The Mercy Series #1
KU e-book, Audible audiobook
Author: Debra Anastasia
Narrators: Muffy Newtown and Zachary Webber
Becca waits tables at a popular local bar in town, Memes. Her best friend works with her and her biggest worry in life is circumventing her mother’s attempts to find her a guy that is perfect “husband material”. Unbeknownst to her, all her steps are being monitored. Even the claw game she plays online was created with the solo purpose of keeping tabs on her.
Mercy (Fenix, or Nix) is an accomplished hacker and a skilled assassin. He’s practically a legend in the underworld – with his whole body covered in a skeleton tattoo, including his face, he’s developed an aura of mystery and fear. He’s a man of many secrets and the biggest one is his obsession with Becca. They met as children, when she defended him and faced off his father who had literally just killed his mother in front of him hours before. He never forgot her kindness and vowed to protect her. It was that moment of kindness that gave him strength and kept him alive.
Now, as an adult, he protects her from afar, but when a “Day of The Dead” themed costume party is promoted at Memes, the opportunity arises for them to meet. He’ll blend in with the crowd in costumes. Practically forced to go by his best friend, he caves and they hit to off. But Becca thinks he’s “in costume” and when they meet, he brings all the dangers to her door. But he will do anything to keep her safe. Anything.
Mercy is a “light” dark romance – with enough dark elements without veering into disturbing. Yes, he’s a cold-blooded killer, but his fate was not a choice. He’s also a stalker moved by the noble desire to protect the only person who has ever stood for him. I didn’t think I could empathize with a murdering stalker but whaddya know? He’s swoony! If you like a pining hero, Nix will hit the spot.
Like in all stories with evil crime lords, you sometimes feel things go a little over the top, but it all makes sense in this story. The friendship between Nix and Animal, the way he cares for his sister and for little Christina help in making you root for the killer with a skull tattoo on his face. I absolutely loved it!
Narration: Muffy Newton and Zachary Webber. You give this two material to sink their teeth into and you get a glorious narration!
Rep and possible triggers: FMC has dysgraphia. Kidnapping, murder, torture harassment, extreme mistreatment of a child by a parent, death of a parent, foster care, cancer diagnosis and treatment
