"A new spin on an old fairy tale"

Isabelle Dunbar is an innocent beauty. On a mission, accompanied by her sisters, Belle has set out to get some financial documents resolved for her father, who has fallen ill. On the return journey, they take a short cut through private land, in hopes to cut some time off of their trip and to get back to their father as soon as possible. Though the land owner is reputed to be a hideous monstrosity and ruthless with trespassers, they make it almost out and think they are safe and sound.

Not so however, Haldon, Lord Glen Dubh's men halt the carriage and the three ladies are prisoners for the night. He sets Belle's sisters free in the morning, but from Belle, he exacts a price to cure her father. She must live with him in his home, forever, as his companion. When Belle sees the hideous beast he is, cursed by a fairy as a result of his selfish ways, she hesitates, but agrees. Haldon feels she may be the woman to end his curse, but can she see past the monster he has become to find the heart so long hidden?

Beauty and the Beast has always been a favored fairy tale of this reviewer. How can one resist the story after all... an unkind man, cursed for his foolishness, whom can only be cured by his true love. So this was a story that was sure to entertain, especially with the added spice of being made an adult story. This story tantalizes, seduces, and lures the reader in, preparing them for the climactic moment when Haldon and Belle's love is completely realized, physically and emotionally.

Haldon and Belle are wonderful characters, perfect complements to each other. They are drawn to each other in spite of their differences and the reader will be kept interested as they grow and change together, becoming stronger and better people. One will get a glimpse at what drives them to be who they are. There is even a little bit of insight given into the minds of some of the secondary characters and what drives them.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2004. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted May 3, 2004

Summary

Though the beast held Belle a prisoner, the image of another enflamed her passion. Haldon had but one way to break the vile curse enslaving him: He must capture her heart.