Merciless

fast-paced romantic suspense

In Jacobville, Texas his mom Cammy and a mob of spousal stalkers want San Antonio FBI agent Jon Blackhawk married. However, he prefers the life of a single an. His efficient assistant Joceline Perry is effective at keeping the she wolves at bay.

Joceline raises her son Markie as a single mom. Several townsfolk have pressured her to name the dad, but she refuses insisting he is dead. Though attracted to one another, neither prefers any relationship except a professional one; they even reject the gaming connection both have with his his brother and she with her son. That changes when a killer Harold Monroe seeking revenge attacks Jon and targets Joceline and Markie as expendable pawns to get at the fed.

The sequel to Dangerous (Jon's brother Kilraven's tale) is a fast-paced romantic suspense. The lead couple is a dynamic pairing as she is sassy intelligent and he is Texas tough while the support cast adds either humor or tension. Although the murder mystery subplot is thin, the online games show fast information technology turns obsolete, as Diana Palmer provides an entertaining police procedural romance.

Harriet Klausner

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Great

romance the way it's supposed to be written- loved it

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

FANTASTIC Romantic Suspense and Hunky Cowboys!

I must say this first: WOW! Where on earth have I been that I haven't read a Diana Palmer novel before?! I guess I must have been in a cave, but now I'm out and am SO happy to have read this novel. When I chose it to review, I couldn't wait to jump into it. Boy, was I glad I did, too! Merciless is a wonderfully written novel, and Palmer's characters jump at the reader and hook them into the heart of the story with them. The reader is instantly pulled in and taken on the whirl wind of action, romance and suspense; riding along for the duration. Merciless follows Jon Blackhawk and Joceline Perry. Jon is a 30 year old senior FBI agent and his secretary Joceline is a single mom of a 4 year old little boy with medical issues. And, she harbors a secret. One that could forever change lives around her. Jon is targeted by someone he had arrested...or so he thinks. When clues start arising to the truth of his enemies, will Joceline and Jon be able to solve the mystery? And confess their true feelings for each? Or will secrets, and one mean mama, keep them apart? Each page turn brought new twists and turns, and I couldn't put the book down. I loved the western cowboy feel, the hunky FBI agent, the mysterious suspense and the romance! I highly recommend this a 5 star MUST read for every one who loves suspense, and romance, and those hunky good looking Texans! I am definitely going back to read Dangerous, Jon's brother's story! And, I look forward to being a devoted fan of Ms. Palmer's and reading all her past and future works! Reviewed for: PTA Reviewer Rewards

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic Read

Tall, dark and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk isn't ready to settle down, certainly not with any of the prospects his manipulative mother Cammy selects. Fortunately, his administrative Assistant Joceline Perry has his back. She also has a secret she cannot reveal to anyone, especially her good-looking boss. However, when a revenge-seeking criminal targets Jon, his family and Joceline and her son, the two must work together...and try to deny the attraction simmering between them.

For five years, Joceline has worked for Jon, determined not to let her feelings for the handsome Cherokee/Lakota man show. Joceline is efficient, indispensable to Jon, and willing to dish out the banter, but she's very private about her personal life. The story she tells people is that Markie's father was a soldier who left for Iraq and never came back. As a single mother of an asthmatic boy who may have ADD, Joceline's number one priority is to Markie, to care for him and protect him as best she can. On the job she has an uncanny ability to ferret out information needed for Jon's cases, but she's adamant about not doing menial tasks such as making coffee-not in her job description.

Jon works out of the San Antonio office on the violent crimes squad and specializes in human trafficking crimes, sometimes with his older brother McKuen Kilraven, another federal agent, and Detective Sergeant Rick Marquez. Both Jon and his brother are ultra-conservative. Rumor has it that Jon has never had a woman, but it not for the women's lack of trying. It seems his mother is determined to find a wife for her youngest son, and she knows it's not going to be anyone as immoral as Jon's assistant who has an illegitimate son. Jon meanwhile, is discovering that he's quite attracted to Joceline.

When a known criminal, Harold Monroe, is released, threats begin, first toward Joceline and Markie, then toward Jon and his family, and Jon seeks the help of Rourke, who seems to be a mercenary with South African origins, to guard Joceline and Markie. Eventually, Jon decides they'd be safer at his ranch. What Jon doesn't realize is the killer is after more than just Joceline and Markie. Jon is shot and lands in the hospital. Joceline rushes to his side. They return to the ranch where Cammy Blackhawk descends. Finding Joceline there, Cammy vents her rage on Joceline who now realizes any possibility of a life with Jon is but a dream. Cammy's anger sets off an asthma attack in Markie, and she rushes him to a hospital, only to be followed by a repentant Cammy who shares a few secrets of her own.

I enjoyed Merciless very much despite a few niggles, namely a plot that has been done and done: a drop-dead gorgeous Texan who happens to be Native American, who happens to be rich as Croesus, who happens to have a spectacular ranch and an opinionated overbearing mother. We are told that Cammy Blackhawk is really a nice person, but in the first half of the story she seems more caricature than character. Then she transforms into a gentle and caring woman. The manner in which Ms. Palmer handled Cammy's confession pulled it from the brink for me. At this point I was invested in both the characters and the outcome. There is much more, but mentioning any of it would be a spoiler.

Read the full review at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not her best but still good read

I read other reviews here and at Amazon before writing mine and I have to say each had a point. It is not her best work but I still liked it. There were scenes that were repeated but perhaps the editor didn't catch that. I liked that Jon Blackhawk was almost a virgin as it sure is a change for the man to be chase. I didn't like his mother and her pompous ways and hypercritical mindset especially considering her past. The endless references to the single unwed mother was a bit tiring. But all the people who are Diana Palmer fans know that most of her women are virgins and sex out of wedlock has always been a no no theme and if it happens the woman must marry the man in question. As for the ADD thing with the son I felt that the book was trying to say to use medication as a last resort and try something else first and not be quick about medicating children. One of the things I use to like about Diana Palmer's books was the tension between her main characters. This was lacking but I will say again that I liked the book and thought it was better than the last two. I am still a fan of Ms. Palmer and will always be, I am sure.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Decent albeit formulaic romantic read

Can you keep a secret? Are you willing to lie in order to maintain that secret? Joceline Perry must do just that in order to protect her secrets in MERCILESS by Diana Palmer.

Joceline works as an administrative assistant at the FBI and is a single mom. Her boss is Jon Blackhawk, an FBI agent, lawyer, and handsome and wealthy young man. Jon knows that he'd be lost without Joceline's assistance and their work relationship is a strange dance in comraderie and teasing. Joceline does her best to protect Jon from his mother's matchmaking and keep him on schedule and well-informed on his cases. Things are going reasonably well for both until a bad guy is released on bail. This is unfortunate because this particular bad guy was arrested for participating in the murder of Jon's sister-in-law and niece a few years ago. Of course the bad guy has threated Jon's life and now Jon winds up being shot. Of course the bad guy threatens Jon's family and co-workers so Joceline and her son must be protected. And of course, nothing remains a secret forever.

Regrettably I must be a little "merciless" about MERCILESS. The story was somewhat formulaic and nothing that happened was really a surprise. I didn't like the wealthy boss and penniless and subservient but hardworking worker scheme and felt it was overdone (perhaps my cynicism is showing). Having said that...if you prefer a light, romantic HEA quick read then MERCILESS may work for you.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Disappointed

Expected more from this book, Diana Palmer is the best Western Romance Author I've read, but she missed it on this one. It was more like the cliff notes. Jon's mother kicks Joceline and her sick son off the ranch, the son ends up in the hospital, the next thing you know all is forgiven and they are best buds¿ and there is no scene about the first meeting of father and son¿ will the real author please step up because this could not have been DP¿s book.

