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Kings of California #12
To Kiss a King
For security expert Garrett King, rescuing a damsel in distress is routineeven if she is a runaway princess. And especially if she's a sexy, desirable woman he intends to keep very, very close.
Garrett knows Princess Alexis escaped her castle to look for independence and true loveand she thinks she's found it in him. But he's no white knight. As a bodyguard, he's been covertly hired to protect her during her adventure. As a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't do happily ever after but one kiss from a princess could change everything.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 14, 2012
15 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Child
1,157 books548 followersUSA Today best selling author Maureen Child is the author of more than ninety romance novels and novellas. Maureen is a five time nominee for the prestigious Rita award from Romance Writers of America.
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
One of her novels, A Pocketful Of Paradise, was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector, starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and Ossie Davis.
Over the years, she’s written under lots of different names and she prefers the term ‘pseudonym’ to ‘alias’. As Ann Carberry, she wrote western historical romances. As Kathleen Kane, she wrote not only Americana romances, but western paranormal romances as well. As Sarah Hart, she wrote one really spectacular western paranormal that is still one of her favorites. And once, Ann Carberry even wrote a Victorian historical which she absolutely loved doing.
Under her own name, Maureen writes short contemporary novels for Silhouette Desire—books she loves to write because of their fast pace and condensed story telling. Maureen is also writing funny, contemporary paranormal romances for NAL and darker paranormal stories for Silhouette Nocturne.
Maureen writes paranormal romance novels under the pesudonym of Regan Hastings
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 5, 2012
This was an okay book princess heroine goes to Disneyland, meets hero finds hims attractive, he soon figures out who she is, calls her father and protecting her without telling her while trying to not give in to the attraction. Of course he has a problem with love having lost someone before, she finds out who he is, fight, make-up and then she leaves. Typical romance.
February 19, 2012
2.5
I was extremely excited to win this book and I do realise it is totally disrespectful to give a bad review, but this book just wasn't for me.
It was well written and I enjoyed Garrett, but it was a bit drawn out for what I was looking for. I ended up skim reading and although the dialogue was enjoyable, the book never truly gained my full attention.
I was extremely excited to win this book and I do realise it is totally disrespectful to give a bad review, but this book just wasn't for me.
It was well written and I enjoyed Garrett, but it was a bit drawn out for what I was looking for. I ended up skim reading and although the dialogue was enjoyable, the book never truly gained my full attention.
August 14, 2018
So. I just randomly picked up this book and didn't have high expectations for it but because of insta-love and the story dragging, I did not enjoy this book.
December 16, 2018
Incredible story..
October 20, 2025
Another interesting story from King of California, series
May 14, 2012
I was beginning to think no one was going to make up their mind in TO KISS A KING. It was infuriating as one minute they were in bed, the next calling it a mistake and then the next minute back in bed together! Now repeat twice more.
Garrett King felt like he was ganged up on by his cousin and his family into joining them on a Disneyland trip, he never imagined he would end up meeting a real life Princess.
Princess Alexis ‘Alex’ Morgan Wells took off from her homeland of Cadria by herself. She receives aid from Garrett and from there spends the day with him and his cousin’s family. It was a day like no other for her, getting to spend the day like a normal person with a happy family. Of course the gorgeous guy she lipped locked with on the tunnel ride isn’t too shabby either.
It’s towards the end of the day when Garrett realizes where she’s seen her at. His security company has provided security for a family function the King put on. Now that he knows who’s she is, he puts a wall up between them.
After calling the King, Garrett is hired to watch over her for protection. As the days go by, not only does the attraction grow, but a deeper meaning is happening between these two.
The story really gets me when Alex finally finds out that he lied to her. She actually thought someone liked her just for her. Despite her initial anger, not twenty minutes later, after he pulls some guy off of her, they are heading for her hotel for a night of passion. Um, excuse me, but weren’t you just mad at him for lying?
Okay, so I can maybe let that go, but then Garrett’s all ‘that can’t happen’ when sure enough, passion hits and they go back to the bedroom. Three times this happens and it’s not believable to me. I certainly wouldn’t let a man call it a mistake just to turn around and go another round.
Any ways, Alex returns home after Garrett pulls away entirely after telling her his past keeps him from taking the chance on love. Life at the palace filters back to normal until her mother gives her the full story of her love story with her father.
It’s when Garrett sees an article about the possible marriage between Alex and a Duke that sends him across the seas to the palace to win her back.
Now he’s sure Alex is what he wants and he convinces her that their lives can be blended.
Garrett King felt like he was ganged up on by his cousin and his family into joining them on a Disneyland trip, he never imagined he would end up meeting a real life Princess.
Princess Alexis ‘Alex’ Morgan Wells took off from her homeland of Cadria by herself. She receives aid from Garrett and from there spends the day with him and his cousin’s family. It was a day like no other for her, getting to spend the day like a normal person with a happy family. Of course the gorgeous guy she lipped locked with on the tunnel ride isn’t too shabby either.
