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The Kisses #4
Champagne Kisses
What's more important to a soldier- his love of his country, or his love of a woman?
In the summer of 1990, Rachel Weber spent a week down on the Florida coast, soaking up the sun's rays while she waited for her life to begin. It was there that she met Dean Sherman, a handsome, muscular soldier with blue eyes. The two spent a week together full of champagne kisses that only ended when Operation Desert Storm forced Dean to choose between his duty and his love. He chose duty.
Twenty years later, Rachel figured it was just summer love, but she never forgot those eyes. As personal assistant to powerful billionaire Jack Saunders, she never expected Dean to walk into her office after being hired as Jack's personal bodyguard. Even though she had spent the last two decades trying to forget Dean, she found herself falling for him once again.
When fate forced both Rachel and Dean to choose yet again between love and duty, Rachel had to decide between the man she had always loved and the family that had become her life. She knew she couldn't have both, but she knew she wouldn't be happy with just one. Would she choose love, or be forever haunted by the memory of those Champagne Kisses?
This thrilling romance novel brings the cast of the bestselling novels Saltwater Kisses and Rainwater Kisses back for an epic and timeless love story.
In the summer of 1990, Rachel Weber spent a week down on the Florida coast, soaking up the sun's rays while she waited for her life to begin. It was there that she met Dean Sherman, a handsome, muscular soldier with blue eyes. The two spent a week together full of champagne kisses that only ended when Operation Desert Storm forced Dean to choose between his duty and his love. He chose duty.
Twenty years later, Rachel figured it was just summer love, but she never forgot those eyes. As personal assistant to powerful billionaire Jack Saunders, she never expected Dean to walk into her office after being hired as Jack's personal bodyguard. Even though she had spent the last two decades trying to forget Dean, she found herself falling for him once again.
When fate forced both Rachel and Dean to choose yet again between love and duty, Rachel had to decide between the man she had always loved and the family that had become her life. She knew she couldn't have both, but she knew she wouldn't be happy with just one. Would she choose love, or be forever haunted by the memory of those Champagne Kisses?
This thrilling romance novel brings the cast of the bestselling novels Saltwater Kisses and Rainwater Kisses back for an epic and timeless love story.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2013
167 people are currently reading
1571 people want to read
About the author
Krista Lakes
89 books886 followersKrista Lakes is a writer of romances that leave you feeling good and always have a happily ever after. She has two boys and a husband that keep her busy, not to mention two cats and a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
September 27, 2013
2.5 stars.**Review posted September 27, 2013
For a synopsis please read the blurb. I'm going to make it as short as possible.
It's safe to say that Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story wasn't my cup of tea. The story and the writing were too cheesy and the epilogue doesn't get any sappier either. From the beginning I've had a hard time to get into the story and I felt a bit bored. Add in the fact that the sex wasn't memorable at all and I was very glad to finish the book ASAP. Fortunately it was a quick read, otherwise I would have felt the need to put another book on my DFN shelf.
I really got it that Dean has a great body. Yes, the man is in shape. So, why do I have to read the same descriptions over and over again? Also, after I've read for the umpteenth time that his smile was CROOKED, I. Really. Got. That. Too. This may come as a surprise but I'm not dense at all. What does that tell me? The writing was repetitive and somewhat stilted at times. Plus, the waterworks were flowing rather generously and a specific part of the plot came across as overly melodramatic. On the other hand, if you like this kind of book then I'd say you might enjoy this story.
The heroine fell in love with the hero within 24 hours when they first met. I'm very sorry but I never bought it. Hardly any author can pull off insta-love after all. I never had the impression that I really got to know the MCs. There was just not enough character development and the story didn't have enough depth either.
If this story is actually a timeless love story then I have to wonder why I had to deal with the term 'manhood'. If memory serves me right, that must have been popular back in the 80s. Newsflash, we're living in the 21st century. Times change, people change…or so I thought.
The sex scenes didn't leave me panting for more and they didn't turn me on either. If anything, I had a good laugh. I really don't intend to be mean but let's face it, they are so badly written I was glad when it was over. A few "quotes" to your perusal.
Really? It could have been a game center and don't get me started on the engines.
Excuse me but what's that got to do with his great ass?
Ooookay. Did he actually put on the whole packet or only the condom?
The speech about looking into someone's soul is really tough to pull off. I love it but in this case I found it ludicrous and redundant. In fact, the whole sex scene was incredibly awkward and mechanic and it reads like an embarrassing class essay.
Overall I must say that I don't understand the high average rating. Yet it's a fact and that's why I'm going to put Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba. I can't recommend this book but it's obvious that I'm a minority here. I'd say give it a try and maybe you'll love it. Hopefully.
For a synopsis please read the blurb. I'm going to make it as short as possible.
It's safe to say that Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story wasn't my cup of tea. The story and the writing were too cheesy and the epilogue doesn't get any sappier either. From the beginning I've had a hard time to get into the story and I felt a bit bored. Add in the fact that the sex wasn't memorable at all and I was very glad to finish the book ASAP. Fortunately it was a quick read, otherwise I would have felt the need to put another book on my DFN shelf.
I really got it that Dean has a great body. Yes, the man is in shape. So, why do I have to read the same descriptions over and over again? Also, after I've read for the umpteenth time that his smile was CROOKED, I. Really. Got. That. Too. This may come as a surprise but I'm not dense at all. What does that tell me? The writing was repetitive and somewhat stilted at times. Plus, the waterworks were flowing rather generously and a specific part of the plot came across as overly melodramatic. On the other hand, if you like this kind of book then I'd say you might enjoy this story.
The heroine fell in love with the hero within 24 hours when they first met. I'm very sorry but I never bought it. Hardly any author can pull off insta-love after all. I never had the impression that I really got to know the MCs. There was just not enough character development and the story didn't have enough depth either.
If this story is actually a timeless love story then I have to wonder why I had to deal with the term 'manhood'. If memory serves me right, that must have been popular back in the 80s. Newsflash, we're living in the 21st century. Times change, people change…or so I thought.
The sex scenes didn't leave me panting for more and they didn't turn me on either. If anything, I had a good laugh. I really don't intend to be mean but let's face it, they are so badly written I was glad when it was over. A few "quotes" to your perusal.
I watched his biceps flex as he moved his body back and forth. His pecs hardened as he positioned himself for maximum pleasure. I even stole a glance behind him, watching that ass of his as he moved up and down, undulating like a snake.
To answer his non-question, I grabbed onto his manhood, guiding it into myself. A wave splashed on Dean's back, pushing him forward just as I felt him swell within me. His hands went to my ass, steadying me.
His tongue strummed the pink flesh like a guitar string, sending beautiful vibrations through my body.
A jolt of pleasure surged through me as his fingers found my pleasure center. He made slow circles on the outside of my light pink panties, revving my internal engines to full power.
Really? It could have been a game center and don't get me started on the engines.
He laughed as he wriggled free, showing me that he didn't have anything on underneath. No wonder his ass had looked so good.
Excuse me but what's that got to do with his great ass?
He stood before, bathed in soft moonlight. He moved to the nightstand, fishing a small square packet from a corner drawer and hastily putting it on. He didn't want to wait any longer either.
Ooookay. Did he actually put on the whole packet or only the condom?
He was between my legs in less than a moment, his masculine scent heady and intoxicating. I could feel his massive manhood pressing against me, seeking entrance, and as we made eye contact, he entered.
My body sang with pleasure. I cried out his name, feeling the two of us finally joining as one. We were no longer separate or alone. We were together.
(…)
Our eyes never left one another. His winter-blue eyes peered into my soul, the two of us speaking volumes without words.
The speech about looking into someone's soul is really tough to pull off. I love it but in this case I found it ludicrous and redundant. In fact, the whole sex scene was incredibly awkward and mechanic and it reads like an embarrassing class essay.
Overall I must say that I don't understand the high average rating. Yet it's a fact and that's why I'm going to put Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba. I can't recommend this book but it's obvious that I'm a minority here. I'd say give it a try and maybe you'll love it. Hopefully.
September 22, 2013
Rachel Weber and Dean Sherman met during a magical week during the Summer of 1990. She was with two girlfriends celebrating their college graduation and he was waiting to be deployed to the Middle East. They fell in lust and burned up the sheets, but realized their feelings for each other were much deeper. They had fallen in love. Then life circumstances tore them apart.
About twenty years later, they were reunited. Both carried the scars of life and were wary of old feelings that kept creeping back up. Rachel and Dean had suffered losses both personally and professionally. They were much richer than the typical insipid, trite, overly dramatic "new adult" novel characters. Rachel and Dean were middle-aged adults with fully developed, independent, personalities who deserved a second chance at love.
I have downloaded many free books from Amazon. The majority were simply "ok." They certainly did not move me to write a review, nor did they move me to purchase other books by the author. Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story was different. It was a complete story, even though it spanned over 20 years. Ms. Lakes created two worlds - the carefree, lust-filled past of young lovers and contrasted it with the serious, work-focused, insulated present. Then, she allowed her characters to mature and face past hurts as they learned how to love again. She revisited characters from Saltwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story and Rainwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (which I have not read, but just downloaded). It is my sincere hope that she writes Jenny and Matt's story, as well as Kimberly's story.
This is not a "new adult" novel and it should not be categorized as such. This is a story that spans generations and it deserves to be showcased in a larger arena, away from the "whiny, college ingénue meets immature bad boy rocker/biker" tropes.
About twenty years later, they were reunited. Both carried the scars of life and were wary of old feelings that kept creeping back up. Rachel and Dean had suffered losses both personally and professionally. They were much richer than the typical insipid, trite, overly dramatic "new adult" novel characters. Rachel and Dean were middle-aged adults with fully developed, independent, personalities who deserved a second chance at love.
