Saving Ella (Mercys Angels, #1) By Kirsty Dallas

Gut wrenching. Heart breaking. Motivating. Beautiful.

This book was exactly what I needed; an emotional storyline with a beautiful HEA. I absolutely loved every page. It came as such a pleasant surprise too. I bought it on a whim without hearing much about it. It had me hooked... I mean HOOKED from the prologue.

Ella lost her father at the age of 13 and was physically and mentally abused by her douche hole of a step father for years. Girl had been through more shit than any one person should ever have to experience. Jax is a soldier with the absolute biggest heart ever. He helps out at a shelter for abused women. It is there that Jax and Emma's story begins.

Jax and Ella are so incredibly beautiful together. Together they are strong, resilient, and determined; an absolutely perfect combination.

Thank goodness there will be more books in this series. I absolutely can't wait for Rebecca and Charlie's story.

Only thing this author needs is a good editor (common thing for indie authors). There were many grammatical errors but it absolutely did not take away from the story.

Highly recommend. 5 well deserved stars. Kindle Edition 4.5

I haven't been able to find a book to captivate me lately but this was great, i couldnt put it down. It wasnt perfect but i definitely want to see more of these characters. Kindle Edition I think it was A-Mazing... but I may be bias ;-)

Hopefully I will have a release date soon!!! Cover shoot booked for May 18th, so it will follow on the heels of that..

Please add to your 'want to read' list... You will not be disappointed!! Kindle Edition OMG...What an amazing story. It had everything, drama, laughter and passion. It made me chuckle to myself, shed a tear and even made my heart do that fluttering thing that only comes when reading a good book. It's one of those novels that is impossible to put down and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. I love a H.E.A romance and LOVE, LOVE Jax! (Swoon, my new book boyfriend) Kindle Edition
“You’re having one of those moments of irrational and foolish thoughts that men are prone to, you’re being a domineering asshat Jax.”

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life.”

Saving Ella had me from the very start. I mean I can’t even say the first chapter, because it was the prologue! I read it and I was GLUED. The idea of a traumatized heroine gets me, every time. Kirsty did an amazing job with the characters, and the development of the storyline. Not once did I get confused or have to think back to another page. For Kirsty’s first book, I can’t even tell you how floored I am with this novel. I don’t want to say I don’t expect much from a new indie author, cause that’s not the case. However there were virtually no mistakes, the stories continuance was flawless, and the dual POV was perfection.

I fell in love with Ella. Even though I haven’t been through half of what she has, Ella is a completely relatable character. I was simply amazed by her determination, strength, resilience, and her will to fight. Even though she was horribly brutalized by a man, she still had the capability within herself to love again. I can’t even imagine what life is like on the run… to look over your shoulder constantly. To KNOW that someone is always looking for you, never giving up on the thrill to find you and hurt you again.

As for Ella’s love interest, his name is Jax. He is now my love interest as well. HOT DAMN what a book boyfriend he is! Blond hair, Grey eyes, Tall, SOLDIER, and helps at a women’s shelter?! Score. Jax is a haunted by his past in the military, and definitely has his own plate of shit to deal with. Working at Mercy’s shelter isn’t his only job, but he likes to spend most of his time there. He was always protective of the women that entered the shelter, but when he found Ella, he knew she was different. Jax made it his object to keep her safe.

Saving Ella is brilliantly written. Kirsty I can’t even tell you how much I loved this book, since I couldn’t do the emotions I had while reading this ANY type of justice. This is one of those novels that just stands out. You can’t even reel in your emotions, let alone write them down. It’s taken me almost a week to write this review cause I just can’t keep my thoughts in check. YES. It was THAT good. The witty banter between the characters, the steamy and angst ridden scenes of pure unadulterated lust, the raw emotions, and the happiness just blew my mind.

