Search - Beg For Mercy (Mercy Hollings, Bk 1)

Toni Andrews introduces us to the world of Mercy. She has the ability to "press" people into her will. Mercy has learned to be very careful of her ability. She has hurt people by saying the wrong thing. But keeping everyone at arms length and learning strict control does not guarantee their safety.

This was a very good book by a new author. It takes place in present day, present time, Mercy just has a little something "special" about her. The ending is set up for a sequel. I will be loooking for the next book to see if author can keep me interested.

Please pardon the ever-so-obvious pun, but this book was begging for my readership. And it didn't fail to deliver.

Andrews puts Mercy Hollings, a hypnotherapist with a deep advantage over others in her field, through some extremely trying times in this page-turner. What starts out as a slip of her "pressing" ability, which she uses to manipulate others to do what she orders them to, on a dim-witted lug turns into an across-the-city chase to save her only supposed friend, Susan (or Sukey, and she is more widely known), from the grips of a drug dealer out to dig into Mercy's "special ability". It's all intertwined, you see - the drug deal is the lug's boss or cousin, depending on which chapter you're reading, and the snaky little drug runner has a weaker version of Hollings' ability.

It's much easier to understand when you're reading the book than the shortened version I give, and all the excitement and suspense weaved into the plot make it even better. Mercy's potential love with Matthew McConaughey look-alike Sam heats it up substantially, while Dominic (the drug dealer)'s occasional debonair entrance twists things around, almost suggesting a romantic turn in his favor.

Andrews adds many humorous bits, including a frequent camero by Hollings' cat, Fred, who favors the occasional trip to the apartment floor above her home for champagne wishes and caviar dreams (at least the latter, anyway); and the late appearance of Cujo/Cupcake, the lovable, terrorizing Rottweiler owned by a hand of Dominic's.

Mercy is a powerful character, oozing of intellect and girl power; Sukey is her perfect sidekick, fully understanding and very slightly air-headed. Sam is Mercy's handsome counterpart, creating constant sexual tension between the two. And how can you not love a big-faced, doe-eyed Rottweiler?

This book sat for ages, unread, on my bookshelf. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. The author writes in a way that makes you care about the characters, and Andrews has all of the ability to be a staying force in the paranormal genre.

Sexy without overt sexual reference, strong without being overbearing, and just dark enough to make it believable...Mercy is one I'd recommend to all of my friends.

Great series of books. I really enjoyed them and am eagerly waiting for the next in the series. Loved the characters and the story.

I greatly disliked Mercy Hollings and will not continue this series. I just couldn't relate to her at all. She has this ability to influence people by making them do what she wants them to do. This was ok when she was practicing hypnotherapy and helping people stop smoking and diet. However, when she went from therapist to thug, I lost interest. Granted her best friend was kidnapped by a drug dealer and Mercy was trying to find her. But her methods were just something I don't like and am not willing to read about again.

The concept was interesting, but I just couldn't stay interested in this book. I don't know what it was. I just didn't enjoy this at all. I'm going to pass on the rest of this series.