Please Me (A Stark Ever After Novella) by J. Kenner

Each day with Damien is a miracle, each moment with our children a gift. And yet I cannot escape the growing sense that a storm is gathering, threatening to pull me away, to rip us apart. To drag me down, once again, into a darkness to which I swore never to return.

I have to fight it—I know that. And I am waging the battle with of all my heart. But it is Damien who is my strength, and we both know that the only way to push away the darkness is for him to fold me in his arms and claim me completely. And for me to surrender myself, once again, to the fire that burns between us.

Please Me, by J. Kenner, a 1001 Dark Nights novella from her Stark Ever After Series.  Short, sexy, mysterious & sweet.  The struggle of a working wife & mother wanting to spend quality time with her family is real.  The balancing act is in full affect, but something is off with the hubby who doubles as best friend in so many ways.  A getaway for the pair should get things back on track, as life goes on "...secrets or not, all is well in the world."...until it's not.  Hold on for a quick read that is as intense as it is erotic.  Secrets are uncovered as more drama is revealed, hooking fans new & old alike.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Justify Me (Lexi Blake Crossover Collection Book 3) by J. Kenner

BLURB

McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade has no intention of returning to Los Angeles after his brief stint as a consultant on mega-star Lyle Tarpin’s latest action flick. Not even for Natasha Black, Tarpin’s sexy personal assistant who’d gotten under his skin. Why would he, when Tasha made it absolutely clear that—attraction or not—she wasn’t interested in a fling, much less a relationship. But when Riley learns that someone is stalking her, he races to her side. Determined to not only protect her, but to convince her that—no matter what has hurt her in the past—he’s not only going to fight for her, he’s going to win her heart. Forever.

MY REVIEW

Justify Me by J. Kenner, book 4.5 of her Stark series & part of the new Crossover Collection from Lexi Blake.  Finally the novella I'd been expecting from this crossover.  With only a few crossover characters, this story was easy to get into & fast paced enough to give a nice balance for fans of Julie & Lexi alike. 

Protective, possessive, loyal & sexy.  I enjoyed the way the characters pasts & the strong friendships intertwined.  Oh so sexy, filled with "...heated passion and sweaty, naked nights..."  Secrets & interesting twists are revealed, as a mystery is solved.  Another fan favorite from J. Kenner "...she does write incredibly sexy books..."

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Wicked Torture (Stark World 3) by J. Kenner

 

   

 

BLURB

Outwardly, Noah Carter is riding high as the tech world’s hottest new genius. Inside, he’s still reeling from the abduction of his wife and baby daughter eight years ago, and then the devastating discovery of his child’s body. For years, he kept up hope that his wife was alive, but now that she’s been declared legally dead, he’s thrown himself even more deeply into his work, cutting himself off from emotional ties because they just hurt too damn much.

Then he meets Kiki Porter, an eternal optimist with a killer work ethic and dreams of fronting a band. And everything changes. Even though he tries his damnedest to fight it…

Sexually, they are combustible together. But their true fire is emotional, though it is a slow to burn. But once it lights, it is all consuming. The relationship grows emotionally, the sex is hot, things are good.

But just when it’s looking like they might have a real future together, the past comes back to haunt them. And Noah’s going to have to decide what he’s willing to give up for love …    

MY REVIEW

Although all of J. Kenner’s Wicked novels can be read as standalone, after reading Wicked Torture, I recommend reading Wicked Dirty beforehand as well.  Not only because you should be reading the entire Stark World Series because if not, you are missing out, but also since it will provide clarity a little sooner if you do.

Wicked Torture, the third in the Stark World Series from J. Kenner.  Featuring Noah, a man who needs “…to slide back into the world.” & Kiki, who has just gotten her life back on track.  An unexpected coincidence brings them together again after almost a decade leading straight to “Desire mixed with anger. Fury bolstered by memory.”

This very, very sexy, second chances romance is told in third person, with a lot of flash-back action throughout.  Moving along at a steady pace, this is a story riddled with – “…deep emotion and strong passion.”, guilt, loss, heartache & self-reflection.  Broken hearts are healed, lovers have moved on, only to be tested with the possibility of another chance at a love – “…a mixture of both longing and regret.”  The search for trust & commitment, to be better than those before, to do the right thing, all put to the ultimate test with a twist to the tale, before all is revealed.  “…where ghosts and fears and everything he thought he’d gotten past were right back beside him again.” 

Though the storyline did not flow as smoothly as I’d have liked, “…it’s on the shiny side of good.”  Noah & Kiki’s story was interesting & I always enjoy the strong friendships & cross over characters from Wicked Grind & Wicked Dirty.

