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Songbird

by Maya Banks

3.81 · rating details · 533 ratings · 20 reviews

The voice of an angel, a husband who loved her-she had it all...until a tragedy took it away. A Linger story. They called her their Songbird, but she was never theirs. Not in the way she wanted. The Donovan brothers meant everything to Emily, but rejected by Greer and Taggert, she turned to Sean, the youngest. He married her for love, and she loved him, but she also loved ...more

ebook, 199 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (first published August 15th 2009)

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Best Erotica

194th out of 445 books — 316 voters

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37th out of 81 books — 40 voters

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Oct 13, 2009

Holly rated it

Shelves: romantica-erotica, maya-banks

*If you're planning to read this book you had best get used to all the flying bird references now. So I'll do my best to break you in ;)*

Growing up in Montana with a strict conservative father was difficult for Emmy, especially when all she wanted to do was spread her wings and sing her heart out. Emmy used to escape to the Donovan Mountain Pass Ranch whenever she was able to sneak past her disapproving father and within the protective bubble of the Donovan brothers, Emmy nurtured he...more*If you're planning to read this book you had best get used to all the flying bird references now. So I'll do my best to break you in ;)*

Growing up in Montana with a strict conservative father was difficult for Emmy, especially when all she wanted to do was spread her wings and sing her heart out. Emmy used to escape to the Donovan Mountain Pass Ranch whenever she was able to sneak past her disapproving father and within the protective bubble of the Donovan brothers, Emmy nurtured her childlike adoration into a woman's love for Taggert, Greer and Sean. Once her ticket to singing stardom was assured, Emmy hoped to fulfill all her childhood dreams by going to her home away from home and asking the brothers to love her, as she's always loved them. Unfortunately, her dream is not only left unfulfilled, they are shattered by Taggert and Greer's shocked and cutting rejection of her. She runs away, only to be met by Sean who agrees to leave with her, and the two of them indulge in a wonderful yet shortlived romance. For someone is disgusted by Emmy and her dreams of loving three brothers. And when that disgust ends in the murder of Sean, this songbird cages herself away for a year, slowly losing the will to live. It's only when Taggert and Greer come for her that she emerges from her self imposed isolation and dares to dream again.

Taggert and Greer can never forgive themselves for rejecting Emmy when she came to them, nor will they forget that only Sean had the courage to admit that he always loved Emmy. And when that courage ended in his death, they will never be able to forgive that they left their youngest brother to die in what should have been their place. So a year after Sean's death, they come for Emmy, determined to bring her home. They coax their wounded songbird back to life, urging her to live, to laugh and to love once more. Once unnerved by their joined passion for Emmy, Taggert and Greer learn to revel in it instead. And it's this very passion that once again brings out someone angered by their love. Determined to bring this songbird plummeting to earth, someone close reveals themself as a killer, and it's only with the love of all three brothers that Emmy finds her wings again and and learns to soar higher than she's ever gone.

Songbird opens up right after the death of Sean and our first look at our heroine is pretty depressing. She's pretty much a closed off emotional wreck and a year after her husband's death she's still hiding. But instead of rolling my eyes and making hurry-up-get-over-it motions (as I've been known to heartlessly do) I was too busy wiping tears away. Maya Banks has created a sad, wounded little bird in Emmy Donovan and she ruthlessly tugs on the heartstrings. This one is going to hurt a bit. If you've ever suffered a devastating loss before this book will definitely strike a chord within you.

As far as the menage went, I liked how the brothers were uncertain of how the relationship was supposed to work. These were men who never dreamed they would one day find themselves naked together and loving the same woman. But since fumbling men doesn't make for a very erotic romance, once we get our heroes and heroine naked in bed, they all move together like clockwork.

At times Emmy was a little doll-like. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more personality from her, but at the end when confronted by the person who tried to destroy her life, she let out a few choice comments that definitely had me cheering. So all in all this was a nice little story and I'm glad I read it. There's nothing particularly earth shattering about this book, but if you're looking for something sweet, sexy and a little emotional, then Songbird by Maya Banks definitely delivers. 4 stars.(less)

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Oct 25, 2010

Judith rated it

A very readable and romantic story, right in the Maya Banks menage genre, of a woman who is devastated by the murder of her husband, a man who had rescued her from an abusive father and who had been the love of her life--along with his two brothers. Problem: Seth's two brothers had rejected her love, sending her home to a father that beat her for loving them and who believed her love of anything other than folk or religious music to be sinful. Now she is a grieving and broken woman, sick in ...more

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Sep 11, 2009

Erotic Horizon rated it

3.75 Stars

The Donovan brothers have come into the city for one thing and one thing only - to get Emily their songbird.

Emily is hiding from not only the here and now but also from her dead husband’s brothers. After making some harsh choices years earlier she is now feel guilty and like she has nothing let – Taggert and Greer have found her to prove her wrong.

