Mercury's War by Lora Leigh
Berkley Publishing
Contemporary, Paranormal, Action/Adventure
Full Length, M/F
Review by Hibiscus

There's trouble brewing at Sanctuary. Someone has been slipping secure information to a pharmaceutical company. Now it is up to Ria Rodriquez to pose as a clerk and uncover the leak. And she has no idea of the danger she's about to encounter.

Years ago, Mercury warrant – who, according to his file, is one of the greatest Breeds ever created – thought he lost his mate, and he's had to live with the idea that he'll never know true bonding. Then he's tapped to protect the mysterious Ria – and finds himself falling in love.

But Ria is a woman of many secrets, and she fears being consumed by her feelings for Mercury. Little does she know that she has every right to be afraid. Because the woman believed to be Mercury's true mate is back from the grave, and she's not about to let Ria – or anyone else – get in her way....

♥ ♥ ♥

This book was fantastic! So many interesting stories going on and characters that I've loved from the first story in the series. Everything about the Breeds and their stories are layered. The more you uncover, the more you find still to learn. Not only are there so many different Breeds, known and those yet to be revealed, but there are now Hybrids. A whole new layer added to the amazing mix of characters.

The main story features Mercury Warrant. He is a riveting creature who tugged at my heart with every glance I took in his  eyes. He thinks he must live his life alone and has turned himself into the prefect Enforcer. Many at Sanctuary are worried that he is losing his grip on his human side, especially Dr. Morrey who is always ordering tests and blood work done on Mercury. When Mercury meets Ria Rodriquez, he feels a tug inside and thinks he is falling in love. Since he believes his mate died years ago and none of the normal mating signs are occurring, Mercury is certain she could never be his mate.

Enter Ria Rodriquez. A chameleon in the truest sense of the word. Hair in a bun and shapeless frumpy clothes,  no one would take a second look at her so well does she blend into the background. Except Mercury takes a second and a third look. Sent from The Leo's compound by Dane, the simple clerk is trying to ferret out a spy. Ria also appeases her curiosity about Mercury. Her strength shows not only in the work she does at Sanctuary but in her willingness to step aside when Alaiya returns from the dead. My heart bled with the sounds of Ria's cries that day.

This book is not just the story of Ria and Mercury but also of the many Breeds who live in Sanctuary, their mates, children and those who are connected to it in one way or another. There is a great sub story about  Dr. Elyianna Morrey, who tells Sanctuary chief Jonas Wyatt about her fears for Mercury and that he has been off his medication for seven years. Eli is afraid Mercury will become feral and do a great harm to those who live in Sanctuary. The graphic descriptions of his original rampage in the labs in Argentina had me believing I witnessed all that had happened. I am also learning more about Jonas Wyatt and no longer find him to be the hard character that I've always believed him to be. I hope there is a story regarding he and his mate soon. There are stories involving the companies outside of Sanctuary and of spies who are within. It is easy to kept track of all the action going on in this well written romance.

Ms. Leigh writes fascinating stories about genetically alter beings who live among us. I love the details that are given in every book to such a degree that I feel as if I am living the story along with the characters in them. I highly recommend Mercury's War and look forward to the next Breed book.