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Tame Me

(Stark International Security #1)

J. Kenner (Goodreads Author)

4.08 · Rating details · 5,747 ratings · 277 reviews

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides.

Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wa ...more

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Kindle Edition, 80 pages

Published March 25th 2014 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

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· 5,747 ratings · 277 reviews

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Jan 28, 2014 Aggie marked it as to-read

This will be great! I mean Damien & Nikki are gonna live happily ever after but what about the rest? This add-on will definitely finalize the Stark series :) can't wait! ...more

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Jun 26, 2016 -C- rated it it was amazing

Great short story
“I regret the way I ran from him. I regret even more the nights I lost with him.”

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Mar 22, 2014 Angie rated it did not like it

Shelves: loanable-on-kindle, 1-2-stars

I was looking forward to this novella. There was some smokin' hot chemistry in Complete Me between Jamie, Nikki's bff and Ryan Hunter, Damien's head of security.

Jamie has a plan. She's determined to get her life together. She has stopped sleeping around and she's leaving for Texas to move back in with her parents and for a job in television as an entertainment interviewer and reporter. As soon as she gets her act together she's hoping to make her way back to L.A. to continue acting.

After Nikki ...more

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May 07, 2014 Michelle rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

We've met the hot-mess that is Jamie and we've seen a sliver of tension between her and Ryan Hunter (Stark's Lead Security), but now we get the explosion.

Following Damien and Nikki's wedding, Jamie and Ryan are left with the task of ensuring that the reception is all closed down. Jamie has returned from Texas for the event and is bound to return in an attempt to put her life back together. Giving up men and the lifestyle that living in LA brings, Jamie has a plan... one that Ryan is ab ...more

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Dec 08, 2013 Sofia Lazaridou rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-releases

I am so freakin excited! I saw the book last night on facebook and I can't wait to read it!

Jamie and Ryan were great together.

I wanted to see Jamie get her happy ending and she did. She and Ryan were great together. I wanted more of their story because for me things happened too fast. I have no idea whose story is going to be next but I am sure it will be good ...more

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Mar 02, 2014 Dirty Dayna rated it really liked it

Tame me

3.5 all I want is you stars

Sometimes how I feel at the end of the book is different from how I felt reading the book if that makes sense. I had this one on the back burner for over a year because I love Stark and didn’t want my series tarnished by possibly a bad spin off.. I have to say I like the spin off and that each book thus far follows side characters. For 80 pages Kenner put her heart and soul on the table and tried to give us an HEA for Jamie in 80 pages. Jamie and Ryan needed the ...more

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Jan 13, 2014 Julie B. rated it it was amazing

Wow, I love Damien, but in less than 100 pages, Ryan sure gave him a run for his money! I hope Ryan and Jamie get a full novel in the future. I loved watching them get to know each other and Jamie breaking down her walls some. Letting someone else be in control. Not to mention their sex and chemistry was hawt!! I loved the dominate side of Ryan, yet he was so caring at the same time. Hope to see more of their story again.

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Mar 26, 2014 Zita rated it did not like it

Should not have purchased this one…

This reader is not sure what to make of this one. Having read many books including and reminiscent of 50 Shades which were enjoyed this reader is not a prude. It would have been nice if there had a warning, stating that there is anal sex, bondage, a collar and a leash. This reader would then have passed on this one and not felt obliged to write this review. As for the story it is novella length and there is no depth just a lot of sex and wanting sex. The story ...more

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Jan 20, 2014 J.A. Heron rated it it was ok

I'm sorry J Kenner, i loved your Damien Stark trilogy, and i swooned and swooned while reading those books. But this, this is very disappointing, i loved Jamie in the Stark trilogy, so i was really excited to discover you were writing about her. But i have just finished, and i found that there was no depth, no feeling to the characters of Jamie and Ryan. I really wanted to discover what makes them tick, but i didnt achieve that, and that makes me sad.
I really wish you had written something more ...more

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Dec 28, 2013 Sivutha rated it it was amazing

“I’m going to make you very happy,” I say.
“Kitten,” he says. “You already do.”

Yay!! Jamie and Ryan finally together!! Love it :)

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Jan 22, 2014 Khanique McDaniel rated it it was ok

Firstly, Jamie Archer has too many issues for it to be summed up in a novella, even if it is only part 1. There was no background or base to their relationship from our POV therefore, I didn't believe their intense feelings for each other in the end, which then led to me being bored. I fell asleep 3 times reading this novella and one of those times was 1/2 hour after waking from a full night's sleep.

It's not that I don't think that they could make a good couple, it's just that I need to see it b Firstly, Jamie Archer has too many issues for it to be summed up in a novella, even if it is only part 1. There was no background or base to their relationship from our POV therefore, I didn't believe their intense feelings for each other in the end, which then led to me being bored. I fell asleep 3 times reading this novella and one of those times was 1/2 hour after waking from a full night's sleep.

It's not that I don't think that they could make a good couple, it's just that I need to see it begin and develop, or at the very least, a flash back to where the feelings began. I am sure it wasn't from seeing Jamie semi-naked and masturbating on Damien's chaise. I understand lust and a good old roll in the hay but the deep feelings that followed seemed abrupt and unbelievable (Not in the good way). They could work as a couple but show it to me. A quick sex in LA and bet in Vegas does not a relationship make.

Jamie was confident and I love that. Damaged or confused, she knew what she wanted and she wasn't afraid to take it. Literally. I don't know who was getting tamed though because she never once put up a fight.

I'm sorry but I can't see Ryan as a dominant and it's not only because he works for another dominant alpha male but there were times when he felt like he was in control and Jamie was actually leading the whole scene. The illusion of him being a dominant is just that. An illusion.

We never met them but the mention of Jamie's parents had me wanting to meet the couple that was so in love that they disregard everything around them inclusive of their daughter. I also don't feel sorry for Jamie's logistics because regardless of her parents infatuation with each other she should know love and is the catalyst for all her insecurities. Your mad at the world because they take you at face value? How about you show them that there is more to Jamie Archer? If anything I am looking forward to is Jamie gaining some confidence in her own confidence.

Ryan is a male lead that was needed in a story. It's his story and the man still takes a back seat to everything. Sometimes I even forgot he was the one she was with. He doesn't do much for me in this installment as he was more a bodyguard than a lover.

Also, what's up with him tracking her every where she goes like a jealous boyfriend? I am not even gonna touch on the James Bond ending he starred. I just wanna know if Damien knows how company resources are being used o.O

Ryan is a nice guy but tell me more. He is too forgettable as he literally and figuratively fades into the background like an every present shadow. He plays security detail very well.

The sex was in a good time frame from amount to length. I was already falling asleep reading them so I can't imagine them any longer. I did enjoy the story outside of the sex and inner rants of Jamie and I think that watching them build a relationship and life in LA would be a good and interesting story as the base of this one left me bored and looking to give up on everything Stark related.

This novella had it's moments but they were few and far between. It seemed very chopped and summarized and not because it's a novella. You could literally feel and see the massive jumps especially in the end. I had to skip back a page to find out what happened between she sinking the gas and him jumping out of helicopters.

I don't believe their level of connection right now, but I think with a better story line, focus and progression I could be persuaded to read the next copy. In the interim, I was left bored, uninspired and ecstatic for the the end of a 80 page novel. I swear it felt like 400! ...more

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Mar 12, 2014 Jillian Stein rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

~ My review can also be found on my blog: http://bit.ly/1mn8cqU

Tame Me is the first Blue Box Special in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well as the first story in author J. Kenner’s Stark International series, a spin-off of her Stark Trilogy. Talk about kicking off a series with a sexy and steamy bang. This novella was incredible!

Jamie Archer has decided it was time for a new plan. Her current situation wasn’t working for her anymore and she really needed a change. She was tired of not being ha ~ My review can also be found on my blog: http://bit.ly/1mn8cqU

Tame Me is the first Blue Box Special in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well as the first story in author J. Kenner’s Stark International series, a spin-off of her Stark Trilogy. Talk about kicking off a series with a sexy and steamy bang. This novella was incredible!

Jamie Archer has decided it was time for a new plan. Her current situation wasn’t working for her anymore and she really needed a change. She was tired of not being happy with the girl looking back at her in the mirror. She wanted to ditch her sex-as-a-temporary-fix-for-a-permanent-problem ways. She wanted to mean more to herself and find out who she truly was. The first step in her plan was leaving L.A. and heading back home to Texas. With her mind made up and just about ready to set out on the road there was on thing that she hated thinking about leaving behind. Ryan. Deliciously sexy, he was the only man she had wanted, but never acted upon. Now he’s the one thing keeping her on the fence as to whether she should leave or stay.

Ryan Hunter has watched Jamie for quite some time now. He knows her habits, her ways, her inner fire…he knows her. He also knows he wants her with a desperation that he has never felt toward any woman before. The only problem was she wasn’t used to keeping a guy around past a romp or two between the sheets. And if there was one thing Ryan was sure of, it was that he took her to his bed, he would be staying around. For a very long time. Now, he just had to convince her to stay. Not just here in L.A., but with him.
Ryan and Jamie have an undeniable chemistry and one that cannot be ignored…with a little bit of convincing; Ryan just may be the only “plan” Jamie needs.

Dear all things hot and holy…this story was scorching! I devoured it in one sitting and was so sad I read it that fast. I will definitely need to go back for a re-read. The heat between Ryan and Jamie is blazing and builds at a delicious and delectable pace. Ryan is 100% alpha and makes no bones about telling Jamie exactly what he wants from her and hot damn, it is wonderfully detailed and beyond super sexy. I admired Jamie and her quest to find out more about herself. She is also a witty and sassy gal, which I loved. She gave Ryan quite a run for his money and the chase was indeed a whole lot of the fun. Together they make a scrumptious pair and totally balance one another out both in the bedroom and out. Hard and soft, stubborn and yielding…they really are a beautifully equalized couple.

Thank you, Julie for one hell of a steamy and sexy read! I can’t wait to see what the Stark International Series has in store for us. ...more

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Mar 26, 2014 Sandy S rated it really liked it

4.25 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK: March 25, 2014

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides.

Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her. Wants to 4.25 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK: March 25, 2014

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides.

Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her. Wants to do whatever it takes to make her his.

But after one night of bliss, Jamie bolts. And now it’s up to Ryan to not only bring her back, but to convince her that she’s running away from the best thing that ever happened to her--him.

REVIEW: TAME ME is the first storyline in J.Kenner’s contemporary, adult, erotic Stark International novella spin off series. This is Stark International’s chief of security Ryan Hunter and Jamie Archer (Nikki Fairchild Stark’s best friend’s) storyline. Ryan and Jamie have been dancing around one another for awhile and now that Nikki and Damien have left for their honeymoon, Jamie takes the opportunity to make a move-in more ways than one.

The novella focuses on the sexual attraction between Jamie and Ryan-one that is hot, sensual and off the charts. As Jamie prepares to move back to Texas, Ryan will make Jamie an offer she cannot refuse. In the end, Jamie will do what Jamie does best-she will run not once but twice-and Ryan will be waiting each and every time.

J. Kenner pulls the reader into a sexually graphic storyline where two people who have wanted one another for a very long time test the waters of sex, sin and a little bit of BDSM. Jamie is no stranger to the allure of her sexuality but she may have met her match with the alpha male Ryan Hunter-a man who knows what he wants; how to get it; and when to let go. In this, Ryan is a man determined to keep Jamie Archer-all to himself.

The world of Stark International has been previously established through the Stark Trilogy and continues with the SI novellas. We learn Ryan and Jamie’s backstories-their sexual history; their wants and needs and, what they want is to find love and be loved. They are mature adults who give in to the exotic allure of each other’s bodies.

TAME ME is a quick read; a fast paced novella that explores the sexual relationship between two people who want, who need, who demand it all. J. Kenner writes a provocative story of lust, love and passionate desire.

www.thereadingcafe.com ...more

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Feb 18, 2017 Laura Beth rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-read, braincandy

Jamie finds her HEA with Ryan Hunter. Short, sweet story true to Jamie's character. I liked it a lot but would have preferred a full length novel. ...more

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Mar 02, 2014 Mtak91 rated it it was ok

I was really looking forward to this novella. Ryan and Jamie deserve their own HEA and they seemed to have something going on in the Stark series. However, I was kind of disappointed with this novella. It was too short. Everything was rushed to the point that it wasn't believable anymore. Ryan has the same dominant streak as Damien but it wasn't presented as well and as thoroughly as Damian's so it came off as a cheap imitation. Jamie obviously was troubled, had some shit to work through as evid ...more

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Mar 07, 2014 ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: keeper, all-time-favorite-series

I loved it!
It was just way too short - and this extreme 'Insta-Love' between Ryan and Jamie felt a bit weird - way too fast! Yeah, I know that they knew each other already from the previous books, but things happen reallllly quick here ☺
But it was really cute and extremely sexy!
I just wish Julie had given Ryan and Jamie a full novel - or maybe even a whole seris!!!

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Mar 07, 2014 Lisa Miller rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: everyone

I have envied Jamie from the beginning, but now I am in awe. Hopefully, it's not too good to be true, I don't think Jamie could take it, I mean to open up her heart to Ryan, when she is not the one in charge, so it would probably break her. I would love to have a man like that, to just know what you want even if you don't know yourself, it would be wonderful. Julie, you have done it again, I have been a fan since the beginning of The Stark Trilogy and I am glad you have found a way to continue i ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Missy Bates rated it it was amazing

LOVE THIS BOOK FROM STARK INERNATIONAL!!!! WELL DONE I EXPECTED NOTHING LESS ROM THE WOMAN THAT BROUGHT ME DAMIEON STARK!!!1 THE WRITING WAS GREAT AND THE STORY WAS AMAZING!!! I LOVED THAT THE CHARCTERS IN THIS BOOK WERE THE MAIN IN THE STARK TRILOGY !!!! GREAT JUST GREAT!!1 IM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT EVER IS AFTER THIS !!! J KENNER YOU ROCK FOR BEING ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS AND BRING BOLDNESS STRAIGHT TALKING CHARACTERS AAND DAMIEON STARKS THAT WILL FORVER AND ALWAYS BE GOODREADS AND RERE ...more

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Jun 16, 2014 April rated it it was ok

So, this was basically a sex book. There really wasn't much of a story but lots of sex. I had forgotten Jamie and Ryan met in the other novels in the Stark Trilogy not just the novella. So technically they had history, but if you don't know their back story it really feels like they met and within two days they were going at it. I really like Jamie. I was hoping she'd get a full novel. I can't imagine the entire series will be like this, so at this point I'm really wondering what this series wil ...more

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Apr 03, 2014 Heather Lire rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, erotic, bdsm, 2014-reads, bdsm-elements, series

Holy hotness

Holy hotness

Every time I read one of Kenner's books I fall more in love with her writing.

Jaime has been a character whose story I've wanted since the first book. What drove her to act the way she did? I knew it would take a certain kind of man to tame her and oh boy does Ryan Hunter get her. He understood her fears and he loved her through them. Of all the books in this series this one just might be my favorite. ...more

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Jan 13, 2014 AngelinaT rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this story of Jamie and Ryan. It was quick and steamy! I love that we know that Damien and Nikki got their HEA and now we see what happens with her best friend Jamie. There wasn't a lot of depth to this story just the quick connection between Jamie and Ryan and of course the incredible sex scenes that J. Kenner does so well. ...more

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Mar 30, 2014 Megha rated it liked it

zip zap zoom...whirlwind fairytale. enjoy the read.its cute.

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Nov 28, 2015 Shonda Franks rated it really liked it

LOVE IT!!!! Good read . The entire Stark Trilogy is for anyone that likes 50 shades of greyish type books.

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Mar 12, 2020 Virginia VanSaders rated it it was amazing

This is Book 1 of the Stark International Trilogy; A Novella

This is Part 1 of the story of Ryan & Jamie. Ryan is Stark International Security Chief. Jamie is an aspiring actress. There is chemistry between the two of them. Ryan doesn't make a move on her, though. He feels that she will just leave if they get together. That's just what happens. She has conflicting emotions because she's been hurt before. She gets a job offer to interview celebrities and she runs. She takes off for Vegas and Ryan ...more

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May 11, 2020 Linda rated it it was amazing

Jamie Archer and Ryan Hunter have always been attracted to each other but never acted upon it until the night after Damien and Nikki's wedding. When she realized she could fall in love with him, she was scared of her feelings and took off for an interview job in Vegas. He found her and told her he wants her and loves her and, if she doesn't want him in her bed, he still wants her in his life. She starts to head to her parents' house in Texas after the interview and then wonders why. She has a ma ...more

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Oct 17, 2020 Theresa rated it liked it

Shelves: steamy

So I started reading this backward, I initially started Tempt Me and quickly felt like I was missing some backstory...I was not. Tame Me did not provide me more insight to Jamie's fears about committing to marriage with Ryan but it just served to frustrate me more. The writing is not bad, there is just not much story to follow. ...more

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Sep 16, 2019 Charlene Johnson rated it it was amazing

I'm a big fan of the Stark series and Stark International books. I really love it. It's nice to see the series' characters come together. Jamie and Ryan's story was very hot and heartfelt. If you love the Stark series, don't miss this one. Another great book by J. Kenner. ...more

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Mar 12, 2020 Saunders marked it as to-read

Shelves: series, tbr-list-2014, price-watch-restrictive-price, read-if-price-drops

This has been on my TBR since 2014.

When I checked it out on Amazon I found this is NOT a trilogy but one book split into three sections of 170 pages. The cost of this is around £10.47 for the complete book.

I'm passing. ...more

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Aug 18, 2017 Dawn rated it it was amazing

You can always count on J Kenner books to be well written & hot. Waited a long time for Jamie & Ryan's story, but it was worth the wait. ...more

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Feb 15, 2018 T.M. Carper rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Short little novella focusing on Jamie and Ryan.

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About J. Kenner

J. Kenner

9,530 followers

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New Y ...more

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Stark International Security (3 books)

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Quotes from Tame Me

“Your parents are your first conception of love, the first object of your love. You love them wholly and unconditionally, and expect that back. When you don’t get that in return, it colors everything.” — 0 likes

“No matter how much we love them, we all grow up surrounded by our parents’ shit. You’ll either be buried in it and suffocate, or use it for fertilizer and thrive.” I stare at him for a moment, then laugh. “You’re right,” I say. “That’s probably the most profound—and disgusting—thing that I’ve heard in a long time.” — 0 likes

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