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Wicked Nights #3

Perigo e Tentação

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Depois de provar o sabor do passado, ele deseja o futuro.
E esse futuro é a tempestuosa Kiki.

Noah Carter é um homem tão bonito quanto inteligente. Um belo partido, não fosse a tragédia que o marcou: o desaparecimento da mulher e a morte da filha bebé. Desde então, Noah alimentou a esperança de que a sua mulher estivesse viva. Mas depois de emitida a declaração de óbito, ele é consumido pela culpa e passa a refugiar-se no trabalho, fechando o coração às emoções… Até que um furacão chamado Kiki Porter regressa à sua vida.

Eterna otimista e cantora em ascensão, Kiki é o vislumbre de um passado feliz para Noah. Agora que se reencontraram e que tanto mudou nas suas vidas, os dois anseiam um pelo outro. Contudo, Noah ainda é um homem traumatizado, e Kiki não se esquece de como as coisas acabaram entre eles, nove anos antes, temendo agora ser novamente magoada.

Juntos, são explosivos e não conseguem manter-se afastados. Mas quando o destino lhes parece sorrir, os fantasmas de Noah regressam, virando o mundo deles do avesso.

Será Noah forçado a desistir do amor da sua vida para fazer o mais correto?

288 pages, Capa mole

Published September 17, 2018

280 people are currently reading
2378 people want to read

About the author

J. Kenner

188 books10.4k followers
J. 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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
Profile Image for Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth.
796 reviews917 followers
November 12, 2017


Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books

✮✮✮ 3 STARS ✮✮✮





After Wicked Grind and Wicked Dirty I was very much looking forward to Wicked Torture. There were hints sprinkled in the second installment of the Stark World - I knew that Noah would have to work through some of the tragic events of his life. What the blurb doesn't say is that this is a second-chance romance.




Noah and Kiki were both likable, no - lovable, characters. Noah is the epitome of a good man. He always wants to do right by people. He is honest to a fault and caring. He had always been Kiki's champion, supported her and empowered her to do what she was best at. And then he dropped her. He knows when he left her more than ten years ago he did right by the mother of his child but not by her and it has been eating at him ever since. He wants her back but he knows that their experiences have changed them and he has a lot of Kiki's resentment to overcome.


“So I’m telling you right now, Kiki, I want more. I want it all. And I’m not a man who settles. Not anymore.”



Kiki...she was a lovely heroine. I know there is a but in there. The problem I had was that she was described as character with a quick temper but that was inconsistent with the way she let things happen to her, the way she let Noah go. She was passive when Noah left her which I thought was a pretty understandable reaction given the circumstances. What I didn't like, however, was that the author laid blame on her doing so. Seeing how Noah didn't involve her in his decision I wouldn't have fought for him either.
Generally, Kiki didn't seem to me all that hot-headed except maybe in the beginning. She was scared to get hurt, yes, but that was only natural given her past of people leaving her behind.


Not to fall. Not to hope. I did all those things before, and then he left, taking my heart with him. He left, just like I’d known he would. Just like everyone does.



The story lost me towards the end - while it was pretty predictable the whole time the last couple of chapters really irritated me.
History repeated itself and I hated, HATED that Noah made the same mistake yet again. He excluded Kiki and just went on to do what he thought was for HIM the right thing to do without taking the heroine's feelings into account. There was ZERO growth with him, and considering that he had ten years to think about his mistakes he didn't learn a thing. And the decision to do right by Kiki didn't come by itself - it took a third party to push him in that direction and I hated that, seriously, at least I wanted him to see his mistake. It pained me because I really loved Noah.


“The world doesn’t care what I think, and the people in it make decisions without me. My world changes, and I don’t get a say in it.”



One more thing that was a little unbelievable was how fast Kiki gave into the hero. She kept saying that she'd never let him hurt her, that there was no chance in hell that they'd ever be more again. It took two weeks for her to change her mind. Two weeks.


I loved the first two books in this series but this one just didn't live up to my high expectations. I have come to love J. Kenner for her endearing characters you can only root for, the drama that was never over the top - just enough that you could feel the anxiety. This time I'm a bit disappointed. It happens and you can't love them all.

Having said that I did enjoy some of this story!

As per usual, when I'm not entirely happy with a book I urge you to read other reviews and make up your opinion based on all of them. Although it didn't work for me you might love it!






Profile Image for Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover.
955 reviews584 followers
December 4, 2017
2.75-3 Stars
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

This was my first J. Kenner and I'm starting to disbelieve when they say a book is a standalone. A lot of characters from the other books popped up this one. This started off promising and I was excited to see where it was going, but a few chapters in it all went downhill for me. The direction of the storyline wasn't solid and I found myself frustrated with the H/h. I rolled my eyes a few times and about halfway through I just started skimming as it wasn't holding my attention any longer.

This is my opinion though and it may be a goodie for some, especially if you're a Kenner fan and you're familiar with her other characters.
Profile Image for Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦.
293 reviews492 followers
November 13, 2017



“Sometimes, it feels so damn good to be bad…”


After devouring both Wicked Grind and Wicked Dirty I could not wait to get my hands on J Kenner’s third Stark World instalment, Wicked Torture; she did not disappoint with Noah and Kiki’s tantalising stark world story. I found Wicked Torture to be quite a heartbreakingly emotional second chance love story that I didn’t even see coming and it contains two of my favorite things, second chance love and a sweet tortured hero.

Poor sweet Noah. This man has been through so much in the last few years including the abduction of his wife Darla and his baby girl Diana in Mexico City. Understandably Noah struggles day to day and feels an immense amount of guilt for the loss he endures. As a result, he throws himself into his job by working long hours just to keep his guilt at bay.

