Maiden and the Monster

By: Michelle M. Pillow

Narrated by: 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.

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

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.

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.

A Wonderful Medieval Romance!

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

I would recommend MAIDEN AND THE MONSTER to anyone who enjoys a good medieval romance OR to anyone who enjoys fractured fairy tales. It took me a bit to get in tune with the characters, but, once I did, I was subsequently fully invested in the story and listened raptly until the end. The story was set during the Vikings vs. Saxon's period in Wessex (an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the south of Great Britain) in 879 AD.

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

MAIDEN AND THE MONSTER by Michelle M. Pillow was a very enjoyable medieval romance complete with knights, kings, castles and a maiden to rescue. I love the story of The Beauty and the Beast and this story was reminiscent of it in many ways. The characters were quite engaging. Vladamir, our hero, came across as an unfeeling, imperious monster at first. He was the Beast (from Beauty and the Beast) before-his-Beauty-worked-her-magic-on-him personified. Scarred from a fire that had taken his famiy, Vladamir's appearance alone instilled fear. He enforced that terror with a quick brusque temper. Vladamir's first wife had been a detestable, narcisstic person; She had soured him against women and any long-term relationship.
Enter Lady Eden, our heroine, smelly, beaten to a pulp, covered with entrails and unconscious. As she slowly awoke and as the swelling and bruising ebbed away, her inward beauty began to shine. At first, she had no recollection of who she was or how she came to be buried in the pile of smelly pelts that had been dumped outside the Duke's Lakeshire Castle. Vladamir was adamant that she would vacate his castle as soon as she was able, but as her memory slowly began to return, she knew that she needed to stay under his protection. I loved Lady Eden - she was classy and sweet - and strongly attracted to Vladamir. Vladamir's bark was a facade - much worse than his bite. He talked tough but his actions were actually nothing but kind towards her. I held out hope thru-out that they would each find a way to open their hearts to each other and that their prior lives/families/politics would not undermine their destinies.

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

I've never listened to Mason Lloyd before. He was very good. His voice was very clear and he articulated in a captivating brogue. He was a reader type of narrator, not an actor which is not a bad thing; but a fyi in case someone has a personal preference; Because of the period's accent he was speaking, I think that if he had added acting, it might have been too much. This was my first time listening to Mr. Lord. Based upon his performance with this book, I would not hesitate to listen to him again.

If you could rename Maiden and the Monster, what would you call it?

A Fractured Retelling of Beauty and the Beast!

Any additional comments?

Michelle's storytelling is superb! She has obviously researched the time period well as the story is rich with historical details. I found myself alternately laughing, sighing and reeling in horror. There were some unsavory scenes - necessary to the story, but unpleasant - while other parts had me holding my breath with emotional suspense. Prior to listening to MAIDEN AND THE MONSTER, I had read one other story by Michelle, LOVE POTIONS (WARLOCKS MACGREGOR #1) which I absolutely loved. (It was actually one of my top five reads for CY2014.) I will be checking out more of her books soon! I would recommend MAIDEN AND THE MONSTER to anyone who enjoys a good medieval romance.