Review - Taking Control ~Jen Frederick #BloggerShame #ShelfLove

Taking Control by Jen Frederick
Kerr Chronicles #2
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
I thought I needed only one thing in my life--the money and power to crush one man. But the moment I laid eyes on Victoria Corielli, my thirst for revenge was replaced by my craving for her.

No rule would keep me away; no obstacle too large to overcome. Not her will, not our differing social positions, not my infamous past. When she lost everything, I helped her pick up the pieces. When she trusted me with everything, she sealed her fate.

I've convinced Victoria she can put her heart in my hands. Now I have to protect it--from her shady stepfather and my business rivals, from enemies known and hidden. I'll do anything to keep her. And I might have to prove it, because now Victoria's risking more than her heart to be with me; she's risking her life.

I finished Losing Control and immediately dove into Taking Control. I *had* to know what came next for Tiny and Ian. And I thrilled at Frederick's use of dual POV this time around. Being in Ian's head was fascinating. However, Taking Control wasn't as gripping a read as its predecessor. Here's what worked for me and what could have worked better:

What Worked

• Dual POV - as I said, being in Ian's head, seeing the rationale behind his decisions and getting to see the depth of his feelings for Tiny was fascinating.
• Dynamics between Tiny and Ian - these two work well together even when they don't see eye-to-eye. I liked that there wasn't any unnecessary angst due to lack of communication. There was one instance where Tiny should have shared earlier but they talked things out rationally.
• Tiny blossoming - I enjoyed seeing her find her way in the new world Ian's love came along with. She found something else she enjoyed doing and was brilliant at compensating for her dyslexia. She's so strong and resilient. I admired her!
• Ian overcoming his demons - with Tiny's help. He's such an interesting man and his past absolutely affected who he was but making peace with events and people, letting go - that takes strength...and maybe a good woman by your side.

What Could Have Worked Better

• The threats to Tiny and Ian - I felt like the groundwork could have equaled a lot more suspense but it wasn't capitalized on.
• The showdown and revelations fizzled for me. Again, I felt there was quite a buildup and things could have been much more powerful with these particular plot threads.

Overall though, I liked following Tiny and Ian in their journey. I liked how the title paralleled Tiny and Ian's lives and how they each were approaching things. And I read that Frederick may write more in this world. If she does, I'll happily revisit.

Edit: There is a book 3 in this series focusing on a secondary character from Taking Control. Woohoo!

Review ~ Losing Control ~ Jen Frederick #BloggerShame #ShelfLove

Losing Control by Jen Frederick
Kerr Chronicles #1
Release Date: June 16, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my rating and my review is voluntarily provided.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #BloggerShame, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
I'd do anything to keep my mother alive.

Anything, including as Ian Kerr for help. I don't know much about him, except that he has more money than some small countries. And he's willing to spend it on me. Just one catch: there's a string attached, and not just the one I feel pulling me into his arms and his bed. There's also the plan for revenge he wants my help with.

Every time he says my name, it makes my body shiver and my heart stutter. I know he's going to wreck me, know there won't be anything left of me but lust and sensation by the time he's done with me, but even though I can see the heartbreak coming towards me like a train, ready to crash into me, I can't get out of the way. I want what he makes me feel. Want what he's offering.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now...now it's about what me makes me feel. I'm in danger of losing everything that's important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.

Oh what I a thrill this was! It's been buried on my kindle and I'm so excited to have unearthed it!

Victoria "Tiny" is a bike courier doing all she can to take care of her cancer-stricken mother. She's dyslexic and therefore feels she doesn't have the skills to aspire to more in a career - besides she prefers the freedom of being outdoors on her bike. But her financial situation is worsening with her mother's health deteriorating and she resorts to couriering packages she'd rather not know the contents of. And that's when she meets Ian.

Ian is all alpha. And his intentions towards Tiny had me raising my eyebrows as much as Tiny's. Sure there's an immediate chemistry between them - the sparks fairly leapt out of my kindle - but the differences between them seemed insurmountable. Leave it to Ian to prove both Tiny and me wrong.

Then there's the little matter of the vengeance Ian's been gunning for for years. And the aim - one Richard Howe - he's a villain to be sure.

Losing Control had me flying through the pages - saying on the treadmill longer - to see what would happen next. Witnessing the passion ignite and the feelings bloom...*sigh* This is not a conventional love story and even if there were some familiar plot devices, I loved every minute of it. I adored finding that despite their differences, Tiny and Ian actually had a lot of things in common. I adored how they were there for one another - Ian in particular when helping Tiny with her mom. It all felt so genuine and I couldn't fault Tiny fighting her feelings for Ian at the same time as wanting to just lose control - or give it up for a little while anyway - and let Ian deal with everything.

JFrederick is a new-to-me author and I started Taking Control immediately upon finishing Losing Control. I'm also eager to see if I have any other reads from her backlist. I'll certainly be reading more.

**Cover Reveal ~ Losing Control & Taking Control ~ Jen Frederick**

I'm super excited to be a part of the cover reveals for Jen Frederick's newest series, the Kerr Chronicles. The first two books are Losing Control and Taking Control. I rather like the covers. What do y'all think?

Jen is planning to release Losing Control completely FREE!  It will be released one chapter at a time beginning the last week of May 2014. ONLY Newsletter subscribers will receive these chapters PRIOR TO it going LIVE on retail sites on June 16th.  So be sure to sign up here: http://bit.ly/RZibXf

Cover: Losing Control

Blurb

I’d do anything to keep my mother alive.

Anything, including ask Ian Kerr for help. I don’t know much about him, except that he has more money than some small countries. And he’s willing to spend it on me. Just one catch: there’s a string attached attached, and not just the one I feel pulling me into his arms and his bed. There’s also the plan for revenge he wants my help with.

Every time he says my name, it makes my body shiver and my heart stutter. I know he’s going to wreck me, know there won’t be anything left of me but lust and sensation by the time he’s done with me, but even though I can see the heartbreak coming towards me like a train, ready to crash into me, I can’t get out of the way. I want what he makes me feel. Want what he’s offering.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now…now it’s about what he makes me feel. I’m in danger of losing everything that’s important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.

Goodreads Link:  http://bit.ly/1jSkLs3

SCHEDULED RELEASED: June 16th

Cover Reveal: Taking Control (bk 2) Kerr Chronicles

Blurb

A slip of a woman holds me in her hands. Every dream I had of revenge, the very juice that powered my engine from age fifteen to now, is swirling down the drain at our feet. I can deny her nothing. The only thing I fear is her flight. That she will wake up from her emotional fog and realize that I am a manipulative son of a bitch who is more trouble than he’s worth.

That I’ve bought my way into her heart and life.

That I’ll lie, steal, cheat, and kill anything that would take her from me.

If the very heart of you is threatened the only rational response is to strike back harder until your enemies quake at the very whisper of your name.

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/1skUQtG

SCHEDULED RELEASED: September 16th

Teaser/Dual Cover

Author Information

Jen Frederick

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog.  She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.

Website: https://twitter.com/jensfred

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenFrederick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensfred

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/p3ptasx