“I lose myself in sorrow, clinging to tomorrow. I don’t know how I will get through…”


Kiki is beyond amazing and she is a true inspiration. She has been through her own hell, but has survived to tell the story through her music. My only issue with Kiki is I felt she gave in too easily to Noah and should have made him work harder for her. I felt she shouldn’t have been so open to getting hurt all over again, but that may also be because she was such a lovable and kind person.

If you love your second chance love stories filled with a mix of emotions, heartbreak and a witty-paced dialogue then check this one out. I have become a fan of J Kenner’s writing and the characters she creates. The attraction and passion both Noah and Kiki felt towards each other was intense and I knew despite their pasts and all the suffering they had both endured, their timeless love would conquer all obstacles.

I found Wicked Torture to be more emotional than the first two and I was drawn into Noah and Kiki’s story of love, heartache, guilt and loss. Even though Wicked Torture can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the whole series as past and present make an appearance and you’ll want to get to know them more. I wait with baited breath to see what J Kenner delivers next.



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Profile Image for Sentranced Jem.
1,229 reviews611 followers
November 20, 2017
img class=" size-full wp-image-3784 aligncenter" src="https://sentrancedjem.files.wordpress..." alt="WickedTorture_Ecover_FINAL" width="238" height="368" />

Title: Wicked Torture (Stark World #3)
Author: J.Kenner
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: November 14, 2017


 

ARC

Lord save me from having to read books that promise so many thing but deliver NOTHING! OK.. maybe Nothing is being a little too harsh! This was an OK book.. nothing to rave and rant about to your friends. It's a "been there- done that" kind of book.

Let me tell you something.. That synopsis ↑ Doesn't it just entice you? Makes you feel like you are going to go into a whole lot of emotions, right?! Nada!

Noah and Kiki are both very lovable characters. But... ok... here's the thing... I know these characters don't exist but as readers we want to believe that the story could be believable...getting me? Yes Noah is generally a good man, Kiki is also a lovable character but thats about it..they are better off as secondary characters with interesting pasts but something you don't really want to venture out into.

The last few chapters were exhausting for me. So many back and forth( And not in a good way). We love angst, we love romance and suspense BUT stupidity?! The door is to your left, Thank you for your time.

 

3 star

For more reviews and giveaways follow my blog at www.jemimajamir.com

Profile Image for Marian.
999 reviews215 followers
June 25, 2020
Inexistencia de conflicto, personajes estereotipados, inconsistencia argumental. Ni siquiera es entretenido. Llegué hasta la última página esperando alguna grata sorpresa que lamentablemente nunca llegó.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,334 reviews1,343 followers
November 14, 2017
description

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YAYYY finally Noah's book!!!

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We already met him in Dallas Sykes' trilogy - he used to work for this secret hostage rescue group.
And now Noah works as the boss in Damien Stark's Austin technology branch.
His friends tell him that it's finally time to start dating again. His wife and little daughter died nine years ago - he has to start living again.
But of course it's not that easy.
And then he sees her. Kiki.
She was the love of his life, until he had to break her heart to go marry Diana. Nobody really knows what happened back then, but Kiki is so not happy to see Noah again. But of course she's still in love with him too. Damn him!
And now they have to work together!

What will happen to Kiki & Noah?
Will there be a second chance for a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!!!! ☺

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Awww
, what an adorable and moving second-chance love story!
I just loved Noah and Kiki!!!
They were so perfect for each other 10 years ago and then Noah didn't want to repeat his dad's mistakes and leave his ex alone with their child - so he left Kiki and broke both their hearts. Ugh! So sad. But now here's their 2nd chance. But Kiki is not yet ready for another go at that happily ever after - she's too scared to be left again.

Great romance!
Adorable and funny and so moving and sad and ... I just loved it!
I only had to imagine a different hair color for Noah in my head, because red/ginger/copper does NOT work for me at all! ☺☺☺ But he's an amazing guy. Hot and smart and so sweet and broken and ugh. Amazing story!
And I also loved that we got to see lots of old friends again!! ☺

WICKED TORTURE was another amazingly adorable & sexy & moving book in this series. Will Noah and Kiki use this 2nd chance for a happily ever after? Run to your nearest amazon to find out!

description






Smokin Hot Book Blog Email
Profile Image for ❤SanaReads❤.
1,221 reviews67 followers
November 26, 2017
4 Noah & Kiki stars!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

descriptionHe’d tasted the past last night— and it had made him crave a future.”

description

descriptionSo I’m telling you right now, Kiki, I want more. I want it all. And I’m not a man who settles. Not anymore.”


description

Everybody knows by now that second chance are one of my weaknesses. I love to live the story. I love to see it blossom, and I love to see it fight karma and get its happily ever after.



I loved Kiki so much. The intensity of her feelings and the way she dealt with her heartbreak felt so real to me. And though she sometimes drove me insane, I couldn't but respect her.

descriptionNoah had been my heart— hell, he’d been my muse. And when he’d walked away from me, the world beneath my feet had cracked like ice on a winter pond, the fissures radiating in all directions, destroying everything and sending me tumbling into someplace dark and cold and lonely.”

I can't say the same about Noah and I can't for the life of me understand how he could repeat the same mistake again. We know the tragedy he went through including the loss of his child was more than a normal person could handle, but sometimes when life gives you a chance at happiness all you have to do is grab at it and enjoy the hell out of it.

I so wanted to see Noah and Kiki getting their happily ever after. The heartache, the pain and the loss they both suffered were so much to handle.


Wicked Torture is not only about second chances, it's a mixture of emotions and feelings that would teach you the beauty of love wrapped in forgiveness.
Profile Image for Whitney.
330 reviews130 followers
December 6, 2017
| Arc provided in exchange for an honest review |

2.75-3 stars

I must say that I am a little bummed. I was excited to read this book as the description sounded right up my alley - full of angsty goodness. However, I struggled through it. There was so much going on and so many unanswered questions that I was lost from the very first chapter. The main characters were very easily swayed and always did the opposite of what they said they were going to do. That only made the story predictable and even more difficult to immerse myself into the plot. I wanted to love it but, unfortunately, I didn't.

