Jackson

Mercy Ring, Book 1

By: Nyssa Kathryn

Narrated by: Stella Bloom, Tim Paige

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes it’s the oldest wounds that cut deepest.

River Harp fell in love with her brother’s best friend, a boy who was practically part of the family…a boy who broke her heart before leaving town. Sixteen years later, he’s back for her brother’s funeral. And River wants nothing to do with the man. At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.

Because there are problems in her life much bigger than Jackson’s return. Like the fact her brother is still alive—and she’s the only one who believes it. River will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth and find Ryker. Even if it means seeking help from the man she’s spent almost two decades getting over.

As a teen, Jackson Ford had one plan: get the hell out of Lindeman, Washington, away from his abusive drunk of a father, and never return. Fate had other plans, however, and now he’s back to bury Ryker, his Delta Force teammate. His brother in every way but blood.

At the funeral, she’s the first person he sees. The only person he sees. Walking away from River once was hard enough, even if it was for her own good. Walking away a second time may prove impossible…especially after he realizes she’s digging into her brother’s suspicious death.

When River’s search for answers puts her in the sights of dangerous men, Jackson will do anything and everything to keep her safe. Even if it means losing his heart—and his life—in the process.

©2022 NW Partners (P)2023 Blue Nose Publishing

Nice start to a new series

Nyssa Kathryn is a new to me author and I can see why she’s so popular! This was a nicely written beginning to the new series. Plenty of suspense, plot twists and a happy ending! The author did anice job setting up the characters for the next book in the series.

I have to admit though, if I were reading this on paper, I would have struggled to believe there was a connection between River and Jackson. This is where the narrators just put the icing on the cake. Both did a great job convincing the listener. Job well done!

I received an ALC from Blue Nose Audio in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved!

This is a new author to me and I’m so glad I spent the credit! Suspense, romance and spice make this a new favorite series of mine. I couldn’t hit pause throughout the entire book. Excellent narration.

Great story with great narrators

4⭐️
3🌶
This was my first Nyssa Kathryn book, and she did not disappoint. While book had a little bit of a slower start with some of the background and world building, but once it picked up, I was completely immersed in the story. While we understood why Jackson pushed River away once he graduated, we never understood why she was so into him, other than he spent time with their family. I wish we would have learned more about their why for each other. I really enjoyed the suspense element of the book, and when we did get spice, it was very well written and built up.

Stella Bloom and Tim Paige did a fantastic job with this dual style narration. Both narrators were able to distinguish voices for the opposite sex, which always is a concern with dual style. Stella did an excellent job with the emotional parts of the book as well. I cannot wait to hear more books from both of them.

If you like
💜 Second chance/small town romance
💜 Friends-to-lovers
💜 Boxing
💜 Slower burn/low angst,
then you will enjoy Jackson.

Just Wow!!

When Nyssa Kathryn writes a romantic suspenseful book, I know that I am in for a treat and she did not disappoint with Jackson! I think this is a great start for a new series and I am excited to see where these three ex-Delta Forces friends find themselves in relationships.
River fell in love with her brother’s best friend and finally wanted to tell him before he left for the military, however she didn’t get the response she wanted from him. Instead, she got anger and hateful words, words that made her hate the man and the hopes that he never returns to their small town.
Jackson vowed to never return to this place once he leaves for the military. He knows he will never come back to a town that has seen him at his lowest and the drunken father that gave him nothing that even resembles love.
Jackson knew River had feelings for him but he didn’t feel like he deserved her or that he could give her the kind of life she deserved so he did what he thought was right and pushed her to hate him so she could go on with her life.
When River’s brother dies, Jackson finds himself back in town for the funeral and sees River isn’t believing he is dead. Jackson follows her because when she was younger she always found herself in trouble so he felt he had to keep an eye on her. She believes the bar in town is what got her brother in trouble and she decides to go there and look for answers but she gets nowhere. She finally turns to Jackson and his friends for help when she determines she can’t do it alone. Jackson finds himself fighting in a cage to get eyes on the inside of the club where so many secrets are hiding in hopes to find out what happened to his best friend.
Such an awesome by with a great HEA!

Quickly Becoming a Nyssa Kathryn Fan…Good Series Start

This was a good start to Mercy Ring. I’ve read/listened to one other N Kathryn series & just like that series, the characters are well developed & the storyline interesting. Well done!

so happy to be back in Mercy Ring

Umm Hi, Hello!  I cannot describe what is Jackson. When I was reading this book. I knew instantly it was going to be good. I had this gitty feeling and went through a little denial when I started reading.. why you ask well let me tell you.. I read the ENTIRE book on one day! Poof. Done. Book read. New book feel done. Now I have to wait.  I really do need to learn to pace myself..

Once again Nyssa did not disappoint. I was sucked into this story, this Friends to lovers was .. chefs kiss.. amazing.  I loved that this had the "I have always Loved you" feel. River was hesitant when Jackson came back, but I feel it wasn't a huge dilemma, it was inevitable for them to have that pull towards one another. I even really like that when they touched it was a "zing" for them. They couldn't deny what they had was real, and what I especially loved was how Jackson was like well screw this, she is mine. Boom. Mic drop. Exit stage left.

I love River's personality, her determination and even her very bug impulsive side. Jackson... I need a fan. He is seriously an alpha who just wants to protect River. Yet he learns how to work with her to get what he wants lol,, and they compliment one another well.

I love mystery and suspense in my romance, my brain will rapidly try to uncover what is going on. Sometimes I figure it out other times, my mouth is hanging open. I did have this experience in this book. There was a part where I was convinced the author was pulling a 180. I was in tears!  (I am kind of a baby) To say I am excited for this new series is an understatement.  I throughly enjoy this authors writing style and how she grabs my attention and keeps me reading till the end.


Tim Paige and Stella Bloom were amazing!!!!! Amazing!

Loved the narrators

I really liked this book, but I also felt like there was too much going on but not enough information was being given.

I wasn't really sold on the relationship between Jackson and River, we're shown in the first part of the book River giving Jackson a journal/book and then telling him that she loved him and he loving her, but pushing her away because was he came from a bad family and he was poor.... LOL. Then he comes back and she ignores him for like 2 hours and then they are all over each other and inseparable and in love and all that... It just didn't feel real. I felt like I needed more flash backs to them being together as kids, they do talk later in the story about Jackson and Riker being away and him talking about River and Riker saying he better get his life together before it's too late... but that's pretty much it. However... I really did enjoy the love and sweetness of Jackson and River, the protectiveness he felt over her and how he had actually loved her for all these years. I thought there would be more push and pull from their relationship, but it actually just worked out pretty well.

Also, River and Riker's relationship, it seems like they were thick as thieves growing up, but they never really show that in the book, it's like off page, same as Jackson and River, and so the love they have for each other it just doesn't seem real or genuine and I just wanted more.

Now, for the book having too much going on, it pretty much jumps to crazy times after Riker's funeral. I know River wants to find out what happened to her brother and doesn't think he's actually dead... which same girl, but there was so much going on, I know it's supposed to be the mystery of it all to like keep you on your toes and all that, but I just felt like I was in the dark and bit. I kinda wish the book had been a little bit longer so the author could have expanded on a few things and maybe paced a bit better instead of it jumping off right from the start.

I really did enjoy the book, the finally chapters were super suspenseful and I was gasping like River does the entire book! Lol i was so excited when everything came to a head! It was an exciting book! I'm actually looking forward to Declan and Michele's book.

I received an ALC from Bluenose Audio. All my options are mine.

Sexy and Suspenseful New Series

This book is perfect for a beach listen or a cozy weekend in. It has all the fun girl-in-danger, alpha-hero-protector vibes we love! Nyssa Kathryn is a new to me author, but one I am glad to have been give the opportunity read. She really sets the stage for a sexy and suspenseful series! I love the characters and am excited to hear what’s next.

Tim Paige and Stella Bloom are among some of my favorite narrators and they totally brought the passion of the characters to life!

Gripping

Nyssa Kathryn is a new author to me and I am shocked that I have not come across her books before.

This was an entertaining romantic suspense story that ticked all the boxes for me. Well written, the narration was good and the narrators, Stella Bloom and Tim Paige were easy to listen to. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story that was told.

There were equal amounts of romance and suspense which was entertaining.The characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. The chemistry between them was intense and I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions with the witty banter and humour.

The secondary characters were just as entertaining and I will be looking at other books in the series ASAP. The narrators certainly did justice to the characters and the wonderful story that the author created.

Great start to a series.

Jackson and River’s story was extremely compelling. Between the love that never went away and the danger they were caught up in, they built a relationship that was tested and never broke. The story also kept you guessing on who was really a bad guy and who wasn’t. There was danger all around but you never know when it will strike. It was also a wonderful introduction to the future characters in the series as well. I can’t wait to see what is up for Declan next.