Beauty Dates the Beast

Midnight Liaisons Series, Book 1

By: Jessica Sims

Narrated by: Leah Mallach

WANTED: Single human female to join charming, wealthy, single male were-cougar for a night of romantic fun - and maybe more.

Me: The tall, sensuous, open-minded leader of my clan.

You: A deliciously curvy virgin who's intimately familiar with what goes bump in the night. Must not be afraid of a little tail. Prefer a woman who's open to exploring her animal nature. Interest in nighttime walks through the woods a plus.

My turn-ons include protecting you from the worst the supernatural world has to offer. Ready for an adventure? Give me a call.

Vampires and doppelgangers need not apply.

©2011 Jessica Sims (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Possesses humor and a protective male character similar to those of Katie MacAlister. This will likely be a popular series." ( Booklist)

Decent story, annoying female lead character

I like the story, I like the concept, however...I am SERIOUSLY over the "I can't tell anyone what's actually going on for their own safety" female characters. They ruin the entire story. Just once I'd like to see someone lay it all out there and be a real person instead of a drama queen. It's ruining the entire story which was fun and light and a good listen otherwise. If the main character could shut up, I'd be a lot happier.

"Meh"

What did you like best about Beauty Dates the Beast? What did you like least?

The sexual tension between the couple was well done.

Would you recommend Beauty Dates the Beast to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. There are much better paranormal romances out there.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes

Could you see Beauty Dates the Beast being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I hope not.

Unimpressed

The story was just too ditzy. I really liked the idea behind the story...Heroine is working at a paranormal dating service in the office, protecting her sister from the werewolf packs, etc. But the story itself seemed to be trying to sound like a book from Mary Janice Davidson, whom I really enjoy, but just didn't quite pull it off. Better luck with the next one.

Clich?? and Unimpressive

Any additional comments?

I had a hard time finishing this book. The author tried to portray the main character Bathsheba as a strong will survivor but her actions didn???t fallow that line at all. The first man that forces his way into her life and she basically lets him lead her around like a well-trained poodle. The only time she didn???t mind him was in situations that put her in the same category as those horror movie chicks that go traipsing out in the dark woods when 20 people have already been gutted. The plot line was week and the obstacles that were supposed to make the relationship impossible were over blown. All that could be over looked but the dialog literally made me cringe. There is no man on earth that talks like the Bo. I know that some authors have the male characters say things that women readers would want them to say more so than what a real man would actually say but this just went too far. It was really bad. I will say that there was a cute little twist at the very end but I don???t think it was enough of a cliff hanger for me to suffer through another book in this series.

Fast and Fun...

What made the experience of listening to Beauty Dates the Beast the most enjoyable?

This was a short book for me but it was light hearted and fun...

What did you like best about this story?

Bathsheba and Beau were fun and I love a sassy H.

Which character – as performed by Leah Mallach – was your favorite?

Bathsheba

Any additional comments?

If you want something light and just a fun listen this is a good pick...

Independence is both her downfall & saving grace.

After listening to Out With a Fang (book #1.5) in the anthology The Undead in My Bed, I desperately wanted to read the rest of the series. I'm so glad I chose to do so. This story was funny, sexy, and suspenseful, making it incredibly engaging.

Bathsheba is a human working for a paranormal (though a different word is used in the book) dating agency. She loves the job as the office manager, especially because she is able to keep an eye on her younger sister, Sarah, who has had some control issues ever since being turned six years ago. Her life for the last six years has been Sarah and keeping under the radar of any wolf packs. When a VIP client requests her as his date, she is put in a bind. On one hand, she is not allowed, as a human, to date anybody in the Alliance (which the service caters to). On the other, she fears that she will lose her job if she doesn't keep this client happy. So she agrees to one date with Bo.

Bo quickly becomes enthralled with Bathsheba and desperately wants to see her again after their first date, no matter what it takes. He can't stay away from her and can't let her go. So when she and Sarah are being threatened by some unknown creature, he isn't able to do anything but protect her, even if that means kidnapping her.

After being Sarah's sole guardian and protector for so many years, Bathsheba has a hard time putting full trust into Bo. She believes she can't trust anybody but herself to protect her sister. Telling anyone else could risk the secret being leaked and Sarah being found by a wolf pack. So when her sister is supposedly in danger, Bathsheba, after some hesitation, sneaks away from Bo and her protection to rush to Sarah's aid.

Something I really enjoyed about this book is that Bathsheba essentially saves herself. Yes, she is the one who gets herself into the situation, but her quick thinking allows her, a measly human, to outwit and defeat two beings much more powerful (and ruthless) than herself. Bo does help, but at the end of the day, it's largely Bathsheba who gets herself out of the dangerous situation.

The book features a HEA ending with no cliffhanger. It is told entirely from Bathsheba's perspective.

Over...noooo!

Would you consider the audio edition of Beauty Dates the Beast to be better than the print version?

Didn't try it.

Any additional comments?

I wasn't going to listen to the book, but everything is a little blah right now, so I gave it a try. The narrator was WONDERFUL and really performed the story (instead of reading it). I got so involved in the story and then it was over. I wouldn't say this is an intense read but a fun summer read. Bathsheba...what a name. The beginning was unpredictable and I didn't know what to think. Specifically, I didn't know who the hero was and who the villan was. Then the story moves into a romance with a murder mystery. It was kind of frustrating when B goes off to save her sister (who acts like a 13 yr old and not a 23 yr old) and didn't take a moment to call and double check that she was actually kidnapped. That is just as irritating as a victim getting into a car and not seeing the bad guy in the back seat in a horor movie. Why didn't you see that coming? Out of the entire book, running off was the most predictable part of the book.I think the ending was left open for a possible sequel which I will most definately get. I love fun reads. And PLEASE KEEP THE NARRATOR! Great production.

Great start to a new paranormal romance series

Midnight Liaisons is a Dating Agency for 'paranormals' and Bathsheba works in the office, that is until a VIP shifter client called Beau phones to complain that his date has cancelled but he desperately needs a woman and he likes the sound of Bathsheba. He won't take no for an answer so she is forced to go on her first date for 6 years with life changing consequences.

I really enjoyed this shape shifter romance novel that has blackmail, murder and interesting likeable and detestable characters. Yes, there were times where you say "don't run, trust him" and her baby sister was very 'needy' but I guess it's all part of the storyline.

Worth the credit? Yea, I'm happy - it was a good listen.

tough read.

No woman makes these decisions when safety is a concern. At least not one who survives!

The story starts off like it will have tons of comedy and mystery. In the end it was a lot of head scratching and wondering how in the world a woman, who claims her safety is her primary concern, makes decisions like this. Its like she learned nothing from her sister's predicament.

Voice acting was good, though the country acting plus the lead character's first name was probably the funniest part of the book.

Really Great Story!

Would you listen to Beauty Dates the Beast again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to Beauty Dates the Beast again. Well put together story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beauty Dates the Beast?

Picnic in the snow!

What about Leah Mallach???s performance did you like?

She did an great job.