The Stage Kiss : A Novel

Actress Eden Blake''s biggest claim to fame is a mortifying pharmaceutical commercial for male enhancement pills. That is until the female lead on the nationwide tour of Broadway''s hit Pride & Prejudice musical abruptly quits and Eden is called up to fill the role. The cast of Liz and Darcy: The Musical has just settled into a three-week run in Washington, DC, and Broadway royalty Brennon Thorne is set to play Darcy. Despite Brennon''s reputation as being ''a dream to work with,'' Eden''s first impression of him is more like a nightmare. Now, she''ll have to kiss the pompous jerk eight shows per week. Brennon can''t disguise his disdain for understudies like Eden. But New York is filled with reminders of his most recent failed relationship, and this American tour is a much-needed distraction from his loneliness. As Eden and Brennon take the stage playing Jane Austen''s most memorable characters, their reality begins to mirror Elizabeth and Darcy''s - explosive chemistry and all. Together, they power through press performances and curtain calls, even as rumors of Brennon''s checkered romantic past resurface and prove to Eden that he can''t be trusted. But with each choreographed stage kiss, Eden and Brennon''s passion for the stage - and each other - ignites. Maybe, just maybe, not all rumors are to be believed - and not all showmances are doomed to fail.