A part of me wonders if this story would have been better if I read the other two books in the series. Wicked Torture is marketed as a standalone, but I feel like I am missing a good chunk of the main characters' past. I needed some background on Kiki and Noah. There was nothing there to make me, as a reader, believe they were meant to be together. Although, their love scenes were scorching hot! For the first half of the book I just wanted to scream at them. Actually, for the majority of the book I just wanted to scream at them - especially Noah. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" Anyhow, I strongly recommend reading this series from the beginning. I just have a gut feeling that this isn't a complete and total standalone.

This was my first book by J. Kenner and, although I didn't love this one, I will definitely be checking out more of her books in the future. It is evident that she is a talented writer. I just wished my first book from her wasn't this one. Oh, well!
Profile Image for RentasticReads.
699 reviews186 followers
November 15, 2017
Ever since I've read Wicked Dirty and got all the glimpses and teases of Noah Carter, I've been itching to know his story. I think of all the men in the Stark World series, Noah's was the one I was intrigued about the most. I knew he'd have an immensely interesting story, but I don't think I truly realized the gravity of how haunted and broken and so full of guilt and grief this man is. And god, by the end of this book, all I desperately wanted was for him to get his happily ever after with the woman who's never left her residence in his heart.

Noah Carter was a man who has a lot of skeletons in his closet and ghosts from his past. A man with a battered heart and a tortured soul. He's also got baggage the size of Jupiter, it's almost surprising he's even functioning as well as he has been. And that's the thing—he never really lived nor healed after that horrifyingly life-changing event. He just got by, going with the flow of where life took him. Because the things he went through? It was all so unimaginable and gut-wrenching, even I felt like I couldn't take it when he started to open up about it. It was like the world was out to get him; like the odds were just never in his favor. And now, after so many years has passed, he's finally accepted and started to try and stand back on his two feet, only to have the world knock him over sideways yet again.

Kiki Porter has had her life ripped out from under her when the love of her life suddenly dropped her like a hot potato and tossed her away like an old, used up rag doll for someone else. It robbed her of her muse, and alongside that, her passion and dream. She lost her heart when he took it with him. His decision not only broke her, but it changed the entire course of her life. Who knew that nearly a decade later, when she's just beginning to get her spirit back, fate would come throttling back to life and throw them back in each other's orbits again? But this time, how harder and more painful will the fall be? Will she be able to get past her anger to trust Noah again, especially now that they'll need to work with each other?

Wicked Torture is the third standalone novel in J. Kenner's Stark World series and it's one that's all about second chances and fighting for what your heart screams out. The premise was certainly promising; the storyline kept me engrossed, especially with how captivating both Noah and Kiki were all throughout. The twists and turns were also there. But the ending definitely was very predictable. I was even a little upset with how Noah handled the curveball that life threw his way near the end. I guess I expected so much more from him, with everything he's already been through. You'd think he'd wise up and not repeat the same mistake he already regretted making the first time. Thank goodness Kiki regained her fighting spirit and grabbed what (or dare I say who) she really wanted by the horns and didn't let go. Overall, Wicked Torture was still a very enjoyable read. One I was glad I didn't pass up on.


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Profile Image for Neus Gutiérrez.
1,016 reviews683 followers
August 30, 2020
Bueno, vamos a ir por partes. Lo primero que voy a decir es que yo no conocía de nada a la autora, no había oído hablar de ella ni del libro. Así que esto es una primera toma de contacto contal. A ciegas. Y sinceramente: no ha sido una buena primera impresión, es más, después de esto no me entran ganas de seguir leyendo libros de Kenner.

En cuanto al libro: tiene muchos errores insalvables para mí. En primer lugar es una historia sin desarrollo. En el libro no pasa prácticamente nada pero tenemos delante 350 hojas. Es absolutamente absurdo tantísimas páginas para que en verdad podamos resumir el plot en apenas 3 líneas. Una historia además que ya nos han cantado infinidad de veces, tanto en literatura como en cine.

En segundo lugar es que no hay una buena relación entre los dos puntos temporales de la obra. Me explico: la obra está situada ahora, pero hay una serie de capítulos que son de hace 12 años. Éstos se narran igualmente en primera persona, en voz de los 2 personajes principales, pero no están bien construidos ni mezclados con la historia. Esto se debe a que muchas veces los autores suelen tender a querer explicar todo con pelos y señales, y en lugar de hacer un capítulo resumen de rememorar algo o explicarte algo -cosa que sería mucho más fácil además si se usara la tercera persona- pues tienden a hacer flashbacks para que veas esos momentos (muy cinematográfico). El problema para mí es que no se amplía toda la información, no te dan la perspectiva de después de la fiesta, ni del hospital.. solo te hacen un par de flashbacks para algo concreto, y el resto lo hablan en una escena sin más. Cuando realmente tiene más importancia esa trama que las otras.

En tercer lugar hay muchos clichés y detalles que personalmente no aguanto en este punto de mi vida. La manera en que se conocen y de más, ok, pero la escena de su primera vez ha sido absolutamente incómoda y brusca. No soporto los protagonistas insistentes que solo pueden pensar en sexo, y personalmente no he sentido que las cosas fluyeran como debían. En cuanto a la primera parte del libro, su reencuentro y de más, hay muchos comentarios ofensivos de él. Se habla mil veces de castigarla por hacerle daño y romperle el corazón. La trata de manera humillante. Se reitera el pensamiento de la mujer que usa su cuerpo como moneda de cambio e incluso él llega a chantajearla para que consiga el dinero. Se habla de manera muy negativa y falsa de lo que es el empoderamiento femenino. Porque no, que una mujer se desnude y pose en plan erótico no te empodera. Que lo quieres hacer, perfecto, pero el empoderamiento es que tú seas libre de hacerlo y que no te "importe" que te juzguen. No el hecho que los hombres te consideren atractiva y deseable como fin, porque ser un objeto de deseo no tiene nada que ver con empoderarse, tiene que ver con el consumo y el patriarcado de siempre.

El tema del hermano... no se trata con profundidad. No te explican prácticamente nada. Y encima ella se pasa 12 años culpándose y luego en una charla es como que se le pasa todo. Que también te digo: si tus padres te dejan a cargo de tu hermano de 13 años y tú te vas a echar un polvo con un ligue de verano, parte de culpa sí tienes. Y él, como señorito, que tipo de novio de mierda eres que le pides que deje solo al hermano para follar. O sea, que es un niño de 13 años y que aunque no sea un bebé no se le deja solo por una calentura. Que se quemó, pero que bien se podría haber muerto. Y encima en el libro te intentan justificar que 'el niño ya era grandecito' y de nada hubiera servido que tú no estuvieras... PERDON?? Mira no.

Pero es que si todo esto no fuera suficiente... no hay evolución ni trama real en el libro, y para cuando se supone que tenía que haber algo: se acaba. Tenemos a Kelsey que es bailarina y trabaja de profe que va a hacr unas fotos eróticas, y a Wyatt que es fotógrafo que tiene que hacer la exposición. Y hay como 3 momentos dramas entre ellos. Y el final es que ella decide posar para él porque le quiere, y ya. Es que no pasa nada más. Es que no te hablan más allá de la vida de ella, sólo te hablan de él que es de familia rica y conocida y que tiene miedo a la fama. Pero ya. Otras expos. Que han hecho esos 12 años. Dónde van a vivir, como va a ser su relación. Etc. Y no es que esto sea una primera parte porque el libro siguiente ya no son ellos los protas. Así que no. No hay por dónde cogerlo, aunque la autora intente mejorar un poco la segunda parte del libro haciendo que Wyatt sea un poco más decente.

*Las escenas de cama dan risa. Literal. Y estoy MUY harta del maldito cliché de señor dominante y de chica suavecita, virgen y que se pone colorada, que quiere que él sea malo con ella y le pida cosas. Por favor. Ya basta. 
Profile Image for Karen Mc .
1,106 reviews770 followers
November 20, 2017


Second chance romances are my WEAKNESS!!! There is nothing as passionate and powerful than two former lovers rekindling that flame and two broken souls becoming whole again. Pair a second-chance romance with J. Kenner’s seductive writing and you have some serious KRYPTONITE!!! J. Kenner's sensual, sweet, and suspenseful second-chance romance, Wicked Torture, was MY KRYPTONITE. This is story is one with the UTMOST of SECOND CHANCES, a second chance at both life and love!!!



Wicked Torture by J. Kenner is just WOW!!! This story EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS from the very first page and never stopped wowing me. The Prologue pulled me in—so powerful, so emotional, so EVERYTHING!!!

I should have never let him get close enough to break my heart. But I did, and now he’s back.


After the Prologue that tore at my heart where it instantly bled for the heroine, Wicked Torturecontinued to draw me in—my heart beating to the tune to this tale—and didn’t stop. My HEART RACED the whole time reading. I DEVOURED this torturous tale. I was OBSESSED with this romance!!!

I’m not over him. I’ll probably never be over him.


Noah is a tall, built, and sexy wealthy tech genius who is broken, his heart still beating for the woman whose heart he crushed, Kiki. Noah is intense and insanely hot and I could not help but MELT!!! Beautiful Kiki has bounced back from heartbreak but only one man can heal her heart completely.

”There’s no ‘thing’ between us.”

“The hell there isn’t.”


Wicked Torture BLEEDS ANGST, the sweetest torture. Fireworks ignite from these former flames as the words fused with fire.

”I want this, and I think you want it, too.”


Kiki and Noah are the perfect match. This hero and heroine were made for each other. I felt their chemistry and love. I felt their connection surge through the pages. The sexual tension and poignant past between Kiki and Noah GRIPPED ME HARD!!! Just PERFECTION!!!

”I have to have you. I have to taste you.”


From my years of devouring this amazing author's work, I've learned several things: A J. Kenner romance is not a story but a SHEER SEDUCTION! As such, this writer's words always make me sink into her stories. I will ALWAYS ADORE and will FOREVER DEVOUR the Starks and their empire of friends and family. I'm devoted to this Stark network, one where I'm hopelessly in love.

Wicked Torture is my new favorite book in J. Kenner’s Stark World series!!! J. Kenner expertly weaves a sweet, sensual, and suspenseful tale of second-chance love. Wicked Torture is DEEP with emotional layers. I LOVE how these characters are connected, each weaving an intricate layer into the story from the hero and heroine former characters in the Stark world, where everyone adds unique element to the storyline. Every character matters. That TWIST?!!? That twist is one you won’t see coming but one that was the BEST TORTURE...so MASTERFUL!!!

This love story is a SLOW BURN that blazes straight to the heart. Wicked Torture is a COMPELLING story of second-chance love with an INTENSITY that kept me paralyzed to every word. Wicked Torture is just so SENSUAL and SOULFUL!!! I LOVED EVERY WORD and EVERYTHING!!! This is second-chance romance at ITS BEST—a book that BLEW ME AWAY!!!

”You never left my heart.”


💋💋💋💋💋 sweet and sensual second-chance kisses

A MUST-READ ROMANCE!!!

