Seducing the Beast

Title:  Seducing the Beast
Author:  Jayne Fresina

Publisher:  Lyrical Press

Publisher URL:  www.lyricalpress.com

ISBN: 9781616503024

Genre:  {M/F}, Historical

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph 

Madolyn went to meet the Earl of Swafford to persuade him to ask the Queen for a pardon for her cousin.  Because of his wife’s comments, Griff has been dubbed “The Beast”.  When they meet, the attraction is instant. 

I had to laugh at the antics and trouble that Madolyn kept getting into and that the Earl ended up helping her get out of.  Seducing the Beast is a fun read that will tickle your funny bone at times.  The give and take Madolyn and Griff have with each other, while engaged in a battle of wits, are funny and at times, very intense. Some of the scenes may be a little uncomfortable for some to read.  Unfortunately, Griff has the attitude that women are nothing but liars and trouble, which seems to be the prevailing attitude of men in this time period. Both characters, as well as some of the secondary ones, will make you want to knock them “up the side of the head” to knock some sense into them.  Whether it is interference by family members or staff, most don’t want to listen even if it is the truth.

The mores of this society tend to give Madolyn fits because she is educated and has very decided opinions and doesn’t want to play by the rules.  Griff is like most aristocrats in that he feels his word is law.  I had to laugh at Madolyn at times because she seemed to do things just to get under Griff’s skin and drive him crazy.  I loved that the author made her such a strong woman.  As the story progresses, though, there is a lot of intrigue behind the scenes that drives some of the main story.  The ending was very realistic and I have to say that this author kept my interest.  Those that like a good historical romance should add this one to their bookshelf, in my opinion.