Maiden and the Monster

By: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrated by: Mason Lloyd

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Vladamir 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 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 and lust when there should only be fear. It would seem the infamous monster is not as monstrous as he appears.

©2012 Michelle M. Pillow (P)2013 Michelle M. Pillow

I wish I had a Monster!

I read the other reviews before getting this book. Some of them almost made me not get it! I do not write many reviews but the ones bashing this story and sequence of events are making me feel like I have to write one.
This is a wonderfully told story, as usual the couple are in love with each other (secretly of course - lack of communication) but they are over the top in lust with each other, mutually attracted to each other in a very heady sexual attraction, which is a very good thing if you have ever had it in your own real life!!!
I felt the author and the narrator created many beautiful/sexy and sensual love making scenes. You can actually feel the attraction between these two as it is so powerfully written!

Little Spoiler: This story takes place like in 850AD So yeah, people's views were a little bit different then those of today and what women could endure. Other reviewers thought the speed and position of the loving making unreasonable, but so would being beaten near to death and yet the heroine survived that....I would rather have a handsome man making wild passionate love to me!! LOL
So if you are not a prude...give this book a try as I am off to find another one by this same author as her story was WONDERFULLY TOLD!!

Great Story and a Great Preformer

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

This book was great. Michelle created a great story. There is a lot of tension between her characters and I did not want to stop listening to the book. The book is filled with emotional upheavals. The two main characters are very passionate with one another even though in the beginning they did not trust one another.

Which character – as performed by Mason Lloyd – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Vladimir as performed by Mason Lloyd. His accent was amazing and I could listen to it again and again. At the beginning it took me a few moments to get use to it but overall it was great. At times I could tell there was a little discrepancy when he changed characters but that did not detract from the book.

Maiden and the Monster

Over all the story and narration were good. I just felt parts of it were drawn out a bit. And it totally drove me nuts that she called him her fiancé (I do understand the word started in France in the 14th century), but in those times most would have called him her intended or betrothed. The ending of the book was fantastic! Very well written and edge of your seat worthy! Lots of secrets are revealed.....

Good story, Improbable romance

Were they on drugs? The only plausible explanation for the ease and willingness with which the H and h moved into a physical relationship—even being rightfully wary and even frightened of each other—is that they were each under the influence of some substance. Unfortunately, they were both sober. At the beginning especially, Vlad’s and Eden’s behavior consistently make little sense. And the author’s attempt to explain their sexual magnetism fails. It was unfortunate b/c I liked the start up until the sexual attraction started about 1.5 hours into the book. And, overall, I liked the story, just not the depiction of the romantic relationship within it, which was the primary reason I purchased the book. Thankfully, as the story went on, ignoring the implausibility, continuity and poor start became easier. There were very hot sex scene, including explicit language; the story was not replete with them. But the ones there were not short. Unfortunately, however, the author completely overused and misused the concepts of sexual wetness and constant erections. And Vlad was a bit of an ass in his treatment of his virgin wife as he introduced her to sex. And she was far too willing to do anything. These were serious detractions from the erotic aspects the author tried to create. Eden’s behavior in the bedroom, from the very first, seems implausible for the historical times and her advanced political station, being Lady Eden and having lived somewhat of a cloistered life.
Finally, the supposed twist revealed in Vlad’s past was too common to gothic-like stories, so it was a bust. And the ending was first good, with great tension, and then it returned to being implausible.
So, overall, I don’t regret trying this author this once, but I will buy no more of her books. It had some good parts—the overall story—but not worth repeating or hoping her other books are better.
The narrator was great. His brogue was superb.

fully in its time, while being completely modern

Vladimir is depressed and cranky, and takes no little pleasure in the fact that many of the castle’s servants and visitors are afraid of him: the differences in his speech, dress and rather imperious bearing combined with his hair-trigger temper are his weaponry against his involvement in life and the pleasure it could bring. Widowed some 6 years earlier, he has no patience for the gods of his own childhood or those of the new Christian religion he has converted to: merely halfheartedly nod at the conventions and wishes of the King. Scarred from a fire that took his family, his servants are afraid of him: his control and impatient nature.

