Herc's Mercs
by
Lee Albright is a photojournalist who loves traveling and the challenge of his job, but when he’s asked to shoot a calendar for charity, he can’t resist — especially since the models are the men of Hercules Security, some of the sexiest hunks he’s ever seen. Things get even better when he meets Mr. July, Geo Kensei, and the instant spark of attraction between them quickly bursts into an all-consuming flame.
Geo is exactly the kind of intense, dominating top Lee needs to fulfill all his fantasies, while Lee’s sensitivity and artistic soul tempt Geo to bind the gorgeous man to him with more than just ropes.
Unfortunately their careers force them to part ways, though they’re both anxious for a quick reunion. But in the midst of a war-torn city they meet again, and now Geo, the merc everyone calls “Saint”, must use every tool and skill he possesses to get both Lee and his client out of danger, while a frightened and confused Lee has a hard time finding the comfort he needs in Geo’s cold, hard pragmatism. Geo’s intense focus on the mission is all that’s keeping the three of them alive, but will it also end up costing him any chance to be with Lee?
- 3 To Be Read lists
- 1 Read list
Editors:
Illustrators:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 3
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Tropes: Bodyguard/Guardian Angel, Rescue, Reunited and it Feels So Good
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
An ARC was provided to me by the author for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion. A review was not a requirement
4.5 stars. This! This is so much more of the action scenes I've enjoyed in the series and had wanted more of. The cherry on top was some D/s action with Shibari rope bondage! Loved that, it's one of my favorite types of kink! Geo brings his hot self to a photo session that Lee is doing with the Hercs Mercs for a charity calendar. Lee is immediately drawn by the rope harness that Geo wears to the shoot and the photo session becomes a bondage session, real fast! They spend a few days together but we really don't get to see that, we're just told that.
Lee is primarily a photojournalist and after Geo leaves, he's called to an assignment in the Middle East. Geo is what I want to see when I hear the word mercenary. His next assignment, guarding a Senator at a summit in the same country that Lee is in, becomes a fight for their lives. It was a lot of action and tension, which kept me engrossed in the story. I really liked the character of the Senator, Elizabeth, who also became a friend and advisor to both guys as they struggled with the changed dynamic from newly met lovers to protector and protected.
The only drawback for me, as it has been for every book so far, is the limited length. They're novellas and they just don't allow for much development of the relationship. I really liked Geo and Lee and would've like to see more of what drew them into being a couple, outside of the interactions while in danger. I was also a bit disappointed that there were only two scenes in the bedroom! A little more of the D/s development would have been welcome. The ending was done very well and I was able to buy into the relationship wholeheartedly but I missed having the extra detail of the intervening months.
I did rate this based on the novella format, as being very well done within that framework. It's my personal preference for a novel length story but I'd like to see the authors write that. I think it could be excellent. I still think it's the very best of the series so far and would recommend it to those that enjoy an alpha type character with military style action with less emphasis on erotic content.
