Please note trigger warningsThey think they can break her.But if life hasn’t succeeded,how can four men?Now she’ll fight for freedom — and revenge.~ Terror and forbidden desire stalk the heart of the Australian Outback ~A trip to the beach with her elementary school class turns into teacher Kayla Petrovic’s worst nightmare. Abducted. Held for ransom.For years, Kayla’s believed she’s nothing more … ransom.
For years, Kayla’s believed she’s nothing more than the whore of her alcoholic mother’s taunts, trading her body for a roof, clothes, and money, using men’s hearts to heal her emptiness. But when the kidnappers threaten her students, she’ll sacrifice everything, including the last vestige of her self-respect, to save them.
Hardened army veteran, Captain Nick West, bears his own scars–not all of them visible.
He knows how to handle a world turned to shit. He’ll get in, retrieve the hostages, and get out, doing little damage–except to the kidnappers. They’re fair game. What he doesn’t expect is the kick in the chest–worse than the recoil on a sniper’s rifle–of recognizing there’s something special about the woman he rescues. But, after years of avoiding emotional intimacy, he’s sure as hell not interested in her.
Refusing to be labeled a victim, but haunted by PTSD-induced nightmares and ashamed of her illicit desire for Nick, Kayla craves the sweet release of a blade. When a kidnapper tracks her down, hell-bent on revenge, will she find the strength to cast off the demons of her past and save not only herself, but the one man she may be able to love?
The Bent, Not Broken series:
Stories of the immense strength of women facing almost insurmountable odds, and the men who will love them–if they are allowed.
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**10++ Stars** I cannot compliment this author highly enough. Any & every positive adjective I am able to think of applies to her writing as well as the plot of this haunting, gut wrenching, emotionally torturous yet inspiring story of Kayla (h), a young Australian woman with a traumatic & tortured past attempting to survive her life, literally day to day on her own.
Kayla has survived decades of abuse, physical & mental, from the time she was a small child. The 2 people that should have cared for her most certainly did not. And Kayla, after a lifetime of experiencing doctors, teachers & authorities ignoring or overlooking her abuse due to their laziness or desire to ‘believe’ her pitiful cover stories, has learned the ONLY one that she may depend on, that cares about her, that won’t abandon her, is her.
And finally, she’s found a small rural outback town where she hopes she’ll be able to quietly do what she loves: teach & work with children. But then, coming home from a weekend outing with several of her very young charges, they are brutally slammed into a horrific H*ll that will take all Kayla’s survival abilities, techniques & luck to survive, much less escape . . . .
Then there is Nick (H #1), a seasoned, tough, hard career military man, expert in rescuing victims kidnapped by terrorists, veteran of multiple combat tours in the Middle East & superb at ‘compartmentalizing’ emotions, actions & memories in order to get up each new day & fight again. Huge, muscled & a man of integrity who knows right from wrong as well as what needs to be done to fight wrong & in no way hesitant to do it. Unsure why his group has been tasked to rescue 6 young children & their teacher from the middle of a sun blasted & seared Australian desert all he knows is the mission needs to be handled with military planning, precision & expertise. And he & his men are the ones able to do it. Yet what he & his men find will rock Nick to his very core & may shatter a lifetime of control . . . .
And also there is Colley (H #2), Nick’s brother in arms & military medic, he is seasoned, firm, kind, tough & experienced yet Colley has managed to retain his humor & ‘joie de vivre’ while being focused, intuitive, concerned & serious when called for. I adored Colley’s character so d*mn much! He resonated so intensely for me. What a superbly outstanding soldier, medic, FRIEND & support he was: for both Nick who was neck deep in uncharted emotional waters & Kayla one hairsbreadth from shattering into a million fragments. And firmly but thoughtfully, Colley attempts to help guide Nick & Kayla to some type of healing & self acceptance . . . .
On top of ALL the fantastic characterizations, the riveting plot & the writing itself, the author did a stellar job with the Australian locales. I don’t know if her writing just truly hit all my buttons but at times I almost felt like *I* was sweating, parched, gasping for air with the characters. I was completely enthralled in the ambiance & emotions, the tension & terror, the suspense & agony. I was sucked into this one with the 1st chapter & read straight through in one sitting.
I’ve gone on at length about this one but very, very few books have so entranced, moved or emotionally affected me as ‘Malicious Desire’.
This book is DARK, has a multitude of triggers but IS very inspirational.
The extent to which this book impressed me was downright magical.
I so look forward to more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a compelling story and not for the faint hearted, it tells the story of school teacher Kayla Petrovic and what happens when she is abducted and held for ransom with her six young students, the four abductors are vicious and nasty men and Kayla will do whatever is needed to save the kids, her strength and courage abounds.
Kayla has been abused all of her life from a drunken mother, she has no respect for herself and has done some terrible things in her young life to keep a roof over her head and food on the table. She has been doing so well went to university became a teacher and is loving her role in a small outback school, she is a loner and is not a mixer with people and doesn’t like to answer questions. Taking her young charges on a school excursion to the beach should have been fun and it was until the bus trip home, when everything went wrong.
Army veteran Captain Nicholas West doesn’t do love or emotion, he works hard a has been through tours of Afghanistan and Iraq he is best friends with medic Steve Colley when they are called in to find and save a school teacher and her students being held for ransom in the desert, he can do this, this is what he does well, oh but when they rescue Kayla nothing can compare to what state they find her in after being tortured, he cannot believe the strength she shoes as they walk out of the desert, he feels something special for this woman, could it be love, he knows he needs to protect her at all costs.
What can I say I had to keep turning the pages as Kayla dealt with so much, not only PTSD but her feelings from her past and there is no way she wanted to be known as a victim in her mind she wasn’t at all, her mother always told her she was no good, and then one of her attackers finds her, he is after revenge, she knew he would find her. Nick is the right person for Kayla if only she can let him in, but there is a lot to get through and Nick is very patient. Kayla would have to be one of the strongest heroines I have ever read truly, this book moved me, what can I say? I am sure MS Kaye must have been exhausted after writing this one it is so well written. I do recommend this one, but it packs an emotional punch.
A broken heroine who rises from the ashes of her past to find a future filled with hope. A scarred hero who, while saving the heroine, is also saved himself. Highly recommended.
This is a must-read book as far as I am concerned but be warned it is not for the faint of heart it has a tough storyline and will have triggers for some. My heart just broke at everything Kayla went through and how she struggled after being rescued by Nick. This is such a good well-written book and I would definitely recommend it. I will definitely be checking out more from this author
Her life has not been easy but it is about to get much worse when she is at the beach with her students. She offers herself to save her students and so she is taken and her life goes downhill even further. He is damaged and he goes and save those that are taken. He saves her but she starts to feel something for her but all she wants is to die. What will happen if the kidnapper reappears? Will she die? Will she fight? See how she gets on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great characters that will keep your interest extremely well.
The chemistry, sweetness, and twists in plot kept things interesting.
Add in a wee bit of drama and you have a good read.
I was very impressed with how simply and effortlessly this author told this addicting, multi-layered story with well-developed world building and great characters and still manage to make romance feel so fresh!
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I have been on a knife edge since the first page, what an explosive read, everything you want in an intense, Dark romantic suspense is her definitely need more from this author. Kayla was driving the school bus with her students on board kids of seven years old or less, when she stops for a breakdown, only this isn’t a breakdown this is a kidnap and Kayla will do anything to protect her charges. T.A.G. Capt Nick West just wanted to get the job done, get in rescue kids and teacher and be out, until Nick sees Kayla his colleague and friend medic Colley have a job trying to stem her wounds just to move her, with three of four men in custody one is still loose, Nick want to save Kayla who thinks she can’t be saved, she also knows Thomas won’t ever let her go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have never read anything by this author before and so I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but the cover and the blurb looked great. This plot is set in Australia and so that stood out and made it a bit more unique in itself as I don’t get to read many books set there. The author has placed some trigger warnings on this book and do take them seriously. As I read this book had me in tears in some places, so a box of tissues near by might be helpful. Kayla is one strong determined woman who steps up to the plate and takes everything that is dished out and then still comforts her students, this character is amazing. This truly is an awesome story, it’s one that I found it hard to put down even when I could hardly see the words due to tears. If you only read one book this month, then make it this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This author always delivers gripping suspense, fantastic chemistry and well developed characters that are interesting and engaging. The characters are developed and easy to like. The plot was interesting and not one I have come across before. The book is really well written with great main and supporting characters. The book is packed with chemistry, suspense, hot-headed individuals and fantastic surprises! This Author did another fantastic job with this book and I would highly recommend this to all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an action packed suspense filled romance story.When Kayla and the five students she’s on her way back to take them to their parents. They are stopped by some men and taken hostage they plan on getting random for the kids and tell her that she’s their entertainment while they wait.Kayla has had such a emotionally scarring childhood she goes to do whatever it takes to protect the children. Kayla ensures being repeatedly raped by the four men beaten and tortured when they are rescued by the military special forces one huge soldier tells her his name is Nick an that he won’t let anyone hurt her again that he’ll protect her she passes out and they stop for the night until they can be picked up by rescue Capt.Nicks best friend Colley is the medic for his team when they get ready to camp he watches as Kayla goes to the stream to wash up but she passes out an he carries her to a tent calling Colley to check her out.Volley thought her blouse had just dirt from the cave but when he peels it off her he can’t believe how bad her back is an the torture this poor woman has to have under gone he’s thankful she’s passed out but he can’t give her anything for pain because her blood pressure is too low. He tells Nick to hold her still so he can clean and bandage her back.Then he says he needs to take her clothes off to see what else has been done to her.When he sees the damage done to Kayla he can’t believe she’s still alive they are waiting for a Help to take her to the hospital but the Commanding officer comes and says she’s to stay there at camp until they can decide what to do.Because the media will find out how bad she is hurt and blame the military for waiting so long. Dr. Is flown in and he tells Volley to help when Nick is holding her hand and Dr say he will have to hold her down so he can stitch her up.He’s not sure he can stand to see this woman in even more pain. Will Nick find himself falling in love with Kayla?Will Kayla fall for Nick but feel she’s afraid she doesn’t deserve to have any man fall in love with her.When she’s had to do whatever is necessary to survive.yes are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain .I can hardly wait to see what’s next by this multi talented author.
Teacher Kayla is driving a group of school children back from the coast when they are kidnapped.
Driving The school bus along the endless seeming road in the extreme heat Teacher Kayla was glad that the children had all now settled down to sleep when she noticed something on the road ahead and as she got closer she saw three man standing blocking the road. When she stops the bus thinking they might need assistance the men board the bus and remove them at gun point. Putting them into the back of a truck they head into the dessert. Captain Nick West as part of the Australian Defense Force. Tactical Assault Group head off in search of a teacher and six children hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. Be warned the are scenes that may act as triggers,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I cryed, I rejoyced, I hurt, and I hoped.
This story shows the best and the worst of humanity. Even when doing good it sometimes feels like evil to a person who has had choice taken from them.
This is a story of survival at its most primal level, keeping alive even when you wish you were dead, because that is the only way the pain will go away. Staying alive at first for others until you can heal enough to stay alive for yourself.
This is the 5th bok of Layne Kaye’s I have read and everyone has been a book I want in hard back to read again and again. Her books grab me and play with my emotions like Elton John playing a piano. She is truly an author that must be read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Malicious Desire is darker than any Laney Kaye book that I’ve read, but it is no less spectacular and captivating.
Our heroine, Kayla is a teacher driving her students back from a field trip when she is stopped and abducted (along with the children) by four men. She does everything in her power to protect the kids until our hero, Nick, and his fellow soldiers rescue them. Battling PTSD and these new feelings she has for Nick, we get to watch as Kayla navigates life after hell.
This is an incredible story to watch unfold, but be warned: it is dark. The author does not skim over the details that might make you shutter. But that makes the story all that more entrancing because we get to see we why Kayla struggles to ever let her guard down again. If you like your romance on the lighter side, do not read this book. However, if you like to see how love can prevail even in the darkest of time this is a must read!!