Mercenary
by Michele Mannon
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Pub Date 3 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 9 Sep 2020
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Description
Sometimes in life, choices just aren't part of the plan. When fate interferes and bulldozes right over you.
That's how I felt the first time I saw him. Standing in my kitchen, soaking wet, hotter than a man has the right to be, and holding a knife.
Declan's cold, stone-cold. I can't help but want him. His presence stirs up some raw emotion within me. He seems so...alone. But is he here to kill me or save me?
He's the one man I should never want...and the one I can never forget.
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About the author
Michele Mannon has been writing romance since her first publication in 2012. A multiple recipient of Romantic Times Magazine’s prestigious TOP PICKS distinction, Michele’s books always pack a punch, leaving readers laughing out loud, or swooning and biting their fingernails at all the appropriate times.
To date, she’s written contemporary sports and spicy, enemies-to-lovers romances with a heavy dose of suspense. Her books have been sold in print, digitally, and on Audible.
Michele lives on a mountain overlooking the Delaware River, where she can be found with a glass of Riesling in her hand and a laptop on her lap. Find her online at: http://www.michelemannon.com
Contact/Connect
MicheleMannon@gmail.com
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Book Details
Mercenary is the second book in the sexy and suspenseful Deadliest Lies Novels. It is a stand-alone book yet characters, setting, and time frames overlap in all six books.
Price: $3.99 and a Kindle Unlimited Book
Short excerpt:
Madelyn
I tap my foot, thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn’t let him in. Until a healthy dose of curiosity grasps hold of me once more and I return to my door, and to spying on the stranger on my stoop.
I don’t understand how he knows I’m here—a sixth sense or something—but this time, he turns.
His head lifts.
Our eyes connect.
The heavy, humid air inside the trailer thickens like fog. Leaving me lightheaded. Breathless.
His hood is now pulled up over his head, adding to the dangerous vibe that seems to seep from his pores. His eyes cut straight through me, piercing me with their intensity. High cheekbones framing a crooked nose that’s likely been busted a time or two. There’s scruff on his chin like he’s forgotten to shave. His lips are full, yet pulled tightly into a firm, no-nonsense line.
I feel unbalanced. I had a similar feeling earlier, after being woken up from my deep sleep on the living room sofa by three loud pops. I lay there, stiff and still and a bit unnerved. Wondering if a kid had gotten hold of some fireworks. Or worse, his hands on a gun. Happy Times might not be the Ritz Plaza but it’s typically quiet and peaceful. I’d peeked outside but nothing seemed amiss.
I waited to fall back asleep for what seemed like an hour, listening for any and all suspicious sounds, ready to dial 911 at the slightest noise. Until I was certain whatever had awoken me had passed and promptly gave into my sleepiness.
The next time I looked outside, the stranger was on my stoop.
What if he’s waiting for my sister? I should find out. It’s not like he’s oblivious to how I’ve been studying him from behind the thin lace curtain.
I swallow hard, still staring at him. Aware of him and the fact that he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. And for some strange reason, I feel compelled to talk to him. I crack the door open.
“Are you here for Kylie?”
He shakes his head ever so slightly. Is that a yes or no?
Thunder sounds off in the distance. It’s definitely going to storm.
“You can wait inside for the weather to pass,” I murmur, making up my mind and throwing caution into the wind, the kind that comes rolling through Oklahoma like hell on a high breeze. “But I need you to prove you’re my sister’s friend. Otherwise, I highly suggest you seek shelter somewhere else.”
“‘Never mind the bollocks,’” he mutters in a low voice.
I blink, then burst out laughing. Oh sweet Heaven. He is a friend of Kylie’s. He’s quoted a line from one of her eclectic rock-’n-’roll T-shirts.
I open the door wider. “Come on inside.”
Either he doesn’t hear me or he’s ignoring my offer. Hard to say. It thunders again. I watch to see if he notices. Or cares. Trouble, I think, brewing right on my front step, much like the angry gray clouds rolling in.
Will he ignore them, too?
Featured Reviews
Wendy N, Reviewer
A killer wants to protect her but might not be able to!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💛🧡🖤
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📒
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎🌍
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
The setting: Okla-f*ck-me-over-homa, San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Texas.
The Hero: Declan – Works as a hitman for a corrupt corporation, an off-the-grid private security contracting organization. His boss is more like a Mob boss. Declan is sent out to take care of people that cross them.
The heroine: Madelyn – Her parents have both died, all she has is her sister Kylie who is a chemist. Madelyn is studying marine biology and got a full ride scholarship to college in San Diego. Since her mother died of cancer, her sister has been pretty absent and acting a bit shady. They live in a trailer home in Oklahoma. Madelyn is very innocent and naïve.
Love Story: Declan is at the trailer park outside their trailer when a severe storm opens up the heavens. Madelyn invites him inside because he says he is a friend of Kylie. Sparks are flying all over the place. After that she sees him again when she is in a dicey situation and he protects her. Madelyn sees him as her hero. Though in reality he is nothing of the sort.
This book was HOT! I loved every minute of it and even went right out an purchased book 1 in the series. That was Kylie’s story. I can’t wait to read that one. Though I don’t see how it could be better than this one. I loved how stoic and broody Declan is, despite him much he wants Madelyn. He wants to protect her but knows he has to use her to find her sister. I just can’t get enough of the attraction between them.
Madelyn is innocent and naïve but also is someone that can hold her own. She takes things as they come and hardens herself when she comes across situations that would freak out a lesser person. Madelyn does some surprising things and is a great heroine. I just loved both of these main characters. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Payten D, Reviewer
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing and Michele Mannon for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is book number two in Michele Mannon’s Deadliest Lies series, but I had not read the first. While you can read this as a standalone, it will ruin book number one. The way these are written means reading the series in order is important to understand the whole story! I still finished and enjoyed this book, though!
After catching the attention of the wrong people, Madelyn’s life is in danger. After losing her mom and losing contact with her sister, Madelyn is more vulnerable than ever. Declan is everything Madelyn isn’t. While she’s sweet, and nieve, he is dangerous and cold. Madelyn is just there to help him get to her sister, but he never imagined she’d be his perfect match.
This book was thrilling and fast paced and while I did get a little lost in a few spots, that is completely my own fault not reading book number 1 first! The chemistry is undeniable between Madelyn and Declan and the steamy scenes had me blushing. Who doesn’t love a hot alpha man every once in a while?!
This book was different than the romances I usually read which gave me a fresh palate and a new series to read!
Debbie C, Reviewer
This is the second book in this series and I have to say I had trouble following it as I believe book 1 Kylies story needs to be read first once I bought that and read it I absolutely loved this story but saying that it isn't Dior the faint hearted This hero is no hero in fact he is a cold hearted killer but in his latest target he may have found redemption.
Kylie and Madelyn are sister but where Kylie is the adventurous one who keeps secret and we know from her book that she is fact a black op soldier Madelyn is the quite studious sister. Now she is looking for her sister who has disappeared once again at her sisters home she finds a man in the storm and assuming he is a friend of her sisters she invites him in. Declan is a hired killer sent into find out where Kylie is and he will use her sister to get that information but as he spends more time with her he realises just how naive and innocent she is and he starts to rethink what eh had planned for her. Soon passion flares between them and he learns that while she may be innocent she soon becomes master at destroying him with her love. Can they have a future together will he help her hunt for her sister and can they find a way to be together You will have to read to see
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