Top Ten Tuesday: Kissing Books 101

Posted August 25, 2015 by meezcarrie in Becky Wade, Carla Laureano, Deeanne Gist, Denise Hunter, Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer, Melanie Dickerson, Melissa Jagears, Pepper Basham, romance, Top Ten Tuesday, Victoria Bylin / 129 Comments


toptentuesday

“You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” ~Gone With the Wind

“Is this a kissing book?” ~ The Princess Bride

Class is in session today for Top Ten Tuesday! And, since I’m a teacher in my other life, I couldn’t be happier. Grab your notebooks and a trusty pen, and let’s get started on the top ten titles I would use if I taught a Kissing Books 101 class. (Can you even imagine how difficult it would be to concentrate in that class??? LOL… although I would venture a guess that no one would complain about reading the homework!) The best part about all of these titles? They are all clean romances. But “clean” doesn’t translate into “lack of heat”. No ma’am. No indeed. No sir.

Is everyone here? Ok, let’s begin 🙂

The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham

thorn bearer cover

His mouth touched hers.  Warm and sweet poured through him, stirring more than fire, but a sense of coming home.  He drew back only to return and take another taste, an innocent and satisfying savor.

And that’s actually nothing compared to the kissing scenes in Pepper’s two upcoming releases – The Thorn Keeper (sequel to The Thorn Bearer) and Twist of Faith (a contemporary romance due out in December).  Seriously.  Be prepared to drift into a slightly incoherent state while reading either of these books.

A Bride At Last by Melissa Jagears

bride at last

He caught her waist faster than he could lasso a sleeping calf and cut off her words with his mouth…He’d expected some sizzle – either from her fists or her lips – being the firebrand that she was, but the magnetic draw was an unexpected shock. The second his lips touched hers, his free hand cupped her long neck, which arched backward to accommodate his height.  His thumb ran along the smooth curve of her throat as his body closed the gap between them.  He dropped his hat to bury his fingers into her hair and pull her closer. 

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

Tiffany Girl cover

When she began to enter her room, he grabbed her hand, hauled her to his room, shoved his door closed, pulled her against him, and took her mouth with his. Great Caesar’s ghost, but her lips were soft. 

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

huntress

Before he could let his reason take over, he pressed his lips against hers. A tiny sound escaped her throat, and his mind seemed to leave him entirely. He cupped her cheek in his hand and pulled her mouth full against his.

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Five Days in Skye

When he bent his head toward hers, she stopped thinking and succumbed to the force that pulled them together, as strong and irresistible as gravity. Their lips met, just the lightest touch, but it was enough to send a zing of electricity across every nerve ending. 

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

short straw bride

[He] bent his head and captured the startled little sound that escaped her parted lips. His emotions were too raw, too close to the surface to contain, so he kissed her with everything inside him. Desire, fear, yearning, and a touch of desperation fueled his passion. He melded his mouth to hers, trailing his hand upward along her back until his fingers buried themselves in the hair at her nape.

Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

Meant to be mine

He kissed her. And not lightly. The feel of his lips! The taste of him. It all came back to her in a rush of memories.  The breath-stealing power of it. The wildness of her own reaction.

Honestly, if I could have gotten away with it, I would have quoted the entire scene leading up to that kiss. That snippet really doesn’t do it justice. In fact, I got much too distracted reading it to find just the right part to quote lol.

Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

until i found you

His mouth found hers and he kissed her … tenderly … thoroughly. There were no questions in the kiss, only an answer. 

A Cowboy’s Touch by Denise Hunter

cowboys touch

His hat nudged her forehead, tipping back as he deepened the kiss and drew her closer. His jaw was rough against her palm, and she savored the feel of it before slipping her fingers through the soft waves at his nape and straight up through the back of his hair.  His hat hit the ground.

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

girl in the gatehouse

The tip of his nose touched hers.  He angled his head, lowering yet closer.  His mouth dipped nearer, ever nearer to hers.  She could not breathe. Could not move. His lips touched hers, and a flood of warmth filled her chest and made pudding of her knees.  He pulled back only slightly and looked into her face.  His brown eyes were warm, his pupils large black orbs. 

“There is no kiss,” she said breathlessly, “in the script.” 

One side of his mouth lifted.  “There should be.”

Whew! Anyone have a fan? Alternate source of oxygen? A fainting couch?

What about you – What books would be on your syllabus if you taught a class on Kissing Books 101? Fortunately for romantics like me, there are plenty of options!

(Also, don’t forget to read my interview with author Kate Breslin & enter the giveaway!)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog linkup hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

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129 responses to “Top Ten Tuesday: Kissing Books 101

    • I think this week’s theme is fun BECAUSE everyone’s posts are so different. Some could really be a class, others like mine… Not so much lol

  1. I love it, Carrie!!! Great kisses! And love those quotes from Gone with the Wind and The Princess Bride! Two of my all-time favorites!!! Thanks for including Jorgen and Odette! Their kissing scenes were easy to write. They basically wrote them themselves. 🙂

  2. Love your list 🙂
    There should be more people who read Historical Romance books. I feel that they are a little bit underrated…

  3. My two most recent favorite kissing scenes are the first kisses in “Curiosity Keeper” by Sarah Ladd and “A Worth Pursuit” by Karen Witemeyer. (Fanning my face)

  4. Interesting list! I haven’t read any of those books, though I’ve read some Julie Klassen before. I love your two quotes at the top!

  5. My goodness! Is it hot in here or what?! Great blog Carrie. I had a friend tell me one time that Christian fiction characters weren’t exciting and didn’t have real feelings. I had to kindly point her toward some of the authors mentioned above and many other authors who understand that Christians (and Christian fiction characters) are not dull. We’re a passionate bunch who’s focus is Christ-centered and not world-centered life. I’ve read about half of these wonderful books, but WOW, now I need to find the other half to add to my collection. You are a bad influence on me girl!

    • Hahahaha sorry (but not really lol). Thanks for your comment – so true!!! And yeah, I should have handed out fans with this post 😉

  6. I haven’t read any of these. How is that possible? Moment of shame right here. I really want to read The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. I mean, just the title is epic.

    Great list!

  7. HW in this class would be like: “choose a partner and try to reenact your favorite kissing scene”. LOL.
    Much fanning was needed while reading your post and you got me interested in these books. Adding the lot of them to my tbr 😉

  8. What a fun idea for a class! 🙂 I love the books you listed, though I haven’t read all of them. Five Days in Site is a favorite, as is Meant to be Mine.;)

  9. What a great idea for a class – nobody would be able to concentrate but it would be fun! – and presumably you’d have the odd practical class (ahem!)
    And, such a great quote btw.
    I haven’t read any of your books but they all look like fun – I fancy the look of the Dickerson.
    Lynn 😀

  10. This was a fun topic! I don’t think I’ve read any of those books, but I’m curious about a few now. And I love that you opened with a Princess Bride quote 🙂

  11. Becky Wade

    Thanks for including Meant to Be Mine on your list! Ty and Celia are honored that you found their kiss memorable. 🙂 Personally, I love first kisses on screen and in story. Getting to write them is a job perk!

  12. Pam K.

    These are great examples. Other books by these authors also have some pretty great kissing scenes. I suggest adding any book by Julie Lessman to this list.

  13. Have you read any of Julie Lessman’s books? I might add one or two of them to the list. 🙂
    Also, Dawn Crandall’s Everstone Chronicles series. And probably a few others that aren’t coming to mind right now because it’s somewhat fried from the excerpts you shared.

  14. I would totally take the class! Have you read any of Julie Lessman’s books? I may add one or two of them to the list. 😉
    Also Dawn Crandall’s Everstone Chronicles series. And probably a few others, though they aren’t coming to mind right now because it’s a bit fried from the excerpts you shared. 🙂

  15. Melody

    Someone posted this link on my Facebook. I was instantly intrigued! Sign me up for this class! 🙂 Though my ten would all be from the same author, Marcia McClure. She writes the best kissing scenes. I haven’t read any that have ever topped hers, but that list was great! Glad to know others like me like the kissing scenes! Best part of a book! 🙂

    • I have not read any of her books yet but now I’m definitely going to check her out!! Thanks! (And thanks to whomever posted this link to your fb!)

  16. To be honest these are probably the only type of romance books I could really get into 😀 I’m not much of a romance-genre lover, but there’s something about these type of books that always hook me in, haha! I’m definitely going to look for several of these!

  17. Excellent way to own this Top Ten Tuesday Topic. Mine is not so refined however, I came at it with short stories, which I do think is different.

    My TTT which isn’t actually a list and shh… I have 11 short stories on my not list today.

  18. Ha, extra points for effective use of a Princess Bride quote! 🙂 I love your topic! Can’t say I’ve read any, but it looks like you have some great choices here.

  19. Such a great topic!! Wow, you really made something unique 😀 And great list too. I haven’t heard of any of the books but I’d be definitely looking into them now 🙂

  20. Oh Dear! Where do you find these delicious novels? I can’t wait to pick them up.
    I would be delighted to attend your class and do some extra homeworks 😉

    Thanks a ton for stopping by my blog!

  21. I love your topic choice this week! Kissing is probably one of my favorite things that happens in books. I may squeal a little when it occurs or clap if it has been long overdue. lol I haven’t read any of these books but maybe I shall now!

  22. I would adore to learn about kissing books – I also love the fact that you’ve included excerpts, because it’s like a teaser for the classes! I haven’t read any of your list, but I’ve added most of them on Goodreads.

  23. I haven’t read any of these books, but it looks like a great selection! And you quoted The Princess Bride at the beginning! I just love that! Haha!

    Thanks for visiting me.

  24. This are all new to me, but I LOVE the idea of a kissing class! Hahah you’re so right, no one would be paying attention and there’d be a LOT of blushing 😉

  25. Liza @ Reading with ABC

    All of these are new to me but I’m a hopeless romantic and adore romance books. Have you read Edenbrooke?

  26. Sarah

    have you read Marcia Lynn McClure. Oh my. She’s the queen of romantic kisses. Sigh. No one can compare in my eyes.

  27. I need an oxygen mask now lol!!???Those were hot scenes! My favorite scenes are in A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman(Christian author) and any by author Raven St. Pierre(her books are a scorcher though. Not intended for all audiences).

    Great list! Will subscribe!

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