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Dangerous #2
Dangerous to Kiss
Handsome, kind, and unassuming, Mr. Gray seemed the answer to Deborah Weyman's prayers. For once she accepted the position he offered, she would finally be safe from the notorious Lord Kendal, a man she had good reason to believe had murdered her former employer -- and was now after her. But there were certain things about Mr. Gray that Deborah should have the breadth of his shoulders, the steel in his voice, the gleam in his uncommonly blue eyes -- things that might have warned her that Mr. Gray was no savior, but a very dangerous man....
Too tempting to resist...
Though she posed as a dowdy schoolteacher, Lord Kendal saw right through her disguise to the treacherous beauty beneath. Now, convinced that she alone can tell him the truth about Lord Barrington's murder -- and the whereabouts of Barrington's young son -- he coolly masquerades as the innocuous Mr. Gray. And only when it's too late for Deborah to run will she learn what it means to be at his mercy -- and powerless to resist his seduction....
Too tempting to resist...
Though she posed as a dowdy schoolteacher, Lord Kendal saw right through her disguise to the treacherous beauty beneath. Now, convinced that she alone can tell him the truth about Lord Barrington's murder -- and the whereabouts of Barrington's young son -- he coolly masquerades as the innocuous Mr. Gray. And only when it's too late for Deborah to run will she learn what it means to be at his mercy -- and powerless to resist his seduction....
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
28 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Thornton
61 books154 followersMary Forrest George, née Baxter was born and educated in Aberdeen, Scotland, where she taught school for a number of years before establishing her own nursery school, St. Swithin Street Nursery School, an institution that is still going strong today.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
She and her husband then emigrated to Canada with their three young sons. She taught kindergarten and Grade One for a number of years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before becoming lay minister at a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg.
As part of her continuing education, she enrolled in evening classes at the University of Winnipeg to study Classical Greek. Five years later, having completed an Honor's thesis on Women in Euripides, she received her B.A. (Classics Gold Medalist).
After reading her first romance, a Regency by Georgette Heyer, she was captivated by the genre. Hereafter, writing became her hobby. In 1987, her first book, a small Regency entitled, Bluestocking Bride, was published by Zebra books.
She is the author of twenty-four historical romances, and two novellas. She has been nominated for and received many awards including the Romantic Times Trophy Award for the best New Historical Regency Author and Best Historical Regency. Seven of her novels have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America Rita awards, Scarlet Angel, Strangers at Dawn, Princess Charming and The Perfect Princess, Shady Lady, The Marriage Trap, and The Bachelor Trap. Her books appear regularly on national best-selling lists and have been translated into many languages.
Elizabeth's hobbies include reading (particularly mystery and suspense novels, biography, and history), and traveling to do research for her novels. She is also an avid Harry Potter enthusiast.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 2, 2025
Read: 2/24/25
3.5 stars
This was definitely a step up from the 1st book! Of course, that's not hard to do. I liked this one but it wasn't memorable. After a week, I've already forgotten most of the plot.
Conclusion: This was a pretty good book but not one I'll reread again. ET has written soo many better books this one. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be an improvement.
3.5 stars
This was definitely a step up from the 1st book! Of course, that's not hard to do. I liked this one but it wasn't memorable. After a week, I've already forgotten most of the plot.
Conclusion: This was a pretty good book but not one I'll reread again. ET has written soo many better books this one. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be an improvement.
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 29, 2022
Since I adore this book so much, I suppose it's only fair I elaborate a little more on the ploy. Deborah is a governess (though one with a chequered past) who went into hiding with her young charge, Quentin, when the latter's father was murdered. Of course, this is against the law, and the father's best friend Gray, Lord Kendal is hot on her heels. She, suspecting him to be in cahoots with the murderer, struggles mightily when he abducts her to try and recover Quentin.
Fortunately this miscommunication doesn't last long, and they both soon realise that they have Quentin's best interests at heart. Deborah is taken under the wing of Gray's mother, who's determined to marry her off. Gray, unexpectedly, has Thoughts about that...
Definitely my favourite of Thornton's novels. The first love scene between the hero and heroine is one I constantly keep rereading, it's so beautiful and poignant. I adore the way he adores her. He's a fabulous hero, and she's a fabulous heroine, strong yet loving. If only Thornton had more books where the couple gripped me like this one does!
