THE KISS THIEF BY L.J. SHEN
Release Date: January 9th
Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser at RBA Designs.
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Blurb
They say your first kiss should be earned.
Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky.
They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred.
Mine were broken before we left church.
They say your heart only beats for one man.
Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.
I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit.
Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage.
They say that all great love stories have a happy ending.
I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.
One kiss.
Two men.
Three lives.
Entwined together.
And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.
Excerpt
“Are you sure you’re on my card?” I turned to the man with a polite yet distant smile. I was still disoriented from the exchange with Angelo when the stranger pulled me against his hard body and pressed a possessive hand lower than socially acceptable on my back, a second from groping my butt.
“Answer me,” I hissed.
“My bid on your card was the highest,” he replied dryly.
“The bids are undisclosed. You don’t know how much other people have paid,” I kept my lips pursed to keep myself from yelling.
“I know it’s nowhere near the realm of what this dance is worth.”
Un-freaking-believable.
We began to waltz around the room as other couples were not only spinning and mingling but also stealing envious glances at us. Naked, raw ogles that told me that whomever the blonde he’d come to the masquerade with was, she wasn’t his wife. And that I might have been all the rage in The Outfit, but the rude man was in high demand, too.
I was stiff and cold in his arms, but he didn’t seem to notice—or mind. He knew how to waltz better than most men, but he was technical, and lacked warmth and Angelo’s playfulness.
“Nemesis.” He took me by surprise, his rapacious gaze stripping me bare. “Distributing glee and dealing misery. Seems at odds with the submissive girl who entertained Bishop and his horsey wife at the table.”
I choked on my own saliva. Did he just call the governor’s wife horsey? And me submissive? I looked away, ignoring the addictive scent of his cologne, and the way his marble body felt against mine.
“Nemesis is my spirit animal. She was the one to lure Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection and died of vanity. Pride is a terrible illness.” I flashed him a taunting smirk.
“Some of us could use catching it.” He bared his straight white teeth.
“Arrogance is a disease. Compassion is the cure. Most gods didn’t like Nemesis, but that’s because she had a backbone.”
“Do you?” He arched a dark eyebrow.
“Do I…?” I blinked, the courteous grin on my face crumpling. He was even ruder when we were alone.
“Have a backbone,” he provided. He stared at me so boldly and intimately, it felt like he breathed fire into my soul. I wanted to step out of his touch and jump into a pool full of ice.
“Of course, I do,” I responded, my spine stiffening. “What’s with the manners? Were you raised by wild coyotes?”
“Give me an example,” he said, ignoring my quip. I was beginning to draw away from him, but he jerked me back into his arms. The glitzy ballroom distorted into a backdrop, and even though I was starting to notice that the man behind the demi-mask was unusually beautiful, the ugliness of his behavior was the only thing that stood out.
I am a warrior and a lady…and a sane person who can deal with this horrid man.
“I really like Angelo Bandini.” I dropped my voice, slicing my gaze from his eyes and toward the table where Angelo’s family had been seated. My father was sitting a few seats away, staring at us coldly, surrounded by Made Men who chatted away.
“And see, in my family, we have a tradition dating back ten generations. Prior to her wedding, a Rossi bride is to open a wooden chest—carved and made by a witch who lived in my ancestors’ Italian village—and read three notes written to her by the last Rossi girl to marry. It’s kind of a good luck charm mixed with a talisman and a bit of fortunetelling. I stole the chest tonight and opened one of the notes, all so I could rush fate. It said that tonight I was going to be kissed by the love of my life, and well…” I drew my lower lip into my mouth and sucked it, peering under my eyelashes at Angelo’s empty seat. The man stared at me stoically, as though I was a foreign film he couldn’t understand.
“I’m going to kiss him tonight.”
“That’s your backbone?”
“When I have an ambition, I go for it.”
A conceited frown crinkled his mask, as if to say I was a complete and utter moron. I looked him straight in the eye. My father taught me that the best way to deal with men like him was to confront, not run. Because, this man? He’d chase.
About the Author
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.
Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.
She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.
Connect with L.J. Shen
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5+++ Stars!
I don’t know how this author does it…but each book written by LJ Shen gets better and better. This one had me biting my nails, pulling out my shanks, and sipping bourbon. It’s an emotional roller-coaster for sure!
Francesca Rossi is 19 and in love with Angelo Bandini. Growing up, these two have found every possible opportunity to see each other. Even as Francesca was shipped overseas to attend school, every visit home would mean a visit with Angelo. Young and In Love❤
The world couldn’t have been more perfect for these two.
The sacred box is over turned, the notes are not fun to read anymore.
Forced to be with a person, one who is rude, one who hates her family, one who will never love. The life she once thought was perfect, is now full of lies.
Will fate have her back and see that she deserves to be with the one she is in love with? Or will Francesca be forced to be with the one she was taken by.
As the lies unfold, the truth comes out, the plot thickens and WOW what a journey this story takes us on.
Absolutely found myself totally engrossed with this unique story-line. One that I’d not read before. What this young lady had to endure and sacrifice brought tears to my eyes. Fantastic Book!!!
A story of Nemesis and a villain with no chance at a happy ending.
Where the Prince doesn't save the princess
He tortures her.
And the beauty doesn't sleep.
She's stuck.
In a nightmare.
Hold on to your hearts ladies cause the Big Daddy of All Predators -Wolfe Keaton has gatecrashed the Booklandia. This masked marauder is here to whisk Princess Rossi away on his Black Stallion. You will lose your hearts too, to this Brutish Buccaneer and if you're extremely lucky- your panties too in the process.
"Once a Thief ; Always a thief
I wanted to see for myself if the rumours of your beauty were true"
Senator Wolfe Keaton has not only stolen Princess Francesca Rossi's first kiss, he has stolen her dreams, her life and is working his way to steal her heart too. Al, these she'd been safeguarding for Angelo Bandini.
He took the power. MY power
Wolfe Keaton was A KISS THIEF
If you love-hated the #HotHoles , you ain't seen nothing yet. Leigh has surpassed her earlier work in not only the gorgeous offbeat cover, but equally Fabulous off beat story too. It has a very scarlett-Rhett vibe and takes me back to my Mills & Boon days. The writing is sharper, shows teeth, the vengeful notes are stabbing. Leigh doesn't shy away from flaunting his vicious intentions. He's not here to make friends. In fact he's here to make men & women kneel in his presence and beg for scraps of his goodwill.
Wolfe will give EVERY HOT HOLE a run for their money. He's drop dead sexy, ruthlessly ambitious & passionately patriotic. Leigh has AGAIN proven why she's the QUEEN OF creating lickalicious ALPHAHOLES. This story is completely new in plot, setting and tone. The intricate story keeps you ON YOUR TOES throughout. It has a sinister and darker vibe. People constantly change sides and loyalties and an undercurrent of danger, betrayal and blackmail is buzzing at every step.
"How about you give me what I really want, Rossi? Your PRIDE"
On the other end, Francesca is princess of the Rossi clan-The Outfit. Born and bred to stand a step behind the men, She's polished, sophisticated and ladylike. A perfect asset to act as an arm candy to Senator on the rise in politics. She merely changes cages and a no walled prison is still suffocating as any for her crushed ambitions and dreams.
I am an unwanted puppy, running from door to door in the pouring rain, looking for shelter
By the end of the story, the princess turns into a warrior and ends up winning your heart. Her mettle is so strong, her enemies end up underestimating the steeliness of her spine.
A particular scene in the middle of the book was so cruel, it brought tears to my eyes and from that point on, both the characters seem to change their tint. The scene was quite dark and it was a catalyst in changing the course of the story. Brilliance of the scene was in the tears. You'd expect them to be of hatred, but they are of sacrifice and martyrdom.
I am a rusty barbwire, twisted together, knotted in a ball of fear!
Francesca tops from the bottom and uplifts the scene by sheer endurance. The ensuing "Walk of Shame" is a slap on the face (you'll understand it when you read it) I swear it's akin to seeing a rough diamond being faceted and polished to sparkling brilliance right in front of your eyes. There's enough fire in her to inspire others to draw on her courage and bravery. S.U.P.E.R.B !!!
"Leave,"
"I'll never doubt you again, Francesca"
"LEAVE!!!"
I believe LJ was a bit apprehensive about this out-of-the-box story and I can somewhat understand. She's pushed the envelope, written scenes with sadistic pathos(you'll get it when you read it), she has shed her comfortable blanket and penned some chilling sentiments. But a lion is a lion at the end of the day, he'll starve before eating grass. so her fears will prove to be unfounded when ALL her readers-old and new will LOVE the story!!
This story shows a lot of growth as a writer on Leigh's part and will definitely endear her more to the readers.The noteworthy thing in Leigh's characters is that they don't change their spots. The assholes don't spout flowery monologues and fangs don't get withdrawn. The characters remain true to their traits right up til the end.
"He's in hate with my father and in lust with me"
It's an oxymoron that you love-hate these characters with equal fervour.
Brilliant writing, thoroughly enjoyable ride which came to an end so soon, I didn't even realise it. I wish the book went on and on and never ended. It's been ages since I read a paperback and kept the lights on, much to my husband's irritation, but I couldn't help it!! Wolfe just bit me hard and carried me away in his fangs. I hope his knees heal soon cause he has a lot of genuflecting in his future😜
5 plates full of Humble Pie
