Lady Valerie Monroe enjoys pushing boundaries, and she certainly does not like conforming to the confines of society. Unfortunately, her outrageous behavior earns her banishment to America, but now she prepares to return to England. She embarks on the adventure of a lifetime when she boards the ship that will take her home. Not long into the journey pirates attack the ship, she is taken prisoner, and she is forced to share her quarters with a priest. Fortunately, she survives the ordeal, makes it home, and settles into an everyday routine, but she cannot forget the priest and her unyielding attraction to him. When she meets him again under his true name and identity at a house party, her curiosity and her passion are piqued. Who exactly is this man? Why all the subterfuge?

Viscount Steven Ashford seeks to mete out justice for those who have been wronged. When pirates strike his ship, he seizes the opportunity to gain even more information on his enemy's illegal activities. The only flaw in his plan is the beguiling beauty that was taken prisoner along side of him, but she only recognizes him as a priest by the garb he wears. He knows that it is best if they never meet again unless he wishes to embroil her in his affairs and threaten her safety. Unfortunately, the lure is too strong for him to ignore. When he arrives at the house party, he hopes to remain on the outskirts, but one glimpse is all it takes for her to know the truth. Where do his passions reside? Can he keep her safe and fight his enemy?

Katharine Ashe splashes her debut historical with liberal doses of adventure, romance, and intrigue. Her writing plunges us head first into hijinks on the high seas, brings us up briefly for air, and then plops us onto dry land to be a pawn in a dangerous game. I was completely entangled in the amazing story and quickly captivated by the dashing characters. Valerie may seem to be a lady, but she has a very cunning side to get her into the midst of the action. She knows how to use her charms to obtain what she wants. Steven is a solitary man, but he recognizes the benefit of allies to aid him in his quest. He may have many faces, but he must follow his heart. Ms. Ashe creates a romance that is a joy to read. SWEPT AWAY BY A KISS spills over with treachery, revelry, and chemistry to produce a wonderfully enchanting tale.

Book Summary

In the first book of this fantastic new series, a society jade thinks she's done it all until she meets the devil himself.

When pirates storm Lord Steven Ashford's ship upon the high seas, it brings him closer than ever to the nefarious criminal he seeks to ruin. Only one seductive detail threatens his victory: the scandalous beauty imprisoned with him, Lady Valerie Monroe. Temptation has never been so intoxicating or so forbidden, for Steven is disguised as a French priest. If they make it off the ship alive, to protect her from his enemies, he must never see her again.

Back in England, and under the ton's scrutiny for a reckless past she hasn't escaped, Valerie dreams of he breathtaking "man of the cloth" with whom she shared her greatest adventure. Then he reappears in society under his true identity, Viscount Ashford, but despite the danger their consuming passion cannot be denied. Standing in the way of their desire are Valerie's wounded heart, Steven's lone destiny, and a villain that will stop at nothing to crush them both.