What do you think?
Rate this book
Dead Wrong #1
Beg for Mercy
He lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching . . . And once he has you, all you can do is. . .
Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother-the only family she has left-for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.
Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.
Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother-the only family she has left-for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.
Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.
439 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
81 people are currently reading
6054 people want to read
About the author
Jami Alden
42 books797 followersLike so many romance readers, my first romance novel was by Kathleen Woodiwiss - The Flame and the Flower, to be exact. I was thirteen. I spent the next month working my way through her entire back list. Shortly thereafter I discovered Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey, Karen Robards, Catherine Coulter, Shirlee Busbee among others, and devoured their lavish historical epics full of overbearing alpha males and the women who brought them to their knees. I was hooked. My high school teachers marveled at my ability to read romance novels under the desk and still score straight A's. I started to imagine myself, living in a cabin in the mountains somewhere, writing romance novels.
It took me quite awhile to pursue my dream. After graduating from Stanford with a degree in English Literature, I worked in a variety of soul sucking admin jobs before I began my career in marketing. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least my writing appeared on several web sites and in many software marketing brochures. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fit the phrase "and her loins melted like hot wax" into any of them.
During my stint as the world's surliest receptionist, I took my first stab at writing. The result was a very melodramatic western historical which reads like a bad Elizabeth Lowell rip off. Its currently languishing on my hard drive, forever stuck on page 330.
Then in fall 2001 I had an incredible stroke of luck and got laid off from my marketing job. I decided it was time to stop saying I wanted to be a writer and to actually give it a serious go. Fortunately my husband, a socially well adjusted alpha male, is a very generous patron of the arts.
Four years later, I sold my first book and I'm pretty much living the dream of getting paid to write romance. I don't live in a cabin in the mountains, but I do live in a rural-ish town near San Francisco (hey, we have deer and bunnies in our yard, along with the occasional coyote) with my husband, sons, and two dogs who patiently listen to my dialogue and help me work out plot points. When I'm not writing sexy romance, I enjoy running, reading, yoga and watching Food Network and bad reality TV.
It took me quite awhile to pursue my dream. After graduating from Stanford with a degree in English Literature, I worked in a variety of soul sucking admin jobs before I began my career in marketing. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least my writing appeared on several web sites and in many software marketing brochures. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fit the phrase "and her loins melted like hot wax" into any of them.
During my stint as the world's surliest receptionist, I took my first stab at writing. The result was a very melodramatic western historical which reads like a bad Elizabeth Lowell rip off. Its currently languishing on my hard drive, forever stuck on page 330.
Then in fall 2001 I had an incredible stroke of luck and got laid off from my marketing job. I decided it was time to stop saying I wanted to be a writer and to actually give it a serious go. Fortunately my husband, a socially well adjusted alpha male, is a very generous patron of the arts.
Four years later, I sold my first book and I'm pretty much living the dream of getting paid to write romance. I don't live in a cabin in the mountains, but I do live in a rural-ish town near San Francisco (hey, we have deer and bunnies in our yard, along with the occasional coyote) with my husband, sons, and two dogs who patiently listen to my dialogue and help me work out plot points. When I'm not writing sexy romance, I enjoy running, reading, yoga and watching Food Network and bad reality TV.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
December 4, 2013
Wow, what a book! I'm not even going to attempt much of a review, since my head is still spinning and I'm all jumpy with too much adrenaline! The suspense in this book was just awesome--Jami Alden, you hit this one out of the park! From page one I could not put it down. Everything worked in this book, and it pushed all my buttons and hit all my switches--a perfect romantic suspense.
This isn't a lightweight RS at all--it's gritty, often graphically violent, deals with prostitution, rape, and human trafficking, and will leave you anxious as our heroine tries to save her brother who's been sentenced to die by lethal injection in just over a week. She's convinced her war hero brother didn't commit the rape and murder that he's been convicted of, and she doggedly pursues every lead she can follow to clear her brother's name.
I had to admire her faith in her brother's innocence and her determination to get him exonerated, even when the facts all pointed to him being guilty. She put her own life on hold for 3 years, and was the only one who believed in him. Her blossoming romance with the tough cop who ended up arresting her brother was destroyed, yet that didn't stop her. She was going to prove her beloved brother's innocence or die trying (which nearly happened)!
I love how Jami Alden plotted this book, even though I had a strong suspicion who the killer was almost from the start. But that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book at all. And when she revealed the killer's backstory, darn if I didn't feel a bit sorry for him! No wonder he turned out to be such a twisted, violent sicko!
This book was very reminiscent of a Karen Rose thriller, only...dare I say it? It was better! Because she also gave us a romance with some heat! The book starts out 3 years prior, when our heroine (Seattle free-lance writer/ volunteer child advocate/ aspiring social worker Megan Flynn) and our hero (by-the-book homicide detective Cole Williams) are about to 'get busy' when they're interrupted by a phone call (this happened more than once when they were about to get intimate in this story). Of course this phone call sets the whole plot in motion, since it involves a murder that Megan's brother is a part of. Cole is the arresting officer, and you can kiss his and Megan's relationship goodbye at this point. Three years later their paths cross again (during a murder investigation with striking similarities to her brother's case), and despite a lot of left over animosity from Megan, they both realize that they still have feelings for each other. Cole still thinks that Megan's brother (Sean) is guilty, but he tries to help her anyway in what he thinks is her futile search to find the 'real' killer. As Cole and Megan get closer, he starts to realize that maybe Megan is on to something--did they arrest the wrong man?
Yesss, lots of nail-biting suspense in this one, lots of gruesome violence, some sexual tension that pays off nicely in some wickedly hot bedroom (and kitchen and bathroom) scenes, and a conclusion that will leave you frantically biting your nails...Hurry, Cole! When the book ended I still had a few unanswered questions, which hopefully will be answered in the next book.
Awesome work--Jami Alden, I think you should write nothing but RS, and I can't wait until Hide from Evil comes out! Beg For Mercy is one of my favorite books of the year--5 big stars!
This isn't a lightweight RS at all--it's gritty, often graphically violent, deals with prostitution, rape, and human trafficking, and will leave you anxious as our heroine tries to save her brother who's been sentenced to die by lethal injection in just over a week. She's convinced her war hero brother didn't commit the rape and murder that he's been convicted of, and she doggedly pursues every lead she can follow to clear her brother's name.
I had to admire her faith in her brother's innocence and her determination to get him exonerated, even when the facts all pointed to him being guilty. She put her own life on hold for 3 years, and was the only one who believed in him. Her blossoming romance with the tough cop who ended up arresting her brother was destroyed, yet that didn't stop her. She was going to prove her beloved brother's innocence or die trying (which nearly happened)!
I love how Jami Alden plotted this book, even though I had a strong suspicion who the killer was almost from the start. But that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book at all. And when she revealed the killer's backstory, darn if I didn't feel a bit sorry for him! No wonder he turned out to be such a twisted, violent sicko!
This book was very reminiscent of a Karen Rose thriller, only...dare I say it? It was better! Because she also gave us a romance with some heat! The book starts out 3 years prior, when our heroine (Seattle free-lance writer/ volunteer child advocate/ aspiring social worker Megan Flynn) and our hero (by-the-book homicide detective Cole Williams) are about to 'get busy' when they're interrupted by a phone call (this happened more than once when they were about to get intimate in this story). Of course this phone call sets the whole plot in motion, since it involves a murder that Megan's brother is a part of. Cole is the arresting officer, and you can kiss his and Megan's relationship goodbye at this point. Three years later their paths cross again (during a murder investigation with striking similarities to her brother's case), and despite a lot of left over animosity from Megan, they both realize that they still have feelings for each other. Cole still thinks that Megan's brother (Sean) is guilty, but he tries to help her anyway in what he thinks is her futile search to find the 'real' killer. As Cole and Megan get closer, he starts to realize that maybe Megan is on to something--did they arrest the wrong man?
Yesss, lots of nail-biting suspense in this one, lots of gruesome violence, some sexual tension that pays off nicely in some wickedly hot bedroom (and kitchen and bathroom) scenes, and a conclusion that will leave you frantically biting your nails...Hurry, Cole! When the book ended I still had a few unanswered questions, which hopefully will be answered in the next book.
Awesome work--Jami Alden, I think you should write nothing but RS, and I can't wait until Hide from Evil comes out! Beg For Mercy is one of my favorite books of the year--5 big stars!
January 29, 2015
5 stars – Romantic Suspense
Warning: This ain’t yo mama’s romantic suspense! It’s a dark, chilling, gritty, edgy, emotional, disturbing, graphic, and violent romantic suspense thriller with a sick f**k serial killer who’s methods gave me mega, serious creeps.
The romance between Cole and Megan was well developed, genuine, affecting, and steamy. Their love scenes were volatile and smokin’ hot yet suitably placed so that the passionate moments never felt inappropriate for the plot’s heavier subject matter. Megan could be considered a TSTL heroine, but it was all done out of dedicated, deep love for her brother, so I understood her ruthless motivation and desperate actions. Cole is such a cynical, broodingly sexy cop hero...my favorite...YUM!
It’s a great read that fans of darker romantic suspense by authors like Karen Rose, Allison Brennan, and especially steamier Cynthia Eden should enjoy. I’m looking forward to the next book, Hide from Evil, that comes out in Nov’2011. 5 stars!
Warning: This ain’t yo mama’s romantic suspense! It’s a dark, chilling, gritty, edgy, emotional, disturbing, graphic, and violent romantic suspense thriller with a sick f**k serial killer who’s methods gave me mega, serious creeps.
The romance between Cole and Megan was well developed, genuine, affecting, and steamy. Their love scenes were volatile and smokin’ hot yet suitably placed so that the passionate moments never felt inappropriate for the plot’s heavier subject matter. Megan could be considered a TSTL heroine, but it was all done out of dedicated, deep love for her brother, so I understood her ruthless motivation and desperate actions. Cole is such a cynical, broodingly sexy cop hero...my favorite...YUM!
