Too Wicked to Kiss

Sub-genre fans will enjoy this dark romantic historical and look forward to a sequel.

In 1813 Evangeline Pemberton runs away from her abusive stepfather taking sanctuary at the home of family friend Lady Stanton. Her host's disgraced daughter Susan knows she will never marry any man not engulfed in scandal so decides alleged murderer Gavin Lioncroft will be her husband even though she believes he killed his parents. She orders guest Evangeline to help her catch the dark owner of grim gargoyle Blackberry Manor.

Evangeline attends a party at Blackberry Manor, which she finds frightening with ravens flying overhead to greet guests. She is bit surprised by her attraction to Gavin, who is as shocked by his feelings towards her. Even more stunning to Evangeline is that when they touch her psychic skill shuts down. When a murder occurs, she vows to prove her beloved is innocent by apply her paranormal ability to solving who committed the homicide.

This is an entertaining Regency Gothic romance starring a terrific heroine who holds the story line together, a brooding lead male with a mysterious past, a scandalous cousin, and a manor house with gargoyles on the roof and ravens flying around them. Overly dramatic yet so vividly fun to follow as the suspense filled story line is fast-paced from the moment Evangeline (Longfellow would be pleased) meets Gavin. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this dark romantic historical and look forward to a sequel.

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Totally enjoyed it

pretty enjoyable for the most part, I did catch myself rolling my eyes at the main female character Evangeline sometimes, and thinking "gee whiz lady get a clue!" She just seemed to not be able to be believable to a certain degree, in dealings with the main male character Gavin. But otherwise I liked it alot.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A true Winner!

Erica Ridley's debut novel, TOO WICKED TO KISS is a wonderful addition to the gothic romance scene. And the title couldn't be more perfect. Just who is too wicked to kiss? Is it the hero, the darkly mysterious rumored murderer, Gavin Lioncroft? Or the heroine, Evangeline Pemberton, a strong, feisty runaway with a paranormal gift? Actually, it could also be anyone of the well drawn secondary characters because this book is just plain wicked. Wicked fun that is.

This book has it all. A gothic romance filled with sexual tension, a touch of the paranormal, plenty of humor and a murder so tightly plotted you'll never be able to guess who "done-it". This book is a true winner and I can't wait for the next in the series. Ridley is a new author not to miss.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Kill two birds with one stone with this classic mystery and Victorian Romance in one

Too Wicked to Kiss by Erica Ridley is a must for lovers of Romance and Gothic Mystery. It's a classic Who-Done-It in the mists of a great Romantic Suspense novel.
Erica gives readers a slam dunk with this lively, page turning novel. Her story line/plot keeps our interests while we hurry to turn page after page as her storytelling genius unfolds. The dialogue is flowing and witty and tense and goes very well with the Victorian England setting she puts us in and while her words flow she gives us distinct pictures that are easy to visualize. Her characters are all well developed and interesting and while some you love there are others that you will love to hate, but you will non-the-less want to know each one as she does intimately. Her hero the dashing and tortured Gavin Lioncroft and heroin the unsinkable Evangeline Pemberton are amazing as she turns them into a couple, but equally dominate the novel in their own right. Her mystery is the best clue game you ever played and her romance is sultry and sensual and sizzles on the page.
So if you're a die -hard mystery fan who never thought a romance was in your future, give this one a try. And if you're a romance fanatic who's never given a mystery any thoughts I think you'll both be pleasantly surprised by this exceptional read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Started as read in store; bought because I knew I'd read it again!

Great spoof on gothics, laugh out loud funny with great dialog. Reminded me of early Amanda Quick, plucky heroine and brooding male lead.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it

Erica writes a good story. Characters are well thought out and narrative is easy to follow. I love romances and and time I find a new author that I like it's great.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book and was amazed when I read that it's Erica Ridleys first novel. It was very well written and kept me entertained from start to finish. The characters were well developed and interesting. The plot was well thought-out and intriguing, and the romance between to the two main characters was believable and paced well. I also found parts of it very funny. Also, she was very descriptive and gave the reader a strong sense of atmosphere. Very good book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love the characters

I love when a book starts off quickly and hooks you. Right away the characters were intriguing, especially Lioncroft and Evangeline. Susan is a pip, and Mrs. Stanton gives the Wicked Witch of the West a run for her money.

The mystery contained all of my favorites: a dark gothic manor house, secret passage ways, plenty of intrigue between the party guests, a villian everyone seems to want dead, and a very exciting romance between the main characters. I loved the addition of giving the heroine a psychic gift in helping solve the murder. My only criticism of the mystery plot was that I would have liked to have seen more investigation and confrontation between the heroine, Evangeline, and the suspects as she is trying to solve the murder.

The romance between Lioncroft and Evangeline is fantastic. I loved the romantic chase between the two characters and when they finally get together it is very steamy. I would really love to see Erica Ridley create a series of romance mystery books featuring Lioncroft and Evangeline. I'd definitely follow their love story and romance from mystery to mystery. I know that Susan's story is next and I'm hoping that Evangeline and Lioncroft make an appearance.

Romance

i love the characters in this book . Book had everything you looking for betary, romance , gothic , frienship. etc .. i cant wait want the author as has in store for us next ... looking forward to her new book in 2011.....

it's okay

the plot was a bit weak. i did not finish the book

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