Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay stopping by today with their new release Herc’s Mercs Collection Vol III, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~ ❤️ ~Pixie~
Herc’s Mercs Collection Vol III
by
Ari McKay
No matter where in the world they have to go, the men of Hercules Security are ready to kick ass, take names, and, above all, save lives. Putting themselves in harm’s way is second nature to these men, and they’ll do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. Unfortunately the cost of such bravery is often brutally high, and sometimes the price a hero must pay isn’t always obvious…
Hunter Callahan loved his job as an explosives expert, but when a seven-year-old boy walks into camp wearing a suicide vest, the explosion that rocks Hunter’s world leaves him with wounds too deep to see with the untrained eye. Payne “Pita” Gibson is the only one who stands a chance of saving Hunter from self destruction, but doing so means Payne must share private facets of his own life. Could his unusual form of therapy not only help Hunter, but also win his heart? Pushing Hunter’s limits so hard is a test of Payne’s own strength of will — but everyone knows that it’s No Pain, No Gain.
When Joe Morrissey returns home from a traumatic mission, he never expects to discover that his longtime partner and lover, Brian Finnegan, has fallen in love with someone else. Even though he wants Finn to be happy, Joe finds it difficult to share his lover with Drew Martin. But when fallout from Joe’s recent mission puts Finn in danger, Joe must work with Drew to save Finn’s life. With everything he holds dear at risk, Joe is pushed to the breaking point — and Drew must step in to help put him back together. As Drew develops feelings for Joe as well, can Joe open his heart to the possibility of there being Room For One More?
Lee Albright is a photojournalist who loves traveling and the challenge of his job, but when he’s asked to shoot a calendar for charity, he can’t resist — especially since the models are the men of Hercules Security, some of the sexiest hunks he’s ever seen. Things get even better when he meets Mr. July, Geo Kensei, and the instant spark of attraction between them quickly bursts into an all-consuming flame.
Geo is exactly the kind of intense, dominating top Lee needs to fulfill all his fantasies, while Lee’s sensitivity and artistic soul tempt Geo to bind the gorgeous man to him with more than just ropes.
Unfortunately their careers force them to part ways, though they’re both anxious for a quick reunion. But in the midst of a war-torn city they meet again, and now Geo, the merc everyone calls “Saint”, must use every tool and skill he possesses to get both Lee and his client out of danger, while a frightened and confused Lee has a hard time finding the comfort he needs in Geo’s cold, hard pragmatism. Geo’s intense focus on the mission is all that’s keeping the three of them alive, but will it also end up costing him any chance to be with Lee?
Review: Lee was hired by Cade to photograph his men and to turn it into one sexy looking calendar. It was quite funny as the boyfriends or husbands were the ones to give ideas on how the pictures needed to look. That was until Geo, he had ideas that made Lee hot. A few nights of sweet and hot sex was a few of them. He didn’t know where he stood though, then all hell broke loose. Stuck in the middle of a war zone with people dying all around him. Leave it to him to find the sexy man of his dreams in the middle of it. Thankfully Geo also saved his ass.
Geo had wanted more than just a few nights with the sexy photojournalist, lots more. Then sent to protect and rescue those from a war zone leads him into places he had not expected. He turned all feelings off when on the job, but he had not expected to protect the man he was falling for. He just hadn’t known how to turn his feelings back on in a situation like that. Thankfully Ellen had a few ideas to help him out.
I have to say that the cover was a bit dull and no flash to it, which made me wonder about the story. Then I realized it was sex and kinky, then danger and death, then back to sex and kinky. It felt more like a porn story with the danger added in. It didn’t really do the story justice in my eyes. Had the sex happened after the danger then maybe it would have felt better. Also the connection between the guys didn’t really seem to have the heat and passion like it should have. Don’t get me wrong it was hotter than hell but seemed to be missing something.
Other than those issues this is one hell of a story. I truly liked it although not enough to read it more than once. I liked the idea of body guards and men in uniform, not to mention a man who carries a weapon. Makes the heat rise even more.
Blurb: Hunter Callahan loved being a merc. As an explosives expert for Lawson & Greer, he’s dealt with everything from IEDs to rogue nukes. But when a suicide bomber in the form of a seven-year-old boy walks into camp, Hunter learns there are some fates far worse than death.
Payne Gibson recognizes the “thousand yard stare” of the PTSD Hunter refuses to acknowledge, and as a natural caretaker, he can’t resist when his boss, Cade “Hercules” Thornton, asks him to help. Hunter is resistant until their surveillance assignment turns dangerous, and Hunter realizes he’s in danger of losing his career, the only thing in his life that matters to him anymore.
Conventional therapy hasn’t worked, so Payne suggests an unorthodox form of therapy: BDSM. As a Dom, Payne thinks he can help Hunter face the issues he’s been avoiding. Having come to trust Payne and knowing his career is on the line, Hunter agrees to try.
Their relationship as Dom and sub deepens more than either of them expected. Payne knows adding emotions into the mix is dangerous, but he can’t help it when Hunter is both the man and the sub Payne has hoped to find. But Hunter doesn’t feel he deserves love, not when his best friend is dead because of him, leaving behind a wife and child to mourn — and to blame Hunter for their loss.
Payne can help Hunter to stare into the abyss… but what stares back might be more intense than either of them can handle.
Review: Each book in the Herc’s Mercs collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Hunter and Mark were what one would call the best of what they were, merc’s. They would go in and take a bomb apart. That was not the only thing they did but you get the picture. They were best friends and as close as brothers as one could be. Things were looking up for them all, that is until Mark died protecting Hunter and a small child. It destroyed Hunter and made him want to give up. The only thing that kept him from doing so was his promise to his best friend. Now he would not be allowed back into the field, unless his bosses changed their mind. He was given a baby sitter that was a big surprise.
Payne was not only a member of the team but he had some degree’s in him that helped others around him. He had once been a field medic who also helped the mental side of things. Now he sits around watching. So when Cade called him and asked him for his help, he jumped at the chance. Not only was this guy going to be a challenge, but he was attracted to him as well. It would seem that therapy was not going to work for Hunter, but Payne knew what might.
Most times when one comes across books like this it is usually the client that the body guards fall for, and I was quite surprised and pleased that it was a unique type of story. It is not the usual danger and death brings them together, but PTSD. I could never imagine what one would go thru like Hunter had. I could see where he was going and the pain that would be caused from seeing his best friends wife and godson. He felt guilty but also angry. The author told the story with the perfect tone to it.
I will admit that I never thought BDSM could help someone like Hunter, but it was done with lots of respect from the author. I am not really a fan of it, but if it is not to harsh then it seems like it might just work for me. This author just told the story with beauty and respect for those who have gone thru it.
Now I did notice some grammar mistakes in this book but it didn’t screw the story up like most do. It was just missing words and the sort, just enough for me to notice but then again I was looking for them.
Now you got to know Hunter but Payne was a bit of a mystery. You have a fully developed character like Hunter, but Payne was not as well developed as he should have been. However once again, it doesn’t take away from the story at all. You felt Hunter’s pain and fell in love with him. It just took a bit longer to get to know Payne but once you’re getting into it, he just seems to hit you all at once.
It felt like the read was just a bit longer and it was a bit harder to actually get into. It is a very emotional type of story. So make sure you have your tissues ready.
I did enjoy it quite a bit and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
Hi guys! We have Ari & McKay stopping by today with the tour for No Pain, No Gain, we have a great excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and Lisa’s review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
No Pain, No Gain
(Herc’s Mercs 07)
by
Ari McKay
Hunter Callahan loved being a merc. As an explosives expert for Lawson & Greer, he’s dealt with everything from IEDs to rogue nukes. But when a suicide bomber in the form of a seven-year-old boy walks into camp, Hunter learns there are some fates far worse than death.
Payne Gibson recognizes the “thousand yard stare” of the PTSD Hunter refuses to acknowledge, and as a natural caretaker, he can’t resist when his boss, Cade “Hercules” Thornton, asks him to help. Hunter is resistant until their surveillance assignment turns dangerous, and Hunter realizes he’s in danger of losing his career, the only thing in his life that matters to him anymore.
Conventional therapy hasn’t worked, so Payne suggests an unorthodox form of therapy: BDSM. As a Dom, Payne thinks he can help Hunter face the issues he’s been avoiding. Having come to trust Payne and knowing his career is on the line, Hunter agrees to try.
Their relationship as Dom and sub deepens more than either of them expected. Payne knows adding emotions into the mix is dangerous, but he can’t help it when Hunter is both the man and the sub Payne has hoped to find. But Hunter doesn’t feel he deserves love, not when his best friend is dead because of him, leaving behind a wife and child to mourn — and to blame Hunter for their loss.
Payne can help Hunter to stare into the abyss… but what stares back might be more intense than either of them can handle.
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
(Herc’s Mercs 04)
by
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.
Title: Bloody but Unbowed Series: Herc’s Mercs, #3 Author: Ari McKay Genre: Romantic Suspense Length: Novella (141 Pages) Publisher: Torquere Press (January 14th, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts Blurb: Daryl Greer isn’t a bodyguard. He’s Hercules Security’s “odd-job” specialist, as wild and dangerous, as he is competent. Fiercely independent, he resents his older brother Matthew’s view that he spends his life “playing G.I. Joe.”
When he’s sent to rescue a kidnapped scientist, Dr. Emerson Winfield, from a terrorist organization, Daryl finds himself attracted to the snarky, outspoken man even though Emerson is the kind of rich, successful person Matthew claims could never be interested in a hick like Daryl.
For his part, Emerson doesn’t care about Daryl’s lack of polish; he’s more interested in the incredible chemistry between them. He sets out to prove to Daryl that they can make a relationship work despite their differences.
But Daryl’s defensiveness about his career drives a wedge between them — and if he doesn’t find a way to deal with his issues, Daryl might lose Emerson forever.
Review: Each book in 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. For me there is nothing better than men who carry guns but in this story the fact that these gorgeous men do what they can do to save others. Now they show what hero’s really are.
Daryl has a horrible child hood, caused a lot of trouble, joined the military only to get kicked out, and is now one of Herc’s Merconaries. He goes in and save those who are in need of saving. He can hot-wire a car in seconds, track those that don’t want to be found, annoy his brother to no end and find his ass in hot wire without trying. He is sent in to find a scientist and get his sexy ass back to safety. What he does not expect was to come across a scientist with an attitude and a mouth that doesn’t shut up. Nor does he expect to fall in love.
Emerson is the type that could get the Nobel Prize. However, what he ends up getting is his ass abducted by a terrorist organization and then rescued by one of the sexiest men alive. However, he has so many smart-ass remarks, I am surprised that Daryl hadn’t smacked him, but in the end, it seemed to turn the man on. They have their problems but these two have the strength to fight for their happiness in the end.
This is a fascinating story that I absolutely loved. I had a blast reading it and look forward to reading the next book in this amazing series. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. It gave me everything I could possibly want in a story and so much more.
If I could ever get the chance to meet someone like these men, I think I would be in heaven. They are so well described and their hearts can be seen in their eyes. You can usually tell when a story is written with a lot of passion and love, and this is one of them. I loved this book and would recommend reading it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Where Angels Fear To Tread
Title: No Pain No Gain
Title: Bloody but Unbowed