Remember this name: Anna Randol! Destined to be a superstar of historical romance fiction, Anna makes a spectacular debut with A Secret in Her Kiss—a heart-soaring romantic chronicle set in the heart of the Ottoman Empire. This is the story of a sultry and adventurous romance between an independent lady fiercely determined to live life on her own terms and a handsome soldier willing to break every rule he believes in for a love he never dreamed possible. A Secret in Her Kiss is exciting, exotic, and original; colorful and glorious—a treat for fans of Loretta Chase, Sherry Thomas, and Stephanie Laurens—with nary a ballroom or hedgerow to be found. This is not your typical historical romance.
A Secret in Her Kiss
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Randol takes the Regency reader to a unique locale--without ever descending into racial stereotype--and spins a tale replete with mystery, espionage, and memorable romance." -Publisher's Weekly
"Randol's exceptionally entertaining debut is a potent blend of dangerous intrigue and deadly desire." -Chicago Tribune
"Randol's exceptionally entertaining debut is a potent blend of dangerous intrigue and deadly desire." -Chicago Tribune
From the Back Cover
A rare beauty, raised in the exotic heart of the mysterious East, Mari Sinclair knows it’s time to end her career as a British spy when she narrowly avoids a brush with death. Unfortunately, there are those who think otherwise—and they are not above using blackmail to keep Mari in the game.
Saddled with a handsome, duty-obsessed "minder" to ensure that she completes—and survives—one last mission, Mari is incensed . . . for her guardian, Major Bennett Prestwood, is simply too dedicated, too unbending, and too disarmingly attractive. But in the face of dark secrets and deadly treacheries, as the true peril to Mari is slowly revealed, loyal soldier Bennett realizes that to save and win this extraordinary woman, he will have to do the unthinkable and break the rules—rules that passion and desire have suddenly, irrevocably changed.
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More About the Author
Anna Randol loves dark chocolate, hates depressing endings, and plays a mean game of hide-and-seek.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book! Not only did it have a great romance, but it was witty and exciting.
The setting was really unique--the Ottoman Empire after the Napoleonic Wars. You could tell that it was well-researched, but you never feel like you're getting a history lesson or reading a travel guide--the setting and historical aspects were really well-integrated into the story. And there's so much adventure in this book. This is definitely not a romance novel where all the characters do is go to balls. Randol has the characters traveling and spying and getting up to their ears in intrigue.
Randol does a fantastic job at keeping the characters believable. They are talented and strong but have their share of weaknesses too. Mari was resourceful and brave--which are both characteristics I love in heroines. She definitely wasn't the shrinking violet type, but she wasn't headstrong either. I feel like so many times when an author tries to write a brave heroine, the character just ends up doing really stupid things that have me pulling my hair. But Mari's practical and levelheaded, and she ended up being someone I really admired.
Bennett is a great character too. He's very duty-conscious but not to the extreme where he's too straight-laced or smothering. Randol does a great job at making his motivations clear, so even when he does slightly overbearing things, you can at least understand why he's doing it. The secondary characters were surprisingly well-rounded and made for an entertaining backup cast.
Most of all, I think this book was just so well-written and readable. The writing style flowed and felt natural and never seemed awkward or obvious. It was really well-paced too. I started reading this book intending just to stop at bedtime, but I got so sucked in, I stayed up way past that. So needless to say, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Anna Randol.
The setting was really unique--the Ottoman Empire after the Napoleonic Wars. You could tell that it was well-researched, but you never feel like you're getting a history lesson or reading a travel guide--the setting and historical aspects were really well-integrated into the story. And there's so much adventure in this book. This is definitely not a romance novel where all the characters do is go to balls. Randol has the characters traveling and spying and getting up to their ears in intrigue.
Randol does a fantastic job at keeping the characters believable. They are talented and strong but have their share of weaknesses too. Mari was resourceful and brave--which are both characteristics I love in heroines. She definitely wasn't the shrinking violet type, but she wasn't headstrong either. I feel like so many times when an author tries to write a brave heroine, the character just ends up doing really stupid things that have me pulling my hair. But Mari's practical and levelheaded, and she ended up being someone I really admired.
Bennett is a great character too. He's very duty-conscious but not to the extreme where he's too straight-laced or smothering. Randol does a great job at making his motivations clear, so even when he does slightly overbearing things, you can at least understand why he's doing it. The secondary characters were surprisingly well-rounded and made for an entertaining backup cast.
Most of all, I think this book was just so well-written and readable. The writing style flowed and felt natural and never seemed awkward or obvious. It was really well-paced too. I started reading this book intending just to stop at bedtime, but I got so sucked in, I stayed up way past that. So needless to say, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Anna Randol.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Lisa Wolff
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Attention grabbing cover? Check. Unique historical setting? Check. A smart and sassy heroine? Check. A hero destined to protect her, no matter the cost to himself, his country and his heart? Check. Great writing from a debut author? Yup, another check.
Obviously the biggest thing that drew me to this book was the unique setting. The entire book is set in Constantinople and with that came the lush descriptions of the land and fashions, which were done very well. I really enjoyed our strong heroine, Mari and her belief that she can protect herself even though her life has been in danger before due to her secretive drawings. When the overbearing, Adonis looking Major Bennett Prestwood arrives to protect her during her last mission, the gloves are drawn on both sides and the sparks fly.
