Maiden and the Monster [Paperback]

Michelle Pillow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2007

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

4 1/2 STARS! A perfect blend of history, emotion, tension, hot sex and fascinating and sympathetic characters...the writing is superb. Pillow chooses magical details to set the scene. -- RT Magazine --2007 RT Reviewer Choice Award WINNER!

"4 1/2 Stars! This book is a classic love story. It is the kind of story a reader enjoys getting lost in." --Ecataromance Reviews, April 2006

"4 1/2 Hearts! I did not expect the plot twists that the author devised ... This one is a definite keeper." --Reviewer: Maura Frankman, January 30, 2006

"4 1/2 Angels! Michelle Pillow takes her readers on a journey back to Saxon times and delivers. You can just close your eyes and see everything before you." --Fallen Angels, April 2006

" 4 STARS! Those readers who enjoy a bit of historical charm in their romance will find Maiden and the Monster a wonderful book to read." --Just Erotic Romance Reviews, December 2005

From the Author

I love historical romances. They were my first love and hold a special place in my heart. The story of Maiden and the Monster is especially exciting to me because it was the first National Award (RT Award) I'd ever won and my first big acceptance speech which I'm sure I babbled through like a kid on candy. Thank you to all the readers who have made this book a success.

Note from the Author
In 878, King Guthrum and his vast nation of pagan Vikings (Also known as Norsemen or Danes) had rule over half of Briton. Though initially they came to the shores to raid and pillage, they were now settling in their newly conquered land. A powerful race, the Vikings were said to be nigh unstoppable. And before the Christian King Alfred of Wessex, known as Alfred the Great, they had gone relatively unopposed.

During this time, the Danish king was at war with King Alfred, which culminated at Whitshire, in what is known as the Battle of Edington. This was the last significant battle between the two kingdoms and Alfred won. Now the tides of power were turning. Guthrum and his Vikings were on the losing side.

After experiencing decisive losses, the Danish king signed the Treaty of Wedmore. The Treaty allowed Guthrum to leave with the provision that he never returned. Furthermore, the land was divided in two parts--Wessex and what later became known as the Danelaw (Northumbria, East Anglia and Essex).

In accordance with the treaty's demands, King Guthrum had to leave several men from his army in Wessex. There the soldiers resided as political hostages--an insurance of peace between the two kingdoms. If Guthrum broke his promise never to return, the hostages would be killed. As part of the treaty, the pagan men were also made to convert to Christianity.

Often noblemen and knights held as prisoners were given leave to move freely, held only by their word of honor. It is in this rocky political climate that our hero finds himself. A prisoner of a foreign king, surrounded by the very people he'd been at war against.

Though the events surrounding the story are fact, the characters, places and story itself are a work of fiction. --MichellePillow.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 355 pages
• Publisher: Elloras Cave Pub Inc; First Edition edition (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419955241
• ISBN-13: 978-1419955242
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,251,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ever since she can remember, Michelle M. Pillow had a strange fascination with anything historical or supernatural--ghosts, magical powers, and oh! vampires. What could be more alluring than being immortal, all-powerful, and eternally beautiful?

Michelle M Pillow, Author of All Things Romance, is a multi-published, award winning author writing in many romance fiction genres including futuristic, paranormal, historical, contemporary, fantasy and dark paranormal. She is nominated for the 2011 RT Lifetime Achievement Award, winner of the 2006 RT Reviewers' Choice Award, nominated for the 2007 RT Award, a Brava Novella Contest Finalist and a PAN member of RWA.

Michelle is an accomplished photographer. She writes a monthly interview column and is a journalist for Paranormal Underground Magazine. She has a Photography degree and is currently working towards a degree in History.

Readers can contact her through her author website www.MichellePillow.com
For photography, visit www.PrettyPoisonPhotography.com
For The Raven Books, visit www.TheRavenBooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maiden and the Monster, March 14, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maiden and the Monster (Paperback)

Vladamir, Duke of Lakeshire Castle, rules with an iron fist. He resents being Lord of this castle as he is a political prisoner and a pawn in the Kings wars. When a badly beaten and unconscious woman is found at the castle gates, he very begrudgingly takes her in to have her cared for. Eden wakes in terrible pain, not knowing where she is. She is disoriented
and scared. When she realizes she is in the castle of the man known as "The Monster," Eden is terrified of what he might do to her. When Vladamir discovers that Eden is the daughter of his enemy, he jumps at the chance to make her his prisoner.

Vladamir and Eden come to an agreement, Eden will not try to escape as long as Vladamir does not hurt her father's people. Vladamir distrusts women and Eden is no exception, but as time goes by, the lines drawn by capture and captive are blurred and Vladamir finds his attraction to Eden growing in it's intensity. Eden, too, finds herself hopelessly drawn
to Vladamir's touch. Trouble is brewing from Eden's father her and ex-fiancee though, and Vladamir and Eden find themselves fighting for their love and Vladamir's life.

I was so entranced by Maiden and the Monster I couldn't put it down. It's
intense, and full of emotion. Along with being handsome and mysterious, Vladamir is delectable and dominant. Eden's innocence and desire for Vladamir are sweetly sexy. Their passion is consuming. Interesting characters and an entertaining plot combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable story. The conclusion of Maiden and the Monster is very powerful
and moving, and kept me on the edge of my seat. It's ending is also very tender and loving. Maiden and the Monster is a keeper!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maiden and the monster, July 2, 2007

By 

Cherry Ganzer-budd (Queensland,Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maiden and the Monster (Paperback)

Wow! What a fabulous read. This story has it all, lust, betrayal, politics, alliances and ultimately love. I enjoyed the historical setting; Briton, now under the rule King Alfred and with an uneasy alliance with the Danes, and the peoples affected by this.

This story will make you laugh,cry, grimace, tense, Hot and the ending will keep you on the edge of your seat. What a shock!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!, July 19, 2007

By 

Luvmebooksyum "Pegasus" (Cue, WA. Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maiden and the Monster (Paperback)

I won't go into what the story is about as I wish to make this short and sweet. Let me just say that the only reason I didn't give this five stars is that, really, a FIVE star book is the most ultimate of romance books. As for this one, if ya love ya hero's strong and ya heroine's who won't let any man push her around: if ya love steamy sex but not on EVERY SECOND page, and if ya love all that an' get a great story to go with it all...then this book is for you. I actually had my doubts about it when I read the blurb on the book, but this little baby thankfully gave me a glorious read!! EXCELLENT!!