The Knight's Kiss

Royal Scandals: San Rimini #4

by Nicole Burnham

He lived in Once Upon a Time.

When Princess Isabella diTalora needs an expert to study the ancient artifacts hidden beneath the royal palace, she’s determined to hire the best: Nick Black, a mysterious collector who knows San Rimini’s medieval era better than anyone.

Nick Black knows San Rimini’s history for good reason. He lived it. In fact, he was once known as Domenico of Bollazio, a powerful knight pledged to San Rimini’s king. But he was cursed for his ambition and will never know peace—or mortality—until he can solve the riddle of his enchantment.

Nick knows modern technology will soon reveal his immortality to the world, so—despite the risk—he accepts the assignment from the princess in hopes of breaking his curse. But as he spends more time with the beautiful princess, he learns that some risks come with unexpected consequences.

The Knight’s Kiss is the fourth book in the Royal Scandals: San Rimini series. The six-book series includes:

• Fit for a Queen
• Going to the Castle
• The Prince’s Tutor
• The Knight’s Kiss
• Falling for Prince Federico
• To Kiss a King

Genres: Romance

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 19, 2020

About the author

Nicole Burnham is the RITA award-winning author of over twenty novels, including the popular Royal Scandals series. For new release announcements, audio/ebook samples, and to receive a free copy of A ROYAL SCANDALS WEDDING, visit https://nicoleburnham.com/new-events/
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NOTE FROM NICOLE: My Goodreads library is by no means comprehensive. I have thousands of books on my real (as opposed to my Goodreads) bookshelves. However, my Goodreads library only contains those books I'd give four or five stars and would recommend to friends without hesitation (and I haven't gotten around to listing all those yet.)

Reviews

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Knight's Kiss (Royal Scandals: San Rimini #4) by: Nicole Burnham  
 
 
The Knight's Kiss by Nicole BurnhamMy rating: 4 of 5 starsWas their love destined to be written in the stars or hindered by the hands of time? Burnham brings class, heartache and magic to a modern fairytale. When past and present collide, anything is possible. The Knight's Kiss reads like the most memorable sonata. Isabella and Nick take emotions on the most unpredictable ride of their hearts. His past heartbreak could hold the key to her future happiness, but the cost could be more than either are willing to endure. Get ready to be swept away by a larger than life love story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Knight’s Kiss
Nicole Burnham

[some mild spoilers]
Domenico, 12th century, was following his duty to the king, and made a difficult decision not to assist someone in need. He was cursed until he could abandon his ambition and sacrifice his desires for the sake of another. What was the curse? Immorality: He stopped getting older

Fast forward 800 or so years... Princess Isabella of San Rimini wants an expert to catalog the extensive royal collection of art cached in/below the palace- Not someone with ulterior motives, like fame or fortune or political reasons, but rather an expert who loves the work/art and who will complete the museum expansion project started by her deceased, beloved mother. She is not at all interested in being distracted by an interesting and great looking man with a sense of humor. She wants Nick Black for the project: a highly recommended, leading collector of San Riminian medieval art and relics. Nick, who would love like a “chance to live out the rest of his life surrounded by those who knew and cared for him, maybe even enjoying the love of a wife and children”. So what’s the problem? Is it that he’s a recluse? Ugly? Nasty? Nope, none of those things. Nick is none other than Domenico. He has had to to reinvent himself and move every decade or two so that people don’t realize that he’s always the same age.

When first meeting Nick, Isabella is intrigued by several contradictions. He has extensive experience but looks relatively young. He collects historical artifacts, but has modern art and technology in his place of business. He’s reclusive, but very affable. Intriguing

So what happens when the busy but somehow lonely princess hires the ever-young expert on San Rimini? Nick reluctantly takes the job, hoping to find an antidote to the curse, and instead finds an impossible love, one that he can’t hold onto if he truly loves her. Isabella finds someone who understands her, but has guarded his secrets from her. This book kept me captivated as I watched Isabella and Nick fall in love, and wondered how they would reach their happy ever after. There was a fun scene in the bakery, and glimpses of people from previous books in the series ( I love Prince Marco and Amanda!). I’m looking forward to Prince Frederico’s story next, and hoping to see more of his children in it. Four stars.

This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review

[Deb Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Knight’s Kiss
Royal Scandals: San Rimini # 4
Nicole Burnham
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve loved the other stories in this series, and I reflow enjoyed this one, but it’s very different to the other San Rimini royal stories. The Knights Kiss is Princess Isabella diTalora and her mystery man Nick Black. It is a keep your mind open deal.

Taking her mother’s wishes for the catalogue and viewing of San Rimini’s historical artifacts in an expansion of the Royal Museum. It requires someone with extensive knowledge to piece everything together. That person has a San Rimini historian, Nick Black. Princess Isabella travels to Boston to meet the man, but what she gets is a whole other story.

Nick Black is an incredibly private man, his historical knowledge is like no other, but the man himself is a mystery. He prefers to be unseen to the world, his history on earth is steeped in secrecy, secrecy he intends to keep. Even from the stunning Princess Isabella.

Both share fears over who they really are, the public persona, and the secrets they keep. But will Isabella be the person Nick had always looked for but never found? And is Isabella about to be opened up by the secret mystery man? Filled with more of the royal drama, the family and of course mystery will once again begging to be finished in one sitting.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella (the princess) and Nick (our mysterious knight) want to be free – to go out in public without been seen; free from responsibility (at least for a little bit); free from a curse. Isabella is a very busy princess and has duties and responsibilities not only to her family but to her country. Nick is a mystery man because of the curse put upon him by a witch centuries ago. They are lonely people hoping to find something from each other. His history is complicated as the description reveals. Since one of my favorite movies/tv shows was Highlander, I liked this story very much. I especially liked this book because we got to see interaction between Isabella and her family. I love to read Nicole Burnham's books because she doesn't forget that families are important and they stay with us through each book.

[M Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Isabella di'Talora from San Rimini requires an expert in the artefacts and history of her homeland to catalogue the treasures found in the storage area of the family palace. After some trouble she manges to engage Nick Black, a renowned expert and collector of San Riminian treaures. However, Nick has come by his knowledge in an unusual way. In actual fact he is a medieval knight who was cursed with immortality when he failed to help a lad in need. Nicole Burnham has written an engaging tale with indepth backstories for the two lead characters that endear them to the reader. The book works well as a stand alone book but l must admit l enjoy books in a series where you get to touch base with characters from the earlier books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series so l can hear how Isabella and Nick's story continues.

[Jessica CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella was after a piece of art and wanted to see him. But he kept his life secret. If he didn't his secrets would come out.

Nick Black was sent on a mission straight from the king, nothing could waver him from it. It even meant not getting involved- unfortunately that cursed him to live a very long long time without finding happiness without being able to connect except until questions arose and led to his solitude....

This was a very different read from the royal romances Nicole has written before, it gives you a great romance, chemistry and a Greta match but also added in some fantasy. Absolutely enjoyed it. I would definitely read more along these lines from Nicole.

Cannot wait to see what is next.

**Arc received in exchange for my honest opinion which I gratefully give.*

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella and Nick have a very unique story in this series. I honestly think this could be my favorite book of the series. Nicole added some magic (literally) and the burden of time to bring together two lonely souls. Neither of them are fully satisfied with their lives. Nick is burned with the task of freeing himself from a curse - no matter how much he feels he’s sacrificed and helped others, it isn’t enough to set him free. Then there’s Isabella. She has the burden and duty of her position. She loves helping others, but at the end of the day, it’s just her. It even appears that her own family doesn’t notice it’s her birthday, but she goes on being everything for everyone around her. They are the other half of each other. Both being the answer for each other and, in the end, breaking the curse.

[Renaye hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witchcraft and a centuries old pursuit of sacrifice turn this medieval fairy tale into a modern-day romance in The Knight's Kiss.

Princess Isabella seeks the world's leading expert in San Rimini art history, Nick Black, to help her bring her mother's dying wish for a musuem expansion to fruition. But Nick is harboring secrets from a dark past that spans centuries. Will this chance of a lifetime finally lead Nick to what he has been desperately seeking for so long; or, will it only lead to heartbreak for Nick and Isabella?

