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To Kiss a Thief
A LADY'S WORST NIGHTMARE
Disappointed by her first London Season, Margaret Somerley takes refuge at the Earl of Haddon's country estate. In the library one evening, she comes upon a dashing thief as he steals a cache of secret government papers... and he brazenly abducts Margaret as well. Soon the shy miss who had attracted no beau must play mistress to a devilish rogue whose naughty blue eyes thoroughly disturb her. But she has yet to guess her handsome abductor's true purpose, his real identity...or that she will soon be longing for his wicked embrace.
Disappointed by her first London Season, Margaret Somerley takes refuge at the Earl of Haddon's country estate. In the library one evening, she comes upon a dashing thief as he steals a cache of secret government papers... and he brazenly abducts Margaret as well. Soon the shy miss who had attracted no beau must play mistress to a devilish rogue whose naughty blue eyes thoroughly disturb her. But she has yet to guess her handsome abductor's true purpose, his real identity...or that she will soon be longing for his wicked embrace.
215 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
3 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Kate Moore
27 books137 followersKate Moore writes stand alone and series romances set in contemporary California and Regency England for readers who want to fall in love again standing up, mostly fully clothed, surrounded by family. In Kate's stories, kind, quick-witted women find love with hot billionaires, lofty lords, and sexy spies; longing is leavened with humor; and readers say the blend of sparks and spice is "just right sexy." When life happens, let a Kate Moore romance lift your spirits. To connect with Kate and find the right romance for you, visit her website at https://www.katemoore.com or sign up for her newsletter at https://www.katemoore.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 12, 2017
3.5 stars
While hiding in the library at the Earl of Gaddon's estate, young Margaret Sommerly overhears a conversation between her father and the nobleman regarding their children. Her father loves his daughter but is saddened she wasn't a boy. The aristocrat is ashamed of what became of his two sons. Moments after they leave, lo and behold, a thief enters through the window and steals some important papers. Margaret makes herself known and tells the man to return the documents back to drawer in the desk and leave.
He grabs her and she finds herself on the run.
I have read Kate Moore's Sweet Bargain and The Mercenary Major and this romance was the best of the three.
Meg, as the thief -Drew- calls her, is just seventeen but she acts much older. Drew appears to be in his late twenties but we are never given his specific age. Over a period of days, he intends to release her but something always comes into play. Courteously, he puts her health and welfare first as they are pitted against the sea, scoundrels, rain, mud and the stench. And, neither cares to admit it, but they develop strong feelings for one another.
I enjoyed the first 3/4's of the book when they were dodging Drew's enemies. The last quarter was slower. Long before then, I knew his true identity but I had to read on to discover why Drew was in a bind.
3.5 stars
While hiding in the library at the Earl of Gaddon's estate, young Margaret Sommerly overhears a conversation between her father and the nobleman regarding their children. Her father loves his daughter but is saddened she wasn't a boy. The aristocrat is ashamed of what became of his two sons. Moments after they leave, lo and behold, a thief enters through the window and steals some important papers. Margaret makes herself known and tells the man to return the documents back to drawer in the desk and leave.
He grabs her and she finds herself on the run.
I have read Kate Moore's Sweet Bargain and The Mercenary Major and this romance was the best of the three.
Meg, as the thief -Drew- calls her, is just seventeen but she acts much older. Drew appears to be in his late twenties but we are never given his specific age. Over a period of days, he intends to release her but something always comes into play. Courteously, he puts her health and welfare first as they are pitted against the sea, scoundrels, rain, mud and the stench. And, neither cares to admit it, but they develop strong feelings for one another.
I enjoyed the first 3/4's of the book when they were dodging Drew's enemies. The last quarter was slower. Long before then, I knew his true identity but I had to read on to discover why Drew was in a bind.
3.5 stars
December 30, 2012
Now available in digital form, To Kiss a Thief was first published by Avon in 1992 as a Signet Regency Romance. The story is set in England and Portugal, during the Napoleonic wars. It's not set in London at the height of the season, but there is mention of Beau Brummell and ballroom embarrassment.
This story started off in high gear with a desperate quest across country in the moonlight, and I thought I was in for a wonderful ride. However, I grew a little bored with it before it was halfway over, because it devolved into a lot of passive story-telling. I didn't feel part of the action. It felt like Meg (Margaret) was just telling me what happened, and I was in her head too much.
However, some scenes stand out vividly, and certainly the writing quality is good, sometimes superb -- vividly descriptive with imagery, metaphor, and flowing dialogue (but not enough dialogue). The POV switches from Meg to Drew, but we mostly hear from Meg. The plot itself is sad, full of betrayal of the worst kind, yet also adventurous and tense. I liked the relationship that gradually developed between Drew and Meg, moving from initial distrust to love, despite all odds against it. Their relationship is marked by loyalty, trust, and some good chemistry (no love making).
