Customer Reviews

Beg for Mercy (Mercy Hollings, Book 1)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think that it would be nice if Amazon or someone would identify up front that a book is a Romance with paranormal story lines instead of painting a picture that's not very accurate. This is a Romance novel, basically, and it has a little paranormal stuff thrown in to make it different than the thousands of other romance novels out there.

The Main Character is an embittered, unknowingly beautiful, powerful paranormal who is so cliche that you have probably read about her 10 times already if you have been a big fan of the paranormal/urban fantasy genre. The author is not a bad writer, but the story is really boring if you are looking for more of the fantasy/paranormal and less of the romance.

I am not going to breakdown the story any further because if you are a fan of romance and like the paranormal slant you will want to read it and not me spoil it. If you are not into romance novels then skip this book and read Patricia Briggs or Kim Harrison who write the Fantasy/Paranormal with romance as a sidenote.

Advoiding the first-book-in-a-series pitfall of excessive world building, author Toni Andrews does an excellent job of creating a unique and compelling heroine, telling an interesting story and making great use of her Balboa Island setting to give the story a sense of reality. And yet from hints that were dropped, I suspect that there is a lot more about this world that has yet to be uncovered.

Heroine Mercy wonders if she's human. She discovered her unusual psychic talent the hard way as a child, when she told a classmate to `shut up', he didn't speak again for years. Mercy calls her talent the `push' and because the mental suggestion is magnified by strong emotion, she's avoided relationships and cultivated rigid control and a strict moral code to keep from taking advantage of others or harming them with her powers. But if her control were perfect there would be no story and one little lapse snowballs into a very convoluted set of circumstances that change Mercy's life forever.

There are several things that I really like about Mercy's character. She is not the stereotypical impulsive, sassy kick butt heroine with a tormented past that is popping up so frequency in these urban fantasies. Instead, she is capable and, in spite of her one little slip, she stops and thinks things through and doesn't go off half cocked. She also makes use of her resources, in this story she gather together quite a support system or as she calls them `minions'. She has been a loner in the past, but not out of angst-ridden self-torture but just a side product of trying to avoid misusing her powers.

There are several other well developed characters in addition to Mercy. I loved Mercy's best friend Sukey. She was a great side character that starts out being so needy and so desperate for a relationship that she keeps picking a string of losers that she basically stalks until they reject her. But once Sukey expresses her desire to change this distructive behavior, and Mercy uses her `push' in a very constructive way that kicks in Sukey `s self-esteem - Sukey turns out to be a really cool dynamo, almost a force of nature. The bad guy Dominic, a charming snake, and Mercy's other minions, Tito and Hidli are also interesting. Mercy also has a love interest Sam, who is not as well developed but there is still a sense of who he is and I hope that she will continue to develop him as the series progresses, since there is a great chemistry between Sam and Mercy.

I really enjoyed Beg for Mercy and am hoping that when Angel of Mercy comes out next year the series will fulfill the promise it has shown so far.

Mercy Hollings has spent a lifetime keeping people at an emotional distance. Called a freak and shuffled around in the foster care system as a child, Mercy has learned to keep secrets, particularly the secret concerning her psychic power. She calls it the "press", her ability to control people via telling them what she wants them to do. Her power is a dangerous one as sometimes there are unintended consequences. Mercy only wants to help her friend, Sukey, but what follows is a nightmare. Mercy will have to learn to trust others if she and her friends hope to survive.

Okay, the names distracted me. I am already attached to two other series with heroines named Mercy and Sukey (albeit, spelled a bit differently), and there is even a Sam in one of those series. I hate to sound nitpicky, but those names already resonate very strongly for me with other characters and that kept me from really appreciating this story to the degree I would have liked.

Mercy Hollings is a quirky but very feisty character. I like her willingness to defend and protect her friends. Sukey is a fantastic best friend for Mercy, as her bubbly personality keeps Mercy in check. Mercy has had a horrendous past, and Sukey helps Mercy focus on the positive and on living life to the fullest.