It’s a great read that fans of darker romantic suspense by authors like Karen Rose, Allison Brennan, and especially steamier Cynthia Eden should enjoy. I’m looking forward to the next book, Hide from Evil, that comes out in Nov’2011. 5 stars!
September 21, 2013
There is a monster at large …
Megan Flynn is on a mission. To try and prove her brother’s innocence. Sean Flynn has been in prison for the last three years. He swears he is innocent. She believes him.
Cole Williams is the Detective who arrested Sean. He and Megan had been in a relationship but that all crumbled after Sean’s arrest. They have not seen each other in 3 years.
When another murder is committed, they meet again. The attraction is still there but the mistrust is also there.
Won’t go into too much detail but this was a very good read. A real “whodunnit”. Although I did kind of guess who was the “bad guy” part of the way in….. but that did not take away from the story. First time reading this author and it definitely will not be my last.
The story flowed along nicely, Megan is looking for answers. Who was innocent, who was guilty? So many suspects!
The sex scenes between Megan and Cole were steamy enough for me. They had great chemistry.
Cannot wait to read Sean’s story.
October 15, 2015
5 Killer Stars!
Megan Flynn is falling in love with her boyfriend Detective Cole Williams. Everything is perfect and they are finally taking their relationship a step further until the phone rings. Cole is called to a crime scene and Megan over hears the address. It's her brothers. Instead of staying put like Cole tells her Megan drives to her brothers house. Imagine her surprise when it's Cole that has her brother handcuffed and shoving him in the back of a police car. Megan is so confused. She doesn't understand why Cole is being so cold toward her. Megan can't count on Coles help. He believes Sean is guilty. Cole helps convict Megan's brother of murder. Megan never once believes her brother is guilty. She wants nothing to do with Cole ever again.
Two years later Megan has exhausted all her funds still trying to prove her brothers innocence. Nobody will believe her. Nobody will help her. But she refuses to give up like her brother.
Sean was sentenced to death and has given up. He refuses Megan's help and visits and now the date has been set for his death. He no longer can take seeing Megan every week looking exhausted and sad. Megan is racing against the clock to find anything that will help her brothers case. She is angry Sean is refusing help.
With a string of murders from the serial killer known as The Seattle Slasher going on Megan runs into Cole at a crime scene. She thought her feelings for him were dead. Cole thought he buried his feelings for Megan.
Will Megan finally get the help she needs or will she get herself hurt after she stumbles across something that is bigger than her brothers case?
Will Megan finally convince Cole to help her? Will Cole finally put Megan before his career? Will Seattle's serial killer strike again? Can Megan trust Sean's old marine buddies?
I hate to say that I figured out who the Seattle Slasher was pretty early on but it didn't stop me from loving this book or stop me from second guessing myself. I was on the edge of my seat reading and praying that they would get the killer.
I loved Megan. She was not letting anything stop her from clearing her brother. She took matters in her old hand. I couldn't help but feel like I would be the same way if my brother was in trouble. Breaking into houses. Withholding evidence. I was rooting for her to figure it out!
It took me a while to warm back up to Cole after he arrested Megan's brother. He was a by the book man. His career was first and everything else didn't matter. He was smoking hot though. lol Megan and Cole set the sheets on fire when they finally came crashing together or the couch or the counter. Haha!! I loved that Cole was jealous and wanting to snap necks of anybody that touched Megan. Even if he still was fighting his feelings for her.
I felt the ending was perfect! Although I was left wandering a few things....but I see that I will be getting that in book 3! YAY!!!
This was my first read by Jami Alden and it defiantly won't be my last. She did an amazing job with this romantic suspense novel IMO. Im glad the next book is out. I will be reading it shortly!
Megan Flynn is falling in love with her boyfriend Detective Cole Williams. Everything is perfect and they are finally taking their relationship a step further until the phone rings. Cole is called to a crime scene and Megan over hears the address. It's her brothers. Instead of staying put like Cole tells her Megan drives to her brothers house. Imagine her surprise when it's Cole that has her brother handcuffed and shoving him in the back of a police car. Megan is so confused. She doesn't understand why Cole is being so cold toward her. Megan can't count on Coles help. He believes Sean is guilty. Cole helps convict Megan's brother of murder. Megan never once believes her brother is guilty. She wants nothing to do with Cole ever again.
Two years later Megan has exhausted all her funds still trying to prove her brothers innocence. Nobody will believe her. Nobody will help her. But she refuses to give up like her brother.
Sean was sentenced to death and has given up. He refuses Megan's help and visits and now the date has been set for his death. He no longer can take seeing Megan every week looking exhausted and sad. Megan is racing against the clock to find anything that will help her brothers case. She is angry Sean is refusing help.
With a string of murders from the serial killer known as The Seattle Slasher going on Megan runs into Cole at a crime scene. She thought her feelings for him were dead. Cole thought he buried his feelings for Megan.
Will Megan finally get the help she needs or will she get herself hurt after she stumbles across something that is bigger than her brothers case?
Will Megan finally convince Cole to help her? Will Cole finally put Megan before his career? Will Seattle's serial killer strike again? Can Megan trust Sean's old marine buddies?
I hate to say that I figured out who the Seattle Slasher was pretty early on but it didn't stop me from loving this book or stop me from second guessing myself. I was on the edge of my seat reading and praying that they would get the killer.
I loved Megan. She was not letting anything stop her from clearing her brother. She took matters in her old hand. I couldn't help but feel like I would be the same way if my brother was in trouble. Breaking into houses. Withholding evidence. I was rooting for her to figure it out!
It took me a while to warm back up to Cole after he arrested Megan's brother. He was a by the book man. His career was first and everything else didn't matter. He was smoking hot though. lol Megan and Cole set the sheets on fire when they finally came crashing together or the couch or the counter. Haha!! I loved that Cole was jealous and wanting to snap necks of anybody that touched Megan. Even if he still was fighting his feelings for her.
I felt the ending was perfect! Although I was left wandering a few things....but I see that I will be getting that in book 3! YAY!!!
This was my first read by Jami Alden and it defiantly won't be my last. She did an amazing job with this romantic suspense novel IMO. Im glad the next book is out. I will be reading it shortly!
June 3, 2011
This was not the typical Jami Alden erotic suspense. This was a very dark suspense romance about a serial killer who killed young prostitutes. It's not a book for the faint of heart. Those of you who like/love Cynthia Eden and Karen Rose may enjoy this book.
There was romance in this story and a few HOT love scenes that were good enough to keep me happy. I knew who the killer was before he was totally revealed but that did not make me like the book non the less, it just made me root all the more for the H&h to figure it out.
I'm so glad to find out that the next book in this series Hide From Evil will be out in November of this year, I will be sure to read it.
There was romance in this story and a few HOT love scenes that were good enough to keep me happy. I knew who the killer was before he was totally revealed but that did not make me like the book non the less, it just made me root all the more for the H&h to figure it out.
I'm so glad to find out that the next book in this series Hide From Evil will be out in November of this year, I will be sure to read it.
July 24, 2017
4 fantastic romantic suspense, second chance,action filled, steamy sex, angsty stars
April 16, 2011
My first read by Jami Alden and very much loved this book. The mystery was a bit darker than what I was used to, but not to the extend that I can't totally stomach it. The gory killings were pictured in details here so if you have a very imaginative mind, you would have trouble sleeping after reading this book.
I absolutely cannot be as strong as Megan was. Three years after her brother Sean was sentenced to death penalty, she was still actively digging for clues or leads to prove his innocence. She basically put her life on hold to do some heavy investigations.
Megan and Sean's moment in the prison was just the saddest part of the book. And was I glad that I read that part after the kids were all in bed. I wouldn't want to explain to them why dear oll Mommy was sobbing and sniffing on her Kindle.
the brooding cop, Cole
Can't wait for book #2 coming out in November. Sean and Krista's story would definitely be as dark and chilling as this one.
I absolutely cannot be as strong as Megan was. Three years after her brother Sean was sentenced to death penalty, she was still actively digging for clues or leads to prove his innocence. She basically put her life on hold to do some heavy investigations.
Megan and Sean's moment in the prison was just the saddest part of the book. And was I glad that I read that part after the kids were all in bed. I wouldn't want to explain to them why dear oll Mommy was sobbing and sniffing on her Kindle.
the brooding cop, ColeCan't wait for book #2 coming out in November. Sean and Krista's story would definitely be as dark and chilling as this one.
May 31, 2011
Beg for Mercy is Jami Alden's new book and it is her best one. All the little issues I had with her previous books (heroes being jerks) are not present here instead this book is solid and very well done. Megan is slowly sliding into a relationship with Cole, a cop when her brother is arrested for murder and the man doing the arresting is Cole so to say that it is a relationship dampener would be an under-statement. Three years have passed and Megan is the only one who believes in her brother's innocence and goes all out to prove it and when something new comes to light she jumps on it giving no thought to her safety. The thing is you see where Megan is coming from, her love for her brother matters and nothing else, not her personal life, finances nothing, so you don't categorize her into TSTL(too stupid to live) category, no matter what she does. Love can make people do things they normally wouldn't do and take risks and Megan adores her brother and believes in him even when he doesn't. Cole, he is complicated and great. He loves his job but regrets hurting Megan but the thing is you get where he is coming from, for him Sean her brother was just a suspect, he doesn't know or love Sean as Megan did, he was doing his job. There are no villains when it comes to Megan and Cole and how their relationship ended, both made mistakes and the author has shown both sides really well. This story is darker than Jami Alden's other stories but it is very good. The characters are great, sympathetic. Cole is amazing, he is sweet and protective. Megan is such a devoted sister and equally good. The relationship never felt forced to me even despite the circumstances, the sense that something was left between Cole and Megan made their journey believable.
I won't go into spoilers since this book's release is far away but do read it when it comes out you won't regret it.
Rating: 4.5
Courtesy: Netgalley
I won't go into spoilers since this book's release is far away but do read it when it comes out you won't regret it.
Rating: 4.5
Courtesy: Netgalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2011
Megan Flynn is a desperate woman. Her brother Sean, has been sentenced to death for a murder she's certain he didn't commit and his execution date is getting closer and closer. In her effort to prove his innocence, Megan asks the help of the policeman who arrested her brother in the first place, the man she thought she loved but who turned a deaf ear to her pleas for help, detective Cole Williams. Cole Williams is reluctant to reopen such a solid case as Sean Flynn's, but he has been unable to forget Megan even after so many years. But a new case somehow manages to bring them close once more and proves that the old flame is still burning high for both of them. If only they manage to survive this, there might still be a chance for those two...
Well, as far as romatic suspense goes, this was a great book. It had a chilling atmosphere that made me hold my breath more than a couple of times, a heroine with guts and a hero who may have started as cold and unfeeling but became better and better with every chapter.
Though the bad guy was obvious from early on, that didn't stop me from wincing at some of the heroes' actions and sit at the edge of my seat as I saw them trying to solve the murder case before the heroine's brother served his death penalty.
It was fast, it was engaging, it was dark and haunting and the chemistry between the heroes was HOT. If you're looking for a good romantic suspense, look no farther.
Well, as far as romatic suspense goes, this was a great book. It had a chilling atmosphere that made me hold my breath more than a couple of times, a heroine with guts and a hero who may have started as cold and unfeeling but became better and better with every chapter.
Though the bad guy was obvious from early on, that didn't stop me from wincing at some of the heroes' actions and sit at the edge of my seat as I saw them trying to solve the murder case before the heroine's brother served his death penalty.
It was fast, it was engaging, it was dark and haunting and the chemistry between the heroes was HOT. If you're looking for a good romantic suspense, look no farther.
December 4, 2013
Chilling thriller with a solid romance. I could not put the book down. Will definitely be reading Alden's next one "Hide from Evil" starring secondary characters from this one. If you like edge-of-your-seat suspense that's dark and evil, this is the book for you. I really like Jamie Alden's writing style as well. Her characters are well-defined and strong.
April 28, 2011
5 Stars of Intense Goodness
If I were asked to describe this book in one word, Intense is what comes to mind. Beg for Mercy is a title that sums up what romantic suspense is all about from the very beginning till its very last pages.
Beg for Mercy features the very sexy, rough and tough 37 year old Seattle Police Detective Cole Williams and the beautiful 29 year old Megan Flynn who meet one another 3 years prior to the start of the story. Megan is on her way to spinning dreams of happily ever after with her broody and silent Cole when the stuff that nightmares are made of comes true. Megan's older brother Sean Flynn is arrested for murder by none other than Cole himself and sentenced to death by lethal injection and in the process shatters whatever fragile bond that has been forming between Cole and Megan.
The story continues 3 years later with Megan the only one who is convinced of her brother's innocence, trying to find even a shred of evidence that might shed light onto her belief that her one and only remaining family in the world, that the brother who had sworn that he would protect her with his life could not have killed someone in cold blood. Megan's search for the truth catches a break in the most unlikely manner when she gets up close and personal with the work of the Seattle Slasher, a killer who has been brutally slaying women in the Seattle area. What Megan is not prepared for at all is to once again meet Detective Cole Williams, the man whom she fell in love with 3 years ago only to have her heart crushed and her hopes and dreams shattered by the indifferent manner in which Cole killed their budding relationship upon the arrest of her brother.
Cole feels as if he has been sucker-punched real and good when he comes face to face with the woman who has been haunting his dreams ever since he had walked out on the best thing that had ever happened to him. Though it is hatred for what he did to her brother that shines in Megan's eyes whenever she looks at him, Cole can't deny that Megan still has the power to bring him to his knees because whatever that had brought them together in the first place all those years back still simmers good and strong between them.
With Sean's impending execution looming closer, its a race against time for Megan who leaves no stone unturned in her quest to free her brother. What Megan slowly begins to uncover is the work of a killer who is well versed in the art of deception, a killer who is depraved enough to get off on the hurt that he inflicts on the women that he kills, a killer who is closer to Megan than she can even comprehend.
As the race to the finish line draws closer, so snaps the control both Cole and Megan exerts on the desire that binds them together, lending an extra richness to a story that already has enough moments of heart pounding variety packed into it. The scenes of passion between Cole and Megan are borderline erotic and very tastefully done that I couldn't get enough of the very sexy Cole who had my heart racing doubly hard whenever he entered the picture.
There are so many things that rate Beg for Mercy as a solid 5-star read. For me the pace that Jami Alden sets with the story is the best thing about this romantic suspense. I love it when stories are intense, barely letting me take a breather before the next scene comes plummeting through which makes for very compelling reads. Of course let me not forget the impact the very intriguing Cole Williams who makes the story come alive just by his mere presence in it. He is the broody and silent warrior type who feels so much deep inside, but shows an impeccable facade to the outside world until his hard earned control shatters around him in the most sinfully delicious way possible. His protectiveness when it comes to Megan is what endeared him most to me and Megan is a heroine who matches Cole in every way possible. I loved Megan for her unwavering faith in her brother when everyone else believed him to be the worst sort of killer possible and for Megan's undeniable need for everything to do with Cole even when she tries so hard to tell herself otherwise.
Even as I loved so many things about the story that makes this a memorable read for the year, I was still a teeny weeny bit peeved because it was quite easy to figure out who the villain is even before halfway through the story. I like a bit of suspense in novels such as this, for the author to keep me guessing towards the end which makes the game of figuring out who the heinous killer is a lot more fun!
As I said earlier, Beg for Mercy is intense, graphic and details the gruesome bits involving the killings which makes this book that much better. If a fast paced thriller is what the doctor ordered with a healthy dose of romance between a sinfully alluring hero and a delicate yet spunky heroine then you should definitely go buy this one. For fans of Jami Alden, I am sure you would need no further convincing. Now, I can't wait for book 2 in this series which is to be Sean's story to come out on November this year entitled Hide from Evil.
I will finish off my review with a glimpse into the heady passion that takes a hold of Megan and Cole whenever they are together, refusing to let go until they both give in.
If I were asked to describe this book in one word, Intense is what comes to mind. Beg for Mercy is a title that sums up what romantic suspense is all about from the very beginning till its very last pages.
Beg for Mercy features the very sexy, rough and tough 37 year old Seattle Police Detective Cole Williams and the beautiful 29 year old Megan Flynn who meet one another 3 years prior to the start of the story. Megan is on her way to spinning dreams of happily ever after with her broody and silent Cole when the stuff that nightmares are made of comes true. Megan's older brother Sean Flynn is arrested for murder by none other than Cole himself and sentenced to death by lethal injection and in the process shatters whatever fragile bond that has been forming between Cole and Megan.
The story continues 3 years later with Megan the only one who is convinced of her brother's innocence, trying to find even a shred of evidence that might shed light onto her belief that her one and only remaining family in the world, that the brother who had sworn that he would protect her with his life could not have killed someone in cold blood. Megan's search for the truth catches a break in the most unlikely manner when she gets up close and personal with the work of the Seattle Slasher, a killer who has been brutally slaying women in the Seattle area. What Megan is not prepared for at all is to once again meet Detective Cole Williams, the man whom she fell in love with 3 years ago only to have her heart crushed and her hopes and dreams shattered by the indifferent manner in which Cole killed their budding relationship upon the arrest of her brother.
Cole feels as if he has been sucker-punched real and good when he comes face to face with the woman who has been haunting his dreams ever since he had walked out on the best thing that had ever happened to him. Though it is hatred for what he did to her brother that shines in Megan's eyes whenever she looks at him, Cole can't deny that Megan still has the power to bring him to his knees because whatever that had brought them together in the first place all those years back still simmers good and strong between them.
With Sean's impending execution looming closer, its a race against time for Megan who leaves no stone unturned in her quest to free her brother. What Megan slowly begins to uncover is the work of a killer who is well versed in the art of deception, a killer who is depraved enough to get off on the hurt that he inflicts on the women that he kills, a killer who is closer to Megan than she can even comprehend.
As the race to the finish line draws closer, so snaps the control both Cole and Megan exerts on the desire that binds them together, lending an extra richness to a story that already has enough moments of heart pounding variety packed into it. The scenes of passion between Cole and Megan are borderline erotic and very tastefully done that I couldn't get enough of the very sexy Cole who had my heart racing doubly hard whenever he entered the picture.
There are so many things that rate Beg for Mercy as a solid 5-star read. For me the pace that Jami Alden sets with the story is the best thing about this romantic suspense. I love it when stories are intense, barely letting me take a breather before the next scene comes plummeting through which makes for very compelling reads. Of course let me not forget the impact the very intriguing Cole Williams who makes the story come alive just by his mere presence in it. He is the broody and silent warrior type who feels so much deep inside, but shows an impeccable facade to the outside world until his hard earned control shatters around him in the most sinfully delicious way possible. His protectiveness when it comes to Megan is what endeared him most to me and Megan is a heroine who matches Cole in every way possible. I loved Megan for her unwavering faith in her brother when everyone else believed him to be the worst sort of killer possible and for Megan's undeniable need for everything to do with Cole even when she tries so hard to tell herself otherwise.
Even as I loved so many things about the story that makes this a memorable read for the year, I was still a teeny weeny bit peeved because it was quite easy to figure out who the villain is even before halfway through the story. I like a bit of suspense in novels such as this, for the author to keep me guessing towards the end which makes the game of figuring out who the heinous killer is a lot more fun!
As I said earlier, Beg for Mercy is intense, graphic and details the gruesome bits involving the killings which makes this book that much better. If a fast paced thriller is what the doctor ordered with a healthy dose of romance between a sinfully alluring hero and a delicate yet spunky heroine then you should definitely go buy this one. For fans of Jami Alden, I am sure you would need no further convincing. Now, I can't wait for book 2 in this series which is to be Sean's story to come out on November this year entitled Hide from Evil.
I will finish off my review with a glimpse into the heady passion that takes a hold of Megan and Cole whenever they are together, refusing to let go until they both give in.
July 12, 2011
After I finished this book I had to think for a couple of days on how I would review it... so here goes.
The story starts out with our two main characters Megan a court appointed advocate for children and Cole a homicide detective having a rather romantic date, which would have their relationship moving to the next level except that Cole's phone rings..he answers it and is called to a crime scene. Megan hears the address is shocked to hear that it's her brother's house.
Cole leaves telling her to stay put and he'll call her when he has more information. Fearing that something terrible has happened to her brother, Megan doesn't listen and drives to her brother's house only to see Cole arresting her brother for murder.
Megan pleads for Cole's help, but he refuses to look at her or help her, but instead puts on a 'cold face' and does his job.
All the evidence at the house points to Sean, Megan's brother, and when he was picked up on the night of the murder he was confused and dazed so admits to bringing the murder girl back to his place and He can't explain why his knife was used to murder her or why he is covered in blood.
Megan's brother is convicted of murder and the District Attorney asks for the death penalty which they get.
The story then picks up two years later with Megan totally dedicated to her brother and his innocence. She religiously visits him every Saturday, has been involved with Sean's lawyer in Sean's appeal of the death penalty, she has given up her life in order to prove his innocence...until one Saturday after 2 years of incarceration, Sean being battered and broken down, decides that he won't appeal the death penalty any more..that he's lost hope and just wants to end it.
He then tells Megan not to come any more that if she does come, He will refuse to see her.
Now with Sean's execution date set, Megan only has a short time to prove his innocence before it's too late.
While all this is going on there is a serial rapist/murderer on the loose, and Megan thinks that some how these murders are connected to her brother's case. When she goes to the authorities with her theories they pass her off as some desperate women grasping at straws until one of the children She's an advocate for discovers the body of one of the latest victims and call's Megan out of panic before she calls the police. Megan tells her to call the police and then proceeds to go to her clients house to wait with her.
Megan is shocked to discover that Cole is the homicide officer working the case.
From this point on the the story becomes a roller-coaster ride.
It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to find out would happen next.
This was an excellent read and I can't wait the next book in the series!
The story starts out with our two main characters Megan a court appointed advocate for children and Cole a homicide detective having a rather romantic date, which would have their relationship moving to the next level except that Cole's phone rings..he answers it and is called to a crime scene. Megan hears the address is shocked to hear that it's her brother's house.
Cole leaves telling her to stay put and he'll call her when he has more information. Fearing that something terrible has happened to her brother, Megan doesn't listen and drives to her brother's house only to see Cole arresting her brother for murder.
Megan pleads for Cole's help, but he refuses to look at her or help her, but instead puts on a 'cold face' and does his job.
All the evidence at the house points to Sean, Megan's brother, and when he was picked up on the night of the murder he was confused and dazed so admits to bringing the murder girl back to his place and He can't explain why his knife was used to murder her or why he is covered in blood.
Megan's brother is convicted of murder and the District Attorney asks for the death penalty which they get.
The story then picks up two years later with Megan totally dedicated to her brother and his innocence. She religiously visits him every Saturday, has been involved with Sean's lawyer in Sean's appeal of the death penalty, she has given up her life in order to prove his innocence...until one Saturday after 2 years of incarceration, Sean being battered and broken down, decides that he won't appeal the death penalty any more..that he's lost hope and just wants to end it.
He then tells Megan not to come any more that if she does come, He will refuse to see her.
Now with Sean's execution date set, Megan only has a short time to prove his innocence before it's too late.
While all this is going on there is a serial rapist/murderer on the loose, and Megan thinks that some how these murders are connected to her brother's case. When she goes to the authorities with her theories they pass her off as some desperate women grasping at straws until one of the children She's an advocate for discovers the body of one of the latest victims and call's Megan out of panic before she calls the police. Megan tells her to call the police and then proceeds to go to her clients house to wait with her.
Megan is shocked to discover that Cole is the homicide officer working the case.
From this point on the the story becomes a roller-coaster ride.
It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to find out would happen next.
This was an excellent read and I can't wait the next book in the series!
February 14, 2016
3.5 stars
Beg for Mercy was my first book by Jami Alden and it was a great read. I wanted to read a good romantic suspense, with a good plot and a strong romance and I had all that. The plot was solid, well written, suspenseful and the killer was a complete psycho. Why the rating then? It’s simple: the heroine. I really liked the hero, Cole is a good detective, he loves his job, he’s smart, strong, sexy…but Megan…Megan is annoying, utterly and completely annoying, she’s childish, stupid, unnerving and bitchy. At some point I just wanted her to die, for real.
Beg for Mercy is Megan’s story (unfortunately). Her brother, Sean, is in prison, waiting to die for a crime he did not commit. Megan is the only one who believes him and she’ll do anything in her power to prove everyone wrong: her brother was framed and he’s innocent. After two years of finding nothing, she finally stumbles unto something, something that could really help her brother and the police is getting involved. And by police, I mean Cole, of course. Cole was her lover before he arrested her brother. She loved him, they never had sex but she just knew she was in love and she thought he felt the same way, until, one day, he arrested her brother, put him in prison and pretended she meant nothing to him. But now he is back into her life, wanting to help and protect her. A vicious killer is on the loose, raping and slicing his victims and she is persuaded that he is the real killer, with Cole’s help she will do anything to discover the truth and save her brother.
I really enjoyed reading this book, I truly did. I found the story interesting and solid, I was not bored once. The writing style is really good as well. If you know me, you know that when I read a romantic suspense I usually know who the killer is, I don’t know how I do it (I’m just that smart), I just know. And, once again, I was right! I met the guy and I knew. But truthfully, it didn’t make the story less interesting at all. I wasn’t 100% sure, but still, I was pretty sure and even knowing, I was still very into the story. What I liked about this book was the killer’s POV. It was really interesting and creepy to be in his head. Jami is not afraid to write something real, even when it is not pretty. Another thing I liked was reading about the killer’s past. Being in his head and experiencing what he experienced when he was younger, what made him start to kill. That was a great addition to the story. But none of this made me like him in any way, on the contrary, the guy was truly fucked up and crazy.
As I’ve said, I really liked Cole. Cole is serious about his job, he works hard and when he arrested Sean, he didn’t do it to hurt Megan, obviously it wasn’t planned, but he did what he had to do, his job as a detective. Cole is just way too nice, after almost three years without seeing Megan, knowing that she resents him, he still wants to help her. Even if he still thinks that her brother is guilty. He wants her to find some peace. And that’s what I liked about him, you know, he did not share Megan’s beliefs about her brother, but still, he helped her because he cared deeply about her. Cole is a good guy, he just did his job and, in my opinion, had nothing to feel bad about.
Now, Megan…Megan had things to feel bad about. Oh yeah. First of all, she was a bitch, period. Second of all, she put Cole’s career at risk. Big time. Basically, without giving too much away, Cole, wanting to help her, showed her confidential files concerning her brother’s case and the new killer’s case. Files he should have never given her but because he felt guilty over her brother and because he was too nice, he did. Megan should have kept quiet. But, duh, she didn’t. Stupid as she was, she went investigate all by her lonesome, risking her life, keeping things from the police and she got busted. Obviously, she didn’t lie to the police and told them that she knew where to go etc because Cole had showed her things. I mean, really?! Cole was suspended and almost lost his badge. But poor Megan, she was sorry. Anyway, she did all kinds of stupid things. She never listened to Cole’s advice, she put her life in danger more than once and almost died if it weren’t for Cole saving her ass.
You know, I understood and even admired her determination to save her brother, I mean, I have two older brothers that I adore and I can’t even imagine her position but still, she was too stupid to live. She was reckless, she was even rude at people and I wanted to freaking slap her. I just didn’t like her at all. And, unfortunately, she kinda ruined the book for me.
But, praise the Lord, Jami still wrote a great story, with a solid and interesting plot. I really enjoyed the secondary characters. I liked Sean, Dev, Jack, Talia and Krista. I’m looking forward to read their story. Also, even if I didn’t like Megan, I liked Cole and oh my! The sex scenes were hot! Nice, Jami, nice! So, if you like a good romantic suspense à la Cynthia Eden, with a scary killer, a good investigation, a great and sexy hero (let’s not talk about the heroine), a good romance (and sex, obviously), you should definitely read Beg for Mercy!
Beg for Mercy was my first book by Jami Alden and it was a great read. I wanted to read a good romantic suspense, with a good plot and a strong romance and I had all that. The plot was solid, well written, suspenseful and the killer was a complete psycho. Why the rating then? It’s simple: the heroine. I really liked the hero, Cole is a good detective, he loves his job, he’s smart, strong, sexy…but Megan…Megan is annoying, utterly and completely annoying, she’s childish, stupid, unnerving and bitchy. At some point I just wanted her to die, for real.
Beg for Mercy is Megan’s story (unfortunately). Her brother, Sean, is in prison, waiting to die for a crime he did not commit. Megan is the only one who believes him and she’ll do anything in her power to prove everyone wrong: her brother was framed and he’s innocent. After two years of finding nothing, she finally stumbles unto something, something that could really help her brother and the police is getting involved. And by police, I mean Cole, of course. Cole was her lover before he arrested her brother. She loved him, they never had sex but she just knew she was in love and she thought he felt the same way, until, one day, he arrested her brother, put him in prison and pretended she meant nothing to him. But now he is back into her life, wanting to help and protect her. A vicious killer is on the loose, raping and slicing his victims and she is persuaded that he is the real killer, with Cole’s help she will do anything to discover the truth and save her brother.