Unlike many other Thornton books, there's minimal OW drama in this one, which is always excellent. Gray follows in the tradition of her finest heroes: he falls hard and fast for Deborah, gets jealous over every guy she looks at, is so besotted he can't understand why she doesn't feel the same way... Meanwhile, she's a lot more reticent in her affections. Yes, he does act like an overbearing arse at times, but WAY less than Rand from Highland Fire or Rathbourne from To Love an Earl.
Also, the side characters- especially Deborah's brother - are hilarious.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
Fortunately this miscommunication doesn't last long, and they both soon realise that they have Quentin's best interests at heart. Deborah is taken under the wing of Gray's mother, who's determined to marry her off. Gray, unexpectedly, has Thoughts about that...
Definitely my favourite of Thornton's novels. The first love scene between the hero and heroine is one I constantly keep rereading, it's so beautiful and poignant. I adore the way he adores her. He's a fabulous hero, and she's a fabulous heroine, strong yet loving. If only Thornton had more books where the couple gripped me like this one does!
Unlike many other Thornton books, there's minimal OW drama in this one, which is always excellent. Gray follows in the tradition of her finest heroes: he falls hard and fast for Deborah, gets jealous over every guy she looks at, is so besotted he can't understand why she doesn't feel the same way... Meanwhile, she's a lot more reticent in her affections. Yes, he does act like an overbearing arse at times, but WAY less than Rand from Highland Fire or Rathbourne from To Love an Earl.
Also, the side characters- especially Deborah's brother - are hilarious.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
October 14, 2025
Re-read it for the 2nd time, and I'm bumping it to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars instead.
I always find ET books hard to review. It's not that they are not good; it's just that the books have many things going on, and the blurb doesn't do them justice. And let's not even talk about the title. The title doesn't have anything to do with the story (who came up with the titles anyway?)
So, for this one, please read the review by Namera @ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
I couldn't said it better myself.
I always find ET books hard to review. It's not that they are not good; it's just that the books have many things going on, and the blurb doesn't do them justice. And let's not even talk about the title. The title doesn't have anything to do with the story (who came up with the titles anyway?)
So, for this one, please read the review by Namera @ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
I couldn't said it better myself.
December 6, 2025
I have been in a bit of a slump, so I decided to re-read something I remembered liking
Well, my impression did go a bit down with the re-read, but I didn't dislike it.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Well, my impression did go a bit down with the re-read, but I didn't dislike it.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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January 17, 2021
What made this story compelling and worth my staying up the night to finish it was the fast pace, exciting suspense, wry humour and witty sparring between the two leads. Deborah’s past itself is a mystery, but because this is the second time round I’m reading this book, I was already jumping ahead to the next exciting scene.
Deborah is one of my favourite Thornton heroines, besides Sara Carstairs (Strangers at Dawn), and Rosamund Devere (The Perfect Princess). These are intelligent, resourceful women – actually most of her heroines are – who are not afraid to defy society to do what’s right.
I can always count on Thornton to deliver thrilling suspense, sensual romance, an intriguing plot and memorable characters. Her consummate skills in writing romantic suspense, IMHO, ensure that fans are seldom disappointed with her works.
Read this in 2007 and posted the review here.
Deborah is one of my favourite Thornton heroines, besides Sara Carstairs (Strangers at Dawn), and Rosamund Devere (The Perfect Princess). These are intelligent, resourceful women – actually most of her heroines are – who are not afraid to defy society to do what’s right.
I can always count on Thornton to deliver thrilling suspense, sensual romance, an intriguing plot and memorable characters. Her consummate skills in writing romantic suspense, IMHO, ensure that fans are seldom disappointed with her works.
Read this in 2007 and posted the review here.
September 30, 2014
Rapey, ragey and violent hero? Enough said. I'm not one to usually make a stink about this kind of thing but this hero was really bad. Add to that a heroine who acts without sense or motivation (she's terrified of hero but throws herself at him and seduces him like an experienced woman even though she is a virgin) and not very good writing and this book was terrible. I made it to the end but only by skimming through the majority of it.
July 12, 2008
I don't know what it is, but when I know that I have less than 100 pages left in a book, I feel compelled to finish it. Thus, I finished this book in the wee morning hours this morning.
I have always enjoyed Elizabeth Thornton's books. I think she has great balance of romance, mystery, action/adventure and history. I loved the beginning of this one where he abducts her because he thinks that she has kidnapped his ward. Then he finds out that she thought that he was a murderer. All the while he is falling more and more in love with her. It was a great and gripping beginning and followed through quite nicely. It was little lengthy in the conclusion. I wouldn't have thought it would take them so long to finally get together, but even still, it was quite satisfying.
I have always enjoyed Elizabeth Thornton's books. I think she has great balance of romance, mystery, action/adventure and history. I loved the beginning of this one where he abducts her because he thinks that she has kidnapped his ward. Then he finds out that she thought that he was a murderer. All the while he is falling more and more in love with her. It was a great and gripping beginning and followed through quite nicely. It was little lengthy in the conclusion. I wouldn't have thought it would take them so long to finally get together, but even still, it was quite satisfying.
January 18, 2019
Premier livre de cet auteur que j'ai lu. il m'avait fait forte impression à l'époque et est longtemps resté mon A&P préféré. J'aime beaucoup le couple Grey/Deborah ainsi que les personnages secondaires. Et l'intrigue est bien menée. Je l'ai relu plusieurs fois.
January 14, 2022
Se trezi scoţând un ţipăt de groază. Pe moment, se simţi dezorientată, de parcă s-ar fi întors în timp, în altă casă, în alt loc. Dar, treptat, pe măsură ce începu să realizeze unde se află bătăile inimii se domoliră. Se afla în siguranţă. Nimeni n-o urmărea. Nimeni nu ştia nici cine era, nici unde se găsea.
Ploaia care biciuia ochiurile de geam fu cât pe-aci s-o adoarmă, când sus, pe cer, se văzu un fulger, urmat de bubuitura trăsnetului. Anticipând venirea precipitată a lui Quentin se ridică în coate. El nu va admite că se teme de furtuni, evident. La cei opt ani ai săi, Quentin nu voia niciodată să admită că i-ar fi teamă de ceva. Ca atare, se aştepta să urmeze un joc amuzant de replici. Descoperind că guvernanta sa era îngrozită de furtuni, baieţelul va pretinde că venise special pentru a o linişti. Dar ea îi înţelegea mai bine ca oricine bravada.
Când furtuna se intensifică şi micuţul care îi fusese dat în grijă tot nu apăru la uşa ei, Deborah bâjbâi pe masa de lăngă pat în căutarea lumânării. După câteva încercări ratate de a o aprinde, renunţă şi, dându-se jos din pat, întinse mâna după capot. Nu-i trebui mai mult de un moment sau două pentru a traversa coridorul până la camera lui Quentin, plus încă un moment pentru a descoperi că patul băiatului era gol.
Ezită, întrebându-se dacă era posibil ca lordul Barrington, cel care o angajase, să fi ajuns acolo înaintea ei pentru a-şi lua fiul în camera lui sau dacă Quentin îi făcea iarăşi vreo farsă. Ajungând la concluzia că ultima variantă era mai probabilă, orbecăi pe coridor, plimbându-şi mâna de-a lungul balustradei până când atinse stâlpul din capul scării. În interiorul foarte întunecos, lumina de la parter, care se furişa pe sub uşa bibliotecii lordului, strălucea ca un far. Abia când o văzu îşi aminti că tatăl băiatului avea întâlnire în seara aceea cu lordul Kendal. Deci Quentin nu putea fi în bibliotecă, cu ei. Atunci unde se ascundea?
Ezită din nou când ajunse în dreptul cotului scării şerpuitoare.
— Quentin? strigă încet. Quentin? Dar nu-i răspunse nimeni.
Iritată, scoase o exclamaţie înăbuşită şi începu cercetările, gândindu-se deja la posibilele consecinţe ale unei eventuale pozne nesăbuite a baieţelului. Sănătatea acestuia nu era robustă. Abia scăpase de temperatură. Dacă nu-şi pusese halatul şi papucii, era hotarâta să-i demonstreze ce limbă ascuţită avea.
În momentul în care trecu prin faţa uşii bibliotecii, auzi nişte voci. Încetini paşii. Nu distingea cuvintele rostite, dar ştia că una dintre acele voci îi aparţinea celui care o angajase şi că, după cum suna, omul părea alarmat. Brusc îi trecu prin minte ideea că lui Quentin i se putuse întâmpla ceva rău. Întinse mâna spre butonul uşii, dar gestul îngheţă în aer, la mijlocul drumului, oprit de glasul lordului Barrington care rupsese tăcerea.
