Two years ago Van King killed a man and saved my life.I’ve thought about the handsome private investigator every day since, fantasized about what would happen when I finally saw him again. And when I do, it’s far from the reunion of my dreams.A copycat serial killer wants to finish what I barely survived. Van rushes to my side once more, and shows me the man he truly is: protective, possessive, … protective, possessive, merciless, especially when it comes to me and my safety. He thinks I’m afraid of him. But I’ve loved Van from the moment his dark, enigmatic gaze met mine.
This time, I won’t allow my fear or debilitating shyness to rule me. I sure as hell won’t hide from the heat that explodes between us while I’m under his protection. No, I’ll welcome it and beg for more.
Merciless King is the fifth book in the Lawless Kings series, but each of these sexy, gritty contemporary romances can be enjoyed as a standalone.
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Out standing read!!!! I’m a fan for life!!! This was a fabulous sexy read with all kinds of great suspense and had me flipping though page after page. Van king is the total package! Sexy ,hot and so alpha a take charge kind of guy with just the right amount darkness. And London is Awesome sweet,kind and has that kind of innocence that is so refreshing. Together these two are so combustible and every time they come together it’s breath taking. Besides these two main characters I loved the whole gang, so many interesting couples and detective Daniels is very intriguing too!! I loved the flow of this story and the twist’s and turns had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to read more by this author! I’m so in stalker mode!!
Loved this series.
I’m a Sherilee Gray super fan, and Merciless King proved why. This is the last book in the Lawless Kings series, and she killed it! I’ve been waiting for Van King’s book, and it was SO worth the wait. Van is the ultimate protector of both other people and his heart. Reading how shy London broke down his walls and slid under his guard was the ultimate in romance pleasure.
Van saved London from a serial killer, stayed by her side when she was recuperating in the hospital, then vanished. A couple of years later, a copy cat killer has appeared and is threatening London’s life. Last time, Van walked away from her. This time, he can’t.
This book had twists and turns that had me on the edge. But the suspense never took over the romance. And what a romance it was. Passionate, hot, sweet, consuming and so breath-taking. I loved this book, and it was the perfect ending to the series. Even if I don’t want it to end!
MERCILESS KING is the fifth and final instalment in Sherilee Gray’s contemporary, adult LAWLESS KINGS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the King Agency doing personal protection and security, private investigation (corporate and domestic), high-risk fugitive recovery, missing persons and kidnapping investigations. This is eldest King brother and security specialist Van King, and florist London Rivera.
Told from dual first person points of view (Van and London) MERCILESS KING follows in the aftermath of an attack that left our heroine close to death. Two years earlier, while on stake out for another case, Van King saved the life of London Rivera when a serial killer targeted our story line heroine. Fast forward to present day wherein a copycat killer has set his sights on London Rivera, a killer who has vowed to finish the job. Desperate for help when the police are unable to prove her theory, London approaches the King Agency in an effort to hire the man she never forgot. Enter Van King, the man with whom London will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between London and Van, and the potential fall-out as Van pushes London out of his life and directly into the direct line of fire.
Van King has never forgotten about the woman that had called to his heart but Van doesn’t believe in happily ever afters especially for someone like himself. London Rivera struggles with what was and what may never be but threats against our story line heroine find London facing the fight of her life.
The relationship between London and Van is one of immediate attraction but Van knew London needed time to heal. Having ‘stalked’ our heroine from afar, Van believes he is unworthy of London’s love when our heroine demands more than his protection and security. Tormented and torn Van knows his time with London comes with a deadline. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Detective Connor Daniels, a man who takes a personal interest in London’s safety. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include the previous story line couples: Van’s brother Hunter and his wife Lulu, as well as fellow partners and security specialists Sunny and Zeke, Ruby and Neco, Willa and Jude; London’s friend and co-worker Erin. The requisite evil has many faces.
MERCILESS KING is a story of family, obsession, vengeance and love. The premise is captivating and energetic; the characters are dynamic ; the romance is seductive and hot. MERCILESS KINGS is an emotional final instalment in the Lawless Kings romantic suspense series.
Oh my gosh! I just thought I loved all the other Lawless Kings, but I didn’t have a clue what this author had in store for me with Van!
Two years ago, Van was on a job when London popped up on his radar. Instantly, attracted to her, he watches her and obsesses over her. When a serial killer attacks her and almost takes her life, he steps in.
He has spent the past couple of years hungry for her, but knows he can’t pursue her. He isn’t a good man. His past has proven he can never be a good man. But when London walks back into his life he has to keep reminding himself of that, even as she makes him feel things he’s never felt before.
”I’d never been affected by another human being the way London Rivera affected me…Everything about her hit every one of my hot buttons.”