It’s towards the end of the day when Garrett realizes where she’s seen her at. His security company has provided security for a family function the King put on. Now that he knows who’s she is, he puts a wall up between them.
After calling the King, Garrett is hired to watch over her for protection. As the days go by, not only does the attraction grow, but a deeper meaning is happening between these two.
The story really gets me when Alex finally finds out that he lied to her. She actually thought someone liked her just for her. Despite her initial anger, not twenty minutes later, after he pulls some guy off of her, they are heading for her hotel for a night of passion. Um, excuse me, but weren’t you just mad at him for lying?
Okay, so I can maybe let that go, but then Garrett’s all ‘that can’t happen’ when sure enough, passion hits and they go back to the bedroom. Three times this happens and it’s not believable to me. I certainly wouldn’t let a man call it a mistake just to turn around and go another round.
Any ways, Alex returns home after Garrett pulls away entirely after telling her his past keeps him from taking the chance on love. Life at the palace filters back to normal until her mother gives her the full story of her love story with her father.
It’s when Garrett sees an article about the possible marriage between Alex and a Duke that sends him across the seas to the palace to win her back.
Now he’s sure Alex is what he wants and he convinces her that their lives can be blended.
September 23, 2022
I have been looking forward to Garrett's story since I started reading the Kings of California series. And I have to say that Maureen Child did not disappoint. The moment I started the book, I was a goner. I absolutely loved it. Garrett and Alex were such wonderful characters/couple. They made it impossible for me to put the book down.
Garrett King has become one of my favorite heroes ever. I'm always a sucker for alpha heroes, especially those who work in law enforcement. Garrett and his twin brother Griffin ran a security firm. When he meets Alex, he doesn't have any idea of who she really is. But she seemed familiar. Until he realized that Alex was Princess Alexis, it became his duty to protect her while in California. He was doing well until his feelings got involved.
Because of his previous bad experience, he chose not to be with her. Besides, she's a princess. He told her that he wouldn't love her. Really, Garrett? From what I see, you already love her, you idiot!
Alex was my kind of heroine. Fun, witty, loveable, humble, strong-willed, beautiful inside and out. She ran away from home and went to California to visit Disneyland and experience magic. And boy, she did experience more than magic. She thought she had actually met her Prince Charming, Garrett. She has enjoyed living as an ordinary person and spending time with Garret. They were together almost every day. And she can't help but fall in love with him until she learns the truth that he was being paid by her father to be with her.
The two main characters were so opposite and yet so perfectly matched. I loved them. Garrett was unbelievably sweet without even trying. And I also loved Garrett and Griffin's witty banter.
To Kiss, A King has become one of my all-time favorite books, and Garrett and Alex are my favorite couples. It's a wonderful romance not to be missed. It was another treasure on my keeper's shelf. What are you waiting for if you haven't read Kings of California, especially To Kiss A King?
Garrett King has become one of my favorite heroes ever. I'm always a sucker for alpha heroes, especially those who work in law enforcement. Garrett and his twin brother Griffin ran a security firm. When he meets Alex, he doesn't have any idea of who she really is. But she seemed familiar. Until he realized that Alex was Princess Alexis, it became his duty to protect her while in California. He was doing well until his feelings got involved.
Because of his previous bad experience, he chose not to be with her. Besides, she's a princess. He told her that he wouldn't love her. Really, Garrett? From what I see, you already love her, you idiot!
Alex was my kind of heroine. Fun, witty, loveable, humble, strong-willed, beautiful inside and out. She ran away from home and went to California to visit Disneyland and experience magic. And boy, she did experience more than magic. She thought she had actually met her Prince Charming, Garrett. She has enjoyed living as an ordinary person and spending time with Garret. They were together almost every day. And she can't help but fall in love with him until she learns the truth that he was being paid by her father to be with her.
The two main characters were so opposite and yet so perfectly matched. I loved them. Garrett was unbelievably sweet without even trying. And I also loved Garrett and Griffin's witty banter.
To Kiss, A King has become one of my all-time favorite books, and Garrett and Alex are my favorite couples. It's a wonderful romance not to be missed. It was another treasure on my keeper's shelf. What are you waiting for if you haven't read Kings of California, especially To Kiss A King?
September 25, 2014
Well, another familiar plot. This time starring a princess and an 'undercover' bodyguard. Sah-weet!
Garrett King's a bodyguard when he meet Alexis, Princess of Some-Country-I-Can't-Remember-The-Name. But he's bot working then, because apparently Alex is running away from her home, doing an awful job of covering herself and went to Disneyland alone. Up until her father, the king, asked Garrett to be her bodyguard without her knowing. Alex, oblivious to Garrett's plan, fall easily to him. She shared everything including one night of romance. What will she do if, no, when she finds out that Garrett's only be with her because of her dad's command?
See? Pretty familiar, right? This book reminds me of old Mandy Moore movie called Chasing Liberty and Katie Holmes movie First Daughter only the difference is Mandy Moore and Katie Holmes are the daughter of the president (I think so). With different ending too of course but still, the idea is a bit of the same to me.
But personally, I enjoyed this book, though it's not really my favorite. I just wish Garrett could be more mature with handling Alex and treat her more gentle. Overall, I liked it. Look forward to read another Kings of California.
Garrett King's a bodyguard when he meet Alexis, Princess of Some-Country-I-Can't-Remember-The-Name. But he's bot working then, because apparently Alex is running away from her home, doing an awful job of covering herself and went to Disneyland alone. Up until her father, the king, asked Garrett to be her bodyguard without her knowing. Alex, oblivious to Garrett's plan, fall easily to him. She shared everything including one night of romance. What will she do if, no, when she finds out that Garrett's only be with her because of her dad's command?
See? Pretty familiar, right? This book reminds me of old Mandy Moore movie called Chasing Liberty and Katie Holmes movie First Daughter only the difference is Mandy Moore and Katie Holmes are the daughter of the president (I think so). With different ending too of course but still, the idea is a bit of the same to me.
But personally, I enjoyed this book, though it's not really my favorite. I just wish Garrett could be more mature with handling Alex and treat her more gentle. Overall, I liked it. Look forward to read another Kings of California.
January 7, 2012
Fun book. Garrett was such a soft touch for his nieces that they were able to get him to go to Disneyland, in spite of himself. He was grumping away until he saw Alex, and that she needed his help. He rescued her, then got her to stay with them for the day, and enjoyed seeing her enjoy herself. Alex had managed to give her security people the slip back at home, and immediately headed for California. She was completely enjoying the ability to just be herself when she met Garrett. When he realized why she looked familiar, he went into bodyguard mode, without letting her know that he knew. The time they spent together enabled her to be herself, and she fell in love with him. When the truth came out, she was furious and hurt. Especially when he told her there was no future for them. He refused to see that there was no reason they couldn't be together until it was almost too late. I loved the part with the return of the necklace, and the scene in the king's office at the end was priceless.
January 14, 2012
I am always fond of the Kings. I love how Garrett turns mush when it comes to his nieces and to Jackson's wife. There is nothing that could make a woman melt but a guy with such a soft heart to kids. I love Alex spontaneity and honesty. And how ironic that she wanted to go to Disneyland when she is actually a princess living in disneyland. I love how they were not able to control their attraction towards each other.
I love all the characters in this book especially the children. I hope Maureen Child could also write the story of Mia when she grows up and her sisters. I want Griffin's story!!! And I hope he is next!
Just a request Ms. Maureen, I hope you could include the girls again in your next book. I love to hear from them!
I love all the characters in this book especially the children. I hope Maureen Child could also write the story of Mia when she grows up and her sisters. I want Griffin's story!!! And I hope he is next!
Just a request Ms. Maureen, I hope you could include the girls again in your next book. I love to hear from them!
Read
February 2, 2013For security expert Garrett King, rescuing a damsel in distress is routine—even if she is a runaway princess. And especially if she's a sexy, desirable woman he intends to keep very, very close.
Garrett knows Princess Alexis escaped her castle to look for independence and true love—and she thinks she's found it in him. But he's no white knight. As a bodyguard, he's been covertly hired to protect her during her adventure. As a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't do happily ever after…but one kiss from a princess could change everything.
The story line was great. It was written very well, and had a plot that carried all the way through to the end. 5 star
Garrett knows Princess Alexis escaped her castle to look for independence and true love—and she thinks she's found it in him. But he's no white knight. As a bodyguard, he's been covertly hired to protect her during her adventure. As a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't do happily ever after…but one kiss from a princess could change everything.
The story line was great. It was written very well, and had a plot that carried all the way through to the end. 5 star
November 3, 2016
Garret King (twin brother of Griffin King)and Princess Alexis meet at Disneyland. She has escaped from her country to find true love in the country her parents met. Garrett and her brother own a security agency and when he recognizes her, he reports to her father, the King, of her whereabouts. The King then hires Garret to be her bodyguard to protect her without her knowledge.
I always enjoy reading a book by Maureen Child. It is very easy and enjoyable reading.
I always enjoy reading a book by Maureen Child. It is very easy and enjoyable reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2012
Ok, that was just impossible to believe.....everything from the fairytale country of Cadria.....to the runaway princess cliche.....to the final chapter featuring the fistfight with Garrett, the king and the 3 princes. The entire plot was just cliched and completely lacking in credibility. There were parts of Alex's and Garrett's romance that I found charming, so it does get 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2012
Review to come
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: Kings of California
June 29, 2015
I loved Garret and Alex. A princess strong enough to overcome tradition and a King strong enough to overcome his past.
August 30, 2015
i was so disappointed and ultimately bored ! the story was not fetching at all. and add 2 dat, i never saw them falling in love. it was just the sex which was freaking great. else, der was nthg much.
July 23, 2015
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews