Winner of the 2006 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award!Medieval Historical Romance – Long NovelVladamir of Kessen, Duke of Lakeshire Castle, is feared as a demon in the land of Wessex. The kings have granted him a title of nobility in exchange for his part as a political prisoner. Discontent, he bides his time in his new home until war will once again rip through the land. But boredom soon turns to … soon turns to devious pleasure as the daughter of his most hated enemy is left for dead at his castle gate. Now the monster bides his time plotting revenge.
Lady Eden of Hawks’ Nest doesn’t know what to think of the man who saved her life, but she can’t wrench her thoughts away. His words are those of a tyrant, true to his vicious reputation, but his touch is that of a man, stirring passion when there should only be fear. It would seem the infamous monster is not as monstrous as he appears.
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I loved reading this book by Michelle M. Pillow. I couldn’t put it down. I loved how their relationship grew as the story progressed. This was a very interesting book with lots of suspense in it. The ending was surprising. I loved how Eden’s relationship with her father changed and how Vlad forgave him for the issues he caused to his marriage. Love how Eden went against the King because of the love she had for Vlad.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maiden and the Monster by Michelle M Pillow. This is a new author for me, and I enjoyed her work and talented storytelling. I’ve honestly never read anything quite like this book before. It contains a dark twisted love story, passion, and twists and unexpected turns that keep you engaged and captivated. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One of the things I found interesting (and unusual) about this book was that the author used the first chapter to explain the setting and the timeframe of the story. It helped to explain why the “monster” felt trapped in the country of his enemies. I didn’t notice the grammatical and word use errors that other reviewers complained about, so I believe the book has been cleaned up and updated. The story is interesting enough, with a couple of surprising and emotional twists at the end. If you like historical romance with what was for me, an uncommon time frame and area, you’ll enjoy this one.
She is a REAL lady and he servants call him a monster. She needs help and he has no compassion well maybe he does
I enjoyed this book. This author is very creative in her writing and just plain enjoyable to find out where the twists, kinks and curves go.
I could not put it down. Try it and you will see why.
A great retelling of Beauty and the Beast
A Medieval Beauty and the Beast themed romance. I wasn’t so sure at the start but warmed up to the story and started to enjoy Vladamir the Duke and Lady Eden. Lots of revenge, distrust, lust and passion ends up into a fully fledged true love.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Vladamir, Duke of Lakeshire Castle seem to be they Monster people saw him to be he ruled with an iron fist and tongue. He hated his station in life but he had no choice but to life as the King saw fitted for it was his very prison, but that was all about to change.
When Eden wakes in terrible pain, not knowing where she is. She is disoriented .Eden was found badly beaten and unconscious and left out side the castle gates for dead.
Vladamir finds out Eden identity and a plans is made to get back at his worst enemy. Because of things that had happen between the Duke and Eden’s father in the past. The Duke is left with physical scars as well as emotional scars that may have hard his heart making him the monster everyone knew.
Vladimar and Eden come up with a plan to Wed each other to stop her fathers plans of alliance with Eden’s to be husband Luther which she wants nothing to do with after he true intent and beating her within an inch of her life. Things don’t go as planned lies and pending war is at hand. One good thing comes of the couples union they grow and fall for each other making their alliance even stronger .
They learn about each other and the truth of the two men’s past come to light. But a lie might endanger their happiness and if the truth is not found in time one might loose it’s life leaving the other heart broken and alone forever.
This is an excellent historical romance.. I liked it very much.. The story tends to be dark at first, but turns into something quite beautiful..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found this story to be a little slow at first as the reader begins to get an idea of Vladimir’s personality, but it was definitely worth sticking with it. I loved Vladimir, who was perceived as a monster of his own making, and Eden, who although naïve, was able to judge people on their own merits. I loved how they learned to trust each other. This book was definitely worth reading; however, when you read this story, make sure you have some tissues next to you because it is a tear jerker. The only negative thing I can say is that I would have like a longer epilogue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Attraction at first sight took a while to gel between Eden, an outspoken but good hearted maiden, and Vladimir, a misunderstood political prisoner. I liked that we get the story from Eden and Vladimir, because these two needed to communicate better with each other. The storytelling ramped up the intrigue and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Often funny, tearful, and tender this was a really good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a totally spectacular read, enthralling and complicated read
This was a totally riveting read from the moment I started reading this amazing book I discovered that both the characters and the plot were so very well written and that it was not possible to put this book down once I stated reading as it had blown me away totally.
Vladimir had been as much a prisoner as the woman he had found near death at his gate and if it had not been for manservant insisting, they care for her she would surely have died because she had been strangled, beaten so that she was unrecognisable.
Lady Eden had known that it had been her so called fiancé that had thought he had murdered her and then had dumped her body against the gates of the man known as the Beast of Lakeshire Castle.
She had soon realised that all of the stories were rubbish and although Vladimir was a very withdrawn and threatening, he had never hurt any member of his staff or her. He was quiet and contemplative but could very quickly become riles and this tended to make those around him very nervous.
As the story broadens and I discovered what had happened to Vladimir’s wife and daughter and also the true story behind Lady Eden and why she did not want to return to her home, she had initially asked if they would take her to a religious house where she could become a nun and simply using her life to help the less fortunate.
I can assure you that once you begin reading this book you will find yourself like me totally captivated and will not be able to put it down until reaching the end.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
Bad To The Bone
ADULT Historical Medieval Romance and Adventure.
Vladimir, A Viking Warrior made a Duke by King Alfred, cultivates his wicked and evil reputation, with some peasants thinking he can appear and disappear at will. He dresses all in black and looks the part of an evil man with his long, wild hair and scowling countenance. Only the few servants he brought with him from Daneland are loyal and love him. He’s actually quite poor and his holding is tiny, he’s a placeholder for the King. But why was he made a Duke, over the nearby Earl, who has a vast holding and many knights?
When a severely beaten, nearly dead young woman is left on his doorstep, he cruelly debates whether or not to let her die. Is it a trick? His trusted servant prevails, and the woman is taken in a nursed back to health. His misgivings about her are well founded. She turns out to be the Lady Eden, daughter of his enemy, the nearby earl. He still thinks it’s a trick.
Meanwhile, her father, who had basically sold her to a wealthy but untitled man, is waiting for a ransom note! He thinks she has been stolen! He is in dire need of the money promised for her hand in marriage, but he doesn’t know what has happened to her. His Castle is crumbling and he is getting desperate. So what did happen to her?
The Duke spends his waking hours imagining all the ways he can ravish Eden, and his sleeping hours dreaming about it, too. When he finally finds out her father is the hated Earl, the Duke takes matters into his own hands, er, arms!
ARC Provided by Booksprout
This ebook was $5.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Author Pillow, makes the Duke into a supernatural figure among the peasants and most of his household. But he’s mostly just a fierce Viking warrior who has lost his wife and is terribly embittered by it and wants revenge.
This one is definitely NSFW, so if you’re choosing the audio version, as I did, you might want to keep it for bedtime reading but it’s a pretty good historical romance with lots of intrigue, lots of sex and a belle whose innocence tames the beast much like the traditional fairytale.
I enjoyed it.
DNF 12%
I listened to this book with Author’s Direct.
I’m sad to say that this book wasn’t for me. I wasn’t really enjoying the writing style. It felt messy in places and inconsistent. I also wasn’t connecting to the characters. I couldn’t picture them together nor was I enjoying their relationship.
So I’m sad to say this book wasn’t for me but I will continue reading Ms. Pillow work because I do enjoy her stories, just not this one.