#Thursday13 Books by Maya Banks

Maya Banks writes in several sub-genres of romance. You can check out all her books on Goodreads. I've just read her most recent highlander book but it made me wonder if there's not any genre she couldn't write well. In my head, I began listing my favorites and that led me to this week's Thursday 13. At the end is my review for Highlander Most Wanted, an Ultimate Indulgence.

My Favorite 13 Books by Maya Banks

1. Sweet Surrender, Sweet, #1
2. Rush, Breathless, #1
3. Stay With Me
4. The Darkest Hour, KGI #1
5. Hidden Away, KGI, #3
6. Whispers in the Dark, KGI, #4
7. Four Play, Anthology
8. Colters' Woman, Colters' Legacy, #1
9. Colters' Daughter, Colters' Legacy, #3
10. In Bed with a Highlander, McCabe Trilogy, #1
11. Never Love a Highlander, McCabe Trilogy, #3
12. Never Seduce a Scot, The Montgomerys and Armstrongs, #1

My most recent read is...
13. Highlander Most Wanted, The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2

In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.
 
Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

Highlander Most Wanted has a powerful message about inner-strength and personal integrity. The struggles of the heroine solidify the idea that no one can take your soul -your inner self- away from you despite any abuse they might perform. You can give it to them but they can't take that one thing from you.

Banks, in her traditional ways, created two amazingly strong individuals. Bowen is loyal to his family/ clan and has an intense sense of honor - perfect for Genevieve. She finds hope in Bowen despite accepting her fate to be less than she wanted for her life. Still, they are characters of their time. Banks does well in keeping to the period culture in creating characters who hold the passion of the Highlands in their essence. But then she exposes their souls which are no different than the souls of those living in this time current time period. Banks shows through the love stories that romance and love -people at their very cores- are equal regardless of the time period. As usual, Banks provides an evocative love story that in the end makes the reader smile.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries