Thus with a Kiss I Die (Daughter of Montague)
Paranormal romance expert Christina Dodd is back in Renaissance Verona with Rosaline Montague, one of several daughters of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. In Dodd’s world, the couple survived and went on to create a prodigious family of mostly girls and one son. Rosie Montague isn’t fond of the idea of marriage and spends her time directing suitors towards her sisters, but her plan is foiled by young Prince Escalus (Cal), who distracts Rosie’s beau, Lysander My One True Love, and takes his place for a garden rendezvous, although it’s not Rosie’s fault she couldn’t tell the difference between Cal and her one true love in the dark. Her maidenly reputation now in tatters, Rosie is none too pleased that she has to marry Cal along with his family, which includes his extremely tetchy grandmother, Nonna Ursula.
Things take a turn for the better when Cal’s dead father, Escalus the Elder (Elder for short), appears to Rosie (think Hamlet here), and orders her to discover who killed him. In exchange, Rosie will be given her most ardent wish — Lysander My One True Love. Sounds like a good deal, but, as in many of Shakespeare’s comedies, things get quite complicated. Firstly, Rosie grows fond of Cal—he’s more amusing than melancholy and quite a nice chap; secondly, Ursula’s séance to ferret out the killer puts her in danger; Cal and his men are injured fighting the disciplinati; and someone’s after Rosie. Verona is a dangerous place, apparently!
Dodd’s romantic comedy lived up to my expectations for a prolific writer with a flair for characterisation and strategic wit, which is on display in spades. The banter is crisp and catchy, and Elder is much more fun than Hamlet’s father ever was. Highly recommended if you like a bit of romance served with a huge bowlful of irony.
