Monday, April 13, 2015

Blitz Review & Giveaway ~ Say My Name ~ J. Kenner


I'm thrilled to be a part of the blitz for J. Kenner's Say My Name. This is the first in her Stark International series, and a spin-off of her Stark Trilogy. Below you'll find all the details on the book, my review, and a giveaway. Enjoy!


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Say My Name
Stark International #1
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis
I never let anyone get too close--but he's the only man who's ever made me feel alive.

Meeting Jackson Steele was shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room...or any woman. And Jackson wanted me. The mere sight of him took my breath away, and his touch made me break all my rules.

Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely to his kiss, but I couldn't risk his knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape, pushing our boundaries as far as they could go. 

Learning to trust is never easy. In my mind, I knew I should run. But in my heart, I never felt a fire this strong--and it could either save me or scorch me forever.

Say My Name is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.



Does it say something awful about me that I relish the broken characters J. Kenner creates? That the traumatic pasts they've endured and the scars, both physical and emotional, they carry wring emotion from me and keep me riveted to the page. That bearing witness to them finding that one person who holds the key to unlock their secrets, to tear down their walls, and lead them each out of that darkness and into the light of love fills me with contentment. Well, if it does say something awful, I'll just have to live with that.

Sylvia Brooks, who we met in the Stark Trilogy as Damien's assistant, is an intelligent and tenacious woman. She's tenacious about following her dreams in her career, and tenacious about the rules she follows in order to keep her love life under control and her secrets intact. She's worked hard to earn a project management position on a real estate project that is her brain child. When things threaten to destroy her dream, she turns to the one man she has tenaciously avoided for the past 5 years.

Jackson Steele is a brilliant architect on the cusp of real greatness. He has no intention of doing any work for Stark International, particularly if Sylvia is involved. She's the one woman who managed to shred him. When she approaches him for help, he sees a way to exact revenge. But after spending some time with her, he realizes not all is as he believed.

Both Sylvia and Jackson have demons and secrets they're fighting and hiding. Seeing the walls come down for them both is an emotional experience. Jackson wants to slay all Sylvia's demons but his demons threaten to destroy the tenuous bond they have.

Kenner's story flowed beautifully. The chemistry and intensity between Sylvia and Jackson was visceral. Tension is ratcheted up a few notches as it seems someone is conspiring against them - and it's hard to tell whether it's business or personal. And while I figured out a few things prior to their reveal (and I think I have a few others puzzled out but we shall see) it was a captivating story. I like the darkness in both the characters - the stories they've yet to share. But that promise of love and light - that's why I'll keep reading their story.






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J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, "chicklit" suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the SW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing. JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a "flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations" and by RT Bookclub for having "cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for him." A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 in her Stark Trilogy). Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over twenty countries. In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.




Dark World Books

15 comments:

  1. I still have to try J. Kenner's books, but I can tell you that if the premise you made means something awful for those who relish such broken characters, I'll just have to live with that, too. You're not alone, my friend, and hope it's of any consolation knowing that I just feel the same and I'm not ashamed to admit it!
    Love your review, Brandee, and I'll have to read this and the previous series for sure! Plus, the heroine has such a gorgeous name . . . ;-P

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  2. This sounds like a really fab book with interesting characters. Impressive to see an attorney change jobs to write erotic romance! Kudos and Hugs...

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  3. I read the first Stark novel. Interesting use of ice cubes there but it reminded me too much of FSoG so I quit it. Maybe this one will fare better for me...

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  4. I love the broken characters too. You are probably too young..but I now have the song Say My Name stuck in my head and added this to my wishlist.

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  5. Oh wow!! I love that there were a few twists in there that you were able to figure out before they were revealed. I have only read one of Kenner's books, but I remember enjoying it. it is great when an author can continue to create flawed character's you enjoy to read about!!

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  6. I like broken characters-as long as there is a HEA-if it's a romance. That's just me.I have never read this author. I am glad you loved it!

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  7. Sounds like a well-created story. I like it when both characters come with so much luggage :) It's the way they negotiate their way in and out of their demons that makes a book like this interesting. Excellent review!

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  8. It certainly does make it interesting, Ramona. I'm excited to see how Sylvia and Jackson continue their negotiations. :) Thanks!!

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  9. Oh, I figure there's an HEA in their future. And I like it that way too, Lorna. :) I really like Kenner's style. Let me know if you ever decide to give her a go.

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  10. This is certainly a book you'd enjoy, Naomi. The Stark trilogy as well. I like Kenner's writing and her characters are complex and well-done.

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  11. I'm glad I'm not the only one. :) I'm sure you're not talking about Destiny's Child's version...but I looked it up and now I know. :)

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  12. *haha* I'd forgotten about the ice cube, Braine! I liked the Stark but yes, there were several novels released on the heels of Fifty that were similar. If an author can make the characters different enough though, I can still enjoy the story.

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  13. I really enjoyed it, Ro. Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. *grins* Thanks for letting me know we're both part of the same club, Silvia. ;) I did actually think of you when I started reading Sylvia's story! You'll have to let me know what you think of Kenner when you get around to reading her. :)

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  15. Don't mention it ;) and really? How sweet! :) I'll let you know for sure, J. Kenner's titles are definitely on my list!

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Now you know what I think...what are your thoughts??