Mercy Bound

by Kele Moon

Despite wanting her forever, Dray has vowed to protect Mercy, even from himself. Then his mating heat is triggered, leaving only two choices—fuck or die. And luscious Mercy is suitably equipped—and determined—to save him.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Erotica, Paranormal, Aliens, Novella, Science Fiction Romance

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2013

About the author

A freckle-faced redhead born and raised in Hawaii, Kele Moon has always been a bit of a sore thumb and has come to enjoy the novelty of it. She thrives on pushing the envelope and finding ways to make the impossible work in her story telling. With a mad passion for romance, she adores the art of falling in love. The only rules she believes in is that, in love, there are no rules and true love knows no bounds.

So obsessed is she with the beauty of romance and the novelty of creating it, she’s lost in her own wonder world most of the time. Thankfully she married her own dark, handsome, brooding hero who has infinite patience for her airy ways and attempts to keep her grounded. When she leaves her keys in the refrigerator or her cell phone in the oven, he’s usually there to save her from herself. The two of them now reside in Florida with their three beautiful children, who make their lives both fun and challenging in equal parts—they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Shortie Stars

This was a hot little PNR read.

Perfect for when you are in the mood for that.

Or if you need to burn 30 minutes of your work day.
Or you are stuck in line at the DMV.
Or you are going to the bathroom.

[Exina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I need to figure out how to land an Alanten."

The story
The setting is an infirmary on a spaceship, somewhere in the galaxy. Mercy, and two Alanten warriors, Dray and his brother Conrad are waiting for the doctor’s arrival, pretty impatiently.

“When that doctor comes back, I’m gonna kill him.”

Dray has suffered a serious injury, and the doctor mistakenly believes he is human, and treats him with a medicine that has a side effect for Alantens, namely it triggers mating heat. It is fatal for Dray if he can’t find a suitable mate.

There is no other female on the ship, only Mercy. Mercy has no intention of letting him die, and they have been secretly in love with each other for ages.

My Thoughts
Despite its shortness, the story is quite detailed: from the small details about their childhood and life, through the characteristics of the Alanten race, to the name of the planets in the Galaxy, the world-building is genuinely written.

The physical aspects of bonding, as well as the spiritual and mental ones are really engaging. So is the humor. The bar scene is hilarious!


A quote with adult content...

“You’re tight,” Dray moaned, his fingers resuming their work, stroking and stretching her as Mercy thrust into his touch. “Tighter than I’m used to.”
“My social life sucks,” she gasped, pushing her hips against his hand shamelessly. “My best friends are overprotective Alanten warriors. Dates are few and far between.”

All in all, Mercy Bound is an enjoyable, very hot short story.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a galaxy far far away, a human-form alien and his entirely human best-friend get down and dirty together in a quest to save his life.

When we find a potential mate, a female who makes us feel certain things, we bite her.”

Bit on the short side but delivers on the steam.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Solid Stars! Fun, witty, steamy...lots of story in a small package!

This is the way you write a short story! From page one I was hooked, and by page two I was invested in the characters and wanted to know what they were all about.

Orphaned at a young age, Dray and Conrad are Alantens warriors, they look human, but they're not. They were rescued by Mercy Walsh's father, a bounty hunter who found them on the planet Jasper after their parents were killed while they all were fighting in a battle to free slaves. Over the years Dray was honor bound to Mercy's father and now that he's passed, this proud warrior will do anything and everything to keep Mercy safe. Mercy doesn't think she needs protecting and Dray's acts of heroism are getting on her nerves. She's been in love with him since the day she met him, and he loves her too. However, he keeps his distance, because she's human, and he feels it's best to keep their relationship strictly bounty hunter business. That is, until he receives a new treatment meant for humans for his latest injury and it triggers the mating heat!! HOLY CRAP!! You'll have to read it to find out happens!

There is some sssssscorchin' hot, passionate sex, but it didn't not consume the story, it was balanced perfectly. It had a little bit of everything, funny dialogue, passion, love, and an engaging story. Kele Moon managed to write a big story with a few words. Please, please tell me that Conrad is going to have a book, he was adorable and needs to be heart bound too!!

Just a side-note. Even though this is labeled as sci-fi, anyone can read this and enjoy it. It's just a setting for the story and the characters, but I think it's appeal will be broader than it's label.

[Leyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what makes me happy?

And chocolate... DUH!

I admit, I may be a wee bit obsessed. But who cares? Nobody gets hurt!
Except my diet...


In this case, this story was the perfect bite to soothe my hunger until I find something more fleshed and lengthy in the genre. It was just what I needed!
It was fun, sweet and adorably romantic. It's a pity it's so short!
Good characters. Plot not too deep but popcorn worthy. And the fuzzies were splashed in every page.
I enjoyed it very much and it reminded me I should read more of Kele Moon's books, like asap.
Her writing was fast-paced and she absolutely absorbs your attention.

Bluuuurb
Mercy's father rescued and adopted two Atlantan brothers, Dray and Conrad. They grow up together and stay together as a family even after Mercy's father passes away. Mercy is totally smitten with Dray and Dray does his best to put a distance and shut down any emotions related to his attraction to Mercy. He promised to protect her, even from himself.

Thank God Mercy takes charge!
Anyways, this is an enjoyable read. Not too complicated. Issues are resolved quickly with little angst and there's a guaranteed HEA. Pure hot temporary fluff!
So don't expect a deep meaningful story or world building. Some space travel, drugs, and banter.
Good erotica too.

3.5 Mating Stars with obviously destined mate themes as the main dish!
WARNING!
Mating urges need to be soothed. You need no further info!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really quick read from author Kele Moon. I enjoyed it, especially when I had just read a ton of heavy reads, this was a welcome change.
Mercy, Dray and his brother Conrad have known each other most of their lives.
Conrad and Dray are Atlantan warriors and were adopted by Mercy's father when their own parents were killed. Atlantan warriors seem to be from a different planet and are a different genetic makeup from humans, though look mostly human.
Mercy is human and has been in love with Dray for as long as she can remember. Dray has also felt that Mercy was his mate, but because of a promise he made to her father feels he can never act on his feelings without breaking that promise.
Things change when Dray is injured and the medicine that the doctor administers to him throws him into heat, and with no other female around other than Mercy, his choices are limited, mate or die.

This is a enjoyable, steamy, little read. I had enough information and storyline, but really this is a book based around sex and love, but mostly sex. I have absolutely no complaints in that, in fact sometimes that is exactly what you need. The characters were good and Mercy with her no nonsense attitude really stole the show for me.


I am giving it 4 stars because it was exactly what I needed.

[Sydney M Neblett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fight for her right

This book is a super short, fantastic read that I wished could have gone on longer. The author packed so much in just a few short pages. She brought us fully developed characters, a current situation with a detailed backstory, and am amazing new take on fated mates and guys who think they know what is right for the lady in their lives. I would love to see more from these characters. Or maybe bring us the brother’s story, everyone needs a connection, even if they try not to want one. Regardless of what the author’s next book is, I can’t wait to read it.

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What is it about me that compels you to take Tasers hits if they get within range of my person? I have excellent reflexes. That shot would’ve never hit me. But there you are, jumping in front of it just for fun—like always.”

For such a short read, this managed to be funny, charming and spicy - with a dash of sci-fi and an unexpected mating heat, I really enjoyed this read! I could easily see it being a 300- page full length book...

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't particularly enjoy this book as I think it should have been a full length book rather then a short story. I needed to know more about the characters (their relationship, job, background, alien species) and the world this story is set in. I needed more than what this book gave me.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

MERCY BOUND is a sci-fi short story that was originally written for the Something Wicked Comes This Way anthology and is now being released as a single title. It is about bounty hunter named Mercy and her two best friends, Dray and Conrad. They are brothers and Alanten warriors, but Mercy has always loved Dray. When Dray is seriously injured and takes medication that supposedly pushes him into his mating heat, Dray is gravely concerned for his well-being. The mating heat for their kind requires time and preparation. But because of his injury, Dray has no time before his body needs relief. This is where Mercy steps in, not just as a best friend, but now as a potential lover. The stakes are high, but Mercy isn’t willing to just let the man she loves suffer.

Conrad, Dray’s brother is quite involved in this story. He tries to warn Mercy off Dray and I liked their interaction. However, towards the end, I thought there was too much of Conrad when the focus should have been on Dray and Mercy more.

There’s a good amount of world building in the first chapter of the book. I was very impressed by that, but again, the ending seemed too rush and none of the world was mentioned after that. So overall, MERCY BOUND is an enjoyable read but I would have liked a little more attention to detail.

*ARC provided by publisher

[☾ Dαɴιyα ☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercy Bound is a quick hot read set in a world with spaceships, interstellar travel, and a warrior race from the planet Alanta. The main characters are Dray, an Alanten, and Mercy, a human woman, who've known and wanted each other for years. This is the story of them getting what they want.

A careless doctor gave Dray medicine that triggered his mating heat. It was dangerous for Dray because for Alantens that gets to be a mate-or-die situation. Although Dray is willing to die before even thinking of mating with Mercy, she is determined and more than willing to help.

Mercy and Dray got what they wanted — they were heart bound. I got what I wanted, too — a short enjoyable read that was just enough hot and sweet.

[Puschmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

a funny, steamy quick read. i liked it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*stars

To note: don't go perusing books on the store page of your kindle when half asleep - you suddenly find you have one-clicked books you didn't even know you wanted!!

I have read a vast array of Kele Moon books and I have to say she'll give any genre a fair crack. This is a Scifi short story. Mercy is a human female and has taken on her Father's bounty hunter business. Dray is Alanten, rescued with his brother Conrad by Mercy's Father when they were young boys. Unrequited love, honour and all scars are battle trophies....

It started off well and the potential was promising, but I kinda lost it around the 50% mark - which for a 50 page book is not ideal. It managed to cram a lot in, but this caused it to feel a little jumpy and the need for a backstory around Dray's being an "Alanten"was all consuming - the tidbits were teasing and when we get to dropped K9 teeth - come on!!

Overall, this felt like finding several pages torn from out a book, a sample of something bigger and better - tempting, but not fulfilling....

[Kristal Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So creative!

I don't give spoilers so all I should say is that the world, and people(human and alien), that Kele Moon has created here is absolutely fascinating. My only complaint is that this book is a novella because I want to experience more of her imagination. This is the first book I have read by her, and I hope there are more that are set in this world. Mature eyes only due to hot 🔥 Alien loving!!!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Stars.
When I’m in a slump, I go back to a tried and trusted genre - paranormal.
This one hit all the right spots for me. It was short, had great world building and I could definitely see myself reading more if it’s a series (which I haven’t checked yet).

[Shasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is verbose despite all her sobbing

The heroine sobs...a lot. This is okay for a quickie with a HEA, but some silly sentences ruined the sci-fi believability for me.

Mature content

[Lisa Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read but was really enjoyable. Moon did a great job of developing characters you cared for quickly and that found their HEA. Didn't feel rushed and while I probably would have enjoyed reading a little bit more about these characters, I was still satisfied by the end of the novel.

[SC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

Honestly this was a bit of a waste of time. Not because it was poorly written, but because it's basically open book, wham,bam, the end, close book. It was just too short, too little, even the wham bam was rushed. What a shame, this could have been a good story.

[Carole Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short read. Enjoyable story, despite its length.

[Sabrina Kennard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read, could have developed into a real story, but I guess that was note the goal.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book but too short

Very cute story, but it could have been longer with some of the action they talk about in the background.

[Kimberly Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy Bound

Loved the characters. Was so happy for Mercy & Dray's HEA. Conrad was the kind of brother everyone wants. Enjoy!

[Misty Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and steamy

I loved this. Sweet and steamy with humor sprinkled throughout it. Would love a spinoff or something longer but still loved it

[Leyns · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A very short story. Obviously because it was so short there wasn’t a whole lot to it. It was good.

[Alexa Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was super short and I absolutely wish there was more. As is was definitely 5 stars, but it would also be amazing as a longer book or series. I wonder what their life would look like now.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short

While good it lacked a real story. It's more of a short story in a series rather than a complete book and didn't explain much about the characters

[mlady_rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect little gem. World building and character development were worthy of a novel, not just a short story. Right on the border between sf romance and erotic sf. Dominance & submission, rough sex, biting.

Wish it was longer. Hate to leave the characters behind.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

QUICK READ, BUT IT'S HOT

Dray and his brother Conrad are Alanta warriors. They were adopted by a human male when their parents were killed. The daughter of the human, Mercy follows in her fathers footsteps and becomes a bounty hunter. Dray had promised her father before he died that he would look out for Mercy and protect her. A promise Mercy thinks he takes too far.

When Dray is wounded yet again protecting Mercy, the doctor gives him a new drug to heal the wound. Unfortunately the drug is meant for use on humans, not an Alanta warrior. The upshot is that the drug kicks in Dray's mating heat, and the only female on the spaceship is Mercy. She has been in love with Dray forever. But he has vowed to protect her. The mating of an Alanta warrior is rough. The question is can Mercy stand the pace.

I'm a big fan of this author. I like her writing style. This is a quick read, but it's really hot. There are even some humorous moments as well. I liked the amount of detail the author managed to pack in for such a quick read. A real keeper. I hope we are going to get Conrad's story.

[B.E.Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent novella by Kele Moon, but so far everything I've read from her I've loved. Mercy and Dray grew up together. Dray and his brother Conrad are Atlantan who were rescued and then raised by Mercy's dad, and Mercy has loved Dray since their first meeting. When wounded on a mission Dray is given a drug that puts him in heat and he will die if he doesn't find release, the problem is that Dray promised Mercy's dad he would make sure she returned to earth, marry and have kids. But with Dray in heat he will have to decide if he will keep his promise to Marcy's dad, or if he will finally give in to his heat and love for Marcy. I loved the idea of this book and Kele Moon delivered big time. I never felt like I was missing anything the way some novella do. I felt like I knew all of the characters and that this story was never short changed. I will say that I loved this book so much that I wish this story was longer but not for lack of a story but more because this story had so much. I hope we get a book two about Dray's brother Conrad, That will be a instant read for me.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really quick read; one that I actually wish the story was a bit longer. But considering the length of it, I think the author did a really good job of giving a history to the characters. So it didn’t feel like we were just dropped into the middle of a story.
We did jump into the middle of a story, but also we didn’t because we knew enough about what was going on that we could follow everything without any problems.
There is lots and lots of smut in the book! Whole lots of smut! I completely say, if you are looking for a smutty read, you should really check this one out!
There is the paranormal aspect to the book, some of the characters are aliens, but don’t let that distract you from reading it! Even taking that into consideration, they aren’t the freaky aliens, they are really nice.
So if you are looking for a quick smutty read, you should check this one out!

Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers