What do you think?
Rate this book
Mercy Hollings #2
Angel Of Mercy
Last month I killed a man … and now I'm afraid what I might do next
As a hypnotherapist with a special talent, I'm very good at getting people to overcome their problems. My own problem, however, is that my talent comes from a dark place. If I tell you to do something, trust me: you will do it. Most of the time I can keep things from getting out of hand, but when my emotions interfere, I lose control. That's when people get hurt, sometimes even killed.
The only ones who know I've got a secret are my best friend Sukey and my boyfriend Sam. So far I've been able to keep them safe from the psychic cross fire, but what if one day I can't? Like now. Because now I find myself in the shadowy world of battered women and children, where I've met a little girl who's been violated in the worst possible way. As you can imagine, my emotions are about to interfere.
As a hypnotherapist with a special talent, I'm very good at getting people to overcome their problems. My own problem, however, is that my talent comes from a dark place. If I tell you to do something, trust me: you will do it. Most of the time I can keep things from getting out of hand, but when my emotions interfere, I lose control. That's when people get hurt, sometimes even killed.
The only ones who know I've got a secret are my best friend Sukey and my boyfriend Sam. So far I've been able to keep them safe from the psychic cross fire, but what if one day I can't? Like now. Because now I find myself in the shadowy world of battered women and children, where I've met a little girl who's been violated in the worst possible way. As you can imagine, my emotions are about to interfere.
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
10 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Toni Andrews
7 books75 followersMy life changed one day while I was sitting on the toilet.
A couple of years ago, a person very close to me found himself in a mid-life "career opportunity" situation. Ever helpful and a lifetime book person, I went to the store, I bought a pile of those books about finding the color of your parachute and being what you are.
My friend never read them. Not everyone (gasp!) seeks answers from self-help books. Eventually, they found their way into my "reading room." I started skimming through them in my, er idle moments.
One day I found myself faced with one of those end-of-chapter summaries in the form of four questions. Here they are, more or less, along with my answers.
1. Do you like your job?
Yes, very much.
2. Would you keep it if they didn't pay you?
Hahahahahahahaha. No
3. If money wasn't a consideration, what would you do?
I’d write fiction.
4. Is there any reason you can't start now?
Uh.............no.
Of course! I could start writing fiction any time. Just walk over to the computer. Or pick up a pen. Or a crayon.
Omigod. I’d just decided on a new career. At forty-four. With my underpants around my ankles.
Was it really that simple? Well, yes, actually. Now I'm writing full time, living in the tiny lakeside cottage where I spent childhood summers. And I'm loving every minute of it!
A couple of years ago, a person very close to me found himself in a mid-life "career opportunity" situation. Ever helpful and a lifetime book person, I went to the store, I bought a pile of those books about finding the color of your parachute and being what you are.
My friend never read them. Not everyone (gasp!) seeks answers from self-help books. Eventually, they found their way into my "reading room." I started skimming through them in my, er idle moments.
One day I found myself faced with one of those end-of-chapter summaries in the form of four questions. Here they are, more or less, along with my answers.
1. Do you like your job?
Yes, very much.
2. Would you keep it if they didn't pay you?
Hahahahahahahaha. No
3. If money wasn't a consideration, what would you do?
I’d write fiction.
4. Is there any reason you can't start now?
Uh.............no.
Of course! I could start writing fiction any time. Just walk over to the computer. Or pick up a pen. Or a crayon.
Omigod. I’d just decided on a new career. At forty-four. With my underpants around my ankles.
Was it really that simple? Well, yes, actually. Now I'm writing full time, living in the tiny lakeside cottage where I spent childhood summers. And I'm loving every minute of it!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 22, 2009
Really a 3.5, but not quite a 4. I may change it as I think about it more, partially to show the progression. It is a much better book than the first (which I enjoyed) as the author grows into her work. The story arc from beginning to end was strong and consistent. The new style of interspersing letters from a troubled child between each chapter helped build the tension. Questions about Mercy's abilities and if they can ever be used safely are wrestled with. Especially in light of the volunteer work Mercy begins at a shelter for battered women and children. I was pretty unomfortable to see her jump right into working with clients without any training. Someone like Mercy is responsible for knowing as much as she can about a topic and possible outcomes before working with someone. Instructions that seem safe to her can go horrible wrong. Like not knowing cultural norms when visiting foreign countries, innocent to us may be offensive or dangerous. Mercy got a heck of a lesson this time.
On a lighter note, Cupcake is still cute. Sukey is both a great friend and trying to make her own life improvements, which add both humor and logic to how some of the legwork gets done. I wish I had a Sukey I could pay to help me out fir a few hours a week; my whole to-do would be finished in no time. Hilda, Grant and Tino are still hanging around. And Sam seems to be a either too perfect or a hypocrit or both, a small failure in the otherwise charming cast of characters. Not that I don't like Sam, everyone will, but he really is too reasonable, just like Mercy says. Especially since has has big secrets, too.
One of the things I enjoy most is Mercy's temper, when it doesn't get her in big trouble. She says some things to her friends that are very realistic responses, if not well-considered ones. They make her seem more human and relatable. Like a woman I would love to hang out and shoot pool with, and even become friends with if I were lucky enough. Good characters, good writing, better plotting, all items that lead me to recommend this book to urban fantasy fans who don't insist on major slayage of supernatural creatures, but would enjoy a more introspective investigation into what it means to be different, literally, and what power in the wrong hands can do. I'd say it's really a crossover mainstream/urban fantasy.
On a lighter note, Cupcake is still cute. Sukey is both a great friend and trying to make her own life improvements, which add both humor and logic to how some of the legwork gets done. I wish I had a Sukey I could pay to help me out fir a few hours a week; my whole to-do would be finished in no time. Hilda, Grant and Tino are still hanging around. And Sam seems to be a either too perfect or a hypocrit or both, a small failure in the otherwise charming cast of characters. Not that I don't like Sam, everyone will, but he really is too reasonable, just like Mercy says. Especially since has has big secrets, too.
One of the things I enjoy most is Mercy's temper, when it doesn't get her in big trouble. She says some things to her friends that are very realistic responses, if not well-considered ones. They make her seem more human and relatable. Like a woman I would love to hang out and shoot pool with, and even become friends with if I were lucky enough. Good characters, good writing, better plotting, all items that lead me to recommend this book to urban fantasy fans who don't insist on major slayage of supernatural creatures, but would enjoy a more introspective investigation into what it means to be different, literally, and what power in the wrong hands can do. I'd say it's really a crossover mainstream/urban fantasy.
October 10, 2008
I took a break in the middle of reading this book, because it's a really intense book, and I sometimes have to take a breather if something starts getting too scary for me. Yes, I'm a wimp.
That said, this book wasn't as scary as I was afraid it was going to be. I was seriously worried that some seriously bad stuff was going to go down in this book--and some bad stuff did happen, but it wasn't as bad as I was afraid it would be. And that probably makes no sense, but deal with it.
Okay, Mercy is still in possession of her "press" where she can make people do what she wants them to do, even if they don’t want to, and she's still afraid of what she can do with it, especially since she killed a guy with it. The guy totally deserved to die, but she's squicked anyway. Additionally, he said he knows her parents and could put her in touch with them--but now he's dead and can't. She wants to know where she comes from, and if she's even human, but she can't make herself look into it. She's pulled back from her boyfriend Sam, because he wants some truth and some trust from her, but she's afraid to tell him the truth.
So, into the midst of all this angst, she starts helping/hypnotizing these women at a domestic violence shelter and gets dragged in over her head, and lots of stuff happens.
This story is quite a bit lighter than the first book, despite the fact that I wasn't real happy with the romance aspects of it. I'm just a romantic. Deal. The bad guys are bad, but not quite as awful as in the 1st book. She learns a little more about her people. She helps catch the bad guys. It's a good read, but not as dense as I would have liked.
That said, this book wasn't as scary as I was afraid it was going to be. I was seriously worried that some seriously bad stuff was going to go down in this book--and some bad stuff did happen, but it wasn't as bad as I was afraid it would be. And that probably makes no sense, but deal with it.
Okay, Mercy is still in possession of her "press" where she can make people do what she wants them to do, even if they don’t want to, and she's still afraid of what she can do with it, especially since she killed a guy with it. The guy totally deserved to die, but she's squicked anyway. Additionally, he said he knows her parents and could put her in touch with them--but now he's dead and can't. She wants to know where she comes from, and if she's even human, but she can't make herself look into it. She's pulled back from her boyfriend Sam, because he wants some truth and some trust from her, but she's afraid to tell him the truth.
