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.
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When I started reading I couldn’t put it down I read the book in one day.J Kenner is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of her books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.
“For so long, I’d denied myself this man, and now I can barely remember why. He’s blown through my defenses in record time and settled himself firmly in the Riley-shaped place in my heart that’s been waiting for him for years.”
Loved, loved, loved, this story! And talk about hot!! There needs to be more Riley’s in the world for sure!!
Riley Blade was hours away from escaping L.A. He hates this city- nothing but bad memories, and the pain of not having the one woman he wants. He’s ready to get outta Dodge. That is, until he discovers that Natasha’s in danger. There’s no one else he trusts to protect her. Maybe he can convince her too. Maybe this is his second chance to show her that he’ll fight for her – and this time he’s never letting her go.
Natasha Black knows the heartache that comes with Riley’s job all too well. That’s why she’s pushed him away. She wouldn’t be able to handle it if she lost another person she cares about to the danger his job puts him in. But, when a stalker is getting too close for comfort, the man sent to protect her will send all logic behind her plan to the wayside. How long can she keep up this fight with her heart? Can she allow herself to let her guard down and finally give in to her feelings? When the threat on her life literally shows up on her doorstep, will he be in time to save her, or will she lose her chance at forever?
I love anything Stark and this cross-over is just brilliant! I’d highly recommend this!!
I have not read the Masters and Mercenaries series, but I am a huge fan of any story in J Kenner’s Stark world.
Justify Me was a quick read, it was sexy and action packed. Natasha and Riley had great chemistry that was hard for them to deny. Even though this was a novella, there was character development and background that helped me not feel so lost in the M&M world.
I will take any chance I can get to read more in the Stark World. This did not disappoint.
What a hot, sexy, and mysterious story. Riley is trying to protect Natasha from a stalker. I have to say I was guessing to the end to who it was stalking Natasha. Justify Me is a quick read, but will worth it.
Justify Me~Stark International Trilogy 4.5 & Masters & Mercenaries Cross Over Collection
Julie Kenner, Lexi Blake
“Now I’m balancing on a precipice, and all I can do is hope that, despite everything, he’ll catch me if I fall.”
As usual these amazing authors did not disappoint. This novella packed a lot into these pages. It was filled with history, hope, mystery, steam and new discoveries.
“I’d been shocked at first—and then a bit turned on. A fact I’d confessed to no one, and fully intended to keep to myself until the end of time.”
What do you do when…your past confronts you and you don’t know how to hide your true feelings. When you are afraid of exposing yourself in fear of being turned away. When the person you need and trust is the last person you want to expose yourself to.
“He’s with me even though I can’t see him, and the awareness of that constant connection strengthens my resolve.”
I haven’t read anything in Lexi Blake’s Masters & Mercenaries series, but it is on my TBR! When I saw that J. Kenner was writing another story tied to the Stark series, I was all in.
This is a shorter story and Riley and Natasha’s story is a second chance romance. It had a lot of story in the short amount of pages and I loved watching these two fall in love again….although I would argue they never actually fell out of love. There is suspense and cameos from some of the Stark players and I loved it. It makes me want to move the Masters & Mercenaries series up on my list and live in that world, too, for a little while! I love hot, romantic suspense. Great read!
Great story set in our Stark Universe. Riley and Natasha are back and they sizzle off the pages. We finally learn all about their past and hope they can overcome bad memories for a fantastic and sexy future. We also get glimpses of Lyle/Sugar and Ryan/Jaime. Great read!
Wonderfully sexy suspenseful short story. When Riley finds out Natasha is in danger, he drops everything and steps up to be her bodyguard. Natasha is afraid to let Riley back into her life. She pushed him away after her father died even though her feelings for him ran deep. They need to work together to find her stalker which sends them to a BDSM club that seems to have started the problem. This allows Natasha to open herself up to Riley in new ways and embrace her submissive side. As they unravel this mystery, will they open themselves to the love they have both been denying? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I am such a fan of the Stark series and all the spinoff of that series that I’ve read every one of them! This novella does not disappoint even though we don’t get any updates on Damien and Nikki. But we get to read about Ryan and Jamie a little bit. And we get to read about 2 characters that were introduced in Lyle Talpin’s story.
McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade was a consultant on Lyle’s last film in Los Angeles but is ready to get out of town. He wants Natasha Black, Lyle’s assistant, but she keeps rejecting him so he feels there’s no reason to be there and he doesn’t like LA. However, when Lyle asks Riley for a referral for a bodyguard and Riley finds out it is for Natasha, he takes it upon himself to do the job. It seems that Natasha has a stalker ever since she, Lyle, (Sugar) Laine, and Matthew Holt went to a BDSM club, Firehouse, to for research into Lyle’s next movie.
There has always been an attraction between Natasha and Riley but Natasha has constantly turned Riley down. We come to find out that the two have a history together but even that finally doesn’t stop the 2 from acting on their feelings for each other. And it is totally of the chart hot as they go back to Firehouse to try and get Natasha’s stalker to come out but the trip to Firehouse ends up with some hot action between the 2 when they get home.
I love Julie’s writing and the Stark world and every one of her books are just so hot to read and makes you want the books to never end!
4.5 Stars for Justify Me which is part of the Masters & Mercenaries Crossover Series, I’m in the minority because I haven’t read the M& M books but I have read every Stark International book and I loved Justify Me, so much so I really need to look at the other books in this crossover series. This may be a quick read but that takes nothing away from the story, it was jam packed and I was hooked from the first page. We first met Riley and Natasha in Wicked Dirty and I’m so glad they got their own story, the chemistry this couple share is sizzling hot and if you love second chance love with some BDSM mixed in this is the book for you. Great read looking forward to reading more in this series.
JUSTIFY ME by J. Kenner is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romantic suspense novella in the author’s Stark International series that crosses over with Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series. This is McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade, and PA Natasha Black’s story line. For fans of Kenner’s Stark series, we were first introduced to Natasha and Riley in Wicked Dirty.
Told from first person point of view (Natasha), and third person perspective (Riley) JUSTIFY ME follows the rekindling romance between Hollywood PA Natasha Black, and McKay-Taggart operative Riley Blade. On a layover at LAX Riley will discover that the woman from his past, Natasha Black, has been targeted by an unknown stalker. Not leaving anything to chance, Riley volunteers his time and knowledge to protect the woman he has always loved. What ensues is the second chance relationship between our leading couple, and the potential fall-out as Natasha’s stalker makes good on their threats.
JUSTIFY ME is a quick, erotic read with some light BDSM sexual scenarios; another sexy and sassy story line about second chances, jealousy, betrayal and a happily ever after. J. Kenner adds another dimension to her Stark International series as Riley and Natasha discover the kink in their growing relationship. The premise is captivating; the romance is edgy; the characters are colorful and energetic.
Riley Blade hates Los Angeles. He left the city to never look back, but when he finds himself in town for a few hour layover he gets word that that a childhood friend and old crush has a stalker. No matter how badly he wants out of the city, Riley knows he won’t trust her safety to anyone else even when the lovely Natasha has made it clear multiple times she isn’t interested in anything Riley has to offer.
Natasha Black may have a stalker, but it’s no big deal, right? When her boss insists she have a bodyguard, the last person she expects to appear is Riley Blade. They have a history together, and one she would rather forget which is why she has shot him down at every turn. But something is different this time. This time, her walls seem to be crumbling down around her and Riley’s about to burn her to the ground while she willingly crumbles. And, Riley’s not giving her up this time without a fight . . . he wants it all.
As Riley and Natasha’s relationship escalates, so does her stalker. Will they be able to draw him out before it’s too late or will Natasha end up paying the ultimate price if Riley can’t save her in time?
This was my first book by J. Kenner and I am in love! I thought she did a fabulous job of incorporating Justify Me into Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries world. The many references to Big Tag had me smiling ear to ear and it seemed that the two book worlds blended together seamlessly.
This book is off the charts hot and steamy with some BDSM themed scenes that will leave you fanning yourself. Riley and Natasha’s chemistry has never been the problem between them and sparks hot from the moment they are in the same room again. I especially loved watching Natasha learn and explore her own sexuality with Riley’s encouragement and protection.
I enjoyed how the author took the time to go into the backstory of why Natasha has pushed Riley away through the years. It made watching her walls cave in to him even sweeter as it felt like they were destined to be together.
There is plenty of suspense with Natasha’s stalker and it is a definite OMG moment when the big showdown happens. The entire book moves rather quickly and it made me wish it was a bit longer just so I had more to enjoy. 5 stars!
Justify Me is a crossover series by Lexi Blake and various authors and as a J. Kenner fan, this is how I came to read it. it is 4.5 in the Stark International series. This was a fast sexy read with no real angst or drama, but the story flows and the action in the BDSM club was sizzling. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Riley and Natasha and didn’t feel like it was forced or unbelievable. All in all, a solid novella.