The fourth book in the Royal Scandals: San Rimini series, The Knight's Kiss is an amazing tale of love and mystery; an addictive read in a wonderful, must-read series.

I read an ARC of The Knights Kiss and willingly left this honest review.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Burnham is an excellent author! I absolutely love both her royal series. The worlds she has created draws me in to where I don't want to put down the story until I've finished. I feel like I'm right there and living within the story. Love her descriptive writings.

This one was different in that she had a paranormal element where Nick was born in 800+ years ago and had been cursed with immortality. He was searching out how to break the curse since each year that passed left him even more lonely than before, especially now that he had met Princess Isabella. Princess Isabella needed to learn to live life for herself so she wouldn't be so lonely as well. This is their story. I only wish the book had been longer. Cannot wait for the next book!

[Antonette Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!!!! This was such a departure from the normal romance books. Even though I don’t really like paranormal-type stories, I loved it!!!! Nick is actually a knight from the year 1190 that was cursed with eternal life. The author does a great job detailing his troubles and the problems that plaque him. At first when I read this, I thought, cool, eternal life, witnessing history!!! Then there is the flip side of the coin, constantly fearing your secret being discovered, all your friends growing older and you stay the same. Having to change identities every other decade, not staying in one place. This was a wonderful book to read in an afternoon. It leaves you happy for what you have.

[Maricar Amit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm, where do I start? The Knight’s Kiss is certainly different and I actually love it. About a very ambitious knight that was cursed to live forever unless he does something selfless. Then he fell in love, sigh. I don’t know how Nicole does it but she created a love story that’s different (you sometimes get tired of boy meets girl next door stories) and just as beautiful as the other stories in the series. You would love this book. Beware once you start, you can’t put down. Love story with a twist.

[Carmen Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Spoiler alert}
The story of Isabella diTalora and Nick Black was a totally unexpected plot. I never imagined that I would root so hard for Nick to be freed from his curse. And to know that the person who cursed him was next to him the whole time! It was heartbreaking to know of all that Nick had gone through trying to find freedom from the curse. And, of course, his love for Isabella is the key. He was freed... and they lived happily ever after!!

[kathleen f moynahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was just okay. A little far fetched on the premise, but hey, it’s not meant to be great literature, just a good beach read. Looking forward to next book, hoping it is more modern. I think girls will like the book though. Hunky guy always important. Good read for these times.

[Avid reader Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Knight’s Kiss
This is another book in the series Royals of San Rimini. This time the focus is on a fairy tale “The Cursed Knight “ that takes on life with Princess Isabella as one of the main characters. The knight is Nick Black formerly known as Domenico. He is actually over 800 years old but because of the cursed he has never aged, he is an intriguing character. The book has a great beginning with a flashback to the actual curse spoken by Rufina upon which the fairy tale is based.
Isabella wants to hire Nick Black, a private art collector, to sort through identify and catalogue all of the items that have been stored in the old part of the castle. Isabella wants to put the items in the expansion wing of the Royal Museum of San Rimini to fulfill a dream of her late mother Queen Aletta.
The plot is already set by the curse but Nick is hesitant to even meet Isabella but the two strong willed individuals do meet. Nick accepts the job but has a huge list of rules, one being no weekly meetings with the staff at the museum. But he discovers he has a wealth of items and artifacts plus the written scrolls to examine that have never been seen before. He hopes he can find his answer to removing the curse.
Isabella escorts Nick to the old wing of the castle and in the basement they find and old knight’s sword. It is not Nick’s but he shows Isabella how it would have been used. Isabella finds herself being drawn to this fascinating man.
I really liked how Nicole Burnham had their relationship evolve along with Nick’s discovery of the fairy tale book with the story of the Cursed Knight. Their conversations were very realistic even though he was 800 years her senior but physically looked a similar age to Isabella.
Isabella had been accustomed to looking after everyone else, Nick senses her loneliness and the two take a rememberable trip out a secret tunnel to have dinner. There is some great humour in the dry cleaners when her brother almost finds them.
The ending is great and suitable for a fairytale and a surprise to see that Rufina had been along for the journey of 800 years as well. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Virginia VanSaders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 4 of Royal Scandals: San Remini Series.

This is the story of Nick & Princess Isabella. Nick is originally from San Remini, almost 1,000 years ago. Nick had a curse put on him many years ago, and he never ages. He has to put someone's life first instead of his own for the curse to be broken. Princess Isabella is the princess of San Remini. Nick has been looking for Rufina, the witch that put a curse on him, if she's even still alive. That's how he got into being an ancient artifact collector. Princess Isabella offers him a job cataloging art, artifacts and historical documents. They reach an agreement and he will take the job. He's specifically looking for something, though, in this work. They form a relationship, and he always puts her first, not matter what. This is an interesting story based on a fairy tale, but is his reality. I'm sure all who read this story will enjoy it. It's different from any romance story I've read, which is a good thing. A different take on a romance story. Looking forward to the next story in this series.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Fairy Tales were real? That is the premise of this story. It tells the tale of the Cursed Knight - who put his desires ahead of anything else. He was cursed to live until he could do something sacrificial, so he lived for almost 1000 years, which brings us to the San Rimini Royals stories. Now going by the name Nick Black, he meets the Princess Isabella, who hires him as an expert on San Rimini history. He accepts, because he might be able to find something to help him break the curse that has kept him alive. He shows his knowledge of the medieval history in impressive ways, such as how to use a broad sword. At the time, she did not know that he gained his knowledge for living the life and not studying it in texts. He teaches her that there is more to life that just following all the rules. There are ways to get around some of them to enjoy what life has to offer. But does his research give him the answer? The story provides the answer.

[sjoyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Isabella diTalora needs an expert to study the ancient artifacts hidden beneath the royal palace in San Rimini. Why does Nick Black know San Rimini’s medieval era better than anyone? Was he once known as Domenico of Bollazio, a powerful knight pledged to San Rimini’s king? Was he cursed for his ambition with immortality? Who cursed him?

Does he accept the assignment despite the risk? Will helping the princess help break the curse? Will spending more time with the princess bring unexpected consequences? It's obvious that Nick and Isabella are attracted to each other. Do they act on this attraction?

Will they find their HEA with each other? Read this enjoyable sweet romance to find the answers to these questions.

I've read several books by Nicole Burnham. It was well written and was enjoyable, however was not one of her best. It was worth the time spent reading. I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Deb Spalding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Nicole Burnham’s Royal Scandal romance and mystery series. A Knight’s Kiss is a medieval fairy tale meets modern romance. Princess Isabelle of San Rimini needs to find an expert to help her catalog ancient artifacts found in the palace storage room. She hopes to expand the museum began by her beloved deceased mother. An reclusive San Rimini expert, Nick Black, is hired to complete the task. Nick accepts because it would help in his own 800 year search. There are many twists, turns, mystery, and romance in this story. Like all good fairy tales this one has a happy ever after ending. Can not wait for the next book in the series. I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely, positively in love with The Knight's Kiss. I love the premise, the characters, the way the story plays out, the irony and the HEA.

Nick Black guards his privacy like it's Fort Knox because of the secret he carries deep within him. Isabella diTalora's life is full with the nonstop duties and responsibilities she's chosen to take on. So many that she has no time for herself ever. She doesn't even realize how lonely she's become until Nick, a kindred spirit in loneliness, points it to her. In learning Nick's secret, Isabella gives him what he's long sought...a way out. With it comes the love and happiness he had long ago given up on.

[Diane Hoover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting plot but this book really needed an few hundred more pages to flesh out the characters and 800 years of life. I'd have stuck with it too. Was just too short to really explore the story and the relationship.

[Lee-Anne Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate to compare myself with Rita Mae Brown...

...but I do miss the subjunctive, and all those "boring bits" of English grammar so rarely seen these days. The story was lovely, but I do wish that editors, at least, were still well-versed in the liberal arts.

[Karri Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg! 5 stars!!

Good lord!! What a story! I loved this story so much!!! I did not want it to end! I wanted to know if they have babies! I’m sad it did not touch on that. But it’s an excellent book!