In a brand new trilogy, Maya Banks explores three rich, dominant and powerful men -- Gabe, Jace and Ash. Each of these men are accustomed to getting what they want and are ruthless in their pursuit of pleasure. In the first book of the series, RUSH Banks pens a BDSM Erotic Romance that leans towards the extreme.

When Gabe Hamilton first set his eyes on Mia Crestwell, he knew he wanted her. His dominant side surfaces and when he strongly suggests Mia quit her job at a bakery to work as a personal assistant for him, Mia willingly follows his direction. After being burned in the past, Gabe has a habit of writing out a contact that bounds the woman he is currently with to him. It becomes just like it sounds -- all businesslike and lacking in emotion.

Though I have no problem with dominant personalities and submissive natures in characters, I cannot say I enjoyed Gabe and Mia together. Gabe is too overbearing and dominant, almost to the point of being crass and hurtful. He uses Mia in every sexual manner but then feels guilty for unleashing his beast side, only to do the exact same thing again and again. He humiliates her and doesn't feel the least bit apologetic about it. On the flipside, Mia displays areas of strength in her personality, but then becomes as boneless as an overcooked noodle in the next scene. I wished for more of a balance in their Dom/sub relationship where the Master and sub didn't have a distorted opinion of each other. I wished Gabe was more respectful of Mia and her feelings.

Maya Banks is an incredible writer and her words always seem to flow across the pages. It was really no effort on my part to read RUSH. However, the characters and their imbalanced personalities really affected the way I enjoyed this book. I didn't feel the romance and while the sex scenes are potent and hot, it didn't translate to a believable romance with the way Gabe treated his woman.

Banks also introduces Ash and Jace, the other two heroes who will each get their own book. I enjoyed their camaraderie and am looking forward to seeing how Banks tells each of their stories. The hint of humor Banks incorporates always brings a smile to my face, so I'm hopeful that Jace and Ash will impress me.