So, into the midst of all this angst, she starts helping/hypnotizing these women at a domestic violence shelter and gets dragged in over her head, and lots of stuff happens.
This story is quite a bit lighter than the first book, despite the fact that I wasn't real happy with the romance aspects of it. I'm just a romantic. Deal. The bad guys are bad, but not quite as awful as in the 1st book. She learns a little more about her people. She helps catch the bad guys. It's a good read, but not as dense as I would have liked.
January 23, 2010
This is the second book in the Mercy Hollings series, with the first one being Beg for Mercy. Genre is firmly Urban Fantasy, but Mercy has a tangle or two between the sheets which is enough to keep me happy. :-) The story does pick up where book 1 left off, so make sure to read them in order if you're interested. Mercy is a strong, but humanly flawed female lead with a mysterious background and even more mysterious psychic powers. She's got a band of wacky & diverse friends and a mystery to solve to keep you reading. Although, in this book the topic isn't for the faint of heart: Mercy gets involved in a shelter for battered and abused women & children. The writing isn't terribly graphic, but it can be a sensitive topic for some readers.
In general, if you like the mystery/thriller-type books with a strong female lead, but not necessarily a male counterpart and a touch of the paranormal thrown in, you'll like this series
In general, if you like the mystery/thriller-type books with a strong female lead, but not necessarily a male counterpart and a touch of the paranormal thrown in, you'll like this series
May 4, 2009
Oh this one really disturbed me. I can't really say why because it would sort of ruin part of the story... but I was getting nauseated in certain parts.
Another good one from Andrews, I'm interested in seeing where she takes the next book. She has set it up so right now the character of Mercy is unsure whether or not she's even human or whether or not she's "good or evil". So we'll see. I am definitely going to be reading the sequel whenever it comes out.
Another good one from Andrews, I'm interested in seeing where she takes the next book. She has set it up so right now the character of Mercy is unsure whether or not she's even human or whether or not she's "good or evil". So we'll see. I am definitely going to be reading the sequel whenever it comes out.
April 22, 2009
I just couldn't get into this one. Gave up.
May 3, 2018
I really liked this one. It was kind of a horrible subject matter, but it was so interesting that it only took me 2 hours and 19 minutes to read. Probably because, once I got past chapter 3, I could NOT PUT IT DOWN! Mercy chooses to help some domestic violence victims and gets all crazy involved. Tino gets his GED and Gary is helping him figure out a business to start. Sam and Mercy have explosive sex and break up. Secrets are no bueno for this couple. Mercy gets a clue from Sukey that leads her to a Russian Gypsy woman that reads her Tarot. Cool things are a-coming in the next book!
Read
January 10, 2021disturbing book. a woman can 'press' her thoughts into other peoples. she works as a hypnotist, helping people quit smoking and lose weight. until she's asked to help at a battered women's shelter. she gets involved with a woman who was beaten by her husband, whose daughter was used to make child porn movies. just very disturbing. and then there's romance and sex scenes right next to that. just, wrong.
March 21, 2020
The vileness of humanity on show.
August 2, 2014
This is the second Mercy Hollings book. Mercy has an ability to 'press' people, stating things and making them do it or believe it. In the previous installment, she used her 'press' to take care of a bad guy out to hurt people. Here Mercy finds she can use her gift to help woman at a battered women's shelter. When she finds a six year old girl has been abused, Mercy cannot fight the urge to try to talk to her and maybe help her feel better. This goes against the head of the shelter, who insists that Mercy has no previous experience hyptnotizing children and could indeed make the child's situation worse. Mercy goes against the woman to find the child has been more abused than anyone imagined and that in fact, this could be happening to other children. Mercy and her friend Sukey begin to investigate and try to bring justice to the abusers in this case. The side plot revolves around Mercy questioning whether she is human and if she is good or evil. Mercy, Sukey and their friends begin a quest to find out about Mercy's biological parents and to see if they can find others like Mercy. The story, like its predassessor, is a page turner. I finished this one in two fairly short sittings. The side characters are truly a fun bunch. Tito, the ex-gang leader, the elderly high society woman, the elderly high society gentlman, and especially Cupcake the ex-guard dog. Sam, Mercy's sometimes boyfried, is really only around to give Mercy grief and to star in the requisite sex scene. I think he is totally boring and needs something to happen to liven him up. The story finished far too quickly for my liking here. Things just wrapped up too neatly with a pretty bow on top. Also, I really like Mercy as a character but there are tons of references to how tough she is and I never have seen that. This is a woman who hears about the child being abused and has such a crying fit that you can see it in her eyes hours later. Her feelings are also hurt when others are even slightly mad at her. It makes her human and it makes me like her, but I wish the author would realize she doesn't come across as all that tough. I liked this book. It won't be something I read over and again, but I enjoyed it as I did the first book, and I intend to read the next.
August 3, 2009
This review was originally posted on my review blog : Falling Off The Shelf.
Mercy Hollings is beating herself up over the death of man that she caused a month ago, and now she's afraid that her abilities may be from some evil source. She's helped so many people with 'the press', but how many has she hurt, and now, how many more will she end up killing?
In Mercy's line of work telling people what to do is an everyday thing. When someone comes to her because they'd like to stop smoking, or eating too much, she can make them stop with a light 'press'. But when a woman shows up to an appointment with bruises from being abused, it's not so easy to tell someone what to do with their life.
With the help from a local battered women's shelter, Mercy is able to help those women and children in need. It's satisfying for Mercy to know that she's making a real difference for these women, who seem to be nothing but fragile creatures. It's not so easy for Mercy though, when she's given the task of helping a women and child overcome their fears of an abuse so horrible it puts Mercy in shock. Will she be able to control her abilites, or will she 'press' the wrong issue?
This was the second installment in the Mercy Hollings Series by Toni Andrews, and I'm glad that I ordered myself a copy of it to read. Mercy's abilities still amaze me, and I personally wish I could borrow them just a couple of times. I'm glad to see that Mercy is opening up more to the people that care for her, but wish that her relationship with Sam Falls would move forward.
I'm very interested in reading the third novel in this series, Cry Mercy, to see if Mercy finds out more about her origins. I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive from the publisher, and have been checking my mailbox religiously in hopes of its arrival.
Mercy Hollings is beating herself up over the death of man that she caused a month ago, and now she's afraid that her abilities may be from some evil source. She's helped so many people with 'the press', but how many has she hurt, and now, how many more will she end up killing?
In Mercy's line of work telling people what to do is an everyday thing. When someone comes to her because they'd like to stop smoking, or eating too much, she can make them stop with a light 'press'. But when a woman shows up to an appointment with bruises from being abused, it's not so easy to tell someone what to do with their life.
With the help from a local battered women's shelter, Mercy is able to help those women and children in need. It's satisfying for Mercy to know that she's making a real difference for these women, who seem to be nothing but fragile creatures. It's not so easy for Mercy though, when she's given the task of helping a women and child overcome their fears of an abuse so horrible it puts Mercy in shock. Will she be able to control her abilites, or will she 'press' the wrong issue?
This was the second installment in the Mercy Hollings Series by Toni Andrews, and I'm glad that I ordered myself a copy of it to read. Mercy's abilities still amaze me, and I personally wish I could borrow them just a couple of times. I'm glad to see that Mercy is opening up more to the people that care for her, but wish that her relationship with Sam Falls would move forward.
I'm very interested in reading the third novel in this series, Cry Mercy, to see if Mercy finds out more about her origins. I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive from the publisher, and have been checking my mailbox religiously in hopes of its arrival.
April 28, 2008
This is the second book in the Mercy Hollings novels by Toni Andrews. The first book was "Beg For Mercy" which was a fast-paced, exciting read; and now we have "Angel of Mercy".
Mercy is a hypnotherapist with the special ability to 'press' her will on others. It's taken her most of her 30-couple years to come to grips with and control her use of the 'press'. Sure, she can help people, but does that make it right? And now she's dealing with a lover! Sam is everything that's right for Mercy, but he doesn't know about the 'press'. So before she can really commit to a relationship with him, this orphan really needs to know...is she human?...and where did this power come from? But before she can dig into her search for her past, she becomes embroiled in an investigation into battered women...and possibly worse!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading "Beg For Mercy" first as it will provide a little more background into Mercy's past and motivations. Apart from the main story, this book also dealt with battered women and molested children...two very weighty subjects that I thought were handled well by the author.
I'm not sure quite how to categorize this book. Is it a romance? Well, sure, there's romance in the book. Is it a mystery? Well, yeah, there's that too. Is it paranormal? Well, umm, there's the 'press' thing and all. So even though I'm not sure what to call it, I know I liked it and will be waiting for Ms Andrews June 2009 release, "Cry Mercy"!
Mercy is a hypnotherapist with the special ability to 'press' her will on others. It's taken her most of her 30-couple years to come to grips with and control her use of the 'press'. Sure, she can help people, but does that make it right? And now she's dealing with a lover! Sam is everything that's right for Mercy, but he doesn't know about the 'press'. So before she can really commit to a relationship with him, this orphan really needs to know...is she human?...and where did this power come from? But before she can dig into her search for her past, she becomes embroiled in an investigation into battered women...and possibly worse!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading "Beg For Mercy" first as it will provide a little more background into Mercy's past and motivations. Apart from the main story, this book also dealt with battered women and molested children...two very weighty subjects that I thought were handled well by the author.
I'm not sure quite how to categorize this book. Is it a romance? Well, sure, there's romance in the book. Is it a mystery? Well, yeah, there's that too. Is it paranormal? Well, umm, there's the 'press' thing and all. So even though I'm not sure what to call it, I know I liked it and will be waiting for Ms Andrews June 2009 release, "Cry Mercy"!
September 11, 2013
I enjoyed this book more then I did the last. While is lacking the humor the last book did, due to the serious nature of the content, it was a better written story with a much more clear and concise plot.
Yes Mercy is still trying to find out what she is. With her friends by her side, that part of the story is moved along in the background of the new storyline that has been brought forward.
While Mercy is in with a new client, she discovers the clients husband has abused her. Mercy contacts a woman's shelter and is soon doing some volunteer work on the side. In comes Anna & Grace. Mother and daughter that has been abused horribly. The child even more so as Mercy soon learns. Whats a girl to do, but to try and catch the rat bastard that hurt them.
The only problem I had with this book was Sam. I mean seriously he offered up nothing. He was wishy washy and just plain needy. On minute he couldn't be around Mercy and her secret, there was the obligatory sex scene where he tells Mercy he loves her, then pretty much right afterward he's telling Mercy they just can't be together because she doesn't trust him with her secret. Seriously? Hypocrite much? He added nothing.. Actually if anyone needed to be pressed it's that guy. This book made him out to be a total tool. If another character just happens to waltz into the fray and be attracted to Mercy, well I wouldn't have a problem with that. There will need to be a lot of explaining to do to make me even half ass like Sam as a character again.
Yes Mercy is still trying to find out what she is. With her friends by her side, that part of the story is moved along in the background of the new storyline that has been brought forward.
While Mercy is in with a new client, she discovers the clients husband has abused her. Mercy contacts a woman's shelter and is soon doing some volunteer work on the side. In comes Anna & Grace. Mother and daughter that has been abused horribly. The child even more so as Mercy soon learns. Whats a girl to do, but to try and catch the rat bastard that hurt them.
The only problem I had with this book was Sam. I mean seriously he offered up nothing. He was wishy washy and just plain needy. On minute he couldn't be around Mercy and her secret, there was the obligatory sex scene where he tells Mercy he loves her, then pretty much right afterward he's telling Mercy they just can't be together because she doesn't trust him with her secret. Seriously? Hypocrite much? He added nothing.. Actually if anyone needed to be pressed it's that guy. This book made him out to be a total tool. If another character just happens to waltz into the fray and be attracted to Mercy, well I wouldn't have a problem with that. There will need to be a lot of explaining to do to make me even half ass like Sam as a character again.
November 14, 2008
For Mercy Hollings, who is a hypnotherapist having an extraordinary talent of helping people get over their problems comes in handy. The only people that know about
Mercy’s special power is her best friend Sukey and boyfriend Sam. Mercy has a problem and that is she cares too much for people that when something bad happens to them, Mercy loses control and all I have to say is that the bad guys better watch out as she is coming after them. Mercy may have taken on her toughest case yet, when a little girl by the name of Grace requires Mercy’s help. Mercy discovers that something very terrible has happened to Grace. Now Mercy is on the prowl to bring justice for Grace.
Angel of Mercy is the second book to feature Mercy Hollings. Beg for Mercy is the first. The only thing both books have in common is that they both have Mercy as the main character but that is where the similarities end as Angel of Mercy can be read as a stand alone book. I can tell you though that this is one series you will want to read from the beginning as Toni Andrews will go on your list to read for a long time. Mercy is someone who when you first meet her comes out very harsh but once you get to know her, but if she likes you then thank your lucky stars as you have just inherited an Angel on your side. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Mercy’s special power is her best friend Sukey and boyfriend Sam. Mercy has a problem and that is she cares too much for people that when something bad happens to them, Mercy loses control and all I have to say is that the bad guys better watch out as she is coming after them. Mercy may have taken on her toughest case yet, when a little girl by the name of Grace requires Mercy’s help. Mercy discovers that something very terrible has happened to Grace. Now Mercy is on the prowl to bring justice for Grace.
Angel of Mercy is the second book to feature Mercy Hollings. Beg for Mercy is the first. The only thing both books have in common is that they both have Mercy as the main character but that is where the similarities end as Angel of Mercy can be read as a stand alone book. I can tell you though that this is one series you will want to read from the beginning as Toni Andrews will go on your list to read for a long time. Mercy is someone who when you first meet her comes out very harsh but once you get to know her, but if she likes you then thank your lucky stars as you have just inherited an Angel on your side. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
November 7, 2008
Mercy Hollings is a hypno thereapist with a bit of a kick. She can mentally "push" people to do things. In this story, she gets involved with a domestic abuse scene, and helping out a shelter... and somethings happen that she can't turn away from.
I really liked the concept of this story, and I enjoyed the book. The authors voice was strong, and I read it in one afternoon. My only thing was I felt like it shouldn't have had a romance in it. Maybe its because this is the second book in a series, but I felt like the heroines relationship with her boyfriend was pretty pointless in this novel. Or maybe the romantic in me just wasn't happy with the way it was dealt with. I'm not sure, all I know is it was a point that stuck out to me.
Another thing is I thought the heroine needed a bit of a kick in the butt a time or two, but that's cool, because it made her more real to m. I hate "perfect' characters. LOL ANd I must say i LOVED the dog, Cupcake was a great addition to the story.
I really liked the concept of this story, and I enjoyed the book. The authors voice was strong, and I read it in one afternoon. My only thing was I felt like it shouldn't have had a romance in it. Maybe its because this is the second book in a series, but I felt like the heroines relationship with her boyfriend was pretty pointless in this novel. Or maybe the romantic in me just wasn't happy with the way it was dealt with. I'm not sure, all I know is it was a point that stuck out to me.
Another thing is I thought the heroine needed a bit of a kick in the butt a time or two, but that's cool, because it made her more real to m. I hate "perfect' characters. LOL ANd I must say i LOVED the dog, Cupcake was a great addition to the story.
January 8, 2015
Angel of Mercy by Toni Andrews Angel of Mercy is the second in a series. Mercy, a young woman who doesn't know just exactly what she is has the ability to press...or make people do things. She tries to live by a code of self imposed ethics and most of the time she does fine. She helps people.
In this book Mercy starts helping at a battered womens shelter. While the story deals with this topic gently and quite well, giving the facts, it is the secondary story of child pornography and what some men will do in their quest for power that takes us to the dark places of mankind.
Ms Andrews handles both the topic of abusive husbands and child pornography delicately and with understanding. The story pulls you from start to finish in a fast ride that is highly emotional.
Woven into the darker subjects is Mercy's own quest to find out who and what she is. With the help of the ever bubbly Sukey she manages to find some clues that lead to more questions. All in all a great read and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
In this book Mercy starts helping at a battered womens shelter. While the story deals with this topic gently and quite well, giving the facts, it is the secondary story of child pornography and what some men will do in their quest for power that takes us to the dark places of mankind.
Ms Andrews handles both the topic of abusive husbands and child pornography delicately and with understanding. The story pulls you from start to finish in a fast ride that is highly emotional.
Woven into the darker subjects is Mercy's own quest to find out who and what she is. With the help of the ever bubbly Sukey she manages to find some clues that lead to more questions. All in all a great read and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
August 31, 2011
"Ok I wasn't all too happy with the direction mercy took in this book. Its supposed to be a paranormal book which it kind of is with the mind reading and press thats going on. However all that was masked up by mercy trying to do the police's job. If I pick up a book and it has incest or kiddy porn rings in it I think that should be stated somewhere on the cover. Or the fact that mercy was trying to help an abused wife and her child but doesn't really know how bad they suffered. Something like that but nothing was mentioned on the back that let you know what direction the story was going in. There were so many ways and I just didn't happen to like this one at all.
If I wanted to read about sexual abuse of children I would not have picked up a paranormal book. I might have tried a horror story but not paranormal."
If I wanted to read about sexual abuse of children I would not have picked up a paranormal book. I might have tried a horror story but not paranormal."
October 19, 2010
I loved this book and I am soooooo sorry I missed the first one before this. Your left a tad confused at the start because if you haven't read the 1st one your playing catch up and with not a lot being said you have to do guess work to catch on, but once you get past that the story picks right up and sucks you into it. I hated that Mercy had to lose ( not going to say cause I would give away things) to save ( again not going to say just read the book!) I loved Cupcake! He has got to be the most awesome rottie I've seen in a book yet. I was thrilled with this book and can not wait to get them all!
November 14, 2010
This is book 2 in a series about Mercy Hollings, a hynotherapist whose commands REALLY work. She starts looking for her birth parents in this book, has a breakup with Sam (I doubt that will last), and busts a child pornography ring after learning about it from a victim. (She's started volunteering at a shelter for abused women.)
The book is a fast read, and good enough to keep my interest in the series, but not great. It seems like a bridge book - building up to later events, without much substance on the character development front.
The book is a fast read, and good enough to keep my interest in the series, but not great. It seems like a bridge book - building up to later events, without much substance on the character development front.
July 13, 2009
This is an interesting series, though sometimes it's a little hard for me to relate to Mercy's introspection.
I liked that Mercy came up against a limitation of her press ability. She didn't seem to be in as much immediate danger this time around, but parts of the story are still more intense than the first book. My only real criticism is that the separate parts of the plot didn't mesh quite as well as they did in the first book.
I liked that Mercy came up against a limitation of her press ability. She didn't seem to be in as much immediate danger this time around, but parts of the story are still more intense than the first book. My only real criticism is that the separate parts of the plot didn't mesh quite as well as they did in the first book.
June 17, 2014
SOOO, it was between 3 and 2 stars for me. The writing is good, the book is an easy read but Mercy.... I am torn I like her, I understand her fear, and I like her friends it's the relationship between her and Sam. It fell so flat I almost burned the book but I just can't do things like that ...ever so, I finished it and I'm mad at myself that I bought the next one when I bought this so I"m going to read it and I pray that I like it better than this one but so far.....the jury is almost out.
August 1, 2008
This is part of series, wich I didn't know at the time, need to read the books that came befote it to get a good description of the characters, however it read really good as a stand alone book also, the characters are strong, and the author tells a good story, but reading the books before is recommended.
January 31, 2012
This is the second book about Mercy Hollings. I really liked this book. Sukey and Sam are still around and Mercy is still beating herself up about things. A great plot, you know what Mercy is going to do, but it's the getting there that is interesting. I can't wait until she knows who or what she really is. Going to keep a close eye on this writer!
September 13, 2011
um, I'm not quite sure if I like this installment. Mercy kind of annoyed me a little bit, the way she just charges on knowing that she'd better not. But then again, if she didn't, there wouldn't be a novel would there?!
I am, however, curious enough to know "what" she really is, to read #3 - I'm hoping it will all be answered? *fingers crossed*
I am, however, curious enough to know "what" she really is, to read #3 - I'm hoping it will all be answered? *fingers crossed*
August 16, 2011
I thought this book was much improved, compared to the previous book; there was character development (although they all feel very sketchy, still) and a very dark subject was raised in the book.
Kudos to the author for handling it well.
Kudos to the author for handling it well.
August 1, 2016
Read second before the first one, that happens to me often. But still a good read. Mercy was too hard on herself and too scared of what she can do. I wasn't a big fan of the Angel of Mercy diary entries they were unnecessary. Decent writing, interesting plot, and good characters.
July 12, 2015
Interesting story. Loved the play of mind control and how she was trying to be good. Liked the secondary characters and town interactions. Good opening storyline for a series. Well like to learn the little twists and truths along with the heroine.
August 30, 2018
In Angel of Mercy, Mercy is still grappling with her ability and with the ethics of using it. I liked how Mercy’s friendships were strengthened and that she was taking steps to learn more about herself.
October 6, 2008
A lovely story, some thrills, not at all a dark story.
Want to read
November 21, 2008TBR
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews