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Lord Have Mercy

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THERE’S A DARKNESS WARRING WITHIN HER, AND IT’S ABOUT TO BREAK FREE…

Lucifer's time has come for the outcome of his failed rebellion to be righted. When the Lord of all Demons is seated on Heaven's throne, he will revel in the sight of God powerless at his feet. All he requires is the one thing he could never claim to possess, until now—Mercy.

Mercy Aymes always thought she was a normal girl living a normal life, until five years on from the mysterious disappearance of her parents that left her world a seething pit of black, she finds herself thrust into the chaos of unfamiliar territory. It’s more than the torments of her past that stalk her through the cold and lonely halls of the Lincoln boarding school.

In a desperate bid for survival, Mercy races for an escape from the wickedness of the school’s notorious bully, and stumbles on the secrets of the Lincoln towers, hidden from the mortal realm for hundreds of years. With the blinders torn from her eyes, Mercy’s world fractures at the sight of true monsters—but the eyes of their King are only for her.

Though captivated by the discovery of an odd array of Gargoyles, Mercy finds more than solace in the silent presence of one she favours above all. But when a powerful connection to the stone figure claims her heart, it’s not long before the mysteries of Mercy’s life unravel.

The discovery of unfavourable blood ties propels Mercy into an age-old war that splits the realms and tears her heart in two. Soon, she must choose which side is to dominate her future, as she faces unfathomable dangers from both forces.

The Archangels want her dead and the Devil wants her to lead. But whose side are the Gargoyles on?

LORD HAVE MERCY is a gripping paranormal, dark fantasy that will transport fantasy fans to a fascinating world, filled with suspense, danger, and paranormal romance. This fantasy is the epitome of the universal conflict between good and evil. This vividly drawn cast of Angels, Demons and Gargoyles embark on a battle for the realms and humanity. A journey of self-discovery, friendship, love, and heartache along with engaging and lovable characters.

REVIEW:
“In a story about the consequences of choices, we follow Mercy Aymes as she embarks upon the biggest choice of them all: to follow the light or the darkness. It’s not as easy a choice as you might think, especially when you don’t fall into one neat little box. Especially when you are judged by your heredity instead of your actions. Well written, and a page turner to the end, this book is well worth reading.” Written by Rick Hall

470 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read

About the author

H.M. Mills

3 books60 followers
Born in Manchester UK H M Mills sailed on the S. S. Australis in 1974 bound for Australia.
She graduated with a Diploma of Equine Industry Management, working in the industry & raised a family & menagerie of Horses, Dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks and guinea pigs, Now fur baby free she dedicates her time to her family and writing.
After a full and unbelievably chaotic life she moved to Northern Tasmania, an Island state of Australia, picking up pen and paper again, having found a peaceful place to write her first Novel yet to be edited and published.
Lord Have Mercy is the second book she wrote to completion, though first to have been published. Mercy on Your Soul is the sequel to LHM and was released on the 2nd March 2021. She is currently editing a stand alone Novel and has several other works in the pipeline to share in the not too distant future.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Kylie Scott.
508 reviews32 followers
February 3, 2023
H.M. Mills writes like a natural, it’s hard to believe it’s her first published book. It’s flawless in its entirety, from the magnificent storyline, to each character and the way it’s written. I often found myself with goosebumps reading her explanations of touch, they way she can make stone feel alive even in one’s imagination is extraordinary.
I found myself thinking about a YA series I read many years ago, Lauren Kates, Fallen series. This has a similar feel, the whole good v’s evil, Angels and Demons. While similar in baseline ideas, it’s completely different, it felt more exciting, more realistic, more for the grown up me, even with the main character being 17.

This is I book I highly recommend, it’s the type of book that I could read many times over, and I don’t say that often. If you are after a long read, it’s definitely for you, though I admit, I devoured it. Like a magnet I was drawn to it’s pages, unable to put it down for long.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly Miller.
Author 14 books433 followers
July 26, 2020
This fantasy of good vs. evil takes you from the depths of hell to an infernal boarding school where the bullies are given free rein. Mercy, born of a demon and fathered by an angel, feels a strange draw to the statue of a gargoyle. Soon, Mercy must decide whether her angel or demon will dominate her future, and she faces danger from both forces. A compelling, well-written tale that left me wanting to know what comes next.
Profile Image for J.M. Willis.
Author 6 books1 follower
December 22, 2020
Lord have mercy, indeed.
Captivating is the word that comes to mind. From the cover to the very end, I was entrapped in Mercy's story. H. M. Mills had me believing I was there in every trial and tribulation. She also had me guessing at every turn. Would Mercy pick good or evil? I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for booksandkelly.
52 reviews7 followers
July 19, 2023
If you enjoy books with angels and demons I recommend this book!!! I had such a fun time reading this, it kept me guessing what was coming next, I love Mercy’s character!!I’m excited to jump into book 2 (Mercy On Your Soul)😍😍😍
1 review
December 2, 2022
I read this book in record time because I couldn't put it down. I loved all the characters and the amazing way Mills created worlds within worlds in a vivid and beautiful way. Mills has a way with beautifully poetic phrases and descriptions. I would recommend Lord Have Mercy to anyone who's looking for a fresh Paranormal Fantasy. It is a little dark in places, but the spackling of humour makes sure your not sitting in the dark for too long. I will definitely be following H. M. Mills to read the rest of her series and any books that follow.
Profile Image for L.D..
Author 8 books81 followers
December 20, 2022
I'm a sucker for books containing angels and demons, and this one didn't disappoint! I loved the dynamic between characters, and the beginning was just awesome. I could feel the evilness oozing from the pages. I also loved the idea of an angel and demon falling in love! I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to the next one!
Profile Image for Josephine Wrightson.
Author 20 books105 followers
December 20, 2022
This is a little longer than i would normally read, but… It is a great thrilling read. Would suit the older reader and young adults alike, infact anyone that loves fantasy. The story builds to a great ending, which in turn is only the start. With just enough love and longing to make it interesting and leave you wanting more, much more. Well done H.M.Mills
The characters are well formed and intriguing . I would like to think that eventually all the guardians would find their fated mates as we learn about each individual . This was Mercy’s story but yep, I want to hear more of Abigail’s growth.. thoroughly recommend this book xxx well done Author H M Mills
Profile Image for Zack Kahiri.
2 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2020
It was peculiar. I thought that this story would be another run-of-the-mill supernatural thriller with all the loose stops and preferable cliches.
I was wrong.
This book is so much more than that. And the writing goes to prove it.
Through this pandemic I have been in the search for a good read, something to ease my mind off of it. I tried Thoreau. I did Ngozi. I poured through Shoneyin. I licked through the pages of King. And I wanted something, someone, new. Fresh. Sizzling.
H.M. Mills has done something that I have fully enjoyed. She gives fantasy a better name. If you are in the search of something, a different world born of fire and light, please do yourself a favor.
Get her book. Open the first page.
And get lost in it.
3 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2020
I just finished ‘Lord have Mercy’ 10 min ago and i didn’t want to!! I mean i didn’t want it to finish! 😩 I enjoyed every chapter as they all cleverly left me in suspence for one reason or another. I am time poor, and found myself looking forward to moments when i could find out just a little bit more about the realms of angels, the debauchery of demons and the capacities of those in between. The authors’ humour as well as a talent for description bring to life some unusual characters that will warm even non readers of fantsy to the genre.
Very much looking forward to book two.
15/7/20
😅
Profile Image for Jennifer Jansen.
Author 35 books27 followers
September 4, 2022
Oh wow! This certainly wasn't what I expected and I'm glad. It was better - way better!

What a fantastic adventure it was reading about Mercy discovering her dual nature and the fact that her life is something completely different from what she thought and her old life slowly begins to completely unravel. She is faced with some very difficult choices, the consequences of which will be all-consuming.

This was such an immersive read and one which I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Eve Koguce.
Author 6 books397 followers
August 21, 2021
What an amazing adventure it has been exploring her dual nature together with Mercy!

“Lord Have Mercy” by H.M. Mills is a book that has everything to make you turn the pages. Iconic characters like angels, demons, and Lucifer himself open up from the angles you’ve never imagined them before. My favourite characters in the book are the Gargoyles. Those guys make an impressive set you wouldn’t really want to encounter but imagining them while reading was truly fascinating.

I’m not a huge fan of 17-year-old protagonists, but I guess it’s because often they act either if they were ten or thirty. Mercy acts exactly as a 17-year-old girl would in the situations she has to face. I really liked that. She is impulsive, she doesn’t think twice before she acts, and she is easily confused by those older and wiser, especially when they masterfully tag at Mercy’s most painful cords.

Reading this book was like travelling to Hell and back. Descriptions of Hell and its inhabitants were so vivid I almost felt those flames and Lucifer’s wrath burning me through.

H.M. Mills has created a set of bright, relatable characters, and the story arcs that weave their lives together are highly compelling. I’ll definitely read the second installment in the Mercy Aymes series.
Profile Image for Lena Moore.
Author 11 books51 followers
August 14, 2020
Wow!

First of all, I must commend H.M. Mills for taking the very real and scary step in publishing her first book! It was a delight to read.

I was intrigued by Talus and Mercy's story from the very beginning. A Unique and suspense filled fantasy of a young girl finding out life isn't what she thought it was, and falling for someone she never would have thought possible.

Mercy's story is one filled with so many twists and turns, and when she finds herself at a very rich boarding school, that's when her life as she knows it begins to unravel.

When Mercy meets Talus she finds comfort in him, spending every moment she can on the rooftop away from the mess of the world around her. She begins relying and confiding in him, not really realising what she's doing.

When all hell breaks lose, literally, Mercy finds herself in the hot seat. The betrayal of lost loved ones eats at her, and she finds herself having to make the choice between good and evil.

Will Mercy choose the light, or will she forever be shrouded in flames.
Profile Image for Ila Golden.
Author 13 books28 followers
August 10, 2020
A long read but worth every second

Stories where the morality of the characters is filtered with grey or is constantly being tugged between good and evil for genuine reasons are my favourite. Lord Have Mercy delivers on the second, and then some.

The story is well paced allowing you time to appreciate all the twists and turns of the plot, and to connect with the main characters. The relationships feel earned and well developed. And the choices Mercy is faced with are never as easy as they first appear.

This is a story of a young woman discovering who she is and her place in the world, blended perfectly with elements of a fantasy action-adventure and romance.

I literally got to the end and exclaimed 'when's the next book coming out'. If this is how these characters journeys have begun, I can't wait to see where they will go next.
Profile Image for E.P. Stavs.
Author 14 books113 followers
September 29, 2022
Loved the characters in this one! Mercy was very much a heroine I could get behind, her bullies and demons easy to despise. Talus and the other Guardians were so much fun, with a few of them reminding me of the gargoyles in Hunchback of Notre Dame. Her human friends were equally likable, with a beautiful,slow building relationship. Really enjoyed the angels vs demons aspect. Overall a really interesting and well-written story!
Profile Image for Helena Craggs.
Author 6 books115 followers
July 27, 2020
Immerse yourself in Mercy's world ... you won't regret it.
A beautifully written, and crafted story. H M Mills' characters are engaging and lovable. An absolute page turner, and definite must read. Loved it, and can't wait for the sequel.
Profile Image for Ahmad Sheu Tijani .
1 review
October 13, 2022
H.M. Mills novel 'Lord Have Mercy' has broaden my horizon with the uncanny realms of Gargoyles, Archangels and Demons; most importantly made me discover where I stand in my beliefs of the world of the angels and demons.
'Lord Have Mercy' has the subtle power of well written work, a touching story of choice where you wouldn't like to lose to a bitter end or to a friendly-enemy.

H.M. Mills has written a well commendable novel, nothing is out of place, it is full of surprises and I hope to hear more from this promising writer.
Profile Image for Rick Hall.
Author 3 books32 followers
August 23, 2020
In a story about the consequences of choices, we follow Mercy Aymes as she embarks upon the biggest choice of them all: to follow the light or the darkness. It’s not as easy a choice as you might think, especially when you don’t fall into one neat little box. Especially when you are judged by your heredity instead of your actions. Well written, and a page turner to the end, this book is well worth reading.
Profile Image for Sydney Winward.
Author 39 books325 followers
March 24, 2021
Loved it! This book has a fun, unique voice, and I enjoyed getting inside Mercy's head. The world building and story were captivating, with many awesome twists throughout the book. A great read for those who love fantasy.
Profile Image for Hendrik.
95 reviews6 followers
October 3, 2022
H.M Mills is new to me, and I cannot wait for her upcoming releases. Lord Have Mercy is different from other books I have read and not disappointed. I was lucky to have received an ARC of the revamped version.

Mercy Aymes is left in the dark about the disappearance of her parents and the truth about them.

Mercy faces so many difficult decisions. The decisions can change her life and those of others forever. The one moment living a normal life, and the next enemies that want to kill her. Demons and Angels, not sure who to trust.

H.M Mills did amazing work with the plot, setting, and characters. Well-written and easy to read. I cannot wait to continue with the revamped version of Mercy On Your Soul, the second book in The Mercy Aymes series.

I would recommend the books to all Paranormal and Dark Fantasy readers.

A Must Read
2 reviews
November 20, 2019
H.M.Mills’ Lord Have Mercy, is thrilling and enthralling; it’s very descriptive, and has twists and turns, you don’t expect. Every Chapter, made me want to know what happens next; a real page turner.
I can’t wait for the sequel.
I give it Five Stars.
1 review
November 19, 2019
This is such a great read, looking forward to next chapter and a sequel.
Profile Image for Book Reviewer.
4,803 reviews443 followers
October 10, 2022
Mercy Aymes grew up in an environment fostered with care and love until five years ago, she found herself alone in the wake of her parent's disappearance. The instance brought her to life inside Lincoln Boarding School, and from there, she encountered even more trials, particularly at the hands of the institution’s most notorious bully. Eager to escape the halls of her own hell, Mercy finds herself in a new one, even scarier and literal than the previous, as what were supposed to be fictional monsters revealed themselves in front of her. Along with it came an even more shocking revelation about her heritage and her significance in a world full of lightness and darkness. Mercy must choose what path to take, and she must thread it carefully, for her life and the entire world’s repair and ruin will depend on it.

Lord Have Mercy, by H.M. Mills, is an intricately made novel that brings old religious references into the modern world. This specification in the fantasy genre has always been intriguing for me, and to see religion get a much more paranormal and gothic approach is refreshing. Furthermore, the main character’s complexity due to her experiences helps readers understand that belief is not all black and white, making this novel a page-turner as one anticipates which side will triumph. The world-building was also well-written, and though the idea of heaven and hell is not new, its integration into the world created was clever, putting fantasy in mundanity.

The book immediately starts with an ever-familiar character hinting the main conflict and setting up the next events accordingly. This serves as a helpful guide to the readers as they navigate the sequence and relevance of all occurrences throughout the novel. Moreover, the explanation of every single detail in the action scenes was excellent, vividly portraying the violence and gore it entails. Though it added more pages to the book, the significance is justified, as it propels its readers to stick to the heated action and anticipate more. Lastly, despite all of the happenings, the author was able to add romance into the mix, which has also proven its importance not just in grabbing audiences but also adding another puzzle piece to the main picture.

With its jampacked story, interesting characters, and an overall message about good and evil, Lord Have Mercy will leave its readers thinking about what happens next. Mercy’s entire story is a great reminder that our lives are made up of choices and their consequences, and we must always try to choose for the betterment not just of ourselves but of others as well. I recommend this to anyone interested in merging fantasy and religion, as this book is definitely at the top of the list.
Profile Image for Lara Bronson.
Author 8 books74 followers
August 22, 2022
It is the story of a 17 year-old girl named Mercy whose parents disappeared and she was sent to a private school where all hell breaks loose (literally and figuratively). I had so much fun reading this book, not only because the plot is a thrilling rollercoaster of events, but also because it is such an original story. The fight between good and evil, depicted in form of demons and angels has been the base of numerous books, but what happens when these two polar opposites are embodied in one entity? How will these two worlds clash?
Then there is love. The author put great emphasis on how sinful love is based on lust and physical attraction and fogs up the brain while pure love is so clear to the mind and doesn’t need any additional coercion to exist in the couple’s hearts. A wonderful YA fantasy with an original story and great characters. Would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Nic Winter.
Author 1 book28 followers
July 31, 2023
The reader meets the rather incredible and captivating main character, Mercy Aymes, a young woman, just on the cusp of discovering exactly who she is and where she blends into her world. The author skillfully made me root for Mercy, and this is a must for me, I must feel emotionally invested in the main character and so this book was a joy for me. This isn't my usual genre, being a true mystery and psychological thriller reader, but this is exactly where the beautifully storytelling had me hooked. The author crafts a world of Angels and Demons, good versus evil, the wonderfully complex grey area of morality, vengeance, love and of course...there are gargoyles! This is a five star read, a page turner with an incredibly immersive world.
Profile Image for M.A. Quigley.
Author 5 books43 followers
April 16, 2024
Author Mills has created a dark fantasy novel filled with angels, demons, and gargoyles as well as an infernal boarding school with bullies. Her novel is a well-written and engaging read. The book is filled with vivid descriptions and I believe in angels and archangels so the storyline and plot didn’t disappoint. If you like novels where good versus evil you’ll love this. The protagonist Mercy Aymes is a relatable character. I loved her thoughts and her love interest. It’s against the law to mate with humans and create half-bred children. I love plot twists in novels and didn’t see the twist coming at the end. Will her love stay with her or will he go? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
Profile Image for Ivy Logan.
Author 6 books98 followers
November 18, 2023
I expected this book to be purely about angels and demons but author HM Mills introduces something new- gargoyles. The element of romance between Mercy and the gargoyle Talus was a tad difficult to swallow at first but author HM Mills leads up to their romance with a lot of grace, dignity and care. after a point it doesn't feel so unbelievable. I commend this author on her writing. She has beautifully woven mystery, intrigue and romance into this tale of good vs evil. After the conclusion of this story you are left wanting to find out more about this tale of powerful angels vs ever persistent evil in the form of Lucifer
7 reviews
May 24, 2025
I read this book a while back. Being a debut novel from an unknown indie author, I wanted to give it a chance, and was pleasantly surprised. I think H. M. Mills did a great job on her first book. I loved the concepts and characters. I like that Mercy Aymes isn't a typical heroine, that she's fumbling through all the chaos in her life, but isn't that typical, clumsy, bumbling character either. I like that she doesn't have all the answers or figure out she has powers and then bam! she's all powerful. I find her more believable. And Talus! I think I've discovered I love gargoyles.
Profile Image for Ruby-Loves-Romance.
145 reviews
June 15, 2023
wow how to describe this book? It was amazing with beautiful writing. I loved it. A story about Angels and Demon's but so much more than that. Mercy is the Heroine and has been sent to a boarding school where she finds new friends, magic, adventure and maybe love. I don't want to spoil anything though. I would say this is sort of monster romance but also paranormal so if you love those things you will love this as well. Looking forward to reading book 2
Profile Image for Sabrina Oyinloye.
Author 23 books165 followers
August 4, 2021
A compelling Read!

This is a relatable Angels and Demons story and I really enjoyed it! I would surely recommend this book to everyone looking for a compelling adventure and an unforgettable read! Now I can't wait to pick up the book2!
1 review1 follower
March 14, 2023
Lord Have Mercy is a wonderful dive into good vs. evil, reality vs. fantasy. H. M. Mills has delivered a beautifully crafted story that I enjoyed every minute, and it's not even a genre I usually read. Well done!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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