This story started off in high gear with a desperate quest across country in the moonlight, and I thought I was in for a wonderful ride. However, I grew a little bored with it before it was halfway over, because it devolved into a lot of passive story-telling. I didn't feel part of the action. It felt like Meg (Margaret) was just telling me what happened, and I was in her head too much.
However, some scenes stand out vividly, and certainly the writing quality is good, sometimes superb -- vividly descriptive with imagery, metaphor, and flowing dialogue (but not enough dialogue). The POV switches from Meg to Drew, but we mostly hear from Meg. The plot itself is sad, full of betrayal of the worst kind, yet also adventurous and tense. I liked the relationship that gradually developed between Drew and Meg, moving from initial distrust to love, despite all odds against it. Their relationship is marked by loyalty, trust, and some good chemistry (no love making).
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September 9, 2018There is a certain aimlessness about this book which is frankly boring. Lots of fussing, little action, a sense of being in a kind of nether world until, and I guess this is a spoiler, the two brothers in this story [one a traitor] who hate each other [or the traitor hates the good and very confused hero - I believe he's jealous because their father likes the good hero better than himself, the evil traitor] make a life or death agreement over getting some deb married off well. The traitor will see to the marrying and if he succeeds then he can kill his good brother - and this is the truly ridiculous part - this is all the good brothers idea!!!! Hence the one star.
December 4, 2013
Margaret was reading in the library when a thief sneaks in and steals paper's from her host's desk. When she protests the theft, the thief takes her with him on wild adventure through Portugal as their love slowly grows and she learns he has stolen her heart.
This was so sweetly written, I fell in love with Drew, the thief, and it reminded me of good old-fashioned romance and how good it can be.
This was so sweetly written, I fell in love with Drew, the thief, and it reminded me of good old-fashioned romance and how good it can be.
May 7, 2014
Originally written in 1992 and now reissued digitally, To Kiss a Thief is a well-told, well-researched historical romance which moves – unexpectedly - from the English countryside to war-torn Portugal.
Margaret Somerley has embarked upon her first London season but has so far met with little notice or success, facts her mother bemoans both loudly and frequently. As the weeks pass and Margaret fails to attract the attention of what her mother regards as suitable husband material, Lady Somerley becomes increasingly critical of Margaret’s looks, her gowns, her demeanour – and finally earns a snub from the great Brummel himself, word of which spreads quickly through the ton, making Margaret an object of ridicule.
In an attempt to let the dust settle, the Somerleys leave London for a short stay in the country at the estate of the Earl of Haddon. Margaret takes to avoiding her mother as much as possible and spends much of her time in the library, which is where, one evening, she encounters a thief breaking into the room and stealing papers from Lord Haddon’s desk.
As he departs, the thief notices Margaret shrinking into the shadows and, unable to risk her giving the alarm, he forces her to leave with him. He takes her to a cottage on a neighbouring estate, clearly having expected there to be someone there with whom he could leave her while he made his escape, but when that proves not to be the case, the thief – who we’ve learned is named Drew - has no alternative but to keep Margaret with him. But she cannot travel with him as Miss Somerley – so to protect her name and reputation as much as her person, Drew transforms her into Meg Summers, and tells her she is to pose as his mistress.
It’s a cute set-up for a story which has a considerable depth to it in terms of characterisation as well as an enjoyable adventure plot and slowly developing romance.
Margaret is determined to dislike and distrust Drew whom she realises is not only a thief, but a traitor, planning to sell military secrets to the French. But she can’t quite reconcile the man who could contemplate doing so with the man who teases and laughs with her, and who is at such pains to protect both her life and her name. Drew takes Margaret to Portugal with him, ostensibly so he can meet with the ring-leaders of the French spy network to whom he plans to sell the stolen information. Their journey is slow, frequently uncomfortable and always dangerous, as they are under the constantly watchful eyes of the two burly “escorts” thoughtfully provided by Drew’s contact, who are clearly ready to do away with them at the slightest provocation. But the reader is privy to a few things Margaret does not know, meaning that Drew’s motives are less clear – is he a traitor, a spy... or something else? And if he really isn’t a traitor – then who is? And why has he determined to undertake such a dangerous journey?
To Kiss a Thief is a quick and enjoyable read which I found pleasantly surprising in its setting. If I have a criticism, it’s that there was often too much telling rather than showing, and that we were in Margaret’s head nearly all the time, which sometimes meant putting limitations on the storytelling. I recognise that this was necessary in order to maintain the tension and build the mystery as to Drew’s identity and motivations, but I found it frustrating at times nevertheless. But on the positive side, the writing is very good indeed, and the descriptions of the landscape and terrain are very evocative. The dialogue is excellent and the romance is very well developed with a lovely smattering of sexual tension between the leads.
The characterisation of both Drew and Meg is strong and consistent, and I felt while reading that the author has deliberately not turned them into a “hero” who sets out to impress with his feats of derring-do, and his feisty lady; but has instead written a story in which two people are thrown together into an unusual situation and have to adapt and deal with it, surviving on their quick wits and natural intelligence.
This is a clean romance, so there is no on-screen sex, (well, not quite) but once again, it just shows what a skilful author can do with a touch or a look, to render a full-blown romp between the sheets unnecessary.
Margaret Somerley has embarked upon her first London season but has so far met with little notice or success, facts her mother bemoans both loudly and frequently. As the weeks pass and Margaret fails to attract the attention of what her mother regards as suitable husband material, Lady Somerley becomes increasingly critical of Margaret’s looks, her gowns, her demeanour – and finally earns a snub from the great Brummel himself, word of which spreads quickly through the ton, making Margaret an object of ridicule.
In an attempt to let the dust settle, the Somerleys leave London for a short stay in the country at the estate of the Earl of Haddon. Margaret takes to avoiding her mother as much as possible and spends much of her time in the library, which is where, one evening, she encounters a thief breaking into the room and stealing papers from Lord Haddon’s desk.
As he departs, the thief notices Margaret shrinking into the shadows and, unable to risk her giving the alarm, he forces her to leave with him. He takes her to a cottage on a neighbouring estate, clearly having expected there to be someone there with whom he could leave her while he made his escape, but when that proves not to be the case, the thief – who we’ve learned is named Drew - has no alternative but to keep Margaret with him. But she cannot travel with him as Miss Somerley – so to protect her name and reputation as much as her person, Drew transforms her into Meg Summers, and tells her she is to pose as his mistress.
It’s a cute set-up for a story which has a considerable depth to it in terms of characterisation as well as an enjoyable adventure plot and slowly developing romance.
Margaret is determined to dislike and distrust Drew whom she realises is not only a thief, but a traitor, planning to sell military secrets to the French. But she can’t quite reconcile the man who could contemplate doing so with the man who teases and laughs with her, and who is at such pains to protect both her life and her name. Drew takes Margaret to Portugal with him, ostensibly so he can meet with the ring-leaders of the French spy network to whom he plans to sell the stolen information. Their journey is slow, frequently uncomfortable and always dangerous, as they are under the constantly watchful eyes of the two burly “escorts” thoughtfully provided by Drew’s contact, who are clearly ready to do away with them at the slightest provocation. But the reader is privy to a few things Margaret does not know, meaning that Drew’s motives are less clear – is he a traitor, a spy... or something else? And if he really isn’t a traitor – then who is? And why has he determined to undertake such a dangerous journey?
To Kiss a Thief is a quick and enjoyable read which I found pleasantly surprising in its setting. If I have a criticism, it’s that there was often too much telling rather than showing, and that we were in Margaret’s head nearly all the time, which sometimes meant putting limitations on the storytelling. I recognise that this was necessary in order to maintain the tension and build the mystery as to Drew’s identity and motivations, but I found it frustrating at times nevertheless. But on the positive side, the writing is very good indeed, and the descriptions of the landscape and terrain are very evocative. The dialogue is excellent and the romance is very well developed with a lovely smattering of sexual tension between the leads.
The characterisation of both Drew and Meg is strong and consistent, and I felt while reading that the author has deliberately not turned them into a “hero” who sets out to impress with his feats of derring-do, and his feisty lady; but has instead written a story in which two people are thrown together into an unusual situation and have to adapt and deal with it, surviving on their quick wits and natural intelligence.
This is a clean romance, so there is no on-screen sex, (well, not quite) but once again, it just shows what a skilful author can do with a touch or a look, to render a full-blown romp between the sheets unnecessary.
January 31, 2014
So, I liked this one, but I thought it could have been better. I felt like we were in Meg’s head too much and she was telling us what was going on instead of us really experiencing it. I thought it would also be a little more exciting. While they are on their journey I never felt any real danger, it almost felt like a regular journey. They mention the bad guys here and there, but I never really felt much threat from them. I didn’t really care for Meg that much, she was just okay. I was annoyed at the beginning how she kept thinking about escaping and going back home. By time they get to Portugal, it’d be impossible for her to do on her own. She’s surrounded by bad guys, in a forigen country where she doesn’t speak the language and so I got tired of her “thinking” about escaping. By this point I would have been sticking close to Drew, even if I didn’t trust him, at least he treated her well. I liked Drew, he always treats Meg well (except for the barn scene and even then he didn’t want to do it…) and thought they had good chemistry. I liked the last part of the book and thought things wrapped up well.
Overall, I thought it was an enjoyable read, but would have liked more conversation and way less inner thought.
Content
Romance: Sketchy clean PG13.
Language: Moderate
Violence: Mild.
Overall, I thought it was an enjoyable read, but would have liked more conversation and way less inner thought.
Content
Romance: Sketchy clean PG13.
Language: Moderate
Violence: Mild.
May 13, 2014
Really enjoyed both the historical setting and the chemistry between the heroine and the hero. Romantic, tender, believable. Kate Moore's writing is accomplished and the pace is crackling. I look forward to reading more of her books.
July 22, 2008
Romantic book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews