KISS AND MAKE UP is tremendously entertaining from the first page. We enter a movie set where a fantasy about Atlantis and Ancient Britain is being filmed in New Zealand, and follow a make-up artist as she turns the lead stuntman into a painted warrior. What could be better?

Tabby comes from New York and after this movie she intends to go to London to complete her certification for make up artistry on a scholarship. Her mother is struggling with her father's early-onset Alzheimer's and her sister has small children and no intention of assisting. Burdened by guilt, Tabby becomes more and more determined to qualify. But making up the stunt double for the lead actor is a challenge beyond any she has known, not only from a professional point of view but a personal one. Eli is a native New Zealander and intends to travel to LA for more movie work. The sparks that fly between the two can only lead to a difficult separation, so they try to keep matters on a professional basis.

Fending off the attentions of the womanizing lead actor makes Tabby realize how Eli compares with him, as he shows off his stunt skills to impress: riding, juggling, falling, skateboarding, mock fighting and so on. When the two do get it together they try to pretend it didn't mean anything but the lack of privacy on the crowded, bustling set, with starts at 5.30am and bus trips to locations on the North Island, is not conducive to a relationship anyway. They get to know each other and realize that they are falling in love, and steal time for some great lovemaking - but for how long?

Faye Robertson lives in New Zealand and has captured a great sense of place, with the scenes in KISS AND MAKE UP moving around the North Island and later to the South Island, showing us the beautiful rugged countryside. Her romantic scenes are also extremely readable, with the accent less on mechanics and more on enjoyable adventures between two people falling in love. She has a good grasp of the detailed work of film makeup and provides a lot of information which would be useful to anyone thinking of entering the trade. She also provides a great story.