MAGIC IN HIS KISS

Author: Shari Anton ISBN: 0446617563 7/2008 PARANORMAL/HISTORICAL Publisher: GRAND CENTRAL
Time Period: 1153

She was wild, willful, and most certainly a princess. But now she'’s the king’s ward, and Nicole de Leon’s future is no longer her own. Bound by duty and honor she awaits an arranged marriage… until a handsome warrior appears to spirit her away. Nicole cannot resist his offer of protection or the darkening of desire in his eyes. But a powerful secret torments her, a psychic gift that only this rough warrior can help tame... He was tempted, tantalized, and most certainly not of noble blood. Rhodri ap Daffyd’s duty is to defy the king and deliver Nicole to her uncle, his liege lord. But she's not the spoiled young girl he remembers. She’s a woman steadfast in her loyalty and aflame with passion, a lady never meant for him. An act of defiance brings them together and duty threatens to tear them apart, but will the magic in his kiss reveal a destiny that can’t be denied?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Nicole has been raised in a convent, and Rhodri is sent by her uncle to return her to him. There are various obstacles that get in their way, of course, and it becomes an extended adventure with lots of twists and turns before Nicole and Rhodri finally make it to their destination. A little bit of the paranormal is thrown in to add to the excitement.

The characters in MAGIC IN HIS KISS were great. Nicole is smart and possesses hidden talents. Rhodri surprised me by being sensitive and musically talented, instead of being the usual powerhouse with rippling muscles, beating the tar out of everyone who stands in his way. Rhodri is more of charmer. It worked for me. I liked that Shari Anton strayed a little from the clichés when building her characters in this story.

I found this novel to be interesting and engaging. The story roped me right in. The romance was very good, although I felt it could have been a little more intense. Three fourths of the way through it, I still got the feeling that both Nicole and Rhodri could take it or leave it, either way, and I prefer a more passionate longing to be together in my romances. That one element aside, MAGIC IN HIS KISS delivers a nice romantic read that will pull you into the story and provide enough romance—with a hint of erotica here and there, too—to please. I will be looking for more books from Shari Anton.

Joanne Shaeffer