What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood is Thicker Than #1
Defying Evil
He’s the son of a serial killer.
She’s his father’s only surviving victim.
He’s obsessed with her.
She’s frightened of him.
Before it’s all over they’ll need each other to survive.
Cain Killion’s life has revolved around blood. From a childhood of torture by his father, to his gruesome ability to solve crimes. When a current case is directly connected to his past, there’s only one person with answers--but she isn’t talking, and the bodies are stacking up. The solution: Kidnap her.
She’s his father’s only surviving victim.
He’s obsessed with her.
She’s frightened of him.
Before it’s all over they’ll need each other to survive.
Cain Killion’s life has revolved around blood. From a childhood of torture by his father, to his gruesome ability to solve crimes. When a current case is directly connected to his past, there’s only one person with answers--but she isn’t talking, and the bodies are stacking up. The solution: Kidnap her.
298 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
225 people are currently reading
6091 people want to read
About the author
Abbie Roads
7 books982 followersAbbie Roads is the best-selling author of the Fatal Dreams Series and the Fatal Truth Series. Her novels have been finalists in many prestigious contests including The Golden Heart, The Greater Detroit Booksellers Best, The Oklahoma National Readers’ Choice Award, The Write Touch, The Strut Your Stuff Contest, The Aspen Gold Contest, The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, The Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award, The Midnight Sun, The Kathryn Hayes Contest, The Chanticleer, The Daphne du Maurier, The National Readers’ Choice Award, The New England Readers’ Choice Contest, The Beverly Award, and The Maggie Award. Her debut novel Race the Darkness was Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick for Fall and Never Let Me Fall is an Amazon Editor’s Pick.
By day Abbie Roads is a mental health counselor always focusing on the bright side. By night she writes on the dark side, putting her characters through the wringer before she gives them their happily-ever-after. She loves a good inspirational quote and is a fan of true crime.
Abbie’s Dangerously Dark Darlings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dange...
Abbie’s Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5df2a2...
Abbie’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbieroadsauthor
By day Abbie Roads is a mental health counselor always focusing on the bright side. By night she writes on the dark side, putting her characters through the wringer before she gives them their happily-ever-after. She loves a good inspirational quote and is a fan of true crime.
Abbie’s Dangerously Dark Darlings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dange...
Abbie’s Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5df2a2...
Abbie’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbieroadsauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
May 4, 2017
NOW LIVE!
*Amazon*Banres & Noble*Kobo*
Read an excerpt HERE.
This book has given me a major dilemma because now I just can't figure out which Abbie Roads book is my favorite! Saving Mercy absolutely blew my mind with it's twisted story of murder, obsession, and tortured characters. It's a story that will mess with your mind more than you can even prepare for, and you'll love the whole entire experience.
Cain Killion, son of serial killer Adam Killion, now works with the FBI using his ability to relive crime scenes to help solve cases. When a case hits way too close to home near the 20th anniversary of his fathers killings, he's sucked back into the Killer Killion world. And he needs Mercy Ledger's, the only surviving victim of his fathers and current resident of a psychiatric hospital, help to solve the most recent murders.
The telling of this story is something I would compare to reading Stephen King or watching Criminal Minds. It was that intense and thrilling to read, and I didn't put it down once I started. When you think you know everything, and have it all figured out, Ms. Roads is right there to prove you wrong and blow your mind yet again. Honestly, this book should come with a warning for those with heart issues because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack from all of the suspense being thrown at me.
Cain was a character that I wish was real just so I could find him and comfort him. Life had thrown so much shit his way and he was barely holding on to his sanity. Then Mercy was brought to his life and with her an evident change to his character. The development between these two character was something you don't read about everyday and it had me tearing up for them both. I fell for them both and they now have a special place in my heart.
The bottom line is if you don't read this book I'm not sure I can be your friend anymore. Saving Mercy now has the spot of my 2017 favorite read and I really don't think anything else is going to be able to take that titled away from it.
*Amazon*Banres & Noble*Kobo*
Read an excerpt HERE.
This book has given me a major dilemma because now I just can't figure out which Abbie Roads book is my favorite! Saving Mercy absolutely blew my mind with it's twisted story of murder, obsession, and tortured characters. It's a story that will mess with your mind more than you can even prepare for, and you'll love the whole entire experience.
Cain Killion, son of serial killer Adam Killion, now works with the FBI using his ability to relive crime scenes to help solve cases. When a case hits way too close to home near the 20th anniversary of his fathers killings, he's sucked back into the Killer Killion world. And he needs Mercy Ledger's, the only surviving victim of his fathers and current resident of a psychiatric hospital, help to solve the most recent murders.
"A girl could get used to having a big, strong man carrying her around."
"A guy could get used to having a beautiful lady to carry around."
The telling of this story is something I would compare to reading Stephen King or watching Criminal Minds. It was that intense and thrilling to read, and I didn't put it down once I started. When you think you know everything, and have it all figured out, Ms. Roads is right there to prove you wrong and blow your mind yet again. Honestly, this book should come with a warning for those with heart issues because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack from all of the suspense being thrown at me.
Cain was a character that I wish was real just so I could find him and comfort him. Life had thrown so much shit his way and he was barely holding on to his sanity. Then Mercy was brought to his life and with her an evident change to his character. The development between these two character was something you don't read about everyday and it had me tearing up for them both. I fell for them both and they now have a special place in my heart.
The bottom line is if you don't read this book I'm not sure I can be your friend anymore. Saving Mercy now has the spot of my 2017 favorite read and I really don't think anything else is going to be able to take that titled away from it.
Saving Mercy Playlist:
The Kill - Thirty Seconds to Mars
The Sound of Silence - Disturbed
Bury Me Alive - We Are The Fallen
Wrong Side of Heaven - Five Finger Death Punch
Psycho - Muse
Sorrow - Flyleaf
Rot - Lacey Sturm
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2017
✬✬✬ 5 MERCIFUL STARS ✬✬✬
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
I'm trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible. One warning though - if you are sensible to blood or violence this book is not for you.
I love when an author introduces you to a new story and you don't feel disoriented but at home from the get-go. The premise of this book sounds fascinating: The son of a serial killer helps the FBI finding murderers by re-living scenes from the crime as a consultant. The blood on scene is his tool - when he paints himself with it he can clearly see what transpired.
The former victim of the consultant's father is being held in an asylum. Against her will. What makes it worse is that she endures abuse on a daily basis with no chance to escape.
Our hero, Cain, has been keeping tabs on Mercy but he doesn't know about the atrocities happening at the psychiatric hospital until an old friend, who works there, makes him take her with him to save her. From here on the mindf*ck starts and let me tell you, it's an awesome one.
Cain has a love-hate relationship with blood. He craves the feeling of it on his skin, it is the gateway to the minds of those who kill mercilessly.
He doesn't want to become like his dad. Often times he thinks there is to much of his sperm donor in him so there is a lot of self loathing inside him going on when he meets Mercy. She shows Cain from the first moment on that he is nothing like his father, to convince him and make it stick is the real problem. There is so much self-disgust inside of him that she often struggles to make him believe in himself.
As a character Cain is sweet and so painfully broken, I wanted to hug him all the time. His father broke him when he was a boy and that child surfaces often. I bawled when I felt how starved for love Cain was. Mercy is the band aid and salve to all his emotional ailments.
Sometimes he lashes out at people. Like a hurt animal he bites first before he gets bitten.
Mercy is a tremendously strong heroine yet has a kindness about her that is miraculous. The things she has gone through should have broken her beyond repair, yet she is endearing, sweet, caring. Both of them feel immensely protective of one another and it is that trait that causes a lot of hurt between them.
Their behavior is sometimes erratic and I had to keep reminding myself that these people don't act like you and me. They are too complicated, too damaged but in a roundabout way they make sense and are utterly perfect for one another. And that's why their moods and actions, while erratic, make sense to me too.
Mercy's and Cain's connection is instantaneous - they bond over the fact that they both have been broken by the same person and the connection deepens very fast. You could call it insta-love but it is absolutely believable which I appreciate.
Abbie Roads has a very vivid writing style. The words on the pages transform easily into images in your mind. I really loved that, and generally the story flows smoothly.
I wouldn't call this book paranormal romance. It is a mix of thriller, paranormal and romance and all these elements are in balance. The suspense is so good and full of tension that I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. I didn't see the solution coming until I the last plot twist - and there are a couple that left my mouth hanging open. The end was completely satisfying in every aspect. If you love any of these components give this a shot (if you can handle a lot of blood). I am convinced you won't regret it. She has totally won me over and I can't wait to get the next in the series in my hands.
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
The air smelled of pine and tasted of remembered pain.
I'm trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible. One warning though - if you are sensible to blood or violence this book is not for you.
I love when an author introduces you to a new story and you don't feel disoriented but at home from the get-go. The premise of this book sounds fascinating: The son of a serial killer helps the FBI finding murderers by re-living scenes from the crime as a consultant. The blood on scene is his tool - when he paints himself with it he can clearly see what transpired.
The former victim of the consultant's father is being held in an asylum. Against her will. What makes it worse is that she endures abuse on a daily basis with no chance to escape.
Our hero, Cain, has been keeping tabs on Mercy but he doesn't know about the atrocities happening at the psychiatric hospital until an old friend, who works there, makes him take her with him to save her. From here on the mindf*ck starts and let me tell you, it's an awesome one.
He was Killer Killion’s Kid— Triple K, the media called him. The spawn of a killer with the genetic predisposition to be a murdering machine.
Cain has a love-hate relationship with blood. He craves the feeling of it on his skin, it is the gateway to the minds of those who kill mercilessly.
He became the killer. He saw what the killer saw. Did what the killer did. Felt what the killer felt.
He doesn't want to become like his dad. Often times he thinks there is to much of his sperm donor in him so there is a lot of self loathing inside him going on when he meets Mercy. She shows Cain from the first moment on that he is nothing like his father, to convince him and make it stick is the real problem. There is so much self-disgust inside of him that she often struggles to make him believe in himself.
As a character Cain is sweet and so painfully broken, I wanted to hug him all the time. His father broke him when he was a boy and that child surfaces often. I bawled when I felt how starved for love Cain was. Mercy is the band aid and salve to all his emotional ailments.
He squeezed her hand holding his, and his free arm snaked around her slowly, as if he was waiting for her to change her mind. But only love lived here between them. Slowly he settled his head against her shoulder and neck.
Sometimes he lashes out at people. Like a hurt animal he bites first before he gets bitten.
Mercy is a tremendously strong heroine yet has a kindness about her that is miraculous. The things she has gone through should have broken her beyond repair, yet she is endearing, sweet, caring. Both of them feel immensely protective of one another and it is that trait that causes a lot of hurt between them.
Their behavior is sometimes erratic and I had to keep reminding myself that these people don't act like you and me. They are too complicated, too damaged but in a roundabout way they make sense and are utterly perfect for one another. And that's why their moods and actions, while erratic, make sense to me too.
Mercy's and Cain's connection is instantaneous - they bond over the fact that they both have been broken by the same person and the connection deepens very fast. You could call it insta-love but it is absolutely believable which I appreciate.
His hands cupped her face as if he held something fragile in his palms, and then his tongue was in her mouth and she was lost. She didn’t know where she was. Didn’t have a past or future. All that existed was this moment where every muscle and bone, every breath and heartbeat, every working brain cell tuned in to Cain and his tongue in her mouth filling her with the warm, sweet taste of him and the feeling that for the first time in her life, she’d found perfect harmony.
Abbie Roads has a very vivid writing style. The words on the pages transform easily into images in your mind. I really loved that, and generally the story flows smoothly.
I wouldn't call this book paranormal romance. It is a mix of thriller, paranormal and romance and all these elements are in balance. The suspense is so good and full of tension that I was on the edge of my seat most of the time. I didn't see the solution coming until I the last plot twist - and there are a couple that left my mouth hanging open. The end was completely satisfying in every aspect. If you love any of these components give this a shot (if you can handle a lot of blood). I am convinced you won't regret it. She has totally won me over and I can't wait to get the next in the series in my hands.
April 2, 2017
Title: Saving Mercy
Series: Fatal Truth #1
Author: Abbie Roads
Release date: April 4, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
Warning: If you are hemophobic (person with fear or aversion to blood) then you need to stay far away from this book. This story would make you rock yourself in a corner, numbly sucking your thumb.
This is my second book by this sharp new voice in the romance world and though I'm already familiar with her writing, Saving Mercy surpassed my expectations. However, it would be selling this author short to simply classify this as a romance. It's a cohesive blend of romance, paranormal, thriller, and suspense. One thing it is NOT is boring. Abbie Roads throws you head first right into the deep end, so you'd better be prepared to swim with the sharks. These pages are saturated with menace, and dripping with evil.
Cain straddles the line of his conscience, until you're not quite sure if he will fall prey to his guiltiest cravings. On one side, he protests with every fiber of his being what his father molded him to be. On the other side, his horrifying blood visions taunt him with the knowledge that he finds a secret enjoyment and rush in what he does. His dark predisposition has been ruthlessly nurtured by his morally bankrupt father, and he doesn't know if he has any hope of redemption.
He had a complicated relationship with blood. He hated it. He loved it. Blood was a conduit, a link, a connection between him and those who slayed souls. Blood opened a doorway, allowing him to step into the minds and bodies of those who found bliss in ending life. He became the killer.
Cain was a truly damaged and tortured character. Forced to endure and witness unimaginable things as a child, it's a wonder that he clings to any of his humanity. He keeps himself detached from other people, even the Mac, FBI agent who adopted him and showed him real love for the first time. And Liz, who became like a mother figure. But you see the genuine will inside of him to overcome his past and be a man that Mac could be proud of. It was chilling to look through his eyes when he was envisioning and becoming the mysterious murderer. It really felt like you were there witnessing the horror right along with him.
Mercy, the young woman who survived his father's reign of terror, escaped with her life but not much else. The grisly murder of her family eventually led her to the doors of a mental health facility where a psychotic man imprisons her. For years, her one focus is survival in the fresh hell she landed in. Sick mind games are her only company, but she somehow finds a way to hold herself together. It's an amazing testament to her strength.
I think her one saving grace in that hell hole was her special sensory ability to recognize sinister intentions before they are followed through. She's able to stay one step ahead of a mad man, but eventually her luck runs out. And that's when the man tied to her past enters her life again and things really get twisted.
Cain and Mercy didn't have an insta-love type of development with their emotions. Their feelings for each other were already rooted from a shared history. This connected them in a realistic and fitting way. They were both denied love for most of their lives and lived inside their own heads, which wasn't a pretty place to be. They would doubt themselves, and their worth to everyone around them so they weren't making the smartest of choices at times. But as wrecked as they both were mentally, they finally started to find a shred of hope with each other. The emotions between them
were raw and desperate. These two. They're enough to gut you.
Every inch of her skin touching his was a miracle of sensation. He wanted to squeeze her tighter to him, to bring her inside him and make her a part of him. He closed his eyes and just let his body map the sensation of her against him. She felt so right, so perfect, that it hurt.
This story is dark and gritty. It's intense, passionate, and filled with bombshells to blow your mind. This is not my typical read, but I was thoroughly hooked and invested in the outcome from Chapter one. And the ending had me practically gasping, I was so on edge. I can honestly say that I wasn't completely sure of how this thing would turn out for this troubled couple. Stomach in knots, and reading frantically, I raced to discover the reveal of the murderer and if they would elude him.
If you're looking for something that will get your blood pumping, this is going to be the book for you. I am now officially stalking the next in the series.
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
July 6, 2021
I came across this by accident, but now I'll say luck because I loved this book! There was gore, a serial killer, a perfect plot, kick-ass characters, and paranormal elements- all the aspects of a must-read.
Cain and Mercy share a significant part of their past, even though they've never met face to face, but they share the atrocities that they faced. Their history has defined their present, and yet they're so strong and determined, I couldn't help loving them. I'll admit I loved Cain more because there were some things about Mercy that made me doubt her sanity.
Cain was everything you'd expect him to be, with a past like his, but he went much beyond those expectations too. He had been abused brutally and made to believe himself a monster, but it was the fact that his father did that to him that made my skin prick. I shuddered twice in the first two chapters itself but reading how they handled it amazed me. I went flying through the pages as if it was an easy, light book (okay, not really) rather than a twisted tale of a serial killer intent on targeting them both, just in different ways.
Cain and Mercy's relationship felt a little developed-too-soon to me in the first few chapters, mainly because of Mercy. Cain had cared about her enough to know how she was doing for two decades, and seriously, no, it wasn't like stalking. You'd realize that as soon as you read the story. His need to see her safe was out of misplaced guilt, but his feelings were genuine and honest. However, I thought that Mercy acted too soon. I didn't feel the emotion on her part- she was understanding, yes, but it does not equal love. But otherwise, I liked her as a character.
Cain was brave, so brave and broken, and I wanted to gather the ten-year-old boy, who still lived in him, scared and helpless, and hold him till he felt it in his very bones how much love he deserved. He tried to do the right thing every time, trying to seek redemption for something he hadn't even done. Mercy held her head high every time she faced a problem, and together they did form a great couple. She was an inspiring character in some ways, but I wanted more of her in the book. I don't care if it had been longer, 300 pages more? GIVE ME.
In conclusion, this book is a good balance of mystery and romance - a perfect escape for people who love mystery romance.
Cain and Mercy share a significant part of their past, even though they've never met face to face, but they share the atrocities that they faced. Their history has defined their present, and yet they're so strong and determined, I couldn't help loving them. I'll admit I loved Cain more because there were some things about Mercy that made me doubt her sanity.
Cain was everything you'd expect him to be, with a past like his, but he went much beyond those expectations too. He had been abused brutally and made to believe himself a monster, but it was the fact that his father did that to him that made my skin prick. I shuddered twice in the first two chapters itself but reading how they handled it amazed me. I went flying through the pages as if it was an easy, light book (okay, not really) rather than a twisted tale of a serial killer intent on targeting them both, just in different ways.
Cain and Mercy's relationship felt a little developed-too-soon to me in the first few chapters, mainly because of Mercy. Cain had cared about her enough to know how she was doing for two decades, and seriously, no, it wasn't like stalking. You'd realize that as soon as you read the story. His need to see her safe was out of misplaced guilt, but his feelings were genuine and honest. However, I thought that Mercy acted too soon. I didn't feel the emotion on her part- she was understanding, yes, but it does not equal love. But otherwise, I liked her as a character.
Cain was brave, so brave and broken, and I wanted to gather the ten-year-old boy, who still lived in him, scared and helpless, and hold him till he felt it in his very bones how much love he deserved. He tried to do the right thing every time, trying to seek redemption for something he hadn't even done. Mercy held her head high every time she faced a problem, and together they did form a great couple. She was an inspiring character in some ways, but I wanted more of her in the book. I don't care if it had been longer, 300 pages more? GIVE ME.
In conclusion, this book is a good balance of mystery and romance - a perfect escape for people who love mystery romance.
April 4, 2017
4.5 this blew my mind stars
Oh hell yes!
This book was ah-may-zing! And that is me saying a lot, considering it had insta-love.
Oh but oh!
It also hada two completely psychotic men- one of them being a serial killer and the other completely obsessed with the serial-killer's only survived victim, an emotionally fucked up guy who is also psychic and smears the blood of murder victims all over himself to get into the minds of their killer, and said survived victim who also happens to have slightly psychic powers, and is the love/obsession interest of aforementioned emotionally fucked up guy.
Do I have your attention yet?
Because holy god on a popsicle, if someone had told me earlier that it had psychologically fucked up characters and an amazing writing, I think I would have jumped on this book the moment it arrived on my kindle!
Can I just say that this book was awesome ? Because fuck yeah this book was effing awesome! And honestly I can't stress that enough. It has been quite some time since a book got my blood burning like this one did.
To the story (I'll try and not add any spoilers for you)-
Cain is a 30 year old FBI consultant. Basically the FBI call him to murder scenes to create the killer's profile because no one can create a more accurate one. Oh that may be because he can literally get into the killers minds via the blood of his victims. That may also be because he's the Triple K aka Killer Killion's Kid. Yeah, that is the only amusing thing in this entire book. Laugh it out bitches.
Being his father's son is not easy, because not only does the entire world expect him to snap any moment and follow in his father's footsteps, but so does he. He was in ways, every bit an image of his father, and in ways, every bit different. I honestly couldn't decide until the end which way I was leaning on. But when in dilemma, all you need to read is this gold-
Mercy Ledger. A B-ward psychiatric patient. A sane woman. The only survivor of the serial killer Adam Killion.
When her head psychologist- Dr. Payne's obsession with her increases, Mercy is rescued by an unlikely ally- the son of the very man that destroyed her entire life. But Cain wasn't acting hero when he came to her rescue- no, he was following the clues to a murder that led straight to her.
But she wasn't the murderer.
So that could mean only one thing-
He was still out there.
Oh man! The development of the tension in this book was epic. Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down. Cain and Mercy's connection was so palpable from the very beginning. This was one story where I didn't mind the very rushed development of feelings, because in ways, they had known each other almost all their lives as the only surviving victims of his father.
And the climax- it was fucking explosive! I have to say, that I did not one see that coming. Loved it. Simply that. Can't and won't add any more words to it.
The writing was-
It was so gripping, the language so bloody good, the pace perfect, and the entire plot of the story was just effing awesome that it naturally resulted in a brilliant book. And I can't stress on that enough. Roads has written one hell of a psychological romance/suspense- the very pages of this book bleeds with the raw dark genius of the authors mind. I cannot wait for the next book. I needed it like yesterday!
This was my first book by this author, and I can already tell that I'm going to be after her books like a dog with a bone.
Oh hell yes!
This book was ah-may-zing! And that is me saying a lot, considering it had insta-love.
Oh but oh!
It also had
Do I have your attention yet?
Because holy god on a popsicle, if someone had told me earlier that it had psychologically fucked up characters and an amazing writing, I think I would have jumped on this book the moment it arrived on my kindle!
Can I just say that this book was awesome ? Because fuck yeah this book was effing awesome! And honestly I can't stress that enough. It has been quite some time since a book got my blood burning like this one did.
To the story (I'll try and not add any spoilers for you)-
Cain is a 30 year old FBI consultant. Basically the FBI call him to murder scenes to create the killer's profile because no one can create a more accurate one. Oh that may be because he can literally get into the killers minds via the blood of his victims. That may also be because he's the Triple K aka Killer Killion's Kid. Yeah, that is the only amusing thing in this entire book. Laugh it out bitches.
Being his father's son is not easy, because not only does the entire world expect him to snap any moment and follow in his father's footsteps, but so does he. He was in ways, every bit an image of his father, and in ways, every bit different. I honestly couldn't decide until the end which way I was leaning on. But when in dilemma, all you need to read is this gold-
“Blood did that to him, was a pleasure and a pain. A gift and a a curse. He had a complicated relationship with blood. He hated it. He loved it.”
Mercy Ledger. A B-ward psychiatric patient. A sane woman. The only survivor of the serial killer Adam Killion.
When her head psychologist- Dr. Payne's obsession with her increases, Mercy is rescued by an unlikely ally- the son of the very man that destroyed her entire life. But Cain wasn't acting hero when he came to her rescue- no, he was following the clues to a murder that led straight to her.
But she wasn't the murderer.
So that could mean only one thing-
He was still out there.
Oh man! The development of the tension in this book was epic. Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down. Cain and Mercy's connection was so palpable from the very beginning. This was one story where I didn't mind the very rushed development of feelings, because in ways, they had known each other almost all their lives as the only surviving victims of his father.
And the climax- it was fucking explosive! I have to say, that I did not one see that coming. Loved it. Simply that. Can't and won't add any more words to it.
The writing was-
It was so gripping, the language so bloody good, the pace perfect, and the entire plot of the story was just effing awesome that it naturally resulted in a brilliant book. And I can't stress on that enough. Roads has written one hell of a psychological romance/suspense- the very pages of this book bleeds with the raw dark genius of the authors mind. I cannot wait for the next book. I needed it like yesterday!
This was my first book by this author, and I can already tell that I'm going to be after her books like a dog with a bone.
“If he'd been given a stop-time button, this was the moment he would've used it. Here, holding her, the gentle lullaby of rain playing in the background, was the only perfect moment of his entire life.”
October 28, 2023
I'm really sad this book didn't work for me, because I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. As a true crime lover, the fact this story featured a woman falling in love with a serial killer's dangerous son was such a refreshing concept.
Unfortunately, there were many things in this book that made me not like this. First, there is so much instalove that it is unrealistic. There is no way that in less than 24 hours two adults are professing their undying love to each other, especially when this was set up to be enemies to lovers. The reader also has to suspend a lot of disbelief when it comes to law enforcement and legal proceedings. Many things happen in this book that would never fly in the real world.
I think this book could have been good if there was more character development, slow burn, and overall general research on the legal system in the United States.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Unfortunately, there were many things in this book that made me not like this. First, there is so much instalove that it is unrealistic. There is no way that in less than 24 hours two adults are professing their undying love to each other, especially when this was set up to be enemies to lovers. The reader also has to suspend a lot of disbelief when it comes to law enforcement and legal proceedings. Many things happen in this book that would never fly in the real world.
I think this book could have been good if there was more character development, slow burn, and overall general research on the legal system in the United States.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for a review.
February 6, 2017
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
You know when your reading a REALLY, REALLY good story that you can't wait to finish because you need to know what happens next and who the friggin killer is, BUT you don't want it to end because it's so frigging good and you KNOW your going to have a book hangover when you're done.
That's how this book was for me.
Well... I held off as long as I could and had to finish it.
This book was dark and edgy.
It's a romance-suspense-thriller with some psychological twists to it that had me on the edge of my seat, and even when I wasn't reading this bloody book, my mind was thinking of all the scenarios about what could possibly happen next.
Kudos to this author for writing a brilliant story with amazing characters and some mindfuck twists!!
I loved it!
Full review to be posted closer to release date.
"A copy of this book has been provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review"
March 15, 2017
Step onto the dark side of the street, where monsters live, kill and torment, yet through it all an unlikely romance takes root among the blood, gore and evil that stalks…
Cain will stop at nothing in his efforts of SAVING MERCY from the hands of death, even if those hands belong to him. Cain is damaged, but he is also gifted with a connection to blood that allows him to re-create a crime for the authorities. Although it takes its toll on him it is his way of making amends for horrors from the past, a way to re-pay a debt he didn’t owe. It was during the investigation of one crime scene that brought his past roaring back in all of its bloody horror and he knows there is one woman who knows what it means. And her life is in danger…
Mercy knows of the terror Cain sees, she survived a bloody massacre and has become a prisoner of medications and doctors with devious intentions. If Cain doesn’t save her soon, she will become a victim of a bloody death, but this time the killer will not fail.
Can Mercy trust the man who vows to save her? He has a past closely tethered to hers and he feels he is lost to the demons of death he was born to. She sees so much more and their attraction may blur the weakness that lay within his soul. Sometimes love is all it takes to kill the beast…
Leave it to Abbie Roads to create a dark and bloody world filled with edgy tension and pull love out of the twisted hatred. Well done! Taut, rapid fire pacing that will keep readers plowing through each page in an effort to discover who dunnit, why and how! I was hooked from the first page as one man on a mission of redemption finds that he too is saved.
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Fatal Truth - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 4, 2017)
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
ISBN-13: 9781492639237
Genre: Paranormal Suspense | Romance
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Cain will stop at nothing in his efforts of SAVING MERCY from the hands of death, even if those hands belong to him. Cain is damaged, but he is also gifted with a connection to blood that allows him to re-create a crime for the authorities. Although it takes its toll on him it is his way of making amends for horrors from the past, a way to re-pay a debt he didn’t owe. It was during the investigation of one crime scene that brought his past roaring back in all of its bloody horror and he knows there is one woman who knows what it means. And her life is in danger…
Mercy knows of the terror Cain sees, she survived a bloody massacre and has become a prisoner of medications and doctors with devious intentions. If Cain doesn’t save her soon, she will become a victim of a bloody death, but this time the killer will not fail.
Can Mercy trust the man who vows to save her? He has a past closely tethered to hers and he feels he is lost to the demons of death he was born to. She sees so much more and their attraction may blur the weakness that lay within his soul. Sometimes love is all it takes to kill the beast…
Leave it to Abbie Roads to create a dark and bloody world filled with edgy tension and pull love out of the twisted hatred. Well done! Taut, rapid fire pacing that will keep readers plowing through each page in an effort to discover who dunnit, why and how! I was hooked from the first page as one man on a mission of redemption finds that he too is saved.
I received an ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Fatal Truth - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 4, 2017)
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
ISBN-13: 9781492639237
Genre: Paranormal Suspense | Romance
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
April 7, 2017
I was enthralled from the start! Saving Mercy totally had me questioning my sanity…see this book is 320 pages of twisted, graphic, gruesome, crazy, dark, sexy, emotional, edge of your seat romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal thrown in and I LOVED IT! Yes, I said SEXY and that’s one reason why I’m questioning my sanity. The hero, Cain, has a special unconventional ability to help solve murders. This ability was triggered by a horrific childhood experiences that have left him a broken man, a man who feels like he is a monster.
Mercy, oh dear Mercy, she’s got one of the saddest background stories ever. Actually Mercy and Cain’s background stories are equally horrific and interwoven with each other in different ways as a result of something that occurred twenty years ago.
Mercy and Cain are two broken souls who should never work, but they do in the most beautiful, albeit twisted, way. Their chemistry is undeniable; their bond indestructible, their present path is full of pain, heartache, deviousness all orchestrated by an insidious, sinister puppet-master, the identity of who I never saw coming. As I write this review I continue to question my sanity because with as twisted and gruesome as it is I love Cain and Mercy’s story and I cannot wait to see how much more twisted Abbie Roads can get.
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks for a voluntary review.
October 19, 2023
Relentless pace of gut clenching suspense. Update:
Everything about Defying Evil by Abbie Roads appealed to me, from the son of a serial killer to being obsessed with his father’s only surviving victim…and I got so much more than I bargained for. I was blown away, beginning to end, with the blood, suspense and pacing. I have never read any of Abbie’s work, until now, and I feel like I have been missing out.
To give serial killers the status of a celebrity is disgusting, and giving them a moniker gives them power and fame. I am fascinated by their reasoning, what makes them tick. But, seeing their are psychopaths, can you believe what they say?
Cain hated the sight of blood, but he needed it and no one was as good at profiled as he was. He is Triple K, Killer Killion’s Kid. Do serial killer offspring have the killer gene?
Mac is an FBI agent and his adopted dad. Cain works with him. His ‘bloodwork” puts him into the killer’s world.
When I read a book like this…and I am only on page 12, I am amazed at the words that create pictures in my mind and I wonder. I wonder how deep into their head an author goes to create such a gruesome vision… And I love it! Why have I never read any of Abbie’s work. Well, she is staying on my radar now.
Mercy…as soon as I met her, I knew she would have a special role to play (not just because of the blurb). She is a victim of his father’s, locked up in a mental ward…BUT, it is so much worse than I anticipated and my heart went out to her. I love an author that can get me so involved with her characters, so early.
Liz had been in his life since his father forced him to work at the Center where she is a nurse and Mercy is being ‘held’.
Abbie, Abbie, Abbie, that scene in Chapter 2, my heart broke and I’m terrified for Mercy.
The blurb gives nothing away and I hope I don’t either…because…if you love reading about serial killers, love being on the edge of your seat, love having your emotions functioning at such a high level you can’t control them, the…and I’m only on Chapter 3…ya gotta read this book. I found myself holding my breath, leaning forward in my chair, grasping the book with both hands, my mouth hanging open, devouring the words.
I thought I had an idea who the killer was. I was right, yet SO wrong. There is most always a glitch in a book like this, and, yes, there was, but I had to rate this a five regardless, because my heart was in my throat from beginning to end and the story unraveled at a relentless pace.
Everything about Defying Evil by Abbie Roads appealed to me, from the son of a serial killer to being obsessed with his father’s only surviving victim…and I got so much more than I bargained for. I was blown away, beginning to end, with the blood, suspense and pacing. I have never read any of Abbie’s work, until now, and I feel like I have been missing out.
To give serial killers the status of a celebrity is disgusting, and giving them a moniker gives them power and fame. I am fascinated by their reasoning, what makes them tick. But, seeing their are psychopaths, can you believe what they say?
Cain hated the sight of blood, but he needed it and no one was as good at profiled as he was. He is Triple K, Killer Killion’s Kid. Do serial killer offspring have the killer gene?
Mac is an FBI agent and his adopted dad. Cain works with him. His ‘bloodwork” puts him into the killer’s world.
When I read a book like this…and I am only on page 12, I am amazed at the words that create pictures in my mind and I wonder. I wonder how deep into their head an author goes to create such a gruesome vision… And I love it! Why have I never read any of Abbie’s work. Well, she is staying on my radar now.
Mercy…as soon as I met her, I knew she would have a special role to play (not just because of the blurb). She is a victim of his father’s, locked up in a mental ward…BUT, it is so much worse than I anticipated and my heart went out to her. I love an author that can get me so involved with her characters, so early.
Liz had been in his life since his father forced him to work at the Center where she is a nurse and Mercy is being ‘held’.
Abbie, Abbie, Abbie, that scene in Chapter 2, my heart broke and I’m terrified for Mercy.
The blurb gives nothing away and I hope I don’t either…because…if you love reading about serial killers, love being on the edge of your seat, love having your emotions functioning at such a high level you can’t control them, the…and I’m only on Chapter 3…ya gotta read this book. I found myself holding my breath, leaning forward in my chair, grasping the book with both hands, my mouth hanging open, devouring the words.
I thought I had an idea who the killer was. I was right, yet SO wrong. There is most always a glitch in a book like this, and, yes, there was, but I had to rate this a five regardless, because my heart was in my throat from beginning to end and the story unraveled at a relentless pace.
September 19, 2023
WOW! WOW! WOW!
This is so dark and scary, thrilling and messed up BUT an absolutely amazing read.
If you're into fast paced thrillers & sicko serial killers this is a must read, the romance is there but it's more a suspenseful thriller over all.
It's 20 years after his father was found guilty of murder, the sickening things he did to his own son would have been enough to have him found guilty had they known.
Mercy's entire family was killed yet she was spared and for 20 years she's been praised as the only one who got away and survived. Now she's been in a psych ward for 2 years and has no idea why.
This book is crazy good, I was completely stunned by everything that was happening and to be found as you continue reading on. It's a must read for mystery, thriller lovers!
Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher cause I loved it and need more.!!
This is so dark and scary, thrilling and messed up BUT an absolutely amazing read.
If you're into fast paced thrillers & sicko serial killers this is a must read, the romance is there but it's more a suspenseful thriller over all.
It's 20 years after his father was found guilty of murder, the sickening things he did to his own son would have been enough to have him found guilty had they known.
Mercy's entire family was killed yet she was spared and for 20 years she's been praised as the only one who got away and survived. Now she's been in a psych ward for 2 years and has no idea why.
This book is crazy good, I was completely stunned by everything that was happening and to be found as you continue reading on. It's a must read for mystery, thriller lovers!
Much thanks to Netgalley and the publisher cause I loved it and need more.!!
April 3, 2017
Dark and twisty!
February 9, 2024
Defying Evil is a republication of Saving Mercy by Abbie Roads that came out in August 2023. A Romantic Suspense, Defying Evil is part thriller (decent) and part romance (not so decent). Cain is the son of a serial killer and Mercy is his father's only surviving victim. After another family is found dead with a mark that was also left behind when Mercy's family was killed, Cain needs to speak with Mercy. He goes to find her at the inpatient psychiatric hospital where she is being held by the abusive Dr. Payne (seriously) and ends up kidnapping her and saving her. What unfolds is a whole lot of cringy instalove as they try to solve who the copycat killer is.
If I never hear the phrase "girlie parts" with regards to sex again it will be too soon.
✔️ MF romantic suspense
✔️ Psychic abilities
✔️ Instalove
⭐⭐ - 2 Stars
📅 - Out now on kindle unlimited
Thanks to Abbie Roads for this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
If I never hear the phrase "girlie parts" with regards to sex again it will be too soon.
✔️ MF romantic suspense
✔️ Psychic abilities
✔️ Instalove
⭐⭐ - 2 Stars
📅 - Out now on kindle unlimited
Thanks to Abbie Roads for this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 24, 2017
Inkvotary
Saving Mercy is one of those books where you know right from the beginning that at some point during the reading you will turn into an emotional mess in a very positive way.
The author is famous for her dark, haunting, gritty, bloody and romantic plots. And this one is no exception.
The murder of a man brings Cain to the crime scene where a picture painted in blood starts to make him feel weird. Everything he sees reminds him of his father´s cruel work though his father is in prison with no chance of coming out soon. So who tries to be a copycat and why? When Cain finds out that Mercy, the girl who survived his father´s attack is tortured in the clinic he thought she´d be safe in and for a very good reason, his world turns up side down.
If you want to read a nice and normal romance where everything is butterflies, sunshine and flowers, then keep your hands off. But if you are looking for some real troubled characters, a woman who went through the worst and yet has to endure a hell you wouldn´t wish your dearest enemy, you should consider reading this book.
Abbie Roads writes dark. Her style is easy to read and you will be amazed about the words she is using. Some of them I didn´t even know existed.
Saving Mercy is no book you will read just like that and then go over to the next book. No, the story is frightening in a special way, you see good and evil and despite that you know that there will be some kind of happy ending, you get caught up in all those emotions that are swirling around. Every death touches you to your core, every senseless loss of a person let´s you ask yourself if you are sure that you can read this and yet you can and find yourself doing it.
Cain had to endure the evil cruelty his father, an ice cold killer, called education. Where other children were playing with Lego bricks or trucks, Cain got the blood of animals. Where other kids could look their parents in the eyes, Cain was forced to never do that otherwise he got punished for not being submissive. As a grown-up man he now is caught in a nightmare that brings his skills that he can see by the touch of blood what the killer saw, what he thought and what he did.
Mercy had to witness the brutal death of her family. A huge scar on her neck is the visible reminder that she had survived a murder that turned her life into a living hell. A hell only one man is responsible for. The moment Mercy finds out who Cain is, she shows at first the typical reaction everyone would expect from her. But then she starts to see the differences in Cain´s face and behavior. The way she does that is remarkable and her trust even more.
This is one of the books where I found myself in a real dilemma: on one side I was so haunted that I wanted to read it in one swoop on the other I had to force myself to take a break here and there otherwise I fear I would have turned into a sobbing and overwhelmed mess. Read!
Saving Mercy is one of those books where you know right from the beginning that at some point during the reading you will turn into an emotional mess in a very positive way.
The author is famous for her dark, haunting, gritty, bloody and romantic plots. And this one is no exception.
The murder of a man brings Cain to the crime scene where a picture painted in blood starts to make him feel weird. Everything he sees reminds him of his father´s cruel work though his father is in prison with no chance of coming out soon. So who tries to be a copycat and why? When Cain finds out that Mercy, the girl who survived his father´s attack is tortured in the clinic he thought she´d be safe in and for a very good reason, his world turns up side down.
If you want to read a nice and normal romance where everything is butterflies, sunshine and flowers, then keep your hands off. But if you are looking for some real troubled characters, a woman who went through the worst and yet has to endure a hell you wouldn´t wish your dearest enemy, you should consider reading this book.
Abbie Roads writes dark. Her style is easy to read and you will be amazed about the words she is using. Some of them I didn´t even know existed.
Saving Mercy is no book you will read just like that and then go over to the next book. No, the story is frightening in a special way, you see good and evil and despite that you know that there will be some kind of happy ending, you get caught up in all those emotions that are swirling around. Every death touches you to your core, every senseless loss of a person let´s you ask yourself if you are sure that you can read this and yet you can and find yourself doing it.
Cain had to endure the evil cruelty his father, an ice cold killer, called education. Where other children were playing with Lego bricks or trucks, Cain got the blood of animals. Where other kids could look their parents in the eyes, Cain was forced to never do that otherwise he got punished for not being submissive. As a grown-up man he now is caught in a nightmare that brings his skills that he can see by the touch of blood what the killer saw, what he thought and what he did.
Mercy had to witness the brutal death of her family. A huge scar on her neck is the visible reminder that she had survived a murder that turned her life into a living hell. A hell only one man is responsible for. The moment Mercy finds out who Cain is, she shows at first the typical reaction everyone would expect from her. But then she starts to see the differences in Cain´s face and behavior. The way she does that is remarkable and her trust even more.
This is one of the books where I found myself in a real dilemma: on one side I was so haunted that I wanted to read it in one swoop on the other I had to force myself to take a break here and there otherwise I fear I would have turned into a sobbing and overwhelmed mess. Read!
April 10, 2017
3.5 - 4 stars
If you have a fear of blood or its details, this book might not be for you. I find it a bit hard rating this book as well. There were good and bad aspects which I will explain in my review.
Cain Killion, also known as Killer Killion's Kid, aka Triple K, has been living in the shadows of his father's sins. He was forced to endure his father's torture as a child, and through that torture, he developed a sensory ability to get into a killer's mind by touching and bathing in the blood of the victims and replaying the moments before their deaths. Now he uses that ability to help the FBI solve murder cases.
Very interesting premise for a book, right? Though you have to suspend some disbelief to get through the book.
It is almost twenty years since the Ledgers family was murdered by Adam Killion, leaving the only victim, Mercy Ledger and a symbol drawn on the wall as evidence. Now on a current murder case, that same symbol has surfaced and Cain must decipher what it means and what connections it has to his father's crimes.
Mercy Ledger is trying to survive, as much as you could survive in a mental institution where the psychiatrist who's supposed to be helping you is also a sociopath. Cain needs to know what Mercy knows from that crime years ago, so they must somehow work to figure this out. Not easy to do when you have a target on your back.
There's a romance that develops between Cain and Mercy but what ruined the enjoyment for me was their self-deprecating thoughts of themselves and how they'd be better off leaving the other person alone. It was frustrating in that as soon as something happens to the other person, they realize they can't live without them. Mind you, both these characters have been through the ringer in the "mindfuck" category of twisty proportion.
There is an unexpected twist in the book that left some questions unanswered, which I assume will be addressed in the next book. Although there were some issues in the book, such as the unexplained reason how Adam Killion was caught in the first place, what drove him to kill, his motives, etc. I find it hard to believe that after 70-something murders, he would be caught so easily. It would be nice if this information was filled in. There were parts where the story and its directions were predictable so I wasn't surprised when they were revealed. The author's writing is good, albeit the prose is flowery at times considering the context of blood and gore. It was still an interesting read for a psychological thriller but the loose ends and the pacing, which dropped halfway through, made me round the ratings down to 4 stars instead 5.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you have a fear of blood or its details, this book might not be for you. I find it a bit hard rating this book as well. There were good and bad aspects which I will explain in my review.
Cain Killion, also known as Killer Killion's Kid, aka Triple K, has been living in the shadows of his father's sins. He was forced to endure his father's torture as a child, and through that torture, he developed a sensory ability to get into a killer's mind by touching and bathing in the blood of the victims and replaying the moments before their deaths. Now he uses that ability to help the FBI solve murder cases.
Very interesting premise for a book, right? Though you have to suspend some disbelief to get through the book.
It is almost twenty years since the Ledgers family was murdered by Adam Killion, leaving the only victim, Mercy Ledger and a symbol drawn on the wall as evidence. Now on a current murder case, that same symbol has surfaced and Cain must decipher what it means and what connections it has to his father's crimes.
Mercy Ledger is trying to survive, as much as you could survive in a mental institution where the psychiatrist who's supposed to be helping you is also a sociopath. Cain needs to know what Mercy knows from that crime years ago, so they must somehow work to figure this out. Not easy to do when you have a target on your back.
There's a romance that develops between Cain and Mercy but what ruined the enjoyment for me was their self-deprecating thoughts of themselves and how they'd be better off leaving the other person alone. It was frustrating in that as soon as something happens to the other person, they realize they can't live without them. Mind you, both these characters have been through the ringer in the "mindfuck" category of twisty proportion.
There is an unexpected twist in the book that left some questions unanswered, which I assume will be addressed in the next book. Although there were some issues in the book, such as the unexplained reason how Adam Killion was caught in the first place, what drove him to kill, his motives, etc. I find it hard to believe that after 70-something murders, he would be caught so easily. It would be nice if this information was filled in. There were parts where the story and its directions were predictable so I wasn't surprised when they were revealed. The author's writing is good, albeit the prose is flowery at times considering the context of blood and gore. It was still an interesting read for a psychological thriller but the loose ends and the pacing, which dropped halfway through, made me round the ratings down to 4 stars instead 5.
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2017
Saving Mercy (Fatal Truth #1) by Abbie Roads
Author: Abbie Roads Title: Saving Mercy Series: Fatal Truth Cover Rating: Book Rating: Buy This Book:
He's found her at lastCain Killion knows himself to be a damaged man, his only saving grace the extrasensory connection to blood that he uses to catch murderers. His latest case takes a macabre turn when he discovers a familiar and haunting symbol linking the crime to his own horrific past-and only one woman could know what it means.Only to lose her to a nightmareMercy Ledger is brave, resilient, beautiful-and in terrible danger. The moment he sees Mercy, Cain knows he's the one who can save her. He also knows he's beyond redemption. But the lines between good and evil blur and the only thing clear to Cain and Mercy is that they belong together. Love is the antidote for blood-but is their bond strong enough to overcome the evil that stalks them?
A toast to Abbie Roads... Here's to your seriously twisted but admittedly phenomenal book.
Abbie Roads where have you been all my life?
I couldn't get enough of Saving Mercy. The second I opened the first page I was sucked into a savory drink that blended a mix of equal parts psycho with equal parts intensity with a dash of passion just to soothe the burn.
I couldn't believe how crazy took center stage from page one and completely ensnared me into following along the dark trail until even I had a hard time separating good guy from bad guy and how the good guy also came with a pinch of darkness himself.
Not sure I bought into the whole instant love connection but you could definitely sense that the broken bits in both Mercy and Cain drew them to eachother from the get go.
I applaud Roads for twisting up her readers and plot until you're questioning what you think you know about Cain and Mercy and whether you can trust in what you thought about them. Its fantastic.
The writing is beautiful, its descriptive and it leaps off the pages with so much life that I am running out of the house to buy this series in print. I am so excited!
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has a QR code for your phone!
Author: Abbie Roads Title: Saving Mercy Series: Fatal Truth Cover Rating: Book Rating: Buy This Book:
He's found her at lastCain Killion knows himself to be a damaged man, his only saving grace the extrasensory connection to blood that he uses to catch murderers. His latest case takes a macabre turn when he discovers a familiar and haunting symbol linking the crime to his own horrific past-and only one woman could know what it means.Only to lose her to a nightmareMercy Ledger is brave, resilient, beautiful-and in terrible danger. The moment he sees Mercy, Cain knows he's the one who can save her. He also knows he's beyond redemption. But the lines between good and evil blur and the only thing clear to Cain and Mercy is that they belong together. Love is the antidote for blood-but is their bond strong enough to overcome the evil that stalks them?
A toast to Abbie Roads... Here's to your seriously twisted but admittedly phenomenal book.
Abbie Roads where have you been all my life?
I couldn't get enough of Saving Mercy. The second I opened the first page I was sucked into a savory drink that blended a mix of equal parts psycho with equal parts intensity with a dash of passion just to soothe the burn.
I couldn't believe how crazy took center stage from page one and completely ensnared me into following along the dark trail until even I had a hard time separating good guy from bad guy and how the good guy also came with a pinch of darkness himself.
Not sure I bought into the whole instant love connection but you could definitely sense that the broken bits in both Mercy and Cain drew them to eachother from the get go.
I applaud Roads for twisting up her readers and plot until you're questioning what you think you know about Cain and Mercy and whether you can trust in what you thought about them. Its fantastic.
The writing is beautiful, its descriptive and it leaps off the pages with so much life that I am running out of the house to buy this series in print. I am so excited!
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has a QR code for your phone!
April 14, 2017
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/savi...
4 ½ ★
I meant to read a book by Abbie Roads for a while now and when the opportunity to review this book came up I jumped at it.
I’m so glad that I did. This book is a whole new level of thriller and romance mixed into one.
Loved the setting, dark, exciting, bite your nails crazy. But also a touch of humor and plenty of steamy time.
This book kept me on the edge on my seat throughout the entire book. It has some wicked good twists and turns and you never know what will happen next.
I loved the complex characters and their growth throughout the book, both from very different worlds each with their own dark past and yet they are connected and share a past.
Loved, loved this crazy thrilling world and characters that Abbie Roads has created.
The only minor hiccup for me was that the first two chapters were a bit confusing but I just seemed to flow into the right setting very quick and loved the rest of the book .
If you are a fan of dark romance and thrillers I highly recommend this book.
I rate it 4 ½ ★
April 2, 2017
Review For: Saving Mercy 'Saving Mercy' by Abbie Roads is book One in the "Fatal Truth" series. This is the story of Cain and Mercy. This is a bloody, exciting, drama filled book...so its a little more than just a romance story. Mercy was one of Cain's father victims that actually survived..but barley. After some time she did end up in a mental hospital that one Dr pretty much torture her. Until Nurse Liz gets her out and into Cain's safe handling. Cain was subjected to the murders of his father and now has issue with closeness even those who are trying to show they care like Mac the FBI agent who took him in when he was young. Even Liz has tried to be a mother to him but he can't get close to anyone until Mercy. Cain has been keeping tabs on Mercy but at first didn't want to take her in doe to his issue with emotion. In addition, he has a love/hate with blood and crime scene. But they slowly start to help each other get through their past. But they also have to get through the danger that they are now in. *A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection*https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68https:/... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
March 8, 2017
Wow, totally devoured this book. It was a bloody good read – both figuratively and literally. This author has one sick and twisted mind that makes for fascinating stories.
Saving Mercy starts a new paranormal series but as with her first series its frightening addicting with tortured characters you immediately are immersed with and feel their pain and sorrow.
Reading a book by this author is like going on a mind bender – lock your seat belt and just hold on for the crazy ride!!
Saving Mercy starts a new paranormal series but as with her first series its frightening addicting with tortured characters you immediately are immersed with and feel their pain and sorrow.
Reading a book by this author is like going on a mind bender – lock your seat belt and just hold on for the crazy ride!!
February 20, 2017
Dark, gritty, terrifying, angst supreme and excruciatingly tender!!
An I-can't-put-down-but-really-can't-continue-because-I'm-terrified-kind-of-book!! Impossible choices... Mind conditioning…. My heart raced and my eyes almost popped out one or two times!!!
This book is full of OMGs, and WTH kind of moments with twists and turns that you never see coming. You really get blindsided at times, but the thing is, all the while, there is tenderness, and love, and affection and so many bittersweet moments, and not to spoil it but our heroes get their happily ever after!!!
Our heros here are Cain Killian and Mercy Ledger, two persons that really got the short end of the stick in life.
Cain is the son of a very well known serial killer, really a monster that had done the most horrible things to his own son, somethings he even blocked out.
Thanks to the unusual and horrendous childhood, he has a very unique gift that he uses to capture the bad guys, he drenches himself in the blood of the victims to get snapshots of the way the killings happened, for a brief moment in his mind, he becomes the killer. That way he has become one of the best profilers for the FBI.
Mercy Ledger, the lone survivor of Killion, having to live with the trauma of witnessing the murder of her family was also changed, she had a sixth sense about the intention of the people around her.
She is suddenly thrown in the loony bin for no apparent reason for two years, and freed by Cain, and the connection that they felt towards each other for a long time, suddenly flourishes.
Both characters are so strong, have been hurt so much, but they are relentless in trying to live a normal life, to see the good the world has to offer. They are the reflection of who we are and what the world wants us to be.
They are two tortured souls, each needing the other one to feel whole while trying to protect them, and the only way they knew how, was being apart.
The second characters are well built, and you don’t know until the end if they are good, or bad, and the ending…. I did not see that one coming!!!!
And as always Abbi definitely knows how to keep you hooked…. There is a loose thread in the story, I’m not going to tell, but I’m guessing this is the next book!
A book worth reading, and a series that I’ll follow.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews, visit me at Ingrid's Book Blog
Abbie Roads
An I-can't-put-down-but-really-can't-continue-because-I'm-terrified-kind-of-book!! Impossible choices... Mind conditioning…. My heart raced and my eyes almost popped out one or two times!!!
This book is full of OMGs, and WTH kind of moments with twists and turns that you never see coming. You really get blindsided at times, but the thing is, all the while, there is tenderness, and love, and affection and so many bittersweet moments, and not to spoil it but our heroes get their happily ever after!!!
Our heros here are Cain Killian and Mercy Ledger, two persons that really got the short end of the stick in life.
Cain is the son of a very well known serial killer, really a monster that had done the most horrible things to his own son, somethings he even blocked out.
“Give him fear. Give him fuzzy-assed unicorns that shit glitter and gold_ just don’t give him sympathy.”
Thanks to the unusual and horrendous childhood, he has a very unique gift that he uses to capture the bad guys, he drenches himself in the blood of the victims to get snapshots of the way the killings happened, for a brief moment in his mind, he becomes the killer. That way he has become one of the best profilers for the FBI.
Mercy Ledger, the lone survivor of Killion, having to live with the trauma of witnessing the murder of her family was also changed, she had a sixth sense about the intention of the people around her.
She is suddenly thrown in the loony bin for no apparent reason for two years, and freed by Cain, and the connection that they felt towards each other for a long time, suddenly flourishes.
Both characters are so strong, have been hurt so much, but they are relentless in trying to live a normal life, to see the good the world has to offer. They are the reflection of who we are and what the world wants us to be.
They are two tortured souls, each needing the other one to feel whole while trying to protect them, and the only way they knew how, was being apart.
“It was the price of loss. A price she had paid twenty years ago. A price he was paying now. His sadness was her sadness. His shame was her shame. They were united in shared hurt- had been from the beginning.”
The second characters are well built, and you don’t know until the end if they are good, or bad, and the ending…. I did not see that one coming!!!!
And as always Abbi definitely knows how to keep you hooked…. There is a loose thread in the story, I’m not going to tell, but I’m guessing this is the next book!
A book worth reading, and a series that I’ll follow.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more of my reviews, visit me at Ingrid's Book Blog
Abbie Roads
March 29, 2017
***4.5 ‘A Gift and A Curse’ Stars***
When the first chapter has you going “WTF?!?!?” in absolute horrific fascination you know you’re in for an interesting (understatement) ride and that’s what Abbie Roads served up in Saving Mercy. This book is more than just a romantic suspense. It has a touch of the paranormal mixed with all the goodness of a psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next.
Cain Killion has lived with the stigma of been the offspring of a serial killer his entire life and all the crazy that comes with it. He’s learned to block it all out and does all he can to not only makes amends for the sins of his father, but to never become like him. My heart bled for Cain. From his first breath he was trapped in a nightmare and is always on guard. His walls are high and expectations of people, with very few exceptions, are low, so no one ever sees the sweet and considerate man with a gentle heart that only wants peace and a chance at happiness.
Mercy Ledger survived what should have been absolute death at the hands of a serial killer and has been living with the consequences ever since. She has had to pretend to be something she is not to survive as she hides away from the world. God is Mercy strong, vulnerable in some ways, but so damn strong. The life she is living is definitely not the one she dreamed up before it all became a nightmare but by some miracle she’s been able to maintain her sanity and compassionate heart.
What happens when the only survivor of a serial killer and that serial killers offspring collide? The truth? No one can predict it, but what happens between Cain and Mercy was slightly cray cray and yet made perfect sense. While their nightmares may not have been the same, they were orchestrated by the same man and it forged a connection that neither could deny. From start to finish their relationship actually made sense to me and watching as they formed a tangible bond of their own making was the bright spot in the darkness.
Having read the Fatal Dreams series I knew Abbie Roads could weave a story and make even the most outlandish aspects work in a realistic way and she’s done that with Saving Mercy. The story was intriguing, though it does take a gruesome nature at certain times that may turn some off, but it is necessary to the storyline and I had fun trying to figure out “who done it” and found the reveal to be surprising and yet make absolute sense. There were some things that happened, or didn’t happen, that had me going. “Really? They didn’t...grrr.” and at times the book dragged for me and I had to keep from skimming things because I knew that there was a purpose to all of it and didn’t want to miss a thing. But overall, this was an awesome read and I’m looking forward to finding out if my guess at who the next book will be about is correct!
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley ~
October 25, 2023
Defying Evil is a stunning tale of broken fated souls finding solace together in bloodshed and heartache, all wrapped in a shroud of mystery keeping you on your toes until the very end. This is my first read from Abbie Roads, and I’m thoroughly impressed with this impeccable story she’s penned. A dark romantic thriller— heavy on the thriller aspect— this is the exact book I needed at the exact right time.
Fans of Prodigal Son are in for a treat with this one, where Cain, son of a serial killer turned FBI consultant, finds himself entangled with Mercy, that same serial killer’s sole survivor. What begins as a kidnapping with the best intentions turns into a horrific account of history repeating itself down to the finest detail. Has a copycat entered the scene? Or is something more nefarious happening in the shadows?
This isn’t an enemies to lovers tale, but more of the joining of kindred spirits, where a deeper understanding of the horrors each has endured is evident. Cain and Mercy, while an unconventional pairing in the eyes of the world, are perfect counterparts to each other. Both suffering their own versions of survivor’s guilt, both yearning for connection, obsession meets defiance. These two shouldn’t work, but they just do.
My favorite part of this story is the whole analysis of good and evil, especially when it comes to the effects of trauma. Can children showcase the same evil as their parents? Can the victim become the predator? Will you allow your past to turn you into a monster of your own making? All these concepts were woven throughout, all leading up to a meteoric ending where choice trumps all.
The blurb really doesn’t do this story justice, and I don’t want to ruin anything for you. The narrative undergoes a major twist, and what blooms from the ashes is something really beautiful to behold. To say I was surprised with this book would be an understatement. We’re left with a secondary plot thread waiting to be pulled, and I am all over it. I really enjoyed this one.