Ploaia care biciuia ochiurile de geam fu cât pe-aci s-o adoarmă, când sus, pe cer, se văzu un fulger, urmat de bubuitura trăsnetului. Anticipând venirea precipitată a lui Quentin se ridică în coate. El nu va admite că se teme de furtuni, evident. La cei opt ani ai săi, Quentin nu voia niciodată să admită că i-ar fi teamă de ceva. Ca atare, se aştepta să urmeze un joc amuzant de replici. Descoperind că guvernanta sa era îngrozită de furtuni, baieţelul va pretinde că venise special pentru a o linişti. Dar ea îi înţelegea mai bine ca oricine bravada.
Când furtuna se intensifică şi micuţul care îi fusese dat în grijă tot nu apăru la uşa ei, Deborah bâjbâi pe masa de lăngă pat în căutarea lumânării. După câteva încercări ratate de a o aprinde, renunţă şi, dându-se jos din pat, întinse mâna după capot. Nu-i trebui mai mult de un moment sau două pentru a traversa coridorul până la camera lui Quentin, plus încă un moment pentru a descoperi că patul băiatului era gol.
Ezită, întrebându-se dacă era posibil ca lordul Barrington, cel care o angajase, să fi ajuns acolo înaintea ei pentru a-şi lua fiul în camera lui sau dacă Quentin îi făcea iarăşi vreo farsă. Ajungând la concluzia că ultima variantă era mai probabilă, orbecăi pe coridor, plimbându-şi mâna de-a lungul balustradei până când atinse stâlpul din capul scării. În interiorul foarte întunecos, lumina de la parter, care se furişa pe sub uşa bibliotecii lordului, strălucea ca un far. Abia când o văzu îşi aminti că tatăl băiatului avea întâlnire în seara aceea cu lordul Kendal. Deci Quentin nu putea fi în bibliotecă, cu ei. Atunci unde se ascundea?
Ezită din nou când ajunse în dreptul cotului scării şerpuitoare.
— Quentin? strigă încet. Quentin? Dar nu-i răspunse nimeni.
Iritată, scoase o exclamaţie înăbuşită şi începu cercetările, gândindu-se deja la posibilele consecinţe ale unei eventuale pozne nesăbuite a baieţelului. Sănătatea acestuia nu era robustă. Abia scăpase de temperatură. Dacă nu-şi pusese halatul şi papucii, era hotarâta să-i demonstreze ce limbă ascuţită avea.
În momentul în care trecu prin faţa uşii bibliotecii, auzi nişte voci. Încetini paşii. Nu distingea cuvintele rostite, dar ştia că una dintre acele voci îi aparţinea celui care o angajase şi că, după cum suna, omul părea alarmat. Brusc îi trecu prin minte ideea că lui Quentin i se putuse întâmpla ceva rău. Întinse mâna spre butonul uşii, dar gestul îngheţă în aer, la mijlocul drumului, oprit de glasul lordului Barrington care rupsese tăcerea.
June 11, 2018
Dangerous to Kiss
I really liked the book. It was a murder mystery along with a romance. The two main characters suspected each other so I think the other reviews didn't really take that into consideration. I like the author so I gave it a try in spite of the less than glowing reviews and was glad of it.
I really liked the book. It was a murder mystery along with a romance. The two main characters suspected each other so I think the other reviews didn't really take that into consideration. I like the author so I gave it a try in spite of the less than glowing reviews and was glad of it.
April 5, 2022
I mean if the H is gonna act like her abusive Dad, I'm just not gonna ship it.
February 23, 2024
3.5 Stars
February 4, 2025
This book was a delightful surprise! The mystery kept me guessing, and I absolutely loved the witty banter between the main characters right from the start. It immediately drew me in.
March 5, 2016
I really liked this book! Honestly, my only grievance was that I didn't have time to read it all in one setting! I thought it was nicely paced, had attraction, murder, intrigue, just a good story all around. The kidnapping at the beginning was a little shady, just because of the poor treatment of the heroine, but in truth, the hero was supposed to be an agent for the Crown, so in turn, he was just dealing with her as another criminal. It wasn't until his conscious came into play that it got really interesting!
March 13, 2013
What a terrific read! The hero and heroine are both alpha characters and the sparks between them are hot enough to burn the reader's fingers on the page. There is a mystery to solve, but it doesn't take away from the main story of the romance. Great cast of secondary characters too - Gray's family, Deborah's brother, Deborah's ward Quentin, the spymaster Lord Lawford - I would love to read a romance with Lord Lawford as the hero!
September 14, 2009
I have re-read this book several times. It does not grow stale.
October 10, 2011
3.5 stars
August 13, 2016
Eric Perrin was my fav. character in this novel i wish he has a book for him and Helena
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews