His touch is her sin.Her love is his salvation.“J. Kenner knows how to deliver a tortured alpha that everyone will fall for hard. Saint is exactly the sinner I want in my bed.” Laurelin Paige, NYT bestselling author“I went into this story thinking that J. Kenner could not create a better place than Stark World. … But boy was I wrong. From the very first interaction with Devlin the reader … From the very first interaction with Devlin the reader becomes instantly aware of the character’s power and grace. With a plot that kept on changing and an awesome connection between Ellie and Devlin, J. Kenner has once again proved her writing skills with masterful story telling.” – The Overflowing Bookcase
Charismatic. Confident. Powerful. Controlling.
A brilliant investor with a Midas touch, Devlin Saint turned a modest inherited fortune into billions, and now operates one of the world’s foremost international philanthropic organizations. He’s a man determined to help the underprivileged, to fight injustice, and to make the world a better place. And that, at least is true.
It’s not, however, the full truth.
Because Devlin Saint is a man with a dangerous secret. One he’ll do whatever it takes to protect. And when investigative reporter Ellie Holmes turns her attention to an unsolved murder, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and passion as Devlin draws her closer and closer. But as the intensity and sensuality of their relationship grows, so do Ellie’s suspicions. Until she is no longer certain if the heat between her and Devlin is real, or only a facade he constructed to hide his dark and twisted secrets.
Don’t miss this provocative first book in Devlin Saint’s trilogy…
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Devlin Saint is a billionaire and has a lot for secrets which may or may not involve a murder. Ellie Holmes is an investigative reporter who finds herself trying to find out if Devlin’s secrets have anything to do with this murder. But as they are getting closer she is trying to decide if he is good or bad. This is a great book and J. Kenner has you sitting on the edge of your seat.
This story brought me back to the first time I met Damien Stark. Devlin is that mysterious, tortured, alpha male that Kenner writes sooooo well. I enjoyed the suspense, the chemistry, and the promise of more amazing books in this series
L’ange déchu est le premier tome de la saga éponyme et J Kenner nous offre cette fois ci un roman certes sensuel mais aussi avec un pointe de thriller. Les héros ont des passés troubles et il s’agira donc de partir en quête de vérité au prix de découvertes douloureuses.
Ellie Holmes est une jeune femme qui n’a pas eu une vie belle et tranquille . Toutes les personnes qui l’ont aimé ont disparu à un moment donné de sa vie. Adolescente , elle a été brisée le jour de ses 18 ans par une réaction de la part de celui qu’elle considérait comme son meilleur ami et son âme soeur. Mais il s’avère que les apparences sont trompeuses et qu’elle a perdu plus d’une chose à ce moment là. Ellie est aussi une jeune femme qui se cherche et après avoir fait une formation dans les forces de police, elle est désormais journaliste d’investigation. Le danger ne lui fait donc pas peur et elle va tout mettre en oeuvre pour découvrir celui qui se cache derrière le meurtre de son oncle Peter. Elle va quitter New York le temps de son enquête et elle ne pensait jamais remettre les pieds à Laguna Cortez. Dès son arrivée, les mauvais souvenirs se rappellent à elle et elle va devoir faire face au flot de souvenirs qui risquent de la faire basculer de nouveau. Heureusement , elle pourra compter sur sa meilleure amie Brandy qui sera là pour elle en toutes circonstances et avec qui elle pourra se livrer sans tabous et sans peur du jugement.
Quand elle apprend qu’elle va devoir interviewer le fameux Devlin Saint, elle va découvrir une fondation formidable avec des missions extraordinaires mais à la tête de laquelle se trouve un homme insaisissable et plus que difficile à cerner . Leur rencontre sera teintée d’attirance mais aussi de propos durs. On ne sait jamais sur quel pied danser avec lui et notre héroïne va elle aussi être perdue face à ce chaud et à ce froid qui risque bien de devenir une constante. Ce qui est encore plus mystérieux est l’absence d’informations à son égard, son inexistence sur les réseaux sociaux et l’impossibilité de gratter le vernis pour découvrir ce qui s’y cache. Je ne vous parlerai donc que brièvement de ce personnage car il est extrêmement difficile de voir ce qu’il ressent et de savoir le fond de sa pensée car il n’y a aucun chapitre écrit de son point de vue. L’enquête sera donc de fond mais notre héroïne ne devra pas se laisser dérouter par les sentiments qui vont naître à ses côtés. Le désir, l’attirance seront des éléments récurrents quand nos deux héros seront en présence l’un de l’autre mais pourront ils librement céder à leur pulsion. Ellie va devoir mener de front de nombreux combats et on espère qu’elle parviendra à obtenir les réponses à ses questions sur le présent mais aussi sur son passé.
Bref, j’ai passé un bon moment de lecture avec ce 1er tome d’une saga qu’on a envie de découvrir. Je dirais que la sensualité n’était pas forcément primordiale mais qu’elle symbolise parfaitement la symbiose qui unit nos héros. Des questions ont certes trouvées leur réponse mais cela ne sous entend pas que le danger est écarté et que toute la vérité a éclaté. En janvier 2021, nous les retrouverons donc dans une nouvelle étape de leur relation et nous verrons où ce chemin va bien pouvoir les mener.
Devlin and Ellie are both strong, fierce and damaged characters. Damaged, but still with hope in their souls. One with so many secrets, the other a determined truth seeker to the core. Both wanting justice for the wronged. Their chemistry together is so combustible it nearly lights the pages of the book on fire.
The story is solid and keeps you turning pages deep into the night. The twists keep you guessing. This books ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, but I’m sure waiting for the rest of the story will be worth it.
I received an eARC copy of this book for an honest review.
The story opens with our heroine, Ellie, returning to her small home town in California to do a profile article on the Devlin Saint Foundation for the publication she works for in New York. She previously stayed away from Laguna Cortez since it held tragic memories from her childhood, which included the unsolved murder of her uncle and her father. As a former cop now investigative reporter, Ellie carries a penchant for living life on the edge, and she might have met her match when she meets the mysterious billionaire, Devlin Saint. As she interviews Devlin to understand more about the ways his foundation supports the recovery for victims of human trafficking, she realizes there are several complicated layers to the man. Of course, when the two are in the same room together, their chemistry hits a boiling point, but both know she will be headed back to New York once her article is done. As she continues to dig for information about her uncle’s murder, details come to light that could put her in danger. The book ends on a small cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see where their relationship will lead.
Ooh weee! I love a new series from Julie! And this book grabbed me and didn’t want to let go. Devlin Saint. Whew! He’s a complex man who has been through a lot. I liked the way Julie tells the reader his story. It’s unexpected, different, dark and has made him the man he is today. Ellie has lost a lot in her life. She’s back in her hometown for closure. And a story. And she gets more than she bargains for! She’s smart, complex and she has to come to terms with what she finds. I was completely entranced with the twists and turns this story took. I didn’t want to have to say goodbye to Ellie and Devlin. I loved the chemistry between them and the emotions are deep. Great first book and I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on the next book in the trilogy!
This is the first book in the Fallen Saint Trilogy, an amazing second chance to love. This is a great introduction to the Series. Ellie and Devlin’s story is captivating! Ellie is strong, smart, and determined. Devlin is dark, devilishly sexy, dangerous, and powerful. The story is told only with Ellie’s POV, and I would love to have Devlin POV! The storyline is fast-paced, filled with mystery, secret, danger, and twists and turns. The world building is intriguing. Looking forward to read My Beautiful Sin, to know what happens next!
Devlin has created an organization to help victims get justice and make the world a better place. Ellie is back where she grew up, the place she swore she would never return after her uncle was murdered and the love of her life disappeared without a trace, to do a story on the Devlin Saint Foundation. Ellie and Devlin come face-to-face and when Ellie realizes Devlin is Alex, she wants answers. As Devlin and Ellie grow closer to each other and the secrets of the past are revealed they threaten to tear them apart again.
“He doesn’t look like a saint at all. Instead, he’s a fallen angel. A man with power and poise and a dangerous edge. And right now, he’s looking at me with so much heat it’s a wonder I don’t melt into the leather.” – Ellie, My Fallen Saint by J. Kenner
My Fallen Saint is the beginning of the Fallen Saint series and Devlin and Ellie’s story and I can not wait to continue their story in My Beautiful Sin. The suspense and mystery had me glued to the pages and not wanting to put the book down. The prospect of an epic story is building as the chemistry between Ellie and Devlin (Alex) is hot and the friends in the background lend to the story. Ellie’s constant complaining about how mad she was at Alex started to bother me as it went on most of the book. The cliff-hanger is not very bad and leaves you wanting more. This was my first J. Kenner book and I will be adding her to my TBR pile.
*Trigger Warning – abduction and suicide*
J Kenner knows how to construct brilliant, dangerous, and secretive alpha males – ones who do whatever it takes to create their flawed personas but never factor in just how easily the right woman can bring them to their knees. And boy has she crafted a doozy of a storyline for her latest hero and heroine, Devlin Saint and Ellie Holmes, and while it appears, at first, that these two are on different sides, fighting against each other, not alongside, but then their attraction and desire for one another begins to take centerstage and regardless of the multitude of times Saint pushes Ellie away, refusing to allow her close enough to truly know him or to learn his secrets, Ellie wants her forever but outside factors seem to not want that to be.
First thing for readers to understand and work past is the fact that both Devlin and Ellie will frustrate readers as well as confound them due to both of their words and actions. He’s constantly pushing Ellie away, warning her of who he was and is and that he’s dangerous to be around, and while I get that Ellie wants to be a part of his life and that their connection is strong, she pushes too hard and seems desperate at times, which doesn’t look good on her or show the strong, confident and driven woman she is.
Kenner’s ability to create a complex and ever-changing air of mystery in her stories is one of the reasons that her readers are consistently drawn in to her worlds and those who reside in them and then when she adds in the insane chemistry between the hero and heroine, despite what they must contend with, both individually and together, it makes for one intriguing read.
The layers present in My Fallen Saint’s story line cannot be unraveled too quickly because they involve so many moving parts in non-linear patterns, which means that the build-up of all the subplots and players that have major roles in the main conflict will make readers work for every puzzle piece, every sliver of important information, every unearthed secret, and every answer that may not actually be whole.
Bring on book two!
4.5 Poison Apples
J Kenner delivers another fantastic story. It was exceptionally well written story with intense plot and brilliant characters. Its a second chance romance and first book in the trilogy . Alex is Ellie’s first love when he walks out and leaves her mend her broken heart. Both Alex and Ellie have complex past . Ellie is an investigative journalist and comes back to her home town to investigate her uncle’s death . The story was pure adrenaline rush with so many twist and turn. I cannot wait to read the second book in this trilogy to see whats store in their journey . If you are a fan of J Kenner you have to read this book. A must read !
Ellie Holmes is on a mission. Years ago her uncle was murdered. As an investigative reporter, she is looking for answers. Heading home to interview Devlin Saint, a reclusive billionaire, philanthropist, justice fighter and a man with many secrets, her life becomes a series of twists and turns as secrets are revealed. Is she ready for the answers?
I really enjoyed this first book in the Fallen Saint series. Ellie is relentless in her search for the truth, while Devlin is a steel vault with his secrets. There are many twists and turns throughout this story. I couldn’t put the book down because I couldn’t wait to see what secret/truth would be revealed next. Be ready, this is a trilogy and not a stand alone. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens to Ellie and Devlin.
My Fallen Saint
Fallen Saint #1
J. Kenner
Oohh this isn’t going to be an easy review to write, as any comment, thought even words can give to much away. I have to say this story will grip you from the first chapter, Devlin Saint (in name only) is a man with a secretive past, but his future is very bright, as owner of a very successful philanthropy business. Using a modest trust he now helps the worlds underprivileged and fight for their rights… He’s the man for everybody, a saint as such.
Ellie Holmes has had an awful upbringing, between losing her parents, then her uncle and the only man she loved. She left Laguna Cortez, her job as a cop and is now a reporter for The Sprall, now she’s returning to Laguna Cortez with one thing in her mind… solving the murder of her uncle, while reporting on on DSF and the man himself.
What Ell didn’t expect was her past rearing it’s head…. Researching Devlin Saint is one thing, but when she uncovers more about the man she can’t deny the emotions he brings out in her… getting close isn’t an option in his eyes, but Ell finds comfort in the man. But he has secrets, ones that can not only destroy everything she’s working for, but herself… prepare for the ride of your life! You’ll want to finish this straight away while holding onto its story! I don’t want to have to wait till January for book 2 in this series…. I’ll be waiting!!!
My Fallen Saint by J. Kenner is the First book in the Fallen Saint Series. This starts the story of Devlin Saint and Ellie Holmes. Devlin is nothing but secrets and mystery wrapped in a beautiful package. Ellie lost her parents when she was younger and lived with her Uncle but he was killed. Ellie even had her boyfriend just leave her too. Now in their present day, Ellie is has returned to her roots but not planning to stay but then things start to unravel that makes her see that their is something bigger going on than what she remembers. The was a page turning story that does leave you needing more so hopefully the next installment will be soon.
Ellie left the town she grew up in years ago but now she’s being drawn back. She’s here to write a story but how will what she uncover effect her life? Delvin has done a good job of keeping a low profile but when his past is in front of him what will he do?
5 There’s More than Meets the Eye Stars!!!
If you follow my reviews at all you know that I’m a HUGE FAN of Ms. Kenner and her books and especially Damien Stark. While Damien will ALWAYS remain my favorite Hero written by Ms. Kenner, Devlin Saint is now in the number two position! There is something so enigmatic about this man. He’s got secrets and they could be the undoing of everything Ellie has believed all these years!
I loved how this book gives us the very beginning of their relationship when it was considered almost forbidden for a number of reasons. It was clear to me that the depth of their feelings for each other ran deep but it just wasn’t their time. I physically hurt when Ellie realized Alex was gone. I was intrigued by his disappearance and that intrigue shot up 100% when we fast forward 10 years and Ellie sees Devlin Saint in person for the first time! This man is shrouded in mystery. He’s a complete conundrum from what she was expecting and as some of the secrets are revealed, Devlin and Ellie begin a game that has a set of rules that Ellie may or may not be able to live with.
One thing for sure about these two, is their chemistry is red hot, but there’s a true slow-burn element to them taking their relationship to different levels thanks to their history together. This could be the greatest love of their lives, but there’s so much we don’t know and Ms. Kenner has done a phenomenal job of leaving us little clues as to what’s coming next but not so much so that there won’t be surprises on a grand scale in My Beautiful Sin.
Ellie has lost so much in her life, her father, her uncle, and her first love Alex. She doesn’t do relationships, only one night stands.
Devlin has some serious secrets and he will do whatever it takes to protect those precious to him. He sees Ellie and knows he can’t keep her, but he’s going to have her anyway.
My Fallen Saint by J Kenner is just the beginning and ends in a cliffhanger. No surprise that this story has a tortured hero, but there are certainly surprises throughout the pages. Can’t wait for the next one.
My Fallen Saint is the first book in the Fallen Saints series by J. Kenner. Devlin Saint is a complex man of mystery. No one knows much about his background or where his money came from. He’s dedicated his life and fortune to fighting the sex trafficking trade. When former cop turned journalist Ellie Holmes returns to her childhood home town to interview him and also to lay some of the ghosts that haunt her to rest she finds the past might be more recent than she first thought. What secrets is Devlin hiding and how do they involve Ellie?
This angst filled book has left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Every time I think I have a handle on what I think is really going on, something else happens that turns everything on its head. Both the hero and heroine have family issues, Devlin with the long reaching influence of his father and also the guilt he feels over his own actions as a teenager and with Ellie everyone she has ever loved has left her, albeit unwillingly, leaving her with abandonment issues. There is a serious chemistry between them but neither are in the market for anything long term so they both seem happy with what is little more that a series of one night stands. I have to be honest and say I really didn’t like the character of Ellie very much. She’s a bit of a cliché pining away for a boy she met when she was 16 and who she didn’t really have what you could call a meaningful relationship with but its like this has shaped her life more than the loss of pretty much her entire family. I did however like her friend Brandy but I have my suspicions about her new boyfriend. He’s almost too good to be true and I think he has an ulterior motive.
While this book ends on a slight cliffhanger you do get a ‘happily ever after …. if only for now’ ending. There are still a lot of secrets to be exposed.
Overall Grade: 1/2
Are you a fan of J. Kenner’s Stark universe? If so, then you will definitely want to hop on the Devlin Saint train quick? Kenner’s newest book, My Fallen Saint, carries notes of Damien and Nikki Stark’s universe: broody, secretive, alpha-millionaire meets independent, heroine with a ton of moxie and a need for “more.” Like the books of the Stark universe, this book has secrets, secrets that will only start to reveal themselves toward the end of this book. This means there is much, much more to come in this Fallen Saint series. If you love romantic suspense and second chances, then My Fallen Saint should be a quick one-click for you.
Overall, Kenner sucked me into Devlin and Ellie’s world. For one, I LOVE stories set near my hometown. While Kenner fictionalizes much of the area, there is still a truth in its depiction. It sets me clearly in her story. Additionally, I love strong female heroines. Ellie’s world is fraught. She has been left alone after the deaths of her family, and she’s taken the world to hand. Given that everyone who was ever close to her has left her, this is a woman who controls her world. She lives life for temporary entanglements: fast men, fast cars, no attachments. This gives her character an edge, which is perfect for Kenner’s hero, Devlin.
As Kenner does well, Devlin Saint is the quintessential Kenner hero. He’s a man with secrets, and Kenner very slowly unravels very few. We know that in order for Ellie and Devlin to find their happy ending eventually these two will have to go through hell to get there. My Fallen Saint simply begins that journey. Through his characterization, Kenner draws you into their story; you feel compelled to keep reading even when Devlin tries to hold Ellie at arm’s length. The complications between Ellie and Devlin create this tension throughout the story that fills you with both dread and hope. Kenner’s ability to craft this tension shows readers why she’s the queen at these epic stories.
For me, however, some of the magic is missing from My Fallen Saint. There is definite chemistry between Ellie and Devlin, but, since this book has the Kenner signature in its story elements, the chemistry felt more contrived than Damien and Nikki’s. Additionally, while Ellie is my favorite type of heroine, her inability to say “no” to Devlin annoyed me. I won’t divulge this book’s secrets, but know that Ellie’s inconsistency feels uncharacteristic of her. It drove me mad quite frankly. Lastly, I want to like Devlin as I adore Damien Stark, but for me, the jury’s still out. I hope he has Ellie’s best interest, but his manipulation of her feelings time and time again in this story makes it difficult to like him at times. I am looking forward to the next book in this series, My Beautiful Sin, to see how Ellie and Devlin’s story progresses. Much like the first few books of the Damien Stark saga, it is difficult to know if Devlin and Ellie will be resilient in the face of the danger of Devlin’s life. But that, my friends, is the genius of J. Kenner. She holds you in suspense for her hero and heroines.
If you love J. Kenner, if you adore romantic suspense, or if you are a sucker for second chance romance, then you will want to invest yourself in J. Kenner’s My Fallen Saint. Even when you doubt Ellie and Devlin’s chances, there is a trust that Kenner will show them to their happy ending…eventually.
Oh my goodness! This author sure knows how to write a doozie! It was time for another alpha to rival Damien and Devlin is the man to step up and join the ranks. He is more than expected and when Ellie comes back to town to do a story on him she is surprised to find there is more to him that what he lets the world see. First love, true love, dangerous love, all rolled together but there is so much more and I am not telling. This one ends on a semi cliffhanger but nothing too drastic (I think).
This book was interestingly obvious. It was a book that although you knew what was going to happen and assume something things it let you reading to figure out why! It’s a cliffhanger of sorts and the next book is so far away but still worth the wait and read. Full of emotions and action. Great book.