AWAKENED BY A KISS

Author: Lila DiPasqua ISBN: 9780425235560 8/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: BERKLEY
Time Period: Late 17th Century/1685

Once upon a salacious time, when fairy tales were written... Sleeping Beau: Five years ago, notorious rake Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss-and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress-and this time, he has no intention of letting her go... Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother's house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger... Bewitching in Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants-and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King's private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he's every bit the man he once was-and more than man enough for her...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lila DiPasqua’s debut book is an anthology in which she gives us three erotic tales set in the reign of Louis XIV. As I finished reading the book, two words kept popping into my mind: cotton candy.

Big, beautiful, pink and fluffy, but of no substance...and yet so sweet while it melts in your mouth, AWAKENED BY A KISS is an entertaining collection of naughty stories. While each of these short stories was to be a take on the old fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots, I didn’t see it as such because she took the subtle approach to ‘re-telling’ these tales.

This book is well written, but still, it left me unsatisfied. The reason is the length of the stories. I wasn’t given a chance to get closer to the characters, which were fun and entertaining. There wasn’t enough time to connect with any of them. By the time the romance hit, the story was wrapped up. That said, here’s my take on this book:  If you are looking for a book full of steamy sexual encounters that will have you taking a cold shower, then AWAKENED BY A KISS is definitely a book for you.

However, if you’re like me and cotton candy gives you a tummy ache, and you’d like some meat with your potatoes, then I’d say this book will not satisfy your appetite.

Melanie Friedman