Book 16), Mercury's War (Breeds

To create fascinating conflict on many levels, maintain a future interest in the series as well as tell a darn outstanding story is a remarkable accomplishment. This author is superior in plotting, character, setting and--holy cow!!!--terrific sensuality. This book pulls you in and just when you think it's another typical paranormal--whammy!--a great plot twist or character spin. My only caution is it's not really a stand alone book in the series because there is a lot of world building and richness that would be missed if you started here. However, you could do MUCH worse than this terrific book!

Lora Leigh's Breed series show the most consistent writing I have ever seen (knock on wood!)I was not too excited about Mercury's story like I was about Seth and Dawn, however with Leigh writing I needn't have worried.

Leigh continues to build the Breed world, and gives some plot twists to make it interesting, and keep us wanting more. I don't want to go into any details to spoil anythng, so please take my word for it :)

As always Leigh does not disappoint!

Word of warning- read these in order :)

Lora Leigh continues to amaze me! I keep waiting for her writing to weaken as so many of my past favorite authors have. But, she just seems to get better and better. I've anxiously awaited Mercury's story ever since he was first introduced. It was worth every minute of the wait. I've enjoyed all of Lora Leigh's series but The Breeds and Tempting Seals series are just amazing. I highly recommend both sereis and also recommend checking out her e-books still available at Ellora's Cave. You will not be disappointed.

Okay, I think I've read all the Breed books now. Here, the same lines are said over and over again, sometimes verbatum, and other times just repetitive words meaning the same darn thing.

All of the characters are fine, especially the males, but the stories don't stay interesting at all. These books move at an incredibly sedate pace because there's so much repetition, which is a shame given the fabulous Breeds.

The Breeds are people created in laboratories by mixing human and animal DNA to create perfect soldiers. Mistreated as test objects, murdered and abused, they finally managed to free themselves and have now established sanctuaries in the USA. But their lives are a constant battle against their former owners and the many fanatics who see them as less than humans. Mercury, a lion breed, has lost his mate many years ago. Since Breeds mate for life, his attraction to Ria, a human who has come to his Sanctuary to find spies selling Breed secrets, doesn't seem to have a future. Although she doesn't really want just an affair, she can't resist Mercury. But things soon get even more difficult when his mate comes back and the spies start killing people...
'Mercury's War' is part of Lora Leigh's Breeds-series which she started with the independent publisher Ellora's Cave (specialised in erotic romance) and which continues with mainstream publisher Berkley. Berkley still want the series to be erotic, but limited to types of sex that are widely acceptable in the USA and as politically correct as possible within such a series. The result is that - in contrast to the beginning of the series - we get lots of sex scenes of the same type now, which can get very boring very quickly. Instead of using less sex and maybe put more time and energy into the plot, this particular novel takes about 200 pages until the actual suspense plot really gets going. Before, the two protagonists basically circle around each other and not much else is happening. When the plot finally starts, it's full of contradictions, often illogical (the beloved ex-mate is suddenly an unattractive, vindictive bitch; the weak human is suddenly so powerful she can beat up a Breed, ...), the villains get no depth at all, the ending of the suspense plot is hurried, ... I was really disappointed. I'd have given this novel less points if it weren't for the passages when the plot gets going for a change. I'd say that Mrs. Leigh and the publisher can't have it both ways: She should either write good stories with some sex or continue writing erotic novels that are more daring than this. This mix of some plot with the same sex scene in slight variations over and over again really isn't that great.

Needless to say, I am a fan of Ms. Leigh and the Breeds series. Regrettably, they were getting a little stale in some cases and down right difficult to get through in others. However, redemption has arrived with Mercury and Ria!! This book grabs your attention from the very beginning and the ride just gets better and better. They are by far the best Breed twosome of the entire series; the dialogue between the main characters is intriguing; the secondary characters add "flavor" to the story; Ria is intelligent and complex but easily relatable and; Mercury is HOT, just the right amount of Alpha--definitely not over the top as in some others in the series. I honestly don't see how it can get any better then these two but I eagerly await the remainder of the series.

Mercury's War started out strong, but the second half was not as good. I liked the chemistry between the hero and heroine. It was very intense, but they started to lose me when they brought back an old love from the hero's past. It started to go down from there and everything felt very rushed. The first part of the book seemed to build up slowly (which I liked) and the second half went by in a blur. I think also that Lora Leigh used the term mating heat way too much. It started to get on my nerves. Overall though, I give it 4 stars!!!!

I read this book in two days and I thought it was one of the best breed books to date. I loved the story between Ria and Mercury. It was one of the best love stories for all the breeds and the surprises that were revealed I didn't see coming. I am such a fan of Jonas and Dane and they were a great addition to this book. I can't wait for Jonas to find his mate. The cat fight at the end was awesome. A must read for those who are familiar with Lora Leigh and if your not then it's a series that will have you hooked from the beginning.

This series is fabulous. Mercury’s War is my favorite. I have lost track of how many times I have read it and I still tear up when Alayia shows up and what Ria goes through when she thinks she lost Mercury. I hope this series never ends. Great work Lora!

Usually I start to loose interest in a series after a few years. Not true with LoraLeigh's Breeds.
I was looking forward to Mecury's story because she did a good job of building his character in previous books. I felt for the Breed who had lost his mate so many years before and was the wildcard of the bunch. I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to really like his heroine, but was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Leigh did a wonderful job weaving a bittersweet romance that, I have to admit, made me shed a few tears. Merc is a fierce character who doesn't let anything stand in his way when he has made up his mind, and Ria is a strong character full of surprises. Don't miss this installment and be sure to read leigh's contribution to The Christmas Cat for a resolution to the story.

The woman can write and the best thing is her books are smoking hot...I just love her stories erotica to plain romance. This book is just another link to character's that your introduce to throughout her other books and it makes you want more...I currently want to read Brimstone's story... I hope it will be smoking hot, too.

I have read and reread this book it is an excellent story.

Mercury is the main character in this book is in a battle with himself and is also in the battle of his life to claim his mate Ria.

In the mist of this turmoil the council is trying to steal information on mating heat and everything that affects mated couples.

It is an intense and thrilling ride.

A good book but I didn't know how important it was to read before the magical cat novella. Mercury needs to be further explained and I felt the twist about Ria's background was thrust on the reader unecessarily. Overall better than Tanner's Scheme and Dawn's awakening not as good as Meagons Mark

Well I have to say...Laura Leigh has written another fantastic Breed book! All I can say is when is the next one coming out?????? Highly recommend this one if you enjoy the breed series, you will not be disappointed!

I loved the first book I came across and read it so quickly, I ordered (2) more from the series, when I was 3/4 of the way thru.

The story is extremely sexy,and the characters are wonderful. The author tells the story from both sides of the (2) main characters. You always know what they are thinking, feeling, hoping for.

If u love the paranormal, you will get hooked, very quickly.

One of my very favorite in this series! I love how strong and smart the heroine is and how she brings out the animal in the hero.. Although Jonas Wyatt (Lyon's Heat) is my favorite Breed...Merc is right up there!

I now own this entire series (at least what's been released), and this is by far one of the best written. It's well-written, descriptive and engrossing. If you want an introduction to the Breed series this could be one of the best. I've read this countless times since I've purchased it less than two(2) months ago.