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The Perfect Kiss
To rescue her friend . . .
In three years on the marriage mart Grace Merridew has never met a man whose kiss stirred her senses. So she makes plans for a life of adventure instead — to see the moon rise over the pyramids of Egypt and dance amid the marble ruins of Greece. But first she has to help a friend...
. . . she must enter the lair of the Wolfe.
Grace’s timid friend is being forced to marry Dominic Wolfe, who stands to inherit a huge estate when he weds her. The Wolfes have a terrible reputation, and if there's one thing Grace cannot stand, it's a girl being bullied. When her friend begs for help to escape the marriage, Grace agrees to act the plain and mousy chaperone on their visit to the groom-to-be. But when they arrive nothing is as they expect, and Grace soon finds herself being pursued by a big bad Wolfe — with strictly dishonourable intentions...
Read an extract

Romantic Time gave it 4 and a half stars, aTop Pick for January. They also awarded my hero, Dominic, a K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. " a powerfully emotional, steal-your-heart story... This magical romance not only warms your heart, it raises your temperature too. Brava! " Kathe Robin.

Eloisa James reviewed The Perfect Kiss as her February choice in "Pillow Talk." Thank you Eloisa.
She also makes some really interesting observations on "voice."

"Another totally perfect Regency romance from this talented author." Suzanne Tucker of Fresh Fiction

"THE PERFECT KISS is a warm and witty conclusion to a wonderful series" Jane Bowers of Romance Reviews Today

"romance at its best... I was captivated by this story ... Rush out and pick up this book you won’t be disappointed." Romance Junkies

“The Perfect Kiss” is a lovely treat." Michele Buonfiglio Read a review of the book and also an interview with me.

January 2007
Berkley Sensation USA
ISBN 0-425-21345-5

Nominated for a
Romantic Times Award
for Best Innovative Historical Romance

Here are a few of the images that inspired me during the writing of the book:

		Left and below left: Stokesay Castle in Shropshire, the place I very loosely based Wolfestone on, It was first built in the 13th century, originally a medieval manor house, though fortified because of its location on the turbulent border with Wales. I loved the different bits that had been built on and added to over the centuries, the mix of fortress with fairytale -- not to mention some half-timbering. Below: The Gargoyle. When I saw this old carved wooden gargoyle I just had to put him in my story. He has such a wise and benevolent expression. Certainly a gargoyle to talk to... He's from Stokesay Castle, too.
If you want to find out more of the fascinating history of Stokesay click here.
Above: Via the internet I watched a mare give birth. (not this particular mare, but one at the same place.) Below:I thought these paintings, of women bathing by Jean-Léon Gérôme were beautiful. He seems to have made a specialization of erotic oriental scenes. They were very popular in Victorian times. And yes, there is a bathing scene in the book. Not quite like this, though.		Above:The Chapter House Steps at Wells Cathedral © RIBA ...which I borrowed to become the worn stone stairs of Wolfestone. I once attended a very old school that had hollows in the steps, worn down by thousands of childrens' feet over time. I loved the thought that I was stepping in the same place as the feet of children a hundred years before. When I saw these steps, I remembered that fascination, and gave it to my heroine.

And this is the story collage I made using some of the above images and more.