DISAPPOINTED!

I avoid romance stories. I took a chance with this one. And regret it. The characters aren't endearing, the plot predictable. And while a fast read, it seemed to be written for middle school readers. The romance, after so much antagonistic banter between main characters, seemed odd. And the light bulb 'putting clues together' situations were weak and implausible. Glad I read the library copy. Kept me from wasting my money because I would have burned this book in the fireplace.

Excellent

Ms. Palmer always put a humorous side to her novels, which I enjoy. The theme of ?A Dozen Deadly Roses? is similar but with a different viewpoint. Both are high recommended.

Highly Recommended - you must read it!!

As always Diana Palmer has written a great book!!

I hope that when I get brave enough to publish something I will have something half as good as what I read in Merciless.

Diana Palmer is one lady that has inspiried me to write.

Keep up the wonderful writings, I cant wait for more:)

Good!

Well I like Diana Palmer books and have been reading her stories for a long time, we always have good days and bad days and this book is not quite great, the story about Kilraven was more interesting than this this one, plus the plot on the one was great. If you are reading her books just because , then you will like this one, but be prepared to fell bored in some pages... Enjoy

A bit dull and dated

Readers have been fans of Diana Palmer for quite a while now. This is a woman who writes romance novels that have made the New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists. Her characters have become beloved in many romance sectors, however, this new one is a bit.dull. Jon Blackhawk is one of those stunning, rigid, quiet lawmen who really wants to be left alone in his home of Jacobsville. He is an FBI agent who specializes in helping children and throwing kidnappers and child traffickers in prison as fast as he possibly can. This is a man who is truly - well, the way he's written - a saint, apparently. He is the ultimate bulldog when it comes to his job, and the rumor around town is that he has 'saved himself' for marriage. His rich mother, Cammy, is a true bulldog as well. All she wants is for her son to marry and give her grandchildren. In order to do this, she sends some of the most ridiculous women straight into his office to try and woo him in order to get him down the aisle. These women want the big, tough guy, but their conversations seem limited to haircuts, the latest fashion in Paris, and other things that Jon couldn't care less about. On top of that, they all want to change Jon and make him stop playing so many video games like Halo, World of Warcraft, etc. Jon is fed up with his mother, especially since his half brother has just gotten remarried with a baby on the way; and as far as Jon is concerned, that should be enough. Joceline, pretty much the only character with some serious backbone and sense of humor, is Jon's paralegal and administrative assistant. There is no one smarter and no one better at her job. There is also no one better at sarcasm and she uses it to get the little 'princesses' Cammy sends, out of Jon's offic. She also has the ability to banter with her boss until he becomes so frustrated he can barely speak. But he puts up with her (even though she refuses to do menial tasks like make the office good coffee). Joceline has her own difficulties. She is a single Mom of a little boy and she is shunned by most of the town. Rumors and gossip abound where Joceline's private life is concerned, so she keeps telling the story about how she was engaged to a military man who went off to war and never came back; that's why she is a single mother. But, of course, Joceline has a secret that she can never tell. Cammy despises Joceline. She is always coming to the office or calling and saying hideous words about this wonderful young woman who is completely in love with her boss, but is struggling to make sure that her asthmatic son is well, and there is enough money in the bank to take care of him. When a monster that Jon put away gets out of prison and threatens everyone who was involved with putting him there in the first place, Jon and Joceline are in the path of his rage and must leave town in order to make sure that they remain safe. This book would have worked a great deal better if the setting had been about fifty-years-ago and not present-day. The reason for this is that all the characters in the book are amazingly self-righteous, and make the subjects of single parenting, sex before marriage, and racial issues into something huge, which is definitely not twenty-first-century thinking. Quill Says: If you are a Diana Palmer fan you will enjoy this book. But for some readers the story is just a bit too outdated, and the characters all seem to be running for "saint of the year."

Sweet

I have to say that this book might have been old fashioned, but it was sweet.

Romance,mystery and suspense rolled together

It has been several years since I read anything by Diana Palmer, but after reading Merciless I am thinking I need to catch up on what she has written.
This story revolves around Jon Blackhawk and his assistant Joceline. Jon is a thirty year old FBI agent whose mother wants to help him find a wife, something he is dead set against. Joceline has been Jon's assistant for several years, and while they have a good work relationship, she is determined to keep her work life and personal life separate. She has always been known as a very conservative person, but a few years back she had a son,Markie, and has always kept her son away from the office, only sharing the fact that Markie's father was killed in war before the two could get married. She is keeping a secret though, one that will change several lives. When one of Jon's enemies starts making threats against not only him and his family but Joceline and Markie as well, he wants to protect them by taking them to his ranch, and while there Jon and Joceline's feelings heat up! Can they figure out who is making the threats, and what happens when people around Jon start figuring out Joceline's secret?
This story was romance, drama, and mystery rolled into one. While I liked the characters, Joceline was a struggling single mother, whose secret really was very easy to figure out, and I was a bit surprised it took the secondary characters so long to get it. I felt that the attitude that Cammie had about Joceline being a single parent was repeated way to often, and was quite outdated as well. While I did enjoy the banter between Joceline and Jon, the bit about her not making coffee was another line that was really overused.Those few complaints aside, I found myself reading this book thru in one sitting, I always love a good romance, and the mystery and suspense of not knowing what might happen next made for an interesting story. The author does a great job of wrapping the book up nicely at the end.The author also provides the first chapter of her next book titled "Wyoming Tough," due out in Nov.2011, and if the first chapter is any indication it going to be a great book, one that I can't wait to read!
Overall if your looking for an entertaining read that will hold your attention for a few hours and are a fan of romance with a happily ever after ending then you just might enjoy this one.
rating 4/5

Typical Diana Palmer

This was Diana Palmer at her best. It was a good read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a light romance.

Great Story - Great Read

I love this author and this story line. You can read any of her books by themselves or follow the many characters that find their own story later on. I couln't put this book down until I completed it and always watch for when a new one is coming by this author. A great romantic read.

Loved it

Diana write very good romance books. I alway feel good after reading her books. I loved the sarcastic humor thoughout the book. Joceline is women i would love to meet and be good friends. Boy could we have some fun conversations. Enjoy the book.

didn't like

Her other books were much better, what a letdown.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The book her fans have been waiting for....

Diana Palmer's latest book keeps her string of hits alive. Jon Blackhawk is an FBI agent and one of the most straight laced heroes that ever graced a Palmer book. He is working on wrapping up the investigation into the murder of his brother's first wife and child (Kilraven from Dangerous). Joceline Perry is Jon's administrative assistant and she DOES NOT do coffee.
Ms. Palmer has a formula for her books and it has been a very successful one- she has alpha males and women who are generally shy, undereducated or from the poor side of town. The men roll all over the women until the women capture their hearts and then they fold like cards. Palmer fans, of which I am one, unabashedly enjoy it when the big, tough, mean, man gets his comeuppance. In this book, Jon is actually a pretty decent guy who treats Joceline fairly decently. His mother, Cammie, takes over the meanie role and does a spectacular job at it.
The way Jon and Joceline dance around each other makes the outcome satisfying if not predictable. ( It is a romance after all!) The murder case adds suspense to the story and there are some interesting characters throughout the book. Joceline has a son whose paternity is unknown and has health issues which are realistically portrayed. The problems of having a sick child who needs expensive medicine not covered by insurance are also accurately written.
Those of us who have read all of her books have been waiting for Jon to get his own story after getting little glimpses of him in earlier books. This book should make all of the fans happy until we get restless for the next book!

No, no, no

I am a fan of diana palmer, Merciless was so disjointed i found myself skipping pages.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.