Customer Reviews

Danger's Kiss

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I happened across this novel in a Hastings while browsing for a movie to rent, and I'm happy to say I found an author I plan to keep reading if her other novels are anything like this one. Danger's Kiss has everything I want in a book--romance, a hunky alpha hero, a spunky heroine, a bit of danger, intense attraction, a historical feel, and, of course, a happy ending. Sarah McKerrigan does a fantastic job of creating a historical setting. So many historical romances today read more like contemporary romances. If I wanted contemporary, I would buy contemporary. McKerrigan uses just enough historical wording to bring the reader into the year 1250 without it becoming cluttered and hard to read. Both hero and heroine are well developed, making me care enough about them to want them both to find love and happiness. Nicholas Grimshaw, the shire-reeve of Kent, is all alpha male with a heart he keeps well hidden. Desiree Kabayn is a petty thief who steals and cheats in order to live. To say the least, these two opposites clash head on when they are thrown together and sparks fly. The plot is a bit different which I found refreshing. I was pulled into the story right away and couldn't wait to read more. I have very little time to indulge in reading these days, but I found myself pushing that time limit because I just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance. I truly loved the book. With all the controversy surrounding reviews lately, I was hesitant to even bother posting one; however, I felt the author deserved kudos for such a well put together novel and wanted to spread the word. I gave Danger's Kiss 5 stars because I honestly felt it deserved it. It's my opinion so take it for what it's worth.

Desiree of Canterbury is a cheat, distractingly charming, but still a cheat. Nicholas Grimshaw is the shire-reeve of Kent. Sworn to enforce the law, by any means necessary, he is also Desiree's new employer, thanks to a debt of honor. Feared by everyone, he is surprised, and irritated, that Desiree intentionally tries to make his life miserable. Desiree learns there is another side to the tortuous shire-reeve and must convince him she has changed her ways. She has only hours to do it, for she hangs at dawn and Nicholas is her executioner.

Let me start by saying, if you have any preconceived ideas of historicals, romance novels, predictable titles, you are dead wrong with this book.

Ms McKerrigan does a brilliant job with the characters in this book. More than equally matched, Nicholas and Desiree are a wonderful complement to each other. One thing that I loved is that the characters were thinkers. The author doesn't resort to standard solutions to solve their problems. Very refreshing. I never knew what was going to happen next.

There were believability issues with a few details toward the end, but it wasn't enough to spoil my feeling for the book.

I loved the point of view approach Ms McKerrigan used in this book. By using this method, I felt like I knew each character's thoughts and emotion without feeling the de-je-vue of a repeated scene. And it was all done without head hopping.

The pace of this book...my my my. Top dead center! Whenever a story slows down, I skim to the dialogue until the action picks back up. Not here. I read all of it. Although there is action throughout the book, during the quieter scenes, they were so well done, I wanted them to continue forever.

This was an excellent read and an author to look for.

[...]

I have read several books by the sassy and ever fabulous Sarah McKerrigan and this is by far the most entertaining. I should not have started it before I went to work one morning. For me this was a book I wanted to sit and read in one sitting and well, the car got hot sitting in it reading during my lunch break. McKerrigan writes historical romance novels that are well researched but not difficult to follow like some (and no footnotes!) This one is set in 13th century England.

What I like most about these books is that they all feature strong and sassy weapon-wielding heroines. Desiree is no exception. She's a thief by trade, with a quick tongue and light fingers. Nicholas is the local law man everyone fears. But he tries to be a just and swift lawman and on the eve of a hanging promises to take care of the victims granddaughter -- totally unaware of what he's just agreed to. Instead of an orphaned waif, he has just inherited a fiery, passionate thief. Quickly and in a humorous manner Desiree wins over his cat and takes over his house. Instantly the two clash but slowly they both find that they understand each other, since they are both misunderstood by others. Desiree is also on a quest to discover who really committed the murder that got her mentor/ "grandfather" hung and makes a powerful enemy. In the end the two of them have to work together to pull of the ruse of their lives if they are going to save theirs.

This Medieval historic is like nothing I've ever read. It's as much as mystery as a romance which makes it twice as entertaining. It has substance, it's compelling, and it captures the era in detail that leaps off the page. Their journey from enemies to friends and lovers is grounded and realistic but amusing. Their relationship has problems from the start, but they're not formulaic. The story flows well and is enjoyable, entertaining, and fresh. Desiree and Nicholas are very rich, very passionate, very real characters with strengths and flaws. These are characters you fall in love with, ones you cheer for. But I do have to say that cat steals the show.

[..]

This is the first novel I have read by author Sarah Mckerrigan and I am impressed. Her novel Danger's Kiss is exciting with two wonderful leads and an engrossing original story.

