Veena’s review of Mercy (Holton Woods, Book 1) by HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 06 May 14
It’s a wonder that Jarrett Holt allowed Becca Ford back into his club after she distracted him with a blow job while her CIA colleagues raided his club and took him into custody. Being caught with his pants down was definitely not his best moment and he’s not going to forgive or forget easily. Or is he? I was intrigued by the excerpt, and then Sandy M’s review just cemented that I absolutely had to get the whole story.
The CIA believed that Jarrett was serving way more than supper to Washington’s elite movers and shakers at his club in the center of Washington DC. Becca’s assignment was to use the oldest trick in the world and get in deep enough to expose what went on behind his secure walls. He definitely got caught, but she’s caught too in the sticky snares of the very trap that she originally baited.
Despite the very public handcuffed escort from his supper club, he’s able to produce a get-out-of-jail card and is “free” while Becca’s on the run for her life. Her team has been eliminated and she’s just one step ahead of the ax man. She needs answers and a safe place where she can take a breath and try to put this puzzle together.
With their oh-so-public history, it’s surprising that she believes Jarrett will offer her both. But her trust is definitely justified when he comes through against the advice of his two friends. He does, however, demand a price that she seems willing, even eager, to pay. But then Jarrett is hiding his own secrets and she’ll uncover them one by one.
Jarrett is a fascinating character. He’s clawed his way from the streets to becoming a high-end information broker. He presents a very rough image to the world, but underneath he’s marshmallow. I also really like his two friends, Bast and Wade, and can’t wait for each one of them to get their stories and happy endings.
Grade:B
See Sandy M’s review here.
Summary:
After she infiltrated his business and betrayed his trust, a disavowed CIA agent must seek sanctuary in the bedroom of a man who will either help her, kill her, or bring her to her knees…
Becca Ford is on her own. Eight months after she headed up a sting operation to take down millionaire club owner Jarrett Holt, the other agents in her special ops team have been eliminated under odd circumstances, and she needs a place to hide.
Jarrett is a man who prefers darkness to light. He deals in the only truly valuable currency—information—and his supper club caters to an exclusive clientele. It was an uncharacteristic moment of weakness when he let a woman into his life. But it’s not luck that the criminal charges disappeared . . . as did the evidence.
When Becca returns to the club seeking his help, Jarrett doesn’t want to hear her story. But he does want her body, and demands that she give it to him. He’ll keep her safe—for now—but it’ll be in his bed and on his terms, until he says they’re done.
