SCOUNDREL'S KISS

Author: Carrie Lofty ISBN: 9781420104769 1/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON
Time Period: 1201 Spain

When It Comes To Temptation. . . Turning his back on his old life as a rogue, Gavriel de Marqueda has joined a monastic order in Spain and taken a vow of chastity. Before he becomes a monk, he must pass one final test: help a woman who has lost her way. But when he lays eyes on Ada of Keyworth, he is tempted beyond measure by her sultry beauty and dangerous curves. . . Rules Are Meant To Be Broken. . . Far from her home in England, Ada has been battling inner demons for more than a year. When she discovers that her only friend has abandoned her, she has no choice but to grudgingly accept Gavriel's help. But Ada is not fooled. Though Gavriel wears the robes of a monk, Ada sees that he is a virile man who looks at her with a hunger that matches her own—one that begs to be satisfied again and again. . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Carrie Lofty’s SCOUNDREL’S KISS is an amazing journey back into time into a world of deception, desire, risk, and reward. It is a story of discovery and courage and shows that if one is willing to risk it all, the rewards can be greater than even imagined.

The historical details in this book are rich and vivid, and pull the reader right into the action from the very first page. Monastic practices, the availability of opium, treason, and the marital union are brought front and center, and provide such intriguing details that turning the pages is like taking a colorful history lesson. I was both horrified and awed by some of what I read. The fact that I could never put the book down shows that the author’s delivery was impeccable.

Gavriel seems an unlikely lover. He tries so desperately to run from his past, to find refuge from what he has done, yet he cannot help imagining Ada with one of his children in her arms. He longs for her in a way he has never wanted another woman, even as she rebuffs him or expresses her fear to him. For her part, Ada is strong and has no problem telling the truth when others might not. The chemistry between this couple is intense, as is their lovemaking. Theirs is a relationship that runs the gamut of emotional and physical connection.

There isn’t anything about Ms. Lofty’s book that I didn’t enjoy. My only complaint, if I were to have one, is that the book ended. I fell wholeheartedly for Gavriel and Ada, and could have followed them anywhere—even, to steal a phrase, to “that damp little island!” Wonderfully well done!

Kay James