Reviewed by Tara

TITLE: Bloody But Unbowed

SERIES: Herc’s Merc’s # 3

AUTHOR: Ari McKay

PUBLISHER: Torquere Press

LENGTH: 141 pages

BLURB:

Daryl Greer isn’t a bodyguard. He’s Hercules Security’s “odd-job” specialist, as wild and dangerous, as he is competent. Fiercely independent, he resents his older brother Matthew’s view that he spends his life “playing G.I. Joe”. When he’s sent to rescue a kidnapped scientist, Dr. Emerson Winfield, from a terrorist organization, Daryl finds himself attracted to the snarky, outspoken man even though Emerson is the kind of rich, successful person Matthew claims could never be interested in a hick like Daryl.  For his part, Emerson doesn’t care about Daryl’s lack of polish; he’s more interested in the incredible chemistry between them. He sets out to prove to Daryl that they can make a relationship work despite their differences. But Daryl’s defensiveness about his career drives a wedge between them — and if he doesn’t find a way to deal with his issues, Daryl might lose Emerson forever.

REVIEW:

This is the third book in the Herc’s Merc’s series and it was my favorite thus far. In Bloody but Unbowed we meet again, Daryl “D-Day” Greer, a character that was briefly introduced before and Emerson Winfield. Daryl is being sent in to rescue Emerson from a band of violent terrorists called the Eastern Light. Daryl lives for the danger and is the man Cade “Herc” Thornton sends in on particularly dicey situations. This mission is one he lives for since it is just about suicidal. Emerson Winfield is a scientist on the verge of a major breakthrough and while away at a conference in Guiana he was kidnapped and he is pissed off about it. He follows the terrorist group’s rules while knowing there is a huge chance he won’t make it out alive. So having the locked door of his hut kicked in and a dark shadow with a southern accent talking about rescuing him, he doesn’t ask questions. Daryl didn’t know that the person he was sent to rescue was both attractive and highly annoying and the two men butt heads like oil and water.

Between the name calling; with Emerson calling Daryl “Cooter” and Daryl calling him “Princess”; and silly assumptions about each other, it’s a wonder if they won’t hurt each other. But they don’t and after a hot moment in the middle of nowhere, they make it to the rendezvous point with Daryl getting hurt in the process. Emerson goes to see him in the hospital and the attraction the two share is still blazing and Emerson offers a start to an affair since they both live in the same area. Daryl readily accepts and this begins a relationship even though they don’t admit in the beginning.

Daryl has a lot of baggage, a lot of it dealing with his brother Matthew’s view on his life and job. Matthew believes he is better than just a mercenary and wants him to stay away from the dangerous job, the huge risks he takes with his life and body. The constant battling between the two of them has made him wary and cautious of starting something with Emerson. He believes that Emerson is just slumming it and just sits back to enjoy the explosive sex. Emerson doesn’t believe in appearances. He likes who he likes and damn anyone who says differently. He slowly insinuates himself into Daryl’s life, meeting his dog Esskay and showing him that not all rich people are the same. But the doubts keep resurfacing and a lot of times Daryl projects his brother Matthews views onto Emerson even though he acts completely different. Daryl keeps seeing himself as some stupid redneck when he is so obviously not and he was always waiting for the shoe to drop in their relationship.

I loved both of the mc’s. Daryl of course had the badass feel to him but underneath all of that you could tell that he was hurting and he needed someone like Emerson in his life. Emerson was just too funny but buried underneath all the snark, was a caring and good man. The sex between the two was off the charts but the relationship was wonderful to see develop. At first they both fought it and pretended that it was just about sex but as feelings came into play it made things that much better. I think my favorite part was when Daryl took Emerson camping on his piece of land and I knew right there that they loved each other. This was definitely my favorite book in the series thus far, although you can read them separately I would recommend reading all the books. It’s a lovable, easy read and if you are a fan of happy every after like me you will definitely enjoy this book and the series as well.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Torquere Press

Amazon

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