Book Review: With This Kiss by Victoria Lynne

With This Kiss by Victoria Lynne
Genre: Adult (Historical Romance/Fractured Fairy Tale)
Date Published: July 13, 1999
Publisher: Dell

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. 

With This Kiss by Victoria Lynne is a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast with some extra mystery and suspense thrown in. Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite fairy tale, and I love reading re-tellings of it, so naturally I grabbed this book up when I found it. It didn't disappoint. It kept my attention from beginning to end. Julia, our Beauty, was an independent, spunky woman who knew what she wanted, and she bravely took the steps to get it. Morgan, our Beast, is scarred both outwardly and emotionally. After a fire, he has blamed himself and kept everyone at arms length. Their relationship was a process, as neither character knew what the other thought of them. They were cute. They both have attitude, and I enjoyed their bantering. Give me some good bantering, and I'm hooked!

Victoria Lynne is the author of 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.

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.

To learn more about Victoria Lynne and her books, visit her on Goodreads & Facebook.