Reviewer: Holly and Daphne Colters' Woman by Maya Banks
Series: Colters Legacy #1
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publication Date: April 6th 2010
Genres: Fiction, Erotica
Pages: 337
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Series Rating:
Holly Bardwell is running from her past mistakes. Straight into the arms of the Colter brothers.
Colters’ Legacy, Book 1
Adam, Ethan and Ryan aren’t looking for women. They’re looking for a woman. One woman they know will share their lives and their beds. They’re losing hope they’ll find her, that is until Adam discovers Holly lying in the snow just yards from their cabin. Adam knows she’s the one the minute he holds her in his arms, and as soon as his brothers see her, they know it too. The only problem is convincing Holly of that fact—and protecting her from the danger of her past.
This book has been re-edited and revised. Includes an expanded ending and a new, never-before published short story sequel.
Warning: This title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, ménage a quatre, violence.
Daphne and I read Colters’ Woman by Maya Banks at about the same time and have often discussed it (we even re-enacted one of the scenes – you have to scroll way down to read it, under the heading Foursomes Are Fun – once…because we were curious). So the other day when I decided to review it, I emailed Daph and asked if she wanted to review it with me.
Daphne: This is my favorite Maya Banks book. Hard to say whether or not I’d recommend it as a first read for first time MB readers. It was my first and I enjoyed it so much it got me hooked on MB. But compared to CW, her other reads are just not as good. So for me, this is the benchmark.
Holly: I haven’t read any of her other works. I think I have 2 or 3 sitting in my TBR pile, I just haven’t gotten to them yet. Which now that I think about it really surprises me, because I truly enjoyed CW.
I love the idea that three men can live together with one woman and not suffer from jealousy. It’s an interesting concept and worked well in the fantasy setting of the book.
The main reason I liked the story line was because MB didn’t try to make any excuses for why the men were like that. No sick and twisted childhood past that made them have to bond that way, or show each other they loved their brothers. (You know which storyline I’m comparing it to!)
H: I think that’s the best part of this story. The Brothers wanted to share one woman just because they wanted to. That worked very well for me.
I recently read another review for this book (Jill D.’s) and in it the reviewer says she found the brothers to be rather one dimensional. Thinking back on it, I guess I have to agree. None of them really had any depth. Well, with the exception of Ryan, and I don’t really feel that was fully explored. Ethan especially seemed to fade into the background. And you’re right, he did get the shaft in the sex scenes (no, not literally). Poor Ethan.
I did really enjoy the way they were determined to take care of Holly, though. What woman doesn’t want three men, fully devoted to her every need?
D: I know, at first they took care of her by keeping her safe from her crazy husband, Mason. Then it just evolved into them wanting to take care of her, always. They wouldn’t even let her cook for them. Man, where do I sign up for that treatment?
I think the only thing that really bothered me in this story was the fact that Holly was a virgin. Talk about extreme. We’ve been through this before, but let’s bring it up again. Holy cow, what a way to lose your virginity!
H: So true! I’m sorry, but I really can’t get over her first time. Yes, it was hot to read, but afterwards the only thing I could think was…OUCH! Three at once? For your very first time? Probably not so much.
And is it just me, or did the brothers not really seem to take too much care with her, all things considered? I mean, for as concerned as they seemed to be about taking care of her, they didn’t really seem to worry too much about the fact that she was a virgin their first time together. They just sort of lined up, one after another.
D: Yes, I believe the line was,
“Ryan stopped all too soon, but Adam was there to take his place. They began taking turns… Three, four, five thrusts, then another would take his place.”
Good point. All things considered, that’s not exactly being gentle to a virgin.
What did you think of Holly though? I didn’t think she was that bad, mainly because I was too focused on the brothers, but she did have a few moments where I couldn’t help but laugh at her. Like when the light bulb went off in her head as she realized Mason only married her for her money. Or when she got hit by the car. Man, so much for the brothers protecting her on that one.
H: Exactly! See, that’s just wrong for a virgin. But you’re right, the sex scenes are steamy.
I think she was an alright heroine. She wasn’t too stupid to live, but then she wasn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the box, either. I guess my feelings for her are pretty “meh”. She didn’t really inspire me one way or the other.
Speaking of Mason, what did you think about the whole suspense plot? Personally, I thought it was pretty weak. Mason didn’t really seem all that scary, and I’m kind of surprised at the way it ended.
D: Meh is exactly the word I’d use. Although, did you read Colters’ Wife? It’s a very short story after this one, almost like an Epilogue. But yah, she acts even more dumb in that one.
I agree about Mason. I don’t see what the big deal with Mason was, it’s not like he’s the one that shot Ryan. He just hired some goon to do his dirty work. And the suspense kinda died early, while the last several chapters just revolved around them all being in the hospital. Pretty weak I think.
H: I did read Colters’ Wife and I agree, she was even worse in that one.
Despite our issues, though, we really did enjoy it. Its not a literary masterpiece, but its good for what it is. Plus, the sex scenes were really hot. We’re going to give it a:
4 out 5
Ths book is available from Samhain Publishing. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Ween, you still haven’t read this? OMGWTF?!? Why not?? I thought you had.
Yowza, I have to put this at the top of my tbb list. Can’t believe I haven’t read it yet.
Ween – I can’t believe you haven’t read it either, considering our foursome. 😉
Chantal – Yah be sure to inform me if you find another menage that has scenes like this one. I too am still searching. 😉
I was just thinking about re-reading this book. I enjoyed it lots as well. Yes, some of the characters were not totally fleshed out but the sex was HOT 😛
LOL, now the foursome thing again! haha…Dude, I’ve never read this book but I feel like I have!
Hey Daphne! Great review guys!
I love this book. Love love love it.
I have yet to read a menage book, by anyone, that even comes close to being as good as this one.
There has been a lot of internet talkage about this book and I enjoyed the review. So it’s good for the sex and, well, that’s good to know. 😉
Have you, Holly or Daphne, read the Men of August series by Lora Leigh? Because it sounds like the same basic premise of that series; three brothers/one woman type of thing.
kmont,
It’s similar in theme to LL. Yes, the brothers share one woman, but in LL’s Men of August series there’s a (IMO) rather lame reason for it. In this book the brother share just because they want to share. Also, they choose one woman and that’s that. There isn’t a woman for each of them.
Hi KMont-
Yes, I’ve read the August Brothers series, and I agree with Holly… it’s sort of the same but the Aug Bros seemed to have a messed up reason for sharing. The Colters share because, well, they’re just downright dirty. =P Works for me.
Ahhh, I gets it now. Dirty for the sake of dirty works just as well for me!