Title: Broken Mercies
Series: N/A
Author: Lucy Marker
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 24th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Musician Daniel Gilchrist has decided he’s broken.
He doesn’t deserve Jeremy Evans, a sensible, sweet artist who insists they belong together. Bad choices after a hellish childhood make Dan more suited to guys like his ex-lover, a toxic mega-star who wants to resume their affair.
But Jeremy is irresistible, and he’s survived a few nightmares of his own. He challenges Dan to get rid of the false shame imposed by his mentally ill mother. Her twisted zealotry had influenced his choices, and it’s time to stop blaming himself for inadequately protecting his little sisters from her cruelty.
While Dan wrestles with old guilt, his former lover persuades him to collaborate on a song that protests religious bigotry. Dan grows suspicious of the star’s odd behavior, and then law enforcement shows up.
That clinches it—Dan really isn’t good enough for Jeremy. Somehow, he’s managed to drag the poor guy into danger.
ISBN: 978-1-63216-215-1
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5723
Reviewer: Portia
Review: I love a story where one of the main characters is broken and I as a reader can slowly watch him come to a place of healing. But as a healthcare worker, specializing in mental health, I have a hard time reading some of the poorly researched characters in popular fiction. I have no idea what Lucy Marker did prior to putting pen to paper, but I do know that she did a phenomenal job dealing with some really tough issue.
Dan and Jeremy meet in rehab. Probably not the best hook up place, but their attraction is instant. And here is where Lucy Marker did something that I really like…she let them wait. That’s right, wait. I haven’t done any kind of long-term care in ever, but if I had patients I knew were struggling with issues, I would counsel them to work on their addictions/issues first and when they were in a better place, see where their attraction took them.
When I see crazy people bed hopping in books, I literally cringe. Love and sex are nice, but some people need a Jesus/therapy cocktail with a Xanax chaser to get better. Just sayin’…
As for the suspense element, the suspense definitely takes a back seat in this one, for me. However, I can honestly say, “I didn’t see that one coming.”.
For me, this was an intense read. Both Dan and Jeremy have been through literal hell. My mama heart broke a thousand times watching them heal. Especially, knowing that they were so hurt by people who should have done nothing more than love and protect them. I should also add that this book might provide triggers for readers with a history of childhood mental, sexual, or physical abuse.
And while this is a very emotionally draining book, there are moments when you one of the guys makes a breakthrough and you can’t help but cheer for them.
I recommend this for readers who like their romance with a healthy dose of reality. Broken men, good friends, and finding room to forgive oneself.
Highly recommend.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *