Just A Kiss Away Author:Jill Barnett Arriving on a lush Pacific island, Eulalie Grace LaRue was soon to be reunited with the father she hadn't seen since childhood. Yet before Lollie's dreamed-of meeting could take place, the lovely Southern belle was caught in the crossfire of a violent revolution -- and thrown into the rugged arms of Sam Forester. On the run in the jungle, the b... more »attle-scarred soldier of fortune didn't know what to do with the pampered blonde placed in his care. Survival was his top priority, but he could not resist Lollie's seductive charm...or deny the growing attraction between them. Though Sam thrived on chance and risk, falling in love was the one chance he wasn't willing to take. Powerless against the desire that consumed them both, Lollie surrendered to his passionate embrace. But when he dismissed her affections, she was determined to fight for him...to prove that in the steamy heat of paradise, two hearts would find the love of a lifetime....« less
This is the 1st book from Jill Barnett that I didn't think was great. She is an awesome writter and I have really enjoyed the humor in her love/hate romances. In (Just A Kiss Away) there wasn't even a spark af attraction until well into the book. Halfway through I almost put it down but it did get better during the 2nd half.
Set in 1896 in the jungles of the Philippines, Lollie La Rue has arrived in Manila to meet her father who has been absent most of her life. She gets kidnapped by a group of guerillas who think that she is associated to Sam Forester, a mercenary who fights for a different faction of guerillas. They travel together through the jungles of the Philippines to flee their captors and to avoid the shots of Spanish soldiers. Sam is a hardened mercenary from the wrong side of town whilst Lollie is a pampered socialite. She finds it difficult to rough it out in the jungle but finds herself attracted to the rugged and handsome Sam. Sam finds Lollie an annoyance and it's no wonder. She screams and shouts loud enough to make anyone run a mile and is so maladroite.
A sweet story about a clutzy young southern belle who is caught in the middle of a revolution on a small island. She is inadvertently, and to both of their chagrin, thrown into the arms (literally) of a battle-scarred bitter war veteran. They fight together to stay alive and keep from throttling each other, though she does get in a couple of good shin-kicks.
This romance was pretty good, though the heroine's naivete was aggravating at times, though justified by the sheltered life she led.
Arriving on a lush Pacific island, Eulalie Grace LaRue was soon to be reunited with the father she hadn't seen since childhood. Yet before Lollie's dreamed-of meeting could take place, the lovely Southern belle was caught in the crossfire of a violent revolution-and throuwn into the rugged arms of Sam Forester.
On the run in the jungle, the battle-scarred soldier of fortune didn't know what to do with the pampered blonde placed in his care. Survival ws his top priority, but he could not resist Lollie's suductive charm--- or deny the growing attraction between them. Though Sam thrived on chance and risk, falling in love was the one change he wasn't willing to take.
Powerless against the desire that consumed them both, Lollie surrendered to his passionate embrace. But when he dismissed her affections, she was determined to fight for him...to prove that in the steamhy heat of paradise, two hearts would find the love of a lifetime...
This story is the funniest historical I have ever read. I have never not enjoyed any of this authors books, some were wonderful, some were not, but still enjoyed the read. IMO, this story is her best.
