The Whispered Kiss by Marcia Lynn McClure

Synopsis:

With the sea at its side, the beautiful township of Bostchelan was home to many—including the lovely Coquette de Bellamont, her three sisters, and beloved father. In Bostchelan, Coquette knew happiness, and as much contentment as a young woman whose heart had been broken years before could know. Thus, Coquette dwelt in gladness until the day her father returned from his travels with an astonishing tale to tell.

Antoine de Bellamont returned from his travels by way of Roanan bearing a tale of such great adventure to hardly be believed. Further, at the center of Antoine’s story loomed a man—the dark Lord of Roanan. Known for his cruel nature, heartlessness, and tendency to violence, the Lord of Roanan had accused Antoine de Bellamont of wrong doing and demanded recompense. Antoine had promised recompense would be paid—with the hand of his youngest daughter in marriage.

Thus, Coquette found herself lost—thrust onto a dark journey of her own. This journey would find her carried away to Roanan Manor—delivered into the hands of the dark and mysterious Lord of Roanan who dominated it.

My Review: 4 Stars

Coquette is the youngest daughter of Antoine de Bellamont. She is also the most beautiful, loving, caring and selfless one. When her father refuses her hand in marriage to her one true love, Valor, she is heartbroken and doesn' t know what to do. When she finally chooses him over her father, she goes to Valor's house only to be told that he has vanished without a trace. Instead of allowing the bitter and negative feelings to overtake her, she decides that she needs to do whatever it takes to be happy. She will always love her Valor and will always hold him close to her heart. 

Valor has always loved Coquette. He was her protector, true love and best friend. He would be anything and everything for her. But when Antoine refused to give permission for him to marry Coquette, he was devistated. He begged her to disobey her father and come with him but Coquette stood before him in shock and disbelief. He took her silence to mean that she didn't love him enough to disobey her father. Angry and bitter, he storms off and allows all the negative feelings to consume him and turn him into a horrible beast who lives to seek revenge against those who have wronged him. 

When Antoine trespasses on Roanan Manor his life will forever be changed. He has to choose between his hand or Coquette. When he chooses his hand, the dark Lord makes his intentions for Coquette very clear and Antoine's true character shows through. He would have his daughter married off to a rich stranger who will beat her and toss her aside just to save his hand and gain more wealth and social standing. He is a horrible, vile, selfish man that doesn't deserve to breathe!

Whisked away to Roanan Manor to marry a stranger, Coquette will soon learn that her Valor is none other than the dark Lord that has threatened her father. She is having a hard time connecting the story her father told with the man that she knows better than anyone else. There is definitely something amiss. She can see right away that her Valor is hidden deep within the beast's body. She yearns to have him in her life once again and will do anything that she can to bring him out. But when all is said and done, will she be able to tame the beast? Or will she be stuck with him forever? 

This is my second time reading The Whispered Kiss and sadly, this time around, I found myself skimming the overly wordy and repetitive parts. I was also bummed when I remembered there was no epilogue. We all know how much I hate when I book just ends! And this one just ended! :( I would've loved to see some of the repetitive parts removed and an epilogue added. ;) However, even with the parts that bugged me, I still really enjoyed the book. I really love Marcia's older books! They are a great getaway from reality! :) 

And of course I can't forget my casting! ;)