Review: Forged in Steele by Maya Banks

Publish Date: June 25, 2013
Mass Market Paperback {p. 372}
Genre: Suspense
Series: KGI #7
Source: Personal Library
Maren Scofield, Jackson Steele

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business. Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background. Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

Steele, a KGI team leader, is an enigma not even his team mates understand. His emotions are tightly locked down and nothing can break that icy exterior. Nothing except Maren Scofield, a doctor on a mission, a woman who has gotten under Steele’s skin and threatens to crack that unflappable cool he’s legendary for.

Steele is determined not to allow Maren past his carefully guarded defenses, but when she’s in danger, there’s no way he’ll allow anyone else to protect her. She’s hiding something. He’s sure of it. But he isn’t prepared for the shocking discovery her secrets reveal. Or how they will forever alter the course of his destiny. He has a decision to make. Hold tight and shut her out. Or take a chance on something more powerful than he’s ever faced. Love.

First off, I truly enjoyed Steele and Maren's story, although it had a rather sudden beginning. But what I truly enjoyed was Hancock; he totally stole the show. I truly hope Maya decides to give Hancock his own book.

Maren and Steele got off to a rather abrupt start. While on a medical layover from one of their missions, he propositions Maren and she agrees. Cue the start of a beautiful relationship. I liked them both even with their sudden "in love" storyline. With the suddenness of their love, that clears the way of there being any of that back and forth in love out love that some storylines follow. I guess my only request would have been that Maren knew Steele's name before she fell in love with him. True, people sleep together all the time without know each others name, but I would have thought you would know it before you were in love.

I rarely saw the "iceman" Steele that causes everyone to quake in his presence. This Steele was a big teddy bear, and I loved it. But don't let that fool you, Steele still continued to be a badass when it counted. There was still plenty of action to keep the storyline moving along; from the rescue of a spoiled socialite-esque to plan crashes. With the whole Kelly crew on deck there was never a dull moment.