I have downloaded many free books from Amazon. The majority were simply "ok." They certainly did not move me to write a review, nor did they move me to purchase other books by the author. Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story was different. It was a complete story, even though it spanned over 20 years. Ms. Lakes created two worlds - the carefree, lust-filled past of young lovers and contrasted it with the serious, work-focused, insulated present. Then, she allowed her characters to mature and face past hurts as they learned how to love again. She revisited characters from Saltwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story and Rainwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (which I have not read, but just downloaded). It is my sincere hope that she writes Jenny and Matt's story, as well as Kimberly's story.
This is not a "new adult" novel and it should not be categorized as such. This is a story that spans generations and it deserves to be showcased in a larger arena, away from the "whiny, college ingénue meets immature bad boy rocker/biker" tropes.
October 10, 2014
I had hoped someone would pick up on the exchange between Dean and Rachel in Saltwater Kisses A Billionaire Love Story The Kisses Series 1.
And people did!! I got lots of emails from readers asking if Dean and Rachel could have their story. So, I gave them one.
My husband was in the army, so he was a great inspiration for Dean. Plus, I loved that I got to write about a soldier. There is something about those military men that I can't get enough of.
I'm so glad I was able to give Dean and Rachel the happily ever after they deserve. I love that they got a second chance at finding their happiness and that readers everywhere have responded so nicely to it!
“We’ll go over your rules in the car, Dean,” Rachel cut in, hustling me down the hallway. “We’re on a tight schedule today.”
“Of course Ms. Weber,” Dean said smoothly, tipping his head. “As you wish.”
Rachel gave him a brief smile before shooing me into the elevator."
And people did!! I got lots of emails from readers asking if Dean and Rachel could have their story. So, I gave them one.
My husband was in the army, so he was a great inspiration for Dean. Plus, I loved that I got to write about a soldier. There is something about those military men that I can't get enough of.
I'm so glad I was able to give Dean and Rachel the happily ever after they deserve. I love that they got a second chance at finding their happiness and that readers everywhere have responded so nicely to it!
November 3, 2016
This was my first read by this author. It had been in my TBR folder for a while and I wish I had read it sooner. Dean and Rachel meet in the summer of 1990 while vacationing in a small Florida beach town. They are young adults, early twenties and Dean is in the army. They spend a week together, fall in love and agree to keep in touch and find each other after he returns from the war in the Gulf. They write each other but for reasons detailed in the book they don't reconnect until 20 years later. Neither of them have ever married and both carry emotional baggage as they both feel the other abandoned the romance. This author told a beautiful, poignant story of love unrequited until they reconnect. There are secondary characters in the book and the author made me feel real emotion and a deep connection with all of the characters. I actually felt the anguish of Dean and Rachel because it was evident they still loved each other and had never moved on to someone else. The author weaved a tale of love, reunion, forgiveness and dealing with the death of a loved one (secondary character). I really felt this book. There is a HEA and it is a book you will remember.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2013
Wow!!!
This is by far the best book from the series. It's so poignant and full of love, the pages practically leap from the book.
Dean and Rachel had a history( which I didn't know about, from the previous book). Twenty years ago they met and fell in love with one another. Dean was about to be shipped to fight a war while Rachel wanted to be a designer. But fate had other plans, although they both wrote to each other, neither one of them received their letters.
After years they meet again, Rachel, as personal secretary of Jack Saunders and Dean, as his bodyguard. What happens then.
This is what I always state when making a review, all plots maybe similar but its how the author delivers with her dialogues and just the heart of the story which I found in this book.
This is by far the best book from the series. It's so poignant and full of love, the pages practically leap from the book.
Dean and Rachel had a history( which I didn't know about, from the previous book). Twenty years ago they met and fell in love with one another. Dean was about to be shipped to fight a war while Rachel wanted to be a designer. But fate had other plans, although they both wrote to each other, neither one of them received their letters.
After years they meet again, Rachel, as personal secretary of Jack Saunders and Dean, as his bodyguard. What happens then.
This is what I always state when making a review, all plots maybe similar but its how the author delivers with her dialogues and just the heart of the story which I found in this book.
December 22, 2013
Dnf. A freebie and not surprisingly. I couldn't get into the characters. In the current time Rachel must be at least 40 and yet she acts and behaves like a teenager when she is supposed to be a competent, capable professional.
The 'wtf' moment for me was when Dean says to her:
'There's a war going on right now between one of America's allies and a much larger nation. They have no chance of winning without our help.'
I mean..... wtf? She isn't a seven year old is she? I presume intelligent Americans were WELL aware of what was going on?
Oh. And they had sex in the ocean. OOOOOOOPS!! Not advised. REALLY REALLY not advised.
