Kiss and Dwell
Grade : B

Kiss and Dwell is the first book in Kelley St. John's Sexth Sense series about a Cajun family that "talks to dead people". It is that rare story which is by turn funny, romantic and even poignant - a great start for what appears to be an intriguing Blaze series.

Monique Vicknair is one of six cousins who help spirits cross over to the other side; when they get "stuck in the middle", Monique's family helps them reach the light and the glorious paradise beyond. The spirits they help are selected by their dead grandmother, who has a different method of contacting each child, but she will not be ignored. When grandma calls, they'd better come quickly.

Unfortunately for Monique, she is getting ready to have hot sex with Pierre when the familiar skin burning starts. Monique hopes she will have time to get in her first sex without a vibrator in the last six months, but the burn is so bad that she must flee mid-seduction, leaving Pierre calling her a tease as she runs out of his house.

Monique's assignment is Ryan Chappelle, who must "learn to love" in order to cross over to the other side. He is given an unusually long time to achieve this goal - nine days. If Monique fails in teaching him to love, he will be stuck in the middle forever. She wonders how she can teach someone else to love when she has never been in love herself. To make matters worse, Ryan doesn't want to cross over! He is happy in the middle where he gives hot dreams to women who fantasize about someone tall, dark, and handsome. He is thoroughly enjoying his creative nighttime dream forays.

Ryan is a hunk who died at 28 after an adventurous life and multiple sex partners. The sexual attraction between Monique and Ryan nearly sets the pages on fire. There is a rule, though, that mediums cannot touch their spirits and so the couple is forced to make do with non-tactile sex - which turns out to be pretty hot. Ryan even uses Monique's vibrator to "rock her socks". As for their mind meld sex...it's combustible. Even so, there's more to this pair than sex, and I enjoyed watching them learning to trust and explore feelings beyond lust. The sub-plot involving the repair of the family's historic mansion after Katrina's depredations was interesting and I assume we'll see more miracles worked on the family manse in subsequent books.

I enjoyed Kiss and Dwell a lot and St. John even had me tearing up towards the end when it was time for Ryan to leave. Of course, this is a romance so I was assured of a happy ending. The author did not disappoint; those scenes were poignantly written and resonated because I felt a real connection with these characters.

The book had a couple of spots where it dragged a bit, but quickly got back on track. Perhaps there could have been one (or two) fewer fewer sex scenes - while I enjoyed the physical intimacy between Ryan and Monique, occasionally their lovemaking slowed the story down and I wanting them to move on. But these are small quibbles and I will definitely be checking into the Vicknair mansion for the other books in this imaginative series.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Grade : B
Book Type: Series Romance

Sensuality: Hot

Review Date : June 3, 2007

Publication Date: 2007/05

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Linda Hurst

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