REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Santori
SERIES: Santori Trilogy #1
AUTHOR: Maris Black
PUBLISHER: Maris Black
LENGTH: 230 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2017
BLURB:
THE KAGE SAGA CONTINUES…
Michael Kage Santori has just inherited a thriving hotel and millions of dollars. He’s poised to become an MMA champion. Things couldn’t be better between him and his college boy lover, Jamie Atwood— especially in the bedroom, where Jamie is more than eager to let Kage take out his aggressions on him.
Kage seems to have it all, but success and happiness have come at a steep price. After all of the childhood trauma he endured at the hands of his controlling uncle, Peter Santori, it’s a miracle Kage has any shred of sanity left. And now, because of him, Jamie is a murderer.
More than anything, Kage wants to be good. He wants the be the kind of man who is worthy of Jamie’s love, but fate has other ideas. His uncle’s legacy has a stranglehold on him, and it keeps dragging him further and further down a rabbit hole from which there seems no escape. Worst of all… Kage knows he’s going to pull Jamie down right along with him, and he would rather die than let that happen.
REVIEW:
First and foremost, fitness model Mike Chabot, will forever and always be Michael Kage. There isn’t a more perfect person to play that part, and I’m glad his story is continuing here. Secondly, if you have not yet read the original Kage Trilogy, go back and do so now, as that is where this story all started, and this is a continuation that picks up right where that left off.
Ms. Black has successfully continued with the theme, characterizations, feelings, etc. that were present throughout the original series, and it only takes a few paragraphs for it to all come rushing back. Kage and Jamie are trying to pick up the pieces after Santori’s demise, and while things were rough before, they are no real picnic now that he’s gone. With the stipulation that Kage cannot sell any part of the business for two years, Kage is determined to get on top of things, to make the business thrive and to eliminate any possible illegal goings on which will only help keep Jamie safe.
Unfortunately, as I said, Santori’s reach is still being felt and there are definitely things afoot that pose danger to both Kage and Jamie. But, trying to carry the load himself while figuring things out is starting to take its toll on their relationship. Will Kage get a handle on things before Jamie runs out of patience? Time will tell, as this is just the beginning.
The story takes a bit of a turn about 3/4 of the way through when Kage learns of Santori’s journals. I was unsure of this at first, selfishly wanting the focus back on Kage and Jamie. However, it didn’t take long before I was sucked into the story just as much as Kage was. I really don’t want to like Santori at all, but hot damn, was I on board learning about his earlier life.
Of course, this ends in a bit of a cliffy with lots of stuff up in the air. I was gobbling up pages like pack man on speed, and really cannot wait for the next installment! So good to have Kage and Jamie back, and even though I was frustrated with them at various points throughout, I so badly want them to find happiness and some day make it to that island life Kage has dreamed up for them. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out. Highly recommend.
RATING: 