ARC Review: Claim Me (Stark Trilogy #2) by J. Kenner

Claim Me

Stark Trilogy #2

by J. Kenner

Erotic Romance / Light BDSM

Expected Publication: April 23, 2013 by Batam

*ARC Ebook obtained via NetGalley in 

exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.

Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

  

Pre-Order Your Copy:

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About the Author:

J. Kenner spent more than ten years as a litigator in Southern California and Central Texas, using her rare free time to indulge her passion for writing. California born, she now lives—and writes—in Texas, with her husband and daughters.


Connect with the Author: Goodreads   Twitter    Facebook   Website







My Review:

Oh my, my, my.... I just can't get enough of Damien Stark.

Let me start out by saying that for most readers, you either like this type of novel (erotica with BDSM) or you don't. I like them... a lot.

With that being said, I won't go into detail about the actual erotic fun in this novel but I will say that Kenner didn't disappoint. Great scenes and high emotion throughout them.

Now, the rest of the deets...

I adore the characters in this novel. They seem to me to have more depth than other popular erotica novel characters do. If you read book 1, Release Me, and you enjoyed it, this novel doesn't disappoint. I will say that the first nearly half of the novel is a tad slow... great scenes, but as far as the plot unfolding, it's a tad slow. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the first half... but compared to the rest of the novel, it wasn't nearly as eventful.

All of a sudden, the novel seems to take off - it's one thing after another. You learn more about Damien's past, which breaks your heart even more for this man, and you also continue to see Nikki struggle with trying to keep herself from turning to cutting to ground her. Slowly, Damien begins to open up little by little but there's still so many mysteries yet to be unveiled. It leaves the reader on their toes waiting for "what's next?!"

The drama constantly had me biting my nails and wanting to jump through the novel. Nikki's mom - UG! - that woman makes me want to hurl... better yet, I want to punch her in her face! >_<

Now.... the ending.... jeewiz... I can't believe that Julie left us hanging where she does! Now don't get me wrong, the ending is perfect... but the events that are beginning to unfold! I wanted to scream at the book when I reached the last page! LoL I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends - I'm crossing my fingers that things work out the way I want them too ^_^


Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars --> ahh that scarf! Love that they used this as the cover image.
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 4.5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars

Quick Review: Almost by Anne Eliot

Almost

by Anne Eliot

YA Romance

Published by Butterfly Books

on February 1, 2012

*Self-purchased*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

At a freshman party she doesn't remember, Jess Jordan was almost raped.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite. Three years later, Jess has managed to make everyone believe she's better. Over it. Because she is.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Unfortunately, until Jess proves she's back to normal activities, her parents won't discuss college. So, she lands a summer internship and strikes a deal with hockey jock, Gray Porter: He gets $8,000. She gets a fake boyfriend and a social life.

Jess has no idea Gray signed on for reasons other than money. She also never expects to fall in love. But Gray’s amazingly hot, holds her hand all the time, and makes her forget that he’s simply doing his job. It’s like having a real boyfriend.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Gray Porter is hiding secrets of his own. About Jess Jordan. About why he’s driven to protect her, why he won't cash her checks, or deny her anything she asks.

Get Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble (paperback only)

 

The Book Depository

My Review:

"No matter what, please don’t let what happened define who you are, take your future, or allow it to defeat your beautiful spirit."

Wise words from the author Anne Eliot.

Highlighting the struggles of young women "almost" raped isn't something discussed often. One can say "you were a very lucky girl" and that might be true to an extent but something traumatic still occurred. These young ladies will still struggle with what happened - and so will their families, friends and those who wished they could've done more to help.

I loved this story. My heart was broken, rebuilt, soared, broken again, and finally, all the prices were put back together again. Gray & Jess are fabulous characters and, as a reader, you root for them to overcome their struggles.

Definitely 5 Star Worthy!

Our Angel Tree Family

As some of you may know, our office "adopted" an entire family for Christmas this year as part of the Angel Tree Program that our hospital takes part in each year. Go Here to read my initial post.

Several things happened in between this post & my last post. We found out more about our family, their health situations, family situations, wants, needs, and their life in general. I can't honestly begin to tell you how hard their life is right now. I feel for them and it makes me really Thankful to have everything that I have. My wants & needs pale in comparison to those of this family. My heart truly breaks for them.

As a recap -
Mom - cervical cancer
Son - 5 yrs old - brain tumor
Son - 10 yrs old - several health problems due to a vehicle accident
Daughter - 12 yrs old

The Mom's niece is also in their house now. A precious little 5 year old girl.

Our department pulled together, along with the help of a few others including a local high school state champ football team, Author Deborah Palumbo, and a local fabulous photographer who donated a free family portrait session.

The Mother just stopped by to pick up her family's gifts & let's just say that tears were definitely shed. It broke my heart to hear of her struggle with providing the medical care her children needed OR paying for Christmas presents. When asked if she'd like to keep the left over wrapping paper for wrapping any gifts she may have at home, she said that there were none. As a mom, I can only imagine the struggle of not being able to provide for children.

I wanted to say Thank You to each and every one of you who may have reached out to help a family in need in your community. It truly is an amazing feeling to be able to pay it forward because there will be times of struggle in each and every one of our lives at some point or another. Be Thankful for what you have - including the health of your children & family members.

I hope each and every one of you have a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays 

& a Happy New Year! 

Quick Reviews: The Dark Duet Series by C.J.Roberts

Captive in the Dark
(The Dark Duet #1)
by C.J. Roberts
*I Purchased The E-book*

Goodreads     Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.



My Quick Review Written Immediately Following Completion of Book 1:
Oh my gosh... I need to separate myself from reality for a little while after reading Captive in the Dark... I'm emotionally strung out right now. Never in a million years did I think that a book about such a horrible topic could draw me in and leave me emotionally attached/vunerable... AKA a WRECK! I LOVED this book even though it's such a dark, horrible topic.... abducting kids and training them then trading them as sex slaves... eeek... I need a drink - or two - after finishing this book... I honestly feel like I was broken down just like "Kitten" while reading...*inhale* *exhale* wow... I started this book last night and finished it today because I couldn't stand the thought of not knowing what was going to happen. I'm starting book 2 NOW!

5 Stars!

Seduced in the Dark
(The Dark Duet #2)
by C.J. Roberts
*I Purchased The E-book*

Goodreads      Amazon      Barnes & Noble

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The exciting, titillating, and action-filled conclusion to Captive in the Dark. What is the price of redemption? Rescued from sexual slavery by a mysterious Pakistani officer, Caleb carries the weight of a debt that must be paid in blood. The road has been long and fraught with uncertainty, but for Caleb and Livvie, it’s all coming to an end. Can he surrender the woman he loves for the sake of vengeance?  Or will he make the ultimate sacrifice?
Quote:
It seemed to Caleb, the nature of human beings revolved around one empirical truth: we want what we cannot have. For Eve, it was the fruit of the forbidden tree. For Caleb, it was Livvie.




My Quick Review Written Immediately Following Completion of Book 2:
At first I was alittle distraught over the change in perspective that the story takes. I felt disconnected from the story because of what you're led to believe.... I said to myself I died a little inside when I first started it - only to be brought back to life again. I think my breathing was erratic through the majority of the novel = my stomach in my throat. The rollercoaster ride that is Caleb and his history left my heart broken and tears in my eyes. C J Roberts did an AMAZING job finishing up this story... I honestly couldn't have asked for a more emotional read that left me in tears several times from start to finish = but the funny thing is, each set of tears was brought about by a completely different emotion each time. Anger, sadness, love, defeat, happiness, relief... Amazing!! Loved it!

5 Stars!