Burned by a Kiss by Tina Leonard – a Review

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Description:
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 tended to the animals of Star Canyon, New Mexico. 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. In the meanwhile, though, Nick Marshall comes to town, a cousin they ve never met, and he holds the legal title to the family ranch. Turns out Dad had more than a few gambling debts, including to the brother 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. Aided by a few dresses possessing supernatural powers, 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.”

Review:

Burned by a Kiss by Tina Leonard is the 1^st book in her new Star Canyon series.  After completing this book, which was a little short (200 pages), I am hooked to this series  I can’t wait to find out what Tina Leonard has in store for us in the future Star Canyon series.

Emma Glass, our heroine, is the town veterinarian, and has lived all her life in Star Canyon.  Santana Dark, is our hero, and the oldest brother of the wealthy Dark family, who own their successful ranch in town.  Santana has recently returned from deployment, to help his family run the ranch, and is given a dog by his sister, Sierra to keep company.   Of course, he has to take the dog, Joe to the vet, running into Emma.  It has been years, and Emma has not forgotten her major crush on the gorgeous hunk that Santana is.  He too can’t take his eyes off Emma.  They both find their attraction heating up, but the 5 members of the Dark family will have the wool pulled from under them.

Their father, who died in a suspicious fire, had mortgaged the ranch to a brother no one knew about.    The reading of the will has left them with nothing, and a cousin they didn’t know, Nick.  This is also a surprise to Nick, who also knew nothing about this, as with the death of his father, he is the one inheriting the ranch and all its assets.  Nick is a successful investor, and doesn’t need the money, but the will is explicit, he must keep it and run it or it will have to be sold. 

Between Santana, Sierra and their 3 brothers, they have no where to turn, except to maybe work for Nick or everyone loses the ranch.  Santana feels he has nothing to offer Emma, and tries to keep his distance.  But their attraction to each other is too strong, and their chemistry is hot.  As their romance heats up, Santana begins to work with Nick  together to save the ranch.  I loved Emma, and Santana together;  I adored Sierra and her shenagins.   I suspect that she and Nick will have their own book in the future.  Burned by a Kiss was a great read, with a great couple, and wonderful secondary characters.  I look forward to Tina Leonard‘s next book in this series..

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher