Taking Control  (The Kerr Chronicles#2)

Jen Frederick

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

$2.99 is the introductory price. The retail price is $4.99. 

The hotly anticipated sequel to Losing Control.

I thought I needed only one thing in my life–the money and power to crush one man. But the moment I laid eyes on Victoria Corielli, my thirst for revenge was replaced by my craving for her.

No rule would keep me away; no obstacle too large to overcome. Not her will, not our differing social positions, not my infamous past. When she lost everything, I helped her pick up the pieces. When she trusted me with everything, she sealed her fate.

I’ve convinced Victoria she can put her heart in my hands. Now I have to protect it–from her shady stepfather and my business rivals, from enemies known and hidden. I’ll do anything to keep her. And I might have to prove it, because now Victoria's risking more than her heart to be with me; she’s risking her life.

I want us to get married. Soon. Do you want a big wedding?”

“Married? I mean, I guess I thought you were serious but I figured…I don’t know.” Her voice trails off.

“That my proposal of marriage was somehow insincere? I’ve never wanted anything more. I just didn’t want to pressure you because of all the emotional upheaval you’re experiencing now.” Rolling over so she can see me and judge the sincerity for herself, I declare, “I want you to be my wife. The mother of any children we have. My partner in life. I want that to happen now so that I can introduce you as Mrs. Ian Kerr.”

Her eyes close for a moment and beneath the lids, silent tears leak out. Her words, though, are classic. “Maybe you should take my name. You can be Ian Corielli and I’ll introduce you as Mr. Victoria Corielli.”

“As long as it means you’re mine in the eyes of the world, I’ll be Mr. John Smith.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and clings to me. This time the shudders I’m soothing are from maybe, possibly, hopefully joy for our future. “I’m okay with Victoria Kerr,” she chokes out. “You better give me a big rock and lots of flowers since you’re proposing to me while we’re naked.”

“I proposed to you when I first took you to the house on the Long Island Sound.”

“You didn’t propose. You said that you wanted me to be your wife and fill your big house with lots of little people.”

“That’s a proposal.”

“It was a demand.”

“It was a request couched as a demand.”

Her body is shaking with laughter. “You’ve been in charge for too long. That was no request.”

Pushing to my knees, I reach into the nightstand and retrieve the box I bought before Sophie died. Her eyes grow huge and her hands come up to the cover her mouth. I flip the box lid open, pluck the ring out and toss it aside.

Lifting her shaking hand in mine, I slide the ring down her finger.

“When I was fifteen I made a hundred different stupid vows. I’d avenge my mother. I’d rise to the top of Wall Street and smite everyone down. I’d crush Richard Howe beneath the sole of my boot. I’d win at everything. But I never wished for happiness because I didn’t know what it was until you came into my life. How could I want something I didn’t know was missing? Now, everything I’ve achieved pales in comparison to having you love me. When I say that you’re my heart, my everything, those aren’t just words. They are the only truth in my world. I’d give up money, revenge, success, as long as I could lie down next to you at night and wake up with your face beside mine.

There is no greater achievement in my life than having you fall in love with me and I recognize on some mysterious level that is pure luck. I need you to marry me and be my wife. I need you to be the mother of my children. I need you because without you I am nothing. I am a pile of bones and flesh filled with misery. You bring me to life. Love me, marry me, be with me in this life and into all the ones we live from this point ever after.”

“Well, since you put it like that, I guess I must.” She rises and kisses me. Our mouths sealing the promises we’ve made to another one another.

I make love to her again then, slowly. We barely move. I just slide in and we rock together and allow the strength of our emotions to carry us into the heaven. 

While Losing Control was Victoria “Tiny” Corielli’s story, THIS is Ian Kerr’s. Taking Control continues the story from Losing Control seamlessly, picking up with Tiny in grief, Ian trying to ease her pain, and threats lurking just out of sight. 

Tiny is kind of lost in the early parts of this book. Losing her mother and her messenger job in short succession meant she had lost two huge parts of her identity. She struggles through this book with finding (and enjoying) a new job when many of the jobs she wants to do are out of her reach because of how she's dealt with her dyslexia. She also struggles accepting anything -- gifts, clothes, job offers, etc -- from Ian, not wanting to become dependent on his wealth.  

Ian has his own struggles to deal with as well. Knowing Tiny has her strong independent streak, he has to find a balance between taking care of her (which is his instinct) and letting her find her own way (which is what she wants). He is also struggling with his plan to ruin Richard Howe, unexpected visits from Tiny's extended family, and threats to his business from within. 

Partway through reading this, I had to put it down and take a break. I started thinking maybe billionaire stories just weren’t my thing. Or maybe I needed more action going on, or less bedroom time. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it though, because I enjoyed the first book from start to finish. And then I figured it out. Because I started the series while Losing Control was being sent out as a serial, my interest was held by the small chunks of story each day. Trying to read it was a whole novel made it harder for me to stay interested in the story. 

The first half of this book felt like it was all about his money, her dependence on him, and their inability to remain clothed around each other. But the second half of this story morphed into more. It became less about those things, and more about the threats to Ian’s business, threats to Tiny’s well being, and the possible direction those threats could be coming from. And the second half made the book for me.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Losing Control (The Kerr Chronicles#1)

I’d do anything to keep my mother alive.

This may have started out as something to save my mother, but now…now it’s about what he makes me feel. I’m in danger of losing everything that’s important. Worse? Ian's whispered words and hot caresses are making me believe that's okay.

Jen Frederick Website/Goodreads/Facebook/Twitter

Bestselling author Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jensfrederick@gmail.com.