Maiden and the Monster

De: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrado por: Mason Lloyd

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

Engrossing, moving

What made the experience of listening to Maiden and the Monster the most enjoyable?

The storyline itself was very good and the performance given by Mason Lloyd was excellent I could listen to him read almost anything he is so talented.

What other book might you compare Maiden and the Monster to and why?

This book was in world of it's own.

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

I have listened to many books performed by Mason Lloyd, this book is equal to any he has done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment that moved me most in this book was when Eden thought that she had lost Vladamir forever, it moved me to tears.

Any additional comments?

I have not read another historical book by this author so was not sure what to expect. The book is basically about a man who has been hurt and learned to mistrust women in general and a woman who has been bullied and abused, then left for dead. Can they learn to trust, like or even love each other? The book is well written and gives you feel for the time it was set in. The sex was very hot and although I personally don't mind that I did feel that a woman of those times who was innocent might not have behaved quite like that so quickly. But that is just my thoughts it did not detract from my enjoyment of the storyline.

Excellent Narration

I really liked the story. The characters were very likable- except the duke in the beginning. I was really glad the heroine was a maiden instead of some jaded chick who runs through guys like water. It was a surprise who the duke’s daughter actually was. I definitely would read from Michelle Pillow again. Mason Lloyd as narrator is always a plus.

Surprising

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm torn between yes and a no. I found the story and the reader likable, but there were times I was unable to sit through and continue. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story and Mason Lloyd's performance, it's just the timing of trying to listen was not the best for me.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Aww man this again is quite a bit of a challenge. I stopped quite a few times listening to this, but I cannot come up with a thought atm in which I could have a made an enjoyable story even more enjoyable.

What aspect of Mason Lloyd’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing comes to mind. I enjoy his voice and I've gone on to listen to other books performed by him as well :)

Any additional comments?

I stopped quite a few times listening to this, but don't misunderstand, this book was actually a good listen.. First of all the names of the characters are just great, in my opinion. I love the name Vladimir (the great power) and Eden (place of pleasure) and just pairing lovers witch such names to my liking :) . Although there were times I wished I could have banged the hero and heroines head together, I really enjoyed listening to their medieval story. Vlad is a bit on the rough side (his accent was just yes!). Vlad came off a bit harsh, and brutish but this monster was quite likable to me :). Eden was a likable heroine and I found her strength and confidence to be some of her stronger characteristics. All in all, good book :)

A bit too long

The story drags or perhaps the characters fell a little flat. The performance was pretty good. I regret having used a credit.

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.

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.

maiden and the monster

this was a really good book to listen to. it kept my attention will re-listen again and again

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!!

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.....

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.