#Review: Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: MIDNIGHT ALIAS
Series: Killer Instincts #2
Author: Elle Kennedy
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 368 Pages
Published: Signet (February 5, 2013)
ISBN-10:045123944X
ISBN-13:978-0451239440
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Library
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

She’s smart, seductive, and in way over her head.
He’s her only way out.

An undercover DEA agent has gone off the radar. Suspecting an internal mole, the government needs Luke Dubois and his elite team of operatives to recover their man, and the New Orleans native thinks he’s found his way inside the dark underbelly of Manhattan: Olivia Taylor, the girlfriend of a mob boss and the sexiest woman he’s ever laid eyes on. His new mission objective? Get past Olivia’s defenses and convince her to take a chance—on him.

All Olivia wanted was to finish law school and live a normal life, but that dream was shattered when one dangerous night put her deeply in a mobster’s debt. Now Luke and his team will help her escape—in exchange for intel on the missing agent. But Olivia doesn’t anticipate her intense attraction to the reckless Louisiana charmer or that she’ll be forced to risk everything—including her heart.

Linda's Thoughts:
"How's this for honesty?" Luke said abruptly. "I want you..."
"I don't have sex with men I've just met," she murmured.
He rested his hands on her hips, the warmth of his touch searing her flesh. "Would you consider making an exception?"

MIDNIGHT ALIAS by Elle Kennedy was gripping romantic suspense against a background of strip clubs, the mafia and drug cartels. Wow! What a rollercoaster ride! I'm so glad I discovered this series. In this tale, Jim Morgan's elite mercenaries team is called to action when an undercover DEA agent has gone missing. The initially boring mission takes on a life of its own as the operatives become involved in taking down a major drug dealer in the hopes of finding their man.

I loved Luke's and Olivia's story even though I was hoping to read Trevor's and Isobel's since the ending of the first book (MIDNIGHT RESCUE) left team leader operative Trevor and chameleon extraordinaire Isobel in such a lurch. It was downright sneaky of the author to insert Luke's and Olivia's story in-between. But... I won't hold it against her or Luke and Olivia as their story was very good. However, so you know, the author did include Trevor and Isobel's relationship in this story as a subplot, further teasing the reader with the build-up to the their story coming next in MIDNIGHT GAMES.

I actually had to put the book aside for a little bit a few times as it got so intense that I had to get my breathing under control before continuing with it. Both main characters shined! Luke was sweet, strong, reliable and pure sex on a stick. AND don't be sidelined by Olivia's stripper persona as she was also-sweet, fierce, responsible and smart. Neither wanted a relationship, but, sometimes, the heart wants what it wants. As with all of the books, there's plenty of ultra-steamy sex so have a fan nearby and a cold drink. You might even need a cold shower.

I'm reading this series out of order and can attest that each book works well as a standalone, if this is your preference.  The romantic relationship and the development of the danger plot are fully contained within this novel. There are interconnected characters but the author fills in anything that you may need to know from the previous books. So, feel free to dive in to the books in this series in any order.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this adrenaline-rush:

When she finally crashed back to earth, Luke's dark eyes were focused on her face. "Did you really just come?" he demanded, his voice a cross between a growl and a groan.
She let out a ragged breath. "Uh-huh."
"Fuck, that's hot." He ground his pelvis into her. "Do it again."
---

He laughed, slow and sexy. "Darlin', the only way this is ending is with me buried inside you."
---

He felt like a damn Thanksgiving feast, sprawled there on the bed while she ate him up with her smoldering gaze. He could tell she like everything she saw, especially when her fingers circled his erection and she let out a soft sigh.
"This really isn't fair," he choked out. "I was trying to be a gentleman, and you've ruined everything."

Elle Kennedy is superb at crafting well-orchestrated suspense with strong, compelling characterizations against intricate backdrops of impending doom. I still get the chills thinking of what transpired herein with the vile villains. I highly recommend MIDNIGHT ALIAS to anyone who enjoys thrilling, action-packed, complex romances. Thank goodness, Trevor's and Isobel's story is next in the series. A preview of their tale is included at the end of MIDNIGHT ALIAS. It's going to be epic and I already have it on hold at my library... just waiting for my number to come up. I can't wait!!!!



Suggested Reading Order: 
MIDNIGHT RESCUE (Book #1)
MIDNIGHT ALIAS (Book #2)
MIDNIGHT GAMES (Book #3)
MIDNIGHT PURSUITS (Book #4)
AFTER MIDNIGHT (Book #4.5)
MIDNIGHT ACTION (Book #5)
MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE (Book #6)
MIDNIGHT REVENGE (Book #7)