Outwardly, Noah Carter is riding high as the tech world’s hottest new genius. Inside, he’s still reeling from the abduction of his wife and baby daughter eight years ago, and then the devastating discovery of his child’s body. For years, he kept up hope that his wife was alive, but now that she’s been declared legally dead, he’s thrown himself even more deeply into his work, cutting himself off … off from emotional ties because they just hurt too damn much.
Then he meets Kiki Porter, an eternal optimist with a killer work ethic and dreams of fronting a band. And everything changes. Even though he tries his damnedest to fight it…
Sexually, they are combustible together. But their true fire is emotional, though it is a slow to burn. But once it lights, it is all consuming. The relationship grows emotionally, the sex is hot, things are good.
But just when it’s looking like they might have a real future together, the past comes back to haunt them. And Noah’s going to have to decide what he’s willing to give up for love …
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5 CONSUMED stars! A brilliant Second Chance Romance. Wickedly addictive. Noah will break your heart.
Holy heaven! This is the first time I read something written by J. Kenner and I wonder why I haven’t read her books before. She is an amazing writer, so talented. From now on I won’t miss any of her upcoming books. She has a new fan of her pen.
This time she delivers one of the best books of the year. Her writing is elegantly wicked. She gives a new meaning of what a good book is. I enjoyed every page of this masterpiece. It was a bookish pleasure I need to repeat again.
The plot is refreshing and well developed. The characters were strong and a bit complex. They have a hurtful past. They loved and cared for the other but bad decisions torn them apart.
At the beginning of the book I hated Noah Carter because he preferred a confort relationship over a mind-blowing love. He made a bad choice that cost him his happiness and the happiness of the woman he truly loves. He hurt and lost his wife and daughter. But fate will give him a chance to make up the things right before he becomes an emotional zombie, an empty man. Before he lost his soul. As the story goes smoothly, I fall hard for him because he was ready to rectify his life. He work hard to repair what he broke. He will heal the heart he broke because of his bad decisions.
It is important to remember that LOVE is the only thing that matters. We all shall experience what TRUE love is. You can’t base happiness in a paper relationship. You should take risks and fight for the LOVE that blow your mind. The one that set your heart on fire.
Kiki is at the top of the list of my favourite heroines. Love made her weak but at the same time it made her a fighter. The love of her life broke her heart and he almost ruined her life. Like a Phoenix she reborned from the ashes. She build again her life. She is close to reach her dreams but the man who hurt her the must is back to her life. Her love will make her weak but this time she will be carefully.
“He’s like a drug, making my head spin. Stealing reason. Replacing responsibility with need and longing.”
Noah and Kiki can’t deny the attraction between them. In the past they didn’t belong to each other nevertheless they were made for being together. They have ghosts that can tarnish their fragile love. They will have to work hard. Trust and hope.
J. Kenner did an excellent job. This book literally consumed me. I feel deep into the story that I didn’t want to finish it. I needed more and more.
I highly recommend you to read this book. If you are keen on Second Chance Romances, you must not miss this book. Noah will consume your heart slowly.
(ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review)
Another magnificent addition to the Stark universe by the world renowned author J. Kenner. The third novel in the Stark World series delivers us a superb story with outstanding characters that knock us off our feet. In Wicked Torture, we finally get to dive into the tech world with Noah Carter and finally get to know more about the workaholic, geeky-genius and broken man. As a fan of all Stark novels, we see Noah throughout multiple books and finally we have his story and J. Kenner doesn’t disappoint!
High tech guru genius at Stark Industries knows what it’s like living day by day living with guilt, grief and sadness. Losing your wife and daughter years ago, never truly getting over the destruction it’s caused on his life. In return, he turned to his work, digging deeper and deeper in the paperwork. Years ago he found a woman that he could spend his hopes and dreams with, but other emotional ties made him leave her behind, leaving a heartbroken Kiki King in the wake.
Now, Kiki is back in Austin, TX ready to get her life back in action after a depressing couple of years. Music is her passion but she has a knack for business so when Stark Industry opens an avenue for her business to shine, she takes the bait only to be surprised on who’s heading up the project. One glance at Noah and her world is back spinning off kilter… will it be able to be on course again? Will they be able to put the past behind them or will history repeat itself?
“I’d started out so determined to keep my wits and not fall for this man again. And yet I’ve fallen. Hard.”
The amount of emotional battles that these two characters endure make for an epic second chance romance. Beautifully told in Julie’s epic way of writing. Once again we are sucked into the Stark world, intertwining past characters (which I love) to make Noah and Kiki’s journey memorable. We are informed more on what truly happened to Noah’s family and the amount of sadness that is felt through those couple of pages is turmoil. You truly feel for the broody man and Kiki is the perfect piece to his life as she comes in and makes it whole.
Julie Kenner is a fantastic author in my book and one not too miss. Within the Stark World series she has written characters and storylines that shine off the pages and embed within us long after we are reading. That right there should tell you that within each of her novels are gems to be read and devoured. Even though Wicked Torture is the third edition and a standalone, I would suggest reading from the beginning of the series. This novel is full of sexy encounters and heartwarming moments that will have you yearning for more Stark novels for the future.
*4-4,5 stars*
My first read from this author and I really enjoyed reading this one from start to end. A great read with fun, romance and heartbreak all rolled into one! Definitely worth the read and it won’t be my last one from J. Kenner, that’s for sure.
Noah hasn’t had it easy after his wife and child disappeared on a trip and he lost the love of his life aswell. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t let go of the hurt and anger he feels to try and move on from his past. But when Kiki comes back into his life one night, maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Kiki was heartbroken when Noah left her to be with his wife and had to try to pick up the pieces. When one night changes it all and Noah’s back in her life, she doesn’t want to let him back into her heart. But when a love is that strong and the connection runs deeper than she wants to admit, Noah will do whatever it takes to make everything up to her. But when the past comes back to haunt them, they both will have to decide if their love is worth the risk…
Both Noah and Kiky had a past… some are great and most are hurtful.. dark.. pain and a nightmare.. J.Kenner always bring her game… with the story was so dear to Noah.. a piece of your heart will go away slowly…. this second chance romance is heavy and sad..
Another addition to the Stark conglomerate by the ever talented J. Kenner. Wicked Torture consumed me whole heartedly by devouring me with Noah Carter’s story of grief and sadness. For him to find light within his dull darkness of life with the musical and driven Kiki King was a delight to read and left me feeling long after the pages.
As the third book in the Stark World series, it can be read as a standalone, but with all Stark novels, I highly suggest reading all the Stark couples as they do intertwine throughout and it’s quite knowledgeable to know who you are reading about.
Julie Kenner is one of those authors that you know once you pick up one of her books you know you’ll be swarmed with emotion like no other. Wicked Torture gave me so many feels and then once your heart was warmed by these two characters, a turn of the page and a detour with a twist had you gripping your kindle wanting to find out what will happen next. I couldn’t put this book down for a single second, maybe that is due to the fact that I love everything Stark!
Noah Carter is the geeky-tech genius behind Stark Industry and he has one heck of a past. His past is not full of rainbows and smiles, but heartbreak and rocky roads. One of those rocky roads is named Kiki King who comes face to face with Noah after 10 long years of trying to get her life mended after her world was torn apart. As music is her passion, she also has a knack for business and she lets it shine when an opportunity arises within Stark. Little does she know, her world is about to be uprooted again. The intense chemistry that sparked 10 years ago between the two still lingers but so much has happened within those years apart. Can Noah and Kiki put the past behind them or will history repeat itself?
Addicting. Sexy and heartfelt yet beautifully told Stark novel. All the feels that Julie knows how to deliver within her romance novels and this second chance novel does not disappoint! I smiled and swooned, there was tension and sadness, but most of all there was a deep connected romance that pulled at my heartstrings. I am a lover of second chance romances and for this one to span a decade, with such grief-stricken characters had me turning the pages faster than normal. I am so happy that we finally have Noah’s story, the knowledge on what happened in his past and why he is consumed all by his work. Kiki was perfect as the heroine of this book, with her love of Noah even though she tried to be strong, feisty against him. The obstacles that these two overcome is wonderful and I just couldn’t get enough of them!
***ARC Provided by the Author and InkSlingerPR***
A second chance romance needs to have a good reason for me to believe that the couple will not only be able to get over their past but will be able to do so enough to move forward.
This book had one of the best reasons I have ever encountered, and I read a lot of the second chance romance trope as it is a favorite of mine.
J. Kenner writes the story of Noah and Kiki as 2 people who were separated by circumstance, and then by their own inner demons and makes you want them to be together. The chemistry and the sexual attraction is instant, and it is brought to the “now” through their current relationship. The romance, and the relationship builds on the foundation given by their past, but also builds new as they learn to trust one another and their relationship.
The writing and the pacing are excellent and you feel the connection with the characters and the build up of the relationship makes it feel real.
I recommend this title.
4.25 stars– WICKED TORTURE is the third instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary adult STARK WORLD erotic romance series focusing on the men and women of Stark International-a spin off from the author’s Stark Trilogy. This is IT genius Noah Carter, and singer/program designer Kimberly ‘Kiki’ Porter’s story line. WICKED TORTURE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from first person point of view (Kiki), and third person perspective (Noah) WICKED TORTURE follows the second chance romance between two people whose relationship was destroyed ten years earlier when Noah walked out of Kiki’s life leaving her heartbroken and shattered. Fast forward to present day wherein Kiki is the new consultant at Stark Applied Technology Austin, and her contract position has her working side by side with the man she once loved. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Kiki and Noah, and the potential fall out when Noah’s past resurfaces for a second chance.
Kiki barely survived the destruction and aftermath, ten years earlier, of her breakup with Noah Carter- the man to whom she promised her life but a man who felt obligated to someone else. Noah Carter has never stopped loving the woman he left behind but will his love be strong enough to overcome the painful memories of heartbreak and betrayal? Noah has a bit of a martyr complex that could have proven destructive if he followed the same pattern he chosen in the past.
The relationship between Noah and Kiki is one of second chances; a rekindling romance where trust must be rebuilt upon a broken foundation. The sexual attraction is palpable; the energy is electric. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Kiki’s hlalf-brother Cam: Ares and the band Seven Percent; as well as some of the members of Kiki’s original group Pink Chameleon. We are reintroduced to Lyle Tarpin and Sugar Laine (Wicked Dirty #2), Wyatt Royce and Kelsey Draper (Wicked Grind #1), Dallas Sykes (S.I.N trilogy), as well as the requisite cameo appearance of Damien Stark.
The world building takes the reader to the sights and sounds of Austin; the nightlife, the music, and the world of IT technology.
WICKED TORTURE is a sexy read; a second chance for two people whose lives when in opposite directions; where one man’s guilt barely escapes his day to day life and memories. The premise is edgy and engaging; the characters are charismatic and colorful; the romance is sexy and hot. There is a bit of a twist to the storyline that was easily deduced early on but a twist that barely made a difference to the story line conflict. I did struggle with one particular aspect in regards to eye color and hereditary significance that would have been proven false if scientific research were actually involved. WICKED TORTURE and the Stark World series is a decadent escape into the passionate lives of the rich and famous.
I love all of J Kenner’s Stark series novels (and novellas)! All of her Heroes and heroines possess strong character traits, story plots twist and turn, and most end in satisfying HEA’s! I say most, mainly, because I always want more Nikki and Damien!
Wicked Torture follows the same great format, where we finally see into computer genius, Noah Carter, and his second chance heroine, Kiki Porter. Fate reunites them on a chance meeting when Noah decides to go have a drink in a local bar rather than return to his hotel room. He’s recently relocated to head up Stark Applied Technology Austin (SATA- I doubt this acronym was a coincidental match for the SATA hard drive in some of our computers).
He was in love with Kiki about 10 years prior when he made a decision to do the “right thing” which left both of them devastated. He’s not only been carrying guilt for feeling responsible for his wife and daughter’s deaths, but also for hurting Kiki when they broke up. When they meet again, both are reluctant to rekindle anything because Noah still carries a profound guilt for how deeply he hurt Kiki, and Kiki doesn’t know if she can ever trust Noah with her heart again. Of course neither of them are really able to bury the love they still carry for one another so they agree to “cautiously” proceed. The scenes when they finally let their guard down explode with passion as if no time has passed. In the working world, they complement one another so well, and I absolutely love Noah for supporting Kiki in her dream of restarting her music career.
In the twist and turns of the story plot, characters from other Stark Universe books make cameos, which makes readers like this reviewer, giddy with seeing some of their “old friends” again! Enjoyed the epilogue, though I wish it would have been longer! All in all, J Kenner did not disappoint!
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5 Tortured Second Chance Stars!!!
Anyone that knows me knows that I’m ALL ABOUT anything Stark related and Wicked Torture is a book I’ve been so looking forward to since I finished Wicked Dirty. What I didn’t expect with this story is the absolute emotionally soaring journey this book took me on.
Noah and Kiki have a history that when they ended ten years ago was for what Noah correctly thought the right reasons. But the life he thought he was getting by making that gut-wrenching decision, is so dramatically different than reality. When these two reconnect after all this time Noah is bound and determined to get his girl back…
Ms. Kenner definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to drawing me into the story with every single cell in my body. I was brought to tears at some points, I felt the guilt Noah had with his choices that ultimately changed the man he was into who he is today and I fanned myself with the heat our H/h generated on their journey back to a forever they thought would never happen.
Along the way, there were some bumps in the story that gave me pause…and I won’t put those in words because I don’t want to influence how other readers react to this story. In no way do these blimps in the storyline make me love Ms. Kenner or her words or this story any less. I will forever be devoted to any and all Stark or Starkworld books!
Noah, such a tortured soul. We met him in the S.I.N. series when he worked with Dallas and Deliverance but now he is heading up SATA in Austin for Stark. After a blind date he wanders into a bar he frequents and even though he is not interested in the live band a voice from his past catches his attention. Kiki King is performing live for the first time in more than 10 years but only one song and after she gets off stage a red headed man in the back catches her attention. It couldn’t be…She chases him down and they come face to face for the first time in more than 10 years in the alley. They were engaged at one time, soulmates if there ever was such a thing, until Noah left because another woman was pregnant with his child. Devastated, Niki left her singing career and went back to school and now is the owner of a marketing firm competing for the contract with SATA.
They may have been apart for so many years but the feelings are still there. Can they build the trust and move past being only colleagues and friends and find their way to more?
This was so good and quite a few of the characters from previous books are brought back for this one but this can be read as a standalone. You will not be lost if you have not read anything previously.