Customer Reviews

Scoundrel's Kiss

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After I finished reading Scoundrel's Kiss, one word came to mind- beauty. The beauty is in the words as well as the way Carrie Lofty makes her characters come alive. That's what I think of in regards to Scoundrel's Kiss. Carrie has written a courageous powerful tale that will leave you breathless. Some historical romances are pure fluff and very much like wallpaper, where it is pretty to look at but nothing else. This is definitely not the case when it comes to Carrie's writing.

Ada of Keyworth escaped her life in England for the country of Toledo after a she was held captive by a most evil man who tortured her, as well as breaking all ties with her sister, who she felt betrayed her. Ada still can't get passed the demons that plague her and even though she is a learned woman and a scholar of many languages who has found patronage an important lady, the Condesa de Valdedrona. Ada suffers daily because she has become addicted to opium. Her addiction has consumed her and helps her cope. She is about to lose everything for a drug that gives her sweet release, even if it means selling herself.

Gavriel de Marqueda is a novice monk who has joined the Order of Santiago. Through this Order, he will find absolution for his soul. Gavriel also has internal demons because of his past and the blood he feels he still has on his hands. He has taken a vow of chastity and must abstain from violence. His final test is to save an unfortunate soul and provide spiritual guidance where they will turn to the Church and redeem themselves of their wicked ways. Gavriel spots Ada, who in her opium induced haze, has been placed on an auction block as a slave to be bought and used in any way her new master seems fit. Gavriel saves her and now must break her of her addiction before all hope is lost.

Gavriel and Ada will be pushed to their limits as they travel to safety where danger surrounds them. Ada drives Gavriel to the brink, a fine line where he wants to strangle her as well as hold her close and claim her as his woman. All Ada wants is to be free, away from Gavriel, but he forces her to confront her selfishness and greed, and now she has found a new addiction, which Gavriel never sees coming because Ada longs for his touch and kindness over the drug that almost brought her to near ruin.

Scoundrel's Kiss is filled with despair, angst and such drama told in such an exquisite way that a reader cannot help but feel every emotion Gavriel and Ada go through. These two suffer incredibly and you long for them to find a small piece of happiness with one other.

Ada is an interesting type of heroine who is strong as well as stubborn but also very intelligent. She sees things with a very critical mind and even though she may seem weak and suffers, that is really not the case. She brings forth many surprises, as well as Gavriel whose life is changed the moment Ada comes into it. And even though these two insult and push each other away, those moments when they feel relief or enjoy a bit of tenderness with one another, leads to respect and an all consuming passion that in turns becomes love.

Scoundrel's Kiss has a near epic type feel to it in an exotic land with so many twist and turns. Carrie Lofty is a masterful storyteller who kept me hooked until the very last page. This is one much recommended romance.

Katiebabs
What A Scoundrel Wants (Zebra Debut)

Carrie Lofty sweeps her readers away to exotic Moorish Spain, in her newest novel Scoundrel's Kiss, a fabulous follow-up to her Zebra debut, What a Scoundrel Wants.

In a land of contrasts, divided by several faiths, Ada of Keyworth is in the throes of a debilitating dependence on opium. Once a scholar in England, now Ada seeks only a mindless, blissful escape from brutal memories of her past in England. In her desperation, she rushes headlong into danger.

Gavriel de Marqueda is a novice of the knightly Order of Santiago, also determined to leave the past behind him. He blindly follows his master, Gonzalo Pacheco, who has one final test of Gavriel's devotion before he can join the Order. Gavriel soon finds himself standing in a brothel, where the beautiful Ada, in the clutches of the opium, awaits the highest bidder. Her friend Jacob rescues her, but knowing he cannot ease Ada's addiction, he asks Gavriel to help her overcome it. She will be his final test.

Traveling north beyond the ragged mountains of Toledo, Ada awakens from her stupor to find herself in the company of Gavriel, his master and another novice, Fernan. Neither man is truly as he appears, each carrying a secret of his own. Ada teases Gavriel with her bold sensuality. He struggles with a growing attraction to her, which threatens to undo his tenuous control. Later, Gavriel separates from the brothers of his Orders, and travels alone with her. Danger stalks them along the frontier. Shadowy men with ties to Gavriel's past are on their trails. All his personal oaths are soon in jeopardy, for in addition to a vow not to kill, he's also taken a vow of celibacy.

When Ada arrives at the Order's stronghold, she seemingly free of her opium dependence, but another addictive need, for Gavriel, has replaced it. The old temptation of the drug is also never far from her. Yet, Gavriel remains steadfast at her side. Their bond strengthens when he reveals his past, and recognizes the danger which surrounds them. But unknown to both of them, Ada holds a stunning connection to his past, one that will determine their fates, and the survival of a Spanish kingdom.

Carrie Lofty is a wonderfully, talent writer, and her Scoundrel's Kiss is an engaging story. Ada and Gavriel, both haunted by their pasts, find common ground and absolution in each other. They are memorable, for their bravery and resilience with each new trial, but even more, for the power of their love.

The hero is Spanish and what we today would call a lay priest. The period of history is the ousting of Moor influence from Spain. The heroine is British and the sister of the author's previous book, "What a Scoundrel Wants" heroine.

The hero and heroine are complicated personalities who work out unusual personal and general problems throughout the book. It is a stand alone book but the heroine's personality might be better explained by reading "What a Scoundrel Wants" first.

The book has a different slant on the history of Spain during this period, with information not usually stated in the general history of the time. I was fascinated with the plot, history and characters of all individuals in the book.

This is a book that I read continually whenever I had a free moment. I would love to have a sequel.

A romance with some depth in characters, plot and history!!!!!!!!

Scoundrel's Kiss is well written, set in a unique time and place for a romance novel, Moorish Spain. However, it was initially difficult empathizing with the heroine and I wondered through the first half of the novel whether her actions were motivated by her strong need for opium or real sincerity.

This novel opens with Ada Keyworth selling herself for a tincture of opium. Right away the reader recognizes this woman is different, an Englishwoman living in Spain she has an amazing gift for languages. Her addiction lands her in a brothel.

Coming to her aid is a young Jewish man that is in love with her. He, however, cannot rescue Ada by himself so riding to the rescue is Gavriel de Marqueda, a novice of a holy order. His time with Ada soon becomes his last test before he can take his vows; he must free her from her opium addiction in a month's time. Jacob has been an enabler and realizes he cannot control Ada's addiction.

Ada is hostile when she realizes that Gavriel is taking her to his monastery, in fact Ada seems to be a very angry woman. The reader sees this in her words to Gavriel. Ada's past is revealed in parts throughout the story. She became addicted to opium to ease her physical pain, she had been tortured while imprisoned in England. She is not virginal and not because she prostituted herself for opium rather she knowingly and spitefullly (her words) seduced her blind sister's intended (this more than any of her actions was harder to understand as she was not an opium addict at the time). She is also aware of young Jacob's feelings for her and manipualtes him to supply her with opium. Ada is ruthless in her quest for opium, more so than other addicted leads in the other romance novels I have read concerning this subject. This is apparent from the very first chapter; violence is certainly an option she would employ to gain her opium fix.

Gavriel has taken a vow of celibacy and non violence. Being in Ada's company is testing him to the limits, Ada is lovely and danger stalks her. Ada is aware of Gavriel's desires and soon his celibacy vow becomes a Herculean task. I was unaware initially if Ada truly desired our hero or was merely punishing him. Ada's emotional withdrawl from the poppy seed is her biggest hurdle rather than the physical syptoms. For his part, Gavriel does not want to ignobly take advantage of a vulnerable woman. For me, their first physical encounter was uncomfortable as Ada had just finished her physical withdrawl symptoms but she was by no means over her psychological addiction. I wondered at her motivations, was she trading one codependence for another?

Gavriel is heroic in this novel. His past is tragic, his mother is dead and his father is scheming and cold hearted. He has left behind the violent world of his father in hopes of finding peace with the monks. Freeing Ada becomes more than just an ordered task, he cares about her and his compassion is unending.

Political intrigue abounds in this novel; additionally there are many action sequences in which Ada and Gavriel explore their feelings and ultimately their desires for each other. The last third of the book shows a softer Ada. She is still outspoken and independent but her angry words have been tempered and free of opium she views her life in a proper state of mind. She is far from cured though. The author does not pretend that this addiction is easy to overcome.

The final chapters of this novel are fast moving and emotional. Here the leads demonstrate their love and selflessness. Also the concluding chapters provide a plausible and nice ending to this story. This book is hard to rate, I am giving it 3.5 stars due to the fluid writing style of this author. At first, I did not really admire the heroine. Her addiction had little to do with my feelings. It was Ada's ungrateful spirit (she is furious with Gavriel for rescuing her), and her angry actions back in England and in Spain when she is not in an opium induced state that influenced me.

Scoundrel's Kiss had a very interesting setting - that of Spain in 1201 - and this gave the book an extra zing for this reader. It's hard to imagine what life was like in those days, particularly in Spain where the Moorish/Islamic and the Christian/Western cultures clashed, but the author of this book was adept at setting the scene. The dangers and political intrigues of those times, along with the uncomfortable relations between Christians, Muslims and Jews, make for a story with lots of plot threads.

Less successful for this reader was the central romance between Englishwoman Ada of Keyworth and trainee monk Gavriel de Marqueda. Their relationship develops slowly but it does seem to be based very much on the need that each has for the other and they don't seem to share that many good moments together. However, the author is able to show how their individual strengths work well together. Some of the side characters are also interesting and I presume may be featured in future books.

The plot includes some unusual ideas such as the heroine having an opium addiction and the hero working to become a monk. Overall it was an interesting read and a reminder of the importance of Spain through history as two civilisations fought for supremacy.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2010

In 1201 in Toledo, the Kingdom of Castile, Lady Ada of Keyworth is addicted to drugs. She owes a fortune to unsavory people and desperately needs her next dose, but has nothing to sell. Apothecary storeowner Hamid implies she has one last item of value. In exchange for the tincture, he will sell her at a sex auction.

Novice monk Gavriel de Marqueda rescues Ada, but believes she may prove to be his savior. Before taking his final vows, the celibate monk must redeem a lost soul. The problem Gavriel faces is his desire for the woman who is his quest. As Ada struggles with withdrawal, they travel together to his monastery while he hides his need behind icy aloofness. Ada believes she needs to help him withdraw from the demons eating at his soul.

This medieval romance is a terrific tale that focuses on what we believe is modern issues of drug addiction (what Opium Wars?) and priestly celibacy. The lead couple is a fabulous pairing who bring alive the era and the problems they face. Fans will enjoy this fine tale and seek the previous Scoundrel's story (see What A Scoundrel Wants) as Carrie Lofty provides a profound timely tale.

Harriet Klausner