After the Storm

A KGI Novel

By: Maya Banks

Narrated by: Adam Paul

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Over the years, Donovan Kelly has fought relentlessly for justice, women and children always holding a special place in his heart. Working side by side with his brothers, Donovan has witnessed firsthand the toll it’s taken - physically, mentally, and emotionally - on his loved ones, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. What he never expects is for his next mission to happen right on his home turf - or for it to take a very personal turn.

Picturesque Kentucky Lake is the perfect place for a soul in search of safe harbor. A beautiful stranger has arrived - desperate, breathless, and on the run from a dark past closing in on her and the younger siblings she has vowed to protect. Donovan must now draw on every resource at his disposal - if he wants to save a woman and the children who may prove to be his destiny.

©2014 Maya Banks (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Good but not great

3-3.5 stars

This was a good story. I've really liked Donovan in the past books and have been looking forward to him getting his own book and HEA. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Overall the story was good but there was an insta-love situation between Eve and Donovan that made the whole thing seem a bit rushed. I think if the things had taken place over a little more time (giving more time for the relationship between Eve and Donovan to form) I might have given the story 4 stars but as is I just couldn't.

Eve is a good woman. Her mother was married to a horrible man (Eve's step father) who beat her and tried to control everyone in his "realm". Eve tried to help her mother but wasn't able to do anything as her stepfather's power and money meant he was able to convince people she was lying. He even had false papers drawn up saying that she had a history of mental instability when it wasn't true. When Eve's mother dies, Eve's brother, Travis (15 yrs old) calls her saying he's afraid of what their father will do to their little sister, Cami (who is 4 yrs old). Eve risks it all to get Travis and Cami and steal away with them to keep them safe.

Donovan is one of the Kelly brothers that run KGI (Kelly Group International), a private company that performs Ops like hostage/kidnap victim recovery & intelligence gathering among other things. He's always had a soft spot for women and kids in trouble and is well known for it. He wants his own family but has never found the right woman and wonders when it'll finally happen for him. He wasn't expecting to find a need for help so close to his home or to find that the women in need is the woman he's been waiting for.

Eve, Travis and Cami have rented a run down trailer and are trying to hide from everyone since Eve's stepfather has the law looking for her and the kids. Cami is sick so Eve is staying with her and Travis goes out to try to find some work. Luckily, Travis ends up at the Kelly's hardware store and Rusty is running it at the time. Rusty (who used to be a homeless kid in trouble until the Kelly's took her in) recognized that Travis is fearful of something and seems to be in trouble. She gives him work and proceeds to get Donovan to help her try to help Travis and his sisters. When Donovan and Rusty show up at the trailer, Eve is understandably freaked and unsure about how safe it is to have their notice. Donovan on the other hand, has realized that there's something about Eve and the 2 kids that has him feeling particularly protective and Donovan is determined to help them. Unfortunately, Eve freaks at all the attention and the possibilities of more people finding out about them and decides to run. They have both fortunate and unfortunate timing when they try to leave and barely get through the rough night with their lives. Donovan goes to help them and decides to take them all to his place where they'll be safe. By this time, Donovan has come to the conclusion that he's fallen for Even and loves the kids too. He decides he'll do whatever he has to to make them his and keep them safe.

Eve, Travis and Cami all end up staying with Donovan and come to trust him very quickly. Cami gets over her sickness quickly after getting some medication and Eve is feeling secure at last. Eve and Donovan fall in to a relationship pretty much immediately and Eve falls for Donovan pretty much as quickly as he fell for her. Unfortunately, both of them hold off on expressing their feelings to each other, feeling it's too soon and that it needs to be eased in to. They're together only a day or 2 before news comes that Eve's stepfather has shown up in the area looking for them. There are some unfortunate mis-understandings where Eve hears something out of context and ends up believing Donovan betrayed her. In the resulting mess, Eve is captured by her stepfather and a rescue must be mounted by KGI (with some help from friends). There is drama and much stress before everything is handled but in the end, Eve, Travis and Cami are safe and Donovan is able to convince Eve he never betrayed her and they all start their HEA together.

This was a good story. I liked the characters but felt a little disconnected from the romance, maybe because it all seemed to happen so fast. I still like the series and will be interested in trying out the next book. There's an indication that something is happening with Rusty and I'd really like to see what happens with her. Hopefully Banks can get back on her game with the next book. :)

Yay Van! Still want Harry Back

What made the experience of listening to After the Storm the most enjoyable?

The storyline kept me engaged. To me, it was believable given all that we have heard about Donovan in past books. And having had the experience, I am a fan of "love at first sight" stories. And I really appreciate that Rusty was more front and center in this book, in such a positive way. And of course, it was nice that Donovan's story happened in their own backyard.

What other book might you compare After the Storm to and why?

I try not to compare to other books, or I get crazy. In general, I like all of the books in this series, with Rio's and PJ's being my favorites so far.

Did Adam Paul do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I want Harry back. I will give Adam kudos for working to get better at narrating this series, however he needs to go back and listen to all of the characters in the first 5 books and work on it more. Steele still sound like a smoker. Marlene and Frank sound like they were old toothless hicks. And Resnick sounded like a young man. Thankfully he gave Rio his accent back.

For me, the publisher should know better than to change a narrator in the middle of the series if prior reviews have been favorable. Adam is a fine narrator, but not for this series. I know he does the entire Breathless Trilogy (Maya Banks), and while I only listened to 20 mins of the first book (don't care for this series), he sounded fine to develop the characters there.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I wouldn't.

Any additional comments?

Given that Donovan’s character was clearly defined in all of the prior books and even in this one, his attraction and need to protect Eve and her siblings is not really that far-fetched. I mean it’s a story, a very fun story. I like that Rusty cared enough to pay attention and want to help. I was happy to see Donovan happy finally. So now, it’s Joe’s time or even Rusty. That will cover the entire Kelly clan. I have no problem if it’s a periphery character again, like say Hancock or Resnick. And we could use a few novellas that focuses on all of the other team members. Those would be fun.

after the storm

I liked this book. Not my favorate, but a good story. It is just my personal opinion, but I really like Harry Berkeley as the narator. I hope Maya Banks goes with him for any other books. This guy was just Ok.

I love this series

What I enjoy about this series is that it could bee real life... I love the consistency of the characters from book to book and the tough issues the author addresses. This is the first book in the series I have listened to and I love how the narrator brings all the characters to life! On to the next book

Love this series

All of Maya Banks KGI books are a little similar. There are strong family ties and strong men and women of good character. I love that about the series. I also like the ideas of rescuing those who need it and adopting "strays" solidly into the family.

After the Storm

This is Donovan's story. He was called in by Shane to find out where a young man who asked for work lives. This young man had a haunted look about him that Shane recognized. Now when Donovan meets his sister Eve he is immediately smitten. (To the extent that many other readers were turned off.) That being said there were no missions to make this a suspense of rockem sockem drama known in the KGI books. This is closer to home and the little family were hiding from Eve's step father who had killed their mother in a fit of rage. There was more to the story about this also. But Van (aka Donovan) had his own dilima going on with his possessive attitude over them, it felt rushed and unrealistic. The narration was good and I have since gone on to the next story.

Worth the wait!!! Another great KGI book!

Where does After the Storm rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed this book along with the others from this series. Maya Bank always delivers!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Van is one of my favorites of the Kelly Clan. His gentleness was felt throughout this story as well as his fierce need to protect his family

What aspect of Adam Paul’s performance would you have changed?

His "hick-like" accents are horrible. Although this book is his best so far of the series his accent for Sam and Mama Kelly sound like they're from the backwoods yet the other Kelly brothers finally sound "normal" I like how he narrated for Sean's character with a strong voice but he needs to come up with a sound for the personality he's portraying. Joe was bad sounding like a surfer dude. Resnick was not at all like the gravely cigarette ridden voice he should have, rather he sounded younger than Donovan.

Any additional comments?

The story was good the narration better but I wish they never changed narrators mid series. Adam Paul doesn't have the grit in his voice needed for this series.

Aboslutely Loved It

What made the experience of listening to After the Storm the most enjoyable?

The story was great. The narrator made me feel he was telling ME the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of After the Storm?

When Eve, Cammie and Travis were trying to survive the tornado.

Which character – as performed by Adam Paul – was your favorite?

Donavan Kelly - he made him seem like a real person

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Finding love for Donavan Kelly was like a tornado. It struck hard and fast!

Any additional comments?

Definitely recommend it. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE VISITING THE KGI

If you could sum up After the Storm in three words, what would they be?

Drama, suspense, romance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of After the Storm?

Not sure. I always like revisiting the KGI and being drawn into their amazing lives of intrigue, suspense, alpha-maleness and romance. These stories have all the elements I crave in a good listen.

What about Adam Paul’s performance did you like?

I really like AP's performance. I think he's perfect for these book. I will take a good male performer over a female performer any day.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I would have to say, without spoiling anything, that there were quite a few, it was an overall good story.

Any additional comments?

This was not the best in the lives of the KGI but good nonetheless and anyone wanting to listen to this one, even though it could stand alone, should start with #1. Maya Banks always does a good job, at least in recent years with her story-telling.

Don't understand bad reviews

What did you like best about this story?

I am a survivor of spousal abuse and the author hit on all points. Once you are free of the abuse, you constantly question yourself. For me it is 20yrs later and I still have issues.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Don't make Marlene screech.

Any additional comments?

I almost skipped this book because of the bad reviews. I'm glad I listened.