The Bride and the Beast [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Teresa Medeiros (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

Dear Reader,

I'd been prowling the crumbling ruins of Castle Weyrcraig for so long that I could no longer remember if I was man or beast. Then one stormy night the superstitious Highlanders of Ballybliss decided to leave a helpless virgin bound to a stake in the castle courtyard to satisfy my insatiable appetites.

My demands might strike terror in the hearts of men, but this bold beauty dared to defy me. After she informed me that she didn't believe in dragons, I had no choice but to make her my prisoner—or risk being exposed to those I had sought to deceive with my dangerous masquerade.

Soon I found myself stealing into the moonlit tower just to watch her sleep. Little does she know that beneath this beast's gruff exterior beats the passionate heart of a man. Gwendolyn Wilder may not believe in dragons, but I intend to use all my sensual wiles to teach her to believe in something even more magical—true love.

Eternally yours,

The Dragon of Weyrcraig

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As the only virgin left in the Highland village of Ballybliss, Gwendolyn Wilder finds herself being sent off as a sacrificial offering to the legendary Dragon of Weyrcraig and ends up winning his heart instead in this light, creative version of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. An outspoken, irreverent, and somewhat overweight heroine; a wounded, noble hero; and an ample supply of lively, whimsical humor and excellent writing make Medeiros's first hardcover romance a debut to remember. Medeiros (Charming the Prince) is a popular writer of light, humorous historical romances and lives in Hopkinsville, KY.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

A first hardcover in the warmed-over fairy-tale tradition of Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood.The bride is Gwendolyn Wilder, the only maiden in a Scottish glen where most virginity is only a memory at 15; the beast is Bernard MacCullough, laird of the glen who has returned to his broken-down castle to find out which of the villagers of Ballybliss betrayed his parents to the English. Bernard has kept his people away from Castle Weyrcraig by pretending to be the Dragon. He and his sidekick Tupper get their victuals by sending threatening shopping lists to the village. The mention of innocent blood in one message leads the frightened glen folk to tie Gwendolyn to a stake in the castle courtyard, in case the Dragon has a taste for virgins. Bernard cuts her down and plies her with room and board. He's afraid that if he lets her go, she'll blow his plans for revenge. As the Dragon visits her under cover of darkness, so that she won't recognize him, Gwendolyn falls in love with him. He doesn't seem to mind that she's a bit chubby. He likes her curves, her spirit, and her intelligence. Before she gets a chance to offer him her virginity, though, the villagers return to slay the Dragon themselves. To save Gwendolyn's life, Bernard reveals himself to his people. Heartbroken when she learns her sexy beast is just another guy, Gwendolyn rushes home, where she has spent much of her life tending to her mad father, the traitor Bernard has been seeking. When he learns her secret, Bernard tells Gwendolyn he'll spare her dad if she'll marry him. After an awkward dénouement, the couple will move quickly to happily-ever-after.Instead of purveying such copycat fables, Medeiros would be better off sticking to the witchy romances she does best. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 398 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786235195
• ISBN-13: 978-0786235193
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one, introducing readers to one of the most beloved and versatile voices in romance fiction. All of her books have been national bestsellers, appearing on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print and is published in over 17 languages. She was chosen one of the "Top Ten Favorite Romance Authors" by Affaire de Coeur magazine and won the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for 'Best Historical Love and Laughter'. She is a seven-time RITA finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbook Award for bestselling fiction. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and two lovably neurotic cats. Her latest Scottish historical THE DEVIL WEARS PLAID was released in 2010 and her first contemporary women's fiction novel GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011. You can join her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teresamedeirosfanpage or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/teresamedeiros . You can visit her website at http://www.teresamedeiros.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new Teresa Medeiros classic!, June 6, 2000

By 

Xeneri - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bride and the Beast (Hardcover)

Practical, level-headed Gwendolyn Wilder doesn't believe in dragons...but the superstitious highlanders of Ballybliss do...and they will do anything they can to rid themselves of the Dragon's curse ....including getting a fair virgin to satisfy the beast's insatiable appetite.

Being the only virgin in town, Gwendolyn finds herself securely bound to a post as a sacrificial lamb waiting to be slaughtered - or - more accurately devoured by this mythical beast. Imagine her surprise when "the dragon" emerges from a stream of silver smoke to take her away...

The "dragon" turns out to be devastatingly handsome man (though he hides his face from Gwendolyn) who is much more dangerous than any real dragon could be....and when he decides to make a "pet" of the fair Gwen, the fun begins....

I discovered Teresa Medeiros with the wonderful CHARMING THE PRINCE and have been a fan ever since. Her heroines are usually smart, funny and have a good head on their shoulders....and Gwendolyn Wilder, the heroine of THE BRIDE AND THE BEAST is no exception. The Dragon is charming, virile, dangerous and everything a sexy hero should be.

I loved reading this offbeat humorous retelling of Beauty and the Beast and couldn't put it down. If you like a bit of offbeat humor mixed in with your romance, this one is for you. Enjoy.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Compelling, Great Read!, July 6, 2000

By 

Deborah L. Kepler "Deb Kepler" (Carthage, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bride and the Beast (Hardcover)

Gwendolyn Wilder did not believe in dragons, but the people of Ballybliss did. When the 'Dragon' starts aking for more and more food, and finally money to make him go away, the vilagers decide to give him a 'sacrifice' to appease him and mabye he'll let them be. Only a virgin will do, and being the only virgin in the village, Gwendolyn is taken to the Castle Weycraig and tied to a pole in the courtyard and left to await the Dragons' appearance.

While Gwen waits to be 'eaten or whatever else the Dragon might do to her' she realizes that her predicament is precarious. She knows that the so-called Dragon is a fraud, and that there was a good explaination for all of the lights flickering and bagpipe playing that has drifted down from the castle, but as a terrible storm approaches, she gets nervous and wonders what will happen next. When it does and the Dragon comes out from the silver mists and she sees his face, she faints.

The Dragon carries her into his lair and keeps her as his papmered prisoner, never showing her his face. He'd made her faint for God's sake, if she saw his face again she may get hesterical! But the night was his cover, and soon Gwen falls for his sensual allure, his passionate kisses, and becomes aware that the Dragon is only a man. A flesh and blood man, out for revenge; from what she didn't know, but as the story unfolds and all is finally revealed, including his true identity, Gwen understands the true meaning of betrayal and heartbreak.

Can the Dragon make her understand his motives and make her love him again? Can Gwen ever trust the 'real' man that the Dragon is, or mourn the Dragon she thought him to be.

I love Teresa Medeiros. The first book I read of hers, Charming the Prince, had me hooked. Her writing syle is so compelling and full of feeling, that you'll fall in love with all of her characters. You'll never be disappointed with anything written by her!

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new treasure for the keeper shelf!, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bride and the Beast (Hardcover)

Teresa Medeiros has been one of my favorite authors since way back when and she just keeps getting better. I didn't think she could top CHARMING THE PRINCE, but she did it with this one. I can't explain why her writing is so powerful, but she makes me feel all of the emotions her characters are feeling. I fell in love with "the Dragon" right along with Gwendolyn and to me, that's true magic! (I have to confess that I also fell a little in love with Tupper, too!) I also loved the fact that her heroine wasn't a size 2 in this book, but a "plump" beauty. (Just like me!)