by Kate SeRine
Series: Dark Alliance #2
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
As the only female initiate of the elite undercover society, the Dark Alliance, former FBI agent Madeleine Blake has a lot to prove—especially to her former lover, Alliance operative Jack Grayson. Ever since joining Jack’s team, Maddie’s been keeping her distance, trying not to relive every moment they shared during their brief but passionate affair. Yet when a mission ends in tragedy, Maddie’s ready to walk away from the Alliance—and Jack—forever. That is, until Jack’s cover is blown, putting his life in danger and making it impossible for Maddie to deny her true feelings…
Before he met Maddie, Jack Grayson thought happiness was impossible for a man like him. After all, he has a price on his head that requires him to live in the shadows, concealed from everyone and everything he cares about. But now that they’re on the run for their lives and Jack has Maddie in his arms again, he realizes their love is the only thing in his life that’s real. And this time, there’s no way in hell he’s letting it slip away…
CONCEALED by Kate SeRine is the second book in her romantic suspense series, Dark Alliance. SeRine delivered a second chance romance between two operatives within the Alliance all while taking us on an action packed mission. Fans of Karen Rose will love the depth, and non-stop action SeRine delivers in CONCEALED.
Jack Grayson an Alliance operative whom we met in DECEIVED, the first book in the Dark Alliance series and his team are in Mexico to retrieve a USB drive. With them is former FBI agent Madeleine Blake the first female to join the ranks of the Alliance. Jack and Madeleine share a history. A very passionate history until he left breaking her heart. The sexual tension and unresolved feelings between these two sizzles. I found myself anxious to hear their story.
CONCEALED delivers an intense, high body count, hold you breath suspense thread that carries through the entire Dark Alliance series. Each book contains a couple and a case that brings them closer to answers. I love this modern day spin on Templar and Illuminate. SeRine brings us secret societies, missions and buried treasure. We get different perspectives, including those of a power-hungry member of the Illuminate and enemies from Jack’s past.
I loved how intense the threads got, from plots to take out Jack, to half starved rats used as a torture technique. Eek! Information is power, and both sides are playing for a piece. A fantastic game of cat and mouse, good vs. evil and SeRine had me completely enthralled. While this will work as a standalone, I would personally recommend you read them in order. Not only is there an overall thread throughout them, but the friendships, players, and bonds all affect your sense of involvement.
Secondary characters consisting of the members of the Alliance, characters from their past and those of the Illuminati added humor, built up the suspense and shared the comradery between these brothers in arms. I love the techie on the team and so hope SeRine gives us his story.
I love a good second chance romance and the chemistry between Jack and Madeleine was HOT. Jack wants a second chance, but he is going to have come clean about why he ending things and trust that Maddy can handle it. These two made a great team in the field and in the bedroom. We were treated to passion, heat, and tender moments SeRine did this while keeping the suspense thread of this tale in the forefront.
CONCEALED provided a thrilling, action-packed suspense while bringing heat and heart to the table with its characters and romance.
Read an Excerpt
His brows came together. “Sorry?”
She opened her eyes at this and allowed her hands to smooth tenderly over his bare skin, over his shoulders, across his chest. “I want you, Jack,” she told him. “My God, I want you. But I don’t want to just fall back into bed with you. It’s far too easy to slide into our old pattern. It’s not fair to use you just to satisfy my libido.”
He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Really? That would be such a terrible thing?”
She shook her head. “No. It would be beautiful and thrilling and amazing—just like it was before. But, ultimately, heartbreaking. At least, that’s my fear. That seems to be our track record.”
“I can’t promise you that we’d live happily ever after, Maddie,” he admitted even as he realized that’s exactly what he wanted. He could easily picture them growing old together. And never once in his life had he thought of himself as a father, but when he looked at Maddie, he could imagine a future that included the kind of happiness he’d never dared to dream of. But that was his dream. He wasn’t sure if it was hers. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to allow himself to hope for anything beyond the moment.
As difficult as it was to leave the warmth of Maddie’s arms, Jack eased off of her and pulled on his shirt. He grabbed his laptop and turned back toward the bed to see Maddie still lying on her back, the heels of her palms pressed against her eyes. It pained him to leave her, but she clearly had reservations about going further, and he knew if he stayed, they’d be right back where they’d left off. And the thought of her regretting being with him was far more painful than the raging hard-on he was sporting.
He headed toward the bedroom door but paused. “I honestly don’t know what the future holds,” he told her. “But I know I will always want you, Maddie. Always.”
Concealed by Kate SeRine offered another thrilling romantic suspense in the Dark Alliance series Share on X
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. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Deborah Haupt
You know I’ve seen her reviewed around and I do love my Romantic suspense so this is going on my list! Thanks Kim
kimbacaffeinate
I always enjoy her books. She also writes a great paranormal romantic suspense series.
Debra
The author is new to me and thank you for this review. I love Romance suspense books and thanks for the chance to win book 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Debra. I enjoy this author and hope you do as well.
Bookworm Brandee
Egads! You have me wanting to drop everything and pick up this series, Kimberly! I love a second chance romance 😉 and this one along with the intense suspsense and the Templar twist…yeah, I’m adding it to my wishlist and fingers crossed I get some birthday loot! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
*fingers-crossed*
Angela
Ooh, this one sounds like my cuppa tea! I love a good romantic suspense, especially when they feature undercover agents with histories. It just makes things that much more intense.
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Angela. I had fun with this and loved their chemistry.
Mary Kirkland
That sounds good. I like suspense and second chance romance.
kimbacaffeinate
So do I Mary. You would like her Transplant series too.
Lorna
Sounds like a good one and I am glad you enjoyed it. I liked the excerpt as well. Rats and torture is a major turn off for me though. Seems the older I get the less I want to read things like that although there was a time I would have. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
kimbacaffeinate
It wouldn’t have been realistic without it but I understand. It wasn’t gory..just set you up to squirm…LOL
Katherine
I love romantic suspense and this sounds like some serious suspense! It sounds like this can be read as a stand alone? Adding Kate SeRine to my TBR. This sounds like a series I shouldn’t miss!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, you could but this only book 2 so I recommend you start with one.
Angela Adams
Jack and Maddie sound like interesting characters. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Indeed they were. Thanks Angela.
Angie
Would you look at that? Another author I’ve not read. LOL That is a great blurb. And yeah…I saw that torture technique on an episode of Criminal Minds. Ick.
Great review, Kim! This one sounds good.
kimbacaffeinate
I love that I am introducing you to new authors 🙂
kindlemom1
I really need to pick this series up! Off to look up the first book now. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
So glad you are interested in these Ali.
sherry fundin
Ya know I do love me some romantic suspense. Thanks for the giveaway.
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Sherry!
Sophia Rose
I will definitely get to this series at some point. Love the balance of romance and suspense.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes, you would enjoy this series Sophia.
Geybie's Book Blog
Same with you, I love a good second chance romance, plus the suspense. I think I would enjoy this one. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Kim. Awesome review, as always. Have a great day. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Happy to do so Geybie 🙂
Nadene
Oooh my favourite genre. I definitley would love to read this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet. Good luck Nadene.
blodeuedd
Ohh secrets, nice
kimbacaffeinate
I love these secret society type stories.
cindy
This sounds intense and I bet this book is a page turner! Great review, thanks for sharinf.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, lots of action!
The Bibliophile Babe
Oooh, this looks fun!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good one. I always enjoy SeRine’s books