Beyond a Wicked Kiss (Zebra Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

I was completely inthralled by the first half of this book. It was my first Jo Goodman book and although it was the last in the series I didn't have any trouble following it.

I give it only 2 stars because the second half of the book was so dark and degrading to women it was repulsive. The villains were into white slavery, sadomasochism and bondage. Goodman writes very graphic scenes of these practices and the heroine was subject to them. I could have known about them without having to endure them and it would not have detracted from the story at all. She left me feeling abused.

I am still tempted to read another of her book but not until I find out if she writes this way all the time. Her imagery was wonderful. Character development was excellent.

The last installment in the Compass Club adventures, "Beyond a Wicked Kiss" rounds things off nicely and in a satisfactory manner. A few things, perhaps, could have done with a more in-depth look, but on the whole this installment fit in very well with the previous three books in the series, and ultimately proved to be a fun read.

Evan Marchman grew up knowing that he would always be an outsider looking in: the illegitimate son of the Duke of Westphal, it was drummed into Evan, early on in life, just how much he could expect and just how much society would accept him. Fortunately for Evan, there were his old school friends -- Viscount Southerton, the Marquess of Eastlyn & the Earl of Northam -- who gave him their wholehearted friendship, support and acceptance. Now, however, Evan's life takes an unexpected turn when, with the duke's death, it is revealed that Evan is legitimately born after all, and that he, and not his half-brother, is the new Duke of Westphal. For a young man who is finally comfortable with who he is and what he does for a living (Evan is a spy for the Crown), inheriting the title, lands and monies from his much despised father is the very last thing he needs. And then his new ward, Miss Maria Ashby, comes to him with a problem which she thinks only he can help her resolve. Miss Ashby is the headmistress of a ladies academy, and one of the students at the school has disappeared without a trace. The problem is an intriguing and perplexing one, but which arouses Evan's interest, especially when he discovers that the Society of Bishops are involved with Miss Ashby's academy. Could the Society of Bishops have anything to do with the missing girl? Evan is determined to discover all, but he is also determined the discover if his growing feelings for the singular and beautiful Miss Maria Ashby is a passing fancy or if it is something much, much more...

The four books in this series ("Let Me Be the One," "Everything I Ever Wanted" & "All I ever Needed") are very closely interconnected. So do you need to have read the previous three in order to understand and enjoy "Beyond a Wicked Kiss?" On the whole, I'd say no. Jo Goodman does a rather good job of encapsulating all the pertinent information so that you don't get that awful feeling of having wandered into a play after the first act. She also does a very good job of presenting, as succinctly as possible, the close bond of trust and fellowship that the four men share. Also well done was the manner in which she "fleshed" out Evan's past and his growing feelings for Ria Ashby -- indeed it was the authour's delightful portrayal of Evan that kept me glued to the pages. But a few things could have done with more depth: such as the whole bit about the Society of Bishops and their ties to the academy. Because this was a rather vital subplot in this story, I would have liked more. On the whole though, "Beyond a Wicked Kiss" was an absorbing and enjoyable Regency-era romance novel that kept it's promise of being a good and entertaining read.

I enjoyed the first 3 books in this series. Maybe because I read them all one right after the other. This one, I had to wait several months for. In the meantime, I've read dozens of other books.

I think the idea of all 4 stories taking place at the same time is an interesting one. I just don't feel that it works to well in the long run.

In "Beyond a Wicked Kiss", there are so many mysterious comings, goings and doings that even I, who'd read the other three books, got confused. I can only imagine how a reader who only reads this one would feel.

I really looked forward to West's story. I could never shake the feeling that the book contained bits and pieces from the other books and never really came together.

If ever an epilogue was called for, it's this series. It screams for one. I was so disappointed that the 4 couples didn't get together at the end. And that I didn't get to see how the women got on with each other.

If you've read the first 3 books, then you might want to give this one a go. If you haven't I strongly recommend that you do so before you tackle this one.

That said, I'm looking forward to Ms. Goodman's next book. I like her style and her writing is wonderful. Not a TSTL heroine in sight.