Customer Reviews

Too Wicked To Kiss (Zebra Debut)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Too Wicked to Kiss by Erica Ridley

To Wicked to Kiss is Ms Ridley's debut novel and what a debut it is! If you are looking for the perfect Gothic Regency romance novel that has all the best elements of the genre, then this is one that will be a keeper. This is a book that has it all - a dark, brooding, secretive, dangerous and handsome male, a female with backbone, looks and brains, a bit of the paranormal aspect, secondary characters that you want to stab....repeatedly, a dark dreary, hidden passageway riddled manor house, heat enough between Gavin Lioncroft and Evangeline Pemberton our protagonists to steam the wallpaper off of your walls and a murder mystery! This will not be a book for you to read once and toss...oh no, this is one you may want to read over and over!
This book is filled with action, chills, and even has a bit of comedy relief with Susan one of the secondary characters and who will be starring in Ms Ridley's second novel due out in 2011 (Can't you write a little bit faster? Please!!!).
I wholeheartedly applaud this debut and can not wait until the next one comes out.

Erica Ridley's debut novel, TOO WICKED TO KISS is a wonderful addition to the gothic romance scene. And the title couldn't be more perfect. Just who is too wicked to kiss? Is it the hero, the darkly mysterious rumored murderer, Gavin Lioncroft? Or the heroine, Evangeline Pemberton, a strong, feisty runaway with a paranormal gift? Actually, it could also be anyone of the well drawn secondary characters because this book is just plain wicked. Wicked fun that is.

TO WICKED TO KISS has it all. A gothic romance filled with sexual tension, a touch of the paranormal, plenty of humor and a murder so tightly plotted you'll never be able to guess "whodunit". It's a true winner and I can't wait for the next in the series. Ridley is a new author not to miss.

Too Wicked to Kiss starts out wonderfully with a spooky dark manor, a brooding hero and a supernaturally gifted heroine. I thought I would love this novel based on its beginnings, the tension between the leads is palpable but in the middle section of this book the romantic tension is lowered considerably.

Evangeline Pemberton accompanies her "friend" Susan and her manipulative mother to a house party outside London. The manor belongs to reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, a man thought to have killed his parents and is now shunned by his family and society save one sister who is also attending the house party.

Evangeline and Gavin are drawn to each other from their first meeting. Evangeline is conflicted as she has been brought to the mansion to help Susan trap Gavin into marriage, a plan she despises but she has nowhere else to go since her mother passed away.

Evangeline has the ability to see someone's past or future when she touches them, all except Gavin which mystifies her. When a murder occurs at the house party suddenly her skills are tested to discover the killer, however because she dislikes touching (she gets headaches) this gift is not used quite as effectively as one would imagine. There are several suspects and a goodly portion of this book is spent on trying to solve this mystery, taking precedent over Gavin and Evangeline's romance.

Evangeline is always uncertain around Gavin. She says some terrible things to him at first judging him by gossip and innuendo solely and quite frankly she is not all that supportive during his most heartfelt confessions. Gavin feels alone and he wants to confide in Evangeline but worries that she will reject him as his family has.

Evangeline is complex and also unwilling to face the truth; she has a tendency to downplay her feelings for Gavin. For his part Gavin is braver than Evangeline, at least when it comes to emotional commitment. He is a dark figure but also the most captivating character in this novel. The novel rates three stars, it's very descriptive (I could easily visualize the castle) but I felt that some of the emotional connection between the leads took a backseat to the murder mystery and Evangeline's character was not as memorable as Gavin's.

While this had all the makings of everything I love a romance to have, it just didn't hit the mark with me. First, let me say as a first book I see good things for this writer but, even though I love detail, this book was way too wordy and long winded and took alot to get to the end where it starts to move at a brisker pace. Also for as long as it was there was not alot of detail about the past of the different characters. The "steamy" romance scene was well written but, steamy?. All in all above average but, not enough to make it memorable.

TOO WICKED TOO KISS is a satisfying and sexy gothic murder mystery featuring a tall, dark and brooding hero you'll want to fall in love with and a feisty heroine with a unique paranormal gift.

It's 1813 and Evangeline Pemberton is on the run from an abusive step-father. Traveling with a family friend, she finds herself at the haunting Blackberry Manor, under the hypnotic if also frightening stare of its owner Gavin Lioncroft. While everyone cowers in his presence, Evangeline instantly feels a connection with the handsome recluse. She too is alone.

When a guest turns up dead, all fingers point to the tortured hero, accused of killing his own parents years ago. Evangeline knows each of the quirky characters staying at the manor had his own motive to kill. Her unusual gift allows her to touch each character and see into their past or future. What happens next, as she tries to unravel the mystery, will keep you turning pages.

I loved the sexual tension that built throughout this book. TOO WICKED TOO KISS is the type of read you pack in your purse so you can read another chapter whenever you have a moment, on the treadmill at the gym or even at a few traffic lights. Few books ensnare me to the point I find it difficult to put down. I'm a working mother of four and I read this book in two days. I highly recommend this read! It's sexy, wicked fun!

In 1813 Evangeline Pemberton runs away from her abusive stepfather taking sanctuary at the home of family friend Lady Stanton. Her host's disgraced daughter Susan knows she will never marry any man not engulfed in scandal so decides alleged murderer Gavin Lioncroft will be her husband even though she believes he killed his parents. She orders guest Evangeline to help her catch the dark owner of grim gargoyle Blackberry Manor.

Evangeline attends a party at Blackberry Manor, which she finds frightening with ravens flying overhead to greet guests. She is bit surprised by her attraction to Gavin, who is as shocked by his feelings towards her. Even more stunning to Evangeline is that when they touch her psychic skill shuts down. When a murder occurs, she vows to prove her beloved is innocent by apply her paranormal ability to solving who committed the homicide.

This is an entertaining Regency Gothic romance starring a terrific heroine who holds the story line together, a brooding lead male with a mysterious past, a scandalous cousin, and a manor house with gargoyles on the roof and ravens flying around them. Overly dramatic yet so vividly fun to follow as the suspense filled story line is fast-paced from the moment Evangeline (Longfellow would be pleased) meets Gavin. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this dark romantic historical and look forward to a sequel.

Harriet Klausner

TOO WICKED TO KISS is a sexy, gothic historical that is sure to please. Ridley's characters are unique and intriguing--so intriguing, one is able to kill a member of the ton without anyone knowing. Evangeline Pemberton's mother dies forcing Evangeline to seek shelter elsewhere. If she stays with her step-father, he'll lock her in the pantry because of her "gift" and use her like a wife. She has no choice but to escape with her friend's family to London. Too bad this family doesn't tell her they agreed to let her tag along because they have plans for her to help snare the bachelor recluse for her friend. They also fail to tell her that this recluse, whose house they plan to visit for a fortnight, killed his parents and somehow was never convicted. While everyone at the annual party fear Gavin Lioncroft, Evangeline sees through the recluse's gruff exterior, and is willing to risk it all to help prove he's innocent of the murders. This fast pace novel is rife with gothic setting, chock full of mystery, and laced with enough sexual tension to please everyone. (Did I mention Gavin Lioncroft is a tortured, sexy man to die for?) Read this now!!

The beginning of the story captures your interest and holds it all the way through. I look forward to the next book in the series.

This book is one of the best I've read in awhile.. You will not be disappointed.. Can't wait fer the next book... It is truly a Great Read!!

I've read literally thousands of historical romances, and they can get repetitive. However, even though this was basically Jane Eyre crossed with Agatha Christie, it was still a winner. There is great chemistry between the leads, and their exchanges are witty and amusing. I adored the hero, Gavin. Even though his life has had its tragedies, he's still a decent person inside, and he's really funny. I found him quite endearing, very charming. He's irresistible. I also liked the way the heroine was really intelligent and logical. No silly, dumb behaviors. They were a good match and the book is a wonderful debut.