Mercury

Metal Cowboys #2

by Iris Abbott

Mercury
Metal Cowboys Book Two
Contemporary Romance
53,078 Words

Sometimes life takes almost all you have to offer and when it’s least expected gives something back.

The moment Marcus ‘Mercury’ Ellison sees sweet and shy Lexi Parker he’s attracted to her. He's always been labeled the lethal one. A sniper with many kills to his name, Mercury feels he’s too dark and jaded for the likes of Lexi. She brings to mind kittens and rainbows. He’s more like rattlesnakes and thunderstorms.

Lexi Parker has spent five long years running from the past. She finally settles in Texas, but she isn't quite ready to let go of the past. Mercury’s sex appeal tempts her, but Lexi’s emotionally scarred and fights the sizzling attraction that burns between them. In order for her healing to begin, it’s going to take someone special, someone like Mercury. Lexi just has to stop fighting and open her heart to the possibilities.

It’s a good thing Mercury never walks away from a challenge. When Lexi’s flower shop is vandalized, he steps up to offer help and protection. Given another opportunity to laugh and love, Lexi must come to terms with her past once and for all if she has any hope for a future with a happy ending.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2015

Reviews

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tainting her with my darkness would be a crime, but I get your point, and it’s duly noted. I don’t think I could walk away now even if I wanted to, and for the record, I don’t.”
“For what it’s worth, I think Lexi is a lot stronger than she looks. Instead of ‘tainting and corrupting’ her,” ... “it’s more likely the two of you will bring a much-needed balance to each other’s lives. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never know if you don’t give it a chance.” - Marcus ‘Mercury’ Ellison & Connor ‘Iron’ Murray

I enjoyed Mercury. I'm going to start with the good and move on to the bad. I liked the characters, Mercury himself wasn't as scared as he could have been but leading lady Lexi more than made up for it. I liked the plot, trying to figure out what Lexi was hiding, what was holding her back. There was less focus on physical intimacy in Mercury more focus on the emotional, which suited the subject matter and characters. Side note Mercury the Roman deity was the God of financial gain, commerce, messages/communication, travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery, merchants, thieves (not how Mercury got his name, he's a sniper Mercury is a heavy element his soul is heavy). Both the element and the deity meanings suit him.

This is a book that played on a few of my pet peeves. Mercury refers to his bike as it, while English is not a gendering language there is a place for gendering, men (and women) frequently refer to their vehicles as she/her. My other issue is to do with physical appearance and genetics (yes I'm really over thinking this, welcome to my brain). I wished there had been more description of said bike, bikes are important to the Ellison boys it could have been another bonding moment, really we don't even know what sort of bikes they are riding. Copper and Mercury are brothers. Copper's moniker comes partially from his appearance, his hair is a shade red, his eyes bright blue. Mercury's eyes are ice blue, his hair dark. It is highly unlikely that they would come from the same immediate genetic stock. There is a large amount of discussion of domestic violence in this and Copper. Romance is a genre that can be used by survivors as an escape. To be reading a book and then read some of the scenes in Mercury scenes that are worst-case scenarios for domestic violence could be terrifying and triggering. There really needs to be a warning either in the blurb or as an authors note.

I'd love to give this 3.5 stars but due to Goodreads rating system it I'll round up to 4 because so many of the concerns I had wouldn't bother others. Again it is a fast read that uses a few of the cliches of the genre but it is still pleasant.

My reading experience in a gif:

(let's stay with puns for this series shall we)

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying the Metal Cowboys series by Iris Abbott.

This book is about Lexi, who is hiding a dark secret and is afraid to love anyone again. Mercury doesn't believe he is good enough for Lexi and so he doesn't really pursue. However, Mercury is also fighting his interest in Lexi. This is a good story with a mystery for Lexi's past.

This series is one of fast reading, contemporary romances. Refreshing.

[Johanna Obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book of Metal Cowboys was as good as the first!

I totally enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful. Lexi was very believable to me. If you want a a good read that has a interesting plot, good mystery, sweet love story and isn't to long and involved, give the Metal Cowboys a try. This book left me smiling and relaxed.

[Dawnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Up With Desire

Mercury will have you heating up. He is determine to get what he wants and will wait for it. He what give up on getting the one woman how has his attention.

[Andrea Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

From heartache to healing

Lexi has suffered a great loss that she keeps hidden. Mercury is drawn to her and when she is threatened he steps in to help. What he gets is more than he bargained for.

[Deb B · Rating 4 out of 5]

very easy, very fast reading and quite enjoyable. the stories are a bit cliched in places and fairly predictable but i love the romances and the characters and the setting and i will definitely be reading the rest of the series

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was sweet. It's like a Hallmark-esque, ex-military, motorcycle extravaganza. I'm not sure she could have safely tossed another trope in there. At least it was well-written without any of the rather heinous editing errors I've been screaming into the abyss about lately.

[Carol Roll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

A good addition to this series of books. It wasn't as gripping as the previous books, but overall is was a good book.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing love story!

Mercury and Lexi are a love story for all ages. Everyone deserves to be loved by someone as dedicated to them as Mercury. Love the series!

[Kim Brewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just something about a gorgeous, over protective, male that gets me every time. I thought I knew Lexi' s secret, but I was so wrong. I had tears in my eyes around the 72% Mark and fist pumped when Mercury took his walk in the woods. This is a great romance. The couple are attracted to each other and their feelings grow over time. The is sexy time, but nothing you would blush about if someone read over your shoulder. If you haven't read any of this series, I suggest giving it a shot. I hope Chrome and Natalies story is soon.


On I side note, I just realized there is another series that has the sheriff from Lexi' s home town....might check that out!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The Metal Cowboys are wonderful and I can't wait for the next story! My only comment would be that the mystery of her past was drawn out very long. It worked with the story and the character but the middle of it got frustrating. Which I guess was the point. Anyway! Great great read and looking forward to the next one!