by Kate SeRine
Series: Dark Alliance #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Luke Rogan’s assignment is simple: secure young Elijah Scoffield and his mother and bring them back to headquarters—just an ordinary mission for an operative of the Dark Alliance. But Elijah is no ordinary kid. He’s the grandson of one of the country’s most influential politicians—a man privy to the Alliance’s most valuable secrets, including its centuries-long connection to the Knights Templar. And someone else is attempting to capture the boy—someone who's proven he doesn’t give a damn about collateral damage... Heartbroken at the lies that tore her world apart, Sarah Scoffield will do anything to protect her son—even if that means teaming up with a deadly stranger. But Sarah soon finds herself falling in love with her dark hero. And as danger stalks ever closer, the fiery desire that claims them awakens in Sarah passions she’d thought dead and buried long ago...
Deceived by Kate SeRine is the first book in the romantic suspense series Dark Alliance. This modern-day Templars and Illuminati story quickly pulls the reader in with its intense storyline and heated romance. I adored the characters and loved the secret societies and power plays wrapped around this romance.
What began as an operative saves the girl romantic suspense quickly turned into a tale with delightful depth. SeRine brings us into the modern-day world of the Templar Knights and Illuminati. I am drawn to stories containing these secretive groups for their power and hidden treasures. SeRine managed to give me a suspenseful thriller perfectly balanced against the steamy, adorkable romance.
Deceived provided a captivating and suspenseful plot but the romance took place in a cozy, rural community giving their story a small-town romance vibe. When a high-profile senator is attacked his knowledge regarding the Templar Knights places his grandson and daughter in grave danger. Luke Rogan is assigned to extract them and bring them back to headquarters.
Luke Rogan a former sniper is a member of the Alliance, a force who protects the secrets of the Templar Knights what begins, as a simple assignment soon becomes complicated when they discover a breach. Luke has no other option but to take Sarah and her eleven-year-old son to his haven.
Humor, attraction, and a slow simmering romance enhanced my enjoyment of Deceived. I admired how strong Sarah was, adored the charms and hilarious comments that came from Elijah and totally swooned for Luke. SeRine did a lovely job with their back-stories. She had me packing my bags and moving to Luke’s haven despite the danger. Siblings, family and animals all gave their relationship substance and endeared me to them.
The romance was heated but not without complications. The demands of the Alliance, the mission and more created obstacles but only succeeded in having me flipping the pages to discover the outcome. SeRine balanced the intense action with passion, family time, and humor.
The thread involving Elijah, the Alliance, Templars and Illuminati was well done and kept me turning the pages. The story had a fresh feel as we enjoyed perspectives from all sides. We see plenty of action and moments that had me holding breath despite never doubting I would get my HEA.
It looks like each book will share the story of an operative within the Alliance and SeRine introduced us to a couple of key players. I found myself hooked and cannot wait to continue.
In Deceived SeRine gave me a suspenseful plot and romance I could really sink my teeth into.
Read an Excerpt of Deceived
“We’re as safe here as anywhere until we get to my place,” Luke assured her.
She lifted a brow. “Yet you’re acting like you expect someone to come barging in and attack us at any moment.”
He took a step closer and immediately realized his mistake when his heart started pounding at the nearness of her. Shit. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her. “If being paranoid is what’s going to keep you and your son alive,” he said, “then guilty as charged.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, Luke,” she began, edging closer, damn it all, “but why does it matter so much to you if Eli and I are safe? You don’t know us. I get that you’ve been given an order, but I also heard you talking to your commander and know you’d rather be somewhere else. If you’d insisted that someone else watch over us, I would’ve understood. I can just go to the police, tell them what happened. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Luke stared at her for a long moment, trying to figure out the answer to her question. Hell if he knew why it mattered so much to him that he keep them safe. In the technical sense, he protected people every day and had for going on fifteen years when he added up his time in the military and then working for the government and now with the Alliance. But she was right—this assignment was hitting him on a level he hadn’t anticipated.
“I guess because, when I wasn’t much older than Eli, someone took my mother and me in, watched over us when we needed it,” he finally said, not sure where the explanation was even coming from. “And someone else did the same thing for me again a few years ago when I was in a really dark place—except this time the enemy I was up against was myself. If it wasn’t for that person stepping in, I don’t know where I’d be. But dead is a damned good bet.”
Sarah straightened. “Oh. God. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Luke told her. He shook his head as his vision went a little blurry. Suddenly too tired to stand, he leaned against the edge of the sink. “I made a promise to keep you and Eli safe, Sarah. I’ll keep it. There’s no way I’d abandon you, so don’t worry about it.”
The next thing he knew, Sarah’s arms were around his neck, hugging him tightly. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her and hold her close, to bury his face in her hair and let the warmth of her wash over him. But when she pressed a kiss to his cheek and whispered, “Thank you,” in his ear, he almost gave in.
Fortunately, before he could move, she stepped away and hurried back into the room with Eli, leaving Luke gaping at the empty doorway and wondering exactly what the hell he’d gotten himself into…
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katiria Rodriguez
Ohh this one looks and sounds fantastic! I absolutely love the excerpt Kim. Thank you for your great review and post.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, glad you enjoyed the excerpt. I hope you decide to grab it 🙂
Lorna
I liked that excerpt! For a minute I though Dark Alliance was something paranormal, but I guess not, huh? Glad this was a good read, it sounds good 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No, although she has a fun urban fantasy series the Transplant series you should check out 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
Sounds like the perfect romantic suspense! I love the excerpt, too!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..so glad you liked it..I love Kate 🙂
Kristin
Oooo, another new romantic suspense to get hooked on! I love that the cover doesn’t look like every other romantic suspense story out there either!!! And you said this story had a “fresh feel” to the Illuminati and Knights of Templar “myths” and that sounds fantastic!!! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I have loved everything this author has written and hope you try it 🙂
Angela Adams
This sounds like a sure winner! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy Kate’s books and hope you try it Angela
Lover Of Romance
I have a secret love for secret societies as a plot twist in romance!! This sounds so fabulous and I know I NEED to read this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I do too!!
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I wouldn’t expect a slow burn romance with that cover, but this book seems to have everything I love. On a side note, I adore your heat level rating, it’s very helpful.
kimbacaffeinate
We get some instant attraction, but both have commitments, baggage that allow for a slow developing romance despite the time frame.
Glad you find the flames helpful 🙂
blodeuedd
Awesome as always
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Linda 🙂
Braine
This was so good I was half expecting Yoncè to make a cameo! JK
In all seriousness, Kate’s romantic suspense series are both fantastic!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I really enjoy all of her books, so glad you are a fan too 🙂
Sophia Rose
Oh yeah, Templar Knights and the Illuminati are enough to snag my attention, but the suspense plot sounds pretty great, too.
Aubrey Wynne
Nice review! I like this author. And from her bio I think I would like hanging out with her too!
Tyler H. Jolley
Thanks for the excerpt, Kim. It sounds like a good balance of mystery/suspense and romance.
kimbacaffeinate
It was, I enjoy Kate’s books.
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
I am going to have to see if my library has this. It sounds like a romantic suspense I would like 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope they do Felicia, I have enjoyed all of her books
Quinn's Book Nook
I’ve been getting back into romantic suspense lately, and I’m definitely going to add this to my TBR. I love that it does have a small town feel, because I love those kinds of romances.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a nice mix between the suspense and romance..the settings really changed the dynamics.
Debbie Haupt
Ok this one looks really interesting, I love all the stories with an ancient backstory like this one with the Templars. I’m putting this on my wish list!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too and this modern day twist was fun 🙂
kindlemom1
Nice that this hooked you right away. Wonderful review Kim. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali. It was a fun one 🙂
Nick
Oh fun! I like that this has a mystery/plot besides the romance. The slow romance sounds great too. I’ve seen this author’s books around. I must pick them up one of these days!
kimbacaffeinate
I have enjoyed all of her books Nick 🙂
Mary Kirkland
Oh this sounds good and I loved the excerpt.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..I hope you decide to grab it Mary 🙂