Waking The Beast

Title:  Waking The Beast

Author:  Penelope Merrin

Publisher:  Ellora’sCave

Publisher URL:  http://www.ellorascave.com

ISBN/BIN:  9781419992711

Genre:  {M/F}   Fantasy

Rating:  3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amethyst Nymph

Her father has had it with her shameful behavior and decides to send Melina Webb away.  Working at an inn wasn’t the life Melina wanted, so working for a man feared by the entire town had to be more exciting.  The beast wasn’t as bad as Melina imagined.  In fact, Melina was imagining all the things she’d like to do with him.

Rowland Arven can’t believe that Melina could stand to look at him, much less want to give him pleasure.  Even Rowland is repulsed by what he has become because of a curse.  Sending her away would be the best solution, but Rowland can’t bring himself to do it.

Melina explored all the wicked things she watched couples doing at her father’s inn as Rowland’s hope of a real life returned.  Seclusion allowed their passions to run free until the outside world threatened their safety.  Magic was the only thing that could save them and oddly enough, magic gave them more than they were hoping for.

Melina is not the kind of girl who could happy with an average life.  She wants to experience everything life has to offer and she’s not shy about enjoying it.  I was often shocked by how brazen Melina was.  Rowland was so pitiful at times, I had to stop reading and compose myself.  To think that his physical imperfections were caused by his horrible father’s actions made me so sad.  I didn’t have to try hard to see the man beneath the monster.  Rowland was easy to bond with.  Although, I did have a harder time believing Melina.  It wasn’t until the end of the story that I felt Melina truly desired Rowland for the man he was inside and not for the opportunity of escape he offered her.  There were times she seemed so sex starved, I couldn’t help but think this. 

Waking the Beast takes some interesting and unexpected turns when magic comes into play.  Penelope Merrin definitely made me think about the couple’s future and if they could live happily ever after.  I’m curious to see if readers will agree with me.