Wicked Burn

Warning: You may want to use pot holders while reading Wicked Burn, because it is THE HOTTEST book I've ever read. With pearls, a Restaurant Booth and a belt OH MY. With that said, I think Ms. Kery created a spectacular story, that had characters with depth and great character development. We see the hurt of both Niall and Vic, and then finally their HEA. I had no such problems with the story, that in itself was a 5 for me. However, I didn't like the name Niall and thought Vic was a bit too alpha, which at times, were more annoying than enjoyable. Those were my only complaints, and have added it to my keeper shelf!

Vic Savian had wanted his neighbor Niall Chandler from first sight, but he never wanted his first encounter with her to be as protector from a coworker who was clearly making advances she didn't welcome. When the night culminates in raw bone melting sex for Vic and Niall, they are both unprepared for the profound effect it would have on them. As a very successful playwright, Vic Savian defines the terms alpha and dominant, but he also feels very deeply, and has vowed to never put himself in the position to feel betrayal as he has in the past. He craves Niall, and that makes him uneasy, but is unable to stop himself from being with her. He can tell that Niall has her own demons to contend with, not that she will every share her past, but he can see the pain she carries in her soul especially when she wakes from nightmares while still in his arms. Niall Chandler is a curator at the Chicago Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has existed through her work for the past three years. Suffering from life altering loss, she was content to do so until Vic awakened her body in ways she never believed possible. Niall found herself responding to him on a carnal level that shocked her. She found herself spending more and more time with him wondering if there may actually be a future for them. As the line between her past and present begins to blur, she found herself overwhelmed with the need to tell Vic everything, but before she had the opportunity to, the bottom dropped out from under her world. What a great compelling story from BK! This tale has as much arousing erotic content as it does emotional heart wrenching moments. It takes a first rate author to balance both, so that the reader is drawn in. Vic is a force to be reckoned with. He knows what he wants, and takes no prisoners to get it. When he decides he wants to be with Niall, there is no stopping him. Niall has been coasting through life since her life changed so drastically, and has had to carry more burden in her life than any one person should ever have to carry alone. When she meets Vic, he brings passion, friendship, and hope back into her life. Highly recommended read!!

Vic and Niall live are neighbors in an apartment building. They haven't been introduced to each other but they have seen one another, and are both feeling a strong physical attraction. When Vic rescues Niall one night from a date that won't take no for an answer, the two of them succumb to their chemistry in what ends up being an explosive sexual experience for the both of them. Vic is a man who likes to talk dirty and knows exactly what he wants from his lover; he is not shy, or subtle, in his direction. I loved it. Niall on the other hand has been in a protective shell for the past three years, both physically and mentally. Vic easily tears away at the physical shell and she discovers herself to be more sexual than she ever thought possible. The mental barrier is a little harder to break through as she has a tragic past, but both find themselves more involved than they thought they ever would or could be again. This is my first book by Beth Kery, but it won't be the last. I consumed this torrid tale in one day, unable to set the book down as the lure of the sexual encounters were too strong. The book is graphic and leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. Each breath, touch, orgasm is described and laid out for the reader in explicitly delicious detail. Some of the bed games might not appeal to all readers, but there wasn't one sexcapade that turned me off, I loved every word. Cherise Everhard, January 2009

Waking in the middle of the night, Vic Savian becomes aroused to the sound of his neighbor's voice drifting in from the hallway. When her stress becomes obvious, Vic moves into rescue mode and challenges the man harassing his beautiful neighbor. With the arrogant suitor now gone, Vic invites the shaken woman into his home for a drink. Stepping across the threshold, she and Vic both know that a drink is not the only thing they will be indulging in this night - and what they do indulge in will have the most WICKED BURN. Niall Chandler knows that her life is complicated enough without becoming involved with Vic Savian. His raw sensuality and dominating bedside manner makes her sweat and yearn for what she can't have. Niall has secrets, secrets she needs to share with Vic, secrets she knows she must tell him. However, with a few misunderstandings and the inherent lack of trust in beginning relationships, Niall and Vic are separated before they are secure enough to trust each other with their supposed shortcomings. Once her life is back on track, Niall will find Vic and let him know how much he means to her. There is only one problem. The man Niall knew has built a wall around his heart. Niall refuses to give up, even when Vic demands that she leave him in peace. Talk about a strong first print release! WICKED BURN by Beth Kery has all the elements that I desire in a novel. Full of emotions, both tender and forceful, WICKED BURN explores the unstable aspects of a relationship built upon secrets. Vic and Niall both keep their lives outside of each other close to their chests. Vic has been burned before and so has very little trust to give. Niall's secret is much more soul wrenching. Torn between wanting to let Vic in her heart and afraid of his reaction, Niall doesn't say anything which in turn tears them apart. Vic and Niall's desire for each other is something that never wavers. Their attraction to each other is instantaneous and burns hotter than fire. Niall's seemingly innocent responses to Vic's wicked and dominant personality in the bedroom more than once made me blush. One thing is heavily apparent - these two wonderfully engaging characters loved each other with a raw sensuality and hidden neediness that showed no sign of abating. WICKED BURN is scorching hot! I was held spellbound and truly mesmerized by the feelings this book invoked in me. Even now, hours later, I can still see Vic and Niall in my head and feel the emotions they felt. If you don't read any other book in December, WICKED BURN is a must read. If this novel is any indication of Beth Kery's writing ability, I can honestly say she is definitely an author to watch! ***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***

When Niall Chandler's sexy neighbor saves her from the unwanted attentions of a date who won't take no for an answer, she is grateful to him. But that's not the reason she accompanies Vic Savian to his apartment after the rescue. No, that has everything to do with how attracted she is to him, a feeling she never expected to experience for any man again. Getting involved with Niall breaks all of Vic's rules concerning women and relationships, but he can't seem to help himself where she is concerned. Before he knows it, he is in way too deep - and liking it. But will he still feel that way after he learns Niall's secrets? After reading WICKED BURN by Beth Kery, I have a new favorite author! I knew the moment I first read the plot description that I had to have this book, and so when Wild on Books received a copy for review, I was beyond excited. Having now read the story, I can honestly say it surpassed my expectations. Ms. Kery has crafted a romance that is sexy, sweet, and very moving. WICKED BURN is the kind of story that brings tears of joy in one chapter and tears of sadness in the next - a definite emotional roller coaster! The hero and heroine of the story are both damaged people who, because of their past experiences, shy away from love and romance. Neither expects to find love, and neither is looking for it, but when they come together, the bond is undeniable. Vic is the kind of hero that makes my heart beat faster. He is dominant, driven, sexy, and talented. Not only that, but when the chips are down, this guy shows he loves from the very depths of his soul. Sure, he makes some mistakes along the way, but Vic more than makes up for those mistakes by the end of the book. I know I would have forgiven this man almost anything when he turned the charm on, and so it was no surprise to me when Niall did so. Niall is just a beautiful character. She is sweet, sensitive, caring, and easily the kind of woman that could break through Vic's hard exterior to find the loving man inside. Watching as she learns to deal with her traumatic past and the ongoing issues stemming from it is inspiring. With passionate love scenes, poignant romance, and a touching story, WICKED BURN is the kind of book that I will read again and again - it will certainly have a permanent place in my personal library. **Courtesy of Wild on Books**