Whispers in the Dark (A KGI Novel)

Shea Peterson is on the run from people who want her for her unusual abilities. She and her sister have separated to stay safe from those who wish to capture and probably hurt them for just being who they are. While evading capture, Shea becomes ultimately connected through mind and feelings to Nathan Kelly, a soldier in captivity thousands of miles from Shea.

Tortured on a daily basis and constantly in pain, Nathan struggles to hold onto his sanity as well as his dignity. Just when he is about to give in and give up, he hears Shea's voice and equates it to that of an angel. Through her unique ability of telepathy, Shea gives Nathan hope to survive through his lowest hours, she even takes away some of his pain and aids from afar in his escape. As soon as Nathan is safe, Shea voice and aid inexplicably disappears from his life, leaving him hurt and confused.

Once free of his imprisonment and home within comfort and safety of the Kelly fold, Nathan tries to come to terms with whether Shea was real or a figment of his imagination. Time goes by and he is almost resigned to the possibility he will never hear her voice again when out of the blue her frantic message explodes in his mind.
Shea is real and she's in trouble, having been captured herself and miraculously eluding that capture, she is on the run once again, but this time she needs help. Nathan will do anything for the woman that saved his life and will not rest until he has her within his sights and in his arms.

I am a complete fan of the KGI series. Each and every book brings out such emotion, it's hard to put the books down though laughter and tears. Maya Banks is such a talented storyteller. With the Kelly Group International and the Kelly family itself, you feel like you are right in there along with them with how Maya writes. Whispers in the Dark has a slight paranormal feel with Shea's telepathic abilities, but Maya brings that feel into the "real" world. Telepathy is only a minute part of what Shea is to Nathan. To him she is his savior and his sanity. This is my favorite book of the series to date and each just keeps getting better. Whispers in the Dark is already in my top ten for 2012. Thank you Maya for such a fabulous story that actually makes one wonder if Shea's ability could actually exist. I am a believer!

This was an exceptional read, I hated to put it down even to eat I cant wait for graces story, I usually read historical romance but I really loved this book.....

Wow, again I am drawn into the Kelly family story and again, I spend most of the night reading this book telling myself that I needed to stop and SLEEP! And like everyone, I am always sad when it ends. I think it is her best yet in the series. I was like some of the viewers that were a little apprehensive about the paranormal aspect but I quickly became a believer. It worked. And the way the author wove the telepathic conversations into the dialogue was effective and did not seems forced or unbelievable. I also like the author's work because, though I have read every one of the books in this series, I did not need to have done so to enjoy this book - though I would strongly recommend the older books simply because they are great!

The entire series has keep me hooked and I continue to look forward to each of the stories, but this one especially tugged at my heart. Banks writes powerfully, making me laugh at the way the brothers interact and making me cry at the depth of feeling the characters have for each other. I give this one a five star rating simply because it was superb!

The series was great up to this point. This book is so ridiculous that I had to skip over most of the psychic conversations. Yes, that's ENTIRE conversations in their heads. Skip it or read it and pretend the conversations are spoken out loud.

There were published pre-release worries that, in this newest book in this series, the theme of the telepathy between the hero, Nathan, and the heroine, Shea, would render the book "unbelievable". I immediately recalled another recently read "spec ops hunk rescues woman" book, and remembered, in that book, after the initial rescue, to hide from the still pursuing bad guys, the hero and heroine ensconce themselves in a secret compound deep in the remote jungle. During meal preparation there just happens to be on hand, in the remote jungle hide-out, the ingredients to make a complicated dessert requiring carmel, nuts and exotic ingredients. As pointed-out in another review, this entire Romantic Suspense genre is unbelievable. BUT---Whispers in the Dark was nevertheless entertaining to read, and I am looking forward to Rio and Grace's story (the reviewer who thought it will be Joe and Grace has not been paying attention). The thing I have a problem with ---on the part of the authors AND the editors--is the atrocious grammar and misuse of words-e.g. further vs. farther.

Memorable Scenes:
- when Rusty invites Nathan to her graduation > choked up
- when Van, Ethan & Swanny catch up with Nathan and Shea > especially the moment with Swanny and Shea was awesome

Shea Peterson has a gift that enables her to connect and talk to people in their minds and take their pain and suffering. She's resilient, protective of her sister, fierce and tough.

Nathan Kelly is a soldier kept imprisoned when a mission goes wrong. He's loyal, capable, quiet and resilient. At first I couldn't get a clear image of Nathan. I only got glimpses of his character. Understandably as the trauma of his captivity dominated his characterization but this also made it hard for me to connect with him as the hero of this book.

