Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua
A Fiery Tales Collection, Book 1
Berkley Sensation
Historical Erotic Fairy Tales
ISBN 978-0425235560
Reviewed by Miranda




“Sleeping Beau”
Five years ago Adrien was awakened by a beautiful stranger.  He experienced the most unforgettably passionate night of his life only to realize the next morning he had been drugged.  Now he has found his enchantress and is determined to get his revenge but in the end it may be Adrien who pays the steepest price of all.  Will Adrien allow his pride to get in the way of love?

“Sleeping Beau” has the sweetness of your favorite fairy tale and the sexy styling’s of your favorite romances.  Adrien and Catherine are magic together.  He is a philandering playboy driven by his own selfishness and a need to piss off his father.  While Catherine is a woman who was forced into a horrid situation and decided to take her life into her hands the only way she knew how, by drugging and having sex with Adrien.  It was a very brave thing for her to do especially when you consider the time period the story takes place in—okay, so it may have been a little crazy too.


“Little Red Writing”
Nicolas de Savignac, a Muskateer, has dreams of besting all that have come before him.  When the King assigns him the task of finding the mysterious Gilbert Leduc, an author writing material that has been inflaming many wealthy men in society, he immediately accepts.  Nicolas, often referred to as le loup or the wolf, will use any means necessary to gain information regarding the identity of Leduc, including seduce the lovely poetess Anne.  What will the big bad wolf do when he finds out his little fiery lady is Leduc?

“Little Red Writing” has passion but not only that between a man and a woman but also the passion of women fighting for their rights in the only way they know how.  Imagine, at the time if your husband claimed you were crazy you were just sent away without a say in your fate.  I found myself admiring Anne, her sisters and Nicolas’ grandmother, as well as, for their courage.  I didn’t feel the heat between Nicolas and Anne as I did in the other stories. Except for the library scene, that was definitely hot.  The anticipation was what sold me on the story.  The huge secrets they were keeping from each other, I couldn’t wait for their reactions and it was a huge payoff.


“Bewitching in Boots”
Elisabeth de Roussel, the Kings favorite daughter has made it her mission to get Tristan de Tiersonnier reinstated as Commander of the King’s private guard.  Tristan obtained an injury that forced the King to dismiss him.  Since his dismissal Tristan has secluded himself at his home.  When Elizabeth arrives insisting Tristan tutor her in fencing, Tristan is disturbed and flat out refuses but the brazen Elizabeth will not take no for an answer.  After all, she’s not just there for the lessons.  She plans to take Tristan to bed as well.

“Bewitching in Boots” was my favorite story!  When Elisabeth gets out of that carriage in her lucky boots I just knew she was a no-nonsense woman.  She was going to accomplish her goals.  It didn’t matter if she has to come up with the craziest scheme imaginable.  Tristan who is known for his intense take no prisoners stare thinks he can just push her buttons and she will run home to daddy.  These two made me laugh hysterically.  My favorite part was when she gave him a gift.  It was priceless!  Elisabeth and Tristan shared some very scorching scenes that made the pages sizzle.  I loved Elisabeth’s determination to see Tristan reinstated as Commander of the guard.  He is being a total jerk to her and yet she sees the good man he has buried inside him and she is determined to bring that part of him back.


Awakened by a Kiss is a new spin on some of your favorite fairy tales.  These are definitely not your usual bedtime stories.  Lila DiPasqua has turned these fairy tales into sultry stories that arouse the romantic in us all.  I feel like this is an ingenious idea.  Most of us get this happy feeling when we think of fairy tales.  From now on when fairy tales are mentioned I will be thinking about Ms. DiPasqua’s Awakened by a Kiss and I will probably be blushing.  I found each story unique and entertaining.  I want to say Awakened by a Kiss is a modern take on fairy tales but this is a historical novel.  So I will say Awakened by a Kiss is a chic update on some classic favorites guaranteed to keep you stimulated until the happily ever after.  I’m looking forward to reading Ms. Pasqua’s next fiery tale!