His Forbidden Kiss

by Margaret Moore

Desperate Needs...
Beautiful orphan Vivienne Burroughs is determined to marry only for love and isn't about to allow her uncle to marry her off for a noble title. But her plans to escape this fate are interrupted by a strong and masterful man walking out of the mist. He alone offers Vivienne salvation from her dilemma...but will not reveal his identity. And when he kisses her Vivienne knows she won't rest until she finds her mystery man.

Desperate...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380813351
• ISBN13: 9780380813353
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Loved it!

I loved both the hero & the heroine in this book. I was glad to see that his conscience didn't get in the way the entire time. I loved the secondary characters, they, along with the great story, made for an excellent book. My favorite secondary character was the king. He was fun, you never knew what to expect from him. This book was a nice change from the regency/ton romances, as the time period is slightly before that time period. 1-10 scale: A solid 10.

A wonderful historical romance.

Like most young women in London in 1663, all orphaned Vivienne Burroughs has to look forward to is an arranged marriage. But unlike most young women, Vivienne is determined to rebel against her fate. Her parents married for love, and that is Vivienne's dearest wish, to find a man she loves, and marry him. Having fled from her home to escape from a loathsome prospective husband, Sir Philip Martlebury, Vivienne is found on the docks by Robert Harding, a solicitor. Rob's heart goes out to this young woman, and when he learns she is trying to escape from what is sure to be a miserable marriage, he advises her to find out anything unfavorable about Sir Philip that she can, in the hopes that her uncle will chose another husband for her. Rob and Vivienne never expect to meet again, but they do when Sir Philip hires Rob - to draw up the marriage contract! Before long, Rob and Vivienne find themselves falling in love, and they will have to overcome obstacles to be together. I read this book because I enjoyed others by the author, and I was not disappointed. I knew this story would end happily ever after, but the author kept me reading to find out how. I was also pleased by the setting of this book, which seemed to be a usual one for a historical romance.

No alpha males in sight, here

It's funny how, on your way "up", when you have nothing to lose, you'll do whatever it takes to survive. But, at the moment you become a "have", you're reminded of all you stand to lose.Rob was born one of England's poor. A guttersnipe. A pickpocket. A boyhood of starvation and deprivation. He becomes the ward of a wealthy man who teaches and trains him. Eventually, he becomes a solicitor. Modestly low middle class, he manages to make a living.He meets, and falls in love with, Vivienne, the niece of a wealthy silk merchant. A woman far above his station. To further complicate matters, Robert is the solicitor preparing the wedding contract between Vivienne and Sir Philip.This is a sweet story. Robert is determined to succeed, but has feelings of self-doubt. He was a guttersnipe. A pickpocket. A man unworthy of love.Vivienne's love is a balm. A salve. And the knowledge that he is loved - by anyone, but of course by Vivienne, whom he loves - changes Rob. Instills a bit more courage in him.This was a good book. Rob is definately a "beta" man. But even quiet beta men need love, too.

Restoration romance and adventure in this enticing novel

Solicitor Robert Harding tries to rescue the young lady standing on the shore of the unsafe, poor Bankside section of London. Vivienne Burroughs insists there is no rendezvous or a plan to commit suicide, but she reminds Robert of Janet who chose drowning instead of him. Vivienne explains that she refuses to marry the person her guardian-Uncle Elias demands she wed, but leaned towards stealing a boat in order to leave London. She explains that neither she nor the groom loves one another and in fact Sir Phillip Martlebury dislikes her. He wants her in his bed while her uncle gains a title and entrance to the court to further his business dealings. Robert advises her to start questioning Sir Phillip in order to find out what secret the aristocrat might be hiding that will change Uncle Elias' mind. Robert plans to help Vivienne not yet realizing that he is her true love and visa versa. Restoration romance readers will enjoy HIS FORBIDDEN KISS due to the background that sets the stage for this sentimental historical tale. The story line is fun when the plot centers on the era or on an enticing intrigue though at times turns too sugary. Margaret Moore has written a warm novel that will please sub-genre fans, but is not quite at her usual level of excellence because the lead couple tastes a bit too sweet.Harriet Klausner