Ready

Mercenary Trilogy #1

by Lucy Monroe

They're the good guys fighting the bad guys. They'll get the job done--if the price is right and so is the cause. Meet three sexy men who individually are READY, WILLING, and ABLE to go the distance--and together, are unstoppable. . .

As a writer, Lise Barton is used to coming up with wild scenarios for her characters, but the one that's playing out for her right now is no fiction--it's frighteningly real. Someone is stalking her, someone who knows where she lives and what she does. Someone who has even threatened her family--her brother, his wife, and their precious baby girl. Lise isn't about to let someone hurt them, so she packs up and leaves Texas for the anonymity of Seattle. And then the threats start again. . .

Joshua Watt's mission is simple: Go to Seattle and bring Lise home for Thanksgiving or he'll never hear the end of it from his sister. It's not like "Aunt Lise" to stay away from their adorable niece, and Joshua's pretty sure he's the reason for it. He's spent months trying to forget the taste of her lips, the feel of her soft hair in his fingers. Yeah, okay, he wants her--badly--but family comes first. But the minute he sees the fear in Lise's eyes, his survival instincts kick in. The former Army Ranger isn't about to let some creep terrorize an innocent woman--not on his watch. He's going to do what it takes to protect Lise and try to keep his personal feelings out of it. Because if there's one thing he's learned, it's that sex and work don't mix. Not ever. So far. . .

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Military Fiction, Mystery

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

I write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.

Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...

I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.

Reviews

[Eastofoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will keep you reading all day! It’s an action packed page turner with some of the steamiest steam in romantic suspense —especially the “jungle scene”
**warning: bring large fan and read in the shade ;D

Joshua is a die-hard, bossy, borderline caveman mercenary who confuses all-consuming love for sex. Lise is a writer who is being stalked by a psycho and it just so happens that Josh the Mercenary is just the man she needs to fix Mr Bad Stalker’s wagon.

During all this nail biting fun and frolic she tries to show Josh the difference between sex and love –and she’s got the sex part down pat (he’s no slouch either) ;-) A very satisfying read from start to finish —thankfully the author had the foresight to add 2 more books to this trilogy :D

[jenjn79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Lucy Monroe, and I have to say that I enjoyed it quite a bit! The type of story she writes reminds me a bit of Christina Skye...a sort of cross between contemporary romance, and romantic suspense - in another words a romance with a solid, mildly suspenseful storyline to go along with it. Monroe is a bit more sexually explicit than Skye, though. Which makes the sex scenes more interesting to read!

The first of this trilogy focuses on former soldier-turned mercenary Joshua Watt, and fiction writer Lise Barton (both characters have a familial connections to previous characters used by Monroe). Lise and Joshua previously shared a passionate kiss, but it unnerved Lise and she ran. Now she's in trouble - someone is stalking her but she doesn't tell her family. When she plans to skip Thanksgiving together, her sister-in-law sends Joshua to bring her home. And Joshua then finds out how much trouble Lise is in. He's infuriated that someone would dare try to hurt her and he's determined to find the bastard and teach him a lesson he won't soon forget. Of course, if he gets to talk his way into Lise's bed in the process...well, he certainly wouldn't say no! But some blazing hot sex is all he thinks he can give her. He's not a family kind of guy. At least, that's what he always thought...

This was a fun book to read. I wouldn't say it's a LOVED IT, 5-star read, but a definite solid 4 stars. The characters are fantastic. And not just the H/H Lise and Joshua. The secondary (and future primary) characters are great as well. Monroe whets your whistle more than enough to make you want to read more of the series. And the sex is super hot! I wouldn't particularly qualify is as erotic-romance stuff, but it's definitely more explicit than your average romance novel.

The plot was pretty good as well. It's not as developed and all-encompassing as a pure romantic suspense, but it's got enough meat to make the store more interesting and about more than just the romance between the H/H.

All around, just an enjoyable book to read. I liked pretty much everything about it. And once I finished, I couldn't wait to start on the second book of the series, "Willing."

[Miss Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I needed a ciggarette after reading this one! I am hooked on this series and can't wait to get the other two. I couldn't put this one down. Joshua is a tough guy mercenary, and Lise is a sucessful novelist with a stalker. She's left town running scared because the stalker has threatened her family. Of course Joshua is the man for the job. As soon as they get together, sparks fly...

[Jane Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It. Excellent story. Fun and different characters.

I loved the interaction among the 3 guys: Joshua (Wolf), Hotwire and Nitro. I laughed out loud at some of the conversation. If you like Shannon McKenna, you should like this.

Sexual content: not evaluated. I read this book before I began counting sex scenes and describing the language. As I recall, it was probably strong. Setting: current day U.S. Copyright: 2005. Genre: romantic suspense.

As of 6/14/08, I've read 6 Lucy Monroe books, as follows.
5 stars. Ready. Copyright 2005. My review posted 2/21/07.
5 stars. Willing. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
4 stars. And Able. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
3 stars. 3 Brides For 3 Bad Boys. Copyright 2005. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Tempt Me. Copyright 2006. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Deal With This. Copyright 2007. My review posted 6/14/08.

[Neus Gutiérrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esto es un libro estilo Lori Foster total. Lo cual personalmente a mí me parece fetén. ¿Lo peor de este libro? QUE EL RESTO DE LA SAGA NO ESTA TRADUCIDA. Y mira... ya van demasiadas cosas así. Y lo paso mal, no me parece nada justo que siempre suframos los mismos.

En cuanto a la historia: una escritora, un acosador loco, un amigo de la familia que es "mercenario". Que si lo piensas tiene bastantes cosas similares con Foster.. nivel "demasiado", pero es que me lo he disfrutado tanto, que se lo perdono. Además es que Joshua es... AY. AYYYYYY el maromo. Me ha gustado mucho su relación, que además viene de lejos, sus momentos de humor, de amor, de cama YEEEEEEEES, y la parte familiar y de más. Realmente lo he disfrutado mucho.

Contemporánea de bien, con maromo empotrador estupendo. Recomendado. Sello neusiano.

[Nσҽɱí · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5☆
A ver no es una historia para tirar cohetes, pero ha estado mejor de lo que esperaba.
Es entretenida y corta. No está mal.
Ella no me ha hecho mucha gracia sobre todo al principio, pero él sí me ha gustado mucho.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 Mercenary Trilogy - Romantic Suspense

I liked this! My first read of this author.

Joshua is a hunky, smart, capable mercenary acting as bodyguard to an author who is being stalked. I liked that Joshua shows a bit of a softer side to the "alpha hero" type -- I really liked that he called Lise "honey" and "sweetheart", and was "manly" and take-charge without being a jerk who wouldn't know a feeling if it bit him in the behind.

The stalker/thriller part of the book was exciting, with lots of surprises. Joshua's mercenary friends/partners, Nitro and Hotwire, are very interesting -- can't WAIT to read their stories in #2"Willing" (en route!) and #3 "And Able", plus the other romantic suspense books that continue with some of these folks!

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ stars - Romantic Suspense

Ready is the first in Lucy Monroe's Mercenary Trilogy. It's a steamy romantic suspense featuring a sexy alpha male mercenary. At times, the dialogue between the hero and heroine seemed a tad bit sappy and corny and the romantic development a little contrived and unrealistic. However, it was spicy enough that I'll still read the rest of the books in the series.

[Nadny]

Can someone please give me hope that they will start using normal words! I just can't understand someone in the midst of a rage, or the throws of passion saying "Oh Gosh!" I'm only about 20% into the book, but it's not looking great. I'm getting nervous! :-)

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, fast-paced and fun characters.

[Asounani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow really really slow

[Sonia189 · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a 2.5
The premise and a few scenes were certainly interesting, as were the possibilities.
The execution and the romance? meh....

[Mojca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank God it's over!...That's what I though as I turned the last page of this novel.

Reading it was a truly tiring experience. It drained me, that's what it took so long. Usually I "consume" such suspense novels in an evening, this one took a lot longer.
I couldn't keep from comparing her to Shannon McKenna's Behind Closed Doors. The romance plot completely overtook the original suspense premise, until all that was left from that possible saving grace was sporadic and all too brief glimpses of the villain. And the last nail in the suspense coffin was the reason behind the whole stalking bonanza. It completely ruined the bang the slow build-up promised and I just couldn't believe it. Sorry.
If at least the romance were any good...Or the sex scenes. Alas, no. Huge been-there-read-that syndrome. It wasn't gripping, it wasn't angsty, if wasn't involving. A complete dud.

The next huge boulder on the road were the characters, actually one character - the heroine. I've never read pf a more contradictory female character in my life. Has she ever heard of consistency? At the beginning she was supposed to be this shy, prim, not-getting-involved-because-she-would-lose-herself type of gal, then all of a sudden she does a 180 and turns into an aggressive, demanding, she-wolf nympho...Without any apparent reason.
And the clingy bitch she turned into at the end. Oh, boy. Psycho much?

Lucky for me the author had the presence of mind to create the hero and his two merc buddies. They were the whole reason I kept reading after the few initial chapters.

I guess I will have to read the other two stories (the author has dropped a few hints toward the end of this novel that caught my attention), just to see if they're duds as well. I sure hope not, because I don't want to waste more of my reading time.

[Kjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lucy Monroe and an enjoyable read. The woman writes a smokin' hot love scenes complete with sensual bonding. But, I digress...The characters were likable but "thought out loud too much." Sometimes I do get antsy when the plot doesn't advance very quickly because the characters are mentally dissecting why they can't possibly have a serious relationship. Also, for some reason, the book isn't that old but somehow seemed dated technology-wise. Not a criticism...just an observation. There was an obvious set up with Joshua's mercenary friends for books 2 and 3 of the trilogy. I will be reading on.

[AliciaJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was fun, the heroine wasn't TSTL, the hero was just alpha enough to make the sexual tension hot, and the villain wasn't too over the top. All in all, a great way to spend a few hours.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked Joshua. Can't wait to read the rest.

[Hina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read a romantic suspense, but Ready does not have much of romance or suspense.

From the beginning, the heroine has a total TSTL moment. The heroine, Lise Barton, a writer who starts getting threatening emails from a stalker. When she doesn’t get the cops to take her seriously, and when her stalker starts threatening her family, she decides to protect her brother, his wife and kid, she takes for Seattle without explaining why to anyone.

This is the beginning of her TSTL moment, she never explains to her family what’s going on about her situation. But all I was thinking about this people are walking around in ignorance when their life could be in danger.

Now, the threats have followed her to Seattle and are escalating and the cops are still not taking her seriously, but does she seek other avenues of help or do more? Nope!

Especially, when it is pointed out that her sister-in-law’s brother, Joshua Watt is a former army Ranger and a mercenary for hire, which she knows. Nope she doesn’t do anything!

Lise’s sister-in-law sends the hero to her to find out what is going on with our heroine. In just a few pages, I was annoyed, but I was hoping with the hero in the picture, things will get better….
It did not.

The whole suspense portion and the stalker just completely fell flat. There is no OMG moment, no fear, no unpredictability to motivate the write to keep reading. I guess I should have known after Joshua brings in 2 more of his mercenary friends. 3 former Army Rangers, now mercenary Vs. 1 deranged bad acting villain, I knew what is going to happen, but I kept hoping for a heart stopping moment, some unknown danger to make things interesting, but there was nothing.

The hero and his friends had a lot of potential, but it was just lost in the trivial details and a
non-existent plot, so I couldn’t really appreciate them much.

It would have been boring, if not for the fact that the heroine has a sexual turnaround going from prim to wild and the sexual marathon that ensues. There were some steamy scenes, but again it was not enough.

The ending was so ridiculous, it just pushed my 2-star rating down to 1. I can’t even talk about it.

I have read Lucy Monroe’s Harlequin Presents and her writing, but I was surprised by this, so I am going to still eventually read the next book and hope the series gets better.

Book Lovers Bliss Review

[Denise Vasak · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hit or miss for me. There were lots of good parts and the suspense was strong. I liked the interactions between Joshua and Lise for the most part and I liked Joshua with Hotwire and Nitro. I thought there was a strong sense of who these people were to each other.

What I didn't like was the lack of clear physical separation when the author switched to a different characters voice. We would end one sentence and then in the very next one there would be a different person taking over the story and sometimes it was hard to distinguish who was who and when. I really have SO little patience for this - it takes me out of the story each and every time.

With all the build up I thought the end was a bit of a let down. It all happened SO fast and there was no real suspense surrounding it other than the feeling that this can't be it, can it? But yeah, that was it. Plus the Lise/Joshua rush at the end was really far out there. For all the soul searching and wanting to be strong/independent, it all just crashed in and was forgotten within like two sentences.

[Grace Foulds · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I feel like 90s/early 2000s books assumed that you read the synopsis and then entirely skip the set up of the book because they think the synopsis suffices. Not to take that generalization out on this book but it really did make me think that sooooo sorry not sorry 3 stars. Also, a book about an author writing a book about the content of the book I was reading was kinda fun but I don’t think it was executed well. I wish I could’ve read excerpts of her book or that the content of the book I was reading was consistent with the hardass no distraction mercenary stereotype, especially considering the main character said the book she researched was accurate. Anyways. I know it was supposed to be a romance or whatever but I wanted more stalker content. The conclusion was also rlly short and didn’t give justice to the part of the book I actually cared about. Maybe actually 2 stars LOL

[Pamela Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this first book in the series! Only complaint is (Spoiler: Ed Jones-the bad guy-went down way to easily!) I was hoping for more fight from him, more sneaking by, an unexpected situation, maybe a missed detail like when (Spoiler2:Joshua, Nitro, and Hotwire didn’t think to check the exhaust of her car when they had Lise drive to grocery store to try and draw Nemesis out of hiding)or when (Spoiler3: their thoughts were completely distracted by each other and forgot Hotwire was coming and he had been there for a couple hours without Lise and Joshua knowing!)

I can’t wait to read the second book! Oh, but wait... I don’t need to because Willing is right next to my leg! Ready for when I put this phone down from writing this review to be picked up and read!

(Also playful sensual details written!)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

like a 3…it was hard to get through and that ending? tf

i get that this is a “romance” book but that plot was so shitty idk what the point of it was. might as well just have published the smut scenes and called it a day. spent the whole book chasing the stalker aka “nemesis”for it to come down to nothing in the end other than he’s an old man with heart problems. YAWN

and the fact that every book has to ruin the ending with a pregnancy? gtfo of here

also never seen sex referred to as making love so many times…i think i might go back and tally that shit up for fun

[Chichi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt endless. Also, after the first quarter I feel like it all fell downhill, from the moment of Lise’s realization that she loved him (which felt so random and almost immature). I didn’t really like the fmc, she was annoying (and why did she keep expressing surprise that the mmc liked to cook, I didn’t get the big deal). Also the whole “wolf” & “she-wolf” thing made my eye roll. I’m just glad this is over.

[Lanette Nukuto Zepeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!

This book crew me in and I couldn't put it down. Lise is a strong woman who is at the end of her rope. Joshua is a mercenary who trusts very few people. The story is well written and hard to put down. I would recommend Mercenary to anyone who loves crime and romance.

[Lynne M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I think my main issue was that neither of the main characters were very compelling.

Also, it was funny to hear this book talk about Amazon.com- clearly this was written well before that website blew up, and offered two day delivery!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced read that had me glued to the pages!

[Sandra R · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was fine, but unfortunately the story didn't work for me. Sorry about that. (this is a favourite author of mine)

[Gina Marie Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

[Denisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read since high school, yes it was corny but I can’t believe I liked it enough to finish in one day.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...

[Emma Fry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick and easy read. Good story, easy to get into.