Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua (Fiery Tales, Book #1)
Historical Romance
August 3, 2010
Trade Paperback, 368 Pages
Berkley Trade

Reviewed by Mandi

Awakened by a Kiss is the debut book by author Lila DiPasqua. It features three short stories, each an erotic twist on a fairy tale.

Sleeping Beau

Adrien d’Aspe, bastard son of Louis XIV has had his way with many, many women, but the one that stands out the most is a one night affair he had five years ago. Catherine de Villecourt enchanted him one evening and he has never forgot her. He has also never forgot the realization that after she fled the next morning, he had taken her virginity. But as fate has its hand in his affairs, Catherine has shown up at the very chateau he is at.

Catherine is shocked to learn her lover those five years ago is the son of the King. Her maid drugged Adrien that night, to ensure a successful romp in the bedroom, and now Catherine is frightened he will want revenge. But the moment they are alone, he wants nothing more than to seduce her again. With Catherine’s fiancé set to come into town at week’s end, Catherine must decide if this man from the past is worthy of her love.

Sleeping Beau is a very steamy story about two people who have such a great attraction toward each other, but five years of messy history between their one night of passion. They are both feeling pressure from their families on how to live their lives but now that they have reunited, and learned the other’s identity, they both want nothing more than to learn about the other in the bedroom.

Adrien is a very sexy hero who is not shy with the ladies, but his eyes are only set on Catherine. Catherine is passionate, and…horny, and wants Adrien back in her bed. Her maid Odette has some very cute lines and the romance in this story is very hot. I think at the end Adrien’s sister overreacts to events and what she ends up doing is a little over the top and dramatic and took away from the story.

Rating: 3/5

Little Red Writing

Nicholas de Savignac has earned the nickname le loup, or the Wolf because of his never ending quests and hard work to hunt those he seeks. Currently, his majesty has asked Nicholas to find the writer of illegal short stories. Pen portraits were nothing new, usually telling the tale of the upper class with names changed. But the anonymous author Nicholas seeks is mocking very powerful men, and these men want these stories to be stopped. Nicholas’ investigation has led him to Anne, her two sisters and The Saturday Salon, hosted by Comtesse de Cottineau. Having taken in these three sisters, the Comtesse has given them a means to write and be published.

Nicholas is such a confident hero that he thinks he will saunter into the Salon and solve this mystery. His conscience starts to talk to him as he is attracted to Anne, and feels just a bit guilty he is seducing her all the while sneaking behind her back to go through her things to discover if she is behind these stories. I really enjoyed this one, the cocky hero is always a favorite of mine and there are some nice twists at the end.

Rating: 3.5/5

Bewitching in Boots

Elisabeth de Roussel wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, and being daughter of the King, she is used to getting what she wants. Tristan was recently injured and replaces as Captain of the Guard, which has hurt his spirit. Elisabeth is scared that her father is ready to select a new husband for her, and it will be someone she doesn’t want. She puts her breeches on, slaps on her very fab boots, and rides up to Tristan’s place with a plan in place to seduce this very sexy man. She not only has to seduce him into her bed, but also into marriage.

I really loved this story. Tristan is tired of people pitying him, yet does nothing to really improve his life. Elisabeth swooshes in and demands fencing lessons and other, er – vigorous activity. The cold hearted hero meets his match in the very vivacious and lively Elisabeth and it is fun to read their journey. And the smex – oh the smex in this one definitely deserves the smutty title.

Rating: 4/5

Awakened by a Kiss contains three short stories that fans of erotic romance will enjoy. I really think taking fairy tales that we all know and love and giving them an adult twist is a fun idea and Lila DiPasqua does a nice job in giving us three unique stories. Each one contains scenes that will have the smutty hearts out there beating in overtime. I could have done without the high drama at the end of some of them, but I definitely look forward to more.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recent Reviews:
Goodreads

This Series Includes:
Awakened by a Kiss
The Princess In His Bed – 11/2/10

Lila DiPasqua will be back later this morning to chat!