To Beguile a Beast

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Can a wounded beast trust a beauty with a past to tame his most secret desires?

Reclusive Sir Alistair Munroe has hidden in his castle ever since returning from the Colonies, scarred inside and out. But when a mysterious beauty arrives at his door, the passions he’s kept suppressed for years begin to awaken.

Running from past mistakes has taken legendary beauty Helen Fitzwilliam from the luxury of the ton to a crumbling Scottish castle—and a job as a housekeeper. Yet Helen is determined to start a new life and won’t let dust—or a beast of a man—scare her away.

Beneath Helen’s beautiful façade, Alistair finds a courageous and sensual woman. A woman who doesn’t back away from his surliness—or his scars. But just as he begins to believe in true love, Helen’s secret past threatens to tear them apart. Now both Beast and Beauty must fight for the one thing neither believed they could ever find—a happy ever after.

©2009 Elizabeth Hoyt (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“There’s enchantment in Hoyt’s stories that makes you believe in the magic of love.” ( Romantic Times BOOKreviews)

Loved this one!

More unusual circumstances and characters— which was refreshing!!A heartwarming story with a great ending and very romantic. Love this author and narrator!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Would you consider the audio edition of To Beguile a Beast to be better than the print version?

I prefered the audio.

What was one of the most memorable moments of To Beguile a Beast?

The love scenes!

Which scene was your favorite?

The naming of this blessed puppy and when she stand up to the duke.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh in some areas! Sadness as well

Liked this one a lot!

Any additional comments?

I like this book, but didn't love it. I'd rather a Lorraine Heath book in this same genre. I am a fan of Anne Flosnik and always listen if she's the narrator. She did a great job as always. Still, I'd recommend it.

Great story

I read this in paperback for the first time last weekend and had to get it for my library. Normally romance with children and dogs as part of the plot are not what I read but it was well done. Yhe main characters, Helen and Alistair, had some deep scars but are both very thoughtful, caring people.

Story flowed; I never became bored. It was rather sexy, steamy, but I didn't mind. LOL. It even made me teary eyed 5 or 6 times.

I've listened twice already, and intend on listening and reading it again, that's how much I enjoyed. it was on sale so I bought it, but would also say it was worth a credit.

The Narrator makes this come alive

I adored the way Anne Flosnick read this story. She totally rocked it. Her male and female voices were excellent as were the English and Scottish accents. I am a great fan of Elizabeth Hoyt and this story was truly excellent. It was of course a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I was Beguiled by both the Beast and the Beauty. This romance was steamy twisted and I found it erotic. This was just and all around great buy!

Just as good as the first time.

I bought all 4 books years ago when they first came out. I've been wanting to read them again but my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be and I just didn't have the time. so glad they were available on audible. Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my favorite romance authors.

It took a while but...

It took some getting used to Anne Flosnik's voice, but I finally got into it. Her voice is a bit grating, in my opinion. However, after about a third of the book through I got used to her, and her style of reading. She sometimes got her characters 'mixed up' in a couple places (she gave Helen the same 'accent' as Alistair's sister) which confused me, but all-in-all it was an enjoyable 'read'.
The story itself I thoroughly enjoyed and have requested some more titles from Elizabeth Hoyt through my local library.

Nice read!

The story was nicely paced and the plot was believable. The inner conflict of the characters was expressed very well and both characters were worth cheering for. The resolution came at just the right time...something that seems to be a struggle for many authors. I loved this story!

This audiobook might be better than the book.

The narrator Anne Flosnik has a British accent and did a wonderful job. I don’t know if it’s the author’s writing or the narrator’s reading, but I loved the sex scenes. I loved Alistair’s words during their first time together. He describes things in a seemingly detached scientific manner, yet lustfully. I laughed at the way I was carried away. Other sex scenes had me smiling as well. Probably the best part is Alistair’s desire for Helen.

One of my friends gave the book 4 stars but felt the author “tried too hard on the love scenes, making them feel overly dramatic.” Well there you have it. We are so unpredictable in our emotional reactions. So you may not be as carried away as I was.

I enjoyed the relationship development. We see how they interact and warm to each other. During the first 2/3 of the book I was thinking 5 stars. But the last third brought it down a little. It became more like other romance novels - bad guys, good guys, suspense, and saving the day. Unfortunately the couple separates for a reason I didn’t like - one of my pet peeves - “I want you but I fear you might leave me in the future.” But the first main part of the story was so good that it was worth it. It’s a feel good story.

This is book 3 in the Legend of the Four Soldiers series. There is a mystery that flows through all the books which I believe will be solved in book 4. There was a British traitor who caused Alistair and other men to be taken prisoner and tortured seven years ago. Alistair is searching for the traitor. It is not resolved in this book which initially bothered me. But after I figured out it goes through all four books, I didn’t mind as much. It’s a secondary plot.

UNRELATED FAIRY TALE:
In many of the author’s books (maybe all, I’m not sure) she has a short fairy tale unrelated to the main story that she divides into short paragraphs. She puts one paragraph at the beginning of each chapter of the book. In the physical books, I skipped those. In the audiobook I couldn’t skip them. I was annoyed at having to listen to them. They took me out of the story. They felt like TV commercial interruptions. They caused me “a little bit of stress” trying to remember what happened in the previous excerpt. I wish she wouldn’t do this.

GENRE: historical romance.

Great Story!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The storyline and characters, especially Alistair's character.

Have you listened to any of Anne Flosnik’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I think this my favorite performance by her

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Love this book! Already listened to it 3 times within one month. This is the best book of the series. The other's were okay, but I truly enjoyed the story in this book!