AND THEN HE KISSED ME

Author: Laura Lee Guhrke ISBN: 006114360X 3/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Victorian/Turn of the Century 1893

Supremely sensible Emmaline Dove wishes to share her etiquette expertise with London's readers, and as secretary to Viscount Marlowe, Emma knows she's in the perfect position to make her dream come true. Marlowe might be a rake with a preference for can-can dancers and an aversion to matrimony, but he is also the city's leading publisher, and Emma is convinced he's her best chance to see her work in print ... until she discovers the lying scoundrel has been rejecting her manuscripts without ever reading a single page! As a publisher, Harry finds reading etiquette books akin to slow, painful torture. Besides, he can't believe his proper secretary has the passion to write anything worth reading. Then she has the nerve to call him a liar, and even resigns without notice, leaving his business in an uproar and his honor in question! Harry decides it's time to teach Miss Dove a few things that aren't proper. But when he kisses her, he discovers that his former secretary has more passion and fire than he'd ever imagined, for one luscious taste of her lips only leaves him hungry for more ...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

If I were you, I wouldn't even bother reading this review; instead, I would just run to your nearest bookstore and buy Laura Lee Guhrke's AND THEN HE KISSED HER. If I had to use one word to describe it, it would be "perfect". This book is the perfect historical.

Laura Lee Guhrke just proved why she is an award-winning author. AND THEN HE KISSED HER, her new release, is beautifully penned. As a reader, I couldn't help but become completely engrossed in this story. There's nothing better than becoming so involved with the characters that you end up feeling what they feel—you laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry, and love when they love. I applaud Guhrke for being able to move me so.

Emmaline Dove is a compliant and very competent secretary to Viscount Marlowe, London's most popular publisher. All Emma wants is to have her knowledge of proper etiquette written and published. However, Marlowe keeps rejecting her books. All is well with Emma until she realizes that Marlowe isn't even reading the books she has been submitting to him. After a bit of an emotional breakdown, Emma resigns her post as Marlowe's secretary and seeks to get her books published elsewhere.

Harry, Viscount Marlowe, wouldn't know what to do if it wasn't for his dutiful secretary. He can't understand why she just up and quit. It wasn't the first time he has rejected her books, so he doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. He plans to find out. While visiting her at her flat, he discovers a different side of Emma, a very intriguing and beautiful side. Marlowe finds that he is becoming attracted to her and vows to have her working for him again.

In the world of romance, love never comes easy for a man and a woman. That's what makes AND THEN HE KISSED HER special. Harry and Emma are the epitome of the perfect romantic couple!

What else can I say about Laura Lee Guhrke's AND THEN HE KISSED HER? I haven't read a historical this well written in a long time. I really cannot say enough about how much I loved this book. It is a definite Top Pick!

Julie Kornhausl