Cómo besar a un canalla

Connected by a Kiss #2

by Amanda Mariel

A misunderstanding that wounds the bonds of friendship leads a lady to find the love of her life.

Lady Natalie’s betrothal is ended and frees her to pursue the man of her dreams. During a holiday party she discovers the lord she desires in attendance. So hatches a plan to snare him.

Lord Christian St. Vella the Marquis of Knightly has no desire to marry. The more Lady Natalie chases the more irritated he becomes. As the party progresses he cannot help but see past her shallow exterior and recognizes a lady he could fall for.

Will they come together to share a unforgettable Christmastide?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency, Christmas, Novella, Holiday

184 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

About the author

Amanda Mariel, an accomplished wordsmith, holds dual master's degrees in liberal arts and education, specializing in the captivating realms of history and literature. Beyond her academic pursuits, she embraces the joyful chaos of motherhood, tending to both her cherished teenagers and her trio of adored fur babies. Among them, a noble Bernese Mountain Dog named Blaze, and two cats of distinct character, Ezra and Puff, share their home.

A USA Today Bestselling luminary, Amanda Mariel conjures vivid tapestries of eras long past, drawing inspiration from the languid cadence of days gone by. With pen poised and imagination unfurled, she traverses the annals of time, weaving tales that illuminate historical landscapes with finesse and flair. Her creative spirit finds respite in reading, traversing new horizons through travel, and capturing moments through the lenses of both her camera and artistic endeavors. Yet, it is in the embrace of family that she finds her truest sanctuary.

To delve deeper into Amanda's captivating world visit www.amandamariel.com. While there, an invitation to join her newsletter promises a gateway to the latest from Amanda Mariel's literary treasury, and an opportunity to claim a complimentary eBook.

Amanda's passion extends to her readers, welcoming their voices and stories into her narrative realm. Engage with her through email at amanda@amandamariel.com, or connect via her social Media channels.

Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorAmandaMarie1
Twitter: twitter.com/AmandaMarieAuth
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/amanda-mariel
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@amandamarielromance

Amidst the prose and parchment, Amanda Mariel etches a profound connection, bridging eras, hearts, and minds, creating a legacy that resonates through the corridors of time.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skip this one! I'm truly sorry, but It doesn't deserve its high rating.

I'm not giving anything away as the storyline goes, but we are given little reason for Christian's sudden love for Natalie when he had found her voice to be grating and her to be annoying. Natalie is a brat and not in the least bit likable. Even the trope of the unfeeling parents demanding she marry someone she doesn't know for the sake of the dukedom does little to cause us to feel sympathy for her because she is just obnoxious.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it that this book takes place at the same time A Kiss At Christmastide by Christina McKnight takes place. Some events from that book also take place in this one. Only seen from a different view.
My first impression of Lady Natalie was not a favourable one. The way she treats her life-long best friend in public... So it is a very daring of Amanda Mariel to try and give Natalie her own story. It is a great accomplishment that she is able to write a story which readers enjoy. Because I did. Natalie may not be the easiest person to deal with, I began to like her!
I received a copy from Booksprout and chose to review it.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book, that takes place during a Christmas stay in the country. I must say after reading book one, I felt Natalie very spoiled, and not a true friend. She also had a way of getting people back, whether she has all the details, or not. A cruel word, or a leading comment could be devastating, in her time period. She did that to her best friend, of her childhood, over a jealous moment, that she misunderstood. This book has her regretting her rash decision, but still planning to get her way, even in love. She has loved her brothers, titled best friend for years. He and his friends are confirmed rogues, and stay far away, from virginal young ladies, looking for husbands. Natalie is his best friends sister, and therefore out of bounds. She keeps going out of her way, to get his attention, and even be alone with him. This act would ruin both of them. She is supposed to be getting engaged, since her cruel outburst , in a ball , concerning her friend, and neighbor. Ladies of the Ton, are still talking about what her friend, could have done to deserve such scorn. Both girls returned to their homes, in the middle of the season. Natalie was told she would wed an honorable young Marquiss, whose family was already in attendance. Where was the groom to be though ? The torrents of water, and flooding were leaving the roads impossible. Natalie though, seemed not to care, and continued to ensnare him. What was he to do? When had her eyes become so blue, and her figure so womanly.? Why did he care, when other friends, danced with her, or gave her attention. ? She had always been a brat, causing her brother, and his friends trouble. Was she being forced to marry ? Were those tears he saw, as she gathered her gown, and ran past him? Why did he suddenly care, and why was he following her, to see if she was alright ? Was this one of her clever traps? He suddenly didn't seem to mind, and only her happiness did. This was madness, and he knew it. The ending was very touching. I loved watching the rogue, and the little brat , square off. Both characters had to change, and Natalie had to face the young woman she had allowed herself to become. The epilogue was greatly appreciated. It is always great to see how characters, and their friends lives go forward. A very well enjoyed Christmas book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Natalie Seymore and Lady Pippa Godfrey had been best friends, sharing confidences and secrets even as close as sisters until their coming out ball. When Lady Pippa betrayed their friendship by setting her sights on Lord Knightly Christian St. Vella or so it seamed to Natalie. When she caught Pippa in Christian's arms under a starlit sky, breaking her heart. She had been in love with Christian her brother's friend for as long as she could remember. So she set out to ruin Lady Pippa at the music recital the next day.

This Christmastide celebration was different. Pippa wasn't to be there or at least Natalie didn't want her to be, even though her parents had sent the invitation. Of course they did not know the hurt that Natalie had suffered. Then Natalie finds out that the celebration is more then just a Christmas celebration and her parents plan to announce her betrothal to The Earl of Maddox Lucas Hartfeld. Someone she has never met and does not know. But the match would be profitable for the family. Little does she care about that her heart already belongs to Christian.
When she asks her Father if she might make a match of her own and tells him that she would choose the Marquis of Knightly. He tells her "His name will never be linked with mine."

So Natalie sets out to know what it would be like to be kissed by Christian St. Vella before she is to be wed. Christian is just trying to escape being leg shackled, that is until he isn't.
What will happen if Natalie gets her kiss? Will it be enough?
Will Christian escape the marriage noose?
What about Lady Pippa and the Earl of Maddox? They have spent time together.
Will the friendship be salvaged and Lady Natalie be able to find her happy ever after?

[Twinsie Talk Angie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

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How to Kiss a Rogue by Amanda Mariel
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
AHHHH Lady Natalie made me crazy mad in the first book of this duet. Like I totally hated her and called her a “Lady of unsavory morals”….yeah I know really harsh right but it’s so true!! But then we SEE her side of the story and I kinda feel bad for her. I mean she is a hot mess of insecurity and loneliness. Her one friend, Pippa, she feels had betrayed her so she in turn hurts her. Mature no buuuut she was hurt that the one person she thought would have her back pushed the biggest knife in her back.
Natalie has loved Knightly for as long as she can imagine. She is going to win his affection no matter what. She is stunned to be told she must marry Lord Maddox. She has no clue who he is and begs to have her love considered……unfortunately because he is a man whore, her dad says no way!! This whole book is Natalie trying and hoping to get a least one kiss from her true love.
Lord Knightly looks at Natalie as a little annoying sister for his best drinking buddy. When a game played forces a kiss out of him to her, he begins to see this child as the woman she has become. When he realizes he is not happy to hear of her being married to another he wonders what is happening to him. He likes his life and woman simple but Natalie is far from simple!!!

[Kelly Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint! In the first book of this duet, Lady Natalie was the girl that caused the problems and you hated her for it, but her story will melt your heart. She isn't a heartless mean girl she is actually lonely and insecure and her parents don't help. First, she feels like her best friend betrayed her and then is told she is marrying a man she has never met or heard of. The man she has loved since childhood still sees her as the spoiled little sister of his best friend that followed them everywhere.

Natalie tries to be the lady her parents want by doing what they say, but she still is a bit childlike at times which I think is the reason she comes off as heartless when she acts out when she feels hurt. She slowly changed a bit as the story went on and realized things are not always how they appear.

Christian seems very sweet even with his reputation. There is humor in the way he sees her as a little girl and when he loses at the game he fears what she may have him do. He slowly starts to realize she is a woman now and can't understand why he isn't happy to see her married to someone else until he kisses her.

This is a sweet fairytale romance and a must read.

I was provided a copy by the author for my honest review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! Lady Natalie's side of the story is given to us in Book 2 of this series! Something happened a long time ago that led Natalie to betray and destroy the friendship that she had with Lady Pippa - along with ruining Pippa in the process. Pippa just does not understand what happened and is very hurt, and at times angry, with Natalie. Still, Pippa misses her friend dearly. This book shows Natalie's perspective of how everything went down (in her mind).

Lady Natalie has loved Christian for a very long time, but now she has been betrothed to the Earl of Maddox! She does not even know him! She only wants Christian in her life. Who will Natalie end up with? Can Natalie and Pippa ever reclaim their lost friendship? The odds seem insurmountable!

If you want the answers to these questions then you should definitely read this wonderfully entertaining, enjoyable and sweet story filled with emotion, humor, a bit of intrigue and romance. I loved this book as it wrapped up everything very nicely after reading Book 1. Highly recommended!

[Teaser Addicts Book Blog/ PR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Annie for Teaser Addicts Book Blog

First I need to say that I love Amanda's books and this one was no different. I love how she can just transport you back in time. Everytime I read her books it happens.

I loved the heroine in how to kiss a rogue, she is strong, knows what she wants and how to get it. This is what you will get with this book, a great regency story period.

I recommend for ANYONE that loves a good romance with a little twist of love!
.

[BROWN2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This is the second book in the series and well worth the wait. I loved how she tied the two books together. I think I even enjoyed this more than the first and I loved it. Can't wait for the next.

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nel primo volume della serie, Natalie era la cattiva della situazione, l'amica di Pippa che apparentemente l'aveva pugnalata alle spalle senza motivo, rovinando ripetutamente la sua reputazione agli occhi del bel mondo e lasciandola in balia delle malelingue. Con queste premesse, il suo personaggio non si presentava certo nel migliore dei modi, e l'autrice avrebbe dovuto fare uno sforzo extra, con un ottimo approfondimento psicologico, per farla apprezzare e comprendere dal lettore... ahimé, questo sforzo non c'è stato! Sebbene gli eventi corrano paralleli al primo della serie, chiarendoci molti punti rimasti oscuri, il personaggio di Natalie si addolcisce dall'arpia velenosa che era ma non subisce cambiamenti significativi. Tutto ciò che rimane di questo personaggio è la sua ossessione per Christian e, dal modo in cui tratta sovente la dolce cugina Daphne, anche una certa aria di viziata e infantile ragazzina nobile. Non si capisce nemmeno bene come Christian sia passata dal vederla come la sorellina fastidiosa del suo amico, alla donna con cui desidera passare la sua vita, anche se non manca qualche bella scena tra loro. Bello anche il finale con Pippa, io personalmente le avrei tirato uno schiaffo, alla faccia dello spirito natalizio XD Lo stile è molto scorrevole e sono curiosa di vedere il terzo Lord del gruppo cadere sotto le frecce di cupido ;D

[Regiane Moreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fraco, mas não ruim.
Na verdade, não chega nem perto do primeiro livro da série, mas não posso dizer que é ruim.
Apenas faltou algo para que o casal se tornasse mais cativante. O motivo de, que tanto me deixou curiosa no livro anterior, Lady Natalie ter destruído a primeira temporada de Lady Pippa foi totalmente infantil.
Acredito que tenha sido mal elaborado, mas no final teve aquilo que gosto nos contos de natal, e os personagens já tinham conseguido me agradar.
Lady Natalie é mimada, atrevida e voluntariosa e está sendo forçada a casar com um homem que seu pai, o duque, quer.
Mas o problema é que ela é apaixonada, desde criança, por Lorde Christian St. Vella, Marquês de Knightly, amigo e companheiro de libertinagem de seu irmão, que jamais será aceito por seu pai.
O lindo lorde Christian não quer se casar jamais e foge das investidas de Natalie a quem vê como uma irmã.
Como disse anteriormente faltou algo... talvez se aprofundar um pouco mais no passado dos personagens para que conseguíssemos sentir mais afinidade com eles. E talvez substituir essa tradução de “Canalha” no nome do livro para libertino ficasse melhor.
Mas não posso dar menos de 3 porque não é um livro ruim.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Terribly Sympathetic Characters

This book felt a little scattered to me. It's a novella, and it has a lot of characters to keep track of, with a variety of types of relationships between them all. Neither the hero nor the heroine are my favorite types of characters. Throughout most of the book, he's an unrepentant rake with no interest in marriage, and the heroine has a real edge to her and isn't nice to some people. I like my heroes and heroines to be a bit more relatable … and sympathetic, which these were not. I also think it's important to constrain the number of characters in a novella, even if it's a shared world with characters who were or will be in other books of the series. I've read and listened to many books by this author over the years, and this is from her back catalog; her writing is much stronger these days. If you can enjoy this book as a little lark without expecting much, I think it is best approached and appreciated as such.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie isn't a very nice person in fact she is down right mean and she has it in for her best friend for something he didn't even do. Now she is to marries off but she is determined she will have at least one night of passion and she has set her sights on Lord Christian St. Vella the Marquis of Knightly , he still sees her has his friends little sister who was always a pain following them around. The more she pursues him the more irritated he gets but when he starts actually looking at her he realises she is someone he could love, even though he thought that would never happen. Will these two get a HEA you need to read to see.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story takes place around Christmas time and calls out to be read on a snowy winter day. It takes place in the English countryside. The young ladies of the ton are looking for husbands, and the young men are trying to stay single. Drama ensues between friends, causing angst. An epilogue is provided which does a nice job of tiding up the HEA. The story is well written, and characters well developed. The narration was well done.

I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Natalie was a shrew and Christian, Lord Knightly was a rake who found her voice annoying and pitied the man who married her. She tried to ruin her friend Poppa in a fit of jealousy catching her in what she thought was a romantic embrace Christian. She wasn't a very likable character and didn't redeem herself until near the end of the book. Christian's feelings towards her turned too quickly from annoyance to love.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no greater fury than when a woman feels she has been betrayed, but that is not all now she is being forced into marriage. This well-written tale is about what a lady will do when pushed into a corner. I adore Natalie she has such spirit and desire to have what she wants a great character. Christian is a wonderful match for her. This is a wonderful book that I will revisit again in the future. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[☘KathyD☘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this one as much as the previous book. Natalie is a brat and Christian comes off as too entitled and good for Natalie. Both of these characters are shallow and by the time they start to be better developed, the book ended. Also, while it is a book set during the Christmas season, very little is mentioned about the holiday. I preferred the previous book with Pippa’s stories about her memories during the season and the connection her parents had that began during the holidays.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her engagement was broken but she knows it can mean that she could finally go after the man she loves. He gets annoyed as he does not want to marry until he realises she may be more than she seems. Can they become more? See if it can be more

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Highly Recommend OVER 18 DUE TO CONTENT. This is full of mystery and intrigue.
Lady Natalie and Lady Pippa use to be best friends. Lady Natalie was blinded by jealousy when she notices Lady Pippa with Lord Christian.
Not everything is as it seems or is it?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laila Viking · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical romance that is well written but I am a bit torn about it. Natalie, the heroin, annoyed me so much in the first part of the story because of her unmature and spoiled behavior. But luckily she changes a bit and gets more likeable.
I like the story line and plot though. Twists and emotional ups and downs mixed with secrets, drama makes it a nice read.

[Romance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Natalie is an awful, spoiled brat. Christian is a drunken ass. So I suppose they were perfect. But it from Christian went from dislike to the annoying Natalie to immediate love...a romantic love...even though throughout the story he thinks of her as a ve unpleasant younger sibling. She never shows as nice.

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Natalie a spoiled, hoyden is betrothed by her parents with a stranger. However she’s been in love her whole life with her brothers friend. When her betrothed gets caught in a storm at another estate he meets and falls in love with another. Will they fold to their parents scheme to wed them or will they follow their hearts? Great read! R. K. Carulli

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical recency romance with a HEA!

I enjoyed reading Natalie's story and pleased that she got her happily ever after with Christian but wish there has been more character development, especially with Christian.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a sweet regency romance that is pretty short (novella length) but it has a fully rounded plot line and some awesome characters. I really enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short fast read of 175 pages and is a well-written book that I enjoyed reading. I know I want to read the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I also bought it.

[Mariettastander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this stories and the covers of the books also so great. I love this story as I enjoyed all her previous stories and can really recommend her book with a honest heart

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her parents had chosen a husband for her!
One that she had never even met but her heart already belonged to another!
A story line in keeping with the era.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spirited lady with a hasty temper finally finds happiness with the man of her dreams but not before she has to come to terms with her treatment of a good friend.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[April Hartsock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable

This was my first step back into historical romance in quite some time it was an easy read and heartwarming. I would recommend it to any friends that read purely historical fiction

[Anita Rodz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonita historia!!!

Es una hermosa historia, no muy extensa, pero incluye intriga, desengaños, malos entendidos, perseverancia y romance. Los personajes son muy buenos y ayudan a desarrollar una muy buena trama. Me gustó!!! 💜🩷💜