Book Review-The Pleasure Of Your Kiss

The Pleasure Of Your Kiss
Burke Brothers (1)
Teresa Medeiros
Pocket Star Books
Mass Market Paperback
Published January 2012
506 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4391-5789-3
Author's Website

Synopsis
Ashton Burke is a legendary adventurer who has spent the past ten years roaming the globe to forget the girl he left behind. His devil-may-care life is interrupted when he's hired to rescue his brother's kidnapped fiancée from a sultan's harem. Too late, he discovers she is none other than Clarinda Cardew, the very same girl who made off with his jaded heart a decade ago.

The last thing Clarinda wants is to be trapped in a palace of sensual delights with the man whose irresistible kisses still haunt her sleepless nights. Although he vows he is only doing his job, Clarinda quickly realizes that allowing Ashton to rescue her may put her yearning heart in even greater peril. In a journey that takes them from the delicious intrigues of a sultan's court to the glittering ballrooms of London, Ashton and Clarinda resume the steps of their dangerous dance only to discover the most seductive pleasure of all may be love itself.

My Review (may contain spoilers)

Summary 
Clarinda is on her way, to her forthcoming marriage to a Duke, one of the most eligible bachelors. Even though she doesn't love him, she cares for him and respects him. She knows that it is time for her to settle down and have a family. On her voyage however, she and her friend end up being kidnapped by corsair pirates. When Ashton is informed by his brother the Duke, that Clarinda Cardrew has been sold into a harem, he knows he doesn't have much choice but to rescue her. Ashton has always loved Clarinda but never felt worthy of her so left her in England, but now he finds out she is engaged to his brother and that she can never be his. However he is the only one that is capable enough to find her and rescue her so he heads to the harem where she is located. What he doesn't expect is to know the Sultan that has possession of her which only results in complicating things further. He never though that he would find himself so drawn to Clarinda, or to find their love rekindled into a powerful desire that could threaten to destroy both of them in the process.

The Hero (Ashton Burke) 
Ashton Burke, as the youngest son of the Duke, was always labeled as second best. His parents never considered him to be worthy of their respect. When he was young, Clarinda followed him around like a puppy dog. But when she blossoms into a woman, he falls madly for her. He then realizes that he can't have her. He must build a life and a fortune so he can have her. He never thought it would take ten years before he would see her again. He knows that he has hurt her deeply. When he finds out that she is engaged to his brother of all people, he doesn't know if he will be able to let her go when he finally finds her safe and unharmed. But his love for her is stronger than ever and may be the key to freeing them both.

The Heroine (Clarinda Cardew)
Clarinda has deeply loved Ashton since she was a little girl. When he abandoned her, she knew he would be leaving her for good, that he would never return. Now ten years later, she is engaged to his brother, the Duke. But on her way to the wedding, her ship is attacked by pirates, and she is kidnapped, and sold to a Sultan. But the Sultan saved her life, and is now about to marry the man, and still is untouched by him after three months living in his harem. But she knows that time is short, until Ashton arrives onto the scene. When she sees him she is astounded that he is here. He starts to slowly seduce her once more, and she is more than ever afraid that he will break her heart again.

My Thoughts 
After snatching this up from the local library, I was very thrilled to read this one. I have always enjoyed every book I have read from this author. From her older books to her more recent ones, her writing has only gotten better in my view. There were so many things that I loved about "The Pleasure Of Your Kiss". First I want to talk about the characteristics about each characters. Ashton is quite a rake, traveled all over the world and takes pleasure where he can find it. Even though he has a very tough exterior he also has a bit of a soft side once you get past the outer shell. He can be very gentle and passionate. He is a charming character that makes me sigh whenever I think about him. Clarinda I found to be a very spirited character. She is very strong willed, intelligent and independent and doesn't apologize for anything. I truly admired her most of the time. Now the plot was full of intrigue and intensity. I just loved a good harem romance, but this one was a bit different. There was also a side story romance that was charming. I fell completely in love with Poppy and the Sultan.  I felt like the way that Medieros puts this book together was priceless. Such a vivid description of a romance that is full of depth and mesmerizing scenes. A uniquely depicted story that will thoroughly entertain you straight to your toes. A Sensual adventure!! (I can hardly wait for  Max's story....jumping up and down in anticipation)


First Line 
"Oh Clarinda! Have you seen the latest edition of the Snitch? I picked one up at the docks before we sailed and there's an absolutely delicious article about Captain Sir Ashton Burke!"

Favorite Quote 
"Tutored?" Feeling his wariness grow, Ash glances at Luca, who was hanging on Farouk's every word as if it would be his last. "In what subject, may I ask?"
Before Farouk could reply, Clarinda lifted her head, looked Ash dead in the eye, and said coolly "Pleasure, Captain Burke. How to give...and how to receive it."

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In The Series 
 The Temptation Of Your Touch