July 7, 2020 - Staff Reviews

Whispers in the Dark
By Maya Banks
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Ebook Review - Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/631291

3 stars - Exciting love story with lots of action and a twist in the usual plot. An
underrated romantic suspense series that is enjoyable as single reads. Military hero
meets sympathetic and unique heroine as they go on a run for their lives. I enjoyed
it from start to finish.

Banks’ is known for her steamy 50 Shades style romances or her historical's but she’s
overlooked in the suspense department. This book in particular is packed with
action, minimal corniness. I think this would appeal to fans of Lora Leigh and
Sylvia Day but also the lighter fair romance readers as well. There’s plenty of
steam but it’s well-balanced with thrills. Some will probably feel there’s not
enough character background or intricate plot devices. It’s a very straight forward
story with Nathan depending on Shea for help escaping a rebel prison and then Shea
relying on him to keep her alive on the run from shady spook villains.

The hero is part of the Kelly family, who are admittedly sappy at times. His
relationship with his siblings, particularly his KGI security specialist brothers is
fun though. And he’s not without equally handsome and deadly friends, of course. The
family and friends make up the other stories of the series so this can be read as a
standalone. There are some mild spoilers for the first three books though.
Personally, I was revisiting it as I skipped this one a few years ago. The
paranormal aspect hadn’t appealed to me then, and it won’t appeal to some readers
either. But I found it adding a layer of tension and a refreshing twist from the
usual romance storyline. A surprise or two toward the end makes for a nice hook too.
There’s little lag time in the story, even for them to work on building a
relationship. It’s practically instant love but it’s done in good nature and makes
for a quick, fun read.

(NS)