➡️ Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ATSOgH



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Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,416 followers
November 14, 2017
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

989f3002af7edf67a5eedab5732139

Wicked Torture by J. Kenner was very wicked in the sense that the author truly played with our emotions in this third installment of The Stark World. In this book, Kenner didn’t hold back at all as she hooked, punched, and left reader begging for more in this deeply poignant, heartwarming and beautiful second chance love story. In all honesty, this is one of those reads you have to read for yourself and trust me when I tell you, you will indeed fall in love with Kenner’s hypnotic and sexy prose. So if you are ready for a romance that will make your heart ache and at the same time be filled with so much yearning then this is the book for you.

 photo MICHELLE1_zps3515xymk.jpg J. Kenner

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Profile Image for Sofia Lazaridou.
2,864 reviews136 followers
November 14, 2017
Wicked torture wasn't my kind of book. Both Noah and Kiki left me uninterested and I still count as a con the time it took us to find out what happened to them all those years back. It wasn't that big of a deal as they made it seem. It was a bad situation, but the way Noah said he had hurt Kiki made it seem like something bigger. To be honest I wasn't overly attached to their story and I am not very satisfied. Only Kiki developed over the years and Noah is practically the same man as he was. He tried to do something, but he failed. Kiki, on the other hand, took over and she was the one who made things good again.Maybe the reason I didn't like this book as much as I liked the other two is the main genre. Second chance romances are not my thing because usually one of the two people involved makes some stupid decision and things get bad. I understand why Kiki was reluctant to have Noah back to her life. The book wasn't for me, but it might be for you. Usually, I end up loving whatever J. Kenner writes and this book is the exception. I will not say that I don't recommend it, but I wouldn't recommend it either.
Profile Image for Bookread2day.
2,574 reviews63 followers
November 16, 2017
Noah Carter did have two women in his life and a child but his wife Darla and his daughter Diana had been kidnapped in Mexico City. Noah's friends advised him to move on. Lyle tells Noah put yourself out there and interact with the world. Start breathing again man, trust me it's worth it. Noah moved to Austin to heal and break bad habits. Breaking bad habits is a hard thing to do. Noah knows that Kiki is the woman he wants and he will do whatever it takes to convince her. I did enjoy reading Wicked Torture but I enjoyed Wicked Dirty the best. I will be reading Wicked Grind next. I may not have read these in order but anyone can read any of JKenners books as a one off, even though some of the people reappear in her novels. Julie Kenner is one of my favourite romance novelist.
Profile Image for Cachotia.
179 reviews30 followers
May 17, 2020
Un romance entre dos jóvenes que se ven separados por las circunstancias, y que vuelven a encontrarse cuando menos se lo esperan y cuando más se necesitan.
Kelsey es la protagonista, ha sido abusada de forma física y psicológica desde muy pequeña por su padre. Lo que le crea un montón de traumas y provoca que viva pero sin vivir, sus miedos condicionan todo. Hasta que conoce a Wyatt. Es humilde y trabajadora, y tiene un gran corazón.
Wyatt es hijo y nieto de famosos, está harto de la fama y todo lo que le rodea, simplemente quiere que la gente se acerque a él por sí mismo, no por su fama o su familia. Quiere ser un reconocido fotógrafo. Su vida es una monotonía, hasta que Kelsey entra en ella como un soplo de aire fresco.
Ambos se enamoran de jóvenes pero se ven separados por una tragedia. Doce años más tarde se vuelven a encontrar, y la atracción y la química son más fuertes que nunca. Una novela sencilla pero llena de sensualidad y erotismo.
Está narrada en capítulos cortos, desde el punto de vista de ambos protagonistas. Cuando narra Kelsey lo hace en primera persona, pero en el caso de Wyatt es en tercera persona. La verdad es que no entiendo el motivo de esta diferencia, y para mí es un punto negativo en el libro, pasas constantemente de primera a tercera persona, lo que provoca que a veces no te metas de lleno en la trama.
Aunque la historia está bien, no ha conseguido engancharme del todo, creo que pasan muchas cosas en muy pocas páginas, alterna presente y pasado, narrando en primera y tercera persona según quién narre, y eso hace que el lector pierda el hilo de la trama.
Profile Image for Laura.
2,589 reviews113 followers
November 15, 2017
***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.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
November 14, 2017
Wicked Torture by J Kenner is book Three in the "Stark World' series. This is the story of Noah Carter and Kiki Porter. I have not yet read the previous book so for me this was a standalone book.
Noah and Kiki met when they were younger and feel in love but they didn't end up together. Noah went on to marry Darla and had a baby girl but both of them were killed after being kidnapped. Kiki to had some hardship to live through but has works hard to move on. Now almost 10 years later they meet up again and sparks fly. But can these two with their past work to get their second chance at love? Really enjoyed this second chance love story.
Profile Image for Sunnywonderbookland.
64 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2018
Autorin: J. Kenner
Verlag: Diana
Seitenanzahl: 368
Preis: 9,99 Euro/ 8,99 Euro
erschienen am 10. April 2018

Inhalt

Liebe hat immer ihren Preis ...

Der Fotograf Wyatt steht kurz vor dem großen Durchbruch. Alles, was ihm fehlt, ist das perfekte Model als Herzstück für seine kontroverse, sexy Ausstellung. Die leidenschaftliche Tänzerin Kelsey braucht diesen Auftrag, um eine alte Schuld wiedergutzumachen – auch wenn es bedeutet, mit dem Mann zusammenzuarbeiten, dem sie schon einmal gefährlich nahe gekommen ist. Doch dann stellt Wyatt eine Bedingung: Kelsey kriegt den Job nur, wenn er die komplette Kontrolle hat – bei Tag und auch bei Nacht ...


