From Publishers Weekly
Fast-paced and full of surprises, Thornton's (Dangerous to Love) latest novel is an exciting story of romance, mystery, and adventure set in England during the Napoleonic Wars. In the prologue, Deborah Weyman and Quentin, the eight-year-old boy in her charge, witness the murder of the boy's father, Gilbert Barrington. Deborah, who does not see the murderer clearly, hears Barrington address his killer as "Lord Kendal" and is horrified to find that she and Kendal have been named as Quentin's guardians. Fearing that Kendal will kill Quentin to silence him, she takes the boy, assumes a false identity and goes into hiding. Kendal, upon learning that Deborah has abducted Quentin, assumes that she had something to do with Barrington's death and with the espionage Barrington had been about to uncover. He sets out to apprehend her and, when he does, she proves to be a worthy opponent. Their battle of wills is skillfully woven into a complex plot that exuberantly carries the reader through abductions, unmaskings, blackmail and murder. Thornton's firm control of her plot, her graceful prose and her witty dialogue make Dangerous to Kiss a pleasure to read.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Running from the murderer who killed her employer Lord Barrington, Deborah Weyman knows she must protect Quentin, Lord Barrington's son. She has reason to suspect that Lord Kendal is the murderer and that they may be his next target. Not knowing where to go, she takes refuge at a girls' school where her childhood governess works, hoping to find a job as a governess. When she is offered a position by Mr. Gray she gratefully accepts it. Quentin is safely tucked away until she can contact his uncle, so Deborah goes with Mr. Gray, never suspecting that he is the man she needs to fear. John Grayson, the Earl of Kendal, has concocted a plan designed to make Deborah Weyman tell him the truth. He poses as the kind Mr. Gray in order to gain her trust. Once he has her alone, he intends to break her will by making her fear and hate him so he can find out what she knows about Lord Barrington's death and where Quentin is. When Deborah discovers that Mr. Gray is Lord Kendal, she is frightened. She has spent many years running from her past and Gray seems determined to find out what she is hiding. Her attraction to Gray is unlike anything she has ever felt and she keeps reminding herself that he might be a murderer. But her heart and body won't listen. Gray has a reputation with women. But since he met Deborah he hasn't been able to think of another woman even though she has tried to disguise her appearance and make herself look older. Something about her makes him want to protect her if only she will let him.Elizabeth Thornton is truly a gifted author! Dangerous to Kiss is filled with passion and intrigue! Suspenseful and sensual! The characters are realistic and fascinating and the plot is full of twists! Elizabeth Thornton is a name to watch for! Romance at its best! I was turning pages well into the night!Kristina Wright --
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From Literary Times
