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Deadliest Lies #2
Mercenary
Sometimes in life, choices just aren't part of the plan. When fate interferes and bulldozes right over you.
That's how I felt the first time I saw him. Standing in my kitchen, soaking wet, hotter than a man has the right to be, and holding a knife.
Declan's cold, stone-cold. I can't help but want him. His presence stirs up some raw emotion within me. He seems so...alone. But is he here to kill me or save me?
He's the one man I should never want...and the one I can never forget.
That's how I felt the first time I saw him. Standing in my kitchen, soaking wet, hotter than a man has the right to be, and holding a knife.
Declan's cold, stone-cold. I can't help but want him. His presence stirs up some raw emotion within me. He seems so...alone. But is he here to kill me or save me?
He's the one man I should never want...and the one I can never forget.
300 pages, ebook
First published September 5, 2016
104 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Michele Mannon
17 books613 followersAbout the author
Michele Mannon has been writing romance since her first publication in 2012. A multiple recipient of Romantic Times Magazine’s prestigious TOP PICKS award, Michele’s books always pack a punch, leaving readers laughing out loud or swooning and biting their fingernails at all the appropriate times.
Her latest release is Dirty Mafia Sinner, a super spicy, twisted, dark mafia romance.
Michele lives on a mountain overlooking the Delaware River, where she can be found with a glass of Riesling in her hand and a laptop on her lap. Find her online at: http://www.michelemannon.com
Or connect here:
Newsletter ➔ http://bit.ly/2pqkCXq
Bookbub ➔ https://bit.ly/2NgcqCM
Instagram ➔ http://bit.ly/2eUtvFc
FB group ➔ http://on.fb.me/1Kugh9Z
Amazon ➔ https://amzn.to/2V3LomK
Michele Mannon has been writing romance since her first publication in 2012. A multiple recipient of Romantic Times Magazine’s prestigious TOP PICKS award, Michele’s books always pack a punch, leaving readers laughing out loud or swooning and biting their fingernails at all the appropriate times.
Her latest release is Dirty Mafia Sinner, a super spicy, twisted, dark mafia romance.
Michele lives on a mountain overlooking the Delaware River, where she can be found with a glass of Riesling in her hand and a laptop on her lap. Find her online at: http://www.michelemannon.com
Or connect here:
Newsletter ➔ http://bit.ly/2pqkCXq
Bookbub ➔ https://bit.ly/2NgcqCM
Instagram ➔ http://bit.ly/2eUtvFc
FB group ➔ http://on.fb.me/1Kugh9Z
Amazon ➔ https://amzn.to/2V3LomK
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 19, 2020
A pair to remember!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💛🧡🖤
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📒
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
The setting: Okla-f*ck-me-over-homa, San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Texas.
The Hero: Declan – Works as a hitman for a corrupt corporation, an off-the-grid private security contracting organization. His boss is more like a Mob boss. Declan is sent out to take care of people that cross them.
The heroine: Madelyn – Her parents have both died, all she has is her sister Kylie who is a chemist. Madelyn is studying marine biology and got a full ride scholarship to college in San Diego. Since her mother died of cancer, her sister has been pretty absent and acting a bit shady. They live in a trailer home in Oklahoma. Madelyn is very innocent and naïve.
Love Story: Declan is at the trailer park outside their trailer when a severe storm opens up the heavens. Madelyn invites him inside because he says he is a friend of Kylie. Sparks are flying all over the place. After that she sees him again when she is in a dicey situation and he protects her. Madelyn sees him as her hero. Though in reality he is nothing of the sort.
This book was HOT! I loved every minute of it and even went right out an purchased book 1 in the series. That was Kylie’s story. I can’t wait to read that one. Though I don’t see how it could be better than this one. I loved how stoic and broody Declan is, despite him much he wants Madelyn. He wants to protect her but knows he has to use her to find her sister. I just can’t get enough of the attraction between them.
Madelyn is innocent and naïve but also is someone that can hold her own. She takes things as they come and hardens herself when she comes across situations that would freak out a lesser person. Madelyn does some surprising things and is a great heroine. I just loved both of these main characters. I can’t wait to read more of this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💛🧡🖤
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📒
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
The setting: Okla-f*ck-me-over-homa, San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Texas.
The Hero: Declan – Works as a hitman for a corrupt corporation, an off-the-grid private security contracting organization. His boss is more like a Mob boss. Declan is sent out to take care of people that cross them.
The heroine: Madelyn – Her parents have both died, all she has is her sister Kylie who is a chemist. Madelyn is studying marine biology and got a full ride scholarship to college in San Diego. Since her mother died of cancer, her sister has been pretty absent and acting a bit shady. They live in a trailer home in Oklahoma. Madelyn is very innocent and naïve.
Love Story: Declan is at the trailer park outside their trailer when a severe storm opens up the heavens. Madelyn invites him inside because he says he is a friend of Kylie. Sparks are flying all over the place. After that she sees him again when she is in a dicey situation and he protects her. Madelyn sees him as her hero. Though in reality he is nothing of the sort.
This book was HOT! I loved every minute of it and even went right out an purchased book 1 in the series. That was Kylie’s story. I can’t wait to read that one. Though I don’t see how it could be better than this one. I loved how stoic and broody Declan is, despite him much he wants Madelyn. He wants to protect her but knows he has to use her to find her sister. I just can’t get enough of the attraction between them.
Madelyn is innocent and naïve but also is someone that can hold her own. She takes things as they come and hardens herself when she comes across situations that would freak out a lesser person. Madelyn does some surprising things and is a great heroine. I just loved both of these main characters. I can’t wait to read more of this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
October 25, 2016
Five stars all the way, woot woot!
Mercenary was one hell of a mind trip. Secret, lies, deception and powerful Oooo's yeah got hot under the collar on this one. Declan, is too damn sexy, dangerous and ruthless for his own good, Michele Mannon can I have a Mercenary?
Mercenary was one hell of a mind trip. Secret, lies, deception and powerful Oooo's yeah got hot under the collar on this one. Declan, is too damn sexy, dangerous and ruthless for his own good, Michele Mannon can I have a Mercenary?
September 1, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
It's Madelyn's 20th birthday and with her acceptance letter to college in hand, all she wants to do is celebrate with her twin sister Kylie. After their mother and father's death though, Kylie has become increasingly distant and now as Madelyn is three days from leaving, she still hasn't heard from Kylie. Thinking the hot guy out in their yard is friends with Kylie, she invites him in from the storm.
Declan's world doesn’t have such naïve and innocent people in it like Madelyn. Looking for Kylie, his boss has sent him to her sister trying to flush her out. As he tries to protect Madelyn from dangers she has no clue about and stay loyal to his organization, he finds himself in the most dangerous situation he has ever been in, falling in love.
You're my dirtiest, darkest dream. You're my hero.
Mercenary is book two in the Deadliest Lies series and you absolutely should read book one first, I did not and was hopelessly lost for the first half. Book one stars Madelyn's twin sister Kylie and that story appears to be running congruent with the story happening here but there you'd get the foundation for what is happening. Due to me not having read book one or other matters, along with feeling lost, the first half had a very awkward start. This is written in first person with our heroine getting the majority of povs and as she has no clue what is going on, what her sister is involved in and why she might be in danger, we as the reader don't either (the few Declan povs help with that somewhat). The secondary characters, who and what their motivations were, along with the hero and the time jumps from Madelyn being in college, becoming friends with her roommate who is not all she appears, and their trip, felt like one jumbled disjointed mess. Our hero apparently works for a security company called TORC (Madelyn finds out her sister does too) and what they are involved is where the suspense arcs are derive from. I’m not really sure about the motivations of TORC, I guess they’re the standard working for the government but outside of it shady group of former military, or not, it’s not really explained here. Until the second half of the story, I felt like the structure was incoherent.
With the action part of the story not working for me I turned to the romance. Unfortunately, that didn't work for me either; our couple suffers from a severe case of inta-lust and love. The first time our heroine and hero meet, Madelyn invites in a complete stranger, who by her thoughts, looks incredibly dangerous and is holding a knife. Declan, who is supposed to be this borderline psycho, incredibly cold and unfeeling killer, decides he must go against his boss and save her. They kiss and everyone's world is shook, within five minutes of being in the same room together. I didn't feel any chemistry between them and as I said in a reading update their whole relationship and story felt like a teenage girl's fever dream; big bad hot dude instantly falls for sweet innocent virgin then precedes to "save" her but also using her as bait to get her sister.
Maybe the author's writing style isn't for me, there are plenty of high ratings for this with very positive reviews but I honestly could not find any redeeming qualities in the story, characters, or romance. The second half of the book had some sex scenes that were more on the racier side but as I couldn't connect with the couple, they did nothing for me. As I said, the first book stars this heroine's sister and there are obviously other characters featured here that will be getting books of their own later in the series. Great for people who liked this one but I'll be jumping ship here.
It's Madelyn's 20th birthday and with her acceptance letter to college in hand, all she wants to do is celebrate with her twin sister Kylie. After their mother and father's death though, Kylie has become increasingly distant and now as Madelyn is three days from leaving, she still hasn't heard from Kylie. Thinking the hot guy out in their yard is friends with Kylie, she invites him in from the storm.
Declan's world doesn’t have such naïve and innocent people in it like Madelyn. Looking for Kylie, his boss has sent him to her sister trying to flush her out. As he tries to protect Madelyn from dangers she has no clue about and stay loyal to his organization, he finds himself in the most dangerous situation he has ever been in, falling in love.
You're my dirtiest, darkest dream. You're my hero.
Mercenary is book two in the Deadliest Lies series and you absolutely should read book one first, I did not and was hopelessly lost for the first half. Book one stars Madelyn's twin sister Kylie and that story appears to be running congruent with the story happening here but there you'd get the foundation for what is happening. Due to me not having read book one or other matters, along with feeling lost, the first half had a very awkward start. This is written in first person with our heroine getting the majority of povs and as she has no clue what is going on, what her sister is involved in and why she might be in danger, we as the reader don't either (the few Declan povs help with that somewhat). The secondary characters, who and what their motivations were, along with the hero and the time jumps from Madelyn being in college, becoming friends with her roommate who is not all she appears, and their trip, felt like one jumbled disjointed mess. Our hero apparently works for a security company called TORC (Madelyn finds out her sister does too) and what they are involved is where the suspense arcs are derive from. I’m not really sure about the motivations of TORC, I guess they’re the standard working for the government but outside of it shady group of former military, or not, it’s not really explained here. Until the second half of the story, I felt like the structure was incoherent.
With the action part of the story not working for me I turned to the romance. Unfortunately, that didn't work for me either; our couple suffers from a severe case of inta-lust and love. The first time our heroine and hero meet, Madelyn invites in a complete stranger, who by her thoughts, looks incredibly dangerous and is holding a knife. Declan, who is supposed to be this borderline psycho, incredibly cold and unfeeling killer, decides he must go against his boss and save her. They kiss and everyone's world is shook, within five minutes of being in the same room together. I didn't feel any chemistry between them and as I said in a reading update their whole relationship and story felt like a teenage girl's fever dream; big bad hot dude instantly falls for sweet innocent virgin then precedes to "save" her but also using her as bait to get her sister.
Maybe the author's writing style isn't for me, there are plenty of high ratings for this with very positive reviews but I honestly could not find any redeeming qualities in the story, characters, or romance. The second half of the book had some sex scenes that were more on the racier side but as I couldn't connect with the couple, they did nothing for me. As I said, the first book stars this heroine's sister and there are obviously other characters featured here that will be getting books of their own later in the series. Great for people who liked this one but I'll be jumping ship here.
September 10, 2016
Sex, blood, a killer for hire and the naive sister of a black ops soldier on the run for assumed betrayal. Add a deep, dark mystery that is threaded throughout and sizzling erotic romance and, what can I say, looks like Michele Mannon has written herself a page scorching winner with Mercenary.
Madelyn is in danger, thanks to her sister’s possible defection and disappearance. Kylie was always the daring one, the brave one and Madelyn was the studious, and quiet one, the timid one who knew nothing of what her sister did. Now she has become a pawn in a deadly game that has the deadliest mercenary around giving her the protection she needs instead of tracking down and erasing her sister’s life. Declan is dark, his heart is like onyx, but in Madelyn he sees something special, something beautiful that he couldn’t possibly deserve. Holding her virtually a captive, they feel the sparks of a raging inferno of lust, desire and possible love. How the mighty fall when the heart is involved and Madelyn is slowly chipping away at the monster that lives within DeClan.
Not for the faint of heart, this dark and brutal mercenary is 100% alpha, 100% badboy loner and the least likely to be named hero of the year. He is a man of few words, used to taking a woman for all he needs and walking away. And then there’s Madelyn, a little too innocent, a little too naïve and yet, she brings DeClan to his knees as she learns the art of seduction form the master and surpasses his teachings. High on sexual content, high on mystery and intrigue, this erotic tale will scorch your eyeballs as love grows between two unlikely souls.
I was invited to review an ARC edition from Swerve. BIG mistake not having offered book one first...perhaps it should be noted that this is NOT a stand alone.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Deadliest Lies - Book 2
Publisher: Swerve (September 6, 2016)
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 280 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Madelyn is in danger, thanks to her sister’s possible defection and disappearance. Kylie was always the daring one, the brave one and Madelyn was the studious, and quiet one, the timid one who knew nothing of what her sister did. Now she has become a pawn in a deadly game that has the deadliest mercenary around giving her the protection she needs instead of tracking down and erasing her sister’s life. Declan is dark, his heart is like onyx, but in Madelyn he sees something special, something beautiful that he couldn’t possibly deserve. Holding her virtually a captive, they feel the sparks of a raging inferno of lust, desire and possible love. How the mighty fall when the heart is involved and Madelyn is slowly chipping away at the monster that lives within DeClan.
Not for the faint of heart, this dark and brutal mercenary is 100% alpha, 100% badboy loner and the least likely to be named hero of the year. He is a man of few words, used to taking a woman for all he needs and walking away. And then there’s Madelyn, a little too innocent, a little too naïve and yet, she brings DeClan to his knees as she learns the art of seduction form the master and surpasses his teachings. High on sexual content, high on mystery and intrigue, this erotic tale will scorch your eyeballs as love grows between two unlikely souls.
I was invited to review an ARC edition from Swerve. BIG mistake not having offered book one first...perhaps it should be noted that this is NOT a stand alone.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Series: Deadliest Lies - Book 2
Publisher: Swerve (September 6, 2016)
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 280 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 23, 2016
Mercenary is the second book in the Deadliest Lies series by Michele Mannon.
Wow! Loved this super-hot, fast-paced and suspenseful read!
This was my first book by Michele Mannon and I was really impressed by the story telling and writing style.
I’ll definitely read book one in this series and the coming instalments. Cant’ wait for Diego’s story!
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! Loved this super-hot, fast-paced and suspenseful read!
This was my first book by Michele Mannon and I was really impressed by the story telling and writing style.
I’ll definitely read book one in this series and the coming instalments. Cant’ wait for Diego’s story!
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2016
I had thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, Rogue, so when I was offered the opportunity to read an ARC of the second I didn’t hesitate - I jumped at the chance - and I am very glad I did! This is another romantic suspense and continues the story started in the first book - personally I think it helps to have read the first book before this one, but that’s only my opinion.
This time it is Kylie’s sister, Madelyn, that is at the centre of much of the action, however unwittingly as she has no idea about what her sister has been involved in or why others are determined to find her. It is Madelyn’s 20th birthday and she’s home alone, her Dad was murdered, her Mum died and now her big sister keeps disappearing with no explanation. The good news is that she’s been accepted at the college she wanted to study Marine Biology and been given a full scholarship, too. So why is there a strange man with a knife sat on the step of her trailer home? The stranger is Declan and the story is told from the points of view of Madelyn and Declan. Sorry, you’ll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!
This is an action packed suspense, set in with so many twists and turns it keeps the reader turning pages to determine just what is going to happen next. The characters are brilliantly developed - warts and all! There is seriously hot chemistry between Madelyn and Deacon and some very detailed descriptions of the sexual interactions between them, bordering on erotica (something I normally avoid reading - this would have been a 5* read for me without these details, but that's just me, I know!). However, I really want to know what happens next with TORC and to know Diego’s story so it just goes to show how great the plot of this series is.This is a story of an ice man being melted and a naive, innocent young lady proving herself to be strong, determined and a force to be reckoned with in the underworld populated by deception, double dealing, mobsters, terrorists and, of course, mercenaries!
I was gifted a copy of this book by St Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This time it is Kylie’s sister, Madelyn, that is at the centre of much of the action, however unwittingly as she has no idea about what her sister has been involved in or why others are determined to find her. It is Madelyn’s 20th birthday and she’s home alone, her Dad was murdered, her Mum died and now her big sister keeps disappearing with no explanation. The good news is that she’s been accepted at the college she wanted to study Marine Biology and been given a full scholarship, too. So why is there a strange man with a knife sat on the step of her trailer home? The stranger is Declan and the story is told from the points of view of Madelyn and Declan. Sorry, you’ll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!
This is an action packed suspense, set in with so many twists and turns it keeps the reader turning pages to determine just what is going to happen next. The characters are brilliantly developed - warts and all! There is seriously hot chemistry between Madelyn and Deacon and some very detailed descriptions of the sexual interactions between them, bordering on erotica (something I normally avoid reading - this would have been a 5* read for me without these details, but that's just me, I know!). However, I really want to know what happens next with TORC and to know Diego’s story so it just goes to show how great the plot of this series is.This is a story of an ice man being melted and a naive, innocent young lady proving herself to be strong, determined and a force to be reckoned with in the underworld populated by deception, double dealing, mobsters, terrorists and, of course, mercenaries!
I was gifted a copy of this book by St Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2016
Blood and love make an interesting pairing…
Fast-paced. Complicated. At times sexy. Other times, mysterious. All of these can describe this second instalment of the Deadliest Lies series, a story that plays out almost in parallel with the first. If you haven’t read Rogue, do that before starting this one. I read it and, honestly, spent a few times trying to re-orient myself with the characters and the timeline. And it is definitely a story worth spending the time with.
Declan is a man on a mission. He is stoic, determined, driven and deadly. Each one of his many traits rise to the surface in a roller coaster ride of action, intrigue and romance.
“Declan…a tall, blond beast with the personality of a pea…”
How does romance fit into this very non-hearts and flower story? Surprisingly well, actually. Madelyn is smart, routed in common sense but has one blind spot… Declan. And it is very easy to sympathize with her struggle. He can be tender and he can be deadly—lethal to his enemies and kryptonite to a kind, vulnerable heart.
“Whatever happens, understand this. This thing between us is as real as it gets for me.”
While I wish I understood how the two connected so deeply with such little contact in the beginning, and some parts of the story left me a bit lost in the plot, I didn’t want to fuss too much. The results were just too good to quibble over.
I recommend a quiet room and a tall beverage, with lots of time to dive into this intricate romantic suspense. ~ Diane, 4 stars
Fast-paced. Complicated. At times sexy. Other times, mysterious. All of these can describe this second instalment of the Deadliest Lies series, a story that plays out almost in parallel with the first. If you haven’t read Rogue, do that before starting this one. I read it and, honestly, spent a few times trying to re-orient myself with the characters and the timeline. And it is definitely a story worth spending the time with.
Declan is a man on a mission. He is stoic, determined, driven and deadly. Each one of his many traits rise to the surface in a roller coaster ride of action, intrigue and romance.
“Declan…a tall, blond beast with the personality of a pea…”
How does romance fit into this very non-hearts and flower story? Surprisingly well, actually. Madelyn is smart, routed in common sense but has one blind spot… Declan. And it is very easy to sympathize with her struggle. He can be tender and he can be deadly—lethal to his enemies and kryptonite to a kind, vulnerable heart.
“Whatever happens, understand this. This thing between us is as real as it gets for me.”
While I wish I understood how the two connected so deeply with such little contact in the beginning, and some parts of the story left me a bit lost in the plot, I didn’t want to fuss too much. The results were just too good to quibble over.
I recommend a quiet room and a tall beverage, with lots of time to dive into this intricate romantic suspense. ~ Diane, 4 stars
August 31, 2020
Having read the first book in the series, Rogue, I was excited to get to read Mercenary as an ARC also. Unfortunately, it just didn't click with me quite the same as the first.
For me, the frustration was with the heroine, who we are repeatedly told she is innocent, so innocent she often comes across as stupid with literally zero common sense. Despite being tag-lined as an enemies-to-lovers story it was a sad case of insta-lust. Around 35% I started to skim read, with it being such a quick read it didn't feel worth it to not finish.
I liked that this book explored the characters introduced in the first, but because the timelines intertwined there was no real tension since we knew how it was going to turn out. I'll finish the series with the third book, hopefully it was just a fluke that this one fell flat.
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
For me, the frustration was with the heroine, who we are repeatedly told she is innocent, so innocent she often comes across as stupid with literally zero common sense. Despite being tag-lined as an enemies-to-lovers story it was a sad case of insta-lust. Around 35% I started to skim read, with it being such a quick read it didn't feel worth it to not finish.
I liked that this book explored the characters introduced in the first, but because the timelines intertwined there was no real tension since we knew how it was going to turn out. I'll finish the series with the third book, hopefully it was just a fluke that this one fell flat.
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 17, 2020
A very convoluted love story that keeps your attention and makes you wonder what will happen next.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2016
Value 4
Panty Scorching 4.5
Angst 4
Storyline 4
Tissue 1
Overall Rating 4
Holy smokes! This was one high suspense read. I was flipping the pages fast because I had to know what happened. This is book two in a series but can be read as a standalone. Theres some serious chemistry with the characters! LIKE WOW!!!!!! Madelyn and Deacon are freakin smoking hot together.
Madelyn is a sweet little innocent thing. She believes the best in people and has a very sunny disposition when it comes to life. Only her sister, Kiley manages to get her in some seriously deep shit! Little sweet Madelyn gets a first look at life on the shit side when all hell breaks loose. Only she doesn't realize it because shes completely blinded. By the freakin hotness that is Deacon. That man is freakin insanely sexy. Hes a badass in every way. Guns.... yep. Knives.... yep. Abs for days and a hush hush job to make him more mysterious.
Deacon is freakin pissed! Never one to get involved on a personal level he doesn't like how Madelyn breaks his walls down. She tempts him more than any woman should. He wants her so freakin bad! But can he have her? Will he wreck her world? Or will he give into the temptation of the innocent sister? Well youll just have to read and find out because Im not spoiling this hot ass read.
Panty Scorching 4.5
Angst 4
Storyline 4
Tissue 1
Overall Rating 4
Holy smokes! This was one high suspense read. I was flipping the pages fast because I had to know what happened. This is book two in a series but can be read as a standalone. Theres some serious chemistry with the characters! LIKE WOW!!!!!! Madelyn and Deacon are freakin smoking hot together.
Madelyn is a sweet little innocent thing. She believes the best in people and has a very sunny disposition when it comes to life. Only her sister, Kiley manages to get her in some seriously deep shit! Little sweet Madelyn gets a first look at life on the shit side when all hell breaks loose. Only she doesn't realize it because shes completely blinded. By the freakin hotness that is Deacon. That man is freakin insanely sexy. Hes a badass in every way. Guns.... yep. Knives.... yep. Abs for days and a hush hush job to make him more mysterious.
Deacon is freakin pissed! Never one to get involved on a personal level he doesn't like how Madelyn breaks his walls down. She tempts him more than any woman should. He wants her so freakin bad! But can he have her? Will he wreck her world? Or will he give into the temptation of the innocent sister? Well youll just have to read and find out because Im not spoiling this hot ass read.
October 5, 2020
I am gonna be completely honest with you, I requested the book because the guy was hot, but that is probably the only thing I cared for. I know that I am definitely not in the norm as others rated it 5 stars, I could not see why. My second mistake was that I didn't know that this was the second book in the series, and I didn't take my own advice to always read the first book, and normally if I enjoyed this one I would go and read the first one, but I didn't and I wont. So yup was lost, felt this was the book lacking, we have Madelyn who is a college student so with that I would think she would have some brain but I didn't find that. Here is this guy that you thinks looks dangerous and yet because he claims to know your sister you invite him in?. What? then you keep hearing she is innocent, there is innocent and just plain dumb ass and she came across as such. Declan is supposed to be this big badass but one kiss and you are in love, and you are going to go against your big bad boss because you want to save her, not knowing her, What?, well if you want hot sex, and that is all you care for then grab the book, if you want entertainment, dont.
October 6, 2016
Mercenary is what happens when tender love story meets black 0ps thriller. It is also the companion novel to Rogue happening on the same time line and running parallel to the first book so make sure you get them in order for optimal enjoyment.
While Rogue focused on Kylie and Jaxson's story, Mercenary turns it's attention to Kylie's sister, Madelyn and Kylie's fellow operative, Declan. Madelyn is the younger sister. The gentle one. The one who looks for, expects, and sees the bright side. She was hurt by her father's death and her mother's illness, but with Kylie going dark and angry, someone needed to keep calm and hold things together. Madelyn, like Kylie wants out of smalltown Shelby and plans to head off to university to get her marine biology degree and stay by the sea.
Kylie has been acting strangely and now Madelyn has a hardened tough guy silently watching her? Watching over her? She invites the stranger inside for a cupcake and gets her first kiss and on her birthday at that. Then Kylie tells her to run. But instead of being forced to get out on her own, suddenly her stranger is there to drive her to San Diego and deposit her outside the university's gates.
All is going well, she loves school, her best friend roommate, and life though she secretly wonders about Kylie who has stayed disappeared. Then it goes south fast and she is in danger. A call to her stranger brings him running.
Declan is the coldest and the deadliest of Hayden's killers. He is furious with Kylie and plans to use innocent Madelyn as bait. Then she calls him not realizing he has already taken care of the threat that has scared her and not realizing that she has placed herself in the crosshairs of a situation that will probably get her killed and at the very least learn that he plans to kill her sister.
A road trip. Mobsters. Assassins. Betrayal. A woman's hope. Who and what will be left standing?
Alright. As I said, this is a companion story. Because I had read Rogue just recently, I was able to see how this one fit with it tongue and groove. I knew the outcome of the situation for Kylie and why everything was happening as it did. It made this one less edgy than the first book. But for all that, I loved getting what was happening with Madelyn and Declan. It was still a cross between sweet and intense as Madelyn blissfully went forward lacking the knowledge and skills to handle deadly killers, but quietly determined to find her sister while Declan struggled hard with a crisis of conscious and first-time feelings while duty called to him to do what he must no matter how it destroyed his soul.
I am convinced this book would be filled with holes and useless to anyone who skipped over Rogue and tried to read this as a standalone because it closes things out for Declan and Madelyn nicely who have their own adventures and resolutions, but it would leave the reader hanging about what happens to Kylie whose situation permeates this book. In fact, my one niggle is that though I got a resolution at the end of Rogue, I still felt there was a missing piece at the end of Mercenary. Now that I had both sisters' stories, the two halves needed to be joined for at least one scene. It was a little niggle though and I can always go back to Rogue and re-read that end scene to see it with a fuller perspective.
The romance is an opposites attract or even a beauty and the beast style piece. Madelyn slowly brings Declan's heart to life for the first time since he's never known tenderness or love. She patiently waits and accepts all his dark edges and corners- and still loves him. Declan was in a tough situation. He knows the overall situation like Madelyn does not. He knows her sister is the traitor who got his best friend killed. But then he is faced with a woman who quietly stands resolute that her sister is a loyal person and would never betray her word, her promises, or those she loves. And in spite of what he knows and the betrayal he feels, he stands with the opportunity to pull the trigger.
There was a little something else going on with Madelyn's roommate and Hayden. I so badly want to find out their deal even though I'm also eager for the next book and Diego's story.
So, while this one wasn't as edgy as the first book it definitely had it's moments of intense, brutal action and slow building passion. Not so much a suspense, but a strong companion novel that fills in the gaps of the earlier suspense. I think romantic suspense fans who like it sizzling hot and action-packed should give this series a go.
I got this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
While Rogue focused on Kylie and Jaxson's story, Mercenary turns it's attention to Kylie's sister, Madelyn and Kylie's fellow operative, Declan. Madelyn is the younger sister. The gentle one. The one who looks for, expects, and sees the bright side. She was hurt by her father's death and her mother's illness, but with Kylie going dark and angry, someone needed to keep calm and hold things together. Madelyn, like Kylie wants out of smalltown Shelby and plans to head off to university to get her marine biology degree and stay by the sea.
Kylie has been acting strangely and now Madelyn has a hardened tough guy silently watching her? Watching over her? She invites the stranger inside for a cupcake and gets her first kiss and on her birthday at that. Then Kylie tells her to run. But instead of being forced to get out on her own, suddenly her stranger is there to drive her to San Diego and deposit her outside the university's gates.
All is going well, she loves school, her best friend roommate, and life though she secretly wonders about Kylie who has stayed disappeared. Then it goes south fast and she is in danger. A call to her stranger brings him running.
Declan is the coldest and the deadliest of Hayden's killers. He is furious with Kylie and plans to use innocent Madelyn as bait. Then she calls him not realizing he has already taken care of the threat that has scared her and not realizing that she has placed herself in the crosshairs of a situation that will probably get her killed and at the very least learn that he plans to kill her sister.
A road trip. Mobsters. Assassins. Betrayal. A woman's hope. Who and what will be left standing?
Alright. As I said, this is a companion story. Because I had read Rogue just recently, I was able to see how this one fit with it tongue and groove. I knew the outcome of the situation for Kylie and why everything was happening as it did. It made this one less edgy than the first book. But for all that, I loved getting what was happening with Madelyn and Declan. It was still a cross between sweet and intense as Madelyn blissfully went forward lacking the knowledge and skills to handle deadly killers, but quietly determined to find her sister while Declan struggled hard with a crisis of conscious and first-time feelings while duty called to him to do what he must no matter how it destroyed his soul.
I am convinced this book would be filled with holes and useless to anyone who skipped over Rogue and tried to read this as a standalone because it closes things out for Declan and Madelyn nicely who have their own adventures and resolutions, but it would leave the reader hanging about what happens to Kylie whose situation permeates this book. In fact, my one niggle is that though I got a resolution at the end of Rogue, I still felt there was a missing piece at the end of Mercenary. Now that I had both sisters' stories, the two halves needed to be joined for at least one scene. It was a little niggle though and I can always go back to Rogue and re-read that end scene to see it with a fuller perspective.
The romance is an opposites attract or even a beauty and the beast style piece. Madelyn slowly brings Declan's heart to life for the first time since he's never known tenderness or love. She patiently waits and accepts all his dark edges and corners- and still loves him. Declan was in a tough situation. He knows the overall situation like Madelyn does not. He knows her sister is the traitor who got his best friend killed. But then he is faced with a woman who quietly stands resolute that her sister is a loyal person and would never betray her word, her promises, or those she loves. And in spite of what he knows and the betrayal he feels, he stands with the opportunity to pull the trigger.
There was a little something else going on with Madelyn's roommate and Hayden. I so badly want to find out their deal even though I'm also eager for the next book and Diego's story.
So, while this one wasn't as edgy as the first book it definitely had it's moments of intense, brutal action and slow building passion. Not so much a suspense, but a strong companion novel that fills in the gaps of the earlier suspense. I think romantic suspense fans who like it sizzling hot and action-packed should give this series a go.
I got this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2016
"Mercenary", is Ms Mannon's second book in her Deadliest Lies series . In this book the intrigue and suspense continue and the plot line for this story runs concurrent with the plot line from her first book Rogue, this story follows Kylies sister Madelyn and what is going on with herald how what Kylie does affects her life.
Never fear you can read this as a standalone and Rogue as a standalone as well .
While Kylie is gone and Madelyn is at their trailer on her own wondering if her sister will come home for her birthday ? Kylie may not be home but their is a strange man on her doorstep and since he had not knocked or attempted to force his way in she can only assume this muscle bound hulk of a man is waiting for Kylie. However when a heavy Oklahoma storm runs through Madelyn can not in good concuois leave him on the porch in this storm. Madelyn invites him in , but he does not answer , the ever trusting Madelyn leaves the door unlocked and goes back to the cupcakes she baked when he finally comes inside; quickly retrieving a towel for the dripping man Madelyn wonders what her sister Kylie would think of her inviting a stranger inside, when she returns to the kitchen she is struck dumb by the site if this man licking his fingers, his wet shirt sticking to every flexing muscle on his body and his incredibly beautiful face and gorgeous green eyes. twenty todayandnever been kissed but this man is making her want more than just a kiss, she should probably be afraid. Of him, his size and the danger he exudes, but her bodies response is not allowing that.
Declan felt her watching him through the door, he can not get over how trusting his beauty is. He was sent by his boss at TORC to check up on Kylie, what he found was Madelyn home alone and three of Dicapitano's men getting ready to break in to the trailer. Three quick shots and dragging their bodies behind the trailer took care of that issue , but left him playing protector, why he is unsure he just knows he can not leave her alone.now standing in her kitchen looking at her his body is making some suggestions as to what he should do with this very naive girl, but as far as Declan's is concerned he is a brutal killer that no one should want , nevermind Madelyn. Just one kiss before he leaves though.
After Madelyn gets her very first kiss and he walks out the door Kylie eventually comes home but it is to drag Madelyn form the house, not to celebrate her birthday. Kylie takes her to the Pitt, a local restaurant leaving he with her bags and orders that if she doesn't come back for her tonight she is to leave Shelby , head off to college in Sandiego as planned and not look back.
When closing time comes Madelyn finds herself alone and facing the walk to the bus station with three bags in the dark , alone that is until the green eyed mystery man shows up and picks her up.
That is pretty much the last thing Madelyn remembers , other than drinking a bottle of water before he is waking her up in Sandiego and telling her to get out of the truck.
Four months later Madelyn is on spring break with her roommate Lucia in Cabo and her soon to be Boyfreind , when the proverbial shirt hits the fan, Lucia is attacked and they thought that she was Madelyn. Madelyn can not help but feel this has something to with Kylie, but she finds herself on the run again, thinking of her mysterious green eyed protector , the very man who brought her to college, set her up wi ten grand in cash and wrote his hen number n a bill with a note, call in an emergency. Which is exactly what she does.
What Madelyn does not know is that Declan has been following her for a while, his intention to use her to get to Kylie since Hayden issued the pick up order. Unfortunately for the big bad Mercenary , Madelyn has a way of wearimg down his resolve. Perhaps it is all the wicked sex he wants to have with her.
These two,find themselves together n the hunt for Kylie with only Declan knowing that they are at cross purposes, but the nore intimate they become, the less Declan wants to risk loosing Madelyn to his job.
Mayhem and danger await these two. Can Madelyn talk Declan into allowing her inside? Will they get a happy ending ? Will they survive ?
At. Graciously provided via Netgalley for an honest review .
Never fear you can read this as a standalone and Rogue as a standalone as well .
While Kylie is gone and Madelyn is at their trailer on her own wondering if her sister will come home for her birthday ? Kylie may not be home but their is a strange man on her doorstep and since he had not knocked or attempted to force his way in she can only assume this muscle bound hulk of a man is waiting for Kylie. However when a heavy Oklahoma storm runs through Madelyn can not in good concuois leave him on the porch in this storm. Madelyn invites him in , but he does not answer , the ever trusting Madelyn leaves the door unlocked and goes back to the cupcakes she baked when he finally comes inside; quickly retrieving a towel for the dripping man Madelyn wonders what her sister Kylie would think of her inviting a stranger inside, when she returns to the kitchen she is struck dumb by the site if this man licking his fingers, his wet shirt sticking to every flexing muscle on his body and his incredibly beautiful face and gorgeous green eyes. twenty todayandnever been kissed but this man is making her want more than just a kiss, she should probably be afraid. Of him, his size and the danger he exudes, but her bodies response is not allowing that.
Declan felt her watching him through the door, he can not get over how trusting his beauty is. He was sent by his boss at TORC to check up on Kylie, what he found was Madelyn home alone and three of Dicapitano's men getting ready to break in to the trailer. Three quick shots and dragging their bodies behind the trailer took care of that issue , but left him playing protector, why he is unsure he just knows he can not leave her alone.now standing in her kitchen looking at her his body is making some suggestions as to what he should do with this very naive girl, but as far as Declan's is concerned he is a brutal killer that no one should want , nevermind Madelyn. Just one kiss before he leaves though.
After Madelyn gets her very first kiss and he walks out the door Kylie eventually comes home but it is to drag Madelyn form the house, not to celebrate her birthday. Kylie takes her to the Pitt, a local restaurant leaving he with her bags and orders that if she doesn't come back for her tonight she is to leave Shelby , head off to college in Sandiego as planned and not look back.
When closing time comes Madelyn finds herself alone and facing the walk to the bus station with three bags in the dark , alone that is until the green eyed mystery man shows up and picks her up.
That is pretty much the last thing Madelyn remembers , other than drinking a bottle of water before he is waking her up in Sandiego and telling her to get out of the truck.
Four months later Madelyn is on spring break with her roommate Lucia in Cabo and her soon to be Boyfreind , when the proverbial shirt hits the fan, Lucia is attacked and they thought that she was Madelyn. Madelyn can not help but feel this has something to with Kylie, but she finds herself on the run again, thinking of her mysterious green eyed protector , the very man who brought her to college, set her up wi ten grand in cash and wrote his hen number n a bill with a note, call in an emergency. Which is exactly what she does.
What Madelyn does not know is that Declan has been following her for a while, his intention to use her to get to Kylie since Hayden issued the pick up order. Unfortunately for the big bad Mercenary , Madelyn has a way of wearimg down his resolve. Perhaps it is all the wicked sex he wants to have with her.
These two,find themselves together n the hunt for Kylie with only Declan knowing that they are at cross purposes, but the nore intimate they become, the less Declan wants to risk loosing Madelyn to his job.
Mayhem and danger await these two. Can Madelyn talk Declan into allowing her inside? Will they get a happy ending ? Will they survive ?
At. Graciously provided via Netgalley for an honest review .
Want to read
September 8, 2020💝
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
💝
September 1, 2020
ARC received for review
DNF
I tried, multiple times, but I just don't see the connection or anything..
DNF
I tried, multiple times, but I just don't see the connection or anything..
March 24, 2017
I originally saw the blurb for Mercenary before I found out about Rogue. I really wanted to read Mercenary and was offered Rogue as well for reviewing. Good thing I did! Word of warning to anyone who hasn't read Rogue before reading Mercenary - don't. These two books run do not run in sequential order, it's more of concurrently. The first book was all about Madelyn’s sister, how she is accused of betraying TORC and getting her lover killed. This book is happening roughly at the same time, so we are experiencing Madelyn’s perspective of her sister missing and why Declan is in the picture.
I have to keep reminding myself that Madelyn is Kylie’s sister because the two are complete opposites. Sweet, compassionate, with a glass-half-full on life, and sometimes rather naïve. That’s not to say she’s stupid, actually she’s very smart. It’s her lack of life experiences, and her still intact virginity, that have me calling her naïve. However, once Declan enters the picture, life gives her a violent crash course. Declan is also nothing like Madelyn. Hard, cold, a killer…and he just can’t help but not follow through on his orders where she is concerned.
On top of being face-paced, there’s quite a bit of violence and action in this book, not all is brought on by Declan. As much as Kylie wanted Madelyn far away from all the danger, she just can stay away from it. Poor girl is a danger magnet! It doesn’t help that Declan is using her as bait, but somewhere along the line, his heart gets the better of him. And lust, don’t forget the lust because there are some smoking hot moments to burn up the pages. As for their HEA, let’s just say it’s as cute as a baby elephant. LOL!!!
There’s a few returning characters, including the very perplexing Hayden. In addition, a new character, Luciana, was introduced. She’s Madelyn’s bestie and Diego’s sister, also previous character who makes an appearance as well. Without giving too much away, I’m going to just say that there is some kind of connection between Luciana and Hayden and I can’t wait to find out what it is. Sadly (or maybe not), theirs isn’t the next story to be told. That honor goes to Diego and to tell the truth, I can’t wait to read that one either. Now the waiting game for the next release begins.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine.
Stars - 4.5, Flames - 3
I have to keep reminding myself that Madelyn is Kylie’s sister because the two are complete opposites. Sweet, compassionate, with a glass-half-full on life, and sometimes rather naïve. That’s not to say she’s stupid, actually she’s very smart. It’s her lack of life experiences, and her still intact virginity, that have me calling her naïve. However, once Declan enters the picture, life gives her a violent crash course. Declan is also nothing like Madelyn. Hard, cold, a killer…and he just can’t help but not follow through on his orders where she is concerned.
On top of being face-paced, there’s quite a bit of violence and action in this book, not all is brought on by Declan. As much as Kylie wanted Madelyn far away from all the danger, she just can stay away from it. Poor girl is a danger magnet! It doesn’t help that Declan is using her as bait, but somewhere along the line, his heart gets the better of him. And lust, don’t forget the lust because there are some smoking hot moments to burn up the pages. As for their HEA, let’s just say it’s as cute as a baby elephant. LOL!!!
There’s a few returning characters, including the very perplexing Hayden. In addition, a new character, Luciana, was introduced. She’s Madelyn’s bestie and Diego’s sister, also previous character who makes an appearance as well. Without giving too much away, I’m going to just say that there is some kind of connection between Luciana and Hayden and I can’t wait to find out what it is. Sadly (or maybe not), theirs isn’t the next story to be told. That honor goes to Diego and to tell the truth, I can’t wait to read that one either. Now the waiting game for the next release begins.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine.
Stars - 4.5, Flames - 3
August 11, 2016
"You never run, that's what you told me. But Declan you're running...from me."
The stone cold killer meets his ultimate match when he gets involved in the muddy waters left behind by Kylie and Jaxson. One his only friend, the other...yet to be decided yet she holds his friends heart in the palm of her hand. Sent to end the mission any way he can instead he comes face to face with the one thing he never planned on - a woman who melts the ice encasing his heart. Madelyn is Kylie's sister and should be a well kept secret from the organisation and it's enemies but Kylie hasn't managed to hide her so well...drawing unwanted attention from numerous angles Madelyn finds herself at the mercy of the man who stole her first kiss and won her heart. Declan, the hired mercenary, finds himself adrift whenever he is near the innocently naive young woman. Planning on saving her, using her, manipulating her his plans are in disarray the moment she realises she means something more to him. Battling his training and his preference to remain stone cold Madelyn fights him for his love whilst navigating the rocky road get sister unwittingly set her upon. Set in the same time frame to Rogue, we learn how Declan danced with the devil for what he has claimed as his whilst Madelyn finds out the truth of her father's death and the lengths her sister will go to to avenge him.
Another breathtaking thriller in this series as more characters are explored and introduced. Hayden is an enigma and seems cold hearted and calculating yet Rome seems to hold the key his icy demeanor. Diego and his sister I also feel we will see more of in future books. It's fast paced and action packed, a non stop emotional rollercoaster as Madelyn fights for her sister's survival and for her love to have a chance to blossom. I really enjoyed this story and this series. I like the writing style and with each story I feel more part of the secret organisation as layers are revealed as to the who and why.
A fantastic four star high body count read.
~*~ Netgalley provided an arc in exchange for an honest review ~*~
The stone cold killer meets his ultimate match when he gets involved in the muddy waters left behind by Kylie and Jaxson. One his only friend, the other...yet to be decided yet she holds his friends heart in the palm of her hand. Sent to end the mission any way he can instead he comes face to face with the one thing he never planned on - a woman who melts the ice encasing his heart. Madelyn is Kylie's sister and should be a well kept secret from the organisation and it's enemies but Kylie hasn't managed to hide her so well...drawing unwanted attention from numerous angles Madelyn finds herself at the mercy of the man who stole her first kiss and won her heart. Declan, the hired mercenary, finds himself adrift whenever he is near the innocently naive young woman. Planning on saving her, using her, manipulating her his plans are in disarray the moment she realises she means something more to him. Battling his training and his preference to remain stone cold Madelyn fights him for his love whilst navigating the rocky road get sister unwittingly set her upon. Set in the same time frame to Rogue, we learn how Declan danced with the devil for what he has claimed as his whilst Madelyn finds out the truth of her father's death and the lengths her sister will go to to avenge him.
Another breathtaking thriller in this series as more characters are explored and introduced. Hayden is an enigma and seems cold hearted and calculating yet Rome seems to hold the key his icy demeanor. Diego and his sister I also feel we will see more of in future books. It's fast paced and action packed, a non stop emotional rollercoaster as Madelyn fights for her sister's survival and for her love to have a chance to blossom. I really enjoyed this story and this series. I like the writing style and with each story I feel more part of the secret organisation as layers are revealed as to the who and why.
A fantastic four star high body count read.
~*~ Netgalley provided an arc in exchange for an honest review ~*~
August 29, 2016
This book is the second in the Deadliest Lies series, and I would say that you probably shouldn't read it as a stand alone. I read the first in the series and was able to follow along easily, but I think if you only read this book by itself you may end up a little confused as to what is going on at times. If books that contain violence aren't your thing then I would probably skip this one, it IS about mercenaries after all. lol!
Madelyn is a bit sheltered and also a naive, trusting, and honest person. She is also a virgin with big dreams to get out of her small, dangerous town and go to college. Her mother recently passed away and her sister has been pulling a disappearing act so she is lonely most of the time. When she first sees Declan, she is instantly drawn to him and attracted to him.
Declan has always been a cold-hearted mercenary, until he meets Madelyn. Even he doesn't understand why he feels the need to help her. He feels the chemistry between the two of them but tries not to act on it because he "knows" Madelyn is to sweet and good for him. He's been tasked with hunting down Madelyn's traitor sister and uses Madelyn to draw her out of hiding.
I am definitely in the minority when I say this, but I didn't end up enjoying this one quite as much as the first one. I felt like it took a while for it to really get going. I lost interest a few times and had to come back to it. It took me a while to really feel the connection between the two of them. They just didn't have the same spark as the couple from the first book (in my opinion). I also thought Madelyn was way too forgiving when she found out that Declan was using her to get her sister to come out of hiding so he could kill her. I feel like she should have maybe had some stronger feelings about that.
** I received an ARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
Madelyn is a bit sheltered and also a naive, trusting, and honest person. She is also a virgin with big dreams to get out of her small, dangerous town and go to college. Her mother recently passed away and her sister has been pulling a disappearing act so she is lonely most of the time. When she first sees Declan, she is instantly drawn to him and attracted to him.
Declan has always been a cold-hearted mercenary, until he meets Madelyn. Even he doesn't understand why he feels the need to help her. He feels the chemistry between the two of them but tries not to act on it because he "knows" Madelyn is to sweet and good for him. He's been tasked with hunting down Madelyn's traitor sister and uses Madelyn to draw her out of hiding.
I am definitely in the minority when I say this, but I didn't end up enjoying this one quite as much as the first one. I felt like it took a while for it to really get going. I lost interest a few times and had to come back to it. It took me a while to really feel the connection between the two of them. They just didn't have the same spark as the couple from the first book (in my opinion). I also thought Madelyn was way too forgiving when she found out that Declan was using her to get her sister to come out of hiding so he could kill her. I feel like she should have maybe had some stronger feelings about that.
** I received an ARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
August 13, 2016
Wow! There was a LOT of heat packed into this book. I had to take a minute to cool down after each scene, because it was...wow. I would call this an erotic romance, with lots and lots of spice with some romance sprinkled in to make it a little less insta-lust. Even though that's basically what it was. Love came eventually, but not until after many, many pages of...you know.
Madelyn is on the run. She has no idea what from. All she knows are two things: (1) Her sister is missing, and (2) She has a protector. Her protector is Declan, a man who is as dangerous as he looks, and his muscles say a lot about what he does for a living. He may be a mercenary, but Madelyn has him hooked with an emotion he is entirely unfamiliar with. He tries to keep his distance, but when Madelyn's friend is attacked and she narrowly escapes, he comes to Madelyn's rescue. Together they run, and he agrees to help her search for her sister. Little does Madelyn know that Declan is actually on the job. His mission? To find and kill her sister.
Madelyn and Declan had an interesting relationship. It was really fast in developing, mostly because of all the lust floating around between the two of them. Madelyn is a virgin, and she can think of no better person to lose her virginity to. So she has some virgin hots for the sexy man who really has to restrain himself from taking what she's offering. Declan is a bit frustrating at times, and I found that I never truly understood him. Madelyn was a sweetie, a lot naive, but she was a character I loved. She really developed as the story progressed, and I enjoyed reading the outcome.
I'm really interested in reading the next book! And the one before this, actually. The first book is about Madelyn's sister, Kylie. The next book is about Declan's "co-worker", Diego. Should be pretty steamy! Can't wait to read it.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Madelyn is on the run. She has no idea what from. All she knows are two things: (1) Her sister is missing, and (2) She has a protector. Her protector is Declan, a man who is as dangerous as he looks, and his muscles say a lot about what he does for a living. He may be a mercenary, but Madelyn has him hooked with an emotion he is entirely unfamiliar with. He tries to keep his distance, but when Madelyn's friend is attacked and she narrowly escapes, he comes to Madelyn's rescue. Together they run, and he agrees to help her search for her sister. Little does Madelyn know that Declan is actually on the job. His mission? To find and kill her sister.
Madelyn and Declan had an interesting relationship. It was really fast in developing, mostly because of all the lust floating around between the two of them. Madelyn is a virgin, and she can think of no better person to lose her virginity to. So she has some virgin hots for the sexy man who really has to restrain himself from taking what she's offering. Declan is a bit frustrating at times, and I found that I never truly understood him. Madelyn was a sweetie, a lot naive, but she was a character I loved. She really developed as the story progressed, and I enjoyed reading the outcome.
I'm really interested in reading the next book! And the one before this, actually. The first book is about Madelyn's sister, Kylie. The next book is about Declan's "co-worker", Diego. Should be pretty steamy! Can't wait to read it.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
September 2, 2016
Still a virgin, never been kissed, twenty years old and off to college to study marine biology – Kylie’s sister Madelyn is the heroine of book two in the deadliest lies series that deals with a secret group known as TORC. The alpha hero of this book is Declan - a ruthless assassin that just might have a kernel of humanity buried somewhere inside.
Told in first person from both viewpoints this is a fast-paced, intense, scorching story that parallels part of the timeline of the first book. Madelyn is naïve but quick to learn. She is intuitive, intelligent and knows what she wants – she wants Declan. Declan has orders and those orders, if followed, will not bring happiness to either Madelyn or Declan. The question is…can it work out so that there be a HEA for the two of them.
Luciana, the sister of Diego (a TORC operative), was introduced in this book with a hint dropped that she may eventually end up with Hayden (the head or TORC) in a future book – at least that is what I am thinking might happen. And, the next book seems to be for Diego so my guess is there will be at least one if not two more books in this series and I look forward to reading as many as there may be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Told in first person from both viewpoints this is a fast-paced, intense, scorching story that parallels part of the timeline of the first book. Madelyn is naïve but quick to learn. She is intuitive, intelligent and knows what she wants – she wants Declan. Declan has orders and those orders, if followed, will not bring happiness to either Madelyn or Declan. The question is…can it work out so that there be a HEA for the two of them.
Luciana, the sister of Diego (a TORC operative), was introduced in this book with a hint dropped that she may eventually end up with Hayden (the head or TORC) in a future book – at least that is what I am thinking might happen. And, the next book seems to be for Diego so my guess is there will be at least one if not two more books in this series and I look forward to reading as many as there may be.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Mercenary is the second book of the Deadliest Lies series. In this book we learn more about Madelyn, Kylie's sister from the first book, Rogue. Madelyn is unaware of her sister's "secret" life and is getting ready to head off to college on the west coast. Outside of her trailer there is a mysterious man, who unbeknown to her is going to change her life. Declan is drawn to the innocent and naive Madelyn who has no idea the danger she is in. This is the beginning of a great story where Madelyn's eyes are opened to a world she had no idea existed. Michele Mannon has written the women in her stories that are strong in the most adverse of situations. This is true of Madelyn. Declan is a conflicted character. I enjoyed reading and discovering the many layers of the "Declan onion." Each discovery endearing me to him. That he is very alpha male just adds to his appeal. We also meet Luciana, Diego's sister in this story. The ever present manipulator Hayden is in this story too but alas a glimpse on a facet of the head of TORC makes you start to wonder... Hayden is that character that you love to hate. The author writes an exciting tale and I cannot wait for Hit Man.
Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon an Alpha
Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon an Alpha
November 27, 2016
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review. Also reviewed for Alina Melinda's Reads
Holly mother of clusterfucks!
You really can't trust any of these characters.
Now this is the kind of story that if you're not constantly paying attention you will more than probably get lost. At first Mercenary didn't made any sense and the first half of the book confused me. I had to stop and seek a few good reviews for Rogue . Mercenary cannot be read as a stand alone. You need to read the first book, Rogue, or you won't have any base to the story. After a few reviews I was able to keep up with the story line of Mercenary, but I'll admit that I have to get back and read Rogue myself..
The author's writing style is not helping either, not easily understood and might not be for everyone.
This is a great action- suspense book with lots of twists and turns . I'm looking forward to read Rogue and Hit Man next.
Holly mother of clusterfucks!
You really can't trust any of these characters.
Now this is the kind of story that if you're not constantly paying attention you will more than probably get lost. At first Mercenary didn't made any sense and the first half of the book confused me. I had to stop and seek a few good reviews for Rogue . Mercenary cannot be read as a stand alone. You need to read the first book, Rogue, or you won't have any base to the story. After a few reviews I was able to keep up with the story line of Mercenary, but I'll admit that I have to get back and read Rogue myself..
The author's writing style is not helping either, not easily understood and might not be for everyone.
This is a great action- suspense book with lots of twists and turns . I'm looking forward to read Rogue and Hit Man next.
September 6, 2016
Madelyn is 20 years old innocent woman going to collage to be a marine biologist, sees a man outside by her door , lets him in cause the weather is bad. The man is sexy as sin and Madelyn can't help herself and wants to know more about him. The man is very quite and tells her you shouldn't have invited me in stay away. Madelyn sister Kylie tells her to leave and then just disappears then the man comes back and brings her to California. Crazy up and down book very suspenseful you never know what's gonna happen next. Who is lying? Who can you trust? Will Madelyn and Kylie make it out alive? Who is the mystery man? Very good book I was hooked instantly! Perfect ending too! 5/5 stars Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
August 15, 2016
I sometimes wonder if Madelyn intentionally drives her man bananas to see his possessive side:
“Are all ***ks this beautiful?” she asks.
“You’ll never find out,” I choke out.
She laughs. “I love how you’re so possessive.”
With a growl, I roll her onto her back and tug off her shorts...
I really liked this book, Declan was bossy, an ***, demanding and a total sexy alpha.
August 9, 2016
via netgalley
Declan and Madeline oh boy. This book was so freaking good. Declan the bad boy/hero. Umm he can come protect me any day of the week. Declan is a stone cold killer and Madeline is an optimist. Always seeing the good in people, which just keeps pissing Declan off. This was so good cannot wait to read more from this author.
Declan and Madeline oh boy. This book was so freaking good. Declan the bad boy/hero. Umm he can come protect me any day of the week. Declan is a stone cold killer and Madeline is an optimist. Always seeing the good in people, which just keeps pissing Declan off. This was so good cannot wait to read more from this author.
Read
August 29, 20163 stars, review to follow on Boundless Book Reviews
October 28, 2019
This book is about Declan, stone cold and Madelyn, innocent & trusting...two polar opposites. This is another edgy, sizzling story that will keep you flipping pages. Really enjoyed it.
August 29, 2016
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
I have not read the first in this series, however this did not affect my reading of book 2.
There is a heck of a lot going on in Mercenary. From the strange man on her doorstep to the last word, Madelyn and Declan's story is full of mystery, suspense, intrigue and is packing a whole lot of heat.
I was never completely sure who is the good guy, who I could trust, and who I liked or didn't like.
I did like Declan, even with all his coming and going, faffing around trying to make up his mind about Madelyn. I wanted to junk punch him and hug him at the same time.
I liked that Madelyn wasn't one of those woe-is-me women. She was pretty tough considering what was going on.
it has been a few days and I still haven't made up my mind about the instigator of all Madelyn's current problems. Not sure whether I love or hate them for things that have happened.
It did take me a few reads to get through this book - but this is probably just me and my headspace at the time.
This is my first Michele Mannon book, and I will read more as I come across them.
I have not read the first in this series, however this did not affect my reading of book 2.
There is a heck of a lot going on in Mercenary. From the strange man on her doorstep to the last word, Madelyn and Declan's story is full of mystery, suspense, intrigue and is packing a whole lot of heat.
I was never completely sure who is the good guy, who I could trust, and who I liked or didn't like.
I did like Declan, even with all his coming and going, faffing around trying to make up his mind about Madelyn. I wanted to junk punch him and hug him at the same time.
I liked that Madelyn wasn't one of those woe-is-me women. She was pretty tough considering what was going on.
it has been a few days and I still haven't made up my mind about the instigator of all Madelyn's current problems. Not sure whether I love or hate them for things that have happened.
It did take me a few reads to get through this book - but this is probably just me and my headspace at the time.
This is my first Michele Mannon book, and I will read more as I come across them.
September 23, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author and even though it was in the middle of the series I wasn't lost while reading it. It starts right off into the story which I love and it slowly builds as the story progresses.
Madelyn has no clue what her sister Kylie has been involved in or that she has brought it right to her and doorstep. Madelyn comes home to celebrate her birthday and finish packing for college when she notices a man across from their trailer. Declan is the mysterious man outside the trailer watching Madelyn trying to figure out if she is as innocent as she looks or if she's been involved with what her sister as been doing. Men have been sent to use Madelyn to bring her sister out in the open. However no one could foresee who would end up being a key person in her survival.
Declan doesn't know what it is about Madelyn but he is drawn to her and starts to deviate from the mission. Madelyn is attracted to the sexy silent stranger that repeatedly aids her when things go sideways. Neither is sure what the future holds or if they can truly trust one another but they're together just the same. Declan doesn't share anything other than he name with her until it becomes absolutely necessary not sure what he plans to do about Madelyn so he takes it a day at a time. Even though he has told her nothing beyond his name she blindly does whatever he says until her sister shows back up and gives her a warning about who and what Declan really is.
This is a great story with strong amazing characters. I will definitely go back and read the first before I continue with this amazing series. If you haven't read any from this series you're really missing out. I would recommend this to anyone that loves to lose themselves in a great story.
I got a copy of this for an honest review.
Madelyn has no clue what her sister Kylie has been involved in or that she has brought it right to her and doorstep. Madelyn comes home to celebrate her birthday and finish packing for college when she notices a man across from their trailer. Declan is the mysterious man outside the trailer watching Madelyn trying to figure out if she is as innocent as she looks or if she's been involved with what her sister as been doing. Men have been sent to use Madelyn to bring her sister out in the open. However no one could foresee who would end up being a key person in her survival.
Declan doesn't know what it is about Madelyn but he is drawn to her and starts to deviate from the mission. Madelyn is attracted to the sexy silent stranger that repeatedly aids her when things go sideways. Neither is sure what the future holds or if they can truly trust one another but they're together just the same. Declan doesn't share anything other than he name with her until it becomes absolutely necessary not sure what he plans to do about Madelyn so he takes it a day at a time. Even though he has told her nothing beyond his name she blindly does whatever he says until her sister shows back up and gives her a warning about who and what Declan really is.
This is a great story with strong amazing characters. I will definitely go back and read the first before I continue with this amazing series. If you haven't read any from this series you're really missing out. I would recommend this to anyone that loves to lose themselves in a great story.
I got a copy of this for an honest review.
October 9, 2016
Review can be read at It's About The Book
4.5 stars
After reading the first book, Rogue, I came to this book a little better prepared. However, there were still a lot of surprises and things I hadn’t caught in the first story. Mercenary runs concurrently with the first one, but the reader is seeing things from a very different point of view–Kylie’s sister Madelyn.
Madelyn had just turned twenty the day the stranger showed up outside the trailer she and her sister had moved into. She was getting ready to move to San Diego for college on a full scholarship, but really she just wanted to get the hell out of Shelby, Oklahoma. It had changed since the mob had moved in… especially after the death of her father in a gang-related drive-by shooting. Her mother had just died from cancer, and her sister Kylie had become distant and secretive. When everything gets cocked up and Kylie disappears, Madelyn’s left to the tender mercies of the stranger outside her trailer. He’s the only one there, the only one she trusts.
Declan knows he should leave Madelyn alone, but he can’t. He knows he’s no good for her, but something keeps him searching her out, continuing to protect her. Even though Kylie had betrayed the company and left his friend dead, he just can’t bring himself to blame Madelyn for her sister’s mistakes.
Or for being so attracted to her.
The writing is great and the intensity builds, especially between Madelyn and Declan. The mystery continues and ramps up because while Madelyn is smart, she’s in the dark about so much that’s going on. I couldn’t wait to read this after the first book, and I highly recommend this series if you like romantic suspense and alpha men. Thanks!
4.5 stars
After reading the first book, Rogue, I came to this book a little better prepared. However, there were still a lot of surprises and things I hadn’t caught in the first story. Mercenary runs concurrently with the first one, but the reader is seeing things from a very different point of view–Kylie’s sister Madelyn.
Madelyn had just turned twenty the day the stranger showed up outside the trailer she and her sister had moved into. She was getting ready to move to San Diego for college on a full scholarship, but really she just wanted to get the hell out of Shelby, Oklahoma. It had changed since the mob had moved in… especially after the death of her father in a gang-related drive-by shooting. Her mother had just died from cancer, and her sister Kylie had become distant and secretive. When everything gets cocked up and Kylie disappears, Madelyn’s left to the tender mercies of the stranger outside her trailer. He’s the only one there, the only one she trusts.
Declan knows he should leave Madelyn alone, but he can’t. He knows he’s no good for her, but something keeps him searching her out, continuing to protect her. Even though Kylie had betrayed the company and left his friend dead, he just can’t bring himself to blame Madelyn for her sister’s mistakes.
Or for being so attracted to her.
The writing is great and the intensity builds, especially between Madelyn and Declan. The mystery continues and ramps up because while Madelyn is smart, she’s in the dark about so much that’s going on. I couldn’t wait to read this after the first book, and I highly recommend this series if you like romantic suspense and alpha men. Thanks!
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