Kiss Me While I Sleep

Linda Howard

Lily Mansfield had been a contract killer for the CIA since she was 18 years old. Now, almost 20 years later, the killing becomes personal. Her young daughter-of-her-heart is killed in a crime lord's revenge against Lily's friends. Lily will get revenge for Zia. She sets out to kill the head of the organization. Then she has to run, because her now former boss - the CIA - and the crime lord's family are looking for her. She wouldn't survive with either of them.

The CIA sends Lucas Swain to find Lily and remove her. She has become a liability because the crime lord had been an asset while alive despite his position. When he contacts Lily in Paris, he is able to rescue her from a shoot out and immediately worm his way into her life. Together, they take on the criminal organization again before it can release a deadly flu virus among the world's population.

First suspend all belief in how a contract killer or a CIA agent are supposed to act or behave. Once you've done that, you'll enjoy Kiss Me While I Sleep. Both Lily and Lucas are unbelievable, but Linda Howard has put enough verve into this book to keep it going.

Lucas is an open, laughing character who has a joie de vivre despite his job - usually undercover in South America. He loves fast cars and expensive hotels. Lily is a closed character because for 20 years her job has been as a hired assassin. She knows she's taking out the bad guys that evade the law in different ways. Even so, that gets wearing. Her social world is down to three people, Zia and her parents. When they are killed, Lily has nothing left to live for. She doesn't care if she dies once she has eliminated the crime lord and the flu virus threat.

Lucas is in Paris to remove Lily and get rid of the threat she now is. He knows he is double dealing with her. Lily is naturally distrustful, but lets Lucas in her life. Of course they fall in love. Then when he gives her that final drink and she realizes what has happened to her, she is almost happy.

Notice:  Explicit sexual content, Non-graphic violence, Strong indecent language