On August 13th, D.M. Davis’s latest book, No Mercy, released to the world!
No Mercy is the heated and emotional story of Gabriel “No Mercy” Stone, an affluent MMA fighter, retired Army Special Ops Green Beret Medic, and overall bad-ass Alpha Male and the apple of his eye Frankie. However, Frankie is with Gabriel’s best friend, Austin and has been for almost a decade. Until one night changes everything and they all must face their new situation.
When Gabriel is finally allowed to openly share his feelings for Frankie, it forever changes their relationship. But she’s weary of him since he’s always been a complete jerk to her and she never understood why. But now things are starting to make sense and even bigger issues are abound as Gabriel realizes he can’t commit to a “Happily Ever After” with the only woman he’s ever truly loved.
Will he be able to prove to her that he can commit all the way, or will he be another asshole in the long list of horrible men in Frankie’s life?
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Dana with us today, the author of ‘No Mercy’. You will find additional information and how to contact her and follow all her social media after the interview.
Interview with D.M. Davis
Now without further ado, let’s get into the interview!
Q: To start off, can you tell us a little about the books you have written so far and what your plans are for this particular MMA series?
A: I’m a die-hard reader of heart-wrenching romances. I want to laugh, cry, and fall in love. I try to write what I love to read. I have two other series: Until You and Finding Grace.
Until You has 4 books published (more to come) and is New Adult and Contemporary Romance which is about seven men. Some are related by blood, but all of them are brothers, bound to each other by friendship, circumstance, and a love and respect that goes beyond family. The series chronicles the challenges and joys of finding their true love through the eyes of each of the seven men and the ladies lucky enough to draw their attention and possibly their hearts. Expect Matt and Jace’s books in 2021!
My second series is Finding Grace. It’s a contemporary romance series with a paranormal twist that takes the reader on a sensual journey through the eyes of Lauren and Theo and brings about the knowledge that they have a bond that few share. They are unaware of The Gift in book one. However, they know the effects: the intense feelings and sexual attraction that draws them to each other like magnets, unable and unwilling to resist the pull, the attraction, the desire. Book 1, The Road to Redemption, is published. The next installment, The Price of Atonement, will release in 2021.
No Mercy was going to be a standalone in the KB World Project, but as I started writing about Gabriel and Frankie, I fell in love with so many of the other characters. Rowdy and Captain will have books for sure, but I feel some of the others will get their turns as well in my NEW Black Ops MMA Series.
Q: This is the first book in a new series called “Black Ops MMA”. What other characters from this book can we expect to see more from in the near future?
A: Rowdy (Cameron) will be next in the series. I’m about to start writing it and should release later this year. Captain’s book will be closer to the beginning of 2021. As for the other characters, we’ll have to see how loudly they talk to me to determine which one comes next. Suggestions?
Q: Let’s get into some character specifics from ‘No Mercy’! Can you share, from your own perspective, a little about both main characters strengths’ and weaknesses.
A: I had the idea of an MMA fighter in my head for a while, but I was working on other projects and just couldn’t do more than ‘think’ about it. When the opportunity arose to write in K. Bromberg’s KB Worlds – Everyday Heroes World, I couldn’t pass it up. Gabriel started talking to me HARD. I wanted to write an alphahole who crumbles for the woman he loves—and only for her. He’s strong, determined, and goal-oriented. He comes from a difficult home life, but he used his fighting skills to keep his mother and sister safe, fed, and secure. His father told him he was ‘nothing’. Gabriel did everything he could to prove him wrong. Francesca “Frankie” Angelique never knew her mother. Her father barely recognized her existence. She fell in love young and held on tight—maybe too tight. She feels she has to prove herself worthy of love and her job in a male-dominated sport. Gabriel doesn’t believe he’s capable of love. Frankie doesn’t believe she’s worth fighting for. In the end, they find out if a devil can in fact love an angel.
Q: In ‘No Mercy’, Gabriel loves to cook and is really good at it. What is his favorite dish to cook for himself?
A: I love this question. Gabriel learned to cook out of necessity. His body is his temple. His tool. He believes food is fuel. No more. No less. However, he finds he loves to cook for other people. He’s a reluctant caretaker at heart. He hosts an occasional Sunday Malone family brunch and finds joy in feeding Frankie. What does Gabriel love to cook? Anything that makes his Angel squirm and moan in delight.
Q: If Frankie hadn’t found her calling as a physical therapist, what would she have ended up likely doing with herself?
A: Honestly, Frankie had a hard time seeing beyond what was right in front of her: Austin. She wanted to get married and have his babies. She didn’t think much about herself or what she wanted. Except, she wanted to be close to Austin. He was a wrestling and football star in their high school, soon moving into mixed martial arts. She wanted to be a part of his dream. So, she studied sports medicine and became a physical therapist for his team, the Black Ops MMA team. But somewhere in the process, she found she loved what she did. She loves the human form—athletes in particular. She wanted to help and support her adopted family in the fighters that surrounded her day in and day out. It became her dream, her mission, though it started out as a crutch to be close to her man.
Q: Family was an important focal point in this story, and I know it is in many of your books. I always love the Alpha Males and how much they care for their women and their children. Will we see more of this throughout the MMA series?
A: Family is huge in everyone’s lives. Whether it’s good or bad, the impact is a ripple that never seems to ebb no matter how old we are. Everyone in Cap’s Black Ops MMA organization is a little broken from their past, and family has a lot to do with that. We will continue to see that theme through the series and especially in Rowdy’s and Cap’s books as their love interests greatly impact Gabriel and his family. *Hint* *Hint*
Q: Frankie and Gabriel both have similar negative experiences with important people in their lives letting them down. How do these experiences help them relate to each other but also define their unique differences?
A: Gabriel’s experience with his father never made him doubt he could be someone—he could accomplish something bigger than himself. It made him more determined than ever. However, it did plant the seed of doubt in his ability to love a wife and be a father. As for Frankie, her lack of loving role models didn’t make her doubt her ability to love. She loved harder, deeper–unwaveringly so–even to her own detriment. She gave what she so desperately wanted. A love that would stick. She needed someone who would fight for her love. Gabriel knew how to fight, just in a different manner. They’re both loyal, and cherish the surrogate family Cap’s Black Ops MMA organization provided. It was their common ground though sometimes, it was their war zone.
Q: No Mercy is about MMA fighting and men with military history. It emphasizes the bonds between men and their close friends in combat which also translates into their MMA experiences. What experience do you have or what did you draw on for inspiration in regards to the cast of male characters in this particular story?
A: I’ll be honest, I didn’t do a lot of research. I’ve read a lot of sports and military romances. I knew what I liked about those stories. Then I put myself in Gabriel’s shoes. He was a special forces Green Beret medic. He could kick your ass and also take care of you. Back to his caretaker at heart, he’s tough as nails, but in the end, he wants to heal things. He wants to make everyone better. He wants to feed and protect. He’s alpha all the way, which for him means his woman’s needs come first. I also liked the idea of Captain Jimmy bringing together a bunch of former soldiers who often have trouble reintegrating into society and putting their frustration and skills to use in the ring. These are tough, dedicated, expertly-trained men who learn to fight when required and reel it in when fighting isn’t appropriate. They’ve seen war; a fight in the octagon is a piece of cake for them. In theory, anyway.
Q: The love triangle between Austin, Frankie and Gabriel was intense and saddening all at the same time. But these experiences propelled Frankie’s and Gabriel’s further growth. Are there other aspects of her growth throughout this story that may have gone less noticed?
A: I don’t know if it went unnoticed, but Frankie learned she could stand on her own two feet without a love interest. It was hard and it hurt, but she realized she could do it. She didn’t need a man to have a future. She wanted one, but she didn’t need it. There is a huge difference, and I hope that message came across. I also believe she realized how much she needed and missed female companionship. Not having a mother and meeting Austin so young, she dove right into a male dominated environment. There’s something to be said for sisterhood. I hope to grow this aspect for Frankie in future books.
Q: At one point in the story, Frankie mentions to herself that the fighters have a great deal under Cap, the owner of their MMA organization. Can you elaborate on what the experience is that he offers for his guys? (brotherhood, etc)
A: For Cap, the family comes first. He’s picky with who he invites into his organization. It started out as retired/former military, but expanded to include Frankie and Austin who came to him as kids. He saw a need for a safe, stable, welcoming environment built on trust and loyalty, but also discipline and dedication. Cap believes you get what you give. And as Frankie says, “Cap gives good karma.” He may be tough, but he loves hard. He’ll do anything for his team, and they’ll do anything for him. He doesn’t give up on his family even when they screw up. And even if you leave to pursue other avenues, family is always family to Cap. His fighters, his employees, will always have a home to come home to.
Q: In the story, Frankie doesn’t really have any girlfriends, but she starts to develop a strong friendship with Emmy. Who would you say is Gabriel’s “closest” friend beside Cap?
A: Before No Mercy, Gabriel would say it was Austin. Cap is more like a father-figure, not so much the best friend. Gabriel became really close to Grant Malone (K. Bromberg’s male lead in Cuffed) since Black Ops moved to Sunnyville. Jonah is the next closest. He and Gabriel have a connection. Jonah doesn’t need Gabriel to say much to understand what’s going on in Gabriel’s head. But I would say Gabriel is not quite sure how much he likes Jonah and his intuitive ass.
Q: The story takes place in Sunnyville, CA – was there any reason behind why you chose that location? Is there a stronger history behind its MMA inception than what’s hinted at in this book?
A: The story takes place in Sunnyville, CA because that is where K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Series takes place. The bar they hang out at, the airfield where Black Ops MMA calls home in an old hanger are all from the EH series. However, Black Ops MMA will be moving back to Vegas or another part of California before the next book since the series is not part of the EH world moving forward.
I want to extend a huge Thank YOU to Dana for taking the time to talk to me about her new release and her amazing band of characters! If you’d like to learn more about her and her books – visit the links below!
More About D.M. (Dana) Davis
D.M. Davis is a Contemporary and New Adult Romance Author.
She is a Texas native, wife, and mother. Her background is Project Management, technical writing, and application development. D.M. has been a lifelong reader, and wrote poetry in her early life, but has found her true passion in writing about love and the intricate relationships between men and women.
She writes of broken hearts and second chances, of dreamers looking for more than they have and daring to reach for it.
D.M. believes it is never too late to make a change in your own life, to become the person you always wanted to be, but were afraid you were not worth the effort. You are worth it. Take a chance on you. You never know what’s possible if you don’t try. Believe in yourself as you believe in others, and see what life has to offer.
Contact her on:
Adventures in Literature 
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