Meine Meinung

Kelsey wurde streng erzogen und ist daher sehr schüchtern. In ihrer Jugend lernt sie Wyatt kennen und lieben, doch eines Tages ändert sich alles zum schlechten. Wyatt konnte sie seit dem nicht mehr vergessen, doch er will nichts mehr mit ihr zu tun haben. Umso schockierter waren beide, als sie sich plötzlich bei einem Fotoshooting über den Weg laufen. Wyatt braucht dringend eine Frau für seine Ausstellung und Kelsey braucht das Geld.
Von der Handlung her hat mir das Buch gut gefallen, auch wenn es sich an vielen Stellen gezogen hat. Die Geschichte wird auf zwei Zeitebenen erzählt: einmal die Vergangenheit und die Gegenwart. So erfährt man Stück für Stück was damals passiert ist.
Was mich sehr enttäuscht hat, ist die Tatsache, dass Kelsey zwar Tänzerin ist, aber von ihrer Leidenschaft sieht man eher weniger. Sie ist eine schüchterne und junge Frau, die alles für ihren Bruder macht, damit er wieder normal leben kann.
Wyatt hingegen ist alles andere als schüchterten und arbeitet hart an seiner Kunstausstellung, wo die Besucher eher weniger als mehr sehen. Kelsey passt perfekt in seine Fotoserie, doch zuerst will er sie nicht und sie muss sich beweisen, dann hat sie es geschafft und er gibt ihr eine Chance, die sie dann nach kurzer Zeit nicht mehr will. Das ewige hin und her der beiden nervt einen aber auf Dauer. Auch sind die Charaktere ein wenig farblos und können nicht an allen Stellen wirklich überzeugen.
Die Geschichte wird aus der Sicht der beiden erzählt und so erfährt man viele Hintergründe und versteht die Zusammenhänge besser.


Fazit

Ein ganz gute Geschichte, die ein wenig vorhersehbar ist und einen nicht ganz fesseln kann. Kelsey und Wyatt sind zwei Charaktere, die ein wenig farblos erscheinen, aber im Großen und Ganzen verfolgt man ihre Geschichte interessiert.
Insgesamt 3 von 5 Sternen.
Profile Image for Sultan * Baby Mama Smut-a-teer*.
703 reviews53 followers
November 21, 2017


What a sad and tragic story Noah Carter had. I knew from the past two books that Noah had endured some do the worst pain imaginable. I just never realized exactly how tortured the beautiful Noah really was. Now I see how Ms. Jenner got the name of this book. It fit to a T!

Noah doesn’t believe he should get a happily ever after. He doesn’t think he deserves the love of a women. And certainly not that of the very talented and amazing Kiki Porter. Kiki and Noah go back, way back and let’s just say they didn’t end on very good terms. For Kiki, Noah’s the one who broke her heart. For Noah, Kiki’s the one that got away. So you can imagine the fun that lays ahead when these two get thrown into each fiends orbit again, and are forced to work together.

While i really enjoyed this book, it was pr b my least favorite of the three. I just felt like, Noah was too hard on himself and he needed to just realize that he was human, and we all make mistakes, but we learn and move forward from them. I also though got Kiki didn’t let Noah grovel enough. I mean the man totally pulled a dick move, years ago and broke your heart. Make him work for it and sweat a little boo!!

I highly recommended this book and series to anyone looking for some hot, brooding men to spend the cold winter nights with.

** ARC was kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Tracy.
684 reviews20 followers
November 13, 2017
A bit different than the first two books in the series, Wicked Torture is aptly titled. Much more emotional and heart wrenching than the previous installments, this one really guts you.

Noah and Kiki have a past. Noah made mistakes and they have been separated for a decade. Events made him become a workaholic, where he is thrown together once more with Kiki. The two embark on push pull, emotional ride. This is one that is hard to review, I'm nervous to spoil something, so I will just say this book CAPTIVATED me. It pulled me from the real world and right into the Stark World. Old favorites show up, but this *can* be read as a standalone.

Overall, Wicked Torture is a great read. It's stellar writing and paced well. Its intense and a ride you can't stop until its over.

*Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

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Profile Image for Heather.
1,433 reviews24 followers
November 23, 2017
This is the first book I have read in the Stark World and that includes the original Stark series. That said this book can very easily stand on its own since all of the other Stark characters are kind of in the background. This was most definitely a second chance romance for Noah and Kiki. When Noah chose another woman over Kiki ten years ago, neither had any idea just how big of an impact that decision would make. Now ten years later, both characters have a new life, but neither has moved on romantically. Can they pick up where they left off, or is it too late?
This was enjoyable romance filled with lots of drama. Although I will say the ending seemed a bit rushed to me considering just how much drama there was in the plot. Overall it was a solid read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of the novel.
Profile Image for Alison.
1,123 reviews13 followers
November 20, 2017
I was given ARC for honest review

I have to say even thou this was the third in the series & I haven't read the first two I was able to connect with the story.

This one is a second chance with your soul mate where life had interrupted & torn them apart. Kiki never got over Noah so just when she is getting her life back (10years later) Noah comes back into her life.

It was a fast but there connection couldn't be denied
Profile Image for Carla Marques.
540 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2018
Acho que não há nada de mal a dizer nesta escritora, pois os livros dela tem sido uma constante.
As vezes mais eróticos, outras vezes mais sexuais mas sempre excelentes, na minha opinião.
opinião completa em: http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.com...
Profile Image for Katrin Schäfer.
404 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2018
Deep Love (1): Roman
(Stark World #1)
von J. Kenner
Diana Verlag
Cover:
Sinnlich, verführerisch und einprägsam
Rezension:
„Liebe hat immer ihren Preis ...
Der Fotograf Wyatt steht kurz vor dem großen Durchbruch. Alles, was ihm fehlt, ist das perfekte Model als Herzstück für seine kontroverse, sexy Ausstellung. Die leidenschaftliche Tänzerin Kelsey braucht diesen Auftrag, um eine alte Schuld wiedergutzumachen – auch wenn es bedeutet, mit dem Mann zusammenzuarbeiten, dem sie schon einmal gefährlich nahe gekommen ist. Doch dann stellt Wyatt eine Bedingung: Kelsey kriegt den Job nur, wenn er die komplette Kontrolle hat – bei Tag und auch bei Nacht ...
Band 1 der Deep-Serie“
Eine tolle Geschichte!
Wir haben zwei fanstastische Charaktere. Menschen, die so viel in ihrem Leben durchgemacht haben und man erfährt alles darüber! Ein paar Mal reist man in der Zeit 12 Jahre zurück, um zu sehen, wie sie aufeinander trafen und kennen lernten. Aber man weiß noch nicht wirklich, was passiert ist, um sie auseinander zu reißen. Es ist alles sehr mysteriös und aufregend und herzzerreißend!
Und was in der Gegenwart passiert, ist genauso aufregend, aber auch sexy und lustig und süß.
Es ist alles so sehr liebenswert und herzzerreißend.
Ich wollte nur in das Buch springen und die Wyatt und Kelsey umarmen!
DEEP LOVE ist definitiv eine dieser Romanzen, die dich als Leser hinein katapultieren, um die Leidenschaft, Intensität, Lust, Begierde, Herzschmerz und Liebe zu spüren, die Wyatt und Kelsey füreinander empfinden. Es spielt keine Rolle, wie lange sie getrennt waren, der Zeitpunkt, zusammen zu sein, war nie richtig und so erlaubte Kenner den Lesern zu fühlen und zu verstehen, dass sie beide individuell wachsen und ihre Stärken und Schwächen entdecken mussten. Wenn Ihr also eine Liebesgeschichte sucht, die schön entwickelt ist und alle Gefühle einfängt, dann würde ich Euch empfehlen, dieses Buch zu lesen. Und denkt daran, dass Liebe wie ein Bild ist. Wir entwickeln uns aus den Negativen und konzentrieren uns darauf, was wichtig ist. Und in diesem speziellen Fall ist das einzige, was Wyatt festhält und auf das er sich konzentriert, die Frau, die sich ihren Weg in sein Herz bahnte.
J. Kenners Schreibstil ist modern und fließt mühelos. Die Dialoge fühlen sich sehr natürlich an. Die Geschichte ist nicht innovativ, es ist ein oft verwendetes Thema, aber immer noch effektiv und ich mochte die Angst, die damit einherging. Ich weiß nicht, warum ich bisher noch kein Buch von J. Kenner gelesen habe, aber ich werde dies auf jeden Fall ändern. Ich habe Blut geleckt und jetzt bin ich süchtig!
Tolles neues Buch! Und jetzt kann ich es kaum erwarten zu sehen, was Lyle uns im nächsten Buch zu sagen hat. DEEP LOVE von J. Kenner ist eine sexy, sündhaft verlockende, erotische und langsam brennende zweite Chance Romanze. Durch Kenners mitreißender Prosa inszeniert, entwickelt sich eine Romanze, die einen nach mehr betteln lässt und nach mehr sehnen, als sich zwei ehemalige Liebende wieder zusammenfinden und zum zweite Mal entdecken, dass sich das Warten lohnt.
DEEP LOVE war eine unglaublich sexy, liebenswerte und herzzerreißende Romanze! Ich habe dieses Buch wirklich geliebt.
Ich habe dem Buch sehr gute 4 von 5 Sterne gegeben.
Ich bedanke mich bei Randomhouse und dem Diana Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar.
Profile Image for Katrin Schäfer.
404 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2018
Deep Danger (3): Roman
(Stark World #3)
Von J. Kenner
Diana Verlag
Cover:
Thema der Serie ist gleichbleibend und einprägsam, farblich variierend
Rezension:
„Liebe hat immer ihren Preis ... Noah ist der neue Star der amerikanischen Tech-Branche. Niemand ahnt, dass er hinter der erfolgreichen Fassade eine schmerzhafte Vergangenheit verbirgt. Doch als er seiner großen Liebe Kiki wiederbegegnet, kann er seine Gefühle nicht mehr verstecken. Gefühle, die ihm Angst machen und ihn mit seinem dunkelsten Geheimnis konfrontieren. Wird die Liebe zu Kiki stark genug sein, seine Dämonen zu besiegen?
Band 3 der Deep-Serie“
Nachdem ich DEEP LOVE verschlungen hatte, konnte ich es kaum erwarten, J Kenners Buch DEEP DANGER zu lesen. Sie enttäuschte mich nicht mit Noahs und Kikis quälender Liebesgeschichte. Ich fand, dass DEEP DANGER eine ziemlich herzzerreißende zweite Chance-Liebesgeschichte ist, die ich in dieser Form nicht erwartet hatte und sie enthält zwei meiner liebsten Dinge, eine Liebe die eine zweite Chance erhält und einen süßen, aber gequälten Helden.
Armer süßer Noah. Dieser Mann hat in den letzten Jahren so viel durchgemacht, einschließlich der Entführung seiner Frau Darla und seines kleinen Mädchens Diana in Mexico City. Verständlicherweise kämpft Noah Tag für Tag und fühlt eine enorme Menge an Schuld für den Verlust, den er erlitt. Als Ergebnis stürzt er sich in seinen Job, indem er lange Stunden arbeitet, nur um seine Schuldgefühle in Schach zu halten.
Kiki ist unglaublich und sie ist eine wahre Inspiration. Sie hat ihre eigene Hölle durchgemacht, aber hat überlebt, um die Geschichte durch ihre Musik zu erzählen. Mein einziges Problem mit Kiki ist, dass ich spürte, dass sie Noah zu leicht nachgab. Ich hatte das Gefühl, sie hätte nicht so offen dafür sein sollen, wieder verletzt zu werden, aber das könnte auch daran liegen, dass sie eine so liebenswerte und freundliche Person war.
Wenn Ihr Liebesgeschichten liebt, in der die Protagonisten eine zweite Chance bekommen, die mit einer Mischung aus Emotionen, Herzschmerz und witzigen Dialogen gefüllt sind, dann lest dieses Buch. Ich bin jetzt ein Fan von J. Kenners Art zu Schreiben und den Charakteren, die sie kreiert. Die Anziehung und die Leidenschaft, die Noah und Kiki einander gegenüber empfanden, war intensiv und ich wusste, dass trotz ihrer Vergangenheit und all des Leids, dass sie beide ertragen hatten, dass ihre zeitlose Liebe alle Hindernisse überwinden würde. Ich fand DEEP DANGER emotionaler als den ersten Band (den zweiten habe ich leider noch nicht gelesen), und ich wurde in Noah und Kikis Geschichte von Liebe, Kummer, Schuld und Verlust hineingezogen. Obwohl DEEP DANGER als eigenständiger Roman gelesen werden kann, empfehle ich, die ganze Serie zu lesen, da Vergangenheit und Gegenwart eine Bedeutung haben und Ihr diese sicher erfahren möchtet. Ich warte gespannt darauf, was J Kenner als nächstes liefert.
Mein Minuspunkt bei dem Buch: Ich musste mir eine andere Haarfarbe für Noah in meinem Kopf vorstellen, weil Rot / Ingwer / Kupfer für mich überhaupt nicht funktioniert! 
Ich kann dieses Buch nur empfehlen und vergebe 4/5 Sterne.
Danke an Randomhouse und den Diana Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar.
Profile Image for Maria Naydenova.
876 reviews64 followers
November 23, 2017
This is my first book by J. Kenner that I received in exchange for my honest review. And although it wasn’t bad I can’t say it completely lived up to my expectations. I was very intrigued by the annotation and although I saw it’s a 3rd book in a series, I’ve read some reviews it could be read as a stand-alone, so I decided to give it a try since I’ve heard great things about this author.

The beginning picked my interest and it started very strong. I was curious about all the events that led up to the main characters breaking up and the tragic past that accompanied Noah’s life. I felt sympathy for what he had to endure because the unknown is even worse that the truth itself. But somehow I couldn’t quite feel his pain. When I read the blurb I was expecting a heartbreaking story and a drama-packed read because of Noah’s past but this wasn’t quite the case.

Then we met Kiki Porter and little by little their story started to unfold. A typical second chance romance where the two main heroes meet each other after 10 years. It had a touch of an office romance as well, but the focus was not entirely on that. And this part was nicely written – with the slow reawakening of old feelings and build-up of sexual tension. I felt sorry for Kiki and admired her strength to have to walk away from the man she loved. They both suffered from the consequences of their decisions in the past but Kiki was the one who ended up hurt and Noah had to earn her trust all over again.

From there on the pace of the story dragged on a bit. There were so many people introduced that I got confused who is who. I saw they are all characters in J. Kenner’s previous books but since this was my first read of her, it took me a while to get to know all the relationships between them. Maybe for those who read the previous books would be clearer and they may enjoy this part, but I really struggled through it and had to reread some parts several times to understand who is related to who. It was described, but the names were too many to remember.
Besides I found the story narration a bit confusing - her POV was written in 1st person and his in 3rd person. I took me a while to get used to that way of reading as well.

Then there was a bit of a twist at the end which I kind of figured out too early in the story. And just about when everything started to get all interesting again and I was curious how they are going to come out of this situation, very unrealistically everything worked itself out almost by itself. The ending was too sweet and cheesy for my liking having in mind the events that led up to it, but at least they made the right decisions the second time around.

So in general this was a quick, not overly dramatic, sexy second chance romance which could be read as a stand-alone but I guess it would be better if you read the previous books first in order to get a better understanding of the story and all the characters involved.
Profile Image for J.E. Benoit.
Author 2 books34 followers
November 17, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of the Book Boyfriend Addict (www.bookboyfriendaddict.com). A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

He’d tasted the past last night—and it had made him crave a future.

Noah Carter has been living in a fog of grief and guilt ever since his wife and child were abducted several years earlier. He kept hope that his wife was alive even after they recovered his daughter’s body, but after his wife was declared legally dead his hope died along with her. He knows he should move on, but he can’t quite seem to let the tragedy go so he does the only thing to help him cope – throwing himself into his work even more than he had before. Then Kiki Porter walks into his life and he suddenly craves the future that had been stolen from him years ago. Their connection is undeniable but Kiki’s been burned before and is hesitant to put her heart out there again. But you know what they say about history repeating itself. As they grow closer and start to look toward the future, the past comes back around and threatens to destroy everything.

“I never stopped loving you,” he says. “I know I hurt you—and, God, I wish I could take it back—but I never stopped loving you.”

If you’ve read the S.I.N. trilogy or the other books in this series, then you should be familiar with Noah and his tragic past. I’ve been looking forward to his story since I knew this book was about him and while I did enjoy this book, it wasn’t at all what I was expecting when I thought about what Noah’s story would be like. I liked Noah and felt bad for what he’d been through and for the guilt he’s carried for so long, it was easy to want to see him happy. And I enjoyed him and Kiki together, they had a special connection and it was nice seeing them giving it a go. The twist wasn’t much of a surprise, I don’t think it was really meant to be, but it provided the necessary angst. This wasn’t my favorite of the books in this series, that’s still a toss-up between the first two, but it was still a good story of healing and second chances. Plus you get to visit with some of our past favs from the other books and that’s always a fun time!

So I’m telling you right now, Kiki, I want more. I want it all. And I’m not a man who settles. Not anymore.”
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