His Rule

HIS RULE co-authored by A. Zavarelli and Natasha Madison is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult RITE dark, erotic, crime world, romance series set in the authors’ Sovereign Sons world. This is Lawson ‘Judge’ Montgomery, and twenty-five year old Mercedes De La Rosa’s story line. Judge and Mercedes were first introduced in The Society Trilogy. Some of the events of HIS RULE cross over with the events of RESURRECTION OF THE HEART. WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including issues of questionable consent, physical discipline and abuse, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers. Told from dual first person perspectives (Judge and Mercedes ) HIS RULE follows in the wake of the murder committed by our story line heroine. As punishment, Mercedes becomes a virtual prisoner of Lawson ‘Judge’ Montgomery but finds herself the target of a vindictive housekeeper, an angry brother, and a ghost from the past that refuses to stay hidden. As Mercedes life continues to spiral out of control, Judge struggles to remain dispassionate, taking from Mercedes what she can never get back. What ensues is the acrimonious and dangerous relationship between Judge and Mercedes, and the potential fall-out as Mercedes finds herself at the mercy of a mad man seeking revenge for sins of the past. Mercedes De La Rosa was only trying to protect her brother but banishment and imprisoned by Judge Montgomery means Mercedes is constantly on the defensive even when her life is threatened, and Judge refuses to believe the physical evidence or the truth. Judge Montgomery knows he will never marry but his attraction to Mercedes is out of his control. Mercedes pushes all of Judge’s proverbial buttons but when her life is threatened, Judge refuses to acknowledge the threats against the woman that is calling to his heart. The relationship between Mercedes and Judge is tempestuous and acrimonious. Mercedes is Judge’s prisoner but finds herself on the receiving end many physical punishments, threats, and attacks by not only our story line hero but by the household staff, and a ghost from the past. Judge has earned his name and reputation by inflicting punishment, and our heroine is the latest victim and target for Lawson ‘Judge’ Montgomery . The $ex scenes are aggressive, controversial and not without questionable consent. The secondary and supporting characters include Mercedes’ brother Santiago, as well as Judge’s housekeepers Miriam and Lois, his mother, and a surprise from the past. HIS RULE is a story of power and control, abuse and punishment, betrayal and vengeance. The premise is dark, gritty and raw; the characters are broken, aggressive and struggling; the romance is non-existent as. Judge continues to be Mercedes jailer and tormentor. HIS RULE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Fabulous start to this new trilogy set in the dangerous, dark world of IVI. After wetting my appetite for Lawson 'Judge' Montgomery and the feisty Mercedes de la Rosa in the prequel novella in the Nightingale anthology as well as The Society Trilogy, I was absolutely ready for the fireworks I knew would be their story! Holy moly, there were fireworks galore! Judge is as hot, dominant and alluring as he is an utter a-hole. Wow this man throws off some mixed signals as he battles with denial of his feelings and desires whilst performing his task, assigned by Mercedes' own brother..... her punishment and reformation. I loved The Society trilogy, but didn't like Mercedes very much in it. She made some terrible mistakes, believing she was doing the right thing but behaving like a spoilt, rich b1tch. However, the more I see her, the more I empathise with her. She puts on a brave, bratty defensive face but its no wonder she's so messed up surrounded by so much betrayal and brutality. As part of the misogynistic, harsh IVI Society, the rules heavily favour the men and women are pawns with no real choices in how to live their lives. She just wants some genuine affection, but with Judge high in the Society ranks, can he stick to the rules he enforces with a steel will in the courtroom, or will Mercedes tempt his darkness out to play? Or will his enemies get to them first? That cliffhanger.... thanks goodness it's not long to wait, Her Rebellion is going to be fiery!! 4.25 stars

It is always a treat when the villains in one story get their own stories! Judge and Mercedes weren’t the nicest people from what we have seen of them, but we get a look behind the veil, so to speak, as to why. They have chemistry, but know they can’t act on it. Being forced together doesn’t help with that, and soon they submit to it. Those tendencies that we didn’t like, they pop up with each other, but they are more than evenly matched. It is when the feelings neither of them want develop that the real trouble begins. Ending a cliffhanger, the start to this trilogy will have you wanting more!