Eden was dumped, beaten and near death in a pile of skins, entrails and dirt outside the front gates of Vladimir’s keep. A mystery to solve, for sure, combined with the rarer emotion of protectiveness and attraction keeps Vladimir curious about her appearance, even as his baser nature for revenge against her father is all consuming. Eden is able to see beneath the iron-fisted control and shuttered emotions to find the pain that is mostly hidden beneath his brashness.

There is a palpable attraction between the two, despite the discrepancy in their relationship: her desire to not return to her father’s house yet lack of fear from what he will do TO her shows her inner core of strength, and makes her all the more attractive and unusual for a woman of her day. His struggle to remain aloof and protect his heart against the desire and attraction that she is able to stir in him, after long believing his chances for a life with a woman long dead show the kindness and sense of regret that he has, despite his often cruelly voiced reactions.

This is a slower story, better suited to savoring and allowing the inflections so capably provided by the narration of Mason Lloyd to depict the emotional confusion and struggles that each character is experiencing. Lush details that fill out both the scenes and the scents of the story, as they provide a sense of the time to readers effectively display Vladimir’s differences to his Saxon neighbors, and delineate his high standards for his surroundings, even though he had spent the past year carefully cultivating an impression of disinterest to all but his harshly barked orders. It isn’t difficult to understand the attraction between the two, that understanding quickly turning to compassion and empathy until you are hoping that the two will speak clearly and open to the happiness awaiting them together.

Another cleverly crafted historic romance from Michelle M. Pillow that manages to incorporate a serious level of sexual tension before culmination for the two lead characters. There are accounts of less savory moments, although these are detailed with a sense of purpose, and the perpetrators do get to answer for their behavior. Mixing in historical details, dress and even approach to conversation keeps the story fully in its time, while being completely modern in description and imagery. I really did enjoy this AudioBook, and fans of the genre, who are seeking an era that is not predominant in the genre will, I believe, enjoy it as well.

I received an AudioBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

It's pretty good

There is a Beauty and the Beast vibe going on with this story that is pretty fun, the sexy scenes go between romantic and sexy and just too much back door business. Really, there is a believable limit to what a virgin is likely to do with any level of comfort which this book seems ignore. Although I enjoy most of Michelle M Pillows books I wasn't as pleased with this one.

good entertaintment over the 4th of July weekend

This was a good historical Romance read. Sometimes you read a description of the hero and it says he's a monster and you find out that's he's really not. This hero in my opinion did have monster like qualities, but I liked him. The heroin knew what she wanted and was determined to have it. She didn't mind needing the hero's help and was very glad to have it. The narrator did a good job with the female and male voices. This story has a little bit of a erotic tone.

I can't stand any more of this!

Fifteen minutes was enough. You won't need your brain if you bother with this trash.

Poorly written

First 5 min put me off. H talks about having a headache and stress. It's the eight hundreds..no one talks like that. Modern language took me out of the time period/story.

Good until the ending

It was so good until the end. I barely stopped the audio book only to get to the last ten minutes and be pissed off.
Spoilers. A servant married a noble but before that lied to a king and a Duchess. The woman gets away with it and isn't punished. The epilogue is the only reason it has the stars it does. I will try more more from this author.

Not the best!!!!!

What a pity this book does not live up to authors other books I have....
Its ok but I would not of bothered if I knew before getting this one sorry....

Really very good

Came across Michelle M. Pillow by way of a freebie of the Warlocks MacGregor stories which are very addictive.
This story was promoted from the authors email circular and seemed compelling. A wry good story from beginning to end and got through it in two sittings.
This was greatly enhanced by Mason Lloyd's narration. Great voice and characterization.

Not good but Okay - ish!😒

I choose this book purely because the narrator is Mason Lloyd.
He has such a great voice that I believed I could listen to Mr Lloyd read anything and it would be great! I was almost wrong😟
I struggled and struggled with this book and only finished the book out of pure admiration of Mr Lloyd.
Chris

Be still my heart. 😍😍

This has to be one of my favourites by Michelle. So pulled into the story, with every emotion going into overdrive. Love love loved this one. xXXX