Kitsune Kisses by Patricia Kiyono

        Kitsune Kisses: three romantic short stories, bringing Japanese mythology to life in modern-day America.

      About Kitsune Kisses:

·              Protecting the Pack: Legend has it that certain magical foxes are able to transform into other living beings, especially human women. As the fox ages, it grows extra tails, up to nine. Extra tails are regarded as a sign of increased wisdom and power. Kitty is a kitsune who's just gotten her second tail. In her human form by day, she's a caretaker at a wildlife sanctuary, returning to her daughter and the other animals at night as a red fox. She doesn’t expect to fall in love until she meets Bill, a photographer with sea-blue eyes that remind her of the island nation she left behind.

·              Tanuki Trouble: In Japanese legend, a racoon-like creature called the tanuki are shape-shifters who cause mischief. They often wear a straw hat, which is a symbol of protection against bad luck and trouble. When Marty Kraus must take a road trip from West Michigan to Branson, MO to save his family farm, his two best pals, Ross and Jack, tag along to help, then invite Ava Jordan to join them as part of her escape from an abusive father. Ross sees the truth before Marty and Ava — they were meant to be together. But what can a tanuki do to help?

·              Tea Time: In Japanese legend, tsukumogami are items that have existed for hundreds of years become sentient. They sprout arms and legs and become mobile and are able to talk. An online search shows pictures of walking umbrellas, cooking utensils, and items of clothing. Most of the time, they too cause mischief. Shy and introverted Mindy is a graduate student at Michigan State who inherited her Japanese grandmother’s beautiful old tea set. When she meets Rob, her outgoing next-door neighbor, the teapot and cups decide to help the relationship along.

Our Review: While each of these three stories are obvious romances between two deserving characters, they are also love stories shared by family—of the blood and the heart—as well as sentients who care about their owner. Told in incredible detail, this collection would appeal to students from middle school age to young adults to ‘seniors’ who are looking for a feel-good read by a cozy fire with their favorite adult beverage at hand. In this masterpiece of storytelling, Kiyona excels.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Kitsune Kisses merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews