I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. This story is about Isabelle who was attacked by her boyfriend and Tristan who is being blackmailed by his ex-wife. Isabelle wants to let the attack go, but also allow someone to be in charge. When she meets Tristan it's exactly what she needs but the next morning she sneaks out and heads off to college. When she arrives at her business class she is shocked to see Tristan as her new professor. Their relationship is forbidden and they both have massive baggage but can they survive together?

First off i should thank the folks at Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC to read. I"m a huge fan of discovering new authors and series and this one is definitely one that i'm intrigued to learn more about.

What we have here is an introduction to the world of Tristan and Isabella - 2 people who've had a really tough life so far because of people who they mistakenly trusted and well, now they are both guarded and jaded and really just looking to the end game professionally. NOT romantically.

The story starts with a view about a year and a half in the past to ground us on what's driving Isabella's life. She was almost killed by her jealous and mentally ill boyfriend and now as she's trying to put her life back together, we see that it's taking a few interesting turns. The first being that she's finally getting herself to college and the 2nd is her interest in exploring the BDSM lifestyle.

Thankfully for her, she's got her cousin Dreama there to guide her into the lifestyle and when she's brought to her first ever play party - just days before she's heading to college, she gets a surprise that she wasn't expecting. It was supposed to be an opportunity to enjoy a night with no strings and when a connection is made that shocks her to her core, well i think that we know things will get good from there.

Then there's Tristan, a Dom who's had a lot of turmoil from women in his life and is absolutely not looking for something more than just a night, and in the group of subs available at the party - not even that is interesting to him. Until Isabella walks in.

What starts as a night turns into something more when Tristan shows up at Isabella's college not just as a professor, but as the one that she's due to be an assistant to. So - you know sparks will fly.

If that weren't enough in this story - knowing that you're going to get some of the most intense scenes because first, she's being introduced into the lifestyle and those scenes are often amazing but second because there's so much chemistry between them that regardless of the fact that their situation is 'forbidden' - they still try to figure it out.

Add to that the fact that Isabella's crazy ex may be getting out of his rehab program, and Tristan's ex is trying to blackmail him again, and you know that there's a lot of anxiety. All wrapped up in this story is murder, suicide, multiple attempts on killing folks and well a twist that i sorts of figured out early on but had confirmed towards the end. It was really nicely written and i can't wait to see what's next since i know that we'll get a story on Ryder (Tristan's best friend and business partner) or perhaps Dreama - Isabella's cousin.

Shelly Bell writes erotica with plot, heart and heat.

"She had no idea what those words did to him. Like a siren's song, they called to the Dom in him. She made him want to master her, to teach her not about business and economics, but about pleasure and pain, domination and submission."

It's been quite some time since I've had a chance to pick up a Shelly Bell novel, so when I read the synopsis for this one, I just knew I had to read this one. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

At His Mercy is fun, seductive and utterly sexy. Add in a little taboo quality and I am a goner. At His Mercy is told from dual points of view and follows the story of Tristian and Isabella. Isabella is new to the world of BDSM and wants to spend her last night in town experiencing what has been calling to her. She meets Tristian by chance and spends one unforgettable evening with him. The last thing Isabella expected was to find out her new professor is actually the man that haunts her dreams. The two try to fight their connection, but the pull is too strong to deny. Things are all going well until the past catches up to both Tristian and Isabella and their lives will be forever changed because of it.

At His Mercy hooked me from the very first page. I mean this book starts off with one heck of a bang and keeps you begging for more. This book is smart, sexy as hell and written well. The characters are intriguing and keep you wanting to know more of their story. Overall, I thought this book was a great read. I devoured it in just a few short hours. Not only was this book incredibly sexy, but it also had some really wonderful twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the very end. At His Mercy was a very enjoyable read and I'm glad that I decided to pick it up.

Tristan is hungry for one last night of no strings attached fun before he leaves town, and he thought attending his friends play party would give him the perfect opportunity to find what he is looking for, but nothing seems to be inspiring him... that is until an innocent looking angel walks through the door. The moment he notices her, his body starts humming with excitement, he can tell she is a newbie, and while most would shy away from her for that reason, it seems to be what is drawing him to her the most. He has to get his hands on her... but once he does, will one night be enough?

Isabelle has been living in sheltered world for the last eighteen months, and she is finally ready to start living again, and experience things she would have never dreamed of doing before, no matter how nerve wracking they maybe. She has always been intrigued with the BDSM world, but never been brave enough to experience it, but now she is ready to face her curiosity head on, and indulge in one night of fun before she leaves town to attend college. Once she arrives at the play party her nerves start to subside, and her excitement from what she is witnessing is starting to build, now she just has to find a friend for the night to do a little playing of her own. The minute her eyes land of Tristan she knows that she has found him, and is certain he can help her explore what she has been longing to experience... and she is more than ready for anything he has to offer her. If it doesn't go as she hopes, she has nothing to worry about, because they'll never see each other again right?

This riveting and tantalizing little page turner grabbed my attention from the prologue, and held on tight until the last page was swiped! After reading the synopsis I thought I had an good idea of what I would find, but Ms. Bell totally pulled the rug out from under me, and hit me with lots of unexpected surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat and burning through the pages... she totally outdid herself with this one!! Isabelle and Tristan's relationship started off a little unconventionally, and neither one of them were looking for a commitment, but it was evident after their first encounter that fate hate other plans for them. The chemistry between them was explosive, full of lust, passion and unquenchable desire, and it inspired lots of steamy between the seats action ... action that left me a little flustered and red in the face more than a few times!! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, Ms. Bell's seductive little tale is sure to give you everything you could possibly want in a story... and then some!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Isabella meets Tristian at a play party for Doms and subs. They both just want one night. She's going off to college and he has a job opportunity. They are both in for a big surprise.
Tristian is being blackmailed by his ex wife and Isabella was almost killed by her boyfriend and now he's about to get out of the psychiatric hospital. But she is stronger now and won't live her life in fear.

This is an excellent story. I know this is short but I don't want to give anything away. First time reading this author and I enjoyed it very much. Lots of sex. BDSM. Crazy ex's. Edge of your seat suspense. This story will stay with you long after you've finished it