Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Keep Me Safe (Slow Burn #1) by Maya Banks


When Caleb Devereaux's younger sister is kidnapped, this scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot.

While Ramie can connect to victims and locate them by feeling their pain, her ability comes with a price. Every time she uses it, it costs her a piece of herself. Helping the infuriatingly attractive and impatient Caleb successfully find his sister nearly destroys her. Even though his sexual intensity draws her like a magnet, she needs to get as far away from him as she can.

Deeply remorseful for the pain he’s caused, Caleb is determined to make things right. But just when he thinks Ramie's vanished forever, she reappears. She’s in trouble and she needs his help. Now, Caleb will risk everything to protect her—including his heart. . . .

Type: Romantic Suspense-Paranormal-Psychics
Heat:3 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Keep Me Safe. I liked it. I really did. It was an exciting psychic based romantic suspense that got my blood pumping as the hunted becomes the hunter and a killer is brought down by the woman he's determined to get into his clutches. Psychics in romance are always intriguing to me and seriously I was ALL over this one. A good psychic is being hunted by a crazed psychic that has been out to get her since she helped the police save one of his victims and that has formed a mental connection with her that lets him basically stalk her. Ack! Yes, I was totally in on that!



Basically Caleb's baby sister has been kidnapped by a killer and he's willing to do anything to save her including tracking down a psychic--Ramie-- who can touch items and see where people are. The only problem is that Ramie's gifts have been killing her little by little since she literally takes on the pains and tortures of the people she's helping and helping Caleb is nearly the final straw that breaks her. Something that haunts him every day and he would do anything to make up for and that he's given the chance to make right when Ramie comes to him--desperate and scared out of her mind--after another psychic starts tormenting her and trying to make her his next victim.

The two were interesting. I really liked Ramie. She's one I think some could see as week but I think was incredibly strong for surviving years of torture and pain, being hunted and completely on her own with no one ever there to comfort her or support her. She's gone through hell for years helping others and basically being put through a psychic shock any time she touches an object or person--absorbing any dark thoughts or emotions from them. I can't imagine being constantly bombarded by that and still being a good person. She's damaged for sure and at her breaking point and in need of serious support but her heart is solid and the strength she had to keep going each day was admirable.

Then there's Caleb. Well he can be a jerk and hurts Ramie something fierce when they first met without knowing but he does everything he can to make up for what he's done. He's passionate and cares deeply for those around him. And once he's set his mind to something...he's going to make it happen. I really liked him in the end even with some way alpha male moments.

The secondary characters tested my nerves a bit. Caleb's siblings could be down right assholes towards Ramie which made me want to slap some people. The team working with them I was liking though and even the siblings in the end were edging closer to my happy side. It'll be interesting to see if I'll be able to like them as they get books.

The romance. Was a bit hard for me since it was pretty much an insta-love set up and those just rarely work for me. I did like them together though. They fit each other and there were some very sweet moments between them. They had nice chemistry and whew they could heat up the sheets though it wasn't overly done. It did move way too fast for me to find it all believable though when looking at the timeline of things. If there'd been a few more chapters in there before things got serious and the L word was thrown about or thought it would have meshed better for me and the book overall would have gotten a higher rating. When I could pretend it had been more than hours/days they worked for me no problem.
"If something happens to you I couldn't bear it, Caleb. I've ever loved anyone before and I have to tell you it sucks."

He laughed softly at her mournful tone and then he gathered her up in his arms, squeezing her tightly against him. He kissed the top of her head, smiling against her hair.

"I agree. It totally sucks," he said, still grinning. 
[editing to add] Was just talking to Sophia about character behavior and current behavior being justified sometimes because of what they've gone through in the past and it kind of made me think on this one and the insta-love aspect on the heroine's part. And it kind of makes sense to me in a way. She's spent her entire life on her own with absolutely no one caring about her then suddenly has a man that is interested and wants to take care of her. I can see how a bond could form pretty quickly under that circumstance. I still don't love that kind of insta-set up but maybe seeing how it could happen here a little better.
The suspense was rather creepy and could be gory. And was my favorite part of the book. lol It's one you have to be rather open minded on since it's psychics and having to do with the mental connections created between them. It's one that if it were possible gah it would really freak you out having someone in your mind, controlling your actions, taunting you, knowing everything that's happening around you and using that to break you down bit by it until they can get to you. I mean. Holy shit that would be terrifying. And it made for some gut churning moments as they tried to stop this killer from getting Ramie or harming any other women.

Keep Me Safe was an interesting start to the series and has me curious what will happen next. While it wasn't a perfect read it was entertaining and kept me interested which, you know, is what it's all about. It's not going to be the read for everyone but for those who like psychic based romances and can overlook some insta-love in exchange for a creeptastic storyline and a sweet romance it's worth the read for sure. 

Have you read Banks?
Do you have a favorite Romantic Suspense or Psychic based romance?

More Banks on herding cats!

Follow on Bloglovin

[Are you a blogger? Leave your link so I can visit you too! ~Anna]

No comments:

Post a Comment

I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

Bloggers don't forget to leave your links!
~Anna

The Herd Archives