What do you think?
Rate this book
Stark Security #1.5
Shadows of You
For two long years, Stark Security agent Denise Marshall has been alone, mourning her missing husband. But everything changes on Valentine’s Day when she encounters a mysterious man who seems to understand her deepest desires.
Shadows of You is a prequel to Broken With You, the second book in the Stark Security series. While Broken With You can be read without reading this short, you don’t want to miss this steamy prequel!
Note: If you’re a subscriber to J. Kenner’s newsletter, you may have already read this story in the bonus Valentine’s Day anthology, Be Mine.
Shadows of You is a prequel to Broken With You, the second book in the Stark Security series. While Broken With You can be read without reading this short, you don’t want to miss this steamy prequel!
Note: If you’re a subscriber to J. Kenner’s newsletter, you may have already read this story in the bonus Valentine’s Day anthology, Be Mine.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2019
283 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
J. Kenner
188 books10.4k followersJ. 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 York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.
Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
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 York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.
Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Want to read
May 18, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (5/18/2019)! 🎁
June 21, 2019
A great teaser for the next novel
Short but sweet--and steamy--this was the perfect lead in to Denny and Mason's full-length book. I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster it will be after this bittersweet yet hopeful glimpse of their situation.
Short but sweet--and steamy--this was the perfect lead in to Denny and Mason's full-length book. I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster it will be after this bittersweet yet hopeful glimpse of their situation.
May 28, 2019
Happy to be a part of the J. Kenner arc group. The only reason I was disappointed by this novella because it was so so short. Three chapters of J. Kenner writing is not enough. I'm dying to know what happens to Denny. Poor Denny has been waiting for two years to see or hear if her husband is dead.
June 6, 2019
Short and sweet or not so sweet but sexy. Denise has been missing her husband who is undercover, deep under cover and has been for years. Today, Valentine's Day is their anniversary and her friends, Nikki and Jamie, have treated her to the Penthouse Suite and a massage. Just what she needs, to relax and regroup. However, when a woman shows up to "prepare" her she tells her she will be blindfolded. Okay, she can do that but when "The Master" shows those hands and that voice turns out to be someone she is familiar with, intimately familiar. So good and sets up her full-length story which is already loaded on my kindle!
December 19, 2023
A novella about married Stark Security agents, Mason and Denise. Mason has been on an undercover mission for two years. Her boss has tried to locate him for her but no luck. Damien and Hunters wives give her a gift certificate for a massage at an exclusive penthouse hotel room to pamper her as she is so stressed and lonely without her husband. The mysterious maseuse sounds like her husband but he blindfolds her and handcuffs her to the bedposts so she can’t remover her blindfold to see if is her. She asks him to make love to her and he doves. She wakes up and he is gone. This experience helps her cope and gives her hope that Mason is alive.
July 3, 2022
A solid 4.5 stars but the actual book is worth so much more.
I read the actual book before reading the prequel but I’m glad I did. In the book I wondered what happened that night they met and (spoiler) got Denise pregnant, and I feel so satisfied knowing what happened. I’m glad this prequel was here and even if I did read this before the actual book I’m sure I would get hooked and need to read more. But actually reading the book first I feel like this prequel was a bit dull which is why 4 stars but the actual book is undoubtedly a five star book and there’s so much more to this story than the prequel led on, and the book is most definitely worth your time and even emotions.
I read the actual book before reading the prequel but I’m glad I did. In the book I wondered what happened that night they met and (spoiler) got Denise pregnant, and I feel so satisfied knowing what happened. I’m glad this prequel was here and even if I did read this before the actual book I’m sure I would get hooked and need to read more. But actually reading the book first I feel like this prequel was a bit dull which is why 4 stars but the actual book is undoubtedly a five star book and there’s so much more to this story than the prequel led on, and the book is most definitely worth your time and even emotions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
This is a very short prequel to Broken With You. Denise's husband has been missing for two years after going on a job. She misses him terribly. It's Valentine's Day and their anniversary so her friend's give her a room to stay in at their hotel along with a surprise massage.
This is a good start to the next book which I will immediately read...
