Maya Banks – Hidden Away

The third book in the Kelly Group International series, published March 1, 2011.
Genre: romantic suspense



A man who shoots first and asks questions later...
Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother--and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it...
...and the ultimate moving target.
But Garrett hadn't counted on falling for Sarah. He'd considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah's dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe--even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn't know exactly who, or what, Sarah's running from, but whatever it is, she's running for her life...


Sarah Daniels witnessed her brother shooting the man who raped her, and all she wanted was to disappear. She would protect her brother, and refuses to be used against him. She knows he is not a good man, she knows he is a criminal, but he is her brother, the only family she has ever had, and he has been nothing but good and kind to her.
When the CIA approaches KGI with a job for Garrett Kelly, he jumps at the chance to get a shot on the man he hates most, the man who is responsible for getting his team killed. He will do everything to bring Marcus Lattimer down, even getting intimate with his sister if necessary. But when he finally sees Sarah in person, his resolve begins to waver. He sees a woman living in fear, a woman who needs protection, an innocent woman in big trouble. He is not the only one hunting her, but he will be the one to keep her safe. Sarah is not good in disappearing, which makes it easy to follow her to Isle the Bijoux. And well, perhaps Garrett needed the little vacation time on a tropical island after all. Swimming, fishing, grilling some steaks on the beach, and keeping an eye on his next door neighbour.
Sarah is weary of the big man living in the cottage next to hers, but he seems to be a friendly sort, even though she pegs him for a soldier right away. Perhaps he was wounded in action, and needs to get back in shape. She does not mind watching him work out at all. And when he saves her from a mugger who is after her laptop, the connection between them is made.

A few nights later though, Sarah is awakened by the feeling someone is in her cottage, and she flees through the bedroom window straight to Garrett. The next morning though, when Garrett goes out to investigate, leaving her sleeping, she flees. She has made an escape route when she came to the island the first day, and now she has gone. Garrett can find no trace of her, leaving him no other choice but to head back home. Where he arrives just in time to help his very pregnant sister in law get to the hospital on time. His brothers are all out looking for Rusty, who did not get home from school that afternoon, leaving his mother frantic with worry.

Garrett’s oldest brother Donovan is a real whiz behind the computer, and he manages to find Sarah’s trail in Mexico. Sarah has finally reached out to Marcus for help, and he directed her to one of his safe houses. And so Garrett goes to Mexico, but this time it is personal. He wants her for himself, she is his woman and he will protect her, but it is also time to draw out Marcus to capture him. Yes, he will betray her trust, but he will make it up to her for the rest of his life if she gives him the chance!


I loved this book, and the look into Garrett’s heart. He sure falls hard for Sarah. But even though he loves her, he cannot walk away from the need to capture Marcus. He knows it will hurt her, it will destroy her trust in him, but it needs to be done. And I admire him for that.
And then there is Sarah, who grew up in foster homes, and did not know she had a half brother until Marcus came for her when their father died. He has been trying to spoil her with money, houses, cars but Sarah does not need much and has denied it all. Until know, when she is on the run to protect her brother, and she needs his help. Of course Marcus does not need her help to keep safe, and trying to help Sarah will put him in more danger. But he loves his sister, and will do whatever necessary to keep her safe.

As always, I loved meeting up with the other Kelly’s and the other KGI operatives. Especially Rio gets some limelight when he lets them use his own house in the jungle of South America. And I get more and more curious about PJ, the female sniper of the team. She is a mystery I would love to read more about, and I think I know which man she will keep making crazy forever. This book is filled with a big family who love each other and stand behind one another, fighting for justice as they see it. And one man falling for the one woman who will be his. Strong characters, lots of action and suspense, and some great twists. Of course some hot love scenes as Maya Banks can write those really well.
I heartily recommend this series to all lovers of romantic suspense.

9 stars

© 2012 Reviews by Aurian