Mercy's love interest is Sam but don't expect BEG FOR MERCY to follow the path of a traditional romance. BEG FOR MERCY is more of an urban fantasy laced with a touch of romance. The action is fairly high powered although the limits of believability were stretched a bit.

BEG FOR MERCY is a fun first novel. While I did have some qualms about the book (most notably the names), I fully intend to read the second tale to see where Toni Andrews takes this story. The "press" is an interesting choice for a psychic power, and I hope to see further revelations about Mercy's past.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

The blurb on the back of this book made me wonder if Mercy Hollings is something like the Incredibly Hulk in that we're told that people around her are at risk when she gets angry. But no, Mercy doesn't turn into an unjolly green giant, instead she has an ability to 'press' or bend people to her will. For example, if someone annoyed her and she said "go and take a running jump" they would. Clearly this is significant in terms of her interaction with people; something said in the heat of the moment, when drunk, without thought, could cause significant harm - and has in the past done so.

So Mercy is a loner, newly working as a hypnotherapist (with very good results) and with a strong personal code of ethics as to how she uses her ability. Not much, in other words, unless with the person's full consent, which is only really possible as part of her hypnotherapy practice. However Mercy's life is undergoing something of a change - she's finding herself with some friends who seem to care about her and when she cares about them too, and rescues her ditzy friend Sukey from an unsavoury man, she opens up a whole can of worms. Sometimes breaking some of her code of ethics means having to break even more to clean up the mess.

The cast of characters in this book is excellent, from Mercy herself (yes, another Mercedes, like in Patricia Briggs' paranormal series) whose daily decisions about whether to use her talent, together with doubt over her own humanity and her origins, give her a vulnerable and yet powerful edge; to Sam, the love interest, a surprisingly phlegmatic man who sees enough in Mercy to overlook her secrets; and to Sukey, the friend with a frightening taste in men who grows up quickly in this book. There are many other side characters who are all interesting and add a flavour to the setting, Balboa in California, both from the Yacht Club set to the drug-running underground.

My only slight reservation about this book is that the baddie was finished off rather easily after quite a lot of plotting and difficulty but this was a minor quibble and the overall quality of writing and plotting was excellent. We are privy to Mercy's thoughts about the ethics of her talent and that's what makes the book so strong - it's not just a semi-magical tale set in today's world but genuinely tries to consider how life might be for someone with an unusual skill that sets her apart from others, rather like Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series, except Mercy's friends are all human.

The threads of the main plotline were tied up at the end but the relationships between some of the main characters weren't, thus this is the beginning of a new series (with "Angel of Mercy" to be released next). However it was a very enjoyable and satisfying read on its own and I will certainly be buying the next book in the series when it is published.

I picked up this book based on the back blurb. I am ever in search of something new to read. 3 1/2 to 4 stars. This author has great potential, and this is a really nice 1st effort. I enjoyed this book, it kept me interested. I wouldn't call it a paranormal romance, more of an urban fantasy with a little romance thrown in. I liked it enough that I will definitely pick up the next book in what appears to be a new series. There was an excerpt in the back of this book for the next book expected in May of 2008 entitled "angel of mercy".
What I liked. A new and different slant on a paranormal "power". Mercy is able to "press" ppl. A talent that is basically mind control. Her constant battle to not take advantage of her talent was believable and appealing. I felt like her character was well developed and we were left w/ something of a cliff-hanger surrrounding the mystery of Mercy's parents and origins.
I liked the cast of side characters. Hildy, Tino and Sukey were all fun, interesting and adding humor to the story. Mercy herself is a rather serious character.
The "villian" was a pretty good villian, but I wished we had learned more about him and his connection/knowledge of Mercy's background before his demise. His motives were a little vague.
I didn't like that the main 2 characters share the same names as 2 main characters in another popular paranormal series.
I didn't like Mercy's love interest, Sam. He was rather flat and uninteresting. His character somewhat weak. All the other side characters were much more lively and multifaceted.
The story line did hold my interest, and I will tune in again for more adventures from this "gang".

Mercy Hollings has an extraordinary gift. She has the power to make people do what she wants. She calls this power 'the press'. Mercy's friend Sukey has appalling taste in men, when her latest boyfriend (Rocko) slips her heroin and causes her to overdose, Mercy takes matters into her own hands to ensure it will never happen again. Unfortunately in getting rid of the sleazy boyfriend, Mercy manages to draw the attention of Dominic, drug dealer and Rocko's boss. Dominic wants his heroin back.

Mercy is just trying to live an ordinary life without hurting people. She has four rules for when she can and cannot use her power. The most important being - do no harm. But when a word spoken in haste or anger can do irreparable damage it's easy to understand why she's chosen to try and isolate herself. However, she's made friends in this community and when she puts those people in danger, she sorts her mess out and ultimately has to break her rules. (Though it has to be said, she sometimes seems to have a pretty flexible approach to most of them.)

Mercy does let her emotions over-ride her judgement, which considering the power she has isn't a good thing. She initially pursues Rocko without being certain of his guilt. She makes a big assumption because of her own self-recrimination. And when she uses the press on him, she sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately put Sukey, and Mercy's other friends in even more danger. I very much liked this ripple effect. Nearly everything that happens can be traced back to that initial press on Rocko. As Mercy tries to put things right, she ends up having to use the press even more. It shows how easily she could become corrupted by her power.

There is the beginning of a romantic relationship between Mercy and Sam, but this story mainly focuses on Mercy, so if you prefer the romantic relationship to be the central thrust of the story this one may not be for you. But you'd be missing out on a great tale.

Mercy has a power that can't be topped. These are tricky heroes to write about, and initially I was a little concerned. This is why Superman has kryptonite. There has to be something for the bad guy to exploit. But I needn't have worried because Mercy has her weak points.

She knows the consequences of using the press can be catastrophic, but even knowing this, she still uses it. She tries to take care, but even when she's being cautious, the results are unpredictable, because it's impossible for her to foresee all the consequences of her actions. She's also, without realising it, come to care for her friends - always a liability in fiction. And finally she meets someone on whom the press doesn't work - Dominic.

Dominic, Dominic, Dominic. An absolutely delicious bad guy. He's not a nice man. He's very, very bad. But Toni Andrews writes him as charmingly evil. He knows (or says he knows) much more about Mercy than she knows about herself. I can't help but hope we haven't seen the last of him.

Beg for Mercy makes a refreshing change from vampires, werewolves, elves and the end of the world. Recommended.

Angel of Mercy (Book 2) - May 2008

I don't usually read paranormals, but I thought this had a really unique plot. Mercy Hollings can convince people do to what she wants...and she constantly struggles with her ability, trying to use it for good purposes but finding it hard to do so. It was a quick read with a really unusual heroine and a nice set up for more in the series.

Beg For Mercy is a must read on anybody's list. Mercy is both appealing and a little scary. Sam is the strong, quiet type a woman can always count on in a pinch. And everybody should have a best friend like Sukey. She is Mercy's alter ego--the warm, trusting, and open woman Mercy wishes she could be. The rest of the Pussy Posse is a hoot. Too bad they come from the author's imagination. I wish I could meet them in person.

I love Mercy and her inner conflicts, especially when the evil and manipulative Dominic shows up.

I like the paranormal genre, but am sick to death of vampires, werewolves, and the run of the mill shape-shifters. Beg For Mercy is fresh and new. Can't wait to see more of Mercy in future books.

I picked up this book as I do with many, I was caught by the title. I read the back and figured I'd give it a shot. I don't know what I thought I was buying, but I didn't expect what I got, which was a fun tale of intrigue set in sunny SoCal.

I like how the main character finds herself surrounded by friends in the long run and particularly enjoyed some of the minor characters, especially Tino. The author does a good job of describing what that particular corner of Orange County is like.

Mercy Hollings has the ability to hypnotically induce people to do what she says, but she doesn't understand her power or how to control it. The mystery of her background is intriguing and so is her reaction when the bad guy doesn't respond to "the press", as she calls it. How will Mercy vanquish him to save her best friend? This fast-paced story is original and engrossing, and I find myself wanting to follow Mercy through more adventures. I look forward to the sequel.