Awakened by a Kiss Advanced Book Review *Lila DiPasqua*

Debut author, Lila DiPasqua has arrived on the scene with an anthology showcasing three erotic retellings of those fairy tales we loved to read as children. Each story in Awakened by a Kiss (Fiery Tales book #1) is set during the reign of Louis XIV during the late 17th century. Seductive, tantalizing and hot are the three words that come to mind as I read these shorts. Lila DiPasqua writes great steamy sex without the overuse of purple prose.

Sleeping Beau is about the smutty rake, Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis of Beaulain. Adrien is one of King Louis' illegitimate children and enjoys embarrassing his father. Adrien's sister Charlotte wants Philbert de Baillet badly. Now that Philbert is to be married to the widowed Catherine de Villecourt, he has pushed aside Charlotte. She wants Adrien to seduce Catherine and ruin her in the eyes of her fiancé. Adrian wants to do nothing of the sort that is until he sees Catherine. He believes that Catherine was the woman who drugged him with an aphrodisiac five years ago and gave him the best sex of his life.

Adrien confronts Catherine, who acts as if she has no idea that he's talking about. Adrian has never forgiven the redheaded temptress and will ravish her if he has to so she will admit that she is the mysterious woman that got away. Catherine had her own reasons for tricking Adrian the way she did and still wants him desperately. She allows him to seduce her and give her the all consuming lovemaking that was lacking in her marriage. They will enjoy the next few days together in the carnal sense until her fiancé comes for her.

Sleeping Beau is a perfect tale about a man who finally finds that one woman who completes him and will make him loyal and deserving. Adrien is very likable even with him being proud of his man ho ways. Lila gives us some insight on his nature and you really believe that Catherine can save him.

Little Red Writing is about Anne de Vignon, who publishes romantic poetry under her real name while using the alias of Gilbert Leduc to ridicule and mock men who she believes have no morals. King Louis orders one of his Musketeers, Nicholas de Savignac to find Leduc's true identity. When he meets Anne and her two sisters, he knows one of them could possibly be Leduc. Known as le Loup- the Wolf, Nicholas will take down Leduc even if it means seducing Anne and learning all her secrets.

Anne has given up on love, but when she meets Nicolas her heart yearns for passion that her past lovers couldn't give her. She welcomes Nicholas into her bedroom, where she is open to the delights of his lovemaking, totally unaware of what he really has planned for her.

Little Red Writing is a bit more understated but still sexy. This story has some nice tension to it, including a nice connection between Anne and Nicolas. There is one great scene in the library that shows how much of a giver Nicolas is. The final outcome brings forth a few surprises I wasn't expected.

Bewitching in Boots is about the widow Elisabeth de Roussel and King Louis' favorite illegitimate daughter. Elisabeth is afraid her father will make her marry another man she finds lacking. Only one man will do and one she is near obsessed with- Tristan de Tiersonnier, the ex-commander of the King's private guard. She goes to his chateau to seduce him and won't be denied.

Tristan feels like less than a man because of an accident that has caused him to go lame in one leg. When Elisabeth arrives and won't leave, he is frustrated in more ways than one. He thinks she is conniving and a flirt who uses men to her advantage. If Elisabeth stays, she will play by his rules and than means he will be in charge of her body and in the bedroom.

Bewitching in Boots is a delicious tale that has a very strong willed heroine who longs to be taken control by a man who makes her body weep. The sex between Tristan and Elisabeth is dirty, hot and too good for words. Lila makes a great case why Tristan and Elisabeth are perfect for one another.

Awakened by a Kiss has a great deal of sopping wet, soaking drawers and passionate kissing on beds, against walls and on desks. Not only does Lila write great sex scenes, but she gives her character depth and has created a great world during a time period I wasn't too knowledgeable about.

If you are looking for a few short and steamy erotic romances to tickle your fancy, do give Awakened by a Kiss a try. I look forward to more Lila DiPasqua releases and I can see her making a name for herself in the erotic romance world. (Berkley)

Final Grade: B+

A few other Awakened by a Kiss reviews:
Fresh Fiction
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