This is a good start to the next book which I will immediately read...
May 22, 2019
Now I can't wait to read their story!!!!!!!!
June 6, 2019
4.5 stars--
About the book: Release Date May 11, 2019
For two long years, Stark Security agent Denise Marshall has been alone, mourning her missing husband. But everything changes on Valentine’s Day when she encounters a mysterious man who seems to understand her deepest desires.
Shadows of You is a prequel to Broken With You, the second book in the Stark Security series. While Broken With You can be read without reading this short, you don’t want to miss this steamy prequel!
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.5 stars- SHADOWS OF YOU is the prequel short story in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Stark Security Agency.
Note: If you’re a subscriber to J. Kenner’s newsletter, you may have already read this story in the bonus Valentine’s Day anthology, Be Mine.
Told from first person perspective (Denny) SHADOWS OF YOU follows Denise ‘Denny’ Walker as she is about to celebrate her wedding anniversary alone. It has been two years since she last saw her husband Mason, two long years where she hasn’t seen or heard from the man that she loves. Hoping to cheer up their colleague and friend Nikki Stark, and her best friend Jamie treat Denny to one night in the penthouse suite and a personal massage. What ensues is an erotic encounter between a blindfolded Denny, and the man she believes is the husband she loves.
SHADOWS OF YOU introduces a relationship dynamic between two people who have not stopped loving one another but also introduces the possibility that not all is as it should be. A fast paced / quick read: an intriguing and engaging addition to the author’s Stark Security series.
Own a copy
About the book: Release Date May 11, 2019
For two long years, Stark Security agent Denise Marshall has been alone, mourning her missing husband. But everything changes on Valentine’s Day when she encounters a mysterious man who seems to understand her deepest desires.
Shadows of You is a prequel to Broken With You, the second book in the Stark Security series. While Broken With You can be read without reading this short, you don’t want to miss this steamy prequel!
•••••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.5 stars- SHADOWS OF YOU is the prequel short story in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SECURITY erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Stark Security Agency.
Note: If you’re a subscriber to J. Kenner’s newsletter, you may have already read this story in the bonus Valentine’s Day anthology, Be Mine.
Told from first person perspective (Denny) SHADOWS OF YOU follows Denise ‘Denny’ Walker as she is about to celebrate her wedding anniversary alone. It has been two years since she last saw her husband Mason, two long years where she hasn’t seen or heard from the man that she loves. Hoping to cheer up their colleague and friend Nikki Stark, and her best friend Jamie treat Denny to one night in the penthouse suite and a personal massage. What ensues is an erotic encounter between a blindfolded Denny, and the man she believes is the husband she loves.
SHADOWS OF YOU introduces a relationship dynamic between two people who have not stopped loving one another but also introduces the possibility that not all is as it should be. A fast paced / quick read: an intriguing and engaging addition to the author’s Stark Security series.
Own a copy
January 19, 2024
Super short three chapter novella prequel to Broken With You, book 2 in the Stark Security Series.
We met Denise in Book 1 and heard a bit about her predicament with her husband Mason. This gives us a bit more insight but, of course, not much.
I'm a total weirdo because all I kept thinking was, "why the name Denny"?
I think names of characters set a sort of mood in the story. You see this in fantasy books alot where the characters names are given solid consideration. Of course that usually backfires and you read the whole book without knowing how to actually pronounce anyone's name.
For some reason the fact that our MCs name is Denise and her friends call her Denny bugs me. It did when she popped up in book one. I had an uncle named Denny. He always smelled like cigarettes and looked like he just got back from Margaritaville. Fun at family gatherings but not really what I want to associate a female lead in a romance novel with...
Anyway, that really has nothing to do with my overall impression of this book. I've already started Book 2 in this series so we'll see if I get over the name thing I guess. 😊
We met Denise in Book 1 and heard a bit about her predicament with her husband Mason. This gives us a bit more insight but, of course, not much.
I'm a total weirdo because all I kept thinking was, "why the name Denny"?
I think names of characters set a sort of mood in the story. You see this in fantasy books alot where the characters names are given solid consideration. Of course that usually backfires and you read the whole book without knowing how to actually pronounce anyone's name.
For some reason the fact that our MCs name is Denise and her friends call her Denny bugs me. It did when she popped up in book one. I had an uncle named Denny. He always smelled like cigarettes and looked like he just got back from Margaritaville. Fun at family gatherings but not really what I want to associate a female lead in a romance novel with...
Anyway, that really has nothing to do with my overall impression of this book. I've already started Book 2 in this series so we'll see if I get over the name thing I guess. 😊
September 25, 2019
What we’ve learned along the journey with Stark is that what they do is dangerous, who they work with are dangerous and everything always screams danger. So when Denise’s husband is on assignment for years and can’t be reached, and no one can find a trace of him, we know that things are bad . and hard. and sad.
Denny (cute nick name right?) works for Stark – she used to be with another government agency like her husband, and now she works for Stark, but not in the field. She’s experienced too much pain there and now wants to stay behind a desk, where she knows what her job will give her. It’s also an opportunity for her to dig into information about the whereabouts of Mason, until she gets caught.
It’s a good thing that Ryan Hunter and Damian Stark are such great guys who understand what she’s going through and they want to make her life better at least for a night so they gift her with a treatment that should relax and pamper her, and what she gets is so much more. Can’t wait to see what comes in the full book 2 of the series now
Denny (cute nick name right?) works for Stark – she used to be with another government agency like her husband, and now she works for Stark, but not in the field. She’s experienced too much pain there and now wants to stay behind a desk, where she knows what her job will give her. It’s also an opportunity for her to dig into information about the whereabouts of Mason, until she gets caught.
It’s a good thing that Ryan Hunter and Damian Stark are such great guys who understand what she’s going through and they want to make her life better at least for a night so they gift her with a treatment that should relax and pamper her, and what she gets is so much more. Can’t wait to see what comes in the full book 2 of the series now
January 18, 2021
Pov: female
Main characters: Mason & Denise/Denny
Minor characters:
My thoughts:
This was a tiny little prequel to a larger novel. It was fine for what it was. It did well to explain the characters in such a short amount of time.
Synopsis:
Denny worked in a secret service type of intelligence agency. She met and married Mason, who worked there as well. He got assigned a deep cover mission that was supposed to last a short while. He ended up going missing for 3 years.
Denise asked to be removed from field work and started working with computers and technology.
She was depressed and her friends all knew and felt terrible.
Her anniversary was coming up and her friends arranged for her to have a massage at the fancy hotel one of their husbands, and her boss, owned.
During the massage her husband Mason shows up. She’s blindfolded but recognizes his voice. He tells her she can’t see him or she’ll be compromised. They end up having sex. He’s gone when she wakes up, but he left her a note.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2019
Romantic and bittersweet
Denise Marshall hasn’t seen her husband, Mason, in years. His mission has taken him deep cover and any contact would jeopardize his mission or Denise’s safety. We met Denise in Quincy and Eliza’s story in Shattered In You where both Denise and Quincy are partners who work for Stark Security.
On Valentine’s Day, Denise is missing her husband so much more. But her close friends rally for her and soon she has a mystery lover who takes over her lonely evening. Blindfolded for her safety, she knows that heavenly voice and warm hands. The romantic encounter ends too soon, but she has memories that will feed her heart and mind until she can reunite with her man. Shadows Of You is a beautifully romantic and bittersweet short story prequel to Broken With You, Denis and Mason’s story.
Denise Marshall hasn’t seen her husband, Mason, in years. His mission has taken him deep cover and any contact would jeopardize his mission or Denise’s safety. We met Denise in Quincy and Eliza’s story in Shattered In You where both Denise and Quincy are partners who work for Stark Security.
On Valentine’s Day, Denise is missing her husband so much more. But her close friends rally for her and soon she has a mystery lover who takes over her lonely evening. Blindfolded for her safety, she knows that heavenly voice and warm hands. The romantic encounter ends too soon, but she has memories that will feed her heart and mind until she can reunite with her man. Shadows Of You is a beautifully romantic and bittersweet short story prequel to Broken With You, Denis and Mason’s story.
June 13, 2020
Leaves you wondering
Stark Security is a private security force for Stark International. Ryan is at the head of it, running it, overseen by Damien Stark. All the agents are as well trained as government operatives. Denise used to be a government operative. She burnt out, and now she sits at a desk at a desk working for Stark Security. Her husband, Mason, went undercover two years ago, and she hasn't heard a word from him since he left. She gets the surprise of her life, but she can only imagine...... Oh, this is a great prequel to Broken With You. I can't wait to read it. J. Kenner leaves you with questions in this prequel.
Stark Security is a private security force for Stark International. Ryan is at the head of it, running it, overseen by Damien Stark. All the agents are as well trained as government operatives. Denise used to be a government operative. She burnt out, and now she sits at a desk at a desk working for Stark Security. Her husband, Mason, went undercover two years ago, and she hasn't heard a word from him since he left. She gets the surprise of her life, but she can only imagine...... Oh, this is a great prequel to Broken With You. I can't wait to read it. J. Kenner leaves you with questions in this prequel.
May 21, 2019
I can't wait for the book to read more about Denise and if she will find her husband and to find out who the person is that showed up to give her the "master" massage. Her husband is a spy and has been undercover for over 2 years. Denise hasn't heard from him and is worry about him. I hope we find out more about Denise, her husband, and who that person was that gave her a massage that made her feel so, so good! I love Ms. Kenner's Stark world and all the different characters that we get to meet and learn about.
May 31, 2019
Blindfold Massage
If you have reluctantly, not seen your husband for two years and then get to be secretly massaged by him on Valentines Day it might drive you crazy. Well, this short prequel story charts this exact scenario for Denise. Except, being blindfolded she can't verify whether the person actually touching her and massaging her, is her Mason.
This short story literally wets the readers appetite and stimulates the senses for the next Stark Security book 'Broken with you'. As a J. Kenner fan I recommend that you too consider reading both...
If you have reluctantly, not seen your husband for two years and then get to be secretly massaged by him on Valentines Day it might drive you crazy. Well, this short prequel story charts this exact scenario for Denise. Except, being blindfolded she can't verify whether the person actually touching her and massaging her, is her Mason.
This short story literally wets the readers appetite and stimulates the senses for the next Stark Security book 'Broken with you'. As a J. Kenner fan I recommend that you too consider reading both...
July 21, 2019
I love J Kenner’s writing. I could not put this book down once I started it. My heart was involved form the beginning!
What would you do if your husband was on a mission for his work and you haven’t heard from him for two years? Would you lose hope?
Denise doesn’t. She knows he’s alive and wants to find him.Stark Security, her employers, look into it. In the meantime, Nikki and Janie set up a spa day for Denise. Complete with a massage. A mysterious man massages her and He seems to know just what she needs.
What should she do now? What would you do?
What would you do if your husband was on a mission for his work and you haven’t heard from him for two years? Would you lose hope?
Denise doesn’t. She knows he’s alive and wants to find him.Stark Security, her employers, look into it. In the meantime, Nikki and Janie set up a spa day for Denise. Complete with a massage. A mysterious man massages her and He seems to know just what she needs.
What should she do now? What would you do?
May 19, 2019
Shadows of You A Stark Security Short Story J. KENNER
When I say this is a short story~I mean short...and on these few pages it is packed with heartache, hope, passion, mystery and friendship. What an incredible short read. I don’t know how J.Kenner pulled off all the emotions, twist and turns with such few words.
“I want to ask him if this fantasy was real. If he is real….
But I don’t...maybe, just maybe, I’m afraid of the answer.”
When I say this is a short story~I mean short...and on these few pages it is packed with heartache, hope, passion, mystery and friendship. What an incredible short read. I don’t know how J.Kenner pulled off all the emotions, twist and turns with such few words.
“I want to ask him if this fantasy was real. If he is real….
But I don’t...maybe, just maybe, I’m afraid of the answer.”
July 25, 2019
This was a quick, yet sensual read about Stark Security heroine, Denny, and her husband, Mason, who's been gone on a special assignment. On the surface, it's a romantic, secret rendez-vous. Although short, this prequel fits in uniquely in the full length story, Broken With You. Kenner's masterful storytelling with intricate details makes her romantic suspense books an exhilarating read, especially when set in the Stark World!
May 29, 2020
Denise Marshall misses her husband Mason Walker who has been on an undercover assignment for two years. Now it's Valentine's Day and their anniversary and she has been given a gift of a massage. The attendant tells her to disrobe and gives her towels and a blindfold. The man comes in and she thinks he sounds like Mason. After sex in the bedroom, he leaves her with a cryptic note signed "The Master". He tells her he will see her again but does not know when or where but they will be together.
November 20, 2019
Novella provided by publisher in exchange for a honest opinion.
Short and sweet .....but shadows will be followed by a full book which I’ve already read. Denise has been two years without her husband Mason who is deep under cover. Her friends get her a hotel room and a masseuse by the name of Master, leads to hot sex with a stranger.....or is he?
Short and sweet .....but shadows will be followed by a full book which I’ve already read. Denise has been two years without her husband Mason who is deep under cover. Her friends get her a hotel room and a masseuse by the name of Master, leads to hot sex with a stranger.....or is he?
April 24, 2020
This is very short, steamy and sexy! It's Valentine's Day and Denise has been missing her husband Mason desperately. He is very deep undercover and has been gone for such a long time. The distance is starting to get to her. A special treat set up by her friends turns into a night she will never forget. I loved this!
May 20, 2020
Such a wicked tease
I first read this in the Be Mine anthology. And wanted there to be more. I'm so grateful I get to go from this to the whole story. I have no idea what it would feel like to know your husband has been gone for two full years. Talk about something amazing to give you just enough hope to latch on for more!
I first read this in the Be Mine anthology. And wanted there to be more. I'm so grateful I get to go from this to the whole story. I have no idea what it would feel like to know your husband has been gone for two full years. Talk about something amazing to give you just enough hope to latch on for more!
January 10, 2021
This a short but very erotic book. Denise (Denny) is in a blue mood.
She will be spending Valentine’s Day, which is also her anniversary, alone. Her husband is deep undercover on a secret assignment and unreachable.
Her friends at Stark Securities decide to cheer her up with a evening of pampering and a night in a penthouse suite. Denny gets more than pampered!
She will be spending Valentine’s Day, which is also her anniversary, alone. Her husband is deep undercover on a secret assignment and unreachable.
Her friends at Stark Securities decide to cheer her up with a evening of pampering and a night in a penthouse suite. Denny gets more than pampered!
Read
March 18, 2021No rating since it's a prequel and I don't feel it's fair. Definitely a book to read after the first one, because you would be more connected to the characters. I went into it without knowing the background of the story. Overall I didn't enjoy it but I did find the main storyline interesting so I will most likely read the first book.
October 3, 2021
Gosh this is heartbreaking. Poor Denny, missing her husband has become so hard, it's 2 years since he went deep undercover. Seeing so many friends happy and in love though is breaking her heart. But those friends step in. I loved the slight mystery and the surprise. A short but lovely read.Started and finished 2/10/21
May 21, 2019
If this does not get you ready for the actual book nothing will. Once again J. Kenner hooks the reader in and does not let go. This time it is with a shot of mystery when Denise is set up for a night of spa treatments only to have her desires met. I cannot wait for the full book!!!
June 3, 2019
Quick read with a bit steamy. Due to the shortness of the story, a lot of what makes a story truly hot and steamy had to be left out. But it's a good set-up for the series/book #2. Looking forward to more of Denise and Mason, or The Master.
June 4, 2019
Perfect sexy interlude for Denise and Mason while Mason is on a deep cover op and they’ve been separated for a few years. Denise gets the best Valentine’s surprise orchestrated by her friends that delivers just what the doctor ordered for Denise. What a fabulous couple.
June 7, 2019
I really liked this afternoon quickie! It took a moment to buy into all the billionaire-esque BS, but once I reminded myself it's a romance and not a thriller, I got right into it and really enjoyed it. Kenner has a writing style that gets the point across with a minimum of words and it works.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews