Burn (Breathless #3) by Maya Banks

Burn is the third book in the Breathless Series about three wealthy, powerful businessmen and best friends named Gabe, Jace, and Ash. Each book focuses on a different man and the previous books - Rush and Fever - were phenomenal page turners full of drama, romance, and sex.

Burn focuses on Ash, the most sexually adventurous of the three. Now that Gabe and Jace has each found their matches, Ash finds himself on the outside looking in for the first time in his life. His best friends are no longer interested in living the life they had been living, and Ash is left feeling restless and unfulfilled. All that changes when Ash meets Josie, a woman who appears to be immune to his charms. In an instant, Ash knows that he has to have her and instantly sets out to make her his.

I REALLY wanted to love this book, but I just didn't. After the first two book my expectations were sky high, but as much as I hate to admit it, Burn did not live up to those expectations. I expected Burn to be the best of the three, but instead it felt so tame and almost pedestrian compared to the other two, which was extremely surprising. Ash was always billed as the most adventurous sexually, I mean he had several wild threesomes with Jace! I expected his book to be full of drama and scenes that would require cold showers like the previous two novels....not what I got at all.

Ash and Josie's relationship came together almost too quickly and there was very little drama. The other novels were dripping with drama and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. There was so much potential for drama too - Ash's family, his past "relationship" with Bethany, the thing with Michael. What little drama there was didn't appear until the last quarter of the book and even that was quickly and neatly resolved. The whole thing just felt too easy and was a complete let down. Having said all of this, I did like the book. I enjoy Maya's writing style and I love these characters. Jace's book is still the best out the series in my opinion and I still recommend picking up this series, just keep in mind that the first two books far outshine the last.  

Rush & Fever (The Breathless Trilogy) by Maya Banks

This scintillating and deliciously evocative trilogy is centered around three wealthy, successful best friends and business partners: Gabe Hamilton, Jace Crestwell, and Ash McIntyre. They work hard, play harder, and are used to getting everything they want, when they want it.

Book One: Rush
For Gabe Hamilton getting what he wants is complicated, because what he wants more than anything is Mia. The problem? Mia is Jace's little sister. Gabe has watched Mia from afar as she grew up and now that she is all grown up, he is determined to have her. Gabe has starred in Mia's fantasies for years and when she sees him at an opening for his latest hotel, Mia is instantly intrigued by Gabe and what he has to offer.

Gabe, having suffered a public and messy divorce, begins all of his relationships with a contract. A contract that gives him complete and utter control and Mia finds herself being sucked into Gabe's provocative world. Their secret relationship is consuming and obsessive, but as obsession begins to turn into something more, Gabe will have to face and overcome his demons in order to keep Mia, risking not only his friendships, his business, but also his heart.

Loved this book from beginning to end! If you are a fan of Fifty Shades you will love this series. Gabe is deliciously hot and there are plenty of steamy scenes. He is everything you want in a fantasy guy - rich, powerful, domineering and beautifully broken. I liked the character of Mia as well. Although she was supposed to be submissive, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and set her own limits. I will warn you that a few of the scenes are a bit much, so if you have issues with bondage and the like, you might want to skip this one. For me this ranks up there with 50 and has earned the title of Guilty Pleasure.

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Book Two: Fever
Jace and Ash have shared everything for years, including their women. However when Jace meets Bethany, he finds himself wanting her all to himself. Bethany is down on her luck and has been living on the streets for the past 4 years. She works odd jobs and often doesn't know where her next meal is coming from. When Ash offers her the opportunity to spend the night with himself and Jace, she jumps at the chance to escape reality, even if it is only temporary. From the beginning, there is an instant attraction and pull between Jace and Bethany. When Bethany disappears after spending a steamy night with Jace and Ash, Jace becomes determined to find her and make her his. Despite the love they feel for each other, they both have issues that threaten to unravel their relationship.

I loved Rush, but Fever was even more amazing. It was sexier, steamier, and I love the characters even more. So far this is a series that is only getting better and I have high expectations for book three. Jace is my favorite so far out of the three guys and I feel like the characters in this book had a lot more depth. The story was better developed and this was definitely a "full throttle" book from start to finish. I even found myself blushing while reading some of the scenes, as the raunchiness factor is definitely amped up in book. Another must read guilty pleasure!

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Book Three: Burn
Coming August 2013
Mine is already pre-ordered :)