First I want to talk about what didn't work for me in this 4th installment of the KGI series.

People who follow my blog and reviews know I am not a fan of paranormal elements in contemporary romance or romantic suspense, which is why I started WHISPERS IN THE DARK kinda reluctantly when I found out it had this paranormal element. There are a few authors who make RS with paranormal elements work for but this is the first time the element is introduced mid-series and I'm still on the fence how I feel about that.

At the start of the book I was really trying to suspend disbelief about Shea's gift and trying to think of the book as a paranormal RS. But I kept wondering, where does the connection between Shea and Nathan come from. Randomness? Or is there a reason for the link? Has Shea done this before? In other words there were a lot of questions popping up in my head and I was hoping they would be answered as the story unfolded. They weren't entirely.

The mind speak seriously bothered me in this book. Again, if it had been a PNR I could've overlooked it but this is a contemporary RS series and though I really enjoyed the romance and suspense I wasn't wowed by the paranormal element that was clearly a very big part of the plot. I prefer these elements to be subtle in RS. But that's my personal taste and preference. It doesn't mean the book is bad or I didn't enjoy this installment of the KGI Series because there were also things I really liked and loved about it.

I really liked the suspense part that weren't the supernatural elements. The parts of finding Grace and identifying and going after the baddies were great and I really enjoyed that part of the suspense. I also enjoyed some surprising turns and twists in the plot I really didn't see coming.

I loved the romance part of WHISPERS IN THE DARK. Though the supernatural element wasn't my favorite part, the moment Nathan and Shea actually met brought the romance to the foreground in a great way.
I did think the making love part came a bit quickly but again brilliantly written and it was hot as heck!

Another thing that makes me stick with this series is that, as always, the banter between the Kelly brothers and among the KGI teams was awesome. They are one constant in this series that never fails to please me.

Regardless of what I thought of the plot or my dislike of supernatural abilities in romantic suspense I love Maya Banks' writing. It's intense, fast-paced and this book read like a dream. Once I started reading and got over the mind speak stuff I just couldn't stop.

Though WHISPERS IN THE DARK wasn't my favorite in the series so far, it still was a good read and a nice addition to the series. It was unique in the series, (nothing I hate more than carbon copies in a series) and fitting the characters as all previous books have been. Though the next book also has supernatural elements, I'm looking forward to it and to the other future books as I foresee lots of good stuff coming in this series.

Rating:
7.4 out of 10 - GOOD READ!!

When I first got wind that this book was going to have a para element, I was very disappointed. This book is in the middle of the series and none of the other books were para, I wasn't sure she knew what she was doing. BUT, that being said, I really enjoyed this book. The para elements...worked. The chemistry was immediate and believable. Shae and her sister brought an interesting element to this book and I think they will bring interesting elements to the series. My only gripe would be that some of the para dialogue was a little cheesy, but given the circumstances they were placed in, some of it could be understandable.

I was hesitant to pick up this book after reading Hidden Away. While I loved the character Garrett, I thought the book fell flat. Maya breathed new life into this series with Whispers. I know some don't like the para element but I really think it worked out well. I am however a big fan of paranormal romance so maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much. Great book! Get your tissues ready as it is a bit more emotional than the previous ones and it is a hot one too!!!!

Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense -Jan. 3rd, 2012
4 ½ stars

The latest thrilling book in the KGI series, Whispers in the Dark is about a Special Ops group run by the Kelly brothers. Nathan Kelly, finds himself at his lowest ebb. Captured and tortured along with his other teammates, he wants to die. But unexpectedly, he hears a voice of an angel in his head. She promises to help and takes away his pain. He thinks he is growing crazy but a very special woman will really help him even at a cost to herself.

Shea has the ability of telepathy and to take away another person's pain temporarily. When she hears a man in pain, she cannot but help him even though she and her sister are running from unscrupulous men who hope to use their powers and using her powers may give away her location. When she helps Nathan escapes his captors with the aid of her sister, she puts her life in jeopardy.

Nathan cannot forget the woman who helped him in his darkest hours and is determined to find and save her but can he find her in time and does he have enough resources before it is too late for Shea?

This my favorite KGI novel to date! I loved that Shea is so compassionate and self sacrificing. Her paranormal powers added a lot to the plot and made it more interesting. The addition of Shea's sister, Grace who Shea is protecting and is missing also adds a lot of suspense. Grace has the power to heal but at great cost to herself. Both women are very sympathetic characters since they have been hunted relentlessly and just want to live their own lives. Shea's character has had to be strong so I was so glad she finally gets a hot alpha male to protect her and give her support. Nathan really comes to save her like a true white knight! He is definitely a three dimensional character because really suffers in this book, too. They were the most emotional characters in the series for me, which made them finding each other all the more satisfying.

