Angels and humans and Mancers, oh my! What is a 'Mancer'? the reader may be asking? Well, a Mancer is a human descended from angels, and with that unique lineage comes some pretty amazing powers. That's just the scenario where lead character Jessie Mead finds herself in an excellent first novel by debut author J.P. Hart, M.E.R.C.E. Jessie, damaged by a terrible loss, as well as hardened by a life of non-acceptance from others, decides to take a chance when she's offered a spot by Headmaster Bernal, the leader of the Institute of Modern Education and Research in Channeling Energy, or the titular M.E.R.C.E. Having lived her life as an oddity, shunned by other people due to the powers that she's always had, it's difficult for her to trust others. When she discovers more about herself at M.E.R.C.E., she learns more about her control of the elements, and which one she's destined to use to her fullest extent. But her greatest need is to gain control of that power, which seems to be just the thing she struggles with the most.

Fantastic. That is how I would describe this debut work by author J.P. Hart. Anyone who knows me knows fantasy is the genre that most appeals to me. As much as that is true, it's also equally true that I've had less and less luck in finding books to truly keep my attention. Not so with M.E.R.C.E. Author J.P. Hart has done an excellent job in setting the scene for what appears to be a completely amazing new series, as well as giving readers a strong and interesting female protagonist in Jessie. Any reader who loves fantasy needs to read this book. I will be eagerly waiting for the next installment in the M.E.R.C.E. series and I am sure that any reader who picks it up will feel exactly as I do!

M.E.R.C.E. is a paranormal action and romance novel by author J.P. Hart, and forms book one of the M.E.R.C.E. Series. Our central character is a woman called Jessie, whose traumatic past continues to haunt her everyday life. She knows she is different from ordinary human beings, alienated and hated by peers, family and friends alike for the powers she has at her disposal. All of this transforms her into a wry, belligerent figure, until she arrives at M.E.R.C.E., where Jessie finally has a chance to exorcise her demons and begin to heal. Here, she discovers the truth about her superhuman skills and control over elemental powers, and she also discovers that making an emotional connection with someone new might still be achievable.

J.P. Hart writes with engaging clarity to convey Jessie’s mental journey to leave her issues behind. Whilst the magical and paranormal elements of the story are intriguing, M.E.R.C.E. is, at heart, a character piece focusing on a deeply damaged individual trying to rebuild herself. There are elements of thriller fiction within the novel that make it an exciting page turner, with secrets being revealed left, right and centre about our heroine and the fate of the world in which she lives. Fans of romance will also be treated to Jessie’s emotional transformation as she tries to open up and trust in a man who is almost as broody and closed off as herself. All in all, M.E.R.C.E. is an engrossing multi-genre read with a powerful character journey at its centre.

M.E.R.C.E. by J.P. Hart is about Jessie, a young woman who has been accused of mass killing in her community. She had been in search of her adopted son when the crime happened. When she was cleared of the charges, her lawyer convinced her to go to M.E.R.C.E. and try it out. She agrees but with the condition that if she finds the institution not to her liking, she will leave and continue her search for her son. Things started to unravel and Jessie got to know herself even more. Along the way, she met new friends and discovered her extraordinary abilities. However, along with the good stuff is the unveiling of evil intentions. It was just a matter of time when she and the others found out.

I have read this story from cover to cover and it is just refreshing. M.E.R.C.E. is full of angels and their offspring, but written from a different perspective. I found this change quite interesting as I followed Jessie and the others. It will catch the attention of readers. The characters were like real people. They have their own quirks and readers are likely to feel a certain connection and be able to relate to them. In terms of story line, this is a roller coaster ride of good and shocking revelations. This characteristic kept me hooked the whole time. Certainly a must-read book.

M.E.R.C.E by JP Hart is a fantastical story about Jesse, a sarcastically hardened 22-year-old girl that hears voices. She had to drop out of school so that she could take care of her sister's son, Daniel, and raise him on her own. When Daniel goes missing during a game of hide and seek, she is in hot pursuit. The next thing she knows is that she is in prison awaiting trial for the deaths of 30 people in a community center. Her lawyer, Zach, proves her innocence when video footage shows she never entered the building. After that he introduces her to Bernal, who invites her to attend M.E.R.C.E; Modern Education and Research of Channeling Energy. A special institute that will help her to understand her powers with the promise of helping her to find Daniel.

She accepts, and is whisked away to Colorado. While waiting for her ride she meets Chantel, a girl from England that instantly adopts Jesse as her new best friend. When she reaches school, everything seems to be falling into place. At this point I was reminded of Rogue when she first met the X-Men. After a week of testing, she finds out that she is the offspring of an angel and a human. She finds that she and Luke are of the same kind, and he is her new instructor. They begin bonding immediately, and her voices have quieted down.

JP Hart does an outstanding job of moving this story along at a fast pace, but not too fast. Ms. Hart's writing style is imaginative and gothic, but she is able to keep it real with a sense of humor that had this reader laughing out loud. As a lover of fantasy, I was immediately drawn into this well written piece. It has everything you could want in a book. Intrigue, magic, mythical creatures, action, and tastefully written romance. just when you think you've got figured out, she introduces Puff; short for puffy little bastard. Jesse adopts the pup, and from then on this book is almost impossible to put down. If M.E.R.C.E is the first book from JP Hart, I eagerly look forward to many, many more. Awesome!