Set in medieval England, Desiree is a pickpocket and works with an older man, Hubert Kabayn who bought her when she was only a child. They scrape by as a team but that all comes to an end when her mentor is hanged for murder. Desiree knows Hubert is innocent and she irrationally blames the shire reve Nicholas Grimshaw for his death. To exact revenge, she follows him to his home intent on killing him with her dagger.

Nicholas is a kind man despite being the law enforcer of the shire. His bark is worse than his bite. He stops the angry Desiree from wounding him and when he discovers she is connected to the old man Hubert, he feels honor bound to take care of her.

At first Desiree is opposed to having Nicholas in any part of her life. She can be stubborn but Nicholas finds a way around her pride and before she knows it she is working for him. They have at first a combative relationship but Nicholas is so patient that Desiree lowers her defenses around him.

Both these characters are well written but of the two Nicholas has the better back story. He is an illegitimate son who is haunted by a memory which has forged his destiny. His business as a shire reve has isolated him from others. He is perceived as cruel and unkind which are really opposite his nature, he is a just man and he is so noble it is hard not to admire him.

Desiree is a quick witted woman and she is forming a real friendship with Nicholas. They have an interesting romance mainly because Desiree is such an intriguing person. She is knowledgeable about games of chance and cheating and she uses these to bring Nicholas into a closer relationship with her. She is also honorable and she is quite determined to clear her mentor's name, although it will lead both her and Nicholas into a dark mystery.

This couple really shines and I liked both of them right away. This author allows the reader to see this couple fall in love. Their journey is passionate and at times humorous too. This is a well paced book and I am anxious to read other novels by this writer.

To most, Nicholas Grimshaw the shire-reeve of Kent was to be feared. Nicholas enforces the law, but tries to make sure that those facing death do not suffer needlessly. Generally spending the night with the condemned, Nicholas was asked by convicted killer Hubert Kabyn (who was actually innocent of the crime) to become the guardian of his `wee' grandchild Desiree; to which Nicholas reluctantly agreed.

Nicholas was later shocked to discover that Desiree, the wee child he expected to become ward over was a delectable trained thief and not at all a child. But a promise was a promise, and though Desiree was not at all pleased to be restrained by the lawman, she did realize a good thing when she found it. As Desiree set out to make Nicholas' life miserable, where he didn't know whether to kiss or strangle her, they began to challenge one another; she becoming a bit more honest, and he willing to bend laws a bit. Unfortunately, a ruthless killer was still on the prowl and Desiree was an obstacle needing to be removed.

*** Relatively new author Sarah McKerrigan is definitely a writer one should look to for original and fresh stories backed up with solid plotting, lively action, and some purely fun laugh-out-loud moments. Desiree was a professional con-woman and thief. Watching the author change her over from her former mischievous and rebellious actions designed to drive Nicholas insane, into an honest and caring woman was a journey of pure unmitigated joy. Nicholas himself was full of surprises and his transformation (in private) from feared lawman to a big cuddly handsome and sexy protector ready to bend the law, at times, to save the innocent was heartwarming.

Author McKerrigan presented vivid dimension and suspense to the story with the inclusion of a villain who was portrayed as truly insane, completely greedy and without a shred of human kindness. I found it an enormous treat to see how well the author disposed of the evil doer in a most judicious manner - very original! For a thirteenth century tale, this was a real treat, with non-stop action, lots of humorous laughs, and a divine bit of sensuality with characters you want to see more of. If I had any complaints, it was that I didn't want to see this tale end.

Marilyn Rondeau, for [...]

In 1250 the Kent shire-reeve Nicholas Grimshaw enforces the law but also insures justice occurs even for prisoners facing the gallows. He oversees the executions of criminals, but insures no one suffers needlessly.

When a convicted killer Hubert Kabyn asks Nicholas to become guardian to his ward his grandchild Desiree; he wants to say no, but agrees so the man can meet his maker with one less concern. Professionally tutored thief Desiree is stunned that the law enforcer has been named her guardian, but if she can persuade him to help her she might learn who framed her teacher for murder. Nicholas is shocked by his attraction to his ward, but more stunned that his finicky feline loves her from the first time they meet each other. A con who uses her lure to trick men into doing her bidding, Desiree finds she feels different towards the enforcer; as the use of her allure to entice him would be degrading her desire. As she turns honest and he a bit con, someone wants her dead. Nicholas will do what it takes even break the law to keep his beloved safe.

DANGER'S KISS is an exciting medieval romantic suspense starring two opposites in love. Whereas she is all con artist and he is all law enforcer, their romance makes for strange bedfellows yet each realistically compromises their "values" for the other. Fans will appreciate Sarah McKerrigan's fine thirteenth century tale as Desiree takes over Nicholas' home, cat, and heart.

Harriet Klausner