Intriguing paranormal elements, a courageous and self- sacrificing heroine and a sizzling hero make this the best KGI romance yet!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Alone in hell, Nathan is ready to die. The soldier in him wants to give up. His body can't take much more torture at the hands of the enemy. In his darkest hour he calls out, pleads for help. He never expected someone to answer him. Let alone that someone be in his head. But he can hear her, he can almost feel her and she is adamant about helping him.

Shea can't leave the soldier to die. Miles apart she helps him, even at great risk to herself. Nathan needs her and no matter what it does to her body, she is willing to take his pain. help him escape. Her enemies are closing in on her fast and she knows she has to hurry before she is caught. Keeping her sister safe is her first priority.

Healing from his injuries months later, Nathan is surprised to hear the call of Shea in his mind once more. This time it is she asking him for help. Together they can heal, and be safe within each other arms. Sometimes all you have to do is find your other half to be truly happy.

Once again, I have fallen in love with this series! I will admit that the last book, Hidden Away, wasn't my favorite and I had doubts about the series. Garret was my favorite character and Hidden Away was his book. I just didn't like it. When going into Whispers In The Dark, I was conflicted. Hoping that I loved it and at the same time telling myself it was okay if I didn't. Well Whispers In the Dark was having none of that, and it succeeded in giving me a one of a kind experience that I felt to my core. I loved this book!

Whispers In The Dark opens with Nathan being a prisoner of war. He is disheartened, battered, bruised and on the verge of giving up. He's had horrible torture inflicted on his body and has witnessed atrocities that no human should ever have to see. In a sense, he wants to die. At his lowest point his very soul calls out and to his astonishment, someone answers. His vulnerability was heart wrenching.

The person is Shea, his version of an angel. She might even be since Nathan isn't sure from the beginning if she is real or only a figment of his battered mind. Only a coping mechanism of the pain that ravishes his body.

She is real and she is in her own danger. Hunted her entire life for her and her sister's abilities. She is closed off but she can't seem to ignore the pleas of the soldier in her mind. Even though it drains her completely to help Nathan she knows she must give her all to see him freed.

The connection between Nathan and Shea was just so incredibly intense. How much closer can two people get then sharing thoughts? I wasn't surprised that when they finally met face to face that the connection was still there. The intense heat was so hot I think I may have scorched my hands. Heh. I think my biggest love was for Nathan. The Kelly brothers are known for their military training, their upbringing and their ability to handle any and all situations. Nathan seemed more emotional then the brothers we have met before. He was just more intense which was a total shocker for me because we really hadn't seen much of him in the past books. I was instantly drawn to him and his willingness to help Shea in his own way when she called out to him after his rescue.

I liked Shea too because she was constantly looking out for everyone. She has this huge heart and she can't bare to see those around her hurt, even if its at the risk of her own safety. She would jump in to help anyone and that made me love her. Even at her lowest point, she was so connected to Nathan that she could sense him. That right there is true love ladies and gentlmen.

Staying true to form, the entire Kelly clan makes appearances as well as the extended family and some new faces. The amount of book aspects in this series is staggering and I am so glad Rio is getting the next book since it ties directly to this one. Past Rio though I think the stand out character in Whispers In The Dark is Swanny, Nathans friend who was also captured and held prisoner. For what he had been through, he was incredibly well rounded, gentle and sweet. I really hope he gets a book because after his ordeal he deserves some happiness and he needs to work through his issues with his injuries and the deaths of the rest of their unit. Joe, Nathans twin brother also added a bit of family turmoil. Not being able to help his twin through his worst days annoys Joe to no end and he lashes out. he can't understand why Nathan won't respond to him. They are essentially the same person in his eyes. I loved the interaction between Nathan and Joe the most. The push and pull to right the family, to help Nathan, to be whole...all the while Nathan resisting everyone but Shea.

Now I know people are going to point out that this is a romantic suspense and the book contains strong paranormal aspects in the form of telepathy as well as healing abilities. I say to them, miracles can happen. In your darkest point, you may be granted help, someone that can reach you to your very core. That's what I took away from this book. Yes, it's out of the ordinary but sometimes life can surprise you. Sometimes things happen you can't explain. Sometimes miracles can....and do everyday...happen. I loved this book, paranormal romantic suspense or not....

I give Whispers In the Dark by Maya Banks 5 stars!

Nikki- Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind