MIDNIGHT RESCUE (KILLER INSTINCTS #1) is a book with intrigue and suspense along with some romance that is set mainly in Colombia but also in the United States. We meet Jim Morgan who is the leader of a team of deadly mercenaries. We also meet those he has recruited from all different military backgrounds and whom are under his command. They have joined forces to rid the world of some of the worst types of evil while not under the constraints of the rules governing them if they were still in the military. Noelle's chameleons, a group of female assassins, join them at times. This book introduces us to a multitude of characters, some involved in the extraction of Abby Sinclair, one of Noelle's chameleons, from her captives and others just alluded to or mentioned.

Kennedy's MIDNIGHT RESCUE is Kane and Abby's story and is filled with lust, loving, arguments, secrets, betrayal, trust issues and hints at their backgrounds which have molded them and reveals to us what made them what and who they are and why they respond the way they do. Kane is Morgan's second in command and doesn't want to lose anyone or have anyone hurt under his watch. The descriptions of the personalities, homes, compounds - whether those housing Morgan and his group or those with evil intent, the mountains and other settings, the towns, planning involved, weapons, skirmishes and rescues were very vivid and made me feel that I was there. There were those in charge of the good guys - Morgan, Kane and Noelle - along with Blanco and Devlin, who were in charge of the bad guys. We learned about each of them and what makes them tick and they were all multi faceted. There was nice closure and loose ends tied up but I know we'll meet up with them all again in the other books in the series.

Kennedy is a new to me author and I look forward to reading the other books in this series before book six, MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE, is released in June. I also plan to add her other books to my always growing TBR pile.

Midnight Rescue is the first book in the Killer Instincts series. I have read a later book in the series, so I have had Midnight Rescue on my TBR forever. When I saw it was in the Audible Romance package, I decided to give it a shot via audio.

I made it through about 28% of the audio. The narrator was not working for me at all. Her attempts at the various male voices were unconvincing and overdone. But, I was liking the story enough to continue reading on my kindle. Yay for whisper sync!

Abby is a mercenary who was sent to kill a guy named Blanco. However, she ends up discovering a sex slave ring and is determined to save the innocent girls. To help her she relies on Jim Morgan's group of mercenaries and most especially, Kane. These guys are super badasses. Abby is no slouch either though! She is tough and capable, so don't think this is a damsel in distress story. Abby works for Noelle, a woman with her own group of female mercenaries/chameleons who are all incredibly deadly. To start the story, this book has to introduce a LOT of people. It can be difficult and another reason I don't think audio was the way to go. Once the plot and characters is introduced, the story focuses more on Abby and Kane and the plan/attempt to get into Blanco's compound and save the young girls. However, the story jumps from Abby/Kane to Trevor/Isabel, and occasionally even Devlin, the psychopathic stalker and it really keeps you on your toes and engaged in the story. There is no 'down time' for the reader. Trevor and Isabel are the focus of book 2, and I am certainly interested in getting more details about them as individuals.

Midnight Rescue is dark in many ways. First, you have the man planning to sell the girls as sex slaves. Second, you have Abby, who was abused (physically and sexually) in the past and her attempts to deal with that aspect of her life (with Kane's help). Next, you have a near rape of Abby in the beginning of the story. This is NOT a light romantic suspense read. Its dark and deals with real life issues that many people don't think about on a daily basis but exist in the world.
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Another well-written, fast-paced suspense from Kennedy, though I had a little trouble connecting with Abby Sinclair. The circumstances of her life made her a hard person, and though it's admirable as a woman she could take care of herself, I felt a lack of emotion I typically search for in the romance genre.

I'm a dolt who thought this was a PARANORMAL romantic suspense, but it clearly isn't, and I am unable to post non-speculative reviews on the blog.

Midnight Rescue is unlike any books I have read lately! It not only has romance, but also A HUGE AMOUNT of action!! I sat on the edge of my seat almost the entire book.

This book is the first book in an 8 book series. It starts out with Abby Sinclair, a deadly BAD ASS assassin, going undercover to expose and eliminate a truly evil group of men. She intentionally blows her cover to be taken captive and get closer to freeing innocent victims. Abby's boss is very worried about her safety so she reaches out to an awesome group of mercenary men to rescue Abby. Little did they know, that was only the beginning of a dangerous mission.

I have to start by saying I freaking love that Elle Kennedy gives us such bad ass women that can kick some serious ass and are fiercely independent!! These are my favorite heroines to read about. I also loved Kane. He was so sexy, strong, and about his business. GAHHHH you know the man made it on my book boyfriend list. I truly enjoyed getting to know all the men in the mercenary team and all the women on the assassin squad. The sexual tension is undeniable as always with Elle Kennedy!

I am rating this book 4 stars because it was a great action-pack, suspenseful story that had me staying up late to finish it. I can't read the rest of the books in this serious. I can only imagine it getting better and better as we get to know more about all the characters!

It's wonderful to revisit Abby and Kane once again. Their connection was palpable from the very start. And while Abby might not be my favorite heroine in the series (the honor goes to Noelle), her story as well as her romance with Kane, not to mention the suspense had me invested in this book and started my journey with this series.

I read this book a few years back, but have since lost the paperback. I was psyched when I could get the ebook to refresh my memory prior to reading Midnight Target, and I cannot believe how much I missed this crew! Loved it!

A great start to this series. I enjoy romantic suspense and Kenndy made things interesting

I’ve been meaning to read the Killer Instincts series for awhile now. I wish I wouldn’t have put it off, because this series seriously rocks it.

Abby Sinclair is a heartless assassin. Or so she thinks. Deep undercover, her job is to bring down an arms dealer that dabbles in sex trafficking. Until she blows her cover to try to save a handful of girls that are about to be sold into the black market. Abby thinks she has everything under control, but her boss disagrees. When the Queen of Assassins thinks you’re in trouble, nothing stops her from doing what needs to be done.

Jim Morgan and his mercenaries are called in to go to Columbia to rescue Abby. That doesn’t happen a moment too soon. What they don’t expect is after they get her to safety, she wants to go right back. No one can talk her out of it, not even Kane Woodland. Her rescuer and the man she is reluctantly attracted to is someone she can’t trust even though he seems to be on her side. Abby learned a long time ago that men aren’t to be trusted. The only man she ever trusted was her adoptive father and he went and died on her.

Kane thinks Abby is crazy, but he knows there is no way to stop her from going back to Columbia. He’s all in. He doesn’t even try to fight the attraction he feels for Abby. He knows that she’s not the the person for him. She doesn’t trust at all. She’s completely closed off emotionally. Or so he thinks. It doesn’t take Kane long to see Abby for who she truly is and that’s not the heartless assassin everyone thinks she is.

Still, Abby’s secrets might drive Kane away and ruin the fragile connection they have. While I liked Abby, she wasn’t my favorite heroine. I appreciated what she went through as a child and how she became strong. I even understood how she couldn’t get over it. I wouldn’t have gotten over it. It was just that Kane was so open and honest and she couldn’t return it even to him. It got annoying. Still, the supporting characters and the storyline were good enough for me to move forward with the series and I’m glad that I did.