The Kiss by Emma C. Shortt

When Eva Diakou is offered a job on the Winterwood estate, she expects nothing but four months of back breaking work. Jobless and lonely, she has little choice but to accept. But things on the Winterwood estate are nothing like Eva was led to believe. Why has she been given one of the plushest rooms? Why is there nothing to do? And why is she so captivated by the strange statues adorning the estate?Adam Winterwood is paying for a crime he never committed. Trapped for so many years, he is waiting for the one person who can keep him alive…or set him free. When Adam and Eva meet, sparks fly. Yet, neither realizes the sacrifice they will both have to make.

And it will all be decided by The Kiss.

I have a policy of not reading book blurbs because I have been burned with spoilers before.  This is, of course, only for books I know I am going to read regardless of the blurb.Anyway, I had no idea this book had a fantasy element to it.  The fact that it does makes it just that much better to me.  I was a little confused at first because the book switches from present day to the 1800s with no explanation.  Although I was able to figure out what was going on after a couple of chapters, I think that aspect could have been handled better.

At the beginning of the book, I really felt that Eva was going to be one of those TSTL (too stupid to live)  heroines.  She agrees to take a job on a distant estate where she will have no contact with the outside world for four months.  The interviewer questions her on whether there is any family or friends who will miss her or need to contact her while she is gone . . . and she tells her NO!  Fortunately, it does work out for the best.

Adam and Eva (I cannot believe that allusion) are in lust with each other from their first meeting.  The sex scenes are hot, but pretty vanilla.  Adam definitely has a romantic side as well.  If anything, Eva is the one being ruled by her hormones.

There is a witch’s curse and true love is the only way to break it.  Maybe I should have classified this book as a fairy tale more than fantasy.

Either way, I really enjoyed it.  The plot line was unique, the sex was hot, and the hero was built like a god.

What’s not to like?