5 Smooches!

Synopsis

Miller Spurlock might seem like a laid back man on the outside, but piss him off, or violate his trust, and he’ll show you the meaning of pain.

He was a Navy SEAL. He could kill a man a hundred different ways and not break a sweat.

He’s also a police officer and member of the SWAT team, which means he has the knowledge and skills to get away with it.

Rage boils in his gut when he witnesses what happens to the beautiful Mercy Shepherd during a SWAT op from hell that even his worst nightmare couldn’t conjure up. And it surprises the hell out of him when she wants him, and him only, to comfort her in the aftermath.

Miller becomes the one shining beacon of light at the bottom of Mercy’s pit of despair.

The one man that could pull her through the rough days ahead and make her whole again.

And during her road back to herself, she realizes that she’s got the one thing she ever wanted in life…a hero to call her own.

Review

I have been excited for this book since I read the teaser chapter at the end of Bang Switch, the third book in this series. When my RCR Blogger Boss Lady, Miranda, told me that I was getting this ARC, well, to be honest, my reaction was something along the lines of this:

And, as is typical with my experience during a Lani Lynn Vale book, I was not disappointed. This book contains a detailed description of a violent act against a woman and is, essentially, about her recovery, both emotionally and physically, in its aftermath. I’ve always considered myself a Lani Lynn Vale fan, but after reading this book, I think my love of this author’s work ventures from simply being a fan and into the fanatical.

Mercy Shepard is a tiny powerhouse of a woman with a huge spirit and an enormously giving heart. The founder of Second Chance, a work program for veterans who need to work but need an understanding environment, she has given many men fresh off the battlefields exactly what the name of the program implies – a second chance.

“She looked at me with her heart in her eyes… And that was the beginning of how I became well and truly fucked.”

Miller Genuine Spurlock, a retired Navy SEAL, is a member of the Kilgore, Texas Police Department and is on their SWAT Team. Following a humiliating sexual encounter that very nearly injured two innocent bystanders seriously, Miller has done some soul searching and has changed his ways. Looking around at his fellow teammates and seeing what they have – happiness, love, families – he is now open to a more serious relationship with a woman, something he hadn’t been ready for before “the incident.”

“All that was here was Mercy and Me. My Mercy Me.”

During a SWAT operation from hell, Miller, along with national news media and the entire population of Kilgore, witnessed Mercy’s violation as her ex boyfriend assaulted her against a glass window in a church. It was Miller who provided the distraction necessary to get Mercy’s attacker into a position where the SWAT Team could act.

“…I didn’t fall. Why? Because Miller was there to catch me.”

From that moment on, for both Miller and Mercy, a bond was formed. She leaned on him and took refuge in the feelings of safety he evoked in her, and he fell hard and fast for this resilient and strong woman. I loved watching their relationship grow and develop, and as is ever present in her works, Lani delivers this relationship with her special brand of humor, snarky sassiness and alpha male awesomeness.

“I won’t ever leave you, and I won’t ever do anything to you that’ll hurt you. I’ll be your shadow that makes sure you’re always protected. This I swear to you.”

I have a rule when it comes to Lani’s books. I only do this with three authors, and she is one of them. I don’t read any teasers nor do I read the teaser passage at the end of each book for the next book. I know I’m getting a new Lani Lynn Vale the next month, and I know it’s going to be great. I like the thrill of experiencing a new Lani Lynn Vale release without any preconceived notions and in it’s full, unspoiled glory. So I avoid anything that will tip me off and steal that buzz. But, at the end of Bang Switch, for the first time ever, I broke my rule and read the passage for Execution Style. I was hooked hard, and I couldn’t wait for this book. And let me tell you, Lani totally delivered, and I was not disappointed.

I loved this story so, so much. Everything, from how perfect Miller and his Mercy Me were together to the way their relationship developed. Their easy, sexy relationship and their highly entertaining back-and-forth banter worked for me in a very big way. It was all delivered with Vale’s trademark blend of humor and steam, a well written story built upon an interesting plot and those delicious, hilarious little blurbs that kick off each chapter. This book was perfect from start to finish, which is always the case for me with this author. I mean, how can I not love an author who uses the same description as me for hot dogs?

A big, fat, solid 5 Smooches for Miller and his Mercy Me!!

~ Danielle Palumbo

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