A Kiss To Remember

When searching online for romance novels to meet my 100 book challenge, I thought I'd try samplings from a variety of the sub-genres, including the inspirational titles. I had ordered this from a quick glance of some reader's review that it claimed it was a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fable with Christian overtones.

That review must have been written by a Wiccan or atheist completely ignorant of what's going on in the opponent's camp. As a regency, it captures what would be the church life and thoughts of a rector's daughter in London's early 1800's. Not much different from the real life experience many Europeans probably had of the established church in small communities during that time. Keep in mind that this church is a far cry from what is true Biblical Christianity.

With that said, be warned this is not a Christian or inspirational romance, and does not meet the guidelines for such as defined by the Christian Book Sellers Association. It's a wonder how they can even consider the Bible to classified as a Christian book based on their tight guidelines. A Kiss to Remember contains open bedroom doors and plenty of action below the buckle. Speaking of below the buckle. Our hero seems to be astonishingly regal. Wink! Wink!

This was the first regency I've read, and for this Texas gal it was a noodle twister outta the gate. I had to re-read the first two chapters before I could sort things out and get into the rhythm of it. Not the author's fault. But more from my lack of enjoyment of all things British. Must've been strained from my blood, since my roots can trace back to the family of a member of The Continental Congress and signer of The Declaration of Independence and two who fought in the Revolutionary War. Can't wait for my first DAR tea. I'll be the only one wearing leopard print and flip-flops.

For those of you who longingly desire to relish in delicately woven tapestries of illustrious adjectives, you'll eat this one up. At first I was just trying to read through the story, getting the gist of so many words lacking in my vocabulary. Eventually out of frustration, I had to whip out the Webster's. Probably because I'm a hoyden (one of the words I had to look up that means; a boisterous or ill-bred girl). Yep. That be me.

What other new knowledge did I gain from reading A Kiss to Remember?
Apparently, if you find a spare man laying around in the forest you get to keep him. Way better than the ticks and chiggers I tend to carry back home. Shirts can have lawns, and those lawns are visually appealing across a man's muscular chest. And finally, my 1049 page dictionary doesn't have every old English word in it.

Once I got into it, I really enjoyed the plot and characters. The conflicts that arose to heat things up to a boil, were believable and accurate for the personalities involved. I'd have to recommend A Kiss to Remember as an enjoyable bedtime story for us big girls. But of course, hoydens should keep a good dictionary close at hand.

Synopsis: A Kiss to Remember
Sterling Harlow was a sweet, loving boy when his father virtually sold him to the boy's uncle, the Duke of Devonshire so the widower could claim an heir. Under years of his uncle's abuse and haunted by the feelings of betrayal and abandonment of his parents, Sterling grew into a malicious and self serving royal, often referred to as the Devil of Devonshire.

Laura Fairleigh and her brother and sister became orphans after a fire in the church rectory killed her parent's and were lovingly taken in by widow Lady Eleanor Harlow of Arden Manor. After Lady Harlow's death, Laura writes to inform the Devil of Devonshire of his mother's death. His only response is that he has plans to come to Arden Manor and claim it as his inheritance. Laura fears the many ways of how The Devil will turn her and her younger siblings out of their home.

Laura learns of a stipulation left by Lady Harlow's will, that would allow her to keep Arden Manor so long as she marries by her 21st birthday. With less than a month till the big day, Laura must find a husband to protect herself and her siblings. Many men in the village would be more than happy to assist in this race against the clock, however Laura can't tolerate the idea of being married to any of the men she knows. She dreams of a man who regularly bathes, has all his teeth and can be passionate.

One morning after praying to God to bring her just such a man to wed, Laura miraculously finds a clean smelling and well-dressed handsome stranger with a fine set of teeth lying unconscious in the woods. When the gift from God awakens and has no memory of how he got there--or who he is, Laura convinces him that she is his betrothed and they are to be wed in three weeks. A tangled web of Laura's lies creates a life this amnesiac has never known. Ah, the Devil's been left out of the details, only to return after the wedding.