Book Tour Review: THE BEAUTY'S BEAST

THE BEAUTY'S BEAST

By E.D. Walker

Length: Novel

ISBN: 9781605921532

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Lady Kathryn's father has sent her to court to find a husband, but being penniless and disinterested doesn't bode well for her success. Bored by the petty intrigues of court, she finds her loneliness is eased when the king charges her with the care of his newest acquisition: an uncanny black wolf. What the king doesn't realize is his remarkable pet was once Gabriel, his favorite knight, cursed into wolf form by an unfaithful wife.

The beast's too-knowing eyes and the way he seems to understand her every utterance convinces Kathryn the wolf is more than what he seems. Resolving to restore him, she doesn't count on the greatest obstacle being Gabriel himself. The longer he stays in wolf form as a captive of the court, the harder it becomes for him to remember his humanity. And to fight his wolfish urges to maim and kill.

As Gabriel and Kathryn grow to care for one another despite his horrific curse, rumors of an uncanny wolf reach the ears of Gabriel's former wife and her unscrupulous new husband, Reynard. Together, they plan to dispose of the king's pet, knowing if Gabriel ever regains his human form he could strip them of everything they have schemed so hard to gain.

Only Kathryn's affection and determination stand between Gabriel the wolf and Gabriel the man. But when Reynard returns to court, will Kathryn's love be enough to keep Gabriel from exacting a brutish revenge that will condemn the wolf to death?

E.D. Walker's The Beauty's Beast is a unique and tender adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.  The book's blurb provides an excellent summary of the story, so I won't repeat it here.  I thought it was rather intriguing to have the "beast" as a werewolf trapped in his wolf form because of the betrayal of his wife.  While living as a wolf, Gabriel can not talk to the other characters, but the author cleverly lets him speak to the reader through his inner thoughts.  I love how Kathryn knew he was more than just a wolf from the moment she looked into his very human blue eyes.  They formed a strong connection, and Kathryn loved and cared for him even though he was a beast.

This was a very romantic story, but it was a bit too mild for my taste.  As a personal preference, I like some heat to my romances these days.  Of course, the fact that Gabriel was in wolf form for most of the book definitely hindered anything physical between the two lovers!

The plot moved quickly, and it focused on Kathryn's struggle to have Gabriel hold on to the last of his humanity, while thoughts of revenge on his wife threatened to destroy him.  Kathryn was racing against time to change him into a man again before the beast took over his mind as well.

The Beauty's Beast was a beautifully written story, and it will appeal to readers looking for an old-fashioned, enchanting fairy tale.  I liked it, so I'm giving The Beauty's Beast 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.