With this Kiss [Mass Market Paperback]

Victoria Lynne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 1999

Beauty and the beast--they were the scandal of the ton....

All eyes feasted on the beautiful flame-haired gambler in London's most  infamous club.  But Julia Prentisse was interested only in the rake-turned-recluse whom they now called "The Beast." She lured him out of the crowded club to a deserted warehouse, where she made her scandalous offer: If he married her and protected her from her uncle, she would help him catch the arsonist who had ruined his life.

An act of heroism had left Morgan burned, scarred for life. But Julia's bold gaze lit other fires he had long suppressed. And now this glorious stranger was his bride. But when he tried to claim his husbandly rights, she demanded three months grace--three months to know a stranger's mind, to touch a stranger's soul, to go where no woman had ever gone before. Into his lonely heart . . . With This Kiss.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Morgan St. James fears he will die unmarried and without an heir, after his days as a rake are cut short by the arsonist's fire that marred his good looks. Julia Prentisse, a precocious redheaded beauty, thinks he is the answer to her prayers, offering an escape from her uncle's oppressive household and the chance to shape her own destiny. When Julia proposes a marriage of convenienceAand a quest to uncover Lazarus, the mysterious arsonistAMorgan accepts. Together they search London society, both high and low, to uncover the criminal's real identity, exploiting Julia's reputation as a zealous social reformer. Lazarus, it seems, believes her to be an ally in his campaign to cleanse the city of sin. The plot gains momentum when Morgan and Julia set an unsuccessful trap for Lazarus and the tables turn on them. As their backgrounds are developed, the deepening affection between the two becomes charming and believable. Although Lynne's (What Wild Moonlight) secondary characters tend to be one-dimensional, the unexpected twists in her newest historical entertain and satisfy. (July)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Morgan St. James is not considered a beast because of the burns that mar his body but because he had too many servants crammed into too little space and many died in an arsonist's fire. When he meets the fiery-haired beauty Julia Prentisse for what he thinks is an assignation, he is surprised to be offered a marriage proposal. The orphaned daughter of a convicted smuggler, Julia's only escape from marriage to a horrible man picked out by her uncle is to marry someone else, quickly. As the recipient of letters from the arsonist, who calls himself Lazarus, Julia is Morgan's only chance to catch the man responsible for the death of so many. Even though Julia agreed to provide Morgan with an heir, she talks him into waiting until they know each other before consummating their hasty marriage. The sexual tension mounts as they search for the arsonist, who they know is moving within their own social circle. The suspenseful search for the killer adds dimension to this smoldering Victorian era romance. Diana Tixier Herald

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440223342
• ISBN-13: 978-0440223344
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Victoria Lynne is the author of five historical romance novels. She's received two RITA Award nominations, and has consistently earned Romantic Times' "Top Pick" award. Called "A Fabulous Storyteller!" by Rendezvous Magazine, her work consistently draws rave reviews and continues to attract new readers. Ms. Lynne seamlessly blends humor, wit, action, and romance to plunge readers into the giddy thrill of falling in love. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, and Spanish, and are currently available online through Kindle.

Ms. Lynne is working on a new historical romance series, Gentlemen of the Club, which will be available in the fall of 2012. She lives in Vermont with her husband and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Victorian Beauty and the Beast romance!, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With this Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

A strong, intelligent, independent-minded, scandal-touched, reformist heroine needs to avoid some seriously skanky suitors being pressed upon her by her stingy, selfish uncle. Her chosen candidate for a husband: A fire-scarred hunk of a peer, a previous rake, a bit of a snob, but a man in need of a good woman, a man whose fiance dumped him for the hero's best friend after the hero nearly lost his life--and a good portion of his epidermis-- in a fatal blaze. The who-done-it is great fun and the romance certainly satisfies. I only have minor quibbles with some story details, which I won't even bother to list. Trust me: A fun read for lovers of romance, and CERTAINLY for lovers of the Beauty/Beast type story (which *I* am).This is the only book of Ms. Lynne's that I've read, but based on my enjoyment of this romance novel, I shall surely seek more.*Mir*

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Rewarding, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: With this Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

If you've read any of the other reviews, you'd know the basic plot line, so I won't rehash it. I only wanted to let everyone know that this is a really terrific novel. The two characters actually talk to and appreciate each other. None of the ridiculous misunderstandings that are so common in romance literature occur here. Even more refreshing and unusual are the main characters who are not the typical patronizing womanizer and an immature and petulant female. Definitely get your hands on this book.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely and poignant version of 'Beauty and the Beast', October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: With this Kiss (Mass Market Paperback)

Morgan St. James was horribly burned in the fire that destroyed his home. Although he had managed to rescue a great many people from the flames, he is burdened with grief over those he couldn't save from their fate. Scarred in body and spirit, he has become accustomed to hearing himself referred to as 'The Beast." Bitterly cyncical, he doesn't even disagree with the appellation. Imagine his surprise when he is sought out by Julia Prentisse, a beautiful woman who wants his scarred hand in matrimony! And he is even more surprised when she tries to convince him that her talents as a journalist can lead him to the arsonist who has set the fires that have destroyed so many lives. The subtext of Lazarus, the mysterious arsonist, is an edgy counterpoint to the love story. With Victorian era England as a backdrop, Victoria Lynne has created a perfectly wonderful retelling of the classic 'Beauty and the Beast' tale.