The 'wtf' moment for me was when Dean says to her:
'There's a war going on right now between one of America's allies and a much larger nation. They have no chance of winning without our help.'
I mean..... wtf? She isn't a seven year old is she? I presume intelligent Americans were WELL aware of what was going on?
Oh. And they had sex in the ocean. OOOOOOOPS!! Not advised. REALLY REALLY not advised.
own-need-to-read
September 26, 20134.47 stars, 36 ratings
Amazon freebie! September 26: http://www.amazon.com/Champagne-Kisse...
Sounds really good!
What's more important to a soldier- his love of his country, or his love of a woman?
In the summer of 1990, Rachel Weber spent a week down on the Florida coast, soaking up the sun's rays while she waited for her life to begin. It was there that she met Dean Sherman, a handsome, muscular soldier with blue eyes. The two spent a week together full of champagne kisses that only ended when Operation Desert Storm forced Dean to choose between his duty and his love. He chose duty.
Twenty years later, Rachel figured it was just summer love, but she never forgot those eyes. As personal assistant to powerful billionaire Jack Saunders, she never expected Dean to walk into her office after being hired as Jack's personal bodyguard. Even though she had spent the last two decades trying to forget Dean, she found herself falling for him once again.
When fate forced both Rachel and Dean to choose yet again between love and duty, Rachel had to decide between the man she had always loved and the family that had become her life. She knew she couldn't have both, but she knew she wouldn't be happy with just one. Would she choose love, or be forever haunted by the memory of those Champagne Kisses?
This thrilling romance novel brings the cast of the bestselling novels Saltwater Kisses and Rainwater Kisses back for an epic and timeless love story.
May 5, 2015
I didn't read the first two books in this series, but it didn't matter. This book worked just fine as a stand-alone.
This is a semi-typical lost-love and then found-it-again story. Nothing deep, nothing serious. If you find it plausible that three gals, recently graduated from college, could meet three soldiers on leave, and they'd pair up neatly into three love connections and fall into three separate beds the same night they meet, then this is the book for you. After raising my eyebrows in disbelief, I managed to suspend my doubts and simply enjoyed the book as a simple, undemanding read.
(However, it does bug me a little that one of those soldiers, twenty years later, owns an original Renoir. Maybe the answer to where he got all that moolah is revealed in one of the other two books in the series.)
Bottom line, for the most part, this book is a simple HEA romance. The character development isn't all that terrific, but much to my surprise, I think I just may read the other two books in the series. Ya know, just to see what happens to those other not-too-well-developed characters. HA! What can I say? Sometimes, a simple read is just the kinda book I need.
This is a semi-typical lost-love and then found-it-again story. Nothing deep, nothing serious. If you find it plausible that three gals, recently graduated from college, could meet three soldiers on leave, and they'd pair up neatly into three love connections and fall into three separate beds the same night they meet, then this is the book for you. After raising my eyebrows in disbelief, I managed to suspend my doubts and simply enjoyed the book as a simple, undemanding read.
(However, it does bug me a little that one of those soldiers, twenty years later, owns an original Renoir. Maybe the answer to where he got all that moolah is revealed in one of the other two books in the series.)
Bottom line, for the most part, this book is a simple HEA romance. The character development isn't all that terrific, but much to my surprise, I think I just may read the other two books in the series. Ya know, just to see what happens to those other not-too-well-developed characters. HA! What can I say? Sometimes, a simple read is just the kinda book I need.
September 21, 2013
I always read Krista's Billionaire bookies I love them and when they come out the first day they're always free which makes me love them even more. Dean he was a character and he was flirty, "are you trying to get my address?" Dean asked with a mock-scandalized look." He's a looker, "he held me up with ease, his strong arms supporting me with no problem whatsoever. I reveled in the feeling of his chest those strong muscles." He's quite endowed, "I saw the bulge in his briefs, I froze up while looking at it, and he chuckled and pulled his pants the rest of the way off." He also appreciates when a lady takes charge, "he made a surprised growl, but grinned as he saw me straddle him." I liked this book and I have a feeling that maybe Robbie's book is next?
September 22, 2013
I completely agree with Michelle's review, although I had similar experience with Rainwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story and since then I think I already read everything she has published. As all the other books, I loved this one. It was fun and it was sad. It nearly made me cry when Daniel died and I definitely felt said because of the death of Tony. Before I read that he is dead I so much hoped that he and Kimberly will also get together, but I hope that at least Matt and Jenny will have their happily ever after. :
I just cannot wait until the next book to see how Robbie will fight his demons for his happily ever after with Sam :)
I just cannot wait until the next book to see how Robbie will fight his demons for his happily ever after with Sam :)
September 23, 2013
A beautiful love story , back to back from 20 yrs ago , spent only 4 days together during summer break, now met again and fall in love all over again.
September 22, 2013
Classic love story... this one doesn't disappoint. It is so sweet and git wrenching. I love how it continues to inform you of the lives of the characters from previous books!
September 23, 2013
Awwww! I loved it! Hope there's more books to come.
Want to read
September 26, 2013Free on Amazon US 9-26-13
September 10, 2019
Oh my heart! "Champagne Kisses" has been my favorite of the Kisses series. Dean and Rachel's story pulled at all my emotions. There are so many layers and characters in their story. The Saunders family had me in tears - I rarely cry when reading a book.
August 30, 2017
Love and more
A love story many wish could be reality. Great easy enjoyable read. I would recommend to those that love romance.
A love story many wish could be reality. Great easy enjoyable read. I would recommend to those that love romance.
October 16, 2017
Love this book and love this series!!
January 2, 2018
TRUE RATING ★★★½✩ Rounded up
All 6 notes and highlights are at points where I was "thrown out" of the story, lost the flow due to poor edits,(missing or incorrect or repeated words) ...
All 6 notes and highlights are at points where I was "thrown out" of the story, lost the flow due to poor edits,(missing or incorrect or repeated words) ...
January 20, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
February 21, 2019
I loved reading this. It was long overdue for Rachel and Dean to finish what they started so many years ago.
October 28, 2024
Rachel and Dean
This book tells the story of how Rachel and Dean first met, fell in love and finally get their Happily Ever After.
This book tells the story of how Rachel and Dean first met, fell in love and finally get their Happily Ever After.
October 1, 2025
Billionaire Kisses
This took me too long to read. It was a nice, never gonna happen kinda story. I would recommend this book. It was good.
This took me too long to read. It was a nice, never gonna happen kinda story. I would recommend this book. It was good.
September 3, 2016
•Love or Duty
This isn't the first of Krista Lakes "Kisses" series that I've read. Each story seems to go along with another character but is still A STANDALONE HEA in itself!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM, I am going to have to go back and read them ALL!! Even the ones I've already read, they're THAT GOOD! They're all told as if they've TRUELY happened. I hadn't realized until reading this story that the series had been released earlier, the first one I read was (Saltwater Kisses Book 1 in April of this year, which I also received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review) then read her New Release this year (ISLAND KISSES Book 9 in August which I also received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review & then I purchased it!). It doesn't matter which order you read them, the characters tell their own stories that just blend with the other characters lives! I laughed, was scared, joyously happy as well as sad and broken-hearted, and shed a lot of tears along with the characters in this story, be prepared for the emotional roller coaster you'll ride while reading; but it is Ssoooo worth the ride!!
Champagne Kisses goes back and forth between the summer of 1990 and present day.
(Summer of 1990) Rachel and her two best friends Kimberly and Jenny were renting a small condo as a a celebration for graduating before they went their separate ways for work. They notice the three guys on the beach and then go to find them that night. Dean, Matt & Tony are enjoying vacation before they're deployed to the Middle East. The 3 couples are inseparable until their vacation ends. (Present Day) Rachel is billionaire Jack Saunders personal assistant, if he needed something done, she was the one he turned to, and had been since he was a boy. They're all sad and hurting because Jack's father Daniel is close to death. He has been like a father to Rachel throughout the years she's worked for them. Because of his illness, Jack has to take over sooner than they expected as the CEO of DS Oil and Gas, the company his father started. Dean is now a personal guard for Emma, Jack's wife. The chemistry between Rachel & Dean hasn't changed, they just cannot act upon it because of the strict no-dating policy between employees within the Saunders company, that Daniel made very clear to her when Dean was hired. No matter their feelings for each other, if they acted upon them and were fired neither would be hired in their field of work again. So they just try to keep themselves out of tempting situations, so far it had worked. But would it always? What happens between them? Will their Love or their duty to their work win out? You'll have to read on to find out, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT, as well as the rest of the series! I know I WILL be reading them ALL!!! Due to sexual situations, this book is recommended for readers 16 and older. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't the first of Krista Lakes "Kisses" series that I've read. Each story seems to go along with another character but is still A STANDALONE HEA in itself!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM, I am going to have to go back and read them ALL!! Even the ones I've already read, they're THAT GOOD! They're all told as if they've TRUELY happened. I hadn't realized until reading this story that the series had been released earlier, the first one I read was (Saltwater Kisses Book 1 in April of this year, which I also received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review) then read her New Release this year (ISLAND KISSES Book 9 in August which I also received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review & then I purchased it!). It doesn't matter which order you read them, the characters tell their own stories that just blend with the other characters lives! I laughed, was scared, joyously happy as well as sad and broken-hearted, and shed a lot of tears along with the characters in this story, be prepared for the emotional roller coaster you'll ride while reading; but it is Ssoooo worth the ride!!
Champagne Kisses goes back and forth between the summer of 1990 and present day.
(Summer of 1990) Rachel and her two best friends Kimberly and Jenny were renting a small condo as a a celebration for graduating before they went their separate ways for work. They notice the three guys on the beach and then go to find them that night. Dean, Matt & Tony are enjoying vacation before they're deployed to the Middle East. The 3 couples are inseparable until their vacation ends. (Present Day) Rachel is billionaire Jack Saunders personal assistant, if he needed something done, she was the one he turned to, and had been since he was a boy. They're all sad and hurting because Jack's father Daniel is close to death. He has been like a father to Rachel throughout the years she's worked for them. Because of his illness, Jack has to take over sooner than they expected as the CEO of DS Oil and Gas, the company his father started. Dean is now a personal guard for Emma, Jack's wife. The chemistry between Rachel & Dean hasn't changed, they just cannot act upon it because of the strict no-dating policy between employees within the Saunders company, that Daniel made very clear to her when Dean was hired. No matter their feelings for each other, if they acted upon them and were fired neither would be hired in their field of work again. So they just try to keep themselves out of tempting situations, so far it had worked. But would it always? What happens between them? Will their Love or their duty to their work win out? You'll have to read on to find out, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT, as well as the rest of the series! I know I WILL be reading them ALL!!! Due to sexual situations, this book is recommended for readers 16 and older. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2016
Champagne Kisses: A Timeless Love Story is an addition to the Kisses series by Krista Lakes. I think it is probably the best of the series I have read so far. Although the series can be read without order, this one definitely needs to follow Wishful Kisses.
Rachel has been a great asset to the Saunders family. She took a job designing maternity dresses for Bianca’s second pregnancy. The day she took that job, she found Jack on the streets of New York, lost while trying to find his Daddy’s office. Rachel took him to the offices to make sure he got there safely. After watching her with Jack, Daniel offered her a job as an assistant to Jack. Her job was to watch out for him, a job which she was exceptionally good at and which she enjoyed. Occasionally watching out for Robbie came after his birth. For twenty years, Rachel has done her job faithfully for the Saunders’ family and she sees Daniel as her surrogate father and the rest of the family as her own. She will do anything for them.
Dean Sherman is Emma (Jack’s wife’s bodyguard). He does an excellent job guarding her and the rest of the family when needed. He was in the Army and lost his closest friend and his other friend was wounded. Dean himself wounded, left the Army and entered the private protection world. When he was called to interview for his job with the Saunders’ family, he was taken totally by surprise to see that interviewing him was Rachel Weber, his lost love. He and Rachel met one week on a beach vacation for them both. Instantly attracted to each other, they were inseparable as they spent the week together. Intending to write each other after he left, their letters were somehow never delivered. Each thought the other forgot them. Now he found himself face to face with his past.
Because a non-fraternization clause kept the employees apart, they were forced to act like nothing was between them. Before hiring Dean, Daniel made sure it would not cause a problem as he had to enforce the rule. Rachel assured him there wouldn’t be a problem. Would assurance this come back to haunt her? Would Daniel ever change his mind? Could Dean ever love Rachel again or has he ever stopped?
This book was absolutely fantastic. I laughed and cried at the same time. I never knew what would happen next.
Rachel has been a great asset to the Saunders family. She took a job designing maternity dresses for Bianca’s second pregnancy. The day she took that job, she found Jack on the streets of New York, lost while trying to find his Daddy’s office. Rachel took him to the offices to make sure he got there safely. After watching her with Jack, Daniel offered her a job as an assistant to Jack. Her job was to watch out for him, a job which she was exceptionally good at and which she enjoyed. Occasionally watching out for Robbie came after his birth. For twenty years, Rachel has done her job faithfully for the Saunders’ family and she sees Daniel as her surrogate father and the rest of the family as her own. She will do anything for them.
Dean Sherman is Emma (Jack’s wife’s bodyguard). He does an excellent job guarding her and the rest of the family when needed. He was in the Army and lost his closest friend and his other friend was wounded. Dean himself wounded, left the Army and entered the private protection world. When he was called to interview for his job with the Saunders’ family, he was taken totally by surprise to see that interviewing him was Rachel Weber, his lost love. He and Rachel met one week on a beach vacation for them both. Instantly attracted to each other, they were inseparable as they spent the week together. Intending to write each other after he left, their letters were somehow never delivered. Each thought the other forgot them. Now he found himself face to face with his past.
Because a non-fraternization clause kept the employees apart, they were forced to act like nothing was between them. Before hiring Dean, Daniel made sure it would not cause a problem as he had to enforce the rule. Rachel assured him there wouldn’t be a problem. Would assurance this come back to haunt her? Would Daniel ever change his mind? Could Dean ever love Rachel again or has he ever stopped?
This book was absolutely fantastic. I laughed and cried at the same time. I never knew what would happen next.
August 30, 2016
Rachel is on vacation at the beach when both her friends and her meet these three hot men, Men that are in the Military. Rachel and Dean start this Summer Romance Fling, but by the end of the week when they all have to leave the two of them have fallen for each other, with promises to write and find each other when he comes back. 20 years later and Rachel and Dean meet up again after all that time, but with them working together there is an strict Employee Contract that forbids they to date or be together. Both have never again found that love again that they shared that week together all them years ago.
What I enjoyed most about Champagne Kisses is watching two people who are obviously still so into each other try to hold back from each other knowing that if they cross the line that can ruin both their lives with theirs jobs, and Rachel's life which she has with the family and apart of their family! With Jacks father days away from passing with his Cancer Rachel finds comfort in Dean's arms again and knows that she can not live without him no matter the consequences. No matter how much they try to hide their feelings from each other, everyone around them sees exactly what it is that they have or at least had.
This is another great Krista Lakes novel with the Kisses series. I can not get enough of these books, and everything I have read by Krista. This story has a Man and Woman who knew each other 20 years ago on a short vacation, love bloomed and this bond between them that never ended, she wrote him but never heard back thinking maybe he didnt mean what he had said, current date he gets hired for security and always wears this mask that makes Rachel think he really has no feelings left for her after all, a second chance at love if they are willing to take it an hold on to it. If you like stories like this, then Champagne Kisses is a must!
What I enjoyed most about Champagne Kisses is watching two people who are obviously still so into each other try to hold back from each other knowing that if they cross the line that can ruin both their lives with theirs jobs, and Rachel's life which she has with the family and apart of their family! With Jacks father days away from passing with his Cancer Rachel finds comfort in Dean's arms again and knows that she can not live without him no matter the consequences. No matter how much they try to hide their feelings from each other, everyone around them sees exactly what it is that they have or at least had.
This is another great Krista Lakes novel with the Kisses series. I can not get enough of these books, and everything I have read by Krista. This story has a Man and Woman who knew each other 20 years ago on a short vacation, love bloomed and this bond between them that never ended, she wrote him but never heard back thinking maybe he didnt mean what he had said, current date he gets hired for security and always wears this mask that makes Rachel think he really has no feelings left for her after all, a second chance at love if they are willing to take it an hold on to it. If you like stories like this, then Champagne Kisses is a must!
September 5, 2016
If you have read Saltwater Kisses, you will remember Rachel Weber, Jack’s tireless and selfless personal assistant. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it is her. This is a woman who lives at the beck and call of her workaholic boss and future CEO of an oil and gas company. She has no time for a book much less a romance. Dean Sherman is Jack’s wife’s bodyguard but also a summer fling Rachel had back in 1990 when she graduated college. Fraternization is against company policy and grounds for immediate dismissal but the attraction from all those years ago before they were lost to each other, him to the military and her to Jack and his family, still remains.
This story is told in 2 parts interwoven together. The first is their romance on the beach more than 20 years ago before Dean left with his friends on their next tour. Rachel and her friends were vacationing to celebrate graduation before they all moved away to their internships. The second is the present day when Jack’s father is dying at any moment, his younger brother Robbie is getting into trouble again and Dean and Rachel are stuck in a car together to ensure Robbie survives this new mess.
It is a bittersweet love story with an immediate connection between the two. The author does a good job of illustrating a woman who convinces herself to have a fling but cannot say goodbye after. As a part of Jack’s family, she cannot sacrifice her job to be with Dean but at the same time, seeing him day after day but not being able to be with him is slowly breaking her heart again. This was so tragic to read but also so emotional. The ride is intense and worth it. Definitely worth reading.
This story is told in 2 parts interwoven together. The first is their romance on the beach more than 20 years ago before Dean left with his friends on their next tour. Rachel and her friends were vacationing to celebrate graduation before they all moved away to their internships. The second is the present day when Jack’s father is dying at any moment, his younger brother Robbie is getting into trouble again and Dean and Rachel are stuck in a car together to ensure Robbie survives this new mess.
It is a bittersweet love story with an immediate connection between the two. The author does a good job of illustrating a woman who convinces herself to have a fling but cannot say goodbye after. As a part of Jack’s family, she cannot sacrifice her job to be with Dean but at the same time, seeing him day after day but not being able to be with him is slowly breaking her heart again. This was so tragic to read but also so emotional. The ride is intense and worth it. Definitely worth reading.
October 5, 2014
In the beginning of this story I was a little lost due to the timeline presentation. Then I 'caught on' to what was going on...there was a shifting back in time to the present to back in time to the present that was extremely confusing at first. Essentially it is a story about Rachel & Dean, two young adults who meet while on vacation in a Florida beach town. Rachel just graduated college with a degree in fashion design and Dean was on military leave. They share a magical few days together and end the encounter by exchanging addresses and promising to keep in touch...some unexplained mail mishaps on BOTH sides happen and neither receive correspondence from the other assuming they were simply considered a summer fling long forgotten. Fast forward 20 years...Rachel is working as a personal assistant to a billionaire (whom apparently was like 5 when she met him while interviewing with his mom to design her clothes) and receives a directive to hire a specific new security detail for said billionaire...and believe it or not, it is Dean applying for the job! Neither has married or dated anyone seriously because they just could not get over each other, but a clause in their employment contract prevents them from dating...yada, yada, yada! For another two and half years they pretend it is all water under the bridge and go through the motions of life, yada, yada, yada. Then they can't live without each other anymore, yada, yada, yada...other things happen and they finally get a HEA, the end.
September 1, 2016
This is a sweet short love story about second chances.
Rachel feel in love with Dean over 20 years ago - a summer romance that was close to perfect. Then Dean left to fight in the Gulf War and she never heard from him again. Flashforward 20 years Dean is now hired to protect her bosses wife and the chemistry is still there, execpt now if she goes after what she wants it could cost her the job she loves. So for 2 years they stay away from each other - until 1 day everything changes.
Dean is fighting his feelings for Rachel - but everything is different. He lost his best friend in the war and he has never fully recovered. When he never heard from Rachel he was broken and now they work together. Then everything changes.
I really enjoyed this story - I have only read Saltwater Kisses so it was nice to see some familiar faces from the previous book. I really enjoyed the story and the flashbacks between 1990 when they met, to when they started working together to present time, There is a lot of flashbacks but it was easy to follow. I didnt really get what happened to all they letters they wrote to each other so that was a little confusing but other than that I enjoyed the book.
Rachel feel in love with Dean over 20 years ago - a summer romance that was close to perfect. Then Dean left to fight in the Gulf War and she never heard from him again. Flashforward 20 years Dean is now hired to protect her bosses wife and the chemistry is still there, execpt now if she goes after what she wants it could cost her the job she loves. So for 2 years they stay away from each other - until 1 day everything changes.
Dean is fighting his feelings for Rachel - but everything is different. He lost his best friend in the war and he has never fully recovered. When he never heard from Rachel he was broken and now they work together. Then everything changes.
I really enjoyed this story - I have only read Saltwater Kisses so it was nice to see some familiar faces from the previous book. I really enjoyed the story and the flashbacks between 1990 when they met, to when they started working together to present time, There is a lot of flashbacks but it was easy to follow. I didnt really get what happened to all they letters they wrote to each other so that was a little confusing but other than that I enjoyed the book.
January 19, 2014
This is a typical lost love, found again story. I found it a little implausible that these characters found each other in a different state, all over again, 20 years later.
Although the story starts off with 4 girls, each hooking up with one of the 4 guys and all having sex with them the night they meet! Umm...really? All of them were that easy? But, I'll let that slide. The young story was good. I enjoyed the descriptiveness and lightness of the plot. But then it ends abruptly because of what? A mistaken address? That's all? I just didn't think that was a solid excuse.
So, then they get back together 20 years later. I could never picture Rachel in my mind as an older woman. I have no reason not to have, but other than stating how long it had been, there was no descriptions to support that. They rekindle their love, that's forbidden for no good reason, and then it's all fixed in the end, just like that. The older story came to a climax right at the end of the book and then ended rather abruptly.
Enjoyed it, but I didn't care enough about the other characters to even think of reading the other books in the series. Maybe I would give the author another try though.
Although the story starts off with 4 girls, each hooking up with one of the 4 guys and all having sex with them the night they meet! Umm...really? All of them were that easy? But, I'll let that slide. The young story was good. I enjoyed the descriptiveness and lightness of the plot. But then it ends abruptly because of what? A mistaken address? That's all? I just didn't think that was a solid excuse.
So, then they get back together 20 years later. I could never picture Rachel in my mind as an older woman. I have no reason not to have, but other than stating how long it had been, there was no descriptions to support that. They rekindle their love, that's forbidden for no good reason, and then it's all fixed in the end, just like that. The older story came to a climax right at the end of the book and then ended rather abruptly.
Enjoyed it, but I didn't care enough about the other characters to even think of reading the other books in the series. Maybe I would give the author another try though.
September 1, 2016
Another wonderful romance by Krista Lakes. There hasn't been a book in this entire series that I haven't enjoyed. This love story covers twenty years. Rachel and Dean met when they were young, she just out of college and he was in the Army getting ready to deploy to Kuwait. They fell in love and each tried to stay in touch but somehow fate stepped in and kept them apart. Her letters to him were returned and she never got his letters. Then years later, he was hired as a bodyguard for the Saunders family that she had been working for since just after they had met. They couldn't fraternize as it would get them fired but it didn't stop them from each being frustrated by being so close to the one person they loved. When Daniel saw how deep their feelings ran for each other, even though they never acted on them, he decided to do something about it. He was dying and so he made sure that after he was gone Rachel, who he loved like a daughter, would be able to have the life she wanted with Dean. You will have read the book to find out how it was done. I received a free book in exchange for an honest review.
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