When strange and terrifying things reminds London of that time two years ago, she seeks help and finally turns to the one man who was there at the worse time of her life. The man that made her feel safe. When her past rushes to the present, she finds herself securely ensconced in Van’s warm arms. This is only a temporary situation and once life gets back to normal she will have a few pleasant memories to overshadow her fear.
Van is the perfect protective hero. The kind that I absolutely love and can never get enough of. He will do anything, ANYTHING, to keep London safe. But even as he longs to have her forever, he struggles with his own issues and fears.
”No, what worried me was the cold, ruthless, violent part of me that would do anything, and I mean anything, to protect those people. That part of me, when it came out, brought pain and rage and vengeance with it. I knew what I was truly capable of. I could dish that sh!t out without mercy, without losing a moment of sleep.”
London is sweet, shy and gentle. Suffering from social anxiety she hasn’t been able to open herself up to people. With her past in a constant loop in her mind, she sets her sights on living her life. I loved that she began the changes herself and it wasn’t a result of Van’s presence in her life. With each step forward she grew stronger and I cheered all along the way for her. When added to her acceptance of Van and all that he was, I was totally sold on her character.
”He’d killed a man for me before, and he would again. Maybe that should make me uneasy or frightened, that he was capable of that. But it didn’t Knowing the lengths Van would go to for me only made me…love him more than I already did. He made me feel incredibly safe. I was safe with him.”
This was such a wonderful read. The emotions between this couple, as well as individually, rang true and although there is a bit of push and pull from Van, I totally understood his reasoning and it never got to be too much.
The chemistry between Van and London was absolutely sizzling and left no doubt of its validity. This author does steamy in the best possible way, but for this couple, it left me dry mouthed and wide eyed. So good!
Definitely a read for those who love strong, protective alphas that show a bit of their jealous tendencies as well as a heroine who grows during the story resulting in a stronger character more than able to handle their hero.
Dual POV
***Review may have spoilers***
I was hooked from the very first chapter!
Van King, head of a security firm, was staking out an apartment when he sees London walking home. She happens to live next door to the guy he was staking out. After seeing her several days in a row, he had become a bit obsessed with her. During his stake out he hears her scream from her apartment and intervenes, saving her life from a serial killer. He’s there for her as she recovers but makes the decision to walk away thinking he isn’t good enough for her.
Van comes from an abusive home and he fears that the darker side of himself is too much like his father. London is just too sweet and he believes she deserves better. While I normally don’t like when a hero pushes away for this reason, I think the author did a really good job of giving us his thought process and you really see how much he craves London. Knowing how much he wanted her and how intense his feelings were negated the fact that he tried to stay away from her.
Jump forward a bit in time and it looks like London may have a stalker. When the police won’t take her seriously, she goes to the man who saved her life. As much as Van tries to stay away from London, he can’t ignore the danger to her.
London is a very shy, sweet heroine. She has social anxiety and struggles particularly with men. It’s made worse after her near death experience. Despite the anxiety, she feels safe with Van and was hurt when he walked away. She isn’t a doormat though. She was bold enough to ask for what she wanted and did it in a way that didn’t seem out of character.
If I could describe this book in one word, it would be intense. The story line was intense, Van was intense and the sex in this book was really intense. I really liked his dominant personality against her shy and sweet personality. It just worked and I was completely hooked!
Like the rest of the King Agency men, Van is deadly and dangerous, dark and brooding. Still, London is extremely drawn to him. Okay, so some of her adoration could be due to the fact that he saved her life, and helped her through the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. But, come on, there’s a lot there to love anyway! Not only is he physically attractive as described, he’s also successful, intelligent, dedicated and protective to a fault.
Van, however, is also something of an idiot. He doesn’t think that he’s good enough for London or that he’ll be good for her, so he keeps away from her for a very long time and pushes her away at nearly every turn. Which pissed me off because it upset her so often and made her feel as though she wasn’t worth his love and affection. So much so that when he changes his tune on that score, it takes her quite awhile to actually believe the truth of it.
London is a bit different than most of the other heroines of this series. For one thing, she suffers from more than a little society anxiety, so much so that it’s nearly debilitating, actually. Certainly, the events leading up to the current action don’t help any in that regard. It would definitely be more than a little disconcerting to have not just one but multiple serial killers targeting you. Still, London turns out to be incredibly strong emotionally, and even manages to help save herself on a couple of occasions.
There are several interactions with characters from previous books in the series that are great. It’s always wonderful to see the other members of their close-knit group and learn how they are doing as time goes by.
The twists and turns of the intrigue of this novel are even more intense than in some of the prior volumes, and that’s saying quite a bit. It makes for a lot of mystery and excitement. Although I’m personally mostly here for the romance, this is definitely a good suspenseful thriller. Thanksfully, all is eventually resolved and this couple are finally able to get their happily-ever-after. While I am sad to see the last of the King Agency, this is a wonderful ending to an exceptional series!
Merciless King is book five in the Lawless Kings series by Sherilee Grey! This book can be read as a stand alone but the characters are recurring from the previous books. Its here that I have to ask you, WHY? Why would you want to miss any of the awesomeness of this series? Because it is awesome. But, THIS BOOK!!! Van!!! I’m in love!!! Sadly, he doesn’t want me, he wants London Rivera, who I am about to tell you all about.
The book starts right out with a huge bang two years previously. London is brutally attacked and Van comes to her rescue and saves her life. After he is sure she is okay, he fades out of her life for reasons I’ll explain and we fast forward to the present. London now owns her own successful flower shop, Beautiful Blooms. London has a social anxiety disorder which makes it difficult for her to interact with others, especially men. She has never forgotten Van, fantasizes about him. But she hasn’t seen him since after her attack two years prior. Recently, London has been getting that creepy feeling as though she is being followed. She ignored her instincts two years ago and she’s not going to do it this time. But the police just think she is still suffering from PTSD. So she goes to Van for help. Only he initially doesn’t believe her either. Until he is proven wrong and she is once again attacked. They say lightening doesn’t strike twice! Well, that doesn’t seem to be the case for her.
“I was a dangerous man, I knew this, my brother and my friends knew this. With London, I had the potential to become a monster.”
Van King owned his own Investigative Services Business. He never forgot London. It’s been two years since he has seen her. He knows he can’t be the man for her. He has a darkness inside him and she deserves so much more. But when she walks back into his life, this time he can’t say no. He wants her too much. His body craves her. Maybe they can just enjoy each other until she is safe, then let her go. Because he can’t be what she needs.
“What was it about this woman? How was it that every part of her called to every part of me? Because that’s how it felt.”
As Van tries to find the man who is threatening London, they become closer. London feels safe with Van and only Van. She is determined to not let her anxiety hold her back this time. She let him go two years ago, but not this time. This time she didn’t want to have any regrets.
I could not put this book down. Sherilee Grey is my addiction. Not only was the suspense aspect of this story gripping with twists and turns along the way, the romantic side of things between Van and London had the butterflies in my stomach taking flight. Van was everything, just everything. He was all alpha, growly, jealous, possessive. Need I go on? I loved the growth I saw in London when she was with him. The difference in her from the beginning of the book to the end was just amazing. And you know why? Van!
I could go on and on but basically, I just need to say, “Read This Book!” That is the most important thing I can tell you! I don’t think you’ll regret it. Because, Van!!! Thank you, Sherilee! I’m on the edge of my seat to see what you have for us next!!
From the moment he came to her rescue he knew that there was something there brewing between them, but he also knew he wasn’t the right man for her, she was just too innocent for the likes of him. So, he did what he thought was right and helped her through the trauma that followed after her attack, and then split when he figured she was well enough to go at things on her own. It hurt too much to be around her, knowing he could never have her, or touch her the way he craved.
But now she has come crashing back into his life, once again in danger, and once again needing his help. But this time things are going to be different. This time he plans on not letting her slip away… he will finally give into his heart, and lay claim to London Rivera.
Within the pages of Merciless King lies a story that will torture your heart, play on your emotions, and leave your knees weak. This series quickly became a favorite of mine after reading the first installment Shattered King, and with each book that has followed I have fell even more in love with it. And just as before I find myself completely mesmerized by Ms. Gray’s perfectly crafted characters and words, this story was nothing short of AMAZING! I loved this coupling, their gritty, heart-wrenching story rendered me useless, once I got started I on it just couldn’t bring myself to part ways with them. If you like suspenseful, dark, erotic tales then I highly suggest you check this series out, it’s stories are beautifully penned, and it’s characters are unforgettable!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Merciless King was an awesome read. It was sweet, sexy, steamy, suspenseful and a bit twisty. I enjoyed every moment of it even those where I had to suspend belief. I definitely recommend it.
Copy provided by author
The best King story yet
Van is working a job, while Hunter is in prison, trying to keep their new company afloat. When on this particular job, Van notices a woman who lives in the building – London, he can’t help but notice her. When he hears her scream through his surveillance equipment, he rushes in and saves her from a serial killer. He walks away after her recovery, convinced he’s not the man for her.
Two years later, London is struggling to deal with her anxiety and events that occurred two years previously, but she’s got the same feelings as what happened to her before….she feels she’s being watched. After trying the usual avenues for help, she finally caves and goes to the one man who makes her feel safe….Van
This book literally sucked me in like a vacuum. I was held enthralled right up until the end and couldn’t stop reading. Van and London are now absolutely my favourite couple, they have both been through so much and have persevered to overcome their demons. This series and book is definitely not to be missed.
Thank you to Sherilee for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review and express my sadness for the fact that this is the end of another fantastic series