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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3.5 Stars
It was 5 stars until about half way through, then it went to 4 stars until about 80% and by the finish down to 3.5 stars. IMO I spent way too much time in Mercy and Rissa’s head bouncing the same stuff over and over. Mercy can’t commit because he’s such a bad person and he can’t lose her if he opens up. Rissa, a sex therapist, over analyzes everything. If some of the head space was deleted it would have probably been better for me. I hate it when the same thing is hashed and re-hashed over and over again. But it was still a good book. The Dirty Angels MC played a big part in the book also, which was a plus.
I was first intrigued by Mercy in the middle of the DAMC series and I’m so glad he has his own book! I feel that Mercy is the toughest and coldest of the In the Shadows Security Team, but he’s easily one of my favorites after reading his and Rissa’s story. After learning parts of Mercy’s past, you’ll question if there’s any woman out there who can keep Mercy on his toes. Of course, Jeanne St. James takes you on another emotional rollercoaster as you grow to love the characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend starting with the Down & Dirty series so you can fall in love with Mercy earlier and appreciate his relationship with Rissa even more. You won’t be able to put Jeanne’s books down!!
Lord Have Mercy!! You’ll be saying this a lot during and after the book.
What a great start to a new series.
Badass touch alpha male, doing what he does best – being a protector and very authoritative. However, he meets his match with his newest job.
You won’t want to put this one down, and you’ll need a fan, some water and a whole lot of undisturbed reading time.
I’ve been waiting for Mercy’s story since his first appearance with the DAMC. Parris doesn’t pull her punches and reminds me of several of the DAMC old ladies. Mercy is the first book in a spin off from the DAMC. Parris is perfect for Mercy. Looking forward to the rest of the. Guts and glory books and checking back in with the Dirty Angels.
Have Mercy (as Uncle Jesse would say)! This book has it all. I mean, the cover alone is enough to make you need a cold shower. Love this dark, tormented man and the woman that finally brings him to his knees. 5 stars!!! A must read for all.
Holy Hell this was one smokin’ book
I fell in LOVE and LUST with Mercy. He has jumped to the top of my book boyfriends! He is such a damaged character that will break your heart. but Rissa is the perfect woman to heal him and make him love her. I don’t know that she makes him love himself, but she brings a perspective that allows him to put his demons to rest. It is also a pleasure to revisit DAMC characters! I read this book in one sitting and immediately wish I could read it again. If you haven’t read Jeanne St. James – go read her NOW!
Jeanne St James has delivered another amazing read. I love this story and I love Mercy even more now than in the last series. I highly recommend!
Oh, Mercy!! I love this book! In this book we get Mercy and Rissa’s story and what a fantastic way to start In The Shadows Security series. I started it this morning and didn’t want to put it down until the last page. Now I anxiously wait for book two. If you have ever read a book by Jeanne St. James then you know what a treat it is because this author puts her heart and soul into each book leaving the readers feeling like they truly know the characters. 5 stars for Guts & Glory Mercy!
OMG yes when they made Mercy they broke the mold. Mercy is the king alpha and he doesn’t give into anyone. Then comes along Parris and she chages the game on him. Mercy and Parris are perfect for each other Parris will not take any crap from Mercy she has no problem calling him out on his crap. Mercy for the first time has to deal with things he hates and it may just kill him. I loved Mercy and was glad to get more into his head and see him open up and break all his rules.
Wow, Holy Hotness!! Loved Mercy and Parris. This is book 1 in the Shadows Security series. I loved reading this book and couldn’t put it down till I finished it. 5 stars!! I voluntarily reviewed a Advanced Reader copy of this book.
A new series, by one of my favourite author’s? UM Hell Yeah I’m gonna read it! I loved Mercy when I meet him in a previous series and I couldn’t wait until he got to tell his own story. This one had me all over with the emotions and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I loved everything about this hard and broken man, and I really truly loved how Rissa was exactly what the good Doctor ordered for him. They had chemistry that flew from the pages and knocked me sideways! I can’t wait for book 2 and to see where the men of In The Shadows Security take us!!
I was so stoked to get a book about Mercy. Particularly after reading Crow. A wonderful spin off to Jeanne St. James other Damc series which is also amazing if you’ve never picked it up. Do it
I wish that I could give more than 5 stars because it definitely deserves more. Jeanne St James brought us another fan-freaking-tastic book with a well written plot that kept me hooked until the end. Mercy and Rissa had blazing chemistry. Their story was full of emotions, humor, and steamy scenes that left you practically on fire. Now I NEED Ryder which is book 2.
OMG I thought the DAMC series was gold in a book. The Guts & Glory series is pure platinum. I have loved Mercy from the first book he was mentioned in and was so thrilled when his story came out. Mercy was everything I expected and so much more. I can’t wait for more of this series to be released love all these men. Go grab the DAMC and Guts & Glory series today you will not regret it.
This series is starting with a bang! Mercy is a ruthless ex Army working for D in Shadow Valley. He is scarred, physically and emotionally. He gets a job that will pay him very well, but won’t be an easy one. I just loved that Parris had no qualms about sex, she gave as good as she got. She is a strong woman, successful, outgoing and in danger. I was worried about Mercy but he came through. One of my favorite moments is actually his talk with Jewelee. Loved the book!
Love this book! Can’t wait to see what is next!!!
OH Wow, is this ever going to be one hellacious Series. Just WOW! Kudos to Ms. St. James for a storyline that kept me entranced from the start to the finish. It is very well written and the characters and actions that are so well defined I I felt every heartbeat and verbal exchange right along with them.
The military has made Mercy into the man he is today, both the good and the bad. He is a loner who is battle worn and visibly wears the battle scars to prove it. However he has found a little peace working for Shadowland Security, taking the most dangerous the job. Mercy now lives for the thrill that will keep his mind occupied instead of dealing with the nightmares of his past. When his boss assigns him to babysit a rich spoiled woman, who refuses to shut up Mercy knows he is going to lose his mind. But with no one else available Mercy agrees to take the job, if for no other reason that the hefty bonus he’ll earn if he keeps her alive until the threat is dealt with.
Parris is a sex therapist in Las Vegas. She has a good life, good friends and loves her work. However when she accidently sees something she shouldn’t by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he life becomes endangered. Her friend Michael, who got her in this mess in the first place, hires Shadowland Security to protect her until the threat is gone. Needless to say Parris is not happy. Especially with the sexy hard nosed guard who has more rules that she cares to follow and has more walls built up that any client she’s every worked with.
The story will take you on a suspenseful, heartfelt, sexy ride as Mercy tries to keep Parris safe and she tried to breakdown this harden man so he’ll start living instead of just existing when everything is over. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars for this exciting read, and this reader is anxiously awaiting the book 2 in the Guts and Glory Series.
This is a great start to getting to know D’s crew better. Mercy is a tough guy who has seen and done more sh*t than most and it’s left him with plenty of scar, external and internal! His next assignment is going to turn his world upside down!
Loved this book! Brilliantly written and tore at my heart strings!
I absolutely loved this book.
Mercy and Rissa are a super hot couple.
The story was very well written and had lots
of action.
I thought the poker game was a riot.
Loved the conversations between Mercy and D and the ones with Jewel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from an advanced reader copy.
Looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.
Mercy, mercy me! So, yes this book is a spin off. And no, you don’t have to read the other series to get this one BUT they are so good why wouldn’t you want to. Ok back to this book. Mercy is so closed off from everyone and everything. It’s understandable because of his history with the Army and his work with the agency that is willing and able to do just about anything that needs to be done, legal or otherwise. He is understood by his “brothers” in the agency since they all have similar backgrounds. They don’t talk out their feelings because they experience the same. As a matter of fact, I’m surprised they don’t just grunt at each other. HA! I’m super glad they don’t since they have a banter that only brothers do. These are the moments that make these guys shine.
Parris finds herself in a nasty situation that she could have never seen coming. She witnesses something that her best friend has been dealing in and that could threaten her life. Mercy is hired to protect her. He doesn’t like babysitting jobs, especially to women who don’t know how to be quiet. That’s not the real reason he doesn’t like being near her but that would cause too much of a reveal. I adored Rissa (as Mercy calls her). She is not one to shy away from a challenge and Mercy is definitely that. His walls are brick covered in mortar surrounded by barbed wire. Being a therapist, she knows those walls when she sees them but finds holes and burrows herself deep. Mercy has no chance.
If this is just the start to this new series, I am more than anxiously anticipating the rest of these brothers in arms falling for their perfect matches.