Merciless, book 1 of the Merciless Series by Author W. Winters is not your average hearts & flowers type romance. No, it is not…. IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!!!
I would best describe Merciless as a brilliantly written, dark, gritty, angsty, emotional and twisted tale of desperation, survival, anger, fear, hopelessness, life altering tragedy, vengeance, and lastly and most importantly, hope, healing and above all else, LOVE. It hits ALL the feels that make it such a wonderful read.
The heroine, Aria Talvery is the daughter of the most violent crime family in Fallbrook. The hero, or at times, the anti-hero, Carter Cross is the seriously dominant alpha male who takes Aria from her family and puts her in a cell…..
Carter & Aria’s story is unique in its own right. The blurb on the back of the book gives you an idea of what the story is about. I’m not giving anything away in this review but I will say this……. Sometimes, actions speak louder than romantic words and the depths of one’s unexpected love for another, surpasses all romantic proclivities as is the case for Merciless.
Carter and Aria were brought together under false pretenses. It’s a battle against wills between Carter and Aria or as he often refers to her as, Little Songbird. Carter wants her to submit to him in all ways. Aria fights her inner self at such an idea and struggles with trust issues and rightly so. Time will tell if they find common ground but both are pretty stubborn and fearful.
Aria is dealing with a horrific past. One that haunts her to this day. Sorry, I’m not telling what that is but I will tell you it plays a very important role at the end of the book.
Some supporting characters in this story are Carter’s brothers, who, at times, have you questioning their motives because of the contradicting ways they act towards Carter and especially Aria.
Another part of their battle involves shady characters or should I say the sinister evil doers, with devious intentions, hidden agendas and lies. Throw in a mafia war between more than one family and you have the makings for a very exciting read.
As time passes in her captivity, Aria slowly lets down her guard and begins to feel things for Carter and vice versa. I found myself falling in love with this couple. I wanted these two broken people to have each other. The chemistry and sizzling sexy time between them is OFF THE CHARTS HOT.
As time goes on, it becomes clear that something is going to happen but you don’t know what and you don’t know why. So you keep reading…. With caution…..
Carter, Aria, Carter’s brothers and guests sit down for an evening of dinner and drinks. All is good….. Or so you think……
Just when you think you have it all figured out…… It happens….. The EXPLOSIVE AND EPIC CLIMACTIC ENDING.
Time stops and you remain suspended in time, just as if you were having an out of body experience. Your mind recounts events through flashbacks of all that has transpired throughout the book.
Every cryptic word spoken and action made by Carter, now becomes crystal clear in its meaning and everything comes full circle. That moment of complete clarity when everything makes sense.
Then Carter utters the last words in the book…… “Aria. Give. Me. The Knife!”
Thus, leaving you once again, staring at those words, asking what the heck is going on? Proving to myself that I have absolutely no idea. LOL……
Vengeance is best served cold and there’s a mafia war that needs to be dealt with. Not to mention Aria has to deal with what happened. What lies ahead for Carter and Aria? Their story is far from over………….
Merciless is one hell of a phenomenal read and left me with my head spinning, my jaw hanging to the floor, feeling mesmerized and spellbound.
OMG, I just FLOVE Carter Cross. What he does for Aria???? Be still my overheated beating heart. I also love the way the Author W. Winters/Willow Winters, writes a story one way and then BING BANG BOOM she throws twists and turns you never see coming into the mix, leaving your mind reeling and always wanting more.
I cannot wait to read part two of Carter & Aria’s powerful story, Heartless, and see what delicious twists and turns she delivers to us again….. This could be her best story yet! Yes, I have that book too and will dive into that tonight.
Go grab your copy of Merciless today and begin your journey in the unbelievable and unexpected story of Carter and Aria.
I just loved this book. 5 MERCILESS STARS. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Follow the authors
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
All 4 for you in this series
See full series
Popular Highlights in this book
But there’s this thing about breaking; the more you harden yourself and try to fight it, the easier and sharper the snap is when you inevitably break.Highlighted by 544 Kindle readers- “Any man who thinks they can lay a hand on you will die at mine. Is that clear?”Highlighted by 198 Kindle readers
- “I don’t want you weak.” I lean forward, whispering against her lips, “I want you mine.”Highlighted by 164 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
Willow Winters, Romance Author
"Willow Winters' work is like a piece of art; an art piece that is so beautiful that it takes your breath away. And her writing continues to surprise me, every time I read a new book of hers." - Emily Kurosawa, Goodreads Reviewer
"Willow Winters is a true unique marvel with the way she comes up with such addictive, compelling stories and characters!" - Donita Jones, Goodreads Reviewer
Look out for these upcoming titles from Willow:
- Gentle Scars (the continuation of the gritty, HOT paranormal world.)
- Tease Me Once (the start to an epic DARK BD/sM romance)
- A Little Bit Dirty (blue collar mechanic, second chance romance)
- Love Me (the third and final book in the Kiss Me, Hold Me, Love Me trilogy)
Willow Winters
Willow Winters, also known as W Winters for her darker works, writes addictive romances that have earned her USA Today and Wall Street Journal titles as well as becoming a #1 Contemporary Romance Author. From dark and gritty mafia worlds to hot and heavy paranormal fated mates, to contemporary blue collar second chances, there's a romance for every reader. Always with a happily ever after.
Check out Willow's best sellers:
- Merciless (an adult, dark retelling of Beauty & the Beast in a mafia world)
- You Are My Reason (the emotional start to a gripping duet)
- Tequila Rose (the first book in the small town romance duet)
- Wounded Kiss (the start to an all new, HOT paranormal world)
- Bought (a Highest Bidder standalone BD/sM romance)
- Promise Me (an emotional second chance romance)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merciless | Tequila Rose | Wounded Kiss | You Are My Reason | Bought | Promise Me | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Reviews |
8,054
|
1,786
|
4,129
|
811
|
6,671
|
1,686
|
| Price | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $3.99 | $0.99 | $3.99 |
| Book Information | An adult, dark retelling of Beauty & the Beast in a Mafia world | The first book in a Small Town Romance duet | The start to an all new, HOT Paranormal world | The emotional start to a gripping duet | The start of the Highest Bidder D/s Series | An emotional second chance romance |
| Standalone/Series | Series | Series | Interconnected Standalones | Duet | Interconnected Standalones | Standalone |
| Happily Ever After | Always | Always | Always | Always | Always | Always |
| Trope | Dark Mafia | Small Town | Fated Mates | Damaged Hero | D/s auction | Second Chance |
| Series complete | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Reviews with images
Enjoy a love story born in the darkness
I wasn’t prepared for Willow Winters’ writing. It’s slow, insightful, deep and very emotional. Sometimes, almost nothing happens for a whole chapter, except inside the head of Aria or Carter. And yet, there’s so much tension that adrenaline flows. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time, and I couldn’t wait before I read the next book.Let’s face it though, it’s pretty dark, with no light at the end–or so it seems for now. Not everyone cup of tea. But Winter made me feel for a murderous and abusive man. Quite embarassing.All the context with war between mafia gangs and drug dealings and everything else is well thought out. There’s a bit of crime/thriller in MERCILESS. Of course it goes well with the dark part of the romance.There’s some drama too. Carter’s backstory will make you cry–and you’ll feel guilty afterwards. No cardboard character here. All of them are fleshed out and appealing at some level. Only cliché: in this world of crime, the pretty ones aren’t as bad as the ugly ones, or so Willow Winters wants you to think; way to point at the real villains here.If you aren’t afraid to read about cringy sexual encounters, grab MERCILESS and enjoy a love story born in the darkness.