Fans of Prodigal Son are in for a treat with this one, where Cain, son of a serial killer turned FBI consultant, finds himself entangled with Mercy, that same serial killer’s sole survivor. What begins as a kidnapping with the best intentions turns into a horrific account of history repeating itself down to the finest detail. Has a copycat entered the scene? Or is something more nefarious happening in the shadows?
This isn’t an enemies to lovers tale, but more of the joining of kindred spirits, where a deeper understanding of the horrors each has endured is evident. Cain and Mercy, while an unconventional pairing in the eyes of the world, are perfect counterparts to each other. Both suffering their own versions of survivor’s guilt, both yearning for connection, obsession meets defiance. These two shouldn’t work, but they just do.
My favorite part of this story is the whole analysis of good and evil, especially when it comes to the effects of trauma. Can children showcase the same evil as their parents? Can the victim become the predator? Will you allow your past to turn you into a monster of your own making? All these concepts were woven throughout, all leading up to a meteoric ending where choice trumps all.
The blurb really doesn’t do this story justice, and I don’t want to ruin anything for you. The narrative undergoes a major twist, and what blooms from the ashes is something really beautiful to behold. To say I was surprised with this book would be an understatement. We’re left with a secondary plot thread waiting to be pulled, and I am all over it. I really enjoyed this one.
July 6, 2023
Wow, totally devoured this book. It was a bloody good read – both figuratively and literally. This author has one sick and twisted mind that makes for fascinating stories.
Its frightening addicting with tortured characters you're immediately immersed with and feel their pain and sorrow.
Reading a book by this author is like going on a mind bender – lock your seat belt and just hold on for the crazy ride!!
Its frightening addicting with tortured characters you're immediately immersed with and feel their pain and sorrow.
Reading a book by this author is like going on a mind bender – lock your seat belt and just hold on for the crazy ride!!
October 1, 2023
OKAY ABBIE ROADS, OKAAAYY *insert snap emoji hereee*
Who doesn’t love a little bit of trauma bonded romance?!
The way this book starts instantly grabbed me, sunk it’s teeth into me, and it didn’t let go.
I loved the mixture of FBI detective, serial killer’s son, mystical abilities, fated lovers, spiritual eeriness, trauma bonding…..I mean I could go on and on but I only have so many synonyms.
The layers to this story and the way they all came back together in the end was masterful. You could tell there was skillful planning that went into this book.
If I had a penny for the amount of times I was sitting in my living room or walking on the treadmill in the middle of the gym and I verbally gasped, I’d have many pennies.
The ONLY critique I have (and it’s not even really a critique) is that I wish there were a couple more scenes with the Dr and Mercy in the beginning when her story was first unfolding.
I impatiently look forward to reading the next book that I know is coming because I NEED ANSWERS!!
Who doesn’t love a little bit of trauma bonded romance?!
The way this book starts instantly grabbed me, sunk it’s teeth into me, and it didn’t let go.
I loved the mixture of FBI detective, serial killer’s son, mystical abilities, fated lovers, spiritual eeriness, trauma bonding…..I mean I could go on and on but I only have so many synonyms.
The layers to this story and the way they all came back together in the end was masterful. You could tell there was skillful planning that went into this book.
If I had a penny for the amount of times I was sitting in my living room or walking on the treadmill in the middle of the gym and I verbally gasped, I’d have many pennies.
The ONLY critique I have (and it’s not even really a critique) is that I wish there were a couple more scenes with the Dr and Mercy in the beginning when her story was first unfolding.
I impatiently look forward to reading the next book that I know is coming because I NEED ANSWERS!!
February 12, 2019
The world was rocked when serial killer's killing spree came to an end only after one of his victims was able to escape. Her actions lead to the capture, prosecution, and imprisonment of one Adam Killion.
Being the son of that serial killer, Cain Killion lives with the stigma of people wondering if he will follow in his father's footsteps. Little do they know, Cain himself was just as much a victim and has the physical and mental scars to prove it. Twenty years after the fact, he's had no contact with his father or his cult like fan club followers.
Cain has an uncanny psychic ability to profile murder crime scenes as no one else, getting into the head of the killer to help solve crimes. FBI & law enforcement use those skills when all other avenues are exhausted. A recent string of murders have eerie similarities to Adam Killion's killing spree though it could just be a copycat. Regardless, there are enough similarities that have Cain worried enough to reach out to the one person who has the insight and expertise to help. Mercy Ledger, the victim who survived.
Problem is that she is committed in a locked mental facility. All requests to visit with her are rejected by her primary psychiatrist who feels any discussion or reference to what she went through would jeopardize her fragile psyche, possibly pushing her into a complete irreversible permanent vegetative state.
* * * *
Warning: this is not a dark fantasy read, it's a contemporary psychological horror/thriller. It's a disturbing push your comfort zone sort of story targeted for fans who enjoy and can appreciate this subgenre for what it is. Consider yourself warned.
It's not often that I'm left speechless over a book. There are just too many emotions going through me to be able to adequately share how the author was able to keep me (the reader) at the edge of my seat fearing what was next to come page after page after page.....
The two main characters Cain & Mercy. Connected together because of a gruesome moment in time, normal rational consequences would be that they never cross paths again. The thing is a series of events changes what should have been.
Secondary characters. As this is a psychological suspense thriller I'm not going to name names as potential reads need to sleuth their way through the clues and evidence contained in the story to determine who done it. One comment. This girl was wrong in who that person was and I'm going to bet so will you.
Along the way there is a romance evolving that does include adult content scenes but not to any overly graphic degree or frequency. To get there though the couple had to deal with baggage issues, angst, and a whole shit storm of mind games perpetuated by the evil person individual. Can't say I wan't a cheerleader for these two as they earned a HEA after what they went through.
Seriously, for any horror fan who is looking for a psychological mind f*ck sort of read that delivers chills, thrills, and blindsides, check this book out. I dare you. lol
Being the son of that serial killer, Cain Killion lives with the stigma of people wondering if he will follow in his father's footsteps. Little do they know, Cain himself was just as much a victim and has the physical and mental scars to prove it. Twenty years after the fact, he's had no contact with his father or his cult like fan club followers.
Cain has an uncanny psychic ability to profile murder crime scenes as no one else, getting into the head of the killer to help solve crimes. FBI & law enforcement use those skills when all other avenues are exhausted. A recent string of murders have eerie similarities to Adam Killion's killing spree though it could just be a copycat. Regardless, there are enough similarities that have Cain worried enough to reach out to the one person who has the insight and expertise to help. Mercy Ledger, the victim who survived.
Problem is that she is committed in a locked mental facility. All requests to visit with her are rejected by her primary psychiatrist who feels any discussion or reference to what she went through would jeopardize her fragile psyche, possibly pushing her into a complete irreversible permanent vegetative state.
* * * *
Warning: this is not a dark fantasy read, it's a contemporary psychological horror/thriller. It's a disturbing push your comfort zone sort of story targeted for fans who enjoy and can appreciate this subgenre for what it is. Consider yourself warned.
It's not often that I'm left speechless over a book. There are just too many emotions going through me to be able to adequately share how the author was able to keep me (the reader) at the edge of my seat fearing what was next to come page after page after page.....
The two main characters Cain & Mercy. Connected together because of a gruesome moment in time, normal rational consequences would be that they never cross paths again. The thing is a series of events changes what should have been.
Secondary characters. As this is a psychological suspense thriller I'm not going to name names as potential reads need to sleuth their way through the clues and evidence contained in the story to determine who done it. One comment. This girl was wrong in who that person was and I'm going to bet so will you.
Along the way there is a romance evolving that does include adult content scenes but not to any overly graphic degree or frequency. To get there though the couple had to deal with baggage issues, angst, and a whole shit storm of mind games perpetuated by the evil person individual. Can't say I wan't a cheerleader for these two as they earned a HEA after what they went through.
Seriously, for any horror fan who is looking for a psychological mind f*ck sort of read that delivers chills, thrills, and blindsides, check this book out. I dare you. lol
April 18, 2017
Reviewed by Gemini
Saving Mercy was by far the most gruesome romantic suspense book that I have ever read. To say that there was a lot of blood would be an understatement. There was blood everywhere. Blood was literally the main theme of the book. Blood relations, painting in blood, and to make things even more disturbing, the hero Cain Killion is able to get into the mind of any killer by covering his body in victims’ blood. It was beyond disgusting and just plain old nasty.
Cain Killion is an FBI consultant who uses his unique ability for good in order to make up for the heinous crimes committed by his biological father Adam Killion, who is in prison for killing the Ledger Family 20 years ago when Cain was only ten. The twist in all of this is that Adam left the youngest of the Ledger family alive although he did attempt to slash her throat. Her name is Mercy and for the past two years, she has been wrongfully imprisoned in a mental institution. When symbols from a current murder scene point Cain in Mercy’s direction for answers, he ends up breaking her out of the institution and discovering that he and Mercy have an attraction to each other that can’t be denied. In addition, Mercy has been mentally and physically abused by her doctor all of this time. In fact, the doctor is so obsessed with her that he goes looking for her and Cain. But that’s not all of it. As the FBI’s investigation into a possible disciple of Adam Killion continues, Cain puts the pieces together and what he finds out will shake him to the core and bring him to the breaking point.
The psychological implications of Saving Mercy are disturbing. The level of violence and bloodletting will make your skin crawl. I don’t even see how it was possible to weave a romance into all of this brutality. It was very difficult to enjoy the parts of the book that were clearly intended to be hot and steamy when all I could think about was when was the next blood scene going to occur. Honestly, I don’t know if I could stomach another book like this one.
**Received a copy of the book for Sourcebooks Casablanca and voluntarily reviewed.**
Saving Mercy was by far the most gruesome romantic suspense book that I have ever read. To say that there was a lot of blood would be an understatement. There was blood everywhere. Blood was literally the main theme of the book. Blood relations, painting in blood, and to make things even more disturbing, the hero Cain Killion is able to get into the mind of any killer by covering his body in victims’ blood. It was beyond disgusting and just plain old nasty.
Cain Killion is an FBI consultant who uses his unique ability for good in order to make up for the heinous crimes committed by his biological father Adam Killion, who is in prison for killing the Ledger Family 20 years ago when Cain was only ten. The twist in all of this is that Adam left the youngest of the Ledger family alive although he did attempt to slash her throat. Her name is Mercy and for the past two years, she has been wrongfully imprisoned in a mental institution. When symbols from a current murder scene point Cain in Mercy’s direction for answers, he ends up breaking her out of the institution and discovering that he and Mercy have an attraction to each other that can’t be denied. In addition, Mercy has been mentally and physically abused by her doctor all of this time. In fact, the doctor is so obsessed with her that he goes looking for her and Cain. But that’s not all of it. As the FBI’s investigation into a possible disciple of Adam Killion continues, Cain puts the pieces together and what he finds out will shake him to the core and bring him to the breaking point.
The psychological implications of Saving Mercy are disturbing. The level of violence and bloodletting will make your skin crawl. I don’t even see how it was possible to weave a romance into all of this brutality. It was very difficult to enjoy the parts of the book that were clearly intended to be hot and steamy when all I could think about was when was the next blood scene going to occur. Honestly, I don’t know if I could stomach another book like this one.
**Received a copy of the book for Sourcebooks Casablanca and voluntarily reviewed.**
January 4, 2026
"Defying Evil" to me was a disappointing read but I can see that it would appeal to a wide audience out there. It's very much a dark romance book but not nearly as abusive of a relationship that most of those books have - no judgement, just saying. I'm not the biggest fan of dark romance though and I was expecting this to be more of a psychological thriller, so I was quite letdown in that respect. And yes I KNOW the cover says "A Dark Romantic Thriller" but I couldn't read that on the little thumbnail image I saw.
I'm not the biggest fan of supernatural crime thrillers either and this was unfortunately also fit into that genre. The way that Cain is able to "put himself in the mind of the killer" is so literal that it makes me cringe. Also the fact that his name is CAIN KILLIAN - Cain as in the first murderer and KILL-ian? Come on.
As far as the romance goes, it was okay. I think the sexual tension built up well and I thought there was an interesting dynamic in the fact that the ML was the son of a serial killer and the FL was constantly in fear of the ML seeking her out to finish the job. I don't like how quickly she moved on from that. I get that he's not his father, but for a woman who's lived in fear for YEARS she moved on way faster than I would have expected.
Overall this was pretty underwhelming for ME as someone who enjoys psychological thrillers, but I'm also aware that I'm not the target audience and probably (definitely) should have left the giveaway for a real fan - especially since Roads signed my book and wrote me a nice note. If you're a fan of dark romance, you'll probably really like this. The writing itself wasn't bad and again, the sexual tension did build up nicely, albeit faster than I would have liked. Give "Defying Evil" if you can get a copy!
Note: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but all opinions are my own.
Date Read: 04/15/24
I'm not the biggest fan of supernatural crime thrillers either and this was unfortunately also fit into that genre. The way that Cain is able to "put himself in the mind of the killer" is so literal that it makes me cringe. Also the fact that his name is CAIN KILLIAN - Cain as in the first murderer and KILL-ian? Come on.
As far as the romance goes, it was okay. I think the sexual tension built up well and I thought there was an interesting dynamic in the fact that the ML was the son of a serial killer and the FL was constantly in fear of the ML seeking her out to finish the job. I don't like how quickly she moved on from that. I get that he's not his father, but for a woman who's lived in fear for YEARS she moved on way faster than I would have expected.
Overall this was pretty underwhelming for ME as someone who enjoys psychological thrillers, but I'm also aware that I'm not the target audience and probably (definitely) should have left the giveaway for a real fan - especially since Roads signed my book and wrote me a nice note. If you're a fan of dark romance, you'll probably really like this. The writing itself wasn't bad and again, the sexual tension did build up nicely, albeit faster than I would have liked. Give "Defying Evil" if you can get a copy!
Note: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but all opinions are my own.
Date Read: 04/15/24
March 31, 2020
Mixing up my reading genres, I move from a romance to a mystery. A few years back I read a book by Abbie Roads called Hunt the Dawn where the main character had special abilities and enjoyed the book. Saving Mercy starts with us meeting Cain Killion aka the son of a famous serial killer called The Triple K. Cain can see through the killer's eyes by playing with their blood - it has to be clean through and not tampered with. His adoptive dad Mac works for the FBI and calls Cain to help him with a murder scene. It turns out that the scene is similar to a murder his father committed twenty years ago, down to a symbol on the wall painted with blood. Twenty years ago, Cain's father killed the Killion family and left Mercy Killion - the young daughter alive. He also carved a symbol into her over her heart. Cain feels connected with her as he too has a symbol carved on his heart among his numerous scars. Cain decides to talk to Mercy when he arrives at the center, his friend Liz ( became like his adoptive mother) tells Cain to help Mercy and take her away /keep safe. Cain takes her to his cabin and helps her go through the withdrawal symptoms. The next part of the book focuses on Mercy trying to escape from Dr. Payne who is obsessed with her and Cain trying to find out who the killer is as everyone close to him is being killed and if it's not careful, the killer may come after Mac and Mercy. This book reveals a major twist that I was hoping we would meet the person known as Daught. The ending revealed a bit about Daught, this part though annoyed me as was so excited with the twist and felt a bit letdown. However, if you are looking for a good mystery featuring special abilities, then check out Abbie Roads mystery novels.
October 24, 2023
perfect book for homophobes and big boobs haters!! 🥰🩷🫶✨️🎀
despite the promising and (mostly) well executed dark romance plot, I can't get over the homophobic / transphobic / big-boobs-phobic lines🤢
starting off strong with the first red flag :
"without vomiting or going sissy-prissy crybaby. [...] He might as well have snapped off his stick and stones and started wearing sundresses." 🚨
moving on to the personal attack :
"Her breasts weren't large; Instead, they were perfect." ⚰️ (he calls them "globes" later. I gagged)
followed by the soul wrenching, toe curling line as he sniffs her pubes :
"You smell primal. Like sex and cum." 🚔
and finally, the cherry on top, that achieved to erase any doubt in my mind on whether any queer or lgbtq+ ally person proofread this :
"... wearing one of those hospital smocks that would make the most testosterone-loaded hulk look like a pansy. Knobby knees and skinny calves jutted out from under the gown, and a thick pair of white socks- that had a decidedly feminine flare - covered his feet. [...] "Though I'm hoping this isn't a fashion statement you plan on adopting." / "You don't like my dress? I asked for one with ruffles but this was all they had." " 👹
cue in all the baby and girlish references whenever he mentions his feelings or crying, the man no matter how hot he may be cannot be described as comfortable in his masculinity. the woman MC feels very childish and frighteningly dumb (as in her hugging her man as he's bleeding out, before thinking of maybe calling an ambulance).
[arc review, honest opinion]
despite the promising and (mostly) well executed dark romance plot, I can't get over the homophobic / transphobic / big-boobs-phobic lines🤢
starting off strong with the first red flag :
"without vomiting or going sissy-prissy crybaby. [...] He might as well have snapped off his stick and stones and started wearing sundresses." 🚨
moving on to the personal attack :
"Her breasts weren't large; Instead, they were perfect." ⚰️ (he calls them "globes" later. I gagged)
followed by the soul wrenching, toe curling line as he sniffs her pubes :
"You smell primal. Like sex and cum." 🚔
and finally, the cherry on top, that achieved to erase any doubt in my mind on whether any queer or lgbtq+ ally person proofread this :
"... wearing one of those hospital smocks that would make the most testosterone-loaded hulk look like a pansy. Knobby knees and skinny calves jutted out from under the gown, and a thick pair of white socks- that had a decidedly feminine flare - covered his feet. [...] "Though I'm hoping this isn't a fashion statement you plan on adopting." / "You don't like my dress? I asked for one with ruffles but this was all they had." " 👹
cue in all the baby and girlish references whenever he mentions his feelings or crying, the man no matter how hot he may be cannot be described as comfortable in his masculinity. the woman MC feels very childish and frighteningly dumb (as in her hugging her man as he's bleeding out, before thinking of maybe calling an ambulance).
[arc review, honest opinion]
September 22, 2025
I voluntarily received an ARC of Saving Mercy by Abbie Roads in exchange for an honest review.
Holy crap! That is all I could think for several minutes after finishing Saving Mercy. Abbie Roads is a magnificent artist and story teller and she has blown my mind once again. I am constantly amazed at how she manages to combine so much pain and darkness with immense amounts of love to form her books.
Mercy and Cain are both so damaged and have been dealt a hand in life that no one should ever have to deal with and their pasts have intertwined to connect them in unimaginable ways. Seeing them struggle to deal with their tragic childhoods while facing new horrors kept me from putting this book down until I had read every last word.
Saving Mercy left me with the worst book-hangover I've had in a long time. I tried to start another book the next morning, but it just wasn't an Abbie Roads book.
Holy crap! That is all I could think for several minutes after finishing Saving Mercy. Abbie Roads is a magnificent artist and story teller and she has blown my mind once again. I am constantly amazed at how she manages to combine so much pain and darkness with immense amounts of love to form her books.
Mercy and Cain are both so damaged and have been dealt a hand in life that no one should ever have to deal with and their pasts have intertwined to connect them in unimaginable ways. Seeing them struggle to deal with their tragic childhoods while facing new horrors kept me from putting this book down until I had read every last word.
Saving Mercy left me with the worst book-hangover I've had in a long time. I tried to start another book the next morning, but it just wasn't an Abbie Roads book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews