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Have Mercy
In Shelley Ann Clark’s seductive debut novel, two damaged souls discover that when they’re together, their bodies hit all the right notes. Rock diva Emme Hayes already broke up one band after sleeping with the lead singer, and she swears she won’t let sex screw things up again. The problem is, her new bass player—a lean, muscular, tattooed mystery man who makes her want to demand his absolute attention—has her so worked up she can hardly carry a tune. Emme promises he’s off-limits. She just doesn’t know how she’ll be able to confine the heat to her love songs. The moment Tom McKinney lays eyes on Emme strutting around the stage of his blues bar—all curves, eye liner, and teased blond hair—he knows she’s one of a kind. So when she offers him a two-month paid gig to tour with her band, Tom can’t say no, despite family troubles and the bar’s precarious finances. Onstage and off, the music they make thrums in his soul, but Tom has too much going on to get involved—even if he burns to let Emme play his body like a fine-tuned instrument.Praise for Have Mercy “The words ‘Yes, ma’am’ have never been as electric as they are in Have Mercy, deployed by Clark’s sharp and clever pen.”—RT Book Reviews “A glittering debut . . . Shelley Ann Clark’s voice has a beat and rhythm as memorable as the musical world her characters inhabit. Intense, joyful, and thoroughly satisfying. I can’t wait for more from this promising new author.”—USA Today bestselling author Megan Mulry “Sultry as a spotlit ballad, Have Mercy delivers with heat, emotion, and atmosphere. An impressive debut!”—USA Today bestselling author Ruthie Knox “A sultry steel magnolia who brings a strong man to his knees, one night at a time . . . Have Mercy, indeed.”—Mary Ann Rivers, author of The Burnside Series“The emotional aspects are so good; it’s the kind of writing that can make [anything] seem hot, just because the characters are enjoying themselves so much.”—Dear Author “An extraordinary debut . . . I am expecting great things to come from [Clark] in the future!”—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews“[A] dynamic debut . . . Have Mercy is original but familiar, dark but not melodramatic, with sexy, steamy, smart and lovably flawed characters.”—Suburban Eclectic Review “Honestly, if you like happily-ever-afters and hot sex, I don’t see how this book wouldn’t work for you. It’s just so damn cute.”—The Naughty Librarians (five stars) Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
21 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Ann Clark
3 books24 followersShelley Ann Clark's third-grade teacher told her that one day she'd be a romance novelist. It probably says something about her that, at age eight, she thought that was a compliment of the highest order.
Shelley now holds an MA in creative writing, a masters of library and information science, and has worked in public libraries for over a decade. A Southerner by birth, she lives in Chicago.
Shelley now holds an MA in creative writing, a masters of library and information science, and has worked in public libraries for over a decade. A Southerner by birth, she lives in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 4, 2014
3 - "I'm always kneeling at your feet," ..."Even when I'm standing." Stars.
Nothing gives me more of a buzz than reading a book by a debut author, and knowing that at some point in the future they are going to release something so good that it is going to blow my mind. Although Have Mercy didn’t 100% work for me, there is potential oozing from each and every one of its pages, and I am excited to see where this author’s imagination will take me as a reader in the future.
There aren’t many people who haven’t now read a book that is about a Dom/Sub relationship, what is different about this one is that the woman takes the dominant role.
Tom - ”Don’t be polite” ... “Don’t be nice. I don't want polite or nice” ... “I want you how you are.”
I liked Tom and Emmy together, this is the part of the story I wanted more of, the development of their relationship into one where she takes the lead and he follows. This dynamic being turned on its head from what has become the norm intrigued me, and I wanted to read more of the how they built trust between each other and how that development in turn allowed them to explore their sexual desires more.
Emme was a living flame in his arms, onstage and here in his arms, and he wanted her to consume him, burn him up, leave him nothing but ashes and then scatter them to the wind.
Unfortunately, I pretty much disliked every other character and their involvement in the book, I found all of the drama that was added because of them somewhat detracted from the part of the story that I wanted to read. I understand the need for secondary characters but their involvement in Have Mercy somewhat overshadowed what I wanted this book to focus on. That being, the couple and their blossoming relationship, and not all of the drama that their friends, families and co-workers drag them into.
The melody wound round the instrumentation like smoke rising from a cigarette, just as seductive and addictive.
Although enjoyable, for me Have Mercy lost focus on what was important and lacked the development in those areas because of it. I really think Shelley Ann Clark has huge potential, the ebb and flow of the writing is superb and the descriptions easy to visualise, I just wanted more of Tom and Emmy together!
”Love – real love, the kind that heals instead of hurts – doesn't feel heavy. It makes you feel lighter. Instead of pulling you down, it lifts you up. It lets you be who you really are.”
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Nothing gives me more of a buzz than reading a book by a debut author, and knowing that at some point in the future they are going to release something so good that it is going to blow my mind. Although Have Mercy didn’t 100% work for me, there is potential oozing from each and every one of its pages, and I am excited to see where this author’s imagination will take me as a reader in the future.
There aren’t many people who haven’t now read a book that is about a Dom/Sub relationship, what is different about this one is that the woman takes the dominant role.
Tom - ”Don’t be polite” ... “Don’t be nice. I don't want polite or nice” ... “I want you how you are.”
I liked Tom and Emmy together, this is the part of the story I wanted more of, the development of their relationship into one where she takes the lead and he follows. This dynamic being turned on its head from what has become the norm intrigued me, and I wanted to read more of the how they built trust between each other and how that development in turn allowed them to explore their sexual desires more.
Emme was a living flame in his arms, onstage and here in his arms, and he wanted her to consume him, burn him up, leave him nothing but ashes and then scatter them to the wind.
Unfortunately, I pretty much disliked every other character and their involvement in the book, I found all of the drama that was added because of them somewhat detracted from the part of the story that I wanted to read. I understand the need for secondary characters but their involvement in Have Mercy somewhat overshadowed what I wanted this book to focus on. That being, the couple and their blossoming relationship, and not all of the drama that their friends, families and co-workers drag them into.
The melody wound round the instrumentation like smoke rising from a cigarette, just as seductive and addictive.
Although enjoyable, for me Have Mercy lost focus on what was important and lacked the development in those areas because of it. I really think Shelley Ann Clark has huge potential, the ebb and flow of the writing is superb and the descriptions easy to visualise, I just wanted more of Tom and Emmy together!
”Love – real love, the kind that heals instead of hurts – doesn't feel heavy. It makes you feel lighter. Instead of pulling you down, it lifts you up. It lets you be who you really are.”
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 20, 2015
This debut erotic novel from Shelley Ann Clark treats us to the story of Tom and Emme. Tom is a musician at heart but his dreams have been thwarted by his ongoing care of his alcoholic sister and his job running his late father's bar. One night he meets Emme, a sultry singer who takes his breath away when she plays with her band at his establishment. Emme extends an invitation to Tom to tour with her band after hearing him play which he gladly accepts, knowing it will be short but sweet. But once he is under Emme's thumb, it's the last place he wants to leave.
I think I can safely say that this is one of the sexiest books I have ever read. That might be because the majority of romance/erotica books feature an alpha dominant male and in this book Emme has the dominant role - still utterly feminine and with her own internal struggles with her sexual nature as she leads Tom in what she wants in the bedroom. Tom is more than willing to oblige as his own sexual nature is inherently submissive. He longs to have one area of life where he doesn't have to be in control and Emme senses this and uses the knowledge to both of their advantages. Told in dual points of view, the love scenes in particular are poignant, emotional, and raw yet captivating. Emme's character is wonderful - a take charge woman on the outside yet with the insecurities and hurts on the inside that define her actions. As her relationship with Tom grows , her inner strength comes to the forefront and she takes a stand for herself and her happiness.
This story was well written, fast paced, and full of sexual tension and heat. The ultimate conclusion and happy ending were perfect. I can't wait to read more from this new author and this book will definitely go on the re-read list. 5 fabulous stars!
Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review
I think I can safely say that this is one of the sexiest books I have ever read. That might be because the majority of romance/erotica books feature an alpha dominant male and in this book Emme has the dominant role - still utterly feminine and with her own internal struggles with her sexual nature as she leads Tom in what she wants in the bedroom. Tom is more than willing to oblige as his own sexual nature is inherently submissive. He longs to have one area of life where he doesn't have to be in control and Emme senses this and uses the knowledge to both of their advantages. Told in dual points of view, the love scenes in particular are poignant, emotional, and raw yet captivating. Emme's character is wonderful - a take charge woman on the outside yet with the insecurities and hurts on the inside that define her actions. As her relationship with Tom grows , her inner strength comes to the forefront and she takes a stand for herself and her happiness.
This story was well written, fast paced, and full of sexual tension and heat. The ultimate conclusion and happy ending were perfect. I can't wait to read more from this new author and this book will definitely go on the re-read list. 5 fabulous stars!
Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review
May 10, 2014
Sexy, smart, beautiful and then sexy some more. This is femdom at its finest but it's more than that too. It's a gorgeous romance between two amazing characters.
August 4, 2014
This book wasn't for me.
*ARC was received from the publisher through Netgalley*
*ARC was received from the publisher through Netgalley*
May 5, 2014
I'm not a remotely objective reviewer of this book. :) I read Have Mercy as a manuscript, before it was sold to Loveswept. I was barely acquainted with Shelley at that time, but I knew her well enough to know that I *wanted* to like this book. Turns out I was so blown away by Have Mercy that I immediately wanted to track down every extant copy of my own first book and burn them all in a bonfire.
First off, this book is NOT NA. That's a marketing error that I wish I could erase, because Have Mercy is about full-blown adults who know themselves pretty damn well. Their problems are adult problems. They run businesses and have careers and when they fuck up, it's because being an adult doesn't remotely protect you from being stupid. The difference is that more people depend on you the older you get, so your mistakes have even bigger repercussions than when you were younger.
This book is set in dive bars and broken-down tour vans, populated by musicians and bouncers and two main characters that might not ever be rockstar famous but are still playing the music they love with a passion that bleeds into their lives offstage. It's not fancy and it's not always pretty, but what it is is completely and utterly real.
It's also hella hot. Just saying. :)
I emailed Shelley shortly after reading her book and told her that it was the most polished debut novel I'd ever read. I love this book with the fire of a thousand suns, people. Can't wait to talk about it with you all!
First off, this book is NOT NA. That's a marketing error that I wish I could erase, because Have Mercy is about full-blown adults who know themselves pretty damn well. Their problems are adult problems. They run businesses and have careers and when they fuck up, it's because being an adult doesn't remotely protect you from being stupid. The difference is that more people depend on you the older you get, so your mistakes have even bigger repercussions than when you were younger.
This book is set in dive bars and broken-down tour vans, populated by musicians and bouncers and two main characters that might not ever be rockstar famous but are still playing the music they love with a passion that bleeds into their lives offstage. It's not fancy and it's not always pretty, but what it is is completely and utterly real.
It's also hella hot. Just saying. :)
I emailed Shelley shortly after reading her book and told her that it was the most polished debut novel I'd ever read. I love this book with the fire of a thousand suns, people. Can't wait to talk about it with you all!
January 9, 2021
This is a very good debut novel. The only real critique I have is how much one of the side characters sucked and a general wish that I didn't think the idea of a female backup singer getting blamed for breaking up a band and getting a "reputation" as a result was far fetched.
July 16, 2014
Last night, I was in the mood for a standalone romance who wouldn't take me too long to read and review, and this one was perfect for that.
Tim was swoon worthy and for once, here it's the heroine that was in charge. Tim wasn't weak or anything because it's obvious he could overpower her but he didn't and damn, that's refreshing. The sex between him and Emme was pretty good even if she took some time to tease him before doing it.
But except for these two, the characters didn't won my heart or anything. They were all judging Emily for something they knew nothing about and didn't try to understand. The drama with the new pictures in the bar was predictable but it was fine and I liked how Emily reacted once she started standing up for herself.
I think the best part (at least for me) was when I laughed along Emme when they both saw the little armadillo on the road. That part was really funny and even if the drama with his sister or her mother frustrated me, Have Mercy is still a good book I enjoyed reading. For a debut author, I'd say it starts pretty good!
***ARC received through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review***
Tim was swoon worthy and for once, here it's the heroine that was in charge. Tim wasn't weak or anything because it's obvious he could overpower her but he didn't and damn, that's refreshing. The sex between him and Emme was pretty good even if she took some time to tease him before doing it.
But except for these two, the characters didn't won my heart or anything. They were all judging Emily for something they knew nothing about and didn't try to understand. The drama with the new pictures in the bar was predictable but it was fine and I liked how Emily reacted once she started standing up for herself.
I think the best part (at least for me) was when I laughed along Emme when they both saw the little armadillo on the road. That part was really funny and even if the drama with his sister or her mother frustrated me, Have Mercy is still a good book I enjoyed reading. For a debut author, I'd say it starts pretty good!
***ARC received through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review***
July 14, 2014
It's books like Have Mercy that make me sad more people don't read erotic romance. Shelley Ann Clark may be a first-time author, but this book doesn't read like a first effort. It's super hot, it's tightly written and Clark conveys truth about humanity and feminism that will stick with me for a long time to come.
Emme is a star on the rise. She reminds me a little of Vanessa Carlton, Adele or Lana Del Rey. She has a sexy, sultry, bluesy sound that seems perfect for this moment in music. On stage, she's magnetic. But she is not the same person off stage as she is on stage. Early in her career, she was a back-up singer for a popular band that subsequently broke up. And as legend had it, it was her fault. She has so much potential and the will to grasp it, but fear of how others will see her if she really takes the reins of her career and her desires paralyzes her.
Tom has barely had a life at all. His entire existence has been spent caring for others, particularly his alcoholic sister. He has always had to be the strong one, the responsible one. He inherited his father's bar and his father's house when it was never his ambition to obtain either. His true love is music and he's a phenomenal bass player. So when Emme approaches him to tour with her up-and-coming band, he desperately wants to say yes, but doesn't feel he can. Even when he commits, it isn't all the way.
When they go out on tour together, their mutual attraction has them taking tentative steps toward each other pretty early on, but both have issues outside the relationship holding them back. When they eventually do let their sexual relationship develop, the way it plays out may not work for every reader, particularly if the woman taking the lead in a mild BDSM scene is new to them. But there's a reason why this is important, and it's not just to hit readers' kink buttons. (That said, those with that particular kink button will find this story very satisfying indeed.)
At first, Emme allows herself to be painted as a victim, even in her own mind: of her mother's disapproval, of her suspicious neighbors, of her bandmates' paranoia, of the lead singer of the band she "broke up" and of the music industry gatekeepers who can't let her just be an artist. They want to label her a chunky homewrecker who uses her feminine wiles to distract from her lack of talent. It takes almost the entire duration of the book for Emme to realize that this is all, not to put too fine a point on it, bullshit. More importantly, it's bullshit that she can turn back on itself and use to her benefit.
And it's her sexual relationship with Tom, along with his unflagging confidence and pride in her, that teaches her about how to take the power she wields as an artist on stage and as a capable professional offstage and extend that into her interpersonal relationships. It takes a special kind of man to provide that support. For Tom to acknowledge that Emme has a deep well of strength of her own and to accept that and celebrate it and lean on it shows Have Mercy's true colors. It's not just about the femdom sex or the sultry blues club atmospherics. It's about revolutionizing the way we women see ourselves: powerful, talented, and in control of our own lives and destinies.
For a recipe based on Have Mercy, via Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
Emme is a star on the rise. She reminds me a little of Vanessa Carlton, Adele or Lana Del Rey. She has a sexy, sultry, bluesy sound that seems perfect for this moment in music. On stage, she's magnetic. But she is not the same person off stage as she is on stage. Early in her career, she was a back-up singer for a popular band that subsequently broke up. And as legend had it, it was her fault. She has so much potential and the will to grasp it, but fear of how others will see her if she really takes the reins of her career and her desires paralyzes her.
Tom has barely had a life at all. His entire existence has been spent caring for others, particularly his alcoholic sister. He has always had to be the strong one, the responsible one. He inherited his father's bar and his father's house when it was never his ambition to obtain either. His true love is music and he's a phenomenal bass player. So when Emme approaches him to tour with her up-and-coming band, he desperately wants to say yes, but doesn't feel he can. Even when he commits, it isn't all the way.
When they go out on tour together, their mutual attraction has them taking tentative steps toward each other pretty early on, but both have issues outside the relationship holding them back. When they eventually do let their sexual relationship develop, the way it plays out may not work for every reader, particularly if the woman taking the lead in a mild BDSM scene is new to them. But there's a reason why this is important, and it's not just to hit readers' kink buttons. (That said, those with that particular kink button will find this story very satisfying indeed.)
At first, Emme allows herself to be painted as a victim, even in her own mind: of her mother's disapproval, of her suspicious neighbors, of her bandmates' paranoia, of the lead singer of the band she "broke up" and of the music industry gatekeepers who can't let her just be an artist. They want to label her a chunky homewrecker who uses her feminine wiles to distract from her lack of talent. It takes almost the entire duration of the book for Emme to realize that this is all, not to put too fine a point on it, bullshit. More importantly, it's bullshit that she can turn back on itself and use to her benefit.
And it's her sexual relationship with Tom, along with his unflagging confidence and pride in her, that teaches her about how to take the power she wields as an artist on stage and as a capable professional offstage and extend that into her interpersonal relationships. It takes a special kind of man to provide that support. For Tom to acknowledge that Emme has a deep well of strength of her own and to accept that and celebrate it and lean on it shows Have Mercy's true colors. It's not just about the femdom sex or the sultry blues club atmospherics. It's about revolutionizing the way we women see ourselves: powerful, talented, and in control of our own lives and destinies.
For a recipe based on Have Mercy, via Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
December 29, 2015
Goodish.
Reading about the effects of self doubt, internalised shame, and loss of authentic direction through the allowance of the imposition of other people's views onto your perspective was good. It was also good to read about the journey to and eventual reclamation of self. Both Tom and Emme had to contend with such.
The femdom was also fine. Not great; too much doubt-riddled Domming...but I love relationship, non-scene, organic BDSM, which this provided. In addition, I prefer to read about people newly embarking on D/s and this showed that well.
What was not good to read about was:
Tom thinking it "incongruous" for someone with "dreadlocks" to be wearing a polo shirt. The ignorance and ethnocentrism of that statement reminds me how tiresome some white authors can be.
It actually, in fact, seems incongruous that a singer who garners such fame and notoriety performs at little bars and stages a self-funded tour.
Emme takes back her power but not completely. The perpetuation of a relationship with the emotionally abusive mother and the failure to totally declare her truth puts a damper on the end.
Reading about the effects of self doubt, internalised shame, and loss of authentic direction through the allowance of the imposition of other people's views onto your perspective was good. It was also good to read about the journey to and eventual reclamation of self. Both Tom and Emme had to contend with such.
The femdom was also fine. Not great; too much doubt-riddled Domming...but I love relationship, non-scene, organic BDSM, which this provided. In addition, I prefer to read about people newly embarking on D/s and this showed that well.
What was not good to read about was:
Tom thinking it "incongruous" for someone with "dreadlocks" to be wearing a polo shirt. The ignorance and ethnocentrism of that statement reminds me how tiresome some white authors can be.
It actually, in fact, seems incongruous that a singer who garners such fame and notoriety performs at little bars and stages a self-funded tour.
Emme takes back her power but not completely. The perpetuation of a relationship with the emotionally abusive mother and the failure to totally declare her truth puts a damper on the end.
August 29, 2014
I love me a book about a dominant heroine (and submissive hero), so it was a no brainer that I'd love Have Mercy. What sets this book apart is that -- without sacrificing the romance at all -- it deals head on with the double standards women face every day. Several of the secondary characters in the book -- including a pesky music blogger, one of the band mates, and the heroine's own mother -- demonstrate the double standard by condemning the heroine for breaking up an indie band (and a marriage) by being an attractive backup singer for whom a married man develops a tendre; apparently, it's OK for this married man to have roving eyes, but it's not OK for a young woman to be the recipient of his flirtation. The hero of Have Mercy, however, calls that double standard what it is: bullshit. While I wanted a little more from the ending (some sort of closure on the disappearing band mate story, maybe), I thoroughly enjoyed this read for its searing heat, sweet romance, and on-point social politics.
January 27, 2019
This is one of those books that just crawls into your heart and soul! I wish I could experience one of Emme's shows in person because it sounded like it was totally up my alley. I loved the focus on music and band life and how complicated those dynamics can be, as well as how our histories together can change us and not always in the best of ways. Emme's conflict felt so real and my heart went out to her. At the same time, I loved watching Emme and Tom explore their kink and how confident she became as she embraced being a Domme. It was a neat bit of role reversal for the sub to be more experienced than the Domme. This was a slow burn and it was so worth it. Tom takes care of everyone else, often in co-dependent ways, and it was so good to see Emme take care of him. I just plain loved these two together. And I want to read more from Shelley Ann Clark! What a gem of a story.
CW: addiction, misogyny, industry sexism
CW: addiction, misogyny, industry sexism
July 1, 2014
Really good femdom erotic romance. My review at Dear Author: http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
July 12, 2014
When I was about 14 years old my parents took my brother and I on a fishing trip, where we spent a long weekend in a friend's cabin in the middle of nowhere. There was TV, but no cable, which meant nothing but fuzzy baseball games and public access church to watch. There were a few board games, which we tired of quickly. My brother soon decided he'd rather be fishing with my parents than stuck inside with his grouchy sister, leaving me to my own devices for entertainment.
What this cabin did have, I soon discovered, was a copy of Frank Slaughter's The Scarlet Cord: A Novel of the Woman Of Jericho. Yes, folks...my first romance was Biblical in every sense of the word. This book novelizes the story of Rahab, the harlot who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho during the Israelite conquest. And to my teenage brain, it was the sexiest thing I'd ever read.
After that I was hooked. My Aunt Betty, thrilled I'd finally put down Stephen King in favor of more "appropriate" novels, put copies of Jude Deveraux's A Knight In Shining Armor and The Duchess into my hot little hands. To this day they're still some of my favorite books of all time, period.
I was drawn to Claire, the main character of The Duchess, because she defied my expectations of what a woman in a Romance Novel should be like. Claire loved to read as much as I did. She was the Edwardian version of a total nerd. She had everything, but all she wanted to was to learn and grow as a person. Wait, I thought. Aren't these women supposed to be wilting flowers?
Granted, my expectations for this type were very, very high. I thought all women in Romance Novels should be a grown-up version of Laura Chant from The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance, which I have called out several times as being one of the finest Young Adult books ever written.
What I found was that, while the women in these books oftentimes embraced their femininity, they were painted as strong individuals who wanted love and pleasure in equal parts. They wanted it all, and they weren't afraid to go after it. (Well, sometimes they were, but they always seemed to get over that fear by the end of the book)
I can't help feel that steeping myself in Romance Novels in my teens and early twenties help me to mold many aspects of my personality from my self esteem to my independent nature.
What I enjoyed so much about Have Mercy is how much I related to Emme, the female lead. I won't say "main character" because both Emme and Tom are given equal time and equal measure in this book. Neither one is relegated to "main character" and "love interest."
Emme is driven. Her life isn't perfect, but she knows how to roll up her sleeves and take care of business. Maybe it's just me, but that happens to be the #1 thing that draws me to a character. Other examples would be Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson, Diana Gabaldon's Claire Beauchamp or even Margaret Hale from Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. These women have their wants and their needs, but are driven and practical by nature. Shit has got to get done.
And then there's Tom...smart, talented, opinionated Tom whose sexiest trait is his respect for Emme. Yeah, he's insanely attracted to her. Yeah, they both have baggage, but Tom is always ready to step in and support her. Tom doesn't want to sweep Emme off of her feet and rescue her, because he knows she can rescue herself. His emotional awareness fits beautifully with the strength of Emme's personality.
I wouldn't hesitate to say that a Romance Novel can be feminist (and I'm not alone!) and that this book is one of the better examples of feminism in a romance novel. Emme and Tom find themselves fully embracing their own sexuality in a way that neither ever had before, and there's nothing more empowering than that.
Also, it's sexy as hell. Now go get it.
What this cabin did have, I soon discovered, was a copy of Frank Slaughter's The Scarlet Cord: A Novel of the Woman Of Jericho. Yes, folks...my first romance was Biblical in every sense of the word. This book novelizes the story of Rahab, the harlot who helped the Israelite spies in Jericho during the Israelite conquest. And to my teenage brain, it was the sexiest thing I'd ever read.
After that I was hooked. My Aunt Betty, thrilled I'd finally put down Stephen King in favor of more "appropriate" novels, put copies of Jude Deveraux's A Knight In Shining Armor and The Duchess into my hot little hands. To this day they're still some of my favorite books of all time, period.
I was drawn to Claire, the main character of The Duchess, because she defied my expectations of what a woman in a Romance Novel should be like. Claire loved to read as much as I did. She was the Edwardian version of a total nerd. She had everything, but all she wanted to was to learn and grow as a person. Wait, I thought. Aren't these women supposed to be wilting flowers?
Granted, my expectations for this type were very, very high. I thought all women in Romance Novels should be a grown-up version of Laura Chant from The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance, which I have called out several times as being one of the finest Young Adult books ever written.
What I found was that, while the women in these books oftentimes embraced their femininity, they were painted as strong individuals who wanted love and pleasure in equal parts. They wanted it all, and they weren't afraid to go after it. (Well, sometimes they were, but they always seemed to get over that fear by the end of the book)
I can't help feel that steeping myself in Romance Novels in my teens and early twenties help me to mold many aspects of my personality from my self esteem to my independent nature.
What I enjoyed so much about Have Mercy is how much I related to Emme, the female lead. I won't say "main character" because both Emme and Tom are given equal time and equal measure in this book. Neither one is relegated to "main character" and "love interest."
Emme is driven. Her life isn't perfect, but she knows how to roll up her sleeves and take care of business. Maybe it's just me, but that happens to be the #1 thing that draws me to a character. Other examples would be Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson, Diana Gabaldon's Claire Beauchamp or even Margaret Hale from Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. These women have their wants and their needs, but are driven and practical by nature. Shit has got to get done.
And then there's Tom...smart, talented, opinionated Tom whose sexiest trait is his respect for Emme. Yeah, he's insanely attracted to her. Yeah, they both have baggage, but Tom is always ready to step in and support her. Tom doesn't want to sweep Emme off of her feet and rescue her, because he knows she can rescue herself. His emotional awareness fits beautifully with the strength of Emme's personality.
I wouldn't hesitate to say that a Romance Novel can be feminist (and I'm not alone!) and that this book is one of the better examples of feminism in a romance novel. Emme and Tom find themselves fully embracing their own sexuality in a way that neither ever had before, and there's nothing more empowering than that.
Also, it's sexy as hell. Now go get it.
July 1, 2014
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
I had been nervous to read this one, knowing that I don't care for BDSM (read: pain and over-dominance) stories and seeing indications of that in the blurb, but I heard good things about it and I'm so glad I gave it a try. I felt like each time I picked up the book, I traveled outside space and time and just got lost in the story. I lost all track of what was going on around me and became completely immersed in these characters.
This book turned almost every gender stereotype on it's head. From the heroine telling the hero he was beautiful, to putting her in charge of the band, to having her be the dominant one in the relationship, to having the hero be more emotional. It made me stop and think all the time about how we look at stereotypes. So many things that you don't even recognize as identified “masculine” until you see it turned around.
The only thing I didn't like about the story, was that it ended. I wanted it to keep going for so much longer. It didn't end on a cliffhanger or anything, but many of the resolutions required the reader to infer what happened; there was no big reveal at the end where every loose end is tidily completed and explained. Don't get me wrong, the ending was perfect too, but I really wanted more.
In true gender-bending fashion, Tom had to learn to stand up for himself with his family. He was a passive character in his life choices and his relationship with Emme gave him the strength to make changes and take what he wanted from life. He did smoke for most of the book. It was sort of distracting for me because you never read books with smokers anymore.
I loved the music and togetherness – being in a van together, the camaraderie of playing side-by-side, the little quirks of musicians. It made me feel like I was a part of the band and Emme held everyone together. She had an undeniable presence and while she stayed true to herself, it took this story for her to accept that there was nothing to be ashamed of.
So, let's talk about the kinky sex. I think Ms. Clark handled it fantastically. This was a female dominant story and hoo-boy was it sexy. There was a lot of talk and teasing, but it never veered towards reluctant willingness. Both characters wanted exactly what was going on. There was a little bit of spanking and it gave hints of a desire to be kinkier, but mostly it was a woman power playing a man...which you see so rarely in romance. And not only that, but Tom really wanted what Emme was offering. It wasn't a matter of him letting her have fun until he could go back to the dominant role.
So, music? Check. Sexy? Check. Enthralling? Check. I will definitely read this story again and I can't wait for more books by this author.
I received a complementary ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
**This review is archived on my blog: The Theory of Lieto Fine
I had been nervous to read this one, knowing that I don't care for BDSM (read: pain and over-dominance) stories and seeing indications of that in the blurb, but I heard good things about it and I'm so glad I gave it a try. I felt like each time I picked up the book, I traveled outside space and time and just got lost in the story. I lost all track of what was going on around me and became completely immersed in these characters.
This book turned almost every gender stereotype on it's head. From the heroine telling the hero he was beautiful, to putting her in charge of the band, to having her be the dominant one in the relationship, to having the hero be more emotional. It made me stop and think all the time about how we look at stereotypes. So many things that you don't even recognize as identified “masculine” until you see it turned around.
The only thing I didn't like about the story, was that it ended. I wanted it to keep going for so much longer. It didn't end on a cliffhanger or anything, but many of the resolutions required the reader to infer what happened; there was no big reveal at the end where every loose end is tidily completed and explained. Don't get me wrong, the ending was perfect too, but I really wanted more.
In true gender-bending fashion, Tom had to learn to stand up for himself with his family. He was a passive character in his life choices and his relationship with Emme gave him the strength to make changes and take what he wanted from life. He did smoke for most of the book. It was sort of distracting for me because you never read books with smokers anymore.
I loved the music and togetherness – being in a van together, the camaraderie of playing side-by-side, the little quirks of musicians. It made me feel like I was a part of the band and Emme held everyone together. She had an undeniable presence and while she stayed true to herself, it took this story for her to accept that there was nothing to be ashamed of.
So, let's talk about the kinky sex. I think Ms. Clark handled it fantastically. This was a female dominant story and hoo-boy was it sexy. There was a lot of talk and teasing, but it never veered towards reluctant willingness. Both characters wanted exactly what was going on. There was a little bit of spanking and it gave hints of a desire to be kinkier, but mostly it was a woman power playing a man...which you see so rarely in romance. And not only that, but Tom really wanted what Emme was offering. It wasn't a matter of him letting her have fun until he could go back to the dominant role.
So, music? Check. Sexy? Check. Enthralling? Check. I will definitely read this story again and I can't wait for more books by this author.
I received a complementary ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
**This review is archived on my blog: The Theory of Lieto Fine
March 22, 2019
The D/s dynamic between Emme and Tom is beautiful. I love the way this book tells the story of a new top who is struggling to find her feet as a top, and makes it so damn hot and fleshes it out so much. I love that the bottom is a bit more experienced than her, and steadies her. If you love vulnerable tops, this is a book for you. If you love worshipful strong bottoms, this story is for you. I fell really hard for the D/s aspects of this novel, both the slow burn of attraction and the actual play and falling for each other parts. One of the most gorgeous depictions of a D/s relationship I've read. I also treasure it because there are so few complex nuanced portrayals of novice tops out there.
I thought the conflicts and obstacles were well drawn, left complex and difficult, with costs no matter what the characters chose. I really enjoyed the ways music was integrated into the story.
Sure, it's a story about a musician, and those are often fantasy-especially in D/s romance. This felt gritty and real, like it wasn't interested in being a fantasy, wanted to be grounded in real-life D/s dynamic in the context of complex life difficulties. I liked that a lot.
There are hard spots in the story, and they deserve some trigger warnings. Read on for those.
I thought the conflicts and obstacles were well drawn, left complex and difficult, with costs no matter what the characters chose. I really enjoyed the ways music was integrated into the story.
Sure, it's a story about a musician, and those are often fantasy-especially in D/s romance. This felt gritty and real, like it wasn't interested in being a fantasy, wanted to be grounded in real-life D/s dynamic in the context of complex life difficulties. I liked that a lot.
There are hard spots in the story, and they deserve some trigger warnings. Read on for those.
August 4, 2021
Rounding down from 4.25 stars.
Loved loved loved this book. It had a nice tender yet gut wrenching love story and gentle femdom and I am so glad I picked it up. I took 3/4 of a star off because I felt it ended too soon. I wanted to see that Tom really stuck to his decisions and even more, I wanted Emily to deal with everything in her personal life. She needed a conversation with Dave (I have a suspicion of why he behaved the way he did) and I wanted to see her set some boundaries with her mother and stick to them.
I was sad to see that it appears this is the first and only book by this author. I hope she at least continued to write under a different name.
Loved loved loved this book. It had a nice tender yet gut wrenching love story and gentle femdom and I am so glad I picked it up. I took 3/4 of a star off because I felt it ended too soon. I wanted to see that Tom really stuck to his decisions and even more, I wanted Emily to deal with everything in her personal life. She needed a conversation with Dave (I have a suspicion of why he behaved the way he did) and I wanted to see her set some boundaries with her mother and stick to them.
I was sad to see that it appears this is the first and only book by this author. I hope she at least continued to write under a different name.
July 4, 2024
rating: 3.5
oddly, i feel like the title isn't very fitting. i guess it's supposed to be titillating since it has bdsm and kink, but i think the story itself is lighter and sweeter than the vibe of the title suggests. the main focus for me was music and their respective (difficult) relationships with their families. both mcs' backstories were fleshed out and interesting, and their romance was very sweet.
oddly, i feel like the title isn't very fitting. i guess it's supposed to be titillating since it has bdsm and kink, but i think the story itself is lighter and sweeter than the vibe of the title suggests. the main focus for me was music and their respective (difficult) relationships with their families. both mcs' backstories were fleshed out and interesting, and their romance was very sweet.
April 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this debut novel. It could have been a 4.5-5 for me, but I had a couple of issues. 1) This book could have really benefited from an epilogue. 2) Some threads didn't have payoffs, for instance Dave and Emme's friendship or lack thereof. I dunno! That's just me. I'm very glad to have a book with an actual story as well as the male sub female domme dynamic. There is so much BDSM romance and most of it is the opposite and then there is a smattering of male sub erotica. I'm not so into erotica (though it can pass a rainy afternoon), I'd rather read something that is story > sex.
I loved Tom. I loved him. Shelley Ann Clark wrote a magical hero in that he is VERY complimentary, but for the most part it didn't make me feel like I had just had a sugar overload. Over complimentary characters tend to turn me off, but Tom pulls it off.
I loved Tom. I loved him. Shelley Ann Clark wrote a magical hero in that he is VERY complimentary, but for the most part it didn't make me feel like I had just had a sugar overload. Over complimentary characters tend to turn me off, but Tom pulls it off.
April 12, 2023
Emme was surrounded by misogynists except for Tom. What awful people. The spice was great (femdom!), but there was not enough in my opinion.
May 9, 2020
4.5 stars. Intensely sexy, and a mature and thoughtful love story.
December 29, 2014
Emme is on the cusp of stardom in the Alt-music scene, which is much better than being caught in the middle of scandal that ended the last band she was in. Emme is focused on breaking through, and walking the straight and narrow so she can put it all behind her. If she forgets she has two of her oldest friends on tour with her ready to stare her down.
Tom took over running his dad’s bar when he died, and has been looking out for his little sister since his mom ran off. He keeps things running but his heart isn’t in it. When Emme’s band plays a pre-tour gig at his bar and he hears from his friend Andy that they are going to need a new bassist for the tour, Tom for the first time in a long time start thinking a little selfishly. Can he have this? Can he do this one thing he loves, for just a little while. Once on tour Tom isn’t the only one getting a little greedy. Emme knows she shouldn’t but she can’t keep herself from thinking of and wanting Tom. And Tom would do anything for her.
Have Mercy is a story of wants and needs. Tom has never wanted anything more in his life. He needs to give himself permission to not be responsible for everything and everyone anymore. Emme wants people to stop judging her the scandal and to see her for who she is not what the tabloids made her out to be. What she needs is someone who simply believes her and in her. Emme wants to sing, and she wants Tom. Tom wants Emme and to be happy doing what he loves. They just need to let each other reach for that.
What worked for me:
Both Emme and Tom have heavy burdens to carry and I thought depiction of the escapist power and secret joy of a forbidden infatuation was really well done. While I was initially surprised by the BDSM-flavor to Tom and Emme’s encounters, I was won over. This was not billionaire sex-club BDSM, but rather two people who have played around with it a just a little bit, know they like it, but haven’t gone out and bought fancy toys and declared themselves to be in a lifestyle. Emme is simply starting to own herself, including her desire to tease and dominate, and Tom likes and accepts the part of himself that loves to be submissive in bed. Playfulness and vulnerability characterize their relationship and I was rooting for them even as I dreaded knowing the conflict and push back they were bound to encounter eventually. The most important part of their relationship however is that they give each other permission to be themselves, to want the best for each other, even if that means letting go of long-standing relationships.
What didn’t work for me:
The level of vitriol/hate/suspicion Emme faces from strangers and regular people like her neighbors. It seemed a bit hyperbolic. That her parents or industry folk judged her harshly and unfairly made sense for me but not that Jane Doe neighbor would consider her husband-stealing threat. Thankfully this was just a tiny part of the book.
What really did work was Emme just owning her truth. She has a choice late in the novel to do something expedient and instead makes a risky choice that means an incredible amount to those around her.
4 out 5 stars, and having the special distinction of being the first book about musicians that I have actually enjoyed.
A e-copy of Have Mercy was provided by Random House Publishing Group — Loveswept for review purposes.
(Disclaimer: I follow Shelley Ann Clark on Twitter, and I always root for librarian/writers).
Publication Date July 1st.
Tom took over running his dad’s bar when he died, and has been looking out for his little sister since his mom ran off. He keeps things running but his heart isn’t in it. When Emme’s band plays a pre-tour gig at his bar and he hears from his friend Andy that they are going to need a new bassist for the tour, Tom for the first time in a long time start thinking a little selfishly. Can he have this? Can he do this one thing he loves, for just a little while. Once on tour Tom isn’t the only one getting a little greedy. Emme knows she shouldn’t but she can’t keep herself from thinking of and wanting Tom. And Tom would do anything for her.
Have Mercy is a story of wants and needs. Tom has never wanted anything more in his life. He needs to give himself permission to not be responsible for everything and everyone anymore. Emme wants people to stop judging her the scandal and to see her for who she is not what the tabloids made her out to be. What she needs is someone who simply believes her and in her. Emme wants to sing, and she wants Tom. Tom wants Emme and to be happy doing what he loves. They just need to let each other reach for that.
What worked for me:
Both Emme and Tom have heavy burdens to carry and I thought depiction of the escapist power and secret joy of a forbidden infatuation was really well done. While I was initially surprised by the BDSM-flavor to Tom and Emme’s encounters, I was won over. This was not billionaire sex-club BDSM, but rather two people who have played around with it a just a little bit, know they like it, but haven’t gone out and bought fancy toys and declared themselves to be in a lifestyle. Emme is simply starting to own herself, including her desire to tease and dominate, and Tom likes and accepts the part of himself that loves to be submissive in bed. Playfulness and vulnerability characterize their relationship and I was rooting for them even as I dreaded knowing the conflict and push back they were bound to encounter eventually. The most important part of their relationship however is that they give each other permission to be themselves, to want the best for each other, even if that means letting go of long-standing relationships.
What didn’t work for me:
The level of vitriol/hate/suspicion Emme faces from strangers and regular people like her neighbors. It seemed a bit hyperbolic. That her parents or industry folk judged her harshly and unfairly made sense for me but not that Jane Doe neighbor would consider her husband-stealing threat. Thankfully this was just a tiny part of the book.
What really did work was Emme just owning her truth. She has a choice late in the novel to do something expedient and instead makes a risky choice that means an incredible amount to those around her.
4 out 5 stars, and having the special distinction of being the first book about musicians that I have actually enjoyed.
A e-copy of Have Mercy was provided by Random House Publishing Group — Loveswept for review purposes.
(Disclaimer: I follow Shelley Ann Clark on Twitter, and I always root for librarian/writers).
Publication Date July 1st.
July 2, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
If there’s one thing I truly love besides reading, it is “discovering” a new author right off the bat and I am so happy to have discovered Shelley Ann Clark. I’ll admit, because I have so many great authors I follow, read, and review I’m pretty picky about selecting books by new to me authors. My selection process is pretty involved and this author made the cut and she proved herself more than worthy. Have Mercy was way more than I expected it to be. From reading the description I thought it would be an entertaining look at life on the road and a romance between band members and it was that but their relationship takes on a very interesting turn and the depth of it becomes so much more than I ever expected. I love it when an author surprises me, arouses me, and makes me fall in love with her writing especially in a debut book and this author has done that and more!
When bar owner Tom meets singer/musician Emily (Emme) for the first time he is smitten and when he hears her sing, he knows he’s in trouble because he wants nothing more than to please her in any way possible. When he agrees to join her band for a two month tour it seems like the dream job despite leaving behind his bar, his reckless younger sister, and his life but the opportunity to spend time in Emme’s presence is all the incentive he needs.
I swear I am on such a book high after finishing this book. Tom is just a perfect hero, he’s one of those stand up guys even though he had a pretty crappy childhood, there are parts of his life he’s grateful for and he refuses to let his past dictate his future. Tom is forced to make some really tough decisions but in the end he realizes that he can only be responsible for himself and that he deserves happiness. It was a hard lesson for him to learn and it might sound strange, but I was so proud of him for doing it. I flat out loved his devotion to Emme and how protective he was of her when he felt she was being treated badly by others.
I liked Emme and most of all I liked that she knew she’d made mistakes and owned up to her part in them even though she wasn’t the only one to blame. At times she came off a little immature, but I can’t help but wonder if that wasn’t partly due to her upbringing. I did however admire her dedication to her music, her work ethic, her commitment to her band members, and her planning (OMG she is so a girl after my heart with her planning). But most of all, it was the way she handled her attraction to Tom and the way she recognized that his feelings were strong and his needs matched hers and she did everything in her power to make sure they were met. I especially loved they way she validated their relationship when it would have been easier on her to deny it.
This is one of those perfect romances but with a twist and it was a twist I loved. While downright sweet at times, at other times it was incredibly sexy, but most of all there was this intense respect and sense of joy when these two were together. My one complaint and truly it is a small one, I wanted an epilogue…while the book basically has a HEA I wanted more and I know that’s selfish but I did. That being said, Have Mercy is an extraordinary debut book by author Shelley Ann Clark and I am expecting great things to come from her in the future!
4.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
If there’s one thing I truly love besides reading, it is “discovering” a new author right off the bat and I am so happy to have discovered Shelley Ann Clark. I’ll admit, because I have so many great authors I follow, read, and review I’m pretty picky about selecting books by new to me authors. My selection process is pretty involved and this author made the cut and she proved herself more than worthy. Have Mercy was way more than I expected it to be. From reading the description I thought it would be an entertaining look at life on the road and a romance between band members and it was that but their relationship takes on a very interesting turn and the depth of it becomes so much more than I ever expected. I love it when an author surprises me, arouses me, and makes me fall in love with her writing especially in a debut book and this author has done that and more!
When bar owner Tom meets singer/musician Emily (Emme) for the first time he is smitten and when he hears her sing, he knows he’s in trouble because he wants nothing more than to please her in any way possible. When he agrees to join her band for a two month tour it seems like the dream job despite leaving behind his bar, his reckless younger sister, and his life but the opportunity to spend time in Emme’s presence is all the incentive he needs.
I swear I am on such a book high after finishing this book. Tom is just a perfect hero, he’s one of those stand up guys even though he had a pretty crappy childhood, there are parts of his life he’s grateful for and he refuses to let his past dictate his future. Tom is forced to make some really tough decisions but in the end he realizes that he can only be responsible for himself and that he deserves happiness. It was a hard lesson for him to learn and it might sound strange, but I was so proud of him for doing it. I flat out loved his devotion to Emme and how protective he was of her when he felt she was being treated badly by others.
I liked Emme and most of all I liked that she knew she’d made mistakes and owned up to her part in them even though she wasn’t the only one to blame. At times she came off a little immature, but I can’t help but wonder if that wasn’t partly due to her upbringing. I did however admire her dedication to her music, her work ethic, her commitment to her band members, and her planning (OMG she is so a girl after my heart with her planning). But most of all, it was the way she handled her attraction to Tom and the way she recognized that his feelings were strong and his needs matched hers and she did everything in her power to make sure they were met. I especially loved they way she validated their relationship when it would have been easier on her to deny it.
This is one of those perfect romances but with a twist and it was a twist I loved. While downright sweet at times, at other times it was incredibly sexy, but most of all there was this intense respect and sense of joy when these two were together. My one complaint and truly it is a small one, I wanted an epilogue…while the book basically has a HEA I wanted more and I know that’s selfish but I did. That being said, Have Mercy is an extraordinary debut book by author Shelley Ann Clark and I am expecting great things to come from her in the future!
August 5, 2014
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley*
I actually have mix feelings about this book. It was a borderline between really like or love.
It was a refreshing read for me because of the following reasons:
1. Indie band concept. This is a first for me and I kinda actually like it. The author clearly portrayed the struggle on how to be successful in the music industry with no backing from the big names in the industry.
2. The leader of the band is actually a girl aka the heroine. This is not a usual scene when it comes to the music genre of reading. When we speak of band, it is usually with a ultra-hot, alpha male lead-singer. I can't even think of a story wherein that I've read wherein the lead singer is a female.
3. The band members. A perfect balance. Each member has their differences. The author managed to show us that in every group or band there is that someone who we are not really a fan of because he is a douchebag.
4. The two main characters. The chemistry between two is oozing. The sexual tension and when they finally did the deed, it was hot. But before they were together, I love how the author introduced the characters in the beginning and the way the story flowed so as I reader, I get to know them as well individually.
The one thing that is keeping me from loving it is the past of Emme. I would really like to know more what happened during that time. It was a bit vague for me.
If there is one thing that made me got excited after reading, it was the knowledge that this is a debut novel from the author. The name Shelley Ann Clark will be included to my lookout authors.
I actually have mix feelings about this book. It was a borderline between really like or love.
It was a refreshing read for me because of the following reasons:
1. Indie band concept. This is a first for me and I kinda actually like it. The author clearly portrayed the struggle on how to be successful in the music industry with no backing from the big names in the industry.
2. The leader of the band is actually a girl aka the heroine. This is not a usual scene when it comes to the music genre of reading. When we speak of band, it is usually with a ultra-hot, alpha male lead-singer. I can't even think of a story wherein that I've read wherein the lead singer is a female.
3. The band members. A perfect balance. Each member has their differences. The author managed to show us that in every group or band there is that someone who we are not really a fan of because he is a douchebag.
4. The two main characters. The chemistry between two is oozing. The sexual tension and when they finally did the deed, it was hot. But before they were together, I love how the author introduced the characters in the beginning and the way the story flowed so as I reader, I get to know them as well individually.
The one thing that is keeping me from loving it is the past of Emme. I would really like to know more what happened during that time. It was a bit vague for me.
If there is one thing that made me got excited after reading, it was the knowledge that this is a debut novel from the author. The name Shelley Ann Clark will be included to my lookout authors.
July 27, 2016
Surprisingly good!
First off, though: this is touted as "New Adult" but I feel it's really just regular, adult romance/erotica. The characters are in their late 20s/early 30s and pretty much established grown-ups.
Secondly, the nature of the sexual relationship is very based around power dynamics, with a female top and a male bottom. This isn't mentioned at all in the description(s) and I feel that's an oversight, since that's a very specific romantic/erotic genre. I think it's well done in the novel, and it's refreshing to see 1) a non Alpha, Bossy, Borderline Abusive male figure as well as 2) a power-based relationship that's not, as mentioned, borderline abusive or forced on someone. Emme and Tom end up exploring their sexualities and preferences together in a mature, careful way and that was awesome. But it should still be mentioned (in the way that any romance involving power dynamic/BDSM/whatever specialized sex should mention it).
The plot itself was pretty interesting; music isn't really my thing, so I was expecting to be fairly disinterested but it was portrayed in a way that felt engaging even not being a music nerd. And I really loved that the tensions and plot points arose from their lives and not contrived misunderstandings and raging stupidity.
My biggest qualm actually was - without giving anything away - the bit with one of the band members at the end. It felt sort of abrupt and was never fully explained. Other than that, this was not only a fun romance but a good read.
Thanks go to Netgalley for the e-ARC.
First off, though: this is touted as "New Adult" but I feel it's really just regular, adult romance/erotica. The characters are in their late 20s/early 30s and pretty much established grown-ups.
Secondly, the nature of the sexual relationship is very based around power dynamics, with a female top and a male bottom. This isn't mentioned at all in the description(s) and I feel that's an oversight, since that's a very specific romantic/erotic genre. I think it's well done in the novel, and it's refreshing to see 1) a non Alpha, Bossy, Borderline Abusive male figure as well as 2) a power-based relationship that's not, as mentioned, borderline abusive or forced on someone. Emme and Tom end up exploring their sexualities and preferences together in a mature, careful way and that was awesome. But it should still be mentioned (in the way that any romance involving power dynamic/BDSM/whatever specialized sex should mention it).
The plot itself was pretty interesting; music isn't really my thing, so I was expecting to be fairly disinterested but it was portrayed in a way that felt engaging even not being a music nerd. And I really loved that the tensions and plot points arose from their lives and not contrived misunderstandings and raging stupidity.
My biggest qualm actually was - without giving anything away - the bit with one of the band members at the end. It felt sort of abrupt and was never fully explained. Other than that, this was not only a fun romance but a good read.
Thanks go to Netgalley for the e-ARC.
June 17, 2014
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is July 1, 2014.
I am going to keep my thoughts short and simple on this book. Have Mercy is Clark's debut novel and it is a good start. I can see her work getting bigger and better but...
This book fell a little short for me if I am being completely honest. Although it was entertaining for a few short hours it lacked any real staying power and I will easily forget it. I felt that the story was slightly underdeveloped and the characters were extremely underdeveloped as far as their relationship went. As much as I wanted to get behind Emme and Tom I was indifferent. I could not feel the attraction and chemistry. Even the erotic scenes lacked the "sexy" that I was expecting. You read about what she is thinking of doing and then she does it. It was a little too robotic which in the end made for a little boring. Perhaps my issue with the sex was that Emme was the dominant one while Tom was the submissive. I guess I just found her a little too dull to be dominant. She wasn't very convincing in the role and at times a little annoying. Although Clark was on the right track, the "hot and steamy" was a little more like "warm and foggy."
If nothing else it is entertaining and I look forward to seeing what Clark comes out with next.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is July 1, 2014.
I am going to keep my thoughts short and simple on this book. Have Mercy is Clark's debut novel and it is a good start. I can see her work getting bigger and better but...
This book fell a little short for me if I am being completely honest. Although it was entertaining for a few short hours it lacked any real staying power and I will easily forget it. I felt that the story was slightly underdeveloped and the characters were extremely underdeveloped as far as their relationship went. As much as I wanted to get behind Emme and Tom I was indifferent. I could not feel the attraction and chemistry. Even the erotic scenes lacked the "sexy" that I was expecting. You read about what she is thinking of doing and then she does it. It was a little too robotic which in the end made for a little boring. Perhaps my issue with the sex was that Emme was the dominant one while Tom was the submissive. I guess I just found her a little too dull to be dominant. She wasn't very convincing in the role and at times a little annoying. Although Clark was on the right track, the "hot and steamy" was a little more like "warm and foggy."
If nothing else it is entertaining and I look forward to seeing what Clark comes out with next.
July 20, 2014
I had a hard time getting into this book. I had to keep picking it up and putting it down. It just did not grab my attention. This is the story of Tom and Emme. Tom is stuck with running his father’s bar when he passed away. He also took on the responsibility of caring for his alcoholic sister, who seemed to frequently find herself in trouble. One night, Emme sings in Tom’s bar. He is entranced by her. Emme offers him a chance to tour with her band and because is true passion is music he jumps on this opportunity. He figures it’s time his sister starts learning to take care of herself. I did not feel the story and characters were well development. I could not feel the chemistry or connection between the two. In the bedroom, Emme is the dominant one. However outside the bedroom she is weak. She lets folks walk all over her. She should bring some of her dominant personality from the bedroom and apply it to her life. She needs to learn to stand up for herself, quit letting people walk all over her and blame her for things that happen. While I don’t mind the male being submissive, Tom seemed wimpy and too much of a pushover. I think if Tom had been just a little bit more of an alpha male I could have gotten into it a little more. I didn’t think there was a complete ending. Don’t get me wrong, Emme and Tom have a happily ever after or so you assume. It would have been nice to have a little more concise ending.
June 3, 2015
**Reviewed after receiving a free ARC, courtesy of www.netgalley.com**
Aspiring singer Emme meets bassist Tom after playing a gig at his bar. Sparks immediately fly, but when Tom joins Emme's tour, her other band mates warn her to not make the same mistakes she made with her last band, mistakes that caused it to implode. Tom also has problems, including dealing with a bar that barely makes enough to cover expenses, a sister on the road to self-destruction, and some sexual appetites he needs the right woman to fill. Will their sparks ignite, or explode their band's fledgling popularity?
Well considered me surprised. I thought this would be just another romance about rock stars, but Shelley Ann Clark turned many of the cliches over and found interesting, and well-written, territory to explore. Instead of Tom being the Alpha male, Emme is definitely the driver in their relationship. No wilting flower virgin, Emme knows what she wants, what Tom needs, and isn't afraid to let both of them fully enjoy it. Also, when problems arise, both characters are allowed to deal with them maturely. Emme doesn't leave her tour to help Tom, and Tom doesn't shirk his family responsibilities to stay with the tour.
So besides being pretty hot, this didn't make me feel guilty for reading it. Bravo!
Aspiring singer Emme meets bassist Tom after playing a gig at his bar. Sparks immediately fly, but when Tom joins Emme's tour, her other band mates warn her to not make the same mistakes she made with her last band, mistakes that caused it to implode. Tom also has problems, including dealing with a bar that barely makes enough to cover expenses, a sister on the road to self-destruction, and some sexual appetites he needs the right woman to fill. Will their sparks ignite, or explode their band's fledgling popularity?
Well considered me surprised. I thought this would be just another romance about rock stars, but Shelley Ann Clark turned many of the cliches over and found interesting, and well-written, territory to explore. Instead of Tom being the Alpha male, Emme is definitely the driver in their relationship. No wilting flower virgin, Emme knows what she wants, what Tom needs, and isn't afraid to let both of them fully enjoy it. Also, when problems arise, both characters are allowed to deal with them maturely. Emme doesn't leave her tour to help Tom, and Tom doesn't shirk his family responsibilities to stay with the tour.
So besides being pretty hot, this didn't make me feel guilty for reading it. Bravo!
July 6, 2014
Tom joins Emme’s band when her bassist can’t make the tour. The owner of a blues bar inherited from his alcoholic father, Tom can’t wait to get on the road and away from his troubled younger sister. Spending time with Emme, whose sultry voice matches her looks and attitude, sweetens the deal.
Emme has a reputation for breaking up bands, so her bandmates are leery of her attraction to Tom. But they fulfill a very particular need in each other that they can’t resist pursuing.
Basically, Emme wants to control Tom, and he wants to be controlled. But both are hesitant to pursue these roles, which brings a lovely awkwardness to their interactions. And eventually a lot of heat, too. I’m always on the lookout for sexy submissive males because I want to be convinced that a man doesn’t need to be an alpha to be fist-biting hot. I still prefer that, but I like surprises. I wasn’t entirely convinced that Emme was committed to her role, but hey, real sex is like that. We don’t actually have to pick a job on the bedroom and stick with it for the rest of our lives, do we? Please say no.
This book didn’t grab me hard, and I kind of wish it would have because I rather liked the characters. But it wasn’t a bad quick read at all.
Neva
Reviewed from ARC.
Emme has a reputation for breaking up bands, so her bandmates are leery of her attraction to Tom. But they fulfill a very particular need in each other that they can’t resist pursuing.
Basically, Emme wants to control Tom, and he wants to be controlled. But both are hesitant to pursue these roles, which brings a lovely awkwardness to their interactions. And eventually a lot of heat, too. I’m always on the lookout for sexy submissive males because I want to be convinced that a man doesn’t need to be an alpha to be fist-biting hot. I still prefer that, but I like surprises. I wasn’t entirely convinced that Emme was committed to her role, but hey, real sex is like that. We don’t actually have to pick a job on the bedroom and stick with it for the rest of our lives, do we? Please say no.
This book didn’t grab me hard, and I kind of wish it would have because I rather liked the characters. But it wasn’t a bad quick read at all.
Neva
Reviewed from ARC.
July 24, 2014
2.5 stars (3 at times)
I'm not really into dom relationships but I had heard this was a twist on the genre - the female being the dom - and I wanted to see if that made a difference to me. It didn't really - I still don't care for that dynamic. If you do - this will be a better fit for you.
Despite really liking Emme & Tom and they're intense chemistry, there were too many times that they thought about what they wanted to do - rather than just doing it. Since this was a novella I wish time wasn't wasted on that. I would have rather had more background on each of them or more interactions leading up to the sex.
Emme was a doormat for so long and I couldn't really understand why. There's a misunderstanding in her career early on that makes everyone perceive her in an unflattering light. Only it's not true and it happened three years ago. Stand up for yourself. If not with the press - then at least your own bandmates!
This wasn't a bad book - but it wasn't a good fit for me.
I'm not really into dom relationships but I had heard this was a twist on the genre - the female being the dom - and I wanted to see if that made a difference to me. It didn't really - I still don't care for that dynamic. If you do - this will be a better fit for you.
Despite really liking Emme & Tom and they're intense chemistry, there were too many times that they thought about what they wanted to do - rather than just doing it. Since this was a novella I wish time wasn't wasted on that. I would have rather had more background on each of them or more interactions leading up to the sex.
Emme was a doormat for so long and I couldn't really understand why. There's a misunderstanding in her career early on that makes everyone perceive her in an unflattering light. Only it's not true and it happened three years ago. Stand up for yourself. If not with the press - then at least your own bandmates!
This wasn't a bad book - but it wasn't a good fit for me.
August 14, 2014
OK, so debut novel most always equals middle of the road rating. That is not to be taken as a negative it just is what it is because it is the FIRST novel, writers get better as they write so normally they start blah and work to WHAM ~ if they're good at what they do.
Shelley Ann Clark has a lot of potential. I loved that she made the female the 'Dom' in the story but I didn't like the development of Tom and Emmy's relationship. Meaning it should have taken center stage, but there was so much other stuff going on with secondary characters, that it lost focus. And the real meat of this romance was Tom and Emmy. So that needed a little work. I also love her style of writing. This book flowed well and it was a page turner for me. It lacked focus, but that's just a debut novel thing. I see big things coming out Shelley Ann Clark in the future so stay tuned!
Copy provided by NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review!
Shelley Ann Clark has a lot of potential. I loved that she made the female the 'Dom' in the story but I didn't like the development of Tom and Emmy's relationship. Meaning it should have taken center stage, but there was so much other stuff going on with secondary characters, that it lost focus. And the real meat of this romance was Tom and Emmy. So that needed a little work. I also love her style of writing. This book flowed well and it was a page turner for me. It lacked focus, but that's just a debut novel thing. I see big things coming out Shelley Ann Clark in the future so stay tuned!
Copy provided by NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review!
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