Veena’s review of Ignited (A Most Wanted Novel) by J Kenner
Erotic Romance published by Bantam 9 Sep 14
Three men who skirt the law and live in a grey world, which is a perfect blend of legal and illegal based on their individual appetites. Cole is perhaps the most hard core of the three, and, therefore, it is fitting in the conclusion of this trilogy he has a woman who will match him perfectly. Certainly the attraction between Kat and Cole has been simmering, but Cole perceives Kat to be an innocent whom he needs to protect, regardless of his desires. Kat disagrees and, like the feisty take-charge woman she is, decides to take the bull by the horns, beard him on his own turf and force him to dive in with her. I’ve read the book, I’m writing a review and quite frankly I’m still not totally sure how I feel about it.
The paintings that Cole does of Kat in various poses, showing his acute attention to detail on her, definitely tell her how he sees her. The irony, of course, is that she is enthralled by the painting without knowing she’s the subject. She does figure that one out and, thereafter, knows she’s the subject of his obsession. Yet Cole has no qualms about having a physical affair with another woman to keep his feelings for Kat at bay. I’m not sure how I feel about that, though Kat certainly moves quickly past it once he commits to her.
She quickly bares her heart and soul and past trauma to Cole when he frees her submission. Yet he keeps secrets for quite some time in their relationship, though to his credit he does ultimately bare all as a testimonial to their growing feelings. When her father comes back into her life looking for help, Cole has absolutely no problem leveraging his resources as necessary to help him out.
Since Pretty Woman has been one of my all time favorite movies, I really enjoyed Kat’s trip to Los Angeles and her role as the “pretty woman” in Cole’s life. In turn, Cole’s indulgence as he has Kat’s closing papers couriered over to them in L.A. so that she can get her keys to her new house, even as she chases after him, is another fun aspect of the story.
Cole’s story is sad and painful and so are the interesting coincidences that brought him into the same milieu as Evan and Tyler and set him on his current path, where he carefully blends the back and white into his personal brand of gray. He flies off the handle at the perceived threat to Kat, and, given his history with his friends, doesn’t even include them in his plans to protect her. The end actually is a bit anticlimactic, given all the excitement that’s been built up.
Overall, this is a good, credible story with enough air time to the girls’ growing relationship morphing into a couples’ relationship that will cement the friendship between the men.
Grade: B
Summary:
He promised to take me as far as I could go—and I wanted to go to the edge.
My whole life has been a cover, a con, a lie. I was born into the grift, raised on the thrill of playing someone I’m not. As a rule, I never let anyone get too close—until Cole August makes it impossible for me to stay away.Cole is tough, sexy, and intensely loyal, yet his secrets are dark and his scars run deep. Not many women can handle his past, or the truth behind his fierce demands. But something about him beckons me—and our desire is a game I must play.
I know he’s dangerous, that even his touch is trouble, but what is passion without a little risk?
No excerpt available.
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