Stranger's Kissby Mary Blayneyreviewed by Cybil SolynSeptember 2009, 432 pages, Publisher: Bantam, ISBN: 0440244285 Back Cover Blurb: The Duke of Meryon and Elena Verano are as different as England and Italy. But each understands the others lingering grief after the death of their spouse. One conversation as strangers and one almost innocent kiss spirals into an affair revealing a jumble of emotions both have suppressed for too long. The duke's efforts to bring an enemy to ruin and his affair with Elena collide in a way that threatens their growing love as well as their lives.
I brought Stranger's Kiss with me to Paris for my vacation intent on staying up all night to finish it. But it wasn't the jet lag that put me to sleep for the next three nights, it was this book. Mary Blayney is one of my favorite authors, but the third book in the "Pennistan" series was dull as dishwater. It started out exciting with one of the best duel scenes I've ever read, but as soon as our hero and heroine meet the book became a total snore-fest.
Duke Lynford Pennistan and Elena Verano have more in common than they know. Both needed a quiet place to escape the crush of the ball and collect their thoughts. Both are still mourning the loss of a loving spouse. Both can't deny the chemistry between them. Both have a reason to hate the Duke of Bendas.
This is the third book in the "Pennistan" series and I've decided that I like Blayney when she's writing action and romance, and find her boring when she dedicates a lot of time to plot. In her last book Lover's Kiss I complained that once the plot took over the romance was left behind, and I have the same complaint with this book.
Both Lyn and Elena are interesting characters whom I could have spent 432 pages getting to know. But instead I spent much of the book listening to others explain why Lyn shouldn't seek revenge against Bendas, and the rest of the book listening to Lyn and Elena dither about their potential relationship. For me this isn't romantic, and left me skimming most of the book to try and just "get it read."
As expected from this author, the history is accurate and interesting. I read books all the time about dukes but this is the first one where I really saw a picture of what a duke's power and life is like. All the characters are well developed and interesting, but alas, the romance left me cold.
Bottom Line: I'm hoping the next book is better. For die-hard Blayney fans this is a must buy, but for anyone else - pass.
Contact us!
Cybil Solyn, csolyn@rakehell.com
|
