Forged in Steele

I liked Maren (her name rocks, BTW, because its my middle name and I have only met 1 other person with this name who spells it like I do!). Maren is smart, kind, daring, and more. Steele is cold, harsh, and abrasive. But, when he melts for Maren, he totally melts! This book was a lot more sex than Brighter than the Sun and I kind of wanted more of the danger and action. That doesn't really happen until like the last 15% of the story.
Narrator note: Amazing! That guy has the 'gravely' voice down pat! Awesome.

Forged in Steele
4 Stars

Following the disappointment of PJ and Cole's story, I was wary of another story focusing on former secondary characters but am ecstatic to say that Maren and Steele's book is fantastic.

Maren and Steele have intense chemistry and their scenes together are both physically and emotionally intimate. Although Maren has been a recurring character in the series, little is known about her until now and she is revealed to be an intelligent, direct and loyal heroine who manages to hold her own in difficult situations.

Similarly, Steele has taken a backseat in previous installments and is little more that the typical stoic, strong and silent type - a man of few words and much action. This all changes in Forged in Steele as show more he finally meets his match and the ice begins to melt.

The suspense plot revolves around a mentally unstable drug lord with an unhealthy obsession for Maren. While this premise is solid, the situations does not come across as all that dire and drastic mainly because the villain is non-threatening for much of the time.

Nevertheless, the story and characters are engaging and I look forward to returning to KGI with Van's book and hopefully Rusty and Sean's as well. show less

Thank goodness that paranormal stuff seems to be over. With this book Banks is back to the old KGI formula & it works. Steele is definitely the strong, silent type but loved how much he talk with Marin about everything, although it seemed completely out of character for him. This book had a lot of silly problems with the plot, action scenes, the villain's motivations, etc. Again, I feel like it was written by a novice or could have used a good editor who was willing to give constructive criticism. There is absolutely no explanation for the bad guy's obsession with the heroine, as far as I can tell he's never actually even seen her in person before he kidnaps her? Although I'm always pleased when fictional characters practice safe sex, show more there's no indication or foreshadowing for when Marin discovers the condom failed. Not broke, not fell off, not torn. Just seemed to not work?? I thought when Steele found out he may have explained it by it being expired since neither H/h had any sex for quite a while. But there's just nothing. And she accepts it even tho she's a doctor? huh? Also, as stated in other reviews the end helicopter scene is just ridiculous. There is no pilot but all this talking & action go on over a couple minutes time & with them only being a couple hundred feet from the ground, helo spinning wildly out of control but they don't crash to earth. Lots of plot holes that could have been so easily fixed again makes me believe Banks has gotten lazy or tired of writing the KGI series.

The good things? Love, love, love how open & direct Steele is in discussing his feelings, fears, love, & best part? The sex talk was awesome! What woman wouldn't want her man worshiping her like that? And telling her all about why he finds her so sexy? Really made me fall for Steele, even though all that talk was completely out of character for him with no explanation given - it was worth it. show less

In the vein of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series. I didn't know Maya Banks had a series like this - romantic suspense. I'll definitely be reading some more in this series.

I've just discovered that I've already read When Day Breaks, Book 9, last year. I have zero memory of it so I'll listen to the start to bring it back. This is my eighth Maya Banks novel and each series is different enough it doesn't seem like the same novelist.

Forged in Steele is the story of Maren Scofield, a doctor who patches up the KGI guys after a mission. Steele is the team leader. His frankness when he finally tells Maren he needs to get her out from under his skin is delightful. They are both gratifying characters.

I like the narration by Adam Paul - show more especially his gravelly voice for Steele.

Like Brockmann's books, this novel is long at 10 hr 51 min, though Brockmann's Troubleshooters are usually marathons - over 15 hours. show less

This was the first Maya Banks book I've ever read, but it won't be the last. Now I see why so many readers love her stuff. It's a little gritty and the heroes are alpha, but delightfully human. In fact, the heroine seems to bring out this hero's human side. It was wonderful to see. If you like romantic suspense with a covert ops twist, then you'll love this book.

Be Steele my heart. I love the Kelly men but I have to say watching Steele and Rio who were known as cold hard warriors fall in love and show us there softer sides has been panty melting hot.
We got to see a glimpse of the human Steele in PJ’s book but in Forged we get to see a whole new side. After he and a few of his team are injured they go to Maren Scofield, a doctor they saved before, and one that had gotten under Steele’s skin. Steele decides he just needs one night with her and problem solved. Yeah that doesn’t go so well cause soon he is back for more. But soon after he leaves Maren for a mission she is taken by a bad man and he is out of his head to find her.

I loved all the one on one times between Steele and Maren. They show more were just perfect for each other. There was plenty of face time with all the Kelly’s and the three teams and even a great POV from Rio. Its good to see that now that these two are domesticated that they have toned down the rivalry between them.

As always I loved this latest in the KGI series.

ps: What’s up with Hancock?? show less

This series get better with each book. I love that we get
to see more than just the Kelly brothers, though I love them.

I'm glad we got to see Steele on a close level other than how
the others perceive him to be. I think he's a bigger softie
than all the others.

I also liked the chemistry between Steele and Dr Maren. I enjoyed
her personality and how she deals with Steele and the other situations
she's in, be it work or a crazy person.

I thought the chemistry was hot and the story moved at a pace that
keeps you interested without moving too fast.

The ending sentence was fabulous though the second to last chapter
seemed a touch much with feelings bit, seemed a touch cheesy. This did
not dissuade how I felt about the book.

Definitely recommend. 4.5 show more stars show less