The brother are torn about a decision they made years ago and know they have to make it right and do ...more3.75 Stars

The Donovan brothers have come into the city for one thing and one thing only - to get Emily their songbird.

Emily is hiding from not only the here and now but also from her dead husband’s brothers. After making some harsh choices years earlier she is now feel guilty and like she has nothing let – Taggert and Greer have found her to prove her wrong.

The brother are torn about a decision they made years ago and know they have to make it right and do it now. With Emily care and well being uppermost in their mind they throw caution to the wind and let her know all the things they wanted to tell her but never had the guts to do so.

Something had to give with Emily and hearing those words from Taggert and Greer is a defining moment – but is it one that any of these three can survive because something sinister is lying await just for the day that Emily comes back – and she is definitely back.

When I read Ms. Banks - COLTER’S WOMAN a few years ago I fell in love with her writing style as well as her gift for putting relationships together that seem not to have a ghost of a chance of survival…

I have been having a love hate thing happening with me and her last set of books and SONGBIRD fall in the not “doing it for me” category. There was no way I was not going to read it though because, come on - it a Maya Banks – I had to read it…

The story was mostly centred on the emotional journey of Emily and the brothers pulling up their sock to realise that they had to do something about the gap in their life that only Emily can fill. I am not liking Emily alot – she was just too broken for my taste – That sound horrible, but I couldn’t sympathise with her after a while and only got interest in her when the smut started happening.

The men were typical Banks men – Alpha and know it all and yet knew nothing, but I likes them and their moments of bravado was not bad.

Fan of Ms. Banks work you have to read – new readers you’ll like her style and be out hunting for more from this author.(less)

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Nov 29, 2009

Janna rated it

Shelves: menage, m-f

I’ve read a few books by Maya Banks before and I liked them most of the times. The first ménage romance I read was her Colters’ Woman, I think. That was a hot read that I enjoyed quite a bit. Songbird is another one of her ménage stories. Again it involves some hot ranching brothers. Originally there were three siblings, like in Colters’ Woman, but in this story one of them died an early and violent death. He was the one who was married to the heroine, Emmy. She loves all three of the brothers b...moreI’ve read a few books by Maya Banks before and I liked them most of the times. The first ménage romance I read was her Colters’ Woman, I think. That was a hot read that I enjoyed quite a bit. Songbird is another one of her ménage stories. Again it involves some hot ranching brothers. Originally there were three siblings, like in Colters’ Woman, but in this story one of them died an early and violent death. He was the one who was married to the heroine, Emmy. She loves all three of the brothers but the older two rejected her a few years back. Now with their younger brother dead, those brothers came to take Emmy back home and help her get over her grief. So far, the ingredients are promising. And the first third of the story was promising too. The characters were introduced, their feelings explained and their relationship was gradually developing into something beautiful. Emmy’s grief was heart-wrenching and the brothers were adorable in their behavior and insecurities.

However, the first thing that bugged me a little bit and took my out of the story was a description of Greer’s appearance. If it was done somewhere at the start of the story, it would’ve been okay, but now it came at a moment that I’d already made my own mental picture of the guys. Suddenly he’s described as bulky and the shorter one of the brothers and that so didn’t match my image of the guy!

Well, this is just a minor thing, but a bigger problem for me was the sudden appearance of a kidnapper (can’t say much about that without spoiling it). Let’s just say, that turn in the plot came out of the blue for me. Maybe I’m not enough of a perceptive reader and should have seen it coming. But I didn’t and to be honest I don’t think the story needed this kind of suspense. I reckoned it all a bit too unbelievable! Besides, it reminded me very much of what happened at the end of Colters’ Woman… In my opinion it smelled of sensationalism, just added to jerk some more tears. And truthfully, the story didn’t need that plot turn to be a tearjerker. Like I said, Emmy’s grief was heart-wrenching enough. That part was imo written beautifully.

Another thing I liked was how the brothers were insecure about how to make this polyamorous relationship work, unlike the heroes of Colters’ Woman, who were all resolute about sharing one woman for the rest of their lives. Nope, not Taggert and Greer! Initially they turned Emmy down and even now they’d come to terms with it, they don’t really know how to act. That made them loveable for me. Of course things in the bedroom go smoothly from the first moment, but that’s how things (should?) go in romances! Right?

To conclude, reading Songbird wasn’t a waste of time, it has it’s good moments but it’s not one of my favorite ménage romances.(less)

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Feb 15, 2011

Andrea rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: cowboy-romance-smut

I liked the story, but I was a little confused because I don't see how after losing her husband and locking herself in her apartment for a year and being pretty much numb and not really living just going through the motions, Emily could go back home with her ex-husband's brothers, and suddenly after two days she's ok and having sex with them?! I know she's always loved them all, but just a little odd to me.