For a debut I was very happy with this book. The storyline was interesting and moved quickly along. There is a sweet side story that was enjoyable and I really did not see the big reveal at the end of the villain. The chemistry between Mari and Bennett was smoldering and the little attentions to detail were fabulous. It is so refreshing to read a historical that is set within a unique setting that gave me glimpses of the new area without overwhelming me with too many details. There is just enough freshness that will have you finishing up this books with a wonderful smile on your face. I would have liked an epilogue, but that is just me. I love epilogues :) If you are in the mood for a fresh location and storyline that features a strong couple amongst danger and intrigue, Anna Randol looks to be an author on the rise if her debut is any indication. 4 stars
Obviously the biggest thing that drew me to this book was the unique setting. The entire book is set in Constantinople and with that came the lush descriptions of the land and fashions, which were done very well. I really enjoyed our strong heroine, Mari and her belief that she can protect herself even though her life has been in danger before due to her secretive drawings. When the overbearing, Adonis looking Major Bennett Prestwood arrives to protect her during her last mission, the gloves are drawn on both sides and the sparks fly.
For a debut I was very happy with this book. The storyline was interesting and moved quickly along. There is a sweet side story that was enjoyable and I really did not see the big reveal at the end of the villain. The chemistry between Mari and Bennett was smoldering and the little attentions to detail were fabulous. It is so refreshing to read a historical that is set within a unique setting that gave me glimpses of the new area without overwhelming me with too many details. There is just enough freshness that will have you finishing up this books with a wonderful smile on your face. I would have liked an epilogue, but that is just me. I love epilogues :) If you are in the mood for a fresh location and storyline that features a strong couple amongst danger and intrigue, Anna Randol looks to be an author on the rise if her debut is any indication. 4 stars
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Exotic, breaking the mold in romance, but more an adventure than a love story
August 6, 2012
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Unrelated to the story itself -- I hate it when covers don't match the book. Yes, the cover is beautiful, but Mari has tons of curly, dark hair. Her hair is prominent in the story, but wrong on the cover. I know it's a marketing decision based on what's available, but it bugs me.
Okay -- the story. The author set up the characters of the leads right away through their actions. They were believable and layered. I found them both sympathetic and rarely wanted to slap either of them. I was rooting for them to get past their differences, but their personal happy ending was not at focal as discovering the intelligence leak. This is a plot, rather than character, driven story. The setting, the political intrigue, and the eminent danger was was interesting, but took me out of the romance to a point where the romantic elements were side plot. It straddles a line between historical fiction and romance (something I understand), but as such, is not an emotionally satisfying romantic read.
It was well written, with rich (but not overwhelming) description. I would read this author again.
Okay -- the story. The author set up the characters of the leads right away through their actions. They were believable and layered. I found them both sympathetic and rarely wanted to slap either of them. I was rooting for them to get past their differences, but their personal happy ending was not at focal as discovering the intelligence leak. This is a plot, rather than character, driven story. The setting, the political intrigue, and the eminent danger was was interesting, but took me out of the romance to a point where the romantic elements were side plot. It straddles a line between historical fiction and romance (something I understand), but as such, is not an emotionally satisfying romantic read.
It was well written, with rich (but not overwhelming) description. I would read this author again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Secret in Her Kiss
Really enjoyed reading this book. Just the right amount of passion and intrigue to hold your attention and keep you guessing.
Published 4 days ago by Lora
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Secret in her Kiss
This has been a good book so far it has held my attention and I hated to put it down. I can't wait to see from where the danger to Mari comes from.
Published 18 days ago by R. curby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Fantastic
So this book was amazingly good. Seriously. Ignore the cover art if it bugs you, it's not in any way a depiction of the book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Becky
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Good
This is a very unusual historical romance. At times I hate the hero and there were times that I hated the heroine. Read more
Published 2 months ago by bluestocking01
3.0 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like this book more than I did.
This book is a very good story, and I wanted to love it....but I didn't.
The good:
1. The characters were good. They were fleshed out and believable.
2. Read more
The good:
1. The characters were good. They were fleshed out and believable.
2. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kara White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Romance and intrigue...
I love romance novels...but better if they have a story line beyond the romance. This novel will keep you turning the pages with lots of both. LOVED IT!
Published 3 months ago by numberlover
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read it in a day!
I loved this book! I am always a little nervous about new authors, but this one did not disappoint and I will be reading her next one (in fact I already own it). Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Holloway
5.0 out of 5 stars
WONDERFUL AND EXCITING DEBUT!
A SECRET IN HER KISS by Anna Randol is an exciting debut historical romance set in 1815 Belgium,Constantinople and England. Read more
Published 10 months ago by My Book Addiction and More
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful new author
I enjoyed reading this book. I don't usually buy historical romances that aren't set in England, but I'm glad I made the exception here. Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful debut, looking forward to much more
Author Anna Randol's "A Secret in Her Kiss" is a smashing debut work--a terrific historical romance that is both refreshing and rewarding for the reader! Read more
Published 12 months ago by Virginia Campbell
