When His Kiss Is Wicked [Paperback]

Kaitlin O'Riley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

After her father's death, Colette Hamilton is left with four sisters, an invalid mother and a failing bookshop. The only way she can save the family business is with her unconventional ideas...or let her uncle marry her off. As for the handsome stranger in her bookshop? He's Lucien Sinclair, son of an earl, and a known rogue uninterested in marriage. Unknown to Colette, Lucien has begun an urgent search for a bride, so that his ailing father might see him married before he dies. He knows what he wants - a plain, biddable woman without the curse of beauty to endanger his heart. Yet no matter how he tries, Lucien finds himself unable to stay away from Colette. And as sinful pleasure lures them ever closer to the edge of ruin, the only question that matters is whether they can survive the fall.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. O'Riley (Secrets of a Duchess) smoothly ushers in a new historical series focusing on five beautiful sisters in Victorian England. Colette Hamilton is supporting her mother and four siblings by running the family bookstore after her father's untimely death. Though Colette is happy as an independent businesswoman, her uncle wants to marry her off to the highest bidder to alleviate the family's financial woes. After meeting Lucien Sinclair, the earl of Waverly, at her bookstore, Colette continues to see him at various social events, where they experience a subtle, intense attraction. Colette's strong and unusual personality will keep readers riveted, and the tension increases as she and Lucien struggle against the prevailing belief that a woman should be meek. O'Riley's believable, charismatic characters and fast-paced plotline set this novel well apart from the usual romance fare. (Apr.)
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Review

"A talented author...O'Riley's plot twists add freshness to the genre." - Romantic Times on Secrets of a Duchess"

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420104462
• ISBN-13: 978-1420104462
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kaitlin O'Riley fell in love with historical romance novels when she was just fourteen years old, and shortly thereafter she began writing her own stories in spiral notebooks. Fortunately for her none of those early efforts survive today. She is still an avid reader and can often be found curled up on a sofa with a book in her hands. Her debut novel is Secrets of a Duchess, of which the Romantic Times declared added "freshness to the genre." This book was followed a year later by One Sinful Night, and When His Kiss Is Wicked, the first of a series about five sisters living in Victorian England. Her current release, Desire in His Eyes, is the second in the Hamilton sisters series and follows the adventures of the impetuous Juliette Hamilton. Publishers Weekly said O'Riley's writing was set "well apart from the usual romance fare." Her first foray into paranormal romance is a dreamy vampire novella released in September 2010, Yours For Eternity, with authors Hannah Howell and Alexandra Ivy. Her next novella will be a part of the anthology, Invitation to Sin, with authors Sally MacKenzenie, Vanessa Kelly, and Jo Beverley, in February 2011. Kaitlin grew up in New Jersey, but now she lives in sunny Southern California, where she is busy writing her next book. Please visit her at www.KaitlinORiley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginning to the Hamilton Series, April 13, 2009

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: When His Kiss Is Wicked (Paperback)

There is so much to like in When his Kiss is Wicked; there's the author's old school charm of naming her chapters to give the reader a little foretaste of the yummy treat to come. There are the fabulous leads, wonderful family dynamics, the explosive chemistry and they all come together seamlessly.

Colette Hamilton is not your usual romance heroine. She looks after her family of four sisters, a swooning, self indulged mother and an overbearing uncle. She operates her deceased father's bookshop and loves her work because she truly enjoys people and books. Her uncle unfortunately does not see these fine qualities in his niece nor does he appreciate all the wonderful improvements she is making to the shop. Instead he values both her and her sister Juliette's beauty and puts them on the marriage mart.

Hero Lord Lucien Waverly drops into her shop hoping to find some books for his ailing father. He meets Colette and is attracted to her charming nature and beautiful face, so attracted he almost kisses her. At first he is pompous with her though, commenting that women should not be running businesses. Colette fires her own salvos back with gusto but not with condescension or attacking Lucien's character. She is secure in who she is.

Lucien and Colette meet several times at balls and in the bookshop as Lucien just cannot stop thinking about Colette and finds excuses to visit her shop. When they are apart the story never drags because Ms. O'Riley has the characters deeply in thought about the other and their musings are insightful. Lucien is frightened of falling in love whereas Colette believes in love wholeheartedly. The sexual tension builds steadily between this couple and the author explores their feelings and desires thoroughly. There are some memorable scenes and lines in this book like the couple "making history in the history section of the bookshop".

Finally the relationship the leads have with their families adds perspective to their characters. Lucien really is devoted to his father and Colette loves her sisters dearly. They make several appearances in this novel. Spunky outspoken Juliette especially plays a role in her older sister's life. Her novel is next and I can hardly wait to read about her misadventures.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wickedly delightful, September 5, 2010

By 

camthornton (Lockbourne, Ohio, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: When His Kiss Is Wicked (Paperback)

It's a simple story but delightful nevertheless. Colette Hamilton was struggling to keep her family and the family bookshop running after the death of her father. Enter Lucien Sinclair, who came into the bookshop and was reluctantly smitten with the lovely Collette. Scarred by his mother's betrayal, Lucien had long decided to have the typical ton marriage. What follow is Lucien's struggles to overcome his initial decision and admit his strong feelings towards Collette.

As I said, a very simple storyline. What makes it delightful is the scorching chemistry between the couple, the deliciously charming Jeffrey Eddington and the enchanting Hamilton sisters who I think might just rival the famous Kleypas' Hathaways.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Read, September 30, 2009

By 

jkmccaff - See all my reviews

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This review is from: When His Kiss Is Wicked (Paperback)

I have read all of O'Riley's books, and this is my favorite one by far. I truly enjoyed the plot and the twists as usual, but what made this one my favorite was how interesting all the sisters were, as well as their relationships to one other. The writing is crisp, the descriptions exquisite, and the dialogue between the characters continually helped reveal the sisters' true selves. I've loved all of her books, but am particularly happy she will be creating a saga of this particular family in future novels. Great read!