Wicked [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Shannon Drake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 2005

A New York Times Bestselling Author

The Earl of Carlyle, whose mask is said to hide a face too loathsome to behold, has lived in the shadows ever since the death of his parents. But he's never stopped trying to unravel the mystery behind what he suspects was their murder. And now that the lovely Camille Montgomery has stumbled into his life, he has the perfect pawn for his deadly game of vengeance.

Available only in Basic 7.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Drake] manipulates readers masterfully with exciting plot developments and heady love scenes."
-- Publishers Weekly (Publisher's Weekly )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 525 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (August 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786278463
• ISBN-13: 978-0786278466
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,981,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Heather Graham was born somewhere in Europe and kidnapped by gypsies when she was a small child. She went on to join the Romanian circus as a trapeze artist and lion tamer. When the circus came to South Florida, she stayed, discovering that she preferred to be a shark and gator trainer.

Not really.

Heather is the child of Scottish and Irish immigrants who met and married in Chicago, and moved to South Florida, where she has spent her life. (She has, at least, been to the Russian circus in Moscow, where she wished she was one of the incredibly talented and coordinated trapeze artists.) She majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over one hundred and fifty novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, horror, and Christmas family fare.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty-five languages, and has had over seventy-five million books in print. She has been honored with awards from Walden Books, B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, the Lifetime Achievement Award from RWA and more. Heather has also become the proud recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television.

Heather loves travel and anything that has to do with the water, and is a certified scuba diver. She also loves ballroom dancing. Each year she hosts the Vampire Ball and Dinner theater at the RT convention raising money for the Pediatric Aids Society and in 2006 she hosted the first Writers for New Orleans Workshop to benefit the stricken Gulf region. She is also the founder of "The Slush Pile Players", presenting something that's almost like entertainment for various conferences and benefits. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beauty And The Beast!, April 19, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicked (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Drake as taken the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" and has made it her own. This talented author takes the reader to Victorian England and with a mystery to solve wonderfully dynamic characters the reader is in for a treat. BUT...readers may find fault with our moody, dark hero. He plays the part of "beast" to perfection and as a result readers may be put off by Brian Stirling. I recommend that readers give this book a fair chance. Ms. Drake always delivers and this read is really no exception.

Camille Montgomery has a less than stirling past. Her mother was a prostitute that fell in love with a lord. She dies early in life leaving her daughter alone and unprotected. Camille is saved by a true friend Tristan and guardian. Well, Tristan finds himself behind the walls of Castle Carlyle and in the "beast" clutches. Camille goes to rescue her guardian but instead becomes a reluctant guest of the Earl of Carlyle. It's not long before she becomes a pawn in a deadly game of revenge that could end badly. But will Camille allow herself to finally see the gentleness in Brian, and be willing to help him end his pain?

Brian Stirling is living a life of a recluse. He wants revenge for the death of his parents and he thinks he knows who caused their tragic deaths but he can't be sure. When Camille comes to rescue her guardian the perfect chance falls into his lap and he will use it if it means bringing an end to his pain. Problem though is he reluctantly starts to feel things for the beautiful Camille, and what starts out as a ploy turns very real. But, will this stubborn man realize it before it's too late?

Brian and Camille are very interesting characters. Again, most will probably be put off by Brian's gruff, and "un-hero" like qualities. I beg the reader to give him a chance. Throughout the story is tenderness, and goodness can be seen. Camille is a fiesty and strong heroine, and more than able to hold her own. This story is really almost "gothic" in nature. I found it to be a good read and one I have no trouble recommending. Ms. Drake is a very talented author and one that always delivers when penning a creative, and different romance.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's wrong with people? I liked it., May 13, 2005

By 

Toni Shutt (Sioux Falls, SD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wicked (Mass Market Paperback)

I really liked this book. Couldn't see why there was so much bashing of it. It kept my interest from beginning to end. Hero's written in this time frame always see to have a good/bad side to them and really isn't it why some of us women, in particular, fall in love with the guys in these romance novels? They are everything we love and hate rolled into one. Brian Sterling wearing his mask kind of reminded me of the phantom in a way. I loved the spit fire personality of Camille. Tie these feisty personalities together with the mysteries of Egypt and it holds your attention I think. I would recommend it. It was the first of Shannon Drakes I have read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, April 12, 2005

By 

abooklover "abooklover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wicked (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read all of Drake's vampire romance novels and the last few have certainly been lacking. This novel, to my surprise, was well written and full of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development of "the Beast" and somewhat expected this novel to have a modern Beauty and the Beast twist! The mystery in combination with the romance made this a fun novel to read. I loved it! I would definitely recommend this novel to other Shannon Drake fans!