The Kissing Gate

by Fiona Carr

Lionel Westfall, the new Earl of Wraxham, hires Sophie Bowerbank, the rector's daughter with whom he shared a kiss long ago, to tutor his six wayward sons, an arrangement that leads to a lifetime of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 084395289X
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Dorchester Pub Co Inc
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable read

I enjoyed the plot and the journey to the end. Sophie is a wonderful woman who is loving and deserves a man to love her completely. Lionel has done his duty and had 6 sons with his first wife but has known little joy in life besides the fling he had with Sophie. They had shared many emotionally intimate moments and while they never had sex, she felt that she could not commit to another man and remained single. When they are thrown back together, they grapple with lust and awakening old love. It's bumpy journey but love prevails. When I finished the book, I hoped the author would use a character from it to write another book and tell me if Lionel and Sophie had children together and lived well in the end.

Engaging!

I just read The Kissing Gate and absolutely loved it! The Kissing Gate is Ms. Carr's follow up to The Mad Marquis and introduces us to Julia's brother, Lionel Westfall, the new Earl of Wraxham. On the heals of becoming the new earl, Lionel's wife dies, leaving him with six sons who are virtual strangers. Lionel's wife was a shrew and the declared ruler of the roost so Lionel has spent the last eighteen years of his life as a rake. But when he returns home, determined to get to know his sons, he comes face to face with Sophia. Years ago, Lionel and Sophie were in love, but he was an heir and she was the vicar's daughter. Determined to separate the yong lovers, Lionel's father threatens to ruin Sophie's reputation if Lionel doesn't leave her behind and join the military. Now Lionel has a second chance with Sophie, but he has sworn off his womanizing ways so he can concentrate on his sons. But his youngest son suffers from night terros and his twins are running wild. And Sophie is just the woman he needs to bring them together as a family. So, Lionel offers Sophie a position as the boy's tudor and the sexual tension heats up. But then, so does the danger. Complete with flaws, hang-ups, and endearing personalities, Ms. Carr's characters come to life on the page.

Thwarted love is given a second chance.

It has been twenty years since Lionel Westfall and Sophie Bowerbank were discovered in a compromising session of heavy petting. Lionel's father, the Earl of Wraxham, sent his son off to war and then forced him into a marriage that added considerably to the family standing and coffers. Sophie, a lowly rector's daughter, was left behind, her stolen heart broken. She vowed to never marry, having tasted a pure love in Lionel's arms. But that was in the past, now Lionel returns home both a widower and notorious rake, with six sons, one suffering from night terrors, sorely in need of help. Help he finds in Sophie's tutoring of his children. But someone has dark plans to put an end to the quickly reigniting passion between the former couple. The Kissing Gate moves quickly and the troubles Lionel and Sophie share are nicely balanced with their more intimate interests. Recommended.

fine second chance at love regency

In 1816, Lionel Westfall finds two deaths in the family have shockingly destroyed his hedonistic London lifestyle. His father died making him an earl with incredible responsibilities that feel overwhelming. That pales when compared to the death of Penelope his wife as she left behind for him to raise six strangers that he sired with her ranging from eighteen years old and younger.Rustic neighbor and daughter of the local squire, Sophie Bowerbank gets Lionel's hellions out of trouble. Lionel decides she would be the perfect tutor for his three sons not away at school. He also remembers her as the girl he kissed at THE KISSING GATE two decades ago and would not mind renewing that practice. Sophie has dreamed of Lionel since those kisses, but finds the man is much more as she knows now that she has always loved him, but hides that because he shows no indication that he feels the same way towards her, which of course we readers know he does.This second chance at love regency is a fine tale due to the lead couple and his six sons, who add humor and drama with their exploits. A subplot involving a malevolent person who wants to keep the adults apart seems unnecessary as Lionel and Sophie have enough on their plate to contend with. Still fans will enjoy Fiona Carr's fine romance.Harriet Klausner