I really enjoyed reading this book, I truly did. I found the story interesting and solid, I was not bored once. The writing style is really good as well. If you know me, you know that when I read a romantic suspense I usually know who the killer is, I don’t know how I do it (I’m just that smart), I just know. And, once again, I was right! I met the guy and I knew. But truthfully, it didn’t make the story less interesting at all. I wasn’t 100% sure, but still, I was pretty sure and even knowing, I was still very into the story. What I liked about this book was the killer’s POV. It was really interesting and creepy to be in his head. Jami is not afraid to write something real, even when it is not pretty. Another thing I liked was reading about the killer’s past. Being in his head and experiencing what he experienced when he was younger, what made him start to kill. That was a great addition to the story. But none of this made me like him in any way, on the contrary, the guy was truly fucked up and crazy.
As I’ve said, I really liked Cole. Cole is serious about his job, he works hard and when he arrested Sean, he didn’t do it to hurt Megan, obviously it wasn’t planned, but he did what he had to do, his job as a detective. Cole is just way too nice, after almost three years without seeing Megan, knowing that she resents him, he still wants to help her. Even if he still thinks that her brother is guilty. He wants her to find some peace. And that’s what I liked about him, you know, he did not share Megan’s beliefs about her brother, but still, he helped her because he cared deeply about her. Cole is a good guy, he just did his job and, in my opinion, had nothing to feel bad about.
Now, Megan…Megan had things to feel bad about. Oh yeah. First of all, she was a bitch, period. Second of all, she put Cole’s career at risk. Big time. Basically, without giving too much away, Cole, wanting to help her, showed her confidential files concerning her brother’s case and the new killer’s case. Files he should have never given her but because he felt guilty over her brother and because he was too nice, he did. Megan should have kept quiet. But, duh, she didn’t. Stupid as she was, she went investigate all by her lonesome, risking her life, keeping things from the police and she got busted. Obviously, she didn’t lie to the police and told them that she knew where to go etc because Cole had showed her things. I mean, really?! Cole was suspended and almost lost his badge. But poor Megan, she was sorry. Anyway, she did all kinds of stupid things. She never listened to Cole’s advice, she put her life in danger more than once and almost died if it weren’t for Cole saving her ass.
You know, I understood and even admired her determination to save her brother, I mean, I have two older brothers that I adore and I can’t even imagine her position but still, she was too stupid to live. She was reckless, she was even rude at people and I wanted to freaking slap her. I just didn’t like her at all. And, unfortunately, she kinda ruined the book for me.
But, praise the Lord, Jami still wrote a great story, with a solid and interesting plot. I really enjoyed the secondary characters. I liked Sean, Dev, Jack, Talia and Krista. I’m looking forward to read their story. Also, even if I didn’t like Megan, I liked Cole and oh my! The sex scenes were hot! Nice, Jami, nice! So, if you like a good romantic suspense à la Cynthia Eden, with a scary killer, a good investigation, a great and sexy hero (let’s not talk about the heroine), a good romance (and sex, obviously), you should definitely read Beg for Mercy!
June 15, 2016
Решив передохнуть от серии Брант, схватилась за другой триллер)) Не отпускает жанр. И то ли я слишком многого ожидала от этой истории, то ли просто автор не мой, но впечатления двойственные.
С одной стороны, очень крутой сюжет. Действительно крутой. С другой – для меня многое в нем оказалось чересчур, начиная с бесконечной хочучки героев, заканчивая излишне подробными описаниями убийств.
Но обо всем по порядку.
Герои знакомятся за кадром. Без всяких маньяков и экстремальных условий – это просто два человека, встретившихся обычным днем. Полицейский и соц работник. Возникает симпатия, далее – ухаживания, свидания, постепенное узнавание друг друга, влюбленность. Собственно, книга начинается, когда Меган и Коул готовы перейти к следующему этапу. Да, с любовной сцены)) Но в самый ответственный момент их прерывает роковой телефонный звонок – Коула вызывают на место преступления, и арестовывает он в итоге не кого-нибудь, а брата Меган.
Доказательства железобетонные, Шона взяли чуть ли не с поличным. Все улики против него, и только Меган не верит в виновность любимого брата.
Прокуратура решает сделать этот процесс показательным, мол, никого не пощадим, даже военного героя, и суд впервые за десять лет выносить подобный приговор: смертная казнь.
Три года бесконечных апелляций, поисков и уговоров ни к чему не приводят. Меган все считают сумасшедшей, хватающейся за соломинку. Даже Шон уже сдается, увольняет адвоката и позволяет всему идти своим чередом. И вот назначена дата казни. Остаются считанные дни, чтоб доказать его невиновность.
Мне очень понравилась героиня. Ее, может, и слепая, но такая вдохновляющая вера в брата. Ее упертость – глупая, неразумная, но в итоге оправданная.
Коул тоже хорош. Да, он поверил уликам. Но, в конце концов, он выполнял свою работу. И когда три года спустя их пути с Меган вновь пересекаются, он по-прежнему не сомневается в правильности приговора и все же помогает ей. Потому что влюблен и хочет защитить, а Меган упорно лезет туда, где ее вполне могут убить.
Очень сильно показаны чувства всех персонажей, сомнения, страхи, надежды. Даже убийцы, ага. Автор не пытается его оправдать, но в итоге вырисовывается весьма цельный образ – чудовища, с безрадостным прошлым и неким кодексом. Хотя менее ужасным и противным он от этого не становится.
Возможно, подай автор все это иначе, я бы прыгала от восторга, но тут начинаются минусы.
1. Упомянутая хочучка. Я все-таки бралась за триллер, пусть и романтический, тут же герои думают о расследовании только по отдельности, а стоит им встретиться – все, мозг утекает в штаны. Наверное, для любовного романа все описано очень даже неплохо и… ммм… жарко? Не знаю. Но для такой напряженной завязки – перебор.
2. Убийства. По крайней мере одно описано очень уж подробно. Со всеми мыслями и стремлениями маньяка. С изнасилованием и съемкой всего этого дела на камеру. Конечно, без особого натурализма, но… В сочетании с предыдущим пунктом вызывает когнитивный диссонанс. И когда автор начала показывать прошлое злодея, я уж испугалась, что там тоже будут подробности – страшные, ибо речь шла об изнасиловании ребенка. Но тут, слава богу, обошлось. И все же…
Нет в истории равновесия. Я так и не поняла, что читаю.
Тем не менее было интересно, напряженно, жутко. Героям и событиям я верила, просто осталась не совсем довольна формой.
Даже не знаю, хочу ли читать другие книги серии. Вторая о том самом Шоне, вышедшем на свободу, и о прокуроре, которая приложила руку к его приговору. Герои третьей тоже здесь засветились и, если честно, особых симпатий не вызвали – по крайней мере героиня, которая давала показания против Шона, хотя знала, что творится на самом деле. Да, она защищала сестру, но вроде не идиотка, а почему-то верит, что такими методами ее можно спасти. Сама же говорила, мол, у этих людей везде есть глаза и уши, откуда ж такая наивность? В общем, я в сомнениях. Хотя в этой книге не раскрыли всю сеть, поймали только одного урода, но его направляли другие. И хотелось бы узнать, как с ними тоже разделаются… Наверное, гляну историю Шона, а дальше будет видно.
С одной стороны, очень крутой сюжет. Действительно крутой. С другой – для меня многое в нем оказалось чересчур, начиная с бесконечной хочучки героев, заканчивая излишне подробными описаниями убийств.
Но обо всем по порядку.
Герои знакомятся за кадром. Без всяких маньяков и экстремальных условий – это просто два человека, встретившихся обычным днем. Полицейский и соц работник. Возникает симпатия, далее – ухаживания, свидания, постепенное узнавание друг друга, влюбленность. Собственно, книга начинается, когда Меган и Коул готовы перейти к следующему этапу. Да, с любовной сцены)) Но в самый ответственный момент их прерывает роковой телефонный звонок – Коула вызывают на место преступления, и арестовывает он в итоге не кого-нибудь, а брата Меган.
Доказательства железобетонные, Шона взяли чуть ли не с поличным. Все улики против него, и только Меган не верит в виновность любимого брата.
Прокуратура решает сделать этот процесс показательным, мол, никого не пощадим, даже военного героя, и суд впервые за десять лет выносить подобный приговор: смертная казнь.
Три года бесконечных апелляций, поисков и уговоров ни к чему не приводят. Меган все считают сумасшедшей, хватающейся за соломинку. Даже Шон уже сдается, увольняет адвоката и позволяет всему идти своим чередом. И вот назначена дата казни. Остаются считанные дни, чтоб доказать его невиновность.
Мне очень понравилась героиня. Ее, может, и слепая, но такая вдохновляющая вера в брата. Ее упертость – глупая, неразумная, но в итоге оправданная.
Коул тоже хорош. Да, он поверил уликам. Но, в конце концов, он выполнял свою работу. И когда три года спустя их пути с Меган вновь пересекаются, он по-прежнему не сомневается в правильности приговора и все же помогает ей. Потому что влюблен и хочет защитить, а Меган упорно лезет туда, где ее вполне могут убить.
Очень сильно показаны чувства всех персонажей, сомнения, страхи, надежды. Даже убийцы, ага. Автор не пытается его оправдать, но в итоге вырисовывается весьма цельный образ – чудовища, с безрадостным прошлым и неким кодексом. Хотя менее ужасным и противным он от этого не становится.
Возможно, подай автор все это иначе, я бы прыгала от восторга, но тут начинаются минусы.
1. Упомянутая хочучка. Я все-таки бралась за триллер, пусть и романтический, тут же герои думают о расследовании только по отдельности, а стоит им встретиться – все, мозг утекает в штаны. Наверное, для любовного романа все описано очень даже неплохо и… ммм… жарко? Не знаю. Но для такой напряженной завязки – перебор.