I seriously can’t wait to read Kirsty’s next novels. Yet another author has been added to my list of authors to buy without hesitation or looking at synopsis. Note: this list isn’t very long, but If I keep finding authors like Kirsty – Oh boy am I in trouble! I’m also going to mention that Kirsty just happened to mention THE READING VIXENS in her acknowledgements!!! How freaking cool is that? I didn’t even know until after I read it! What an amazing surprise for us. Our FIRST book acknowledgement and I could not be happier. What a perfect book to be acknowledged in. Oh, and a word of advice – get this sooner than later!! Soon it’ll be a Best seller on so many different lists. I totally won’t be surprised when I see this on USA Today, or NY Times. By the way… Kirsty, I effing love you! You are my favorite Aussie of ALL time. (Female, anyways)
Kindle Edition

5 Huge Heart Felt Stars..

This book had everything I loved in a story, could've been a dark tale of survival/death etc but this was just so beautifully written..Can't wait for book 2..


To anyone who has been/is being abused I hope you find the strength to get out and that you find your very own Angel.. Kindle Edition Re-read 10/30/17

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

Kindle Edition

**4.5 FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC STARS**



As a child, Ella dreamed big.
Her art was her life, her Father her biggest supporter.
All that changed the night Ella's father died.
Her mother remarried EVIL and for the next 4 years, the Ella that once loved and had dreams, died.
The Ella that now existed was filled with hate.


~ Hate - to feel intense dislike, or extreme aversion or hostility.
Such a powerful word, such a strong emotion. To live without hate must be bliss.~

After years of Abuse, and failed attempts at escape, Ella is bidding her time.
One night the Abuse is taken to whole new level, Ella refuses to be controlled no more. Ella fights. Fights for her life and runs.

~I ran, I escaped, I survived.~


Jax Carter has spent the last nine years serving his country.
Having seen so much pain, blood and hurt he still can't stay away from his mom’s shelter. Helping the beaten and solemn women who grace Mercy’s doorstep is his mission.

After 4 years on the run, Ella finds herself in front of Mercy's Shelter.
Jax saves her as she takes a fall on the ice.
Despite the size of Jax, Ella feels safe around him.



Jax can't seem to stay away from Ella. He is intrigued with her, and soon finds himself wanting more from her.


~Jax, a man who barely knew me, knew none of my secrets, none of my dirty awful past, he had brought me a gift that pierced right through all the bullshit and wrapped itself right around my heart.~


Jax feels a connection to Ella, he wants to know who hurt her.
He feels protective over her and vows to help her overcome her past.
He vows to make her feel safe again.


~Deep breaths angel, breathe with me baby. You're safe here. It's just you and me and you know I won't hurt you.~



Soon their connection is too hard to ignore.
They both felt it and need it.


~This, he whispered, squeezing my hand. This is a gift. His fingers then touched my face with reverence, running tenderly down my temples, tracing my scar and finally sweeping around my eyes which fluttered closed. These, he brushed his thumbs gently over my eyelashes, his face so close I could feel his breath on my skin. These see more truth than anyone I have ever known.
And this, he pressed his hand over my chest, right over my heart. This is the most beautiful thing in existence.~



It is a slow build between them.
Jax is patient and kind. Ella holds so much pain from her past and needs time.






~Please kiss me, I silently begged. He did, but not at all how I expected it. Jax took my hand once more and placed his warm soft lips to the centre of my palm. No one had ever kissed me in such a way. The kiss vanquished all ugliness and left me feeling raw, naked and beautiful. This kiss rocked my world like no other touch could. ~


Soon the fire between the two is blazing and Ella is the one that needs to take them to the next level.


~I want you so bad Jax. Take me away from all of this, make me feel beautiful.~


I wasn't expecting too much steam, but wow the steam factor once they got there was just perfect. I loved it.


~I'm greedy angel, I want to be in you when you come for me the first time. Next time it will be around my tongue. ~



They have a little struggle with Jax making a Douche mistake.
Normally you have to expect these things but… Man, Jax just broke my heart when he played that hand. I was like WTF?????
But bigger things come to head and soon more danger is in store for Ella. Will she run from her past again, when Jax is her future?


~You don't scare me Jax Carter. I've been waiting a long time to find a man who could love me again. My heart is yours, so please be careful with it.~


I really enjoyed this. I have read a few intense books... but that prologue and 1st chapter owned me.
FUCK it was way intense my heart was pounding, I was seriously in freakout mode.
Marcus is a sick fuck and I wanted to stab in the face.

I loved all the secondary characters. I loved Mercy.
I can't wait for the next in the series.
Rebecca was a hoot!

Normally I'm a huge bossy alpha male fan, but Jax was sweet, kind, loving and swoon worthy.
His patience with Ella was so sweet and I fell in love with him as soon as he called her Angel.

I loved the Epilogue. Love me an epilogue.

Definitely a must read.

4.5 Stars

Buy it.
Read it.
Love it.

Follow my reviews @ Fab, Fun & Tantalizing Reads


Kindle Edition Jointly reviewed for totallybookedblog.com





Gitte: This is the first book we’ve read by this Author isn’t it Jenny and wow, it was truly beautiful but so very heart-breaking and emotional. I loved the writing style, the story and the characters. It started with intensity and intrigue and had a near perfect relationship build up which never felt rushed. I just couldn’t put it down to begin with. I was swept away as Jax and Ella’s story unfolded and we learnt of their pasts. Ella’s just plain broke my heart.

“Somehow my heart already felt the weight of his loss. Without warning the most important thing in my world had been taken from me and I felt horribly alone.”

The one person she loved and who loved her in return is no longer in her life and everything she knows changes when she becomes a victim of cruelty and violence.

“Where Daddy’s eyes had been gentle, full of love and fun, Marcus’ eyes were full of ruthless hate and indifference.”

Jenny: Yes G, and don’t we just love it when we pick up that random book and we’re so richly rewarded with an engaging and wonderful story with characters that are so relatable.

I really liked this story about healing, finding strength in yourself and not being afraid to lean on someone, to know that there is someone out there who is willing to help, accepting it, knowing that you matter, and in the process opening your heart. The story flowed well and apart from a small part around the middle of the story where is seemed to drag, I was invested in Jax and Ella’s journey.

Gitte: Ella did everything she could to escape her home life; escape Marcus. She lived a wild and irresponsible life outside her front door as a defence mechanism, a survival tactic throwing defiance back at Marcus. I suppose in response to the horrific control, abuse and terror she suffered at his hand and mind. The feel of the knife, drugs, alcohol and sex numbing the real pain and hurt.

Every time Ella tries to escape and get away from the clutches of Marcus and the ignorance and obliviousness of her Mum, she’s rounded up and found by the various people Marcus has in his pocket. He has connections everywhere and Marcus wants Ella for unfathomable reasons.

When Ella finally manages to escape I think I held my breath until I knew she managed to do it, until I knew she was safe. My heart pounded and I was chanting ‘be safe’ in my head.

Enter Jax….and what an entry, I fell in love with this gentle but fierce giant of a man.

“It’s all in the eyes. No one can hide what lies there, but it takes someone special to be able to see it…”

He happens across Ella near the Women’s refuge where he works and which is run by his Mum. He sees an ‘Angel’ and brings her home. I just knew this was it, didn’t you Jenny, he’d keep her safe; he’d help her heal. But it wasn’t an easy journey for Ella who lives day to day not daring to plan ahead, the only plan being surviving. Nor was it an easy one for Jax really either. It was fraught with drama and violence; fear and issues of trust.

“…from the pits of despair they shall rise stronger.”

There was so much beauty in the midst of the ugly. I had tremendous respect for Ella, she was so strong and independent yet so very broken inside. She had been beaten down; a woman living in a shell trying to survive whilst running from pain and violence. Trying re-build a sense of normality. Just trying to live life; a basic right. Just wanting to feel safe.

“These were mine, I pointed to the light scars that laced my forearms like a horrifying web of pain. They were my lowest point….I pointed to the deep ugly scars on each wrist. This was him. He drugged me, and he cut me. He told me it was to prove that he owned me and controlled me.”

Her story really broke my heart and made me fall in love with her saviour Jax who’s got his own demons!!

Wasn’t Jax an amazing man Jenny?! A heart of pure gold, a patience that knew no end and a protective streak and humanity that was proven time and time again. He was a hero in so many ways wasn’t he?!

“Please let me protect you…”

So yeah, I loved this story, I only had a few issues of the middle dragging and the 4 missing years, but overall I thought this was a beautiful and gut-wrenching story of overcoming a horrific past, healing and giving and accepting love and trust.

“I don’t really know what normal is….”

Jenny: Jax was certainly amazing Gitte, and like you, I had so much respect for Ella. This girl was indeed a survivor. Ella had suffered and been made to feel insignificant at the hands of a cruel and evil man. Marcus…grrrr I hated that man with a passion. But Ella is made of stern stuff and would make the the choice that might eventually save her life when she finally escapes Marcus’s clutches. Jax would enter her life at a time she was at her lowest. He would offer her the salvation she so desperately craved.

“That’ s it angel. You’re safe.”

Hearing both voices via the alternative POV’s really did allow me to connect with both Ella and Jax. Each had such an engaging voice and I found myself looking forward both POV’s equally.

Ella was such a troubled girl, but she showed such strength and courage and this girl would not be broken. Her past has made her vulnerable and her lack of self esteem is understandable considering what she had experienced but Ella always fought through.

Jax…..Gitte, you know how much I loved this man. He had forged his own battles, fought them and instead of becoming jaded, he became the saviour of so many and especially Ella who would also have his heart.

“And this.” He pressed his hand over my chest, right over my heart. “This is the most beautiful thing in existence.”

This man brought me to my knees. He was so beautiful inside and out. This mountain of a man with the kind and giving heart completely won me over.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Saving Ella. . I was completely invested, I loved the main and secondary characters and can’t wait to devour more of their stories in the next installment of the Mercy’s Angels series. As each book is about different characters, this can be read as a stand alone. Kindle Edition This may be the second hardest review I have ever written. Why? Because honestly with me, when I read a book that takes amazing to a whole other level, it feels like an absolute impossibility to put your thoughts and emotions into a couple of paragraphs. When the only negative thing you can find to say about a book is that it ended, you know that you've got an amazing story on your hands.


With Saving Ella, that is just what this was....AMAZING! Kirsty created two characters with painful backgrounds but gave them both the opportunity to take their pain and do something with it and even inspire others along the way.

To read the rest of my review, please visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books. Kindle Edition

From the bestselling and award-winning author, Kirsty Dallas, comes this highly acclaimed series.

If there was one thing Ella could do well, it was run. Staying still was dangerous...trusting someone was terrifying.

The protection every child is owed was lost on Ella Munroe. Her tiny body was beaten and bruised, and pain became her only comfort. With her head down, scars covered, and heart locked behind a wall of steel Ella ran. On the streets she may have found her freedom, but she was still alone, until she found Mercy’s, until she found Jax.

Born a warrior, Jaxon Carter could intimidate with no more than a glance, but this warrior was not born to destroy, he was born to protect. With his own scars buried deep inside, Jax spent his days working for his mom’s shelter, Mercy’s. The first time he saw Ella, he knew she was a runner. Gaining her trust would take all his heart, and he was prepared to give it.

All Jax had to do was keep Ella safe, it all seemed so easy….

“Your scars might remind you of where you’ve been angel, but they don’t have to dictate where you’re going.” ~ Jaxon Carter

Read Order

Saving Ella, Book One
Fighting Back, Book Two
Tortured Soul, Book Three
Mother's Love, Book Four
Losing Lola, Book Five Saving Ella (Mercys Angels, #1)

Read Saving Ella (Mercys Angels, #1)