Claire Ashier, recently widowed from an abusive husband, is struggling to survive and run a boarding house left to her upon the death of her grandmother. She becomes frustrated with the saloon across the street because the noise is driving her guests away and, as a result, placing her on the verge of ruin. After her first confrontation with the saloon's owner, Boyd Grayson, she's bound and determined to see to it that he closes his saloon along with all the others that exist in Fredonia, New York. Thus begins her temperance involvement.
Boyd Grayson, a leading businessman whose brother is sheriff, is immediately attracted to Claire. Boyd is handsome and charming, but it will take more than his good looks to win Claire's heart. Her beauty is without question, but it's her strength and determination that draw him to her. Realizing he'll have to work harder than ever to earn her love and trust, he sets out to do just that, while at the same time convincing her that closing his and other saloons is not the answer and could place her in grave danger.
Claire and Boyd both have very specific reasons for their feelings toward saloons and alcohol, and they both involve unresolved family issues and conflicts from the past. As they come to terms with what haunts them, it will either strengthen or weaken their very loving and passionate relationship.
This historical romance touches the heart and soul and is a good old-fashioned love story filled with honor, romance and passion. LIPS THAT TOUCH MINE is the third in the Grayson Brothers trilogy, but also a book that definitely stands alone. The first thing I did after completing this great story was rush out to my nearest bookstore and get the first two, SHADES OF HONOR and THE LONGING. I was also pleased to read that a fourth book is in the works since there's a fourth brother, Duke, the sheriff. LIPS THAT TOUCH MINE was hard to put down, and I found myself almost late for work on occasion because the story was so moving and kept me so captivated. It's wonderful to read a passionate love story, but more importantly, it's great to see the enormous amount of honor and respect the men have for the women, their families and each other.
With Claire Ashier's last guest went the last thread of her
patience. The noise from the saloon across the street was
driving off her boardinghouse patrons, and that would land
her in the poorhouse. Desperate to shut down the den of
vice, she threatened Boyd Grayson with her revolver, then
led a band of temperance ladies against the handsome charmer.
But her foe, the owner of the rum hole known as the
Pemberton Inn, was one of Fredonia, New York's leading men.
He was brother of the sheriff, and a respected businessman.
To Claire he was a seducer and libertine, which he proved
immediately with one honey-brown glance. Boyd Grayson might
have the most kissable mouth she'd ever seen, and eyes that
encouraged her to trust him, but Claire knew firsthand that
men who imbibed alcohol were dangerous. Like in the song,
she'd sworn that "Lips that Touch Whiskey Must Never Touch
Mine." She would never let Boyd kiss her because, deep in
her heart, she feared he promised something more
intoxicating and dangerous than alcohol. She had only to
resist that first taste...
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