2. Убийства. По крайней мере одно описано очень уж подробно. Со всеми мыслями и стремлениями маньяка. С изнасилованием и съемкой всего этого дела на камеру. Конечно, без особого натурализма, но… В сочетании с предыдущим пунктом вызывает когнитивный диссонанс. И когда автор начала показывать прошлое злодея, я уж испугалась, что там тоже будут подробности – страшные, ибо речь шла об изнасиловании ребенка. Но тут, слава богу, обошлось. И все же…
Нет в истории равновесия. Я так и не поняла, что читаю.
Тем не менее было интересно, напряженно, жутко. Героям и событиям я верила, просто осталась не совсем довольна формой.
Даже не знаю, хочу ли читать другие книги серии. Вторая о том самом Шоне, вышедшем на свободу, и о прокуроре, которая приложила руку к его приговору. Герои третьей тоже здесь засветились и, если честно, особых симпатий не вызвали – по крайней мере героиня, которая давала показания против Шона, хотя знала, что творится на самом деле. Да, она защищала сестру, но вроде не идиотка, а почему-то верит, что такими методами ее можно спасти. Сама же говорила, мол, у этих людей везде есть глаза и уши, откуда ж такая наивность? В общем, я в сомнениях. Хотя в этой книге не раскрыли всю сеть, поймали только одного урода, но его направляли другие. И хотелось бы узнать, как с ними тоже разделаются… Наверное, гляну историю Шона, а дальше будет видно.
August 21, 2011
Incredible book! The heroine, Meg, made some annoyingly stupid moves early on, but I always kept in mind her fierce devotion to her brother, and then I was able to put her actions in perspective. Honestly, my favorite relationship in the book was between Meg and her brother Sean. You could just *feel* that bond and the love they had for one another. It was very moving. I *love* the character of Sean. He was absolutely my favorite. I cannot wait for the next book, which is his story, to come out (Nov '11)!!! I did know almost immediately who the villain was, but it somehow didn't detract from the overall story. I really enjoyed this read. It was well-written and quite moving! ***REVISED RATING*** 8/20/11 5 stars! I continue to think back to this book. I could feel so strongly Meg's desperation for her brother, as well as Sean's complete emotional exhaustion (and the deep love for his sister). I have to give this 5 stars for the amount of emotion it evoked.
June 2, 2011
I've waited a long time for another Jami Alden read....so excited to read this one!
Beg for Mercy was absolutely incredible. I've been a big fan of Jami Alden for a long time especially her Gemini Series but this book blew me away. I could not put it down. I fell asleep with it in my hands at 3:30 AM!
The suspense reminded me of Allison Brennan or Karen Rose but the romance/sex was all Jami Alden. It was a great balance. The hero and heroine were both what you'd want and expect from a romantic suspense.
This was a really dark intense thriller & amazingly hot steamy romance all rolled into one - my favorite!
Beg for Mercy was absolutely incredible. I've been a big fan of Jami Alden for a long time especially her Gemini Series but this book blew me away. I could not put it down. I fell asleep with it in my hands at 3:30 AM!
The suspense reminded me of Allison Brennan or Karen Rose but the romance/sex was all Jami Alden. It was a great balance. The hero and heroine were both what you'd want and expect from a romantic suspense.
This was a really dark intense thriller & amazingly hot steamy romance all rolled into one - my favorite!
June 11, 2011
Disclaimer- This is the very first "romance suspense" novel I've EVER finished. I've started quite a few contemporary romance/suspense novels before, but I have never finished one. As a general rule, I find contemporary books very frustrating since the books seem very unrealistic (the hero seems too perfect, and the storyline is always ridiculous). Thus, this is my first, and I don't have alot of other books read in this genre to compare to. SO, please remember that when reading my review. Also note that the fact that I was able to finish this novel knowing my dislike of these types of books, tells you how much I did actually like the book!
What I liked-
Megan and Cole! Both characters were completely realistic. The author realistically portrayed their faults as well as their strong points.
The story. This is a tough one. With my background in criminal law, I figured I'd find flaws in this book and I did. However, they were very minor. I've worked with life term inmates (all convicted of 1st degree murder & serving 20 years to life) and the prison scenes in this book were overall very realistic (until the very end of the book that is and then it was slightly unrealistic but oh well).
The actual mystery element wasn't really a mystery. The bad guy is revealed early on. In fact, I thought the author would throw in a twist since the bad guy was so obvious. But she didn't. That is why I'd call this book a suspense novel rather than a mystery novel. The book definitely had suspense. There were numerous times I literally felt my heart racing. I liked that part!
What I didn't like-
The prostitution sub-plot. It seemed like the author was setting up book 2 by putting the sub-plot in there. In fact, towards the end, you can figure out which characters will star in book 2 by the author's focus on those characters. I really dislike when authors use part of their actual book to setup their next book in the series (that involve different characters).
Overall-
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the suspense. The romance was real and the sex scenes were hot. The bad guy was very creepy and the good guys were pretty damn realistic.
What I liked-
Megan and Cole! Both characters were completely realistic. The author realistically portrayed their faults as well as their strong points.
The story. This is a tough one. With my background in criminal law, I figured I'd find flaws in this book and I did. However, they were very minor. I've worked with life term inmates (all convicted of 1st degree murder & serving 20 years to life) and the prison scenes in this book were overall very realistic (until the very end of the book that is and then it was slightly unrealistic but oh well).
The actual mystery element wasn't really a mystery. The bad guy is revealed early on. In fact, I thought the author would throw in a twist since the bad guy was so obvious. But she didn't. That is why I'd call this book a suspense novel rather than a mystery novel. The book definitely had suspense. There were numerous times I literally felt my heart racing. I liked that part!
What I didn't like-
The prostitution sub-plot. It seemed like the author was setting up book 2 by putting the sub-plot in there. In fact, towards the end, you can figure out which characters will star in book 2 by the author's focus on those characters. I really dislike when authors use part of their actual book to setup their next book in the series (that involve different characters).
Overall-
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the suspense. The romance was real and the sex scenes were hot. The bad guy was very creepy and the good guys were pretty damn realistic.
December 4, 2013
Excellent romantic suspense/thriller! This had everything I love in this genre of book. A twisted villain committing gruesome murders, nail-biting suspense, an intense romance, and great secondary characters. Nothing sugar-coated here, pretty graphic descriptions of the deeds and the aftermath of the crime. Although the killer was easy to spot, it did not take away from the story. There was still that desperation to solve the murders, and the hopelessness of the situation if it was left unresolved. What I really loved about this book is that although it wrapped up nicely, the circumstances of the crimes had far reaching effects on other characters and some issues remain unresolved. We already know which direction the next book will take and what characters will be involved. Oh, and it has the potential to be as good, if not better than this book. So I could see this series moving ahead, but the crux of the books always relating back to the original crimes that were committed and the characters that were unfortunate enough to be involved. I'm looking forward to it.
This the first time reading this author and it certainly won’t be my last.
This the first time reading this author and it certainly won’t be my last.
February 19, 2014
What a great action packed read! I loved the tension and the angst in this story between Megan and Cole. The reader could see how tough Sean's arrest was for both of them in regards to their relationship.
This book had a great mix of both romance and of suspense. The suspense was absolutely nail-bighting and I found myself almost skimming over words near the end because I was so anxious to have Cole come to the rescue. Absolutely great suspense. Even though the villain was obvious it didn't take anything away for me from the story.
The love scenes were very hot and very well done. I could feel the sexual tension between these two and it was explosive.
Overall, a great book! The only thing I would have wished for was a little more of an epilogue. Maybe we will get a full wrap up at the end of this series. I am so excited to read the rest of the books.
Thanks KarLynP for the great review that made me want to read this book!
This book had a great mix of both romance and of suspense. The suspense was absolutely nail-bighting and I found myself almost skimming over words near the end because I was so anxious to have Cole come to the rescue. Absolutely great suspense. Even though the villain was obvious it didn't take anything away for me from the story.
The love scenes were very hot and very well done. I could feel the sexual tension between these two and it was explosive.
Overall, a great book! The only thing I would have wished for was a little more of an epilogue. Maybe we will get a full wrap up at the end of this series. I am so excited to read the rest of the books.
Thanks KarLynP for the great review that made me want to read this book!
December 4, 2013
I give this 3 1/2 stars. It has a good gripping plot but I wasn't all that fond of the characters. Not sure why. I didn't hate them but I didn't feel particularly invested in them. The whodunit was fairly easy to figure out but it was interesting to see how it turned out. I think I will continue the series because there are some unresolved issues not dealt with in this book. Nothing that really ruins the story, though.
May 28, 2022
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was probably one of the better suspenseful romance books I’ve read in regard to the balance between the feelings/romance and the suspense. I need that balance to fully enjoy this sub-genre. I knew who the bad guy was from pretty much the start, so the mystery aspects were kinda meh and definitely could’ve been stronger. I’d highly recommend checking out my trigger spoiler tag below, as this had some pretty gruesome scenes that could be an issue for many readers. All in all, this was an enjoyable read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Megan and Cole’s story. Megan and Cole are starting to get serious in their relationship when Cole has to arrest Megan’s brother for murder. Her brother gets convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. Years later, Megan is still trying to get justice for her brother and they come in contact again. Feelings come back strongly even though both realize that with Megan’s brother conviction, their relationship has nowhere significant to go. There are some other murders that share some characteristics of the murder her brother was framed for, so they work together to try to figure things out before his scheduled execution. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This focused on the two mcs and a few other side characters in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This took me a really long time to read. I think it was all the other stuff I had going on that got in the way and not necessarily the pacing to blame.
Instalove: No, but feelings were already present from years before.
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Cole. I liked how he cared for the h and came to help her even though he didn’t quite believe in the desired results.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Megan. I appreciated her loyalty and tenacity in getting her brother exonerated and how she cared for others.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: Not between mcs
Cheating: No
Separation: Not on page
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a good place but with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This was probably one of the better suspenseful romance books I’ve read in regard to the balance between the feelings/romance and the suspense. I need that balance to fully enjoy this sub-genre. I knew who the bad guy was from pretty much the start, so the mystery aspects were kinda meh and definitely could’ve been stronger. I’d highly recommend checking out my trigger spoiler tag below, as this had some pretty gruesome scenes that could be an issue for many readers. All in all, this was an enjoyable read.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Megan and Cole’s story. Megan and Cole are starting to get serious in their relationship when Cole has to arrest Megan’s brother for murder. Her brother gets convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. Years later, Megan is still trying to get justice for her brother and they come in contact again. Feelings come back strongly even though both realize that with Megan’s brother conviction, their relationship has nowhere significant to go. There are some other murders that share some characteristics of the murder her brother was framed for, so they work together to try to figure things out before his scheduled execution. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed…and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This focused on the two mcs and a few other side characters in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. This took me a really long time to read. I think it was all the other stuff I had going on that got in the way and not necessarily the pacing to blame.
Instalove: No, but feelings were already present from years before.
H (Hero) rating: 3.5 stars. Cole. I liked how he cared for the h and came to help her even though he didn’t quite believe in the desired results.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Megan. I appreciated her loyalty and tenacity in getting her brother exonerated and how she cared for others.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: Not between mcs
Cheating: No
Separation: Not on page
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a good place but with what I would call a HFN ending
Safety: This one should be Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
December 4, 2013
Jami Alden delivers her first in a brand new trilogy surrounding suspense, deceit and danger.
Megan Flynn is falling hard for her detective boyfriend, Cole Williams. She envisions herself living in sweet bliss with him. Her fantasies are interrupted when Cole arrests her brother, Sean, for murder. Their romance quickly dissolves when Megan realizes that Cole believes her brother committed the crime and he is the lead detective on the case.
Sean is sentenced to live in prison. Three years later, he decides to stop trying to appeal the case which speeds up his date for his execution. Megan is devastated and prays for some answers that may help them convince the court that Sean is innocence. Struggling to deal with Sean’s decision, Megan is called in by Devany, the young teenage who she is a court appointed advocate to.
Devany stumbles upon a brutal and horrifying murder. The young woman was raped and viciously attacked. Megan encourages her to call the police and when she comes face to face with Cole again, her heart is immediately conflicted. The cops believe the killer is a serial killer who enjoys torturing young woman. The evidence and the crime scene look vaguely familiar to Megan. Pretty soon she is convinced that the killer might be the same person who set up her brother and Megan frantically forces Cole to help her track down the killer.
Soon enough Megan and Cole discover that Sean and the killer might have been involved in a highly elite prostitution ring and no one is to be trusted. Megan is not so forgiving of Cole but she can’t resist him and the two share some steamy, erotic and well-written love scenes. As they get closer to the truth, they must learn to put their faith in one another.
Megan is a character that most can sympathize with but at times she didn’t listen to what Cole was trying to tell her which made her stupid. She is constantly putting herself in danger and running interference with the case. At the same time, her love for her brother and her determination to prove her brother’s innocence makes her an interesting character. It is her amateur skills as a detective that brings the most action and drama to the story.
Cole is a bit different than Alden’s heroes. He is still a strong alpha male who wants to protect the woman he loves but she shows him as vulnerable and understanding. He is upstanding and wants to do what is the right thing even if it upsets Megan. His compassion and drive to her help without being obnoxious (like Alden’s former heroes) make him more appealing.
I give Jami Alden credit for trying something new. She normally writes spicy and steamy contemporary romances that have left me wanting for more on many occasions. To step out onto the romantic suspense genre and do a good job is no small feat. There are times when the book is really intense and dark. I must warn readers that some of the scenes are pretty graphic (sexually and gruesomely). The romance and the suspense are on equally good measure.
My only annoyance is that readers can pretty much figure out who the killer is fairly early on in the story. The story flows so well that I would have thought the author could have concealed the killer’s identity a bit better.
Jami Alden really gets deep with this fast pace thriller. I can’t wait to read the next book in this trilogy Hide from Evil.
Megan Flynn is falling hard for her detective boyfriend, Cole Williams. She envisions herself living in sweet bliss with him. Her fantasies are interrupted when Cole arrests her brother, Sean, for murder. Their romance quickly dissolves when Megan realizes that Cole believes her brother committed the crime and he is the lead detective on the case.
Sean is sentenced to live in prison. Three years later, he decides to stop trying to appeal the case which speeds up his date for his execution. Megan is devastated and prays for some answers that may help them convince the court that Sean is innocence. Struggling to deal with Sean’s decision, Megan is called in by Devany, the young teenage who she is a court appointed advocate to.
Devany stumbles upon a brutal and horrifying murder. The young woman was raped and viciously attacked. Megan encourages her to call the police and when she comes face to face with Cole again, her heart is immediately conflicted. The cops believe the killer is a serial killer who enjoys torturing young woman. The evidence and the crime scene look vaguely familiar to Megan. Pretty soon she is convinced that the killer might be the same person who set up her brother and Megan frantically forces Cole to help her track down the killer.
Soon enough Megan and Cole discover that Sean and the killer might have been involved in a highly elite prostitution ring and no one is to be trusted. Megan is not so forgiving of Cole but she can’t resist him and the two share some steamy, erotic and well-written love scenes. As they get closer to the truth, they must learn to put their faith in one another.
Megan is a character that most can sympathize with but at times she didn’t listen to what Cole was trying to tell her which made her stupid. She is constantly putting herself in danger and running interference with the case. At the same time, her love for her brother and her determination to prove her brother’s innocence makes her an interesting character. It is her amateur skills as a detective that brings the most action and drama to the story.
Cole is a bit different than Alden’s heroes. He is still a strong alpha male who wants to protect the woman he loves but she shows him as vulnerable and understanding. He is upstanding and wants to do what is the right thing even if it upsets Megan. His compassion and drive to her help without being obnoxious (like Alden’s former heroes) make him more appealing.
I give Jami Alden credit for trying something new. She normally writes spicy and steamy contemporary romances that have left me wanting for more on many occasions. To step out onto the romantic suspense genre and do a good job is no small feat. There are times when the book is really intense and dark. I must warn readers that some of the scenes are pretty graphic (sexually and gruesomely). The romance and the suspense are on equally good measure.
My only annoyance is that readers can pretty much figure out who the killer is fairly early on in the story. The story flows so well that I would have thought the author could have concealed the killer’s identity a bit better.
Jami Alden really gets deep with this fast pace thriller. I can’t wait to read the next book in this trilogy Hide from Evil.
June 17, 2011
Holy Smokes Batman!!! What a ride. Wow.. I seriously enjoyed this book! I have never read anything by this author before and was so pleasantly suprised by how good it was.
This book was so rich with emotions I was drooling. I love emotional books. The author had such a way that at one point I almost felt like maybe I was sick because I felt bad for the serial killer. Of course by the end I no longer felt that way. But I couldn't help but have a small amount of sympathy for the killer when they had a part about his nightmare. This book was full mystery and so much violence. The deaths were brutal. By the end I had it figured out. Not that it so easy to see just that I like looking for clues and found what I needed.
Sean's sisters love for him was so heart warming. There were times where I got teary eyed over how they were both trying to protect each other. Then there was the relationship between Cole and Megan. What Megan was going through so intense and so real. Yes she put herself in some bad situations but she was desperate to save her brother. I really enjoyed that this wasn't just suspense thriller. It was also about love and romance between Cole and Megan and them finding their way back to each other.I really look forward to the next book. It should be just as good!
This book was so rich with emotions I was drooling. I love emotional books. The author had such a way that at one point I almost felt like maybe I was sick because I felt bad for the serial killer. Of course by the end I no longer felt that way. But I couldn't help but have a small amount of sympathy for the killer when they had a part about his nightmare. This book was full mystery and so much violence. The deaths were brutal. By the end I had it figured out. Not that it so easy to see just that I like looking for clues and found what I needed.
Sean's sisters love for him was so heart warming. There were times where I got teary eyed over how they were both trying to protect each other. Then there was the relationship between Cole and Megan. What Megan was going through so intense and so real. Yes she put herself in some bad situations but she was desperate to save her brother. I really enjoyed that this wasn't just suspense thriller. It was also about love and romance between Cole and Megan and them finding their way back to each other.I really look forward to the next book. It should be just as good!
June 3, 2011
This is another first author read that I found to be a very thrilling suspense. I enjoyed the writing and the detail that the author took in writing the case. This is an excellent romance story with a couple of sex scenes. I would suggest not to go into this story without light or a full stomach (if your that type) because the villain is very twisted and the author lays out the sinister tale on how the villain takes out the pray and it’s not pretty.
Cole and Megan’s relationship starts off good until her brother gets trapped into a murder crime and it looks like he is the one that did it. They fall apart from there, until Megan gets a call from a friend that has seen a murder. From there Megan starts putting together the two murders and drags Cole right into the middle of something he wants nothing to do with. I enjoyed all the characters and I am looking forward to reading about Megan’s Brother Sean in the next book.
I recommend this to any romantic suspense reader that likes romance along a dangerous thrilling ride.
Cole and Megan’s relationship starts off good until her brother gets trapped into a murder crime and it looks like he is the one that did it. They fall apart from there, until Megan gets a call from a friend that has seen a murder. From there Megan starts putting together the two murders and drags Cole right into the middle of something he wants nothing to do with. I enjoyed all the characters and I am looking forward to reading about Megan’s Brother Sean in the next book.
I recommend this to any romantic suspense reader that likes romance along a dangerous thrilling ride.
July 23, 2013
Great suspense, kept me glued till the end, which grabbed me more than the romance because I didn’t like that the hero broke all contact with the heroine, never attempted to get in touch with her, and nothing he did afterwards endeared him to me. I loved the heroine and the writing was also very good.
HERO is a Warrior, a police detective, who lost the woman he’d be most attracted to when he arrested her brother. After three years of living with the regret of what could have been, he meets her again and realizes his feelings for her haven’t changed.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/suspense
LENGTH: 435 pages
HERO is a Warrior, a police detective, who lost the woman he’d be most attracted to when he arrested her brother. After three years of living with the regret of what could have been, he meets her again and realizes his feelings for her haven’t changed.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/suspense
LENGTH: 435 pages
June 24, 2011
Megan Flynn and Cole Williams have an unresolved past...
Three years ago Megan thought that Cole was her future, but on the dark day that her brother, Sean, was arrested for murder by Cole that dream shattered.
Now she is determined to find the true killer, no matter what it takes. With her brother waiving his right to future appeals though, the clock is ticking down. When a young woman is found brutally murdered in an abandoned trailer Megan might have finally found a link connecting the Seattle serial killer to the murder her brother is accused of. Cole Williams can wash all her hope down the drain though when he shows up to investigate the homicide.
Seattle Detective Cole Williams has spent the last three years trying to put Megan Flynn from his mind, but unable to help wondering what could have been. When he finds her at the scene of a homicide he realizes that he could have a second chance with her, if only he could set aside his views on her brother and support her in her quest for the truth. When Megan finds herself in the sights of the murderer though, he has to make a decision; which is more important? Megan or his badge?
Beg for Mercy is a darkly disturbing and sinfully delicious story that I could not put down! It is unique, intense, dark, gripping, and I have never read anything quite like it before. It blew me away! Jami Alden masterfully pens a tale of nail biting suspense with twists and turns that would put the scariest roller coaster to shame, adding succulent romance and titillating tension that kept me hanging onto every word. She is detailed and dedicated in her writing, giving readers in depth scenes that come alive on the pages.
I was instantly immersed in all the characters of this novel. Megan’s brother, Sean, is an ex-Ranger who Megan knows would never harm anyone, let alone a woman. But sitting on death row for three years has worn him down and he can’t stand to see what it does to his sister. Loosing all hope, he resigns himself to death. Megan refuses to give up though and will go to any lengths to prove her brothers innocence. She is a strong, intelligent and admirable heroine, someone that I would be honored to have fighting on my side. When Cole shows up back in her life though she is weary, knowing that she never stopped loving him she instantly feels guilty for having feelings for the man who basically condemned her brother to death without even trying to help her prove his innocence. Cole is remorseful over there past though and is looking to make things right. Determined to see justice served he cannot turn a blind eye when Megan finds evidence that could bring possible doubt to the murder her brother is accused of. I really loved Cole, he is protective, possessive and so alpha *rawr* You could feel him and Megan’s chemistry right off the bat and their relationship was smooth and developed at a realistic pace. Sexual tension between the two was sizzling and I would scream in frustration with them every time that dang phone rang! But the wait was well worth it with some blazing sex scenes. This book really had it all!
The villain of Beg for Mercy gave me chills and trying to piece the puzzle together ad figure out whom he was, was challenging. The author would give you little glimpse into his psych and past, and he was so well developed with such a heart wrenching back-story I actually sympathized with him. The plot moved along at a fast pace and I didn’t want it to end, I loved every second of Beg for Mercy and the story has stuck with me days after putting it down. If you love crime drama, thrillers and romance then this is the book for you! I’m looking forward to Sean’s story, Hide From Evil, with the hard cracking ADA who helped send him to prison set to release November 1st.
Three years ago Megan thought that Cole was her future, but on the dark day that her brother, Sean, was arrested for murder by Cole that dream shattered.
Now she is determined to find the true killer, no matter what it takes. With her brother waiving his right to future appeals though, the clock is ticking down. When a young woman is found brutally murdered in an abandoned trailer Megan might have finally found a link connecting the Seattle serial killer to the murder her brother is accused of. Cole Williams can wash all her hope down the drain though when he shows up to investigate the homicide.
Seattle Detective Cole Williams has spent the last three years trying to put Megan Flynn from his mind, but unable to help wondering what could have been. When he finds her at the scene of a homicide he realizes that he could have a second chance with her, if only he could set aside his views on her brother and support her in her quest for the truth. When Megan finds herself in the sights of the murderer though, he has to make a decision; which is more important? Megan or his badge?
Beg for Mercy is a darkly disturbing and sinfully delicious story that I could not put down! It is unique, intense, dark, gripping, and I have never read anything quite like it before. It blew me away! Jami Alden masterfully pens a tale of nail biting suspense with twists and turns that would put the scariest roller coaster to shame, adding succulent romance and titillating tension that kept me hanging onto every word. She is detailed and dedicated in her writing, giving readers in depth scenes that come alive on the pages.
I was instantly immersed in all the characters of this novel. Megan’s brother, Sean, is an ex-Ranger who Megan knows would never harm anyone, let alone a woman. But sitting on death row for three years has worn him down and he can’t stand to see what it does to his sister. Loosing all hope, he resigns himself to death. Megan refuses to give up though and will go to any lengths to prove her brothers innocence. She is a strong, intelligent and admirable heroine, someone that I would be honored to have fighting on my side. When Cole shows up back in her life though she is weary, knowing that she never stopped loving him she instantly feels guilty for having feelings for the man who basically condemned her brother to death without even trying to help her prove his innocence. Cole is remorseful over there past though and is looking to make things right. Determined to see justice served he cannot turn a blind eye when Megan finds evidence that could bring possible doubt to the murder her brother is accused of. I really loved Cole, he is protective, possessive and so alpha *rawr* You could feel him and Megan’s chemistry right off the bat and their relationship was smooth and developed at a realistic pace. Sexual tension between the two was sizzling and I would scream in frustration with them every time that dang phone rang! But the wait was well worth it with some blazing sex scenes. This book really had it all!
The villain of Beg for Mercy gave me chills and trying to piece the puzzle together ad figure out whom he was, was challenging. The author would give you little glimpse into his psych and past, and he was so well developed with such a heart wrenching back-story I actually sympathized with him. The plot moved along at a fast pace and I didn’t want it to end, I loved every second of Beg for Mercy and the story has stuck with me days after putting it down. If you love crime drama, thrillers and romance then this is the book for you! I’m looking forward to Sean’s story, Hide From Evil, with the hard cracking ADA who helped send him to prison set to release November 1st.
May 16, 2021
2.75 stars.
This one got of to a great start but sadly didn't live up to a great middle or finish for me. I found it repetitive and really in need of editing.
The suspense plot was crappy and you could guess the killer from the first.
This one got of to a great start but sadly didn't live up to a great middle or finish for me. I found it repetitive and really in need of editing.
The suspense plot was crappy and you could guess the killer from the first.
April 28, 2019
RATING: 3.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
Megan Flynn is finally going to sleep with her new homicide detective boyfriend, Cole Williams only to have it interrupted by a phone call. Her brother has been arrested for rape and murder. Fast forward 2 years where Sean Flynn is on death row with Megan putting her own life on hold to get him out. Cole in a bid to save his career publicly stated Megan was not serious to him and he felt that Sean was guilty.
For the sake of his sanity and his sister's Sean decides to forgo anymore appeals. This only causes Megan to investigate on her own. She is putting herself in danger getting to the truth but she must find the killer. Cole worries for her safety but helping her could lose him his job. But can he really live without her anymore?
I galloped through this spicy novel. Megan is a bit annoying but then again if I had someone on death row depending on me to rescue them I'd be high-strung too. Cole is yummy and fierce - no match for the killer or Megan. I was more intrigued by Sean who has a past in the Army and this quiet sexiness. Jami Alden seems to be an author to keep an eye on.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
(Review Not on Blog)
Megan Flynn is finally going to sleep with her new homicide detective boyfriend, Cole Williams only to have it interrupted by a phone call. Her brother has been arrested for rape and murder. Fast forward 2 years where Sean Flynn is on death row with Megan putting her own life on hold to get him out. Cole in a bid to save his career publicly stated Megan was not serious to him and he felt that Sean was guilty.
For the sake of his sanity and his sister's Sean decides to forgo anymore appeals. This only causes Megan to investigate on her own. She is putting herself in danger getting to the truth but she must find the killer. Cole worries for her safety but helping her could lose him his job. But can he really live without her anymore?
I galloped through this spicy novel. Megan is a bit annoying but then again if I had someone on death row depending on me to rescue them I'd be high-strung too. Cole is yummy and fierce - no match for the killer or Megan. I was more intrigued by Sean who has a past in the Army and this quiet sexiness. Jami Alden seems to be an author to keep an eye on.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
July 17, 2011
Wonderful! Set in and around the Seattle, Washington area (2011ish), this romantic suspense had all the elements that make a 5 star story for This Reader.
1. Hero/Heroine that were both good without the dreaded bickering couples theme.
2. Suspense that kept me on the edge of my chair and turning the pages way past my bedtime.
3. Nice romance mingled into the pages that made this book just right for this bear.
Nicely written and I'm looking forward to part two of this "trilogy" later this year. Felt a set up for possibly book 3 (can't say as it would be a spoiler) and 4 (Devlin), fiesty girl that she turned out to be. :-)
5 Star Favorite for This Reader.
1. Hero/Heroine that were both good without the dreaded bickering couples theme.
2. Suspense that kept me on the edge of my chair and turning the pages way past my bedtime.
3. Nice romance mingled into the pages that made this book just right for this bear.
Nicely written and I'm looking forward to part two of this "trilogy" later this year. Felt a set up for possibly book 3 (can't say as it would be a spoiler) and 4 (Devlin), fiesty girl that she turned out to be. :-)
5 Star Favorite for This Reader.
May 6, 2012
Very good romantic suspense that kept me guessing almost until the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews