Hi peeps, we have Ari McKay visiting today with her upcoming release Herc’s Mercs: Once A Hero, we have a great excerpt, a brilliant giveaway and Lisa’s review so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Once A Hero

Ari McKay

Ezra Levin retired from Hercules Security to pursue his dream of being a private chef. But when the life of his gorgeous employer, Judge Mason Whittaker, is threatened, Ezra quickly realizes that once you’re a Merc, you’re always a Merc.

Excerpt

Mason shook his head. “I wasn’t paranoid enough,” he said. “You were. You knew it could get bad. I didn’t believe it — didn’t want to believe it. It almost killed me.”

“I did not want to believe it either. I hoped I was wrong, but my instincts were telling me something bad was going to happen. Now that it has–” Ezra’s voice broke, and he brought Mason’s hand to his cheek, clinging tightly. “I cannot be objective. When I saw you there, saw all that blood…” He shook his head, and Mason thought he saw the glimmer of tears in Ezra’s eyes before Ezra looked away. “I cannot be merely an employee. I tried. If you want me to recuse myself, I will.”

“What?” Mason was confused, but he could see Ezra’s pain, and he reached over with his free hand, touching Ezra’s cheek. “Are you saying you want to leave Jamie and me?”

“No!” Ezra stared at Mason, wide-eyed. “No, I don’t want to leave. But if you want me to remain only your employee, I cannot do that any longer. I tried to maintain my professional distance, especially after I overstepped so badly, but I cannot do it after this.”

About Ari

Ari McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who collaborate on original m/m fiction. They began writing together in 2004 and finished their first original full-length novel in 2011. Recently, they’ve begun collaborating on designing and creating costumes to wear and compete in at Sci Fi conventions, and they share a love of yarn and cake.

Arionrhod is an avid costumer, knitter, and all-around craft fiend, as well as a professional systems engineer. Mother of two human children and two dachshunds who think they are human, she is a voracious reader with wildly eclectic tastes, devouring romance novels, military science fiction, horror stories and Shakespeare with equal glee. She is currently preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.

Where to find the authors:

Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Website | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway!

Win an e-copy of ‘Herc’s Mercs: The Bigger They Come’!

Ari McKay Rafflecopter giveaway!

Review

Title: Once A Hero

Series: Herc’s Mercs 04

Author: Ari McKay

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Length: Novella (158 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-61040-959-9

Publisher: Torquere Press LLC (August 26, 2015)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Ezra Levin spent years as a soldier, just as his father had wished. But after stints in the Israeli military, the Mossad, and finally as a member of Hercules Security, the man once known as “Ghost” decides to retire and pursue his own dreams of being a chef. At forty-five, he knows his yearning to have a partner and a family of his own are probably unattainable, but as a private chef for Judge Mason Whittaker and his young son, Jamie, Ezra finds some measure of fulfillment.

Unfortunately, Mason’s past as a District Attorney has made him a lot of enemies – one of whom seems to be looking for payback. When a series of unsettling events disturbs the Whittaker household, Ezra immediately steps up, wanting to protect Mason and Jamie. He calls upon his old friend, Cade Thornton, for help, as a cunning criminal plays a game of cat and mouse that endangers Mason’s life. Ezra realizes that Mason has come to mean far more to him than just an employer, and that he’s going to have to use all his old skills to stop a killer – or else he just might wind up losing the man he loves. 

Product Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=200

Review: Each book in the Herc’s Mercs collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

I came across Ari’s books when the first book in this series came out. I was amazed with them then and I am still amazed. There is just something about her characters, story and the way they mix with each other. The characters are beautifully written with big hearts, however if you cross them, they have no problem putting you down. They will protect their family and friends with their entire lives.

Ezra was at one time a soldier then merc. He protected those that needed protection. He retired and went to work for a judge preparing meals. He loves to cook but he needs a bit more. He has the hots for Mason and loves the little boy Jamie. So when it looks like a stalker is after Mason, Ezra once more becomes the ghost. He calls his old team in for help.

Mason had hired Ezra to replace the old cook, but he finds himself falling in love with Ezra. He is actually jealous that Jamie is so tight with him, but he is also glad. So when the note showed up, he showed it to Ezra, but soon realizes that there is more to his cook then what was expected. Now they just have to move forward while staying alive.

It is a little slow in the getting it on part, but it works out pretty damn good. I was amazed with this story and look forward to reading more by Ari. It has a touch of humor in a story that has a serious tone to it. The guys make it the perfect story. A man who carries a gun is so damn hot. I would definitely recommend this book and the ones before it. It was amazing and I had so much fun reading it.

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