Meet Me In The Dark: Merc (Rook & Ronin Book 7)

H0ly M0ly! This is a seriously twisted mind-control storyline, and I loved every freaking minute of it. To say that the MMC is a nightmare is an understatement. I had no idea how Julie was gonna make Sydney actually fall in love with him. He wasn’t morally grey he was morally black! BUT underneath it all we see snippets of his love for a girl he rescued years ago and how she’s now like a little sister to him. Sasha features in The Company, so this is a series crossover book and you are back in the twisted world of Company Kids. It’s a head trip at times.This plot will twist and turn your head off. It’s complex and fast-paced with so many wait…what moments and side-swiping plot twists you better hold on because this one is a ride.Anna brings an innocence to Sydney so in keeping with her character. She also is great at making sure we know what is present-day and what is a flashback. Troy has a no-nonsense approach to Merc. He is unapologetic, calculating, manipulative, and at times just plain old mean. Troy is so good at playing questionable characters. This audio is fantastic.If you are looking for a thriller with some spice and love, this is the book for you. The heat is bruta! at times but perfect for these two. And although it takes them, literally the length of the book to come to the realisation that they are, in fact, in love, their love story is the perfect pace for them.

I lovvvveeee this book, Merric Case aka Merc did not disappoint, he's certainly not a hero he's dangerous & violent with very few redeeming qualities!Sydney's story was heart breaking, she's been used & manipulated by every man she has ever encountered, but like all the women I've met since reading the Rook and Ronin series she is strong, possible the strongest of them all. Despite her sadness, vulnerability & confusion she's most definitely not someone you want to under estimate, after all she is a Company kid like Sasha & Harper.I admit I struggled with Merc's character, I actually disliked him for the majority of the book, particularly in regards to his treatment & manipulation of Sydney, although equally from his POV I can understand why he felt he needed to do what he did. He's loyal to only a few people & wants to finally put an end to what was started 8 years ago & he's prepared to get the answers & information he needs by any means possible inorder to keep him & his friends safe.It took until the last couple of chapters for my heart to start to thaw where Merc was concerned & he did it in style by bringing me to tears which I would not have ever thought possible!This story really keeps you on your toes, I couldn't put it down, devouring Merc & Sydney's story (and this is my 2nd read). Their story is not an easy road to happiness, it's brutal & unforgiving but it is theirs!

Title: Meet Me In the DarkAuthor: JA HussFrom: AmazonGenre: Suspense, RomanceRelease Date: 15th April 2015Challenges: 2016 Read the Books You BuyLinks: Goodreads - AmazonSydney Channing has waited 8 years for Merric Case to return for her like he said he would when she was 16. Merc is a freelance assassin, who had to make the choice between 16 year old Sydney, and another, younger, girl. Now Merc is going to finish what he started and find the man controlling Sydney before he kills her. But things don't necessarily go to plan and Sydney isn't the woman that Merc thinks she is. When things start to unfold they both find out things they weren't prepared for.I'll start by saying that Meet Me In The Dark is definitely not for everyone. To say it's a dark read is probably an understatement, but it covers a range of potentially sensative subjects such as torture, mind control and drugs. However if you're willing to get that far this book keeps you reading because you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen next.Meet Me In The Dark is technically a stand alone book, but I think that you really gain something by reading the other related books first. The later Rook & Ronin spin off books include Merc a little but, but it's Dirty, Dark & Deadly (Come, Come Back and Coming For You) that really help set the scene, particularly where the Company and how that works is involved. There are several cross over characters (mostly mentioned rather than seen though).This book worked so well because for the most part there was only Sydney and Merc involved. It was told from their dual POVs, but they were alone in the wilderness for most of it. They both thought about (and in Merc's case talked to) other characters, but no one really appeared on page til much later on. This meant that there was more page time for Sydney and Merc's character growth, and how their interactions changed.I would have to say that Sydney is probably one of the most messed up characters of Huss that I've read (and I started my Huss journey with 321 so that says a lot!) but that made her fascinating. She was an odd combination of strong and submissive (mostly due to events that happened to her before the book started) and yet it worked really well.I think that's just about all I can really say without giving too much away, but this was a great (albeit very dark!) read and it kept me guessing the whole way.

I have only just recently discovered JA Huss and her brilliant books. With each novel I've read, I become more and more impressed. Every single book has an original plot, unique characters and I can guarantee you're not going to see anything like it in the millions of other books out there.Meet Me In The Dark is the story of Merc & Sydney. You will hate Merc and want to kick his .... And then you will fall a little in love with him just when you think you want to hurt him bad. Sydney will confuse you, make you cry and then make you cheer for her courage at what she has endured over the years. I'm off to download the next book from the list suggesting the reading order of books by JA Huss. Do yourself a favor and read her books. She never disappoints.

Call me crazy but I do seriously LOVE a good mindf*@k! And Julie Huss is just the author to deliver on that. The warning alone had me so ready for this…“Meet Me In The Dark is a standalone non-traditional dark captive romantic suspense. It is not intended for sensitive readers.”Ms. Huss did NOT exaggerate. If you can’t stand violence, vengeance, servitude, humiliation and chaos – both physical and mental, then go no further. This is not the book for you. If all of the above still has you intrigued then buckle up, buttercup, you’re in for one helluva ride!While this is a standalone, if you’ve read Slack: A Day in the Life of Ford Aston, Guns: The Spencer Book or the Dirty Dark Deadly Series, then you’d have met Merc (Merric Case), briefly, or heard his name mentioned in covert, deadly ways. Then you’ll also know that Merc is a ruthless, lethal, assassin and one mofo you don’t want as your enemy.“I am Merc and there are three things you should know about me. Number one. You might be bigger, but I will last longer. Number two. If you f@ck me, I f@ck everything you ever loved. And number three. I never lose. My victory is only delayed.”Unfortunately for Sydney Channing, I won’t provide any details as to who she is…you’ll just have to read to find out :D, she just may be on the wrong side of things where Merc is concerned!This was a very dark, disturbing read with layers of deception, mind control, torture and revenge. But within all that darkness, this story is also about the strength of the human mind, body and spirit as well as the innate need and fragility of craving affection, human contact and love.It all began… One night eight years ago, Two young girls: Company kids. One illegitimate/collateral damage and the other a target/loose end.One mission, Two killers – a decision was made that night that would set in motion a diabolical plan for revenge….sealed with a promise? Or a threat?Merc is an anti-hero, or perhaps he may not even be a hero at all. I was all over the place with him. I can’t say that I ever loved him but I did have my moments of warm emotion towards him and I don’t hate him. He’s a trained assassin. Formidable at his job and this is his last job and it’s personal.Sydney is another complex character. She’s flawed and lethal in her own way and also so, broken…yet, not. I felt a lot for her.“Take me there, Merc. Meet me there in the dark and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”I cried for her, rallied with her and even bitched at her. The most poignant and moving thing about this entire story, for me, was how a choice had been made on one fateful Christmas eve that took two innocent girls in completely different directions. For one, it meant the beginning of something new, exciting and ultimately, good. For the other, it meant unmentionable abuse and captivity.I will say, for this read, you need your big girl panties and a strong stomach. It was riveting, suspenseful and there were some tender moments. I loved this and am so stoked for Sasha’s story!!

When I first read JA Huss I had no idea what to expect. I thought I was getting a hot, steamy romance novel with Tragic. Then as the series continued it kept unfolding into more. I was completely lost, but so intrigued about where things were heading. Now years and multiple books/series later, I am still amazed by the journey she takes us on.'Fear is not your enemy. Fear keeps you alive.'Meet Me in the Dark is a stand alone novel about Merric Case and Sydney Channing. The story begins eight years prior. We see the night Merc came to save a sixteen year old Sydney only to leave her behind, with a promise he will return. This decision shaped so many lives for the good and the bad, and left so many things unresolved.Sydney has only seen Merc that one time years ago, but she still dreams and thinks about him. She is still waiting for day he will come back. Now that she is an adult and engaged to be married to another man, she thinks she might be safe. So much time as passed and people have moved on, but she knows Merc isn’t the type of man to break his word.'I’m a natural, they tell me. I’m a natural killer. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. A psychopath. A cold, emotionless, empty shell of a man.'The night before Sydney’s wedding she decides to run away in order to keep her fiancé and his family safe. She knows it’s just a matter of time. During her escape she is in a car accident and Merc is there to take her. Now this isn’t a happy reunion, Merc wants answers.The story really begins to unfold and this where Julie begins to intwine trickery, confusion and mind play. By this point I am a Huss Expert, now I know to look for the unexpected, pay attention to what’s going on, and think ahead. Despite my mad skills I was still blown away, multiple times, and amazed at how things came together in the end.“It’s locked up in that place I keep all my secrets. The dark place. Take me there, Merc. Meet me in the dark and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”Merc and Sydney are unique, complex characters.He is a ruthless killer, an assassin trained by the military to eliminate threats quietly. He is also just a regular guy from Boston, recruited by Ivy league schools and MIT. He is nothing like you would expect and I loved him for that. He isn’t the type of hero who changes and corrects his ways, he is unapologetic and doesn’t live with regret. He is also so freaking hot you can barely stand it.Sydney is one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is the exact opposite of what I imagine, she blew me away. When I first started reading I pictured this damaged, broken, weak girl, but she isn’t. She is damaged but whole and finds strength in her weakness. When I thought she was bested she was always one step ahead.“Never forget that you are vulnerable- even when you feel invincible.”My absolute favorite part of this story, I wasn’t sure what side I was on. Throughout this story you are left in the dark while Sydney and Merc battle it out physically, emotionally and psychologically. I went in with my initial thoughts and feelings, but the more I read the more torn I was. The story is told in alternating POV, which would lead you to believe you will figure things out and know the whole story, nope definitely not that case.Meet Me in the Dark is a journey that I highly recommend you take. It is hot, unexpected and intelligently written. The fact that Julie can even come up with this stuff, map it out, and then have it make sense in the end blows my freaking mind.ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

I'm giving this story 3 stars because overall it was written to me, so much that not finishing it was never an option. The mystery kept my attention pretty much alive. The author has been very good at unraveling the mystery little at a time, a small piece in each chapter, enough to make you want to know more.But that's it. At the end I must say I didn't enjoy the story. I even hated it sometimes. I didn't like the h much. And I definitely hated the H. This story shouldn't have ended the way it did.SPOILER AHEAD!!!There's not one thing he said or done that I liked. Especially the final I-am-so-sorry, pathetic speech he gave. In some ways he has been handing her over to a monster the whole story, again and again, up until the final chapters. Yes, even then he was doing it all over again. And after few pages he just said: oh I was so wrong, I'm so sorry, and all the hell she went through because of him, puff' just vanished.And then, after he left her in hell, he went back to her and found her crying for what she was going through and instead of rescuing her and taking her away, what did he do?... he gave her a word to make it up to her. And it was really funny that this fact has been described almost as a heroic gesture.I'm afraid I am an unforgiving person. There's no doubt in that. I do have boundaries, hard boundaries. If you cross the line I just stop seeing you in the same way. It's not that I don't forgive out of spite. I'm simply non able to. So, when the h forgives him just because he said I'm sorry, I was really pissed. She should have shoot him in the head.And then what' they sail into the sunshine to live their HEA, planning to have kids for chrissake! Damaged people like them having kids!!!That's why I don't like very dark stories in this genre. Because they usually do have a HEA and that to me doesn't go along well with what was said previously.Rhett Butler did leave Scarlett O'Hara at the end of the book and that was a very good ending to me.

I love JA Huss! I love how her characters aren't glossy and perfect, but rough around the edges (some a whole lot more than others) and some are hard to love. In Merc's case I really didn't think I could love him the more I read about him, for a while there I hated what he was doing. But then in a lot of little moments you slowly fall for him as he redeems himself and then by the end you're full of all those mushy feels and he's a part of one of your top fave couples. Only Huss can make you fall for a mean, mind playing, ruthless killer

This is a raw and ravaged story of mind games, human fragility and power play over a young kidnapped woman. It some ways, it reminded me of  Consequences (Volume 1) ... This is a story of the human condition in all its ugly realities. Of the many emotions that Sydney experiences.. from overwhelming fear, confusion, anger and loneliness while she is methodically broken down. Sydney Channing (24) was born into The Company...a cult-like militia/compound that trains their children to be killers and worse. It's a secret organization that indoctrinates their children with propaganda. But Sydney escapes...or so she's led to believe. She's been horrendously abused her entire life. She's been brainwashed and beaten to the point that she retreats to a hidden place within herself in order to survive. She's had to do this so often that she's lost her reality...she's lost who she is. And while kidnapped, she's lost the ability to make sense of her reality...to know what's real and what's not.He's a killer. He's methodical, precise and never fails. Merric (Merc) Case is merciless and ruthless. He's an assassin...one of the best in the world. A natural born killer. An emotionless psychopath. He's a cold and heartless killing machine with no aversion to violence against women and children.This author does such a thorough job of emphasizing just how calculating and ruthless Merc is, that when he begins to show a softer side...it's inconceivable. Not only that, but his drastic change from merciless and emotionless to tender and sweet was just.....well...not believable. Not for how corrupt he is. It didn't make sense to me. Yes, I know he had an agenda for his radical change...a motive. Still, for how corrupt and damaged he is, it didn't make sense for him to suddenly have this turnabout. But I loved Merc...I didn't find him disgusting. He is what he is...he's genuine. I loved his character. This is another brilliant piece from Ms. Huss...superb dramatic suspense. Consequences (Volume 1)