Lost With Me

4.5 stars--LOST WITH ME is the fifth instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK Ever After SAGA erotic, romance series focusing on Damien Stark, and his wife Nikki Fairchild-Stark. LOST WITH ME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. Several characters from the Stark Series spin-offs cross over into the current story line. Told from first person point of view (Nikki) LOST WITH ME continues to focus on billionaire businessman Damien Stark, and his wife, app developer Nikki Fairchild-Stark. All the money in the world doesn’t buy the safety and security Damien hopes to afford his young family. Now the father of two daughters, ages four and two, Damien’s priority is the protection of his wife and children but all does not go according to plans as Nikki becomes the target of jealousy, and their children’s safety is threatened in the process. Sins from the past continue to haunt our leading couple, intimidation and potential disaster push Nikki to revert to damaging ways. Everyone is suspect; familiar faces and names are called into question; friendships are jeopardized in the process. The relationship between Nikki and Damien is highly sexual including our couple’s need to reclaim what was in the face of potential loss and disaster. I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word I find inappropriate in any romance story line-a word used only once-more for shock value than anything else. The numerous secondary and supporting characters are familiar, colourful and entertaining. Nikki’s best friend Jamie is a force to be reckoned; new faces come into question when the Stark’s face a potential disaster and the potential loss of someone close. LOST WITH YOU is a heartbreaking and emotional story line. The characters are energetic; the romance is passionate and intense; the premise is spirited and lively. LOST WITH YOU is a revealing story line as Damien and Nikki face the challenges that have become their life.

This 5th book in the Stark Saga begins with a glimpse into the happy family life of ex-tennis player turned billionaire businessman, Damien Stark, and his ex-pageant queen wife, Nikki Fairchild, and their 4 year old adopted daughter, Lara, and their 2 year old biological daughter, Anne. The first four books in the series mainly focused on Nikki and Damien's relationship and in this one, we experience their family life. As a result, we're re-introduced to several characters (who have had their own series) like Nikki's best friend, Jamie and her husband Ryan, who not only is the Head of Security for Stark Enterprises, but is also Damien's best friend. I'm always amazed with the way Julie Kenner weaves all the past characters, friend or "foe", seamlessly into the current story to remind us about the complicated lives of our Hero and heroine. As a couple they have faced numerous threats to tear them apart, but this time the threat strikes closer to home. Just as in the previous books, this story is told from Nikki's POV, which is important because she knows Damien the best and readily shares the roller coaster of emotions she sees her husband experience as they try to deal with the very real threat to their family. The author is definitely setting us up for our first opportunity to see inside Damien's mind when his book comes out next.

Another Stark Saga winner What more can this family endure? J Kenner takes us on another emotional and gut-wrenching ride with this installment to Nikki and Damien’s world. Told in Nikki’s POV, it is poignant, intriguing and utterly engrossing as we follow along in what seems like normal day-to-day living. Nikki faces many challenges as a mother, wife, and businesswoman and Damien is there to bolster and support her efforts in whatever she needs to be happy and successful. But life is not that simple. With wealth comes money and power, and those that want a piece of it. Evil lurks around every corner, causing potential harm and malicious intent towards the Starks and their beautiful family. Then the unthinkable happens and your heart will break and take your breath away. What cements this couple each time is the way they come together in the face of adversity. They are compassionate and strong in their convictions. Both show so much devotion and passion it just pours off the pages. I just love Nikki and Damien, they love unconditionally because of who they are and what they’ve both been through to have the life they want for the family. J Kenner easily catches you up on all the characters with just a few sentence reminders in relation to Nikki and Damien. The author does a wonderful job in weaving a well-written and emotionally-packed story. You won’t want to miss this heart-pounding suspense. I received and voluntarily reviewed this book.