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Equivocal
Second book in the best selling Abduct Series. Please read Messy and Shattered (Abduct #1) first.
Sometimes in life you are put in a position that causes you to make a difficult decision.
Sometimes, the decisions you make effect other people.
Yesterday I was saved from a fate worse than death, I was saved from being sold to the highest bidder.
I should be grateful, glad to be alive. I should be.
The man beside me, driving the car we just stole, he is the reason I was nearly sold, the reason my fifteen year old sister was killed, after all he slit her delicate throat.
Could you let go, pretend it never happened? Trust a murderer? Or like me, would you need vengeance - justice?
As Heinrich Heine once said "We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged”
I thought about forgiving him, but I want revenge, I want what's mine.
Sometimes in life you are put in a position that causes you to make a difficult decision.
Sometimes, the decisions you make effect other people.
Yesterday I was saved from a fate worse than death, I was saved from being sold to the highest bidder.
I should be grateful, glad to be alive. I should be.
The man beside me, driving the car we just stole, he is the reason I was nearly sold, the reason my fifteen year old sister was killed, after all he slit her delicate throat.
Could you let go, pretend it never happened? Trust a murderer? Or like me, would you need vengeance - justice?
As Heinrich Heine once said "We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged”
I thought about forgiving him, but I want revenge, I want what's mine.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2014
2 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Mercy Cortez
8 books123 followersBest Selling Author in Amazon Psychology Fiction (2014 and 2017) and Dysfunctional Relationships (2013).
Praise for The Abduct Series...
'Wow, a very powerful well written dark psychological thriller book.This could also make another great dark suspense thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series'
5/5 for The Abduct Series
Tony
'This was a very good, dark surprise!
I actually really loved this book'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered
Dusti
'I was so excited to see that book #3 was finally
Released . It did not disappoint at all.
All those unanswered questions are finally brought to you in yet another great story.
Aimee has turned into a badass...
Its well written and you can't stop reading once you start.
A great ending to an Awesome Series'
5/5 for Jethro's Journey
Lori Hayes
'A good 4 solid stars on this little gem! Great read, keeps you turning the pages and hungry for more!'
4/5 for The Abduct Series (1 and 2 edition)
Rachel
'...A dark tale,with twists and turns that make your head spin and keeps you on the edge of your seat...'
4/5 for The Abduct Series (review of 1-3)
Cecile
'Another great book from Mercy ! I was devastated at some of the twist and turns... That's what a good book does ....you invest your emotions in it. A page turner certainly... I absolutely can't wait (for book three)'
4/5 for Equivocal
Susie
'I admire Aimee's character for all she's been through she still is strong. Some parts of this story made me sad. Ms. Cortez I can't wait to read book 3.'
4/5 for Equivocal
Dorel
'Its very well written and as I said its Dark, Twisted, emotional, heart wrentching , sad but I can't say I would have it end any other way.'
5/5 for Equivocal
Lori Hayes.
'The story was very unique and different and hell, very unexpected.'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered.
Evette
'This book is thought provoking, dark, and emotional. It touches on taboo subjects that are very much a harsh reality in the world. The author does not glorify or glamorize them, in my opinion. '
5/5 for Messy and Shattered
~ AprilMarie4u ~
'This story was intense, violent and disturbing! It made me afraid, it made me cry and gave me the chills right up to the very end!! But it was a good story that was well written! Mercy, I'm impressed and will read the next two books!! Bravo!'
5/5 for Messy and Shattered
Maria
'This book is...amazing. Very dark, but true to life.'
5/5 for Messy and Shattered
Jessica Brooks
'this book...it WAS messy and shattered. I LOVED IT!!! an amazing amazing read...the story was also very intense, violent and DISTURBING. emphasizing disturbing because...well, you are just gonna have to read it'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered
Nishat Sarker
'...In no way shape or form am I condoning to the horrors of what Aimee went through with Draco and labeling him a GOOD COP but IMHO - if I had to choose....
Just read the book.'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered
Carol Allen
'...Yes it's dark but it's also a love story of sorts and the action doesn't flag with lots of twists and turns .Well written and I'll certainly be reading 2/3'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered
Susie
'...Aimee was such a strong character, strong minded, and a real fighter! I was surprised to see how strong willed she was yet she did what she knew she had to do.'
4/5 for Messy and Shattered
Tracey
'...This was such a gripping read, the pages seemed to turn themselves, I simply couldn´t stop reading.
A well-written short story with a very surprising ending, which left me wanting more!
Two more of this kind are to
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 22, 2016
28/02/14 - EQUIVOCAL IS NOW LIVE! http://www.amazon.com/Equivocal-Abduc...
As mentioned on my profile... This will be live in less than 12 hours (If Amazon doesn't block it) Thank you so much for your support, I hope you like the early release.
25/02/14 - first pre release review of Equivocal - 5 stars!!! Some spoilers so be warned - http://thereaderhaven.wordpress.com/2...
To be released 02/03/14. The sequel to best selling Messy and Shattered.
As mentioned on my profile... This will be live in less than 12 hours (If Amazon doesn't block it) Thank you so much for your support, I hope you like the early release.
25/02/14 - first pre release review of Equivocal - 5 stars!!! Some spoilers so be warned - http://thereaderhaven.wordpress.com/2...
To be released 02/03/14. The sequel to best selling Messy and Shattered.
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars
This book was really good but not as full of the darkness of book 1.
It read really quickly and I stayed invested but suddenly- out of nowhere - it was 12 months ahead... from this point on I had a hard time deciding if we went back in time or forward. I felt like the ending came out of nowhere- the last parts of the book rushed.
I was happy that A and J ended up together and I hope they find their happiness. I'm intrigued w Aimee's (Nicole) new sense of self and purpose so I'm curious to know what's in book 3.
Book provided by author for honest review! Thank you!
This book was really good but not as full of the darkness of book 1.
It read really quickly and I stayed invested but suddenly- out of nowhere - it was 12 months ahead... from this point on I had a hard time deciding if we went back in time or forward. I felt like the ending came out of nowhere- the last parts of the book rushed.
I was happy that A and J ended up together and I hope they find their happiness. I'm intrigued w Aimee's (Nicole) new sense of self and purpose so I'm curious to know what's in book 3.
Book provided by author for honest review! Thank you!
February 25, 2014
I would recommend you read Messy and Shattered before you read Equivocal otherwise you'd preobably be pretty lost as to what is going on here.
As for the book;
I wouldn't say it is as twisted as messy and Shattered was but its got its moments, Its intense, dark, emotional and violent. Very good read, very well written and nothing about this book is hidden, glamourized I guess you would say as well as the 1st book. Mercy just throws it all out there and shows the world as it truly can be, Harsh, Intense and Cruel. What can happen and does happen to young pretty girls in this world who are out there not paying attention, oblivious to these sick and twisted individuals who are out there hunting them, stalking them when they are away from home or even in their home.
What can happen to these girls when they think they are on a fun filled vaction with their family or friends and having a great time only for it to end in disaster, they never see coming until its too late.
As for the book and some spoliers:
If you read the 1st book you know the story of the tragic events that happened to Amiee now called Nicole, she is under a assumed name on the run from sex traffickers with her abductor Draco who she has become dependent upon and is really in love with even though she hates him, despises him for killing her sister , slitting her throat and justifying it with the reasoning he had saved her from a life of hell being sold ad rapped repeatedly at the age of 15. Which in time we will come to find out that Amiee agrees with and she does doubts herself now with the thought that if she was spared as Amiee was she would be just as screwed up in the head, scared for life from the torture she was put through when she was abducted.
Saved by Draco and his boss Jethro instead of being sold off into sex slavery because Draco fell in love with her. who is now called Rupert by the way.
Since they ran to Ireland to hid Amiee was unwilling to leave the house until Draco kinda forced her to go out, she wanted to read so he got her a library pass and she started going on her own instead of Draco bringing her books to the house all the time , he thought she had to go out it was unhealthy for her to be locked in the house all the time not willing to go out. Then she makes a friend so she thinks. A man she has began to trust and she talks to but never revealing to much. He seems to be nice to be trustworthy.
Little does Amiee know he is far from safe, trustworthy or even kindness as he portrays himself to be.
Draco sees amiee with this man and thinks how much is lives her but how he should let her make her won decision if she wants to be with him or leave him so when he gets drunk and says things to Amiee and she runs to this other man and he is so kind to her, lets her stay at his place even though when she is there he puts on this movie that is very disturbing to amiee and he sees this but has no idea why, se is crying when this girl is rapped and he thinks she is crying for the girl but she is not she is crying for herself for all the other girls this happens too and she knows the truth about all of this, the trafficking the constant beatings the breaking down of your very soul from some of the meanest nastiest men you'd never really want to meet but she has. She does notice however that he seems to be watching her more then the movie itself but this raises no flags for Amiee. Now you would think it would right after all she has been through in the last year after all?
So as the day goes on they do their thing, go to the library and Draco shows up and tells Amiee she is free to live her life to move on if she wants. This actually hurts her she realizes after he leaves. she is really in love with him and she thinks maybe he just doesn't want her anymore, how can he just throw her away? She ends up back at the apartment with this man she thinks is so trustworthy until he knocks her out and she wakes up tied to a chair. she is thinking " really how any times can this happen to one person in a life time". Is she really this unlucky?
Ok well I don't want to give away to much of this book so I am stopping here, you need to read this book!
Find out what happens to Amiee, who this mysterious guy, friend, really Is, does Draco come to her rescue or does he just think she decided to go worth this other man that he thinks is creepy anyways, he gets bad vibs from. Will he save the love of his life or will Amiee meet he fate that she thought she was going to meet when when she was abducted the 1st time?
I give this book a 5 star. I think mercy did her home work on book one and brought it over to book 2. Its very well written and ass I said its Dark, Twisted, emotional, heart wrentching , sad but I can't say I would have it end any other way. I think its ending is what it should be. The way it really was meant to be.
I was given this book for a honest review.
As for the book;
I wouldn't say it is as twisted as messy and Shattered was but its got its moments, Its intense, dark, emotional and violent. Very good read, very well written and nothing about this book is hidden, glamourized I guess you would say as well as the 1st book. Mercy just throws it all out there and shows the world as it truly can be, Harsh, Intense and Cruel. What can happen and does happen to young pretty girls in this world who are out there not paying attention, oblivious to these sick and twisted individuals who are out there hunting them, stalking them when they are away from home or even in their home.
What can happen to these girls when they think they are on a fun filled vaction with their family or friends and having a great time only for it to end in disaster, they never see coming until its too late.
As for the book and some spoliers:
If you read the 1st book you know the story of the tragic events that happened to Amiee now called Nicole, she is under a assumed name on the run from sex traffickers with her abductor Draco who she has become dependent upon and is really in love with even though she hates him, despises him for killing her sister , slitting her throat and justifying it with the reasoning he had saved her from a life of hell being sold ad rapped repeatedly at the age of 15. Which in time we will come to find out that Amiee agrees with and she does doubts herself now with the thought that if she was spared as Amiee was she would be just as screwed up in the head, scared for life from the torture she was put through when she was abducted.
Saved by Draco and his boss Jethro instead of being sold off into sex slavery because Draco fell in love with her. who is now called Rupert by the way.
Since they ran to Ireland to hid Amiee was unwilling to leave the house until Draco kinda forced her to go out, she wanted to read so he got her a library pass and she started going on her own instead of Draco bringing her books to the house all the time , he thought she had to go out it was unhealthy for her to be locked in the house all the time not willing to go out. Then she makes a friend so she thinks. A man she has began to trust and she talks to but never revealing to much. He seems to be nice to be trustworthy.
Little does Amiee know he is far from safe, trustworthy or even kindness as he portrays himself to be.
Draco sees amiee with this man and thinks how much is lives her but how he should let her make her won decision if she wants to be with him or leave him so when he gets drunk and says things to Amiee and she runs to this other man and he is so kind to her, lets her stay at his place even though when she is there he puts on this movie that is very disturbing to amiee and he sees this but has no idea why, se is crying when this girl is rapped and he thinks she is crying for the girl but she is not she is crying for herself for all the other girls this happens too and she knows the truth about all of this, the trafficking the constant beatings the breaking down of your very soul from some of the meanest nastiest men you'd never really want to meet but she has. She does notice however that he seems to be watching her more then the movie itself but this raises no flags for Amiee. Now you would think it would right after all she has been through in the last year after all?
So as the day goes on they do their thing, go to the library and Draco shows up and tells Amiee she is free to live her life to move on if she wants. This actually hurts her she realizes after he leaves. she is really in love with him and she thinks maybe he just doesn't want her anymore, how can he just throw her away? She ends up back at the apartment with this man she thinks is so trustworthy until he knocks her out and she wakes up tied to a chair. she is thinking " really how any times can this happen to one person in a life time". Is she really this unlucky?
Ok well I don't want to give away to much of this book so I am stopping here, you need to read this book!
Find out what happens to Amiee, who this mysterious guy, friend, really Is, does Draco come to her rescue or does he just think she decided to go worth this other man that he thinks is creepy anyways, he gets bad vibs from. Will he save the love of his life or will Amiee meet he fate that she thought she was going to meet when when she was abducted the 1st time?
I give this book a 5 star. I think mercy did her home work on book one and brought it over to book 2. Its very well written and ass I said its Dark, Twisted, emotional, heart wrentching , sad but I can't say I would have it end any other way. I think its ending is what it should be. The way it really was meant to be.
I was given this book for a honest review.
June 3, 2014
Another great book from Mercy ! I was devastated at some of the twist and turns.They never got to sleep together:-( I wanted more from that and after the build up I felt let down but then that's what a good book does ....you invest your emotions in it .A page turner certainly :-)I know the the next book is Jethro based and I'm looking forward to that but I need a bit of romance even if it is tinged with danger for Aimee in book 3 but I absolutely can't wait!
February 7, 2017
be careful what you wish for it may come true. The second book in the Abduct Series has Aimee coming to turns with her new life. It is not as dark as the first but is written just as well. I have read the two back to back and could not put these books down. Do yourself a favor and read these you will not be disappointed.
March 6, 2014
This 2nd book's storyline is just as good as the first. I really how Ms. Cortez touches on the feelings of Aimee & Draco. I admire Aimee's character for all she's been through she still is strong. Some parts of this story made me sad. Ms. Cortez I can't wait to read book 3.
April 21, 2017
amazing story!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2014
I was really excited to read the sequel to Messy and Shattered and thought I had an idea of what was to come in this book, boy was I off! This book was nothing like the first book at all. I had originally classified this book under my dark shelf with Messy and Shattered, but after reading it I removed it from that shelf. That's not saying some dark things don't take place, just not M&S kind of dark.
I read this in about 2 hours (with interruptions of course) So it was a quick easy read, but my one and only gripe is that I wanted more. It moved to quickly for me, I was left wanting more Draco, more detail about their life post Rahul, more about Amiee's adjustment to her new life, etc. There is a very unexpected twist and I think if I had gotten more of what I've listed above, that the twist would have had a more dramatic affect on me, because at that point I would have been much more connected to the characters. Don't get me wrong, the twist was still very shocking without those details and since I had such a disconnect with the characters at that point I was okay with the outcome rather then upset by it. So maybe it was a good thing I didn't get those details? I'm not sure. Was this the effect Ms.Cortez was going for? Maybe she left the details out on purpose so we wouldn't get too attached to the characters and get angry with the outcome? If this was truly her intentions, then she is a genius because it worked.
I did not understand why Dylan had to wait 18 months to ask Aimee the things he did either. Why not just do what he did to her after the very first day they met? Not really important, just a little confusing.
I actually really liked where she took this story and its exactly what needed to happen (whether I wanted it to or not). Overall, I did enjoy it and think many will be very shocked about the outcome. I love that it was not what I was expecting and that it didn't have the same predictable HEA every book has.
My favorite quote from Equivocal: A monster that beats you and then worships you is still a monster.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange I have provided my honest review. Thank you for the privilege of reading this before it was released.
I read this in about 2 hours (with interruptions of course) So it was a quick easy read, but my one and only gripe is that I wanted more. It moved to quickly for me, I was left wanting more Draco, more detail about their life post Rahul, more about Amiee's adjustment to her new life, etc. There is a very unexpected twist and I think if I had gotten more of what I've listed above, that the twist would have had a more dramatic affect on me, because at that point I would have been much more connected to the characters. Don't get me wrong, the twist was still very shocking without those details and since I had such a disconnect with the characters at that point I was okay with the outcome rather then upset by it. So maybe it was a good thing I didn't get those details? I'm not sure. Was this the effect Ms.Cortez was going for? Maybe she left the details out on purpose so we wouldn't get too attached to the characters and get angry with the outcome? If this was truly her intentions, then she is a genius because it worked.
I did not understand why Dylan had to wait 18 months to ask Aimee the things he did either. Why not just do what he did to her after the very first day they met? Not really important, just a little confusing.
I actually really liked where she took this story and its exactly what needed to happen (whether I wanted it to or not). Overall, I did enjoy it and think many will be very shocked about the outcome. I love that it was not what I was expecting and that it didn't have the same predictable HEA every book has.
My favorite quote from Equivocal: A monster that beats you and then worships you is still a monster.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange I have provided my honest review. Thank you for the privilege of reading this before it was released.
October 11, 2014
I definitely enjoyed the first book much more than this one, but it was all-in-all a good book in its own rite. I liked digging deeper into the characters' psyche, seeing how far a person is willing to go, wondering what life experiences led them to make certain choices. A solid 4.5 star book, in my opinion. I look forward to reading the next in the series, and hope it can capture my feelings from 'Messy' a little better than this book did.
March 11, 2014
3.5 stars -- enjoyed it as an add-on to the original story.
it wasn't as dark and twisted as i'd hope and as the first book. it was "nice" story, but i was expecting something more screwed up.
i was happy with the ending and expect the next book to delve deeper into Jethro and his life.
it wasn't as dark and twisted as i'd hope and as the first book. it was "nice" story, but i was expecting something more screwed up.
i was happy with the ending and expect the next book to delve deeper into Jethro and his life.
March 3, 2018
Nothing is what it seems in this crazy mind-fu(k!!! What starts out as one story morphs into something totally different!
Aimee is seething mad, primary focus on getting revenge.... at least that’s how the story begins.
“He doesn’t deserve my love, no matter how much I wish he did.”
Although vengeance is still her priority, the focus of that vengeance changes when a new character enters Aimee’s life. He too is not at all what he appears to be; the transition he makes was a huge twist that shocked the he|| out of me! And that’s not the only curveball in this roller coaster of a story!
What I like best about the way Cortez writes is that she’s brief and to the point, so much happens in just 100 pages! In EQUIVOCAL, you won’t find even one extra word. There isn’t an ounce of unnecessary fluff, filler or dialogue. The only thing I didn’t feel was necessary where the quotes at the start of each chapter but those are easy to skim through😉! There is a negative side to Cortez’s speed too though... I wish we would have been given details about Aimee’s 2 week, “mission” (I’m intentionally being vague so I don’t post a spoiler).
My primary complaint about this book was the editing. Fortunately, it’s not so bad that it’s distracting however this book would be perfect if someone simply proofread it. Second, I don’t usually care about book covers but the model on this one isn’t wearing any makeup so all her flaws are illuminated including her dry, cracked lips. Fortunately I don’t judge books by their covers because this one is far from appealing!
Aimee is seething mad, primary focus on getting revenge.... at least that’s how the story begins.
“He doesn’t deserve my love, no matter how much I wish he did.”
Although vengeance is still her priority, the focus of that vengeance changes when a new character enters Aimee’s life. He too is not at all what he appears to be; the transition he makes was a huge twist that shocked the he|| out of me! And that’s not the only curveball in this roller coaster of a story!
What I like best about the way Cortez writes is that she’s brief and to the point, so much happens in just 100 pages! In EQUIVOCAL, you won’t find even one extra word. There isn’t an ounce of unnecessary fluff, filler or dialogue. The only thing I didn’t feel was necessary where the quotes at the start of each chapter but those are easy to skim through😉! There is a negative side to Cortez’s speed too though... I wish we would have been given details about Aimee’s 2 week, “mission” (I’m intentionally being vague so I don’t post a spoiler).
My primary complaint about this book was the editing. Fortunately, it’s not so bad that it’s distracting however this book would be perfect if someone simply proofread it. Second, I don’t usually care about book covers but the model on this one isn’t wearing any makeup so all her flaws are illuminated including her dry, cracked lips. Fortunately I don’t judge books by their covers because this one is far from appealing!
February 7, 2017
“Revenge! The stupidest motive on earth, just an attempt to change history.”
― Josephine Humphreys, The Fireman's Fair
Nicole, former Aimee, together with her abductor Draco is on the run from sex traffickers. She has become quite depended on Draco who she hates and loathes for killing her sister and abducting her.
Draco is in love with Nicole and tells her so. He saved her from being sold off into sex slavery and is now on the run with her. When Draco has a jealous outburst because of Dylan, a guy Nicole meets daily at the library, she leaves him. The next morning Draco goes to the library to look for her and tell her “I’m sorry. I never want to – I didn’t mean to - I am not here to get you back – I’m here to say – you’re free. I can’t give you everything you want. You see me as a monster, as something you could never love. I don’t want you to love a monster. If you decide I’m worth it – come back.” and leaves. It is than that Nicole knows that she loves Draco but is still not ready to admit it to herself and Draco.
When things heat up and turn for the worst, Nicole is again faced with how harsh life can be.
Book 2 in the Abduct series is well written albeit unrealistic. She became a CIA operative in six months and as such manage to do what Jethro & Draco have not been able to do in two years.
Equivocal is not as messed up and fucked up as Messy and Shattered was.
Part of a series that has to be read in order
Book was gifted to me by the author in exchange for a review.
February 7, 2017
"Equivocal" by Mercy Cortez was the second in the Abducted series. This dark read is also full of shifts in perspective between the main characters, Aimee, Draco, and Dylan, all of whom have alternate identities. Instead of a love triangle, theirs is based on revenge.
As the second in a series, there's a lot of built in repetition of the previous story. If there was a 'he/you murdered my sister' drinking game, I would have died from alcohol poisoning. This book was easier to read than its predecessor, but the author continued to strain credulity with some of the plot twists. I did enjoy the numerous quotes included from everyone from Dante to Meredith Grey.
The trigger warnings from the prior book are still valid in this one, although some violence is threatened and some is historical. There are discussions about violence, under-age sexual references, rape, torture and murder; sensitive readers should be warned.
***I received a copy from the author through the BDSM group TPE bar, in exchange for an honest review***
As the second in a series, there's a lot of built in repetition of the previous story. If there was a 'he/you murdered my sister' drinking game, I would have died from alcohol poisoning. This book was easier to read than its predecessor, but the author continued to strain credulity with some of the plot twists. I did enjoy the numerous quotes included from everyone from Dante to Meredith Grey.
The trigger warnings from the prior book are still valid in this one, although some violence is threatened and some is historical. There are discussions about violence, under-age sexual references, rape, torture and murder; sensitive readers should be warned.
***I received a copy from the author through the BDSM group TPE bar, in exchange for an honest review***
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews