New Release | Shades of Mercy (Shades of Steel Security Book 2) by Rhonda Lee Carver #westernromance #romance #newrelease #ku #bookboost
- N. N. Light
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Title Shades of Mercy (Shades of Steel Security Book 2)
Author Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre Contemporary Western Romance
Book Blurb
He’s a protector. She’s anything but a damsel in distress. Together, they are fire on fire.
Mercy Sams is a career-focused ethical hacker with a five-year plan, but she has one weakness. Jag. He turns her logical brain into mush.
She made a little oopsy and ticked off the wrong person--only to end up nearly getting herself killed. Jag comes to the rescue, and they must face their history together. She threatens to crack the code to his heart, while he struggles with internal demons.
Jag, a retired SEAL, is starting a new chapter in Shades Cove. He looks forward to a peaceful life working on a ranch and the security the company his buddy started. The universe shows him no mercy when he takes feisty Mercy under his wing.
She has a hair stuck where it doesn’t belong, and Jag becomes the target of her distress. But then the connection becomes strong, and emotions begin to simmer.
It turns out that Shades Cove isn’t safe for Mercy. Danger finds her in the small town.
Can Jag protect her? The journey from the ranch to the bedroom is paved with good intentions.
Revisit all the characters you love from Book 1, Shades of Steel.
Excerpt
Jag took her bag from her and set it in the back of the truck. Mateo climbed into his truck and drove away. And then she was alone with Jag. She felt isolated and concerned, a cocktail of emotions she didn’t want to feel. She worried about her brother and how she’d handle being near Jag.
“We should go too. Let's try to beat the storm,” Jag said, broodingly.
She nodded. There was no running now. She needed to find an invisible muzzle to keep her words —and possibly her hormones —in check.
She wouldn’t be gone for long—a week to two weeks at most—and then she could go back to her life, where work kept her busy.
Jag opened the passenger door, and after a second of hesitation, she climbed inside, getting a whiff of leather and sagebrush. That smell had remained in her nostrils for weeks after they’d had sex. She knew it was all in her head, but he did something magical to her senses.
The door closed, and she watched in the mirror as he rounded the back of the truck. Once he was settled behind the wheel, she glanced over at his profile. “This is going to be very interesting.”
“I’m assuming he doesn’t know?”
“That we had sex and then you disappeared? No.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice.
He clamped both hands on the steering wheel. “Mercy…”
“Don’t bother. It’s a blip on the map. It meant nothing.” Her tongue burned with the lies. There wasn’t a time when she hadn’t wanted Jag, and the rejection still stung.
Jag heaved a long sigh. “Don’t worry. You’re safe.”
“I’m sure I won’t need a babysitter too long. You know how Mateo is. He won’t stop until he has Cross behind bars.”
Jag glanced in his mirror and pulled out onto the street. “You have every right to hate me.”
She blinked. “I do?”
“That night…it was a mistake,” he said quietly.
“You’re right, I do, but do we need to hash it out since we agree? It’s history,” she said, staring out the side window. The scenery changed from fields with clusters of wildflowers to a historic area.
“We should have talked a long time ago.” he said, swiping off his hat and dropping it onto the seat between them.
“Talking is overrated.”
“For this agreement to work, we have to be on the same page.”
She then looked at him. “Agreement?”
“You did say you agreed.”
“Remind me.”
“We can’t drag anyone else into this. No one can know who you are.” He slowed the truck as if the following words needed his utmost care. “You’re taking the cook’s position.”
“I’m what?” she sputtered.
He sighed. “You did agree.”
“To be your cook? What is this? An episode of Desperate Housewives?”
“Not as my cook. The ranch’s cook. The crew needs one.”
She fumbled for her phone in her purse.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Calling Mateo and telling him he can either come back and get me, or I’m walking home.”
“You can’t use your phone. I’m sure Mateo warned you not to turn it on.”
“You and my brother are not my bosses,” she said. Before she could get power to the cell, Jag swiped it out of her hand. “Hey! Give that back.”
He pulled it out of her reach.
“And let you put yourself, me, and anyone at Storm Pass at risk? Hell no!” he said through gritted teeth.
“Then stop right here, and I’ll walk.” Why had she ever gotten into Mateo’s truck? She knew this was a mistake.
“Over my dead body,” he said calmly.
“That can be arranged,” she huffed.
“What has set you off?” He stuffed the phone into his jacket.
“I’m not a cook. I have a career—a thriving career. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, building a solid reputation.”
“What does being a ranch cook have anything to do with your thriving career? You’re acting like I’m asking you to give up infiltration and take up baking.”
“This entire situation is unnerving.”
“Yea? You jeopardized yourself and your brother—and your business—by thinking you’re a field agent. You should be happy Mateo delivered your ass to safety instead of making you clean up your mess.”
“Don’t talk to me in that tone. See, this is exactly why we can’t be near each other.”
“So what would you like to do? Go back and get yourself killed? Get Mateo killed?” His gaze was heated through the shadows of the truck cab.
“I can take care of myself!” She tilted her chin defiantly.
He abruptly hit the brakes, causing the tires to screech on the pavement while the back of the truck quivered. “Then do what you think you need to do. I won’t stop you.” His voice was devoid of emotion as he gazed vacantly at her.
Irritated, she opened the door.
“You don’t want to forget this,” he said, holding out her phone. But as she went to grab it, he pulled his hand back. “You’re still selfish. That’s never changed.”
“And you’re still an asshole. Glad we caught up. Let’s hope it’s a decade at least before we cross paths again.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/shades-of-mercy-shades-of-steel-security-book-2-by-rhonda-lee-carver
Shades of Mercy Release Day Party
When: May 27th
Time: 10am EST
Where: Rhonda Lee Carver’s Rowdy Readers
Author Biography
Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary western and romantic suspense, but she loves to write other genres too. She's known for writing stories that keep readers laughing, crying, gripping the edge of their seats, and screaming all in one book...like riding a virtual roller coaster. Whether she's creating sexy cowboys or tough guys, or sassy, independent heroines, readers are sure to find strong, powerful, memorable characters that are relatable.
By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world but at some point she transitions back into reality where she's a volleyball-stands cheerleader, homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse to skinned knees, mediocre chef with some awesome microwave skills, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades for her kids who are the loves of her life. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. Hallmark movies require cuddling up with tissues because she can be emotional. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins because a little truth never hurt anyone. She wouldn't give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except, she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she's had her eye on (GOALS).
Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too.
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