guided his motivation; his loyalty couldn't be bought (134) KGI Team Leader (137) he mostly stood and watched, his intense gaze taking in everything around him; he looked cold and intimidating (140) |
Locations, Organizations Found In "No Place To Run"
| Location / Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| Kelly Group International: KGI | (from The Darkest Hour) Kelly Group (13) built their business into an extensive list of military and government contracts (36) cornerstone values: be a good man, have honor and integrity, protect those weaker than you, and never suffer injustice (230) |
| Eagle One | one of KGI safe houses in West Virginia (143) a large cabin ensconced in a wall of trees and buried in the foothills of the Appalachians (180) |
| Ice Box | bait shop where Sophie rented boat; hid key in planter (253) |
| Kentucky Lake | allowed access to Sam's home (2) |
| Nashville | where Garrett went to catch a plane to get Resnick (147) |
| Rock Springs | Mouton estate where Tomas was holding Marlene; not far from Del Rio and the border (243) |
| Stewart County, Tennessee | where the Kellys lived (123) |
| West Virginia | where DGI safe house, Eagle One, was located (43) |
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"No Place To Run" Quotations
| 21 | She'd fallen fast and she'd fallen hard. (Sophie) |
| 47 | "So what are you saying?" Sam asked calmly. "You think she beat herself up, shot herself, then threw herself in the lake when she's pregnant as an elaborate scheme to get to me?" (Sam) |
| 93 | It made her angry that she cared. Made her angry that it mattered. She had done what she had to do to survive. She shouldn't have to explain herself to anyone. (Sophie) |
| 94 | "But I saw you and I wanted you more than I wanted my freedom ." (Sophie) |
| 114 | He deserved sainthood. Not only had he stood in the bathroom with a very gorgeous, very naked woman, but he'd calmly discussed getting her things like a bra and underwear without batting an eyelash. Give him bombs, grenades, blood, guts and gore, but bras? (Sam) |
| 136 | It was everything she had ever wanted and never had. (Sophie) |
| 181 | for once it was nice to depend on someone other than herself for her well-being. She was tired -- beyond tired -- of running, of always fearing the current day would be her last. (Sophie) |
| 185 | "I just want to touch you," he said. "I can't get enough of how you feel." (Sam) |
| 211 | If she hadn't gone to Sam, she wouldn't have felt hope. She wouldn't have touched the sun for one brief, shining moment, only to have that warmth and joy extinguished. (Sophie) |
| 283 | "Tell Sam that I love him and that I never lied to him." (Sophie) |
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"Maya Banks -- No Place To Run" Review and Information Links
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | Maya Banks' Website | Author |
| -- | -- | Maya Banks' Facebook | Author |
| -- | -- | Maya Banks' Twitter | Author |
| -- | 12-19-2013 | Maya Banks' Blog | --Maya Banks / very interesting article about readers' reviews |
| . . . | . . . | . . . | . . . |
| -- | -- | Fantastic Fiction | List of Maya Banks' Books |
| -- | -- | Fict Fact | List of Books In The Kelly Group International "KGI" Series |
| -- | -- | Fiction DB | List of Maya Banks' Books |
| . . . | . . . | . . . | . . . |
| C+ / Hot | 01-28-2011 | All About Romance | -- Heather Brooks // excellent review // spot on |
| 4.68 average | {209 reviews} | Amazon | as of: January 9, 2015 |
| 3.00 | 10-29-2013 | Amazon // Malinda "I love books . . . | detailed story synopsis |
| 4.50 average | {404 ratings} | Barnes & Noble | as of: January 9, 2015 |
| 5.00 | 12-13-2010 | Books, According To Nicole | --Nicole // excellent review |
| Excellent | 06-17-2011 | Boutique Bookstore | brief review |
| 4.00 | 01-19-2011 | CK2's Kwips and Kritiques | excellent review |
| 4.50 | 11-22-2010 | Fiction Kingdom | --Spav // good explanation for rating |
| 5.00 | 12-07-2010 | Fiction Vixen | --Amy // well-written, good review |
| positive | 11-08-2010 | Fresh Fiction | --Sabrina Marino // PR review |
| 3.0 | 04-20-2014 | Geeky Reading | --Jude // brief, but good / valid points |
| 4.00 | 02-09-2012 | Gone With The Words | --Jess // brief, gushy review |
| 4.31 average | {13,222 ratings} | Good Reads | as of: January 9, 2015 |
| 2.0 | 07-16-2014 | Good Reads // Mimi Smith | --excellent review // justified rating |
| 4.00 | 11-05-2011 | KD Did It - Takes On Books | --KD // excellent review / liked format |
| 4.16 average | {83 ratings} | Library Thing | as of: January 9, 2015 // Zosia Canberra made some good points |
| 3.00 | 12-08-2011 | Lost In Light | --Lilly Slaton // brief, pretty good |
| 85 | -- | Mrs. Giggles | pretty good |
| positive | 03-11-2011 | My House of Books | --Jo // simplistic review |
| 5.00 / Top Pick | 10-xx-2010 | Night Owl Reviews | good review // slightly PR-ish |
| 5.00 | 03-04-2013 | Novels On The Run | --Michelle // loved the quotes / awesome |
| 4.2 average | {203 ratings} | Paperback Swap | as of: January 9, 2015 |
| 5.00 | 12-30-2014 | Pure Jonel | [qv] gushy PR-sounding review |
| positive | 12-03-2010 | RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk | PR Review and Giveaway |
| 5.00 | 08-17-2011 | Sam, Elena & Rhonda's Awesomeness | --Sam // too gushy, no qualifiers |
| 4.32 average | {31 ratings} | Shelfari | as of: January 9, 2015 // --Paige included heavy spoilers |
| C+ | 12-07-2010 | Smexy Books | --Julie // great review |
| 3.00 | 12-13-2010 | The Book Gourmet | --Mojca // although disagree, valid points made |
| quote | 10-xx-2010 | The Most Romantic Quotes In The World | --Aaliyah Rory // one quote |
| B- | 12-02-2010 | The Good, The Bad and The Unread | --Ash // great review |
| A+ | 12-22-2010 | The Good, The Bad and The Unread | --Sandy M // gushy, but good review |
| 4.00 | 05-02-2011 | Under The Covers | --Francesca // more story details than review justification |
| 3.80 | 01-09-2015 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, Fiction DB, Good Reads, Library Thing, Shelfari |
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♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
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