Bride of the Beast [Mass Market Paperback]

Sue-Ellen Welfonder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

In this historical romance, Sue-Ellen Welfonder delivers a sensual tale set in medieval Scotland about a young woman in need of a champion - and finding one in a heroic, scarred warrior.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Larger-than-life characters and a scenic setting add color to Welfonder's 14th-century romance, but the story's lack of historical detail will ultimately frustrate readers. Since her husband's death, Lady Caterine Keith has been forced to stand by as greedy Englishmen threaten her Scottish stronghold. To protect the castle from a royal edict, Caterine's sister, Linnet (the heroine of Welfonder's first novel, Devil in a Kilt), sends Caterine a prospective husband of the highest virtue-Sir Marmaduke Strongbow. Caterine grudgingly marries the scarred, English-born knight but refuses to offer him her heart because she was once raped by English soldiers and now hates any man with English blood. Marmaduke, however, fears Caterine really resists because of his appearance. Although Caterine's opposition to Marmaduke feels contrived, Welfonder pens some steamy scenes in which the two first use sex to bridge their differences and then continue giving into desire while the differences remain. In the end... readers will be left wondering how love finally prevailed and why it took so long.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A keeper among keepers whose sheer beauty is sure to bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart." -- Diana Tidlund of Reviews That Grab Your Attention at Writers Unlimited

"Best we've read all year. Welfonder makes you feel as if you are actually there. A novel to cherish." -- The Historical Romance Club

"Everything I had hoped for and more. For a true love story, readers need look no further." -- Sandra Brill, Romance Reviews Today

"Extremely moving. Marmaduke has the magic to wrap himself around the hearts of millions. Welfonder once again produces another winner!" -- Suzie Housley, Myshelf.com and Bridges Magazine

"Fantastic. Welfonder once again proves she is an author to watch out for. This book is not to be missed." -- Robin Peek, The Word On Romance

"Welfonder is adept at spinning a historical Scottish tale. Existing fans and new readers will be delighted. Charming and captivating!" -- Rashmi Srinivas of BookLoons Romance Reviews

Character-driven and fast-paced, Bride of the Beast is a very enjoyable, romantic read. Don't miss it! -- The Best Reviews - Cynthia Meidinger

Emotionally intense, highly sensual, unforgettable characters. This magical story secures Welfonder's place as a writer on the way to stardom. -- Kathe Robin - Romantic Times BOOKclub

Sir Marmaduke is an RT K.I.S.S. of the Month Hero! -- Romantic Times Magazine

Thrilling. Vibrant characters. Sensual. Ms. Welfonder spins pure magic. With writing like this, she is headed for super stardom! -- Reader To Reader Reviews - Suzanne Coleburn

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446612324
• ISBN-13: 978-0446612326
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first by this author.(...), April 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bride of the Beast (Mass Market Paperback)

.(...)but it certainly won't be my last. Wow, what a scorcher! You know when you read a romance novel and the author writes something like this: "And then he proceeded to tell her, in great detail, exactly what he planned to do to her." And you wish the reader was let in on the conversation? Well, in this book, you are. It has some of the most erotic dialogue I have ever read in a historical novel. Not gross or vulgar, just pleasantly explicit. Our hero, M. (that's what I call him, because he has the worst name I have come across in a romance novel. The heroine never screams out his name in passion, thank goodness, because it would sound ridiculous) is determined to help Caterine get over a trauma from her past so he woos her body and soul, and it is a tender, frustrating and very sexy process. I can only hope her other stories are as good.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welfonder's series, 4.5, June 29, 2005

By 

Amanda "([e-mail])" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bride of the Beast (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed getting lost in all of Welfonder's stories in this series. Her characters are Dynamic and will definitely stay with you. Different plots drive all of the stories and there were some extremely memorable scenes. I can't wait till her next one.

A couple of things were annoying though. For one thing, these hero's thoughts don't stray far from their "Phallus." Which did make for frequent sexual situations, thus one of the reasons we all love the genre, so I'm not so sure I'm complaining. And secondly, I started to "skim" parts of the book (which I NEVER do). It's just that I found myself frequently at points where, for instance, the heroine will say something and then it's 12 paragraphs of anything the hero could possibly be thinking or feeling till he responds to her. Or five paragraphs in the middle of the conversation to describe how the shutters are rattling against the windows! And unfortunately, I'm not exaggerating.

Having said that, I will still buy and devour anything and everything by this author. And would definitely recommend this series to be enjoyed mostly if read in order. Her first book is 1) Devil in a Kilt, then read 2) Bride of the Beast, then 3) Only for a Knight. And The MacLean Trilogy order is: 1) Knight in My Bed, 2) Master of the Highlands, and then 3) Wedding for a Knight.

So you know where my tastes lie: For the absolute best in Highland romance I would recommend Julie Garwood's "The Bride," "The Wedding," "The Secret," "Ransom," and "Saving Grace." Karen Marie Moning, and Marsha Canham. For Medieval: Garwood's "The Prize," "Honor's Splendor," & "Gentle Warrior." Also Amanda Quick's "Mystique," "Desire," & anything by Kinley Macgregor a.k.a. Sherrilyn Kenyon.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Breathtaking Sensual Tale Of Love That Conquers All!, April 10, 2005

By 

Janalee Ruschhaupt (Fresno, California U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bride of the Beast (Mass Market Paperback)

Sir Marmaduke Strongbow, what endears this character of this Scottish tale
of love to us, is his scar marring his noble features. The scar runs from his eye to
the corner of his mouth. This makes his one eye appear blind, though the eye
really is gone. This gives Maramduke a grimacing, if not scary appearance, at
times. He received his scar in a rage induced sword fight with Duncan MacKenzie's
evil half brother, who poisoned Marmaduke's wife (Duncan MacKenzie's sister),
killing her. Marmaduke is now asked by Lady Linnet MacKenzie, sister to Lady
Caterine Keith to become Caterine`s champion and pretend to be her husband.

Lady Caterine Keith whose husband was murdered, and she violently raped
repeatedly by a group of English warriors. Caterine now can not stand the sound,
much less the sight, of any Englishman. Because Caterine is without a husband,
the hatefully Sir Hugh is trying to step-in and force her hand in marriage. This
is why Sir Marmaduke must become her champion. With both their troubled
pasts, they will struggle to overcome their demons and mistrust to find that love
desired, is found.

You will fall in love with the charming silver-tongued devil, in more ways than one,
*Wink*. His courage and honor is second to none.

You will find yourself routing for this scarred brute of a man, with each turn of
a page that is... BRIDE OF THE BEAST...