Review- Midnight Captive by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

Former CIA agent Bailey Jones has spent months trying to forget her night of passion with mercenary Sean Reilly. An elite and methodical assassin, she has no room in her life for a reckless, rule-breaking Irishman, and she’s vowed to steer clear of the tempting bad boy who lured her into his bed under false pretenses.

When Sean is implicated in the robbery of a Dublin bank, Bailey knows something isn’t right. So what if she can’t trust him? There’s no way Sean would end up on the wrong side of the law. In fact, he’s stuck in the middle of a dark and dirty conspiracy that could put his twin brother’s life at risk with one wrong move. And Bailey’s life too when she agrees to help.

As the stakes are raised and Bailey finds herself torn between two brothers, the fine line between danger and desire is crossed…and it’ll take more than a killer instinct to survive.

Release date: June 2nd, 2015

Published by: Signet

Page numbers: 368

Review-

Midnight Captive is the sixth book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series. I have been really enjoying myself in this world full of assassins and mercenaries and each story is very unique and can be read as a stand alone. I have to say that for me, Midnight Captive was a weaker addition as compared to the rest of the series. It may be because I didn't care much for Bailey and Sean but for me, this was an okay read.

Let's start with Bailey. Bailey is an assassin in Noelle's group. Now that Noelle and Jim Morgan are married they have combined their forces. But back to Bailey, I don't know why but I just couldn't relate to her much. She was a good person but her reasons for keeping Sean at a distance were difficult to understand and it got repetitive after a while.

The book starts off with Sean robbing a bank. That makes you completely doubt where his head is at but you do see and understand his reasons after that. Sean's twin, Oliver is being held by someone and Sean has to get his brother back under any circumstances, even if it means joining the group himself. I liked Sean but he also had a bunch of insecurities. I liked his possessive and protective side though.

The first time Sean and Bailey sleep together Sean lies to her saying he's his identical twin Oliver. That is why from the start Sean and Bailey don't get along. When Bailey decides to help Sean to get Oliver back they are both riddled with misunderstandings underneath all the passion and chemsitry. I found Sean and Bailey to be a good couple but again, nothing special.

The most exciting part for me during the book was what was going on between Sully and Liam. I SO want to see where and how their story progresses. We also get a new addition to the group, Ash. All in all, with Elle Kennedy's fantastic writing Midnight Captive was a good read. Just not my favorite.

Review- Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

She’s got a broken heart...

and a fully loaded arsenal....

Ex–army ranger Jim Morgan leads a team of elite mercenaries, but eighteen years ago in Paris, he was part of a black ops unit whose mission was to hunt down a rogue operative. In order to trap the criminal, Jim seduced Noelle, the man’s daughter—a ruthless act that cost him the love of his life and turned her into a mortal enemy. Now he can’t trust her, but he still desires her. He also needs her help....

Older, wiser, and unwilling to play the fool again, Noelle runs a group of highly skilled assassins. And she’s just been offered the hit of the century: Eliminate Jim Morgan. History gives them no reason to trust each other, but with their lives in jeopardy at the hands of a common enemy, the lines between love and hate are soon blurred. Now Noelle and Jim must face the past if they want to have a future—let alone a future together.

Release date: November 4th 2014

Published by: Signet

Page Numbers: 368

Review-

FINALLY! After waiting a long long time I've reached Jim and Noelle's book. These two had sparks flying all over the place since the beginning of the series and finally it all culminated in Midnight Action. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Midnight Action and I loved that we got to see the history Jim and Noelle shared. It gave so much depth into their characters and relationship.

Let's start with Jim. Jim Morgan is the leader of the elite group of soldiers. He is a total hard ass but a man many respect and honour. We are hinted throughout the series that Jim is searching for someone and we finally find out who it is and the way it connects to Noelle. I really liked Jim. He was very stubborn but even he couldn't deny the chemistry Noelle and he shared.

Noelle on the other hand has come off as a cold hearted bitch throughout the series. But in Midnight Action, I liked her surprisingly. Seeing her thought processes and the way she tries so hard to not feel anything for Jim despite their history made it easy to understand the reasons for her behavoir. And Noelle is nothing if not loyal to her group of assassins.

Noelle and Jim both had really strong personalities and they definitely clashed when they got together. But that is what made them so hot together. They were both passionate and head strong but they can't ignore what's between them. We are also in for a bunch of surprises in this book and I liked all of them. We got to see all the sides of Jim and Noelle.

I also liked how there is so much progress in Sully and Liam's relationship. I was not exactly expecting it, but it feels right. We also see glimpses of Sean and Bailey's relationship as they get the next book. Action packed, filled with romance and angst Midnight Action was a great addition to the series.

Review- After Midnight by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

From a talented author on the rise comes a sexy new novella in Elle Kennedy’s action-packed Killer Instincts romantic suspense series. 

Abby Sinclair was one of the deadliest assassins in the world before she became a mercenary. She likes her work—the missions, the adrenaline, the danger. But now she has a secret that could change everything. Especially since she and her husband, fellow operative Kane Woodland, have been thrust into an assignment that has put their lives in mortal danger. But as the secrets between Kane and Abby pile up, they begin to drift apart—until only a fatal twist in the mission can bring them back together….

Release date: October 7th, 2014

Published by: Signet

Page numbers: 96

Review-

After Midnight by Elle Kennedy is the only novella till date in the Killer Instincts series. This novella lands smack in the middle of the series where we are taken back to Abby and Kane who were the first couple in the series. I don't know if the reason I didn't enjoy this as much as the other books in the series is because this was a novella or what but After Midnight was an okay read.

I have to admit that Abby and Kane were never my favorite couple out of all the ones I've read so I wasn't all that excited in the first place. But still, it was good to see them as a much in love married couple. Abby has always been the more closed off person in the relationship but when things change she pulls away even more which causes a rift between the two.

I don't know if this is exactly a spoiler but the reason for the misunderstanding between Abby and Kane is -you guessed it- pregnancy. Abby has her doubts about being a mother whereas Kane is over the moon. As both Kane and Abby are mercenaries this means huge changes for the both of them.

While nothing significant happens in this novella, we do get to meet Noelle in all her glory and we are hinted at a more human side of her personality. This novella was nothing too special so if you are not interested, you can skip it. I like to read every single book while reading a series and that is why I didn't skip After Midnight.

Review- Midnight Games by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

She wears a thousand deadly identities. He sees through them all.

A master of disguise, Isabel Roma spends her life pretending to be other women. Normally, her emotions are reined in tight—but sexy mercenary Trevor Callaghan has a knack for getting under her skin. The elite operative’s quiet strength and raw magnetism affect her in ways she’s never felt before, a distraction that can quickly turn deadly in their dangerous line of work.

After putting his tragic past behind him, Trevor is ready to focus on his future—and he damn well intends for Isabel to be in it. When their entire operation is thrown into chaos, Trevor enlists Isabel’s talent for deception. And as they attempt to save their team in a world where the stakes are high and the danger is grave, Trevor must convince Isabel that the woman beneath all the disguises is the one worth having... 

Review-

Midnight Games is the third book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series. I have to admit that I have been rooting for Trevor and Isabel since they first came together in Midnight Rescue. This was my most anticipated book in the series and it really does not disappoint. There are so many things happening in Midnight Games so it makes for an action packed read.

The book starts off with a bang when the compound where Jim Morgan's team lives comes under attack. There are losses but Trevor and the others manage to get out. Let's start with Trevor first. Trevor has grown SO much since the first book. He was a grief stricken man before but now he is over it and confident in his quiet strength. I loved the way he was always there for Isabel.

Isabel has not had a good childhood. She is a master of disguise who can change her appearance and personality to suit the operation. While Trevor and she have worked together in the past, Isabel values her friendship with him too much to risk a relationship. I loved Isabel. She was a very sweet heroine who had so many vulnerabilities. Trevor's strength and support was exactly what she needed.

I loved Trevor and Isabel together. They were great and well balanced. I loved how they shared the genuine warmth of friendship even though there was an attraction between them. Seeing Trevor, Isabel and the whole team work together was a pleasure to watch as I always love seeing the camaraderie these men and women share.

I also love that Elle Kennedy has several plot lines going along with the main one. We are given hints about the remainder of the characters and teased about their stories while moving forward with the current romance. I must say that Midnight Games is my favorite book in the entire Killer Instincts series and I don't think that's gonna change for a while.

Review- Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

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.

Review-

Midnight Alias is the second book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series. I had really liked the first book in this series and it had me curious to see how the stories went forward with other couples so I picked up Midnight Alias right after and I am so glad I did because I think I enjoyed Midnight Alias even more than Midnight Rescue.

Luke is the hero in Midnight Alias. This sexy cajun was portrayed as a total player in the last book with his good looks. Here we see what is beneath the surface. When an undercover DEA agent goes off the radar Jim Morgan's team has to recover the man. This is where Luke meets Olivia who is one of the strippers in the club owned by the people Luke and his team are investigating. It is a total case of insta love where Luke is concerned. It was cute seeing him so smitten with Olivia.

Olivia, again, was not a very easy heroine to like. I don't know why that keeps happening with me in this series. She is actually a student who has to take care of her mother who is in remission the third time from cancer. Therefore, Olivia has no option but to work in the club to pay the bills. It also doesn't help that the owner of the club thinks himself to be in love with Olivia.

Olivia was slow to trust Luke but I liked how Luke was always so willing to help her out. Luke and Olivia defintiely had chemistry but while Olivia was hesitant Luke was always very open about his feelings. I liked how Luke was willing to work in their relationship and he was so willing to try for a serious commitment.

Some threads from the previous book are continued in this one. I am SO happy that Trevor and Isabel's book is next because those two are my favorite. The sparks flying between Jim Morgan and Noelle can't be ignored and D, Ethan, Liam and Sully make for great comic relief. I enjoyed Midnight Alias.

Review- Midnight Pursuits by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

Her job is to stay hidden.

Too bad he can’t take his eyes off her.

Soldier-for-hire Ethan Hayes is the youngest member of an elite mercenary team. While he may be affectionately nicknamed the rookie, the skills Ethan honed as a Marine make him seriously dangerous. But when a sudden distress call puts him in close quarters with a rival, he finds more than his field skills being put to the test.

Juliet Mason stands out as the master thief in a covert group of assassins and spies. Her latest mission is personal—and it’s gone horribly wrong. Juliet may prefer to work alone, but when the rookie comes to her aid in snowy Eastern Europe, she can’t deny they make a good team. But even up against a powerful enemy, their most challenging task yet may be fighting the passion between them...

Release date: April 1st, 2014

Published by: Signet

Page numbers: 368

Review-

Midnight Pursuits is the fourth book in Elle Kennedy's Killer Instincts series. I loved the last book Midnight Games to pieces so I didn't expect to like Midnight Pursuits as much as I did. This series just keeps on getting better and as I'm getting more familiar with all the characters I'm loving them more too. Midnight Pursuits was a great addition to the series.

Let's start with our hero Ethan. Ethan is the youngest in Jim Morgan's elite team of soldiers and hence has been teased "rookie" mercilessly. I loved Ethan. He was a great hero who kept his alpha side hidden. I loved how much respect he had for his friends and how he took all their teasing in stride. The one thing he was not easy about though was Juliet. He was possessive and protective where Juliet was concerned and I loved seeing all the sides to him.

We'd met Juliet in the last book. She came off as a smart ass but in this book we actually get to see her other sides. Juliet is ruthless at times but it only shows how protective she is of the people she cares about. Juliet's revenge mission goes wrong and that is when Ethan comes to help her. I liked how Juliet admitted that she was attracted to Ethan. She didn't pretend to be coy. She was a smart and confident woman and I surprisingly liked her.

I loved how this book had an older woman younger man pairing. Juliet and Ethan were amazing together and they each make up for the other's strengths and weaknesses. I loved the banter Juliet and Ethan shared and the romance between them was sweet and sexy. They made a great pair and the whole opposites attract thing worked in their favor.

We also get to see a little bit of the history between Jim Morgan and Noelle. D is an all around asshole but you can't help but be curious about the guy. I loved seeing the team again. Elle Kennedy writes such fully fleshed out characters that it is easy to imagine each one distinctly. I really enjoyed Midnight Pursuits.

Review- Midnight Target by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Score and Midnight Revenge...

Four years ago, Cate’s entire life changed when she discovered she was the daughter of a supersoldier. But Jim Morgan’s overprotectiveness has pushed her away. These days, she’s working as a freelance photographer and living the dangerous life Jim never wanted for her.

When Cate snaps a photo linking a corrupt South American politician with the leader of a notorious drug cartel, her mercenary father leads a team to rescue her—only to get shot and critically wounded in the process.

As Morgan’s operatives rally together on a revenge mission, they’re faced with new alliances and old heartaches. Cate is forced to work with David “Ash” Ashton, the man who broke her heart two years ago, while Liam Macgregor and Sullivan Port resurface after years apart to finally try to deal with everything they’d left unsaid.

Soon it’s all-out war between the cartel and the mercenaries—with two couples caught in the middle of the blood feud. Love and redemption are within their reach...but first they have to make it home alive.

Release date: April 25th, 2017

Published by: Berkley Books

Page numbers: 384

Review-

I was a little nervous but a lot more excited before starting Midnight Target by Elle Kennedy. The Killer Instincts series by Elle Kennedy is actually one of my favourite romantic suspense series of all time. I love all the couples and the action packed plots. Midnight Target is the final book in the series. Also, it contains not one but two love stories. So obviously I had high expectations and I'm happy to say Elle Kennedy met them all.

Cate is Jim Morgan's daughter. All her life she's wanted to be included, to be a part of the bigger picture. But because of her over protective father she's distancing herself from family. When Cate finds herself in trouble she turns to her father for help. She doesn't know what a shit storm she's unleashed until its too late and Jim is critically injured. Thus begins the story where everyone starts coming together to get to the bottom of it.

I loved Cate as a heroine. Yes, she was young and impulsive but her heart was always in the right place and at the end of it she is Jim Morgan's daughter. Kate has always been in love with Ash. But one too many rejections from him have made their relationship tumultuous at best. When Cate is forced to work with Ash both their feelings spill over. You'd think Ash is a total asshole but he isn't. Not really. He respects the hell out of Jim Morgan, a man who has given him a place to stay and made him feel like family. He knows his feelings for Kate are forbidden but he leaves no stone unturned when she is in danger.

Side by side to Kate and Ash's romance we also FINALLY get Sullivan and Liam's story. These two were best friends once upon a time. They could read each others mind. But feelings for each other have muddied the waters. I loved Liam. He was the one willing to take a step forward, willing to take a risk. Sully on the other hand was more cautious. But that didn't stop either of them from getting together. I am not a m/m reader but I still very much enjoyed Sully and Liam's story.

You definitely come to a full circle with Midnight Target. We get to meet all of Jim's crew and Noelle's assassins. I loved seeing how everyone was doing and seeing everyone together on a mission, working towards a goal. It made my heart happy. Midnight Target is filled with action and romance. Not everyone gets a happy ending and things get bloody fast. But I think Elle Kennedy has tied all the threads together with this. This is a massive book but one I loved reading. I didn't want it to get over. The Killer Instincts series is an amazing one and I would highly recommend the entire series.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy

Summary-

Dangerous. Ruthless. Savage. And she's the good guy. 

Abby Sinclair had a desperate childhood until she was rescued and adopted by a retired army ranger who molded her into a master of self-defense. Now, she's a cunning and fearless assassin thrust into assignment after dangerous assignment, using everything she has-nerve, resilience, strength, sex-to come out on top. Her only rule: trust no one. 
Abby's latest assignment is in Columbia: go undercover and snuff out a dangerous arms dealer active in the underground sex trade. But when Abby purposely blows her cover in a last-ditch attempt to free the helpless victims, deadly mercenary Kane Woodland is recruited as back-up. His mission: get Abby out of that hell hole. 

The last thing Kane expects is to feel a primal attraction for Abby. But when she convinces him to join her on her perilous mission, their newfound passion could put the lives of their whole team at risk.

Review-

I was a little bit bored after reading a ton of cheesy romances back to back. That is why I decided to change it up a bit with a romantic suspense novel. I had been seeing Midnight Rescue around and I really love the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy so I decided to go for Midnight Rescue. I am so glad I started this book because I am totally hooked on to this series!

We'll start with Abby. She's an assassin who let herself be captured during an undercover op when she finds out that there is a sex trade ring going on. Abby was a hard heroine to like at first. She didn't show her emotions and she wasn't eager to take help. After suffering a horrible childhood she is more than emotionally involved to rescue these girls. But soon you do start to understand her.

Abby's boss is Noelle and she asks Jim Morgan for his help in getting back Abby. Here we meet the hero Kane who is one of the men who work for Jim Morgan. I found Kane to be a nice guy all around but there was nothing super special about him. He was patient with Abby and that is why they were so well suited for each other.

But the book is not all romance. We get to see Jim Morgan's team with another one of Noelle's assassin's pairing up to help Abby stop the sex trade. I have to admit that reading about all the undercover operations and how these people worked was very interesting. We also get a tiny bit of the villain's pov so that was there.

This book introduces us to a lot of unique and intriguing characters. I am especially interested in what is happening between Trevor and Isabel. Elle Kennedy opens up a whole new world with the Killer Instincts series and with her fast paced writing I am especially looking forward to the future books to see if I'm right about the pairings which are hinted at. I really liked Midnight Rescue.