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Feb 08, 2011

Aimee (Coffee Table Reviews) rated it

Shelves: 2011

Maya Banks just has a way with crafting a great story. I just loved this. It encompassed every emotion while not making it seem fake or stretched or too fast. I wanted to cry through most of this, and while most of the time I hate that, but this was just so heartfelt that I had to keep reading. I wanted to see Emily get her happily ever after and to be able to live again. Wonderful story.

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Apr 04, 2010

Mspink rated it

I think the synopsis pretty much summarizes what this story is about. I can't tell you what a heart warming and yet heart wrenching book this was. The gut deep pain these characters were experiencing due to the loss of their brother and Her husband. She loved all of them so much. It was palpable. These men absolutely adored Emmy and all of them were dealing with alot of guilt for their own reasons through the years. It was a beautiful tale of love and coming to terms with life and how it is so u...more

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Jun 19, 2010

Sarah Horton rated it

Another classic of stupid men thinking they know what's best for everyone - and who knows...if the brothers would have just let themseleves feel what they were feeling, maybe Sean wouldn't have died. Dumb men. Great story - I loved it! Keep on going Maya Banks, I LOVE your stories!!!!

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Dec 27, 2010

Jaime rated it

Shelves: own-kindle

Love this book. Greer, Emily & Taggert, awesome. I <3 polyamorous relationships and wish I saw more IRL. I think the power 2 men bring to one woman is awesome.

Maya Banks knows her Menages!

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Sep 07, 2009

marlene rated it

this was one of the cheesiest books i ever read. it was like lifetime movie cheesy. it couldnt even wrangle a tear out of my eyes. this was just very much not my style.

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Aug 09, 2011

Zury rated it

I cried the entire time I read this book. It was a heartbreaking short story. The suspence part could have been better, but it was good, overall.

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Oct 02, 2010

Elle rated it

Shelves: romance-and-erotica

It was an okay read. I just felt like the story fell a little short for me but I really did enjoy the parts with Sean.

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Oct 08, 2010

Laura YA indie princess rated it

i did like this book not as good as the other books i have read by maya banks but well worth a read :0)

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Jan 12, 2012

Kristi rated it

Shelves: romance-modern

Dear Maya,

I love your work. Songbird was just another example of your genius.

KThx,
Kristi

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Aug 04, 2010

Brigette rated it

The book was good. Emily husband dies and she stop singing ...good story.

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Jan 15, 2011

Lorelle rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, whispernet-download-to-pc, menage

3 1/2 stars.

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Dec 06, 2010

Elena Reeds rated it

Shelves: small-town, rated-r-erotic

I read this awhile ago and promptly forgot about it because it was ... ridiculous.

She was so fragile to me and the idea of brothers sharing someone ... I don't know, I don't want to buy it, especially these boys. And the fact that she's their other brothers widow. Ick.

Ick ick ick ick!

Not something I really enjoyed reading, and I'm generally a fan of Maya Banks.

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Feb 09, 2012

Rebecca rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: menage, erotic, cowboys

I love Maya Banks. She's done it again! This was well written and a wonderful story. Have some tissue ready. I can't decide if I like this better than or just as much as her Colter's books. This is the story of a woman learning to love and live again and of two brothers learning to love despite societies view on "normal and acceptable".

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Jul 17, 2009

Shawna rated it

Shelves: erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, maya-banks, menage-multiple-partners, contemporary-romance, e-book, 2010-reads, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, contemporary-western-romance, cowboy-stud-fever, friends-to-lovers, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-alpha‎, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hh-widow-or-widower, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, made-me-cry, offlimits-bf-likekidsister-jailbait, romantic-suspense, reunions-are-sweeter-second-chances, quick-read-romance, sizable-packages, small-town-lovin, backdoor-action-lovin-playin, hh-musician-rocker-singer-popstar, 3-stars

3 stars – Contemporary Erotic Romance/Romantic Suspense/Ménage

I read this story in the Linger anthology.

· see review

Aug 28, 2010

Elizabeth Besenfelder rated it

This story was so touching. I cried like a baby in parts. Absolutely loved it!

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Feb 11, 2012

HJ Leonard rated it

Feb 11, 2012

Katherine rated it

Shelves: maya-banks-steamy

Feb 10, 2012

Rebecca rated it

Feb 10, 2012

Mary marked it as contemporary

Shelves: buy

Feb 10, 2012

Lisa added it

Feb 10, 2012

Alicia White rated it

Feb 10, 2012

Sarah rated it

Feb 08, 2012

Erika Reed rated it

Feb 07, 2012

Kerri Murphy marked it as to-read

Feb 06, 2012

Sanda rated it

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About Maya Banks

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of cats. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker. A southern girl born and bred, Maya loves life below the Mason Dixon, and more importantly, loves bringing southern characters and settings to life in her stories.

Maya's Facebook page:
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