Julie Kenner's Blog, page 2

Stark On Saturday…on Sunday! – Release Me – “What do you need?”

Counting Down to Interview With the Billionaire!It’s #StarkOnSaturday … (on Sunday because the blog didn’t post properly!)And Saturday was also the start of the  TEN DAY COUNTDOWN TO INTERVIEW WITH THE BILLIONAIRE! Preorder here: Interview With The Billionaire This slightly edited scene from RELEASE ME is one of my favorites. It comes when Damien finally learns Nikki’s secret. (Not a spoiler because as a reader you learn in Chapter 1, but it’s longer for Damien) “He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I know, baby. Did you cut yourself?” “I thought about it,” I admit. “I even jammed my keys into my flesh. But did I cut?” I shake my head. “No. I didn’t.” “And you won’t.” His voice is hard, earnest. He presses his palms to my cheeks, cupping my face. … “If you need it, you tell me.” His voice is hard. Urgent. “Do you understand?” I nod and curl up close to him and let him stroke my hair. Because I also hear what he doesn’t say. That if I need to feel grounded—if I need the pain to feel centered and real and here—then Damien is the one who’ll stand at my center. Whatever I need, he’ll give. I shiver a bit. I’ve never been so exposed to another person, not even Ollie, not even Jamie. And I’ve never felt more taken care of. “And what about you, Damien?” I finally ask. “What do you need?” He looks at me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to tell me the secrets he’s kept buried deep inside. That he’s going to give me a clue as to what really makes Damien Stark tick. Considering how much I opened up, it only seems fair. But then his expression shifts and I see only a playful spark in his eye. “You,” he says, and then he closes his mouth over mine.” RELEASE ME: Grab your copy here: books2read.com/JK-RM

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Stark On Saturday – Release Me – “I get you”

What would you do for a million dollars?#StarkOnSaturday

“You’re a businesswoman, Nikki. Isn’t that what you ultimately want? Your own business?”

I gape at him, too surprised that he knows this to respond. Who the hell has he been talking to about me?

“This is a chance to kick-start your career.”

I shake my head, ignoring the small knot inside me that is excited by his proposition. “I’m a businesswoman, not a model.”

“You’re my model. And everyone has a price.”

“I don’t.”

“No?” He steps closer, his body full of challenge and confidence. “One million dollars, Ms. Fairchild. You get the cash, and I get you.”

***

If you haven’t met Damien Stark, you can grab your copy of Release Me at the links below.  If you already love Damien, tell a reader friend who hasn’t met him yet!

Grab it here from your favorite vendor: books2read.com/JK-RM

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Stark On Saturday – Release Me – “tingling”

“Then you don’t mind if I steal Ms. Fairchild again.” He takes a step closer to me, and as is always the case with Damien Stark, I can feel the effect of him in the air between us.

“Not at all,” Carl says. “I’m sure she’ll be very helpful.” The last is said with a tone that I really don’t appreciate, but since I’m going to accept Stark’s invitation and not return with my co-workers, I can’t really complain.

Yes, despite my earlier resolve I’m going up to the penthouse with Stark.

Why? Because of the way the air has fired between us.

Because of the way my flesh is tingling merely from his proximity.

Because he came down here and so boldly demanded it.

And, finally, because even though he wants a piece of my ass, all Stark’s getting today is a piece of my mind.”

***

If you haven’t met Damien Stark, you can grab your copy of Release Me at the links below.  If you already love Damien, tell a reader friend who hasn’t met him yet!

Grab it here from your favorite vendor: books2read.com/JK-RM

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I DIDN’T HATE THE HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER FINALE – HERE’S WHY

Not long ago, I posted on my Facebook Page that I was binge-watching How I Met Your Mother with my husband, and that we were thoroughly enjoying it.  Lots of readers chimed in about how much they loved the show, too … but that they were curious about how I would react to the ending.  (A few even told me to skip the last season!). I replied that I would let everyone know my thoughts…

 

… and the truth is that I’m fine with the ending. It’s not my favorite ending of a series ever, and more than that, I understand why there are so many haters and meh-sayers. I really do. BUT … it worked for me (and my husband).

Here’s why (warning … spoilers ahead!):

First of all, while the title of the show is How I Met Your Mother, the show is designed around the relationship between Ted and Robin. We start with the blue horn, we end with the blue horn. And in between, we see their relationship change and grow. These two characters smooth out each other’s rough spots; they are friends and lovers. They fit.

Also, keep in mind some hints from the very beginning of where we were going with Tracy/Mother: She’s never in the scenes between Ted and the Kids. There’s no mention of why she’s not there with Ted and the Kids. And yet we know it’s not Robin who is the mother because we meet her early on. All of that … and yet the show is so clearly tracking Ted and Robin’s relationship, whether in a sexual or a platonic phase. (We’ll get back to the whole Ted and the kids thing.)

 

Now, Barney is my favorite character on the show. (Caveat being I could watch Neil Patrick Harris sitting on a bench and be entertained, so I’m a little biased).  That being said, part of the reason Barney is so great is that he’s a complete train wreck. So is Robin. And when Barney and Robin got together as friends, I loved it. Their goofy narcissism works well as friends. I even enjoyed seeing them together as a couple, but never once did I think that it would last. They were each other’s good time—and they are definitely close friends—but even the “big” gestures screamed of narcissism.  And despite saying that Barney needed to stop with the lies and games and that they needed to be honest with each other, they never really got there.

The proposal was clever, but more about Barney pulling off another one from the playbook than truly about the relationship. Ditto the rehearsal dinner and “bringing” down Canada for Robin. A big gesture and sweet in the moment, but their relationship always felt more show and drama than the sweet smaller moments. Bottom line—for me, I didn’t see it working, especially knowing that Robin wanted to travel for her job, become famous, all that stuff.

Then there’s the “theme” of the show—that there’s just one person out there for everyone. That Ted would find his Lily.

Except I don’t think that’s really the theme. IMHO, the show is all about laying that idea to rest. As a romance author, I play with that theme a lot, too, but the truth is, if something tragic happened to one of my favorite characters, would I want them to be alone for the rest of their life? Of course not.

I’d want them to find another person to love and who fits them. And I think that was definitely one of the themes of the show. Add in the fact that even up to the actual wedding of Barney and Robin, Ted is still so in love with Robin that he’s going to move to Chicago, and, well, that’s a big hint as to where we’re going to end up.

But JK, you say, what about the reason Ted and Robin broke up in the first place? They wanted separate things, right? She wanted a Big Career and traveling the world. Ted wanted a wife and kids—and he wanted it so much that he even bought the house first.

Well, they both got what they wanted. Ted got the family. Robin got the career. And, yes, it was tragic that Tracy died, but they did a good job setting it up. (The scene where Ted says something about what mother would miss her daughter’s wedding, and Tracy chokes up, and I told my husband right then that my guess was she was terminally ill).

So when Robin is back in the city and the Mother has passed away (and they have obviously all kept up because she is Aunt Robin), it makes perfect sense for the kids to tell their dad to go seek her out. They’ve just heard a story about how he met their mother in which mom was featured in maybe twelve episodes out of over two-hundred. She was an interesting character, and definitely “made” to be a good match for him, but I never thought she was a better match than Robin (who was where I always figured we’d land).

So, I was happy with the ending. The couple I wanted together got together. The couple that divorced (Barney and Robin) stayed friends—which they should always be. I liked The Mother well enough, but TBH, she wasn’t a character I really connected to. She had some fun lines and moments, but she didn’t feel as real as Robin (or the others). Possibly because we didn’t spend enough time with her, possibly because the writers intentionally made her a little “too perfect” so that we could quickly see she was a good match for all of Ted’s quirks, but not feel as attached to her as to Robin, who had genuine flaws and felt more rounded and real because of that.

Bottom line, the framing of the story worked for me. I didn’t spend enough time with Tracy to be truly devastated by her death (and because of the early scene with her and Ted, I was expecting it).  We got to see a lot of flash-forwards of their happy life together. But once it ended because of her illness, it made perfect sense to me that Ted and Robin would end up together.

Do I think it could have been done better? Sure. A few more episodes would have been good. But on the whole, I liked the ending. (And while I hope that Barney finds someone eventually, I even like how they ended with him having a daughter.)

So there you go. I’m not a HIMYM Ending-Hater.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

(Cross-posting on my blog and Facebook Page)

 

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Stark On Saturday — the limo scene!

It’s Stark On Saturday (on New Year’s Eve!) Here’s another excerpt from RELEASE ME … this one from the limo scene. (To set that scene, Nikki’s getting a ride home in Damien’s limo. He gives her a call. And …“I want to see you again, Nikki. And I think you would enjoy the food here very much.” “Just the food?” In my head the words had been teasing. Out loud, they are soft and provocative. I close my eyes, trying to steady myself before I go hurtling down that slippery slope. “Well, the coffee is good, too.” “I—I like coffee,” I admit. I take a deep breath. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea.” “Thousands of coffee bean growers across the globe would disagree with you.” “Dinner. Coffee. A date. With you. I don’t think it’s a good idea.” “Really? I find it exceptionally appealing.” “Mr. Stark …” “Ms. Fairchild,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. “You’re exasperating.” “So I’ve been told. But I prefer the word ‘persistent.’ I don’t take no for an answer.” “Sometimes, that’s the only answer there is.” “Perhaps. But this isn’t one of those times.” I can’t help but smile as I settle more comfortably back against the soft leather upholstery. “Isn’t it? You forget that I’m the one who has to say yes or no, and I’ve already told you my answer, and I don’t intend to change it.”“No?”“Sorry. But I’m afraid you’ve met your match, Mr. Stark.” “I certainly hope so, Ms. Fairchild,” he says. I frown a bit as I try to guess just where he’s shifting the conversation. Because I know damn well he’s not giving in. To be honest, I’d be disappointed if he was.GRAB THE BOOK HERE: books2read.com/JK-RM

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Stark On Saturday – Release Me – “nuclear fission”

My scheduled #starkonsaturday post took its own holiday. So on this holiday afternoon, please enjoy this late #StarkOnSaturday (on Sunday) post!

“Nonsense. I’m fucking brilliant. Or haven’t you heard?” His grin is wide and boyish and I can’t help but laugh. And then, before I even have time to catch my breath, the boyish expression is gone, replaced with one of fire and need. 

He moves fast, and before I can blink he’s twisted my bar stool so that my back is to the bar and he has a hand on either side of me. I’m caged in, trapped in Damien’s heat. “I am smart, Nikki,” he says. “I’m smart enough to know that you feel it, too. This isn’t just heat, it’s a goddamned conflagration. Not chemistry, but nuclear fission.” 

I’m flushed and breathing hard. He’s right—so help me, he’s right. But even so … 

“There’s nothing good about an atomic reaction,” I say. “And the blast destroys everything it touches.” 

“Bullshit.” The word comes out hard. He’s right in front of me, and I can feel the anger coming off him in waves. “Goddammit, Nikki, don’t do that. Don’t play those kind of games with me. Don’t make this complicated when it should be so damn simple.” 

“Should be?” I repeat. “What the hell does that mean? Nothing is simple. Am I attracted to you? Hell yes. But you don’t even know me.” 

I stifle a sigh. Sometimes I wonder if I even know myself, or if all those years of being molded by my mother—being told what to eat, what to drink, who to date, when to sleep, and all the other Mommie Dearest bullshit—had sucked Nikki right out of me. 

But no. No, I fought to keep the core of myself, even if I do keep it buried deep. I look fiercely at him. “You don’t know me,” I repeat. The intensity with which he looks back at me almost makes me stumble. 

“But I do.” 

Something in his voice makes me feel exposed. He has me on edge again, and I look away, not liking the way he seems to be shining a spotlight on me. 

It takes me a moment to gather myself, and when I do, I tilt my head just enough to look up at him. “We’re not taking this further, Mr. Stark. Absolutely not.” 

“I don’t accept that.” His voice is a low growl that rumbles through me, weakening my resolve. I don’t say a word. I can’t seem to form one. “I liked it,” he continues, as he traces his fingertips down the sleeve of my jacket. “You liked it. I’m not seeing a sound basis for cessation, Ms. Fairchild.” 

I force myself to make a coherent sound. “I like cheesecake, but I only have it rarely. And I know it’s bad for me.” 

“Sometimes bad is good.” 

“Bullshit. That’s what people say to alleviate their own guilt or justify their own weakness. Bad is bad. A is A.” 

“I didn’t realize we were discussing philosophy. Shall I counter with the teachings of Aristippus? He held that pleasure is the highest good.” His fingertip traces my collarbone. “And I want to be very, very good with you.” 

I shiver from his touch, allowing myself one brief moment to savor the pleasure of basking in the glow of Damien Stark. Then I turn away, so that I’m speaking to the air, not to the man. “This isn’t going anywhere.” My voice is a whisper. My voice is the sound of regret. “It can’t.” 

“Why not?” I hear the gentleness in his voice and wonder how much of myself I’ve inadvertently revealed.

***

If you haven’t met Damien Stark, you can grab your copy of Release Me at the links below.  If you already love Damien, tell a reader friend who hasn’t met him yet!

Grab it here from your favorite vendor: books2read.com/JK-RM

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Her marriage to Daniel was never meant to be more than a business arrangement. They were never meant to be so perfect together, and they were definitely never meant to fall in love.

After all, they started their marriage with an end date in sight.

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Winter isn’t coming anymore …

… it’s HERE!

Today is the first day of Winter!

Hard to believe considering what I’m seeing on the news and in friends’ social posts. More like Winter’s been hanging out, drinking ale, smoking a cigarette, and getting all rowdy for a while now. And apparently it’s gonna get more intense. (It’s times like these when I wish I had a coat that actually, you know, functioned as a coat…

Stay safe and warm folks!  And despite the coming storm, I still find this quote lovely and inspirational!

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Stark On Saturday is baaaaack!

Since we’re approaching the TEN YEAR anniversary of of the New York Times bestselling Stark Saga that begins with RELEASE ME … and since INTERVIEW WITH THE BILLIONAIRE is coming out in just over a month … AND since there are a lot of readers who’ve never met Damien (OMG, say it isn’t so!) I’m going to re-start #starkonsaturday ! Check in each weekend for sexy quotes, excerpts, sneak peeks at Interview With the Billionaire, and more! We’ll start with Release Me and move through the series! If you love Nikki & Damien, please share and spread the word! If you haven’t met Damien Stark, you can grab your copy of Release Me at the link below. If you already love Damien, tell a reader friend who hasn’t met him yet! Grab it here from your favorite vendor: books2read.com/JK-RM

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Weekend read, anyone?

For those of you who are fans of paranormal, here’s a recommended read for you! The DARK ALLIANCE series by Kira James! The first three books are out and ready to binge in Kindle Unlimited!

“A dark, dangerous, and fascinating paranormal world that enthralled me from the very first page.” Tracy Wolff, New York Times bestselling author of the Crave series.

Find all the books here: https://amzn.to/3V3iE9G

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