Without Mercy

by Alicia Dean

How far will a mother go to protect her child? When an apparently random bank robbery turns out to be a sinister plan, single mother China Beckett is thrust into a nightmare. A group of mercenaries take over her life, threatening her young daughter and everyone they love. Each time China makes a mistake, someone dies. She'll fight to the last breath to protect her child, but that might not be enough. As the lives of China's loved ones are jeopardized, she must take action, although she has no idea where to turn-and time is running out. But then, a startling truth is revealed and China discovers that the only person who can save them might be a ghost from the past. *** Warning: Explicit language and graphic violence ***

Genres: Suspense

280 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2014

About the author

I am a suspense and paranormal romance author living in Edmond, Oklahoma. I have three grown children. My passions are reading, writing, wearing pajamas, and watching (or rewatching) my favorite television shows such as The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Justified, and Dexter. I am a huge MLB and Elvis Presley fan. I usually mention one or both in every novel and short story I write. :-)

Reviews

[M.J. Schiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

GRIPPING FROM COVER TO COVER!!!
This book was amazing! Ms. Dean was able to create a number of unforgettable characters, including a slew of bad guys so despicable you were happy when they received their justice. She did a great job of not lumping them together as one sordid crew. They each had unique characteristics, some with sympathetic traits, some wholly irredeemable.

And I simply adored Aidan! (That name alone had me halfway in love!) Dark, brooding, but also wonderfully giving and loyal. His counterpart, China, was a worthy heroine. You felt sympathy for her plight while at the same time acquiring a deep admiration for her perseverance in the face of it. This was no mamby-pamby woman. She grieved, she was horrified, but she never stopped fighting.

This was one of those books you were driven to read, but didn't want to finish. The kind that pleasantly lingers long after you are finished reading. Thank you, Ms. Dean, for a great read!

Oh, and keep 'em coming, please!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way out?

China and her 6 year old daughter, Emma, are caught in a plot of greed, hate and obsessive unrequited love. Both are held hostage emotionally by six mercenaries who kill people close to China if she doesn't follow their orders. This story contains violence and adult language but it didn't bother me too much as it wasn't used gratuitously but to move the story forward. I really liked this story but I was not able to connect to the characters emotionally. Overall, I'm glad I bought this book.

[Diane Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for an edge of your seat thriller? This is the book. Ms. Dean writes a gripping suspense that is every mother's nightmare. The characters are well-drawn and surprising. The good guys aren't totally good and the bad guys aren't totally bad. While some situations are harsh, the violence and language are appropriate. I can't imagine what I would do if someone threatened my child. Probably the same as China. Well done, Ms. Dean!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very engrossing, gripping suspense. The author kept you always wondering what was going to happen next & who would survive. The characters were very believable & you were well-vested in what would happen to them. Even some of the bad guys had likable personalities. I would recommend this awesome read to anyone who loves a good suspense story.

[Marissa Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed everything Ms. Dean has written, and this may be her best book yet! This story has a large cast of characters, and the author gives each one a vivid, distinct personality. It's easy to fall in love with China and Aiden, the H/H, and to hate the bad guys. The plot is complex and will keep you turning pages late into the night. Major kudos, Ms. Dean!

[Peggy Twigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome suspense with some romance!
China is a great mom, who has a daughter with asthma. When there’s a bank robbery at the bank she works at and one of the robbers calls her by name, things in her life change quite drastically. A slew of very evil bad guys end up at her house, taking control of her life and turning it upside down. All China wants to do is protect her daughter, with her life if need be. There isn’t anything these bad guys won’t do to get what they want. They put all of China’s family and friends in danger. They will take out whoever they need to for the end result. And someone from China’s past comes back into her life. Will Aiden protect China and her daughter? Will he be able to go up against these evil guys no matter what?? Will he be willing to do what needs to be done to help China, after all he’s been through himself? Who’s behind all the evil in this story? Read This Book!!! It is a truly great suspense with romance. It is really graphic in some parts. I would most definitely recommend it as a must read.

[Lesia Connelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never listened to a book before and Alicia Dean sent me Without Mercy. OHH Lord am I hooked. I couldn't put it down. I did the dishes with my Kindle Fire right beside me, mopped the kitchen floor, dusted the livingroom and even took it to the bank with me. My hubby said to get another audio book because the house was clean when he got home. haha. I see Mizz Dean has 2 more audio books I have to HEAR.. The story of China, Emma, Aunt Lucy and even China's not so nice boss Sophie will tear your heart out. I wanted to help China so many times and as an asthmatic myself, Emma will make you tear up and not be able to breathe on occasions. I HIGHLY recommend this story on a cold day, wrapped in your snuggly blanket, with a hot cup of coffee. I absolutely loved the story line and the ending was superb. No spoilers but I love a HEA book. Read it for yourself and you will love this book as much as I do.

[LaRaine P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without Mercy

This is my first experience with Ms Deans writing. It will not be my last.

I was given a copy of this book for review. That being said:
Without Mercy is a thriller that grabs you and doesn't let go. The characters are written with so much depth that i Ifelt I was with China and Emma. I even got a little
teary in everal places. The ending of the book tied up all the plot twists and left the characters and the readers satisfied.

I would recommend Without Mercy to thriller and mystery lovers, and will be reading more of Alice Dean's work

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The action in this book starts immediately and keeps going until the end. It was fairly easy for me to figure out who was the mastermind behind the scheme, it was the why and how did it involve the heroine that took a little longer to figure out. I found reason behind the how and why it involved the heroine to be a bit of a let down, but it fit with the story line.

[Donna K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review. this is a must read book. I loved it.

[Casi McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, when I say a book is hard to put down, I mean I enjoy going reading it every night before I go to sleep, or picking it up on the weekend eagerly awaiting what comes next. Without mercy by Alicia Dean was not one of those stories. I literally could not put this book down until I was finished reading.

The suspense literally had me biting my nails. China Beckett personified a strong woman whose love for her child was unyielding, and the ruthless villain showed no mercy. The graphic scenes and language are worth a warning, but overall I give Ms. Dean five beautiful stars for a terrific story.

[Brenda Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alicia Dean is now one of my favorite authors. I’ve read at least a half dozen of her stories. She is versatile and successful regardless of the genre. This could be her best novel yet. China Beckett witnesses the murder of her boss during a bank robbery where she works. Going home to be with her daughter and get past her horrific experience isn’t going to happen. She and her daughter become hostages to these criminals in her home. Protecting her daughter is upmost for her, but these ruthless killers have a plan of their own. You’ll be flipping the pages and staying up later than you intended once you pick up this book.

[Sherry Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

This book had me captivated by the first few pages and on the edge of my seat the whole time. Just when you think nothing else can get worse, it does. This book will stick with you, long after the last page is read.

[Myloe Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting read

I read it in only a couple of sitting because I couldn't put it down. I loved that my home town of Wynnewood was mentioned. Even books set in Oklahoma don't mention towns that small so excellent research. A must read!

[Margo Hoornstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without Mercy grabs hold and doesn’t let go until the very end. The ruthless action, realistically carved characters and heart wrenching emotion kept me reading mercilessly until the very end. Definitely one for my keeper shelf.

[Jannine Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was engrossed from start to finish. This book made me cringe a few times--in the way a thriller should make you uneasy. I was never certain how the protagonists would make it out alive. Well done!

[Sharon Buchbinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oft-repeated piece of advice to writers goes like this: "Get the main character up a tree, and then once they are up there, throw rocks at them. Then get them down." Not only does Alicia Dean get her heroine China Beckett up a tree and throw rocks at her, she throws bullets, knives, forks, and the entire kitchen sink--and then she starts sawing at the branches. I dare not share too much of the story except to say this was one of the most gripping stories I've listened to in a long time. Ms. Dean has written other pieces in the True Crime genre. Suffice it to say, all that research is put to good use in this story!! No spoilers, just 5 throwing stars for this story and my hearty enthusiasm--and suggestion to listen to it DURING THE DAY!!!!

[Joan Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down

Alicia Dean is no Lisa Jackson but comes close. Since I have read so many crime and mystery books, I had to rate this one a 3. Maybe Dean's next book Wii be an improvement over this one. I.e.

[Maureen Bonatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good suspense story, and Without Mercy delivers. I've read other books by this author so I knew I'd be in for a treat, but wow! When a normal day turns into the stuff of nightmares for China the author had me feeling like I was right there with the characters. What a page turner!

[Shireen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry not going to read this one

Once I start reading bad language and talking about men's body parts, I quit. I don't like R rated books