Cursed Kiss

by Helen Scott Taylor

Clare is whisked from modern day New York to a chateau in France to a medieval alternate world in her search for a secret ingredient that restores youth. Darkly enigmatic Luka Vlad seems to have the answer, but he is not what he seems--he may have love in his eyes, but he has death in his kiss.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fantasy

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Helen Scott Taylor, had her first book released in 2009. The Magic Knot, won the American Title contest, was a Golden Heart® finalist, and was chosen as one of Booklist's top ten romances of 2009. Since then, she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA.

Helen lives in South West England near Exeter in Devon. As well as her wonderful long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie and a birman cat. She believes that deep within everyone there's a little magic.

Reviews

[Mimi Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare finds herself in a real dilemma when she takes over Moray Productions, her grandmothers company. She finds that their best selling product, a face cream, is in dire need of a special ingredient called Taldom's Blood. Thinking it's a strange name for an herb, she contacts the one man who can supply it, Luca Vlad, a passionate yet oddly sad man who she becomes attracted to. Little does she know that she'll be caught up in a world or maybe I should worlds of intrigue and danger. Her travels take her to his home in France where she learns of an alternative dimension Luca needs to return to and she's the only person who can help him get there. Finding herself drawn to this man who she can't even touch due to his uncontrollable need for her energy, things become more and more complicated. The characters - loved the dragon - were described perfectly and I could picture each of them as this mystery continued. Captivating, this story is written with so much passion that I was sucked in and had a hard time shutting off the light to get a few hours' sleep.

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Kiss is the first book I've read by Helen Scott Taylor. It certainly won't be the last. I liked that it told a complete story in 1 book. The characters were very likeable. Luka Vlad is a successful businessman with a personal assistant named Pablo. Clare Morsy is just as successful being president of Moray Cosmetics. When a production problem threatens the product line, Clare must resolve the issue. The CFO of Moray Cosmetic approaches Clare with her grandmother, Monique's secret ingredient book. They need Taldom blood with Vlad's address in France. So Clare ends up in France. Apparently her 'deceased' grandmother is alive in Taldom, an actual place. Monique wants Luca dead after she tortures him. Clare and Luca are atyracted to each other but can not touch. Her grandmother Monique has placed a curse on Luca changing him into a physic vampire. Pablo is the only one who can touch him and keep him alive. There is much more story to this book. I recommend it whole heartedly.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luka Vlad lives a tormented life on Earth due to a Cursed Kiss spell placed on him by a witch from his home world a Taldom. He survives with the help of his companion and friend Pablo.

Clare is the new President of Moray Skincare needs to find the source of Factor T for their ageless skin formula and this brings her to Luka and the story starts, as she learns of the world of Taldom where her grandmother still resides.

The character development and interaction is complicated, the story plot kept me reading from the first page to the last; I didn't want to stop. This is a science fiction fantasy with a strong love element and an evil element to be defeated with lots of emotions and feelings that the reader can understand. It is a good story from start to finish and one I enjoyed completely.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I started off really liking and then it just lost me. *sigh*

A lot happened in Cursed Kiss and the premise was rather unique. The travel between dimensions was an interesting twist. I also liked symbiotic relationship between Luka and Pablo. (You’ll have to read the book to figure that one out.) There was intrigue and danger and plenty of sexual tension, but there was also a lot missing.

There was so much I wanted to know and for a while I thought my questions would be answered, but they never really were. I did enjoy what I got out of it though and the unique concept kept my interest, I just wanted more. There are a lot of readers that didn’t seem to have any issues with it though, so don’t let my hesitance sway you. It may have been just me, which happens. Cursed Kiss was an enjoyable read, honest. It just left me wanting to know more about the characters. Not really confusion, just questions. This may be one that I pick up again and see if I still feel the same way.

[Terrie Meerschaert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed Kiss is a well-crafted, young adult level paranormal romance. Clare Moray is the CEO of a beauty product company whose best-seller, FaceGlo, is a marvelous success with a secret ingredient: Factor T. When the current batch of Factor T is found to be contaminated, we travel with Clare to England to meet the reclusive Luka Vlad, who promises Clare more Factor T if she agrees to complete research for him. Clare is caught up in a tale of other dimensions, psychic vampires, and magic, all while becoming more enamored of Luka. Yet she is worried about the strange alliance between Luka and his faithful servant Pablo. Will FaceGlo be no more? Will she want to continue using Factor T, even if she can get it? Is Clare anything like her grandmother? Does the girl get the boy? All will be answered by the end of the fun romp!

[Lorhainne Eckhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Scott Taylor stories have always intrigued me. Now I'm not normally a fan of anything paranormal, but I really enjoyed this one. Clare is lovely but also when she takes over her grandmothers company and the success behind the company is this one key ingredient that no one seems to know where she got it from. Of course thinking it is a strange herb she contacts Luca Vlad who is the only one who can get it for her. She can't help the attraction between them,he whisks her to France to his Chateau, but he's a lonely man, a man she can't touch as he needs her energy.

Luca shows Clare this alternate universe, and he needs her help to go there to get the one ingredient she needs. This is a great read and you'll love the alternate world, and Pablo (I really liked him)

[Jessi Szigethy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. The double world/psychic vampire thing is interesting. I connected with the characters and the evil lady is really evil. Parts weren't completely flushed out but overall this was a good read.

[Betsy Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this story 3.5 stars. The suspense of the story flows nicely and the conflicts mesh to draw the characters together. More backstory would be nice surrounding Monique, Luka, and Pablo. The end was a little too neat and tidy. Despite my personal preferences for reading, I did enjoy this book.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cursed Kiss was well written, the character development was great and the story kept my interest but fantasy and si-fi are not my favorite type of book. If you like fantasy, romance and mystery this is a great choice for you.

[Michelle]

Cured kiss

very moving story. well written. love and a happily ever after. with a twist of fate over the top good

[Shiela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this book. sorry!

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, a quick read.