Twenty years ago, Lucas Walker went to prison for the rape of a girl he loved and the murder of her brother, his best friend. Now that he's out, Lucas is going to New York to fulfill his promise to make sure Tansy is safe, then quietly leave and try to make something of his life. But when he finds Tansy, he knows he has to get her away from her family because her mental state is that of a child, and it appears her family isn't doing anything to help her.

After Tansy's rape, she built a cocoon around herself, refusing to remember that awful night when she got hurt and her other half was killed. She not only doesn't remember that night, but she also doesn't go far from her father's apartment. She does, however, walk across the street to the park where she believes her brother is. At the park is where she found her prince, who her mother told her would take her away and protect her.

Mona and Kat were not allowed to return from their grandmother's home when their mother became ill. They blame their theatrical father and his lack of love for his children, when they weren't allowed to see her before she died.

Mona is hard driven in everything she does - her marriage to Fitz, whom she loves passionately, and her work, where she strives to be number one. But when it comes to Tansy, she'll drop everything to come to her aid. When Fitz gives her an ultimatum about having a baby, she's upset that he could go against their bargain of not having children so they could concentrate on each other and their careers. Mona is devastated when he walks out and moves into a hotel.

Kat is outspoken and sexually free, telling herself and everyone else that she doesn't fall in love, her partners do. And then she breaks their hearts when she's done. Her best friend, Armand, is always there for her in every way. He tells it like it is when an opportunity arises, but he always treats her with respect. When the unthinkable happens and she falls in love with the wrong guy, Kat realizes what it's like to be on the other side of the fence. It's Mona who points out that Armand is in love with her and to give true love a chance.

When Tansy disappears from her home, everyone thinks the worst. It's Lucas' love for her that makes her remember what happened 20 years ago, revealing the truth about what happened that night. But is it too little too late?

MERCY is an intense story of love and passion with a bit mystery and suspense added into the plot. The characters work well together and you can't help cheering for the underdogs of this story. Ms. Brashear's single-title debut is a sure winner