COMPLETE ME by J. Kenner

Stark Trilogy #3
Bantam Books, July 2013
Paperback
Obtained via:  publisher
ISBN  978-0-345-54586-2
Ebook ISBN 978-0-345-54585-5
Contemporary Erotic Romance
*** ½



The final installment in J. Kenner’s Stark trilogy, COMPLETE ME, once again centers on the complex love story of tortured millionaire Damien Stark and emotionally damaged Nikki Fairchild.  Nikki and Damien have managed to find in each other the other half of their souls.  They have both had to overcome very difficult pasts.  Now, Damien has gone to Germany to face the fallout from his past.  He is on trial for murder and Nikki refuses to leave her man, whatever the outcome.

The stress of Damien’s trial, unusual threats, a childhood friend gone missing and secrets on the verge of revelation all have Nikki poised on the sharp edge of panic and that in turn has Damien that much more determined to keep her safe.  They are finally beginning to rely on each other for strength.

COMPLETE ME brings all the lose ends of the previous two books together.  The ghosts of the past finally come to light and the monsters under the bed revealed.  Nikki knows that the truth of Damien’s past coming out would destroy him and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his secret.  But when the trial is finally behind them and everything should finally be smooth sailing for these two love birds, Nikki picks up a stalker and their love is tested yet again.

This final installment in J. Kenner’s Stark trilogy, COMPLETE ME, brings the series full circle.  These two characters, while so perfect in appearance are so very damaged inside.  In each other, they are able to find their center.  They truly complete each other.  It is truly nice to see such a deserved happy ending.  Of course, the sex is hot, hot and hotter, but it is their love and their strength that really shines through in this story.  Kudos to Ms. Kenner for this touching and tasteful erotic romance.  This reader will truly miss these characters now that their story has been told.  If you haven’t yet started on this series, now is the time.


Reviewed by T. Barringer
tammyLRM@gmail.com

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."

CLAIM ME by J. Kenner

Stark Trilogy #2

Random House Publishing, April 2013

Paperback

Obtained via:  publisher

ISBN  9780345545831

Contemporary Erotic Romance

 

The second book in J. Kenner’s Stark trilogy, CLAIM ME, is the continuation of the love story of tortured millionaire Damien Stark and emotionally damaged Nikki Fairchild.  The erotic portrait Nikki has been posing for in return for one million dollars to fund a start-up down the road is finished and the viewing has arrived.  Their little game has come to an end.  But neither wants their relationship to end.  Damien still has many secrets that he is afraid to share with Nikki and that distance continues to cause Nikki many sleepless nights. 

As much as this reader enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, Release Me, this reader has to admit to being somewhat disappointed by the first two-thirds of CLAIM ME.  The real story hook doesn’t appear until the last maybe third of the story.  Fortunately, that last third of the book really does make up for the lackluster first two-thirds. 

Nikki has been trying to have a deeper relationship with Damien than just sex, even if it is incredible sex.  She really wants to know Damien and have him share his deepest, darkest secrets with her, the way she has opened up to him.  But when the public finds out she is the model for Damien’s erotic portrait and that he paid her to pose for it, all her insecurities come rushing back and her need for pain is palpable.  Damien understands what is happening to Nikki and wants nothing more than to shield her from anything that will hurt her, including him.  In the last third of the book, Nikki is forced to make a giant leap of faith which in turn causes Damien to take one as well.  But his secret is a big one and while Nikki plans to be at his side throughout the aftermath, it just may not be enough.

Like Release Me, CLAIM ME is a very sensual read and easy to follow.  Ms. Kenner’s descriptive writing style has her readers easily empathizing with her characters.  Though the storyline doesn’t really ignite until the last third of the book, when it gets moving, it really demands reader attention.  This reader can’t wait to see what comes of Damien and Nikki in the final installment of this series.  While we expect they will live happily ever after, when CLAIM ME ends, that happily ever after ending is anything but certain.

Reviewed by T. Barringer

tammyLRM@gmail.com

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."

RELEASE ME by J. Kenner

Stark Trilogy #1

Random House Publishing, January 2013

Paperback

Obtained via:  publisher

ISBN  9780345544117

Contemporary Erotic Romance

 

J. Kenner’s RELEASE ME, the first in her erotic romance series, is the introduction of the series’ main characters, Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild.  Damien has followed and helped Nikki ever since meeting her briefly when she took part in beauty pageants.  Though she only spent a few scant moments with Damien way back when, Nikki has been unable to stop thinking about him.  When they meet again by chance (supposedly), the attraction between them sizzles and though she fights it, what billionaire businessman Damien Stark wants, he gets, if they can both get past the secrets from their pasts.

This reader thoroughly enjoyed RELEASE ME and looks forward to reading the next book in this spicy erotic series.  That said there were many similarities to both the popular Fifty Shades of Grey books and the Crossfire trilogy.  All three series are about an everyday woman with issues meeting an incredibly rich, but tortured alpha male who refuses to take no for an answer.  But so what?  The shell of the stories may be similar, but the intricacies of the story are uniquely its own.

J. Kenner’s writing style is sensual and easy to follow.  Her descriptive passages evoke very real emotion in her readers.  The careful forward and back baby steps the characters take along the road to love, and their forays into light BDSM were fun and highly charged.  Their weaknesses are just as evident as their strengths and together the characters are stronger than when they are apart.  RELEASE ME set up the other books in this series nicely, revealing just enough to satisfy readers while sparking interest in the next book at the same time.

Fans of light erotica and strong characters are bound to enjoy J. Kenner’s RELEASE ME.  Good writing, good storyline, great characters.  What more can you ask for?

Reviewed by T. Barringer

tammyLRM@gmail.com

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."