Somewhat sage lesson to be learned in BURNED BY A KISS and that is magic is available to us normally grounded earthlings if we just allow it to enter into our lives. Yes there's a bit of fairy dust in the first book in the Star Canyon series by Tina Leonard. BURNED BY A KISS is kind of a departure from Tina Leonard's usual romance novels. She's written about cowboys, bull riders and the like. In BURNED BY A KISS we are surrounded by a very eclectic group of normal people whose lives have taken a personal hit. What keeps them together and somewhat grounded is their deep roots in Star Canyon, their love of family and a tremendous work ethic. So it is a little disconcerting to find these folks contemplating the effect of some other worldly force in their lives.

But that's the beauty of the written word. It is supposed to take you on a voyage and BURNED BY A KISS does just that. Tina Leonard wants you to dispend disbelief and enjoy this wondrous tale of loves lost and found. The star of this piece is a vintage wedding gown that seems to have a life of its own. Now the people of Star Canyon are trying to figure out just what that gown will mean to some of its own.

I've read lots of stories by favorite authors of mine that involve time travel, fairy dust and magic. And I must admit many of those stories have stood the test of time and remain fast favorites of mine. I think BURNED BY A KISS is destined to join the ranks of those books.

So here's the skinny. We have Emma the vet -- practical smart the school nerd way back when. Even then this smart girl's eye was on Santana Dark. Polar opposites. Santana left town after graduation and became a SEAL. He's now back in Star Canyon to rejoin his siblings to run the family ranch after his father's death. Sounds simple. That's where you would be so wrong. There is absolutely nothing simple about this family. And the more we read, the more we discover how very complicated the Dark family history is and there is so much more to uncover.

Emma and Santana have embarked on a relationship of sorts that starts out as just acting on shared attraction. But as time is moving on neither one of them can deny that their feelings are growing into something wonderful that they haven't planned or banked on. Santana's life has become unsettled. He finds himself somewhat adrift. His future is uncertain -- as is the future of his siblings. He just doesn't see himself as a good bet. Certainly not good enough for Emma who deserves so much more. But Emma doesn't see it that way. She is beginning to realize that what she feels for Santana is love and she wants to be with him. But there's still that niggling doubt as to whether she trusts herself to believe in a forever with Santana.

Yes there is magic in the air. Some of it of the fairy dust variety and some just plain old love. Tina Leonard usually writes about people with challenges in finding their true love. In BURNED BY A KISS she has decided to tweak her usual storyline with the addition of some wonderful supernatural elements. BURNED BY A KISS is just a lovely definitely intriguing romance with some interesting twists and turns built in for the fun of it. Just to keep you on your proverbial toes. There is even an element of mystery and danger. The check list is huge. BURNED BY A KISS will absolutely fill your need for a dreamy, interesting, romantic story. And since it is book one of the Star Canyon series you can look forward to more to come.

Book Summary

A young veterinarian and a difficult man have been circling each other for over a decade. Under the southwestern sky, and with everything they hold dear in the balance, it’s finally time for one of them to make a move.

Ever since graduation, when Santana Dark leaned over and kissed the brainy and shy Emma Glass, she has been smitten with the dark, brooding hunk. She thought about him while he served overseas, while she stayed home in Star Canyon, New Mexico and tended to its animals. Now he is back, ready to retake his place with his three brothers and his spitfire of a sister at the family ranch. He’ll have to be the man of his family now, as his father died in a mysterious fire that the police are still investigating.

Nick Marshall comes to town, a cousin to the Dark family, though they’ve never met this wealthy stranger, and he claims to hold the legal title to the family ranch. Turns out Dad had more than a few gambling debts, including to the uncle his children didn’t know that they had. With his world spiraling out, Santana finds solace and comfort in Emma’s arms, and she finds heat and passion in his. Santana and Emma finally have ignited the spark that has always existed between them. Now the trick will be to keep the flame from consuming them both.

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