REVIEW: On My Knees by J. Kenner

In On My Knees (Stark International Trilogy #2) by J. Kenner, Sylvia Brooks is still reeling after a whirlwind reunion with former lover Jackson Steele. She had asked him five years ago, after her traumatic past interfered, to let her walk away and never contact her again. Sylvia broke that pact when she reached out to Jackson, a brilliant architect, to work on a huge resort project she is heading at Stark Industries. But getting him to agree to the job was only the beginning of their problems.

‘I’m so terribly, terribly afraid that despite the passion that twines us together and despite having already overcome so much, the foundation of our relationship has shifted, and nothing is ever going to be the same.’

Jackson only wanted revenge against Sylvia for leaving him after their unbelievable time together. But once he realized the depth of her childhood issues, he wanted to be the one she could turn to for love and support. When Jackson’s own past comes back to haunt him, he and Sylvia become embroiled in what seems like a hopeless situation to be played out in the media. He’s not giving up without a fight, though. He’s determined to save his relationship and fight their demons so they can finally be free.

‘…He had recognized that it wasn’t control she needed, but submission. A safe place where she could surrender to pleasure and not feel ashamed. Where she could give control rather than have it ripped from her.’

Oh. My. Word. On My Knees had me hanging on the edge of my seat, wondering what could possibly happen next to Sylvia and Jackson. Ms. Kenner certainly ramped up the excitement level — and the passion — in this installment.

There was a LOT going on in book two of the Stark International Trilogy, but it was all laid out so perfectly that it made sense and was easy to follow. Then again, I was captivated by book one, Say My Name, so I would definitely suggest reading it before venturing into this sequel or you will probably be lost. There are details from the first book that will come in to play in this one.

This time around, the story is mainly from Sylvia’s POV again, but we do get Jackson’s POV a few times which really helped me figure out how sincere he was in his feelings for Sylvia. To me, it felt like the intensity of their emotions kept building at the same time as the craziness surrounding their individual past was increasing, so it led to a fair amount of tension.

This being an erotic story, Jackson and Sylvia found that exploring light BDSM could help them relieve that stress/tension while gaining control of their emotions. And was it ever hot! Running the gamut from fast & wild to slow & tender, the love scenes were intense and wonderfully written. I think what I loved most is that, while their physical attraction was such a strong force between them, Sylvia and Jackson realized how much they genuinely cared about each other and how great they were together. They were building a foundation of trust, so when everything went crazy, that trust was what helped them hold on.

This trilogy is just getting better and better as we learn more about Sylvia’s resiliency and Jackson’s caring side. I think readers will devour this book and be waiting on pins and needles, just like me, to find out how it all ends in the upcoming finale.

Book Info:

Publication: June 30th 2015 | by Bantam | Stark International Trilogy #2

Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks continue to thrill in the second novel of a scintillating, emotionally charged new trilogy that returns to the world of J. Kenner’s beloved Stark novels: Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me.

I never thought I’d lose control, but his desire took me right to the edge.

Powerful, ambitious, and devastatingly sexy, Jackson Steele was unlike any other man I’d ever known. He went after what he wanted with his whole mind, body, and soul—and I was the woman in his sights. One touch and I surrendered, one night together and I was undone.

Jackson and I had secrets, dark pieces of our pasts that threatened to swallow us both. We couldn’t outrun our demons, or the people trying to tear us apart. But in our passion we found salvation, and in each other’s arms we found release.

I was scared to trust Jackson fully, to finally let go. Yet no matter the dangers that lay ahead, I knew I was his—and now that we’ve laid claim, there’s no more holding back.

On My Knees is intended for mature audiences.