You must fall before you can rise…Former Delta Force Operator. Scarred inside and out.In the military, Mercy had seen and done things most people could never imagine. Now working for In the Shadows Security, dangerous jobs are his specialty, the more difficult the better… until his boss assigns him to protect a spoiled, rich woman who never shuts the h*ll up. He has two ways to stop her … He has two ways to stop her running mouth, but either could get him fired.
However, first impressions can be deceiving, and underestimating this woman is a mistake Mercy never intended to make. One that might not only threaten his job but the carefully built barriers he’s surrounded himself with.
Witness to a horrific crime, Parris must leave Vegas immediately. After her best friend hires a professional to get her out of Nevada and keep her safe, she discovers there’s more to this emotionally crippled “bodyguard” than meets the eye. As a therapist, Mercy’s a challenge Parris can’t ignore, even when his walls seem too high to breach.
In the end, will Mercy not only be able to keep her safe but allow her to save him? Or will he let the woman who’s become his addiction simply walk away?
Note: Mercy is the first book of the Guts & Glory series, a six-book spin-off from my Dirty Angels MC series. While it’s recommended to read both series in order, each book can be read as a stand-alone. As with all my books, this has an HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating.
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4 Mercy Stars
Mercy is the first book In the Shadows Security Series by Jeanne St. James. The military has given Mercy a heart as black as coal. He will never let anyone in or allow his shell to be broken. Not only that its left him scaring all over his body not only his face. Because of this Marcy cannot commit to anyone long term. One night stands are his MO’s and he wont ever go back for more.
Rissa has wtnessed something she shouldn’t have. Now she is locked away with a man that she can’t help but anaylise and admire. Although she is a strong and resilient, she is scared but she wont let anyone see that. But Mercy see’s her and the two begin to bond.
This was a great read and is a spin off from the Dirty Angels Series. I wouldn’t say you have to read her previous MC series, but I would rcommend it as it adds to the enjoyment of the book and all the secondary characters from previous books.
This is a wonderful book!! Highly recommend it to everyone!
I thought I wouldn’t like Mercy, but it didn’t take long to change my mind. He’s a man who dedicated his life to military and then to D’s crew. Until Parris comes along. He’s just supposed to keep her safe, but sometimes life has other plans.
I really enjoyed this book, and I loved how this story played out. Parris is a really sweet, caring person who is just what Mercy needed.
First book in this series and what a start to the series. Mercy has a mission. But it isn’t going to be an easy one. She is feisty beautiful mouthy and doesn’t want to listen. Will he break his rules or do what is needed to keep her alive and safe? I loved this book from freaking beginning to end. Loved Mercy. Strong stubborn alpha take no crap male. I want one. I loved these two together . A perfect fit in my book. Jeanne wrote another amazing book. Can’t wait to read more from these characters.
Incredible…this is a great first book in this series. As soon as I finished it I started it again.
I could not get enough of Mercy and his Lightning chemistry with Parris.
Headstrong, smart, beautiful, all perfect traits to go up against Mercy with.
To quote John Stamos ~~ HAVE MERCY! Jeanne St. James has done it again! From the minute you start on the first page, you will not be able to put it down. Mercy and Rissa are explosive and powerful on their own but together they are volcanic. Mercy is a tough, brutal, rude, set in his ways and is a judge, jury and executioner character. His backstory is full of ugly and he suffers from PTSD that he won’t even acknowledge. Rissa knows there is good in there if she can just get him to acknowledge things. As usual these stories and their characters are complex, flawed and intriguing. Jeanne St. James knows how to draw you in and not let go. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I love this author and this book did not disappoint! I love Mercy. He’s one of my favorite’s. Big tough bad ass that finds out he actually has a heart. I highly recommend any one of her books. She’s an excellent writer.
This is a brilliant start to the series. I absolutely love Jeanne St.James books, they are very entertaining. It is nice to see how love change Mercy. Under the tough macho man there is a soft and sweet side, he will do anything for the people he care about, what more could a woman want. It is not east to get over painful experiences but with unconditional love and support it is possible. Brilliant story, wonderful characters. I totally enjoyed it.
Mercy is a tough character with a lot of baggage. He is rude, set in his ways and tough as nails. His history in the military would bring down most normal men and has molded him into the man he is today. Parris has witnessed a crime and finds herself in grave danger. Mercy works for Shadows Security and is assigned the job of keeping Parris safe and alive. At the request of her best friend, she leaves Las Vegas and goes into hiding with Mercy… and so the story begins.
Parris pushes Mercy to the extreme and sparks fly. Parris is a sex therapist. She’s cultured, classy and seems unfazed by Mercy’s temper and bad attitude. Mercy finds out quickly that his assumptions about this woman are far from accurate. Still, she is pushing all his buttons and the chemistry between the two is explosive!
I am a huge fan of Jeanne St James, Dirty Angels MC series. I would recommend reading the Down & Dirty series before starting this book. Doing so will explain a lot. This series can stand alone, but you will not be disappointed checking out where this incredible team of alpha bad boys were introduced!! I absolutely loved Mercy and Parris aka Rissa’s story! I’m giving this read 5 stars because… well, there simply is no other option! Great read!!!
This was an intense first chapter for this series. Mercy is one tough alpha, he won’t let anyone in, for any reason. Parris, an unwilling protectee who does not have the whole story. He thinks she is a flighty princess, she thinks he’s an overgrown oaf. They are both wrong in their assessments and its dangerous for these assumptions to take hold. I love the interaction with the other brothers and especially the poker/strip poker chapter … absolutely hilarious. Mercy is quite the holdout and I was thinking they were not going to get their HEA, but it’s not revealed until the very, very end. I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally read all the words in the book. I enjoyed this book and I will definitely read more in this series and will go back and read the series before as well.
Amazing book
4.5
I love a good romantic suspense laced with action, intrigue and danger which is exactly what you get with the first title of the In the Shadows Security series. Mercy and Parris story is raw and gritty, but also erotic and sexy.
The characters are complex, flawed and intriguing. Mercy is a former special forces operative and his time in the service has left him scarred and damaged both inside and out. Although a loner, he’s particularly loyal to his brothers of Shadows Security. A deadly, stubborn, gruff and brooding, driven hero who is both vulnerable and insecure he ticks all my boxes.
Parris is an intelligent, driven and successful woman, yet also quite naïve and slightly clueless at the same times. She’s relatable, and likeable, resilient, curvy, outspoken, confident, caring and compassionate.
The chemistry between this pair is undeniable and the love scenes they share are incredibly hot and steamy.
I look forward to reading seeing the rest of the Shadows find their happy ever after.
I absolutely love the world Jeanne has created with the DAMC and In the Shadows. I instantly became obsessed with Mercy when he was first introduced in the series and I could not wait for his story. I had his story so hyped up in my mind that I actually was nervous that it might not meet my expectations. I was wrong. Jeanne is amazing at what she does and Mercy and Rissas story was fantastic. My poor stomach was in knots the whole time because I just wanted Mercy to realize that he did indeed deserve to be loved. The whole story was amazing but the last 1.5 hour is what really wrenched my heart. Rissa tried so hard to love Mercy but he refused to believe that he deserved it. He felt too damaged and it was so sad. I’m so glad in the end he realized that they were meant to be and she was the perfect person to fill his inner voids. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I absolutely love love loved these two.
5 star review of Guts & Glory: Mercy (In the Shadows Security #1) by Jeanne St James
Audio Review
Book one in a spin off and new series to me from Jeanne St James which was narrated by Ava Lucas and Aiden Snow who drew me in and kept me captivated with their narration which was spot on and really brought this story to life for me.
I fell for Mercy, hook line and sinker. The story was raw and gritty and I listened to this in almost one sitting as I couldn’t wait to hear what happened. Mercy was an elite soldier who is now a member of the Shadow Security team and one that I found absolutely fascinating.
There is so much more to him than meets the eye, so much lurking under the surface that you will be drawn in and kept on the edge of your seat as the story progresses. Now I am off to listen to the rest of the books that are available.
Guts & Glory: Mercy was well written and entertaining and In my opinion Ms. St James has another winning series on her hands.
Guts & Glory: Mercy
In the Shadows Security, Book 1
By: Jeanne St. James
Narrated by: Ava Lucas, Aiden Snow
I was just asked if I like this book, and my response is Jeanne St. James books to me are like comfort food. There is something about her stories that I find myself escaping into and coming out completely satisfied. Mercy is my kind of man. Full of flaws, hard to tackle and truly has a good heart. When hired to keep Parris safe, she sees the same things and as a therapist, she finds her attraction both to him and to his issues. But can she break down his walls? And will Mercy keep her safe? St. James has done it again and filled my heart as I listened to this story. I love the military man, and what I love about this one is he is not your typical hero. He is gruff, severely scarred and keeps to himself. Parris is a fantastic woman. In the beginning I was a little wary of her, but she proves there is more to her than meets the eye. With thrilling suspense and danger, St. James weaves a steamy story with crossovers of our favorite DAMC characters. I could not stop listening and can’t wait for Ryder’s story next!
Jeanne St. James takes her narration choices seriously and her casting of this book is spot on. Mercy is a growlie, alpha male and Aiden Snow has the perfect voice for him. He gives that extra protective feel with a hint of danger in the underlying tones. He understands his characters and gives them the personality I would expect if I was reading it. Parris is a little bratty, but she is smart and as Mercy would say, a manipulator. She knows her craft well, knows what she wants and will work on getting it. Ava Lucas hears that and makes Parris exactly that way. She finds the nuances in this woman, giving her that crafty edge when getting to know Mercy but also the vulnerable side. Another amazing book and performance, a great way to end my day.
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Mercy and Parris
I’ve been wanting to read mercy for awhile. Mercy was given a job to retrieve a package from Vegas.
Parris walked in on something she shouldn’t have seen. Now she had to go into hiding, until her best friend Michael could handle the problem.
At first glance, Mercy sees her as a spoiled rich “side piece” to Michael and isn’t happy to be a babysitter.
I knew this was going to be a great story, I wasnt disappointed.
Can’t wait for next book.
The Guts & Glory series is a spin-off from the amazing DAMC series, and I can’t get enough of them! Mercy is a tough nut to crack, and he’s got the muscle to back up his badda$$ery. Parris/Rissa as his therapist was awesome – she wouldn’t take his crap, and he dished it out plenty! But Mercy’s past is definitely not a pretty one, and he has learned life’s lessons the hard way. I love that this is a new beginning of stories for more of the DAMC/GAG world! All the guts and glory you got from the older books, and then some!
Wow talk about a man who is scary, Alpha, broken, and in need of love! Mercy is a man who is lost, scarred, deep, and in need of a woman who can see beyond all of that. He is ex-military and has the scars, both inside and out from his service. He has found his place outside of the military working with a group of men who were all special forces in different branches of the service, at a security company run by a man who is the sergeant at arms in an MC. The job that Mercy is assigned is not his idea of a fun time, babysitting a rich, spoiled woman who doesn’t know when to shut up.
Parris has to leave Vegas and she is not happy about it. Little does she know that her life is in more danger than she is aware of. Her friendship with a man who owns several casinos could her life to end, especially after what she has witnessed. She is unaware of the danger lurking about Michael, her best friend who has hired an elite security company to get her out of Vegas and keep her safe and alive.
I really like this story and the characters were great. The men on Mercy’s team are a mix of fun, flirtatious, lethal, serious, and very dangerous. I love how Mercy instantly gives Parris a nick name and that she is a therapist. It was such a great twist to the story, but it also made the story better. The ease in which she can talk about her work was great and the reaction from the men on Mercy’s team was perfect. I give this story a 5-star review and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy reading stories about MC’s, ex- military, dangerous, or scarred men finding the love they feel they’ll never find. I am so looking forward to Ryder’s story next.
Love mercy!!!!
Love these 2 so much and all the crap they went through to find there HEA
I really hope to see more of these 2 in the future books
I have been waiting for Mercy’s story. He has always been my favorite Shadow. I’ve wanted him to find his special someone and Rissa is perfect for him. This book pulls you in from the first page. It has action, a hot couple, and you see some of your favorite DAMC members. A great start to the new series!