Only, that one time together makes their attraction even stronger, more vital and imposing in their lives. Riley does not want to resist, but Mercy knows there can be no future for her with a wolf. Life intervenes however when a brilliant lynx changeling scientist is captured. It is up to Mercy and Riley to work together to bring him safely home. Thrown together on this dangerous mission, will these two find a way to make their attraction work, or will they be sentenced to a life apart?
BRANDED BY FIRE will leave you raw and breathless! Riley and Mercy have a combustible chemistry that makes this story fly by way too fast. Mercy is a strong and completely capable woman. But she does long for a mate, the companionship her leopard craves. It is harder for female dominants to find their mates and thus, Mercy has all but given up hope. Enter Riley. He has had his eye on Mercy for a long time, and though she may not admit it, she has had her eye on him. Their love story is not an easy one because they are both very dominant characters who are used to being leaders.
Riley understands Mercy is no damsel in distress, but for the man who was forced to take care of his younger siblings when their parents died, well, he just wants to take care of her. He hates seeing her in danger even as his head knows she can handle herself. Mercy has made it up the ranks of DarkRiver because she is intelligent and cunning. These two clash and battle and in between, finally let their vulnerabilities show through. Riley likes being a protector, a barrier to the hurts of the world. He guards his family with all his strength and only wants to do the same for Mercy, even as he knows that their relationship can never stay together on that kind of imbalance of power.
Ms. Singh continues her world building as the Psy, the human Alliance, and the Changelings battle it out, this time with some very visible and deadly consequences. There are no easy answers for any race in this book.
Mercy and Riley are such a great couple. BRANDED BY FIRE has all the hallmarks of fierce storytelling and grand romance. Nalini Singh pulls all the stops in this terrific and volatile addition to her series. Have mercy on your readers Ms. Singh, and give us more of this fantastic world. BRANDED BY FIRE is an emotional masterpiece.
