I really enjoyed this."Duck" was the first long story of Kim's that I read. I appreciated the chance for increased character and plot development, so I was pleased to see another one of a similar length. If anything, this one is actually better.Once again, don't read it filled with expectations of what a BDSM book is like, or a vampire book or even a Kim Dare book. Just accept the story for what it is. Like the ugly duckling twist of "Duck" this one takes the premise of a fairy tale and adds a whole plethora of "what if"s to the story.Yeah, it's soppy and smutty, but it's also serious in parts. Within the text, Kim is throwing out some pretty hard-hitting observations about a number of issues, like the difference between domestic violence and BDSM play. She just disguises them well.She also seems to be curbing her over-use of words like prettily and delicately, especially in relation to cock-sucking and lips. Being such a prolific writer and with fans like me who read every one , after a while, these repetitions can grate. I didn't actually count them, but there did seem to be a more conscious effort to avoid her cliched Top/bottom reactions and thoughts which I appreciated.Don't get me wrong, "With a Kiss" is still very much a Kim Dare book. Her Top is still the strong silent type and her bottom another submissive who need comfort and protection, but if she is trying to branch out and tackle more complicated plots and less obvious scenarios, then I'm a hundred percent behind her, esepcially if she restrains her writing, just as Marcus had to restrain his natural impulses and not go for "easy".