“…we fit. We’ve always fit.” 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

 

 

Wicked Dirty by J. Kenner

   

BLURB

Sometimes bad isn’t good enough…

 

On the outside, Lyle Tarpin is a clean-cut Hollywood actor whose star is on the rise. Inside, he’s battling his own demons, shunning relationships and finding solace in the arms of a string of anonymous women paid very well for their discretion.

But when he’s photographed in a compromising position by an over-eager reporter, the only way to save his career is to say that the woman he was with is his fiancée. And now Lyle has to play a very public game with the only woman who’s ever managed to get under his skin.

Struggling waitress Sugar Laine agrees to spend one night with Lyle—but only because she’s desperate to save her family home. She never expects that a night of passion will turn into a pretend engagement … or that the heat between them will blossom into love.

But sometimes love has a price.

And now the only question is—can Lyle and Sugar afford to pay it?

 

 

Wicked Dirty, the second in the Stark World Series from J. Kenner.  Featuring Lyle aka Iowa “A genuinely nice guy, untarnished by Hollywood’s bs.” & Sugar, as sweet as her name, she simply can’t lose one more thing in her life.  What lengths will they go to for a secure future?

Told in first person from dual perspectives, with flash-back action throughout.  Be prepared for a pretty-woman esque start, & an instant spark between characters in a story riddled with white hot angst.  Funny throughout “Hire an escort, share some literature.”, ghosts of tragic pasts & deep heartache are revealed along with “Desire. Hunger. Longing. Regret. And pain.” before it’s all said & done.  An agreement to do a job that would get them both closer to what they want most, except… “There are always strings. Always consequences.”.  It doesn’t take long for lines to blur “Are things between you real-serious or pretend-serious?” You’ll find incredibly strong friendship bonds & fierce sense of family – “…their lives crossing and overlapping and all of it woven together in a tapestry of friendship and family.”  So much about learning how to live in the present & not sacrifice their own future to hold on to memories of loved ones they hold dear.

“This isn’t romance. It’s a commercial transition. It’s no more emotional than buying a box of paperclips. But it just might be a little more fun.”.  Couldn’t get enough of the chemistry & witty-fun dialog between these characters.  So super sexy – Kenner does it again!  I enjoyed the cross-over characters from Wicked Grind & am looking forward to Noah’s story in Wicked Torture, coming November 2017.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Wicked Grid (Stark World 1) by J. Kenner

Photographer Wyatt Royce’s career is on the verge of exploding. All he needs is one perfect model to be the centerpiece of his sexy, controversial show. Find her, and Wyatt is sure to have a winner.

Then Kelsey Draper walks in. Stunning. Vibrant. And far too fragile for a project like this. Wyatt should know—after all, he remembers only too well why their relationship ended all those years ago.

Determined to break free from her good girl persona, Kelsey wants spice. Adventure. And she’s certain that Wyatt is just the man to help.

But when Wyatt agrees to give her the job only if he has complete control—on camera and in his bed—Kelsey can’t help but wonder if she’s in too deep. Because how can a good girl like her ever be enough for a man like Wyatt?

Wicked Grind is a Hot Contemporary Romance.  Set in beautiful Santa Monica California, this is a story of two people in the prime of their lives, looking for a way to move forward, personally & professionally.  Wyatt is a driven artist, on the dawn of bringing his vision to the masses & finding the success he's been working toward for a very long time.  Kelsey, still holding back on what she wants, for the sake of those she loves, needs money, fast & for a good cause.  She's willing to do whatever it takes to get it.  Can they work through their pasts – with their families & between themselves, long enough to get what they want most?

This very sexy, second chances romance is told in third person, from dual perspectives with a lot of necessary & well written flash-back action throughout.  Moving along at a steady pace, very emotionally driven with - wicked sexiness, young love, loss, personal tragedy, desire for redemption & the wonder of being true to yourself –in spite of it all.  “Innocence. Longing. Ecstasy.” “Strength and sensuality. Innocence and power. Passion and gentleness.” 

I liked the genuine love & respect Wyatt has for women - he really treasures them, their sweetness, seduction, confidence & so much more.  And enjoyed the character development between him & his muse, the “… walking contradiction. Sensual yet demure. Sexy yet sweet.”.  I love the angst in the flash-backs & honesty of the stolen moments shared in teenage love.  Although I liked the intensity of how well these characters know each other right into adulthood, I felt that the rekindling of the relationship so quickly after so many years apart, took away from the depth of the love & loss they share.  Sultry sweet, sexy & endearing, I loved seeing these characters work through their fears in search redemption, take a risk & tap into that spark, to become “Lit from the inside. Alive.”

AMAZON US/UK