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Beasty #1

Beast Within

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Gabriel Slade runs Hollywood with his gorgeous blue eyes and egregious temper. No one knows that underneath it all is a man with a frozen heart, cursed to become a beast at every full moon. For seven days he has no choice but to roam the earth as a vicious animal, until he meets a woman who can change it all.

Luna Grace has a hatred for everything Gabriel Slade stands for, but she doesn't even know what he looks like. When a chance encounter reveals feelings Luna never knew she harboured, it stands to reason that she would run.

Can Luna overcome her hatred and break the curse? Or will Gabriel's temper keep her from realizing her true feelings, dooming him to remain the beast forever?

**Not for readers under the age of 18+. Contains language and adult situations.**

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2013

136 people are currently reading
1269 people want to read

About the author

Tyffani Clark Kemp

36 books481 followers
I am Tyffani Clark Kemp, multi-genre author and owner of SideStreet Cookie Publishing and its PNR imprint Moon Rose Books.
Follow her on instagram @tyffanickemp14, twitter @tyffanickemp, and facebook/authorclarkkemp

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5 stars
123 (34%)
4 stars
102 (28%)
3 stars
79 (22%)
2 stars
31 (8%)
1 star
24 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for J.A. Howell.
Author 16 books148 followers
March 8, 2013
I enjoy a good retelling of old tales in a new light. For that reason, Beast Within intrigued me. Ms. Kemp took the story of "Beauty and the Beast" and made it her own with a modern, sexy, and imaginative twist. There aren't any dancing dishes or singing candelabras in this version and it's certainly not "Disney-friendly" but there are still many nods to the original tale that will keep you smiling when you find them.

Gabriel Slade is a gorgeous, brooding Hollywood hotshot who is cursed to turn into the Beast every full moon until his curse is broken by love. Luna is one tough chick that knows her way around a sword better than anyone else and as a result she ends up doing choreography for many fight scenes in movies. Oh, she also hates Gabriel Slade, due to some long held grudges. She never has met him, but can't stand to even hear his name.

After being dragged to one of his big parties, she happens to catch his eye, and he approaches her, all the while concealing who he actually is. Sneaky little beasty that he is. Right away he realizes that Luna may be the one to break the curse, but the two of them are going to have to get past their own issues in order for that to happen. As you can imagine, that doesn't come easy. All the while lurking in the dark, there are others intent on stopping Gabe from breaking his curse and dooming him to live as the beast forever.

I loved Gabe and Luna together both when they were butting heads and when they...weren't butting heads *smirks* Ms. Kemp managed to stir up some real and explosive chemistry between these two that gave their already dimensional characters even more depth and genuine feel. The supporting cast is great as well. From Michael to Elmo, and Devonshire and many others.

Don't even get me started on how much I love the butler, Devonshire! (DEVONSHIRE!)

If you liked Beauty and the Beast when you were younger and want to read a more "grown-up" version with some serious twists and turns then you should DEFINITELY pick up a copy of Beast Within.

Or have Devonshire fetch you a copy !
Profile Image for Jodie.
258 reviews45 followers
March 2, 2013
http://www.fabfunandtantalizingreads....

I'm just going to start off by saying this book was awesome!! I got into it on the first page and read it in one sitting!

The characters were fabulous, and there was no real information dump. Everything seemed to be discovered at the right times. One reveal at a time, one issue at a time. It reminded me a teeny tiny bit of Beauty and the Beast with a whole unique twist and a whole lot more steam & twists and turns.

"Isn't that what got you in trouble the first time? Not behaving?"
"No, I did exactly what I was told not to do. And it wasn't the first time I got into trouble."
"Oh, that's comforting." She lowered her voice and said, "My boyfriend is God's rebel child."


I loved Luna and her fiesty stubborn spirit, Gabe with his possessive and reassuring loving nature, Michael *LOVE!*, Devonshire, Mrs Stone and Cadie, what's not to love about Cadie? She had one of my favorite lines - "Holy Sh*t Snacks." She was hilarious!

"...I don't want to be privy to your howling again." Where was Elmo?
"I do not howl!"
"You howl. It's a wonder they finish."


We had a curse, movie stars, angels, wolves, voodoo, sword fighting and MORE! A wicked combination. A combination that had me literally on the edge of my seat, bed, toilet, whatever - you know what I mean! I both laughed and cried...and the sex? Steamy! Just my cup of tea :) These characters had me by the balls.

She tried to sit up, but every muscle in her body ached down to the bone. If sex with him was like that every time she was going to be as buff as Schwarzenegger.

Ms Clark weaved a tale that still has me thinking of them and wondering what's next for Michael, Gabe & Luna. The sucky thing about being lucky enough to review an arc? Having to wait even longer for the answers to the questions that are hanging around like moths to a light...Can't freakin wait!
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
February 11, 2013
It took me until chapter two to get into this book, but when I did I never wanted to let go! I seriously fell in love with Gabe and Luna, and how their first time talking was interesting, entertaining, and I loved it:
"Do you think it would be okay if..." She motioned to the bathroom.
He shrugged when he wanted to laugh. "Why not? It's just a toilet..."
Luna and her thoughts on some things got me laughing and panting at the same time, "Holy Mary mother of Jesus, she almost crossed herself. Each of his eight abdominal muscles was perfectly etched across his stomach. She couldn't look away. She didn't want to. How embarrassing.
"I worked hard for those."
I seriously couldn't help but laugh! The banter between the two of those two kill me as well,
"I will give him a ride too. He looks like he's ready to s*** himself."
"Well, that's what happens when you're such an a**hole."
There better be another book coming, there was to many unanswered questions in the end!
Profile Image for Kj Partridge.
103 reviews7 followers
July 2, 2013
This is a beautiful take on The Beauty and the Beast, I fell in love with this story and would recommend it to anyone over 18. I think I have just found yet another author to stalk, Tyffani Clark Kemp reeled me in as quick as a wink and I was hooked forever. Yep, the story is just that good! I would like to thank Tyffanni Clark Kemp for giving me this book to read and review, it was a fantastical read. I am not going to talk about the book, please go buy it, it is only .99, and become a fan yourself!!

Profile Image for Andi Plouffe.
190 reviews3 followers
December 13, 2015
Started great, then halfway through went to shit.

Kemp (author), couldn't even keep the story right, either.

First, he's a man whore, then he is afraid of sleeping with Luna because the last time he fucked many years ago... She died....
Then he is back to having a man-whore lifestyle ( even very recently).

Mhmm

Things happened oh-to-conveniently, and there were some need for a thesaurus.



*spoilers*

First, there was the whole man-beast (beauty and the beast style) and then hey, let's make him an angel too? Let's make the curse a punishment from God himself.

Let's have him be a rich, man -whore that drinks a lot (all sin), but have him jump down Luna's throat for saying gods name in vain.

Let's have have be an angel, actor, and where wolf as well.


Nope

Just like cooking, you can't just throw in whatever ingredients you find. They have to work well together and it can't be 'too much'.

Kemp shoved too much into one character, one story, and it got lame.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cole.
Author 5 books14 followers
October 6, 2020
I wanted this to be better.

No foreplay. Very Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde love interest.

Formatting needed help, third person omniscient jumped around too much with no chapter breaks and made it hard to follow.

Some minor grammatical errors, lacked mature depth to keep me fully engrossed. MC has emotional depth of a teenager. Irritating.

I guessed the ending about 35% into reading

That being said, I did finish reading it, which says something! I liked the twist on the basic beauty and the beast story, I liked that the MC was no damsel in distress!
Profile Image for Fab Fun & Tantalizing Reads.
566 reviews102 followers
March 4, 2014
http://www.fabfunandtantalizingreads....

I'm just going to start off by saying this book was awesome!! I got into it on the first page and read it in one sitting!

The characters were fabulous, and there was no real information dump. Everything seemed to be discovered at the right times. One reveal at a time, one issue at a time. It reminded me a teeny tiny bit of Beauty and the Beast with a whole unique twist and a whole lot more steam & twists and turns.

"Isn't that what got you in trouble the first time? Not behaving?"
"No, I did exactly what I was told not to do. And it wasn't the first time I got into trouble."
"Oh, that's comforting." She lowered her voice and said, "My boyfriend is God's rebel child."


I loved Luna and her fiesty stubborn spirit, Gabe with his possessive and reassuring loving nature, Michael *LOVE!*, Devonshire, Mrs Stone and Cadie, what's not to love about Cadie? She had one of my favorite lines - "Holy Sh*t Snacks." She was hilarious!

"...I don't want to be privy to your howling again." Where was Elmo?
"I do not howl!"
"You howl. It's a wonder they finish."


We had a curse, movie stars, angels, wolves, voodoo, sword fighting and MORE! A wicked combination. A combination that had me literally on the edge of my seat, bed, toilet, whatever - you know what I mean! I both laughed and cried...and the sex? Steamy! Just my cup of tea :) These characters had me by the balls.

She tried to sit up, but every muscle in her body ached down to the bone. If sex with him was like that every time she was going to be as buff as Schwarzenegger.

Ms Clark weaved a tale that still has me thinking of them and wondering what's next for Michael, Gabe & Luna. The sucky thing about being lucky enough to review an arc? Having to wait even longer for the answers to the questions that are hanging around like moths to a light...Can't freakin wait!
Profile Image for Ange from Cover to Cover Book Blog.
212 reviews12 followers
November 13, 2014
I have always loved Beauty and the Beast growing up in the Disney world. It is a tale as old as time but this book changes the tale with a twist that almost knocked me off of my seat! I loved this book. Gabe (the beast) is one you love to hate and hate to love. He is arrogant and bull headed. What good book boyfriend isn't though? Luna, I loved her. She's a strong and independent woman that won't simply lay down in Gabe's bed as others would have easily done.

I adored reading the tango that Gabe and Luna danced struggling against themselves for their desire for one another. Speaking of dancing, Luna is an amazing dancer with a katana in her hand. I could easily envision the scenes as they played out before me in words of Luna and Gabe with swords in their hands. She is by far no Belle but she is the beauty that Gabe needs to break his curse. Curse? Oh have I not mentioned that already? Sigh...

Gabe is cursed as is the Beast in the Disney version, but different. He has to only turn into the beast under a full moon. But time is quickly running out for our hot and tasty Gabe. His spell, as with Disney's Beast, can only be broken through love. SWOON!

The remaining characters are strong and intriguing. Luna's best friend makes you laugh. She fights to make Luna be a girlie girl and keeps pushing her into the arms of Gabe. Elmo, the jealous friend who wants to me more than friends, struggles in the back ground for Luna. Michael, I love him! He's funny and charming and loyal.

The sexy scenes in this book will make you pant! Gabe and Luna together is electric. I have never been so jealous of a chick in a book!

I won't give away the twist because you need to read this book! I'm serious. Buy it now and read it. Today!
Profile Image for Toni.
Author 4 books95 followers
July 25, 2013
Originally posted at My Book Addiction

Luna despises Gabriel, even though she’s never met him. He’s a celebrity and she feels disdain toward all celebrities, as she thinks they share one common distinguishing trait — they are all egotistical asshats. Her roommate Cadie, whom she met through a roommate service a few years prior, drags her to a party and it just so happens to be Gabe’s annual event. Gabe feels an immediate attraction to Luna, of course, and so the whirlwind begins. Gabe isn’t the typical celebrity Luna thought him to be, but is he better or worse than she anticipated? Luna is the one person who can change his course, but will she ever care enough?

Beast Within is a retelling of Beaty and the Beast with contemporary elements. I really wanted to enjoy this book, unfortunately it never captivated me. The premise had a huge amount of potential, and the characters strived to be engaging, but the execution was a bit lacking. From the very beginning the story felt one dimensional, almost mechanical. I really needed that depth of character to get sucked into the story, but it never quite got there for me. I did find myself chuckling here and there at the interaction between Luna and Gabe, and at times I was tempted to feel more. I just wish there would have been more complexity, more development of the characters.

I normally wouldn’t recommend a book that ranks two “stars” based on my personal opinion, but I happened to notice that several people gave it a shining review, so maybe I’m just the odd one out in this situation.
Profile Image for Debra.
343 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2016
It's always great when you pick up a book with no expectations and then get blown away. This was a wonderful mixture of the dark side of a shifter Beast Gabe, and the light that a woman can bring to the torchard soul, Luna. I loved her name. The development of the people in the story was wonderful. I really enjoyed the butler Devonshire,and Mrs Stone, Michael and of coarse Cadence and Elmo. They all bought such a variety of personalities and where such a huge part of making this book interesting.
Gabriel Slade a huge cold secretive man that has a country wrapped around his little finger and bored out of his brain with life and sick of fighting the beast within virtually hides at his own yearly party, until he sees the girl in the red fuck me boots.
Luna hiding out between the lowly party crowd outside the fence and the upper select party goers at the house, watches over the proceedings on the sand dunes. Unawares she catches the eye of the very man she never wants to meet. She loathes who he is and what he stands for.
I would recommend this book to all paranormal lovers, to any that enjoy fairy tales Beauty and the Beast with a huge twist, the darker side of the beast and his personality. Don't read this if you don't like lust sexual sexy sex between men and woman. Definitely read this if you love it when a man goes after what he wants that can show his true colours and bring roses.
Profile Image for Amber Jones.
374 reviews8 followers
August 20, 2015
I think Beauty and the Beast is a favorite of many of us, and we all wish we could find our own Prince although
preferably without having to go through the beast part. This is a wonderful spin on this tale, that has you
caught up in its so ell from the very first page and doesn't let you go until the final word, and while this is a
sort of happy for now you know there is more to come.
Loved the character of Luna, as heroine who can take care of herself doesn't pull any punches and lands an
awful lot of them, what's not to love, Gabe is a tortured soul and this comes through so well in the writing,
you feel for him and just like in the original you are willing them to fall in love. Never forget the importance
of the other characters and they all have their parts to play and they are wonderful. This breathes new life
into the story that never grows old and will hold your attention and have you wanting more.


This is a beautiful take on The Beauty and the Beast, I fell in love with this story and would recommend it to anyone

I adore Luna as a character.She is stubborn willful and does things her way the world be damned. She puts on a strong face but can sometimes be scared on this inside. Gabe oh boy at first I thought he was a spoiled pampered Hollywood stuck up child but he grew on me and proved me wrong.

5 stars
Profile Image for Sarah.
247 reviews32 followers
February 6, 2017
I downloaded this freebie about a year ago and suggested it recently to the paranormal book club I'm in. Our discussion night is coming up soon and I have to say that I wasn't that into it but I'm interested in hearing the perspective from my fellow book nerds.

At any rate, the story line was all right but was not enough to keep me captivated. It became too predictable for me and I found myself dreading my nightly reading time. One twist I did not see coming was Elmo (at the end). In truth, I thought, why did he even need to be anything other than what he was and who didn't think Cadence was walking away into trouble? Her demise was not surprising. The thing that turned me off completely from this book is that throughout the book, Gabriel Slade says, she has to say it without any prompting but at the end he says, "You have to say the words". In all fairness, if you like easy to read fluff, this would be a good choice for you. As for me, I will opt out of book 2.

I'm not completely opposed to reading another book by this author and have Blood and Shattered Glass on my TBR list.
Profile Image for Brittani - Midtown Underground.
40 reviews3 followers
February 21, 2014
A Treat for Fairy Tale Fans!!!

I was given this book in return for an honest review.

This is a modern day Beauty and the Beast fairy tale with a twist.

The story catches you right from the beginning. When we first meet Luna, she is in the middle of a sword fight. Yep, you read that right... a sword fight. Our lovely heroine isn't a damsel in distress, she can take care of herself. After a while, we realize that Luna has a deep seeded hate for Gabriel Slade, although we're not sure why.

Que Gabriel - a sexy actor with a commanding presence - although he may be a little growly at times. ;)
After meeting at a party, Gabriel realizes something big is happening and he just can't figure out what it is... meanwhile, Luna is fighting her attraction to him because of the hatred she carries around.

If you are a fairy tale lover, this is the book for you. I'm not saying you get the usual HEA, but you definitely will smile and laugh and possibly cry. This is an AMAZING twist on Beauty and the Beast. Definitely worth the money and the read. :)
Profile Image for Terri Sullivan.
165 reviews11 followers
March 3, 2014
*I was given this book by the Author for an honest review*

I am a very skeptical person, have a large mouth with no filter and am not really a 'fantasy' kind of girl. When I read some other reviews for Beast Within, I thought, great, a fairy tale... sure to bore me. Boy was I wrong!!! I absolutely loved this book.

The characters of this story are amazing. You want to love most of them, hate others. Luna Grace, who had a passion for swords, as her father made them and taught her how to use them. She also taught lessons. She went to a party at the local Hollywood hottie's house with her friend. There is where she met Gabriel, the 'hottie'. He isn't only hot, he has a deep dark secret.

What an incredible love story with twists and turns thrown in. Never a dull moment in this story. I definitely will be looking forward to reading more by Tyffani Clark Kemp!
Profile Image for Angie Peoples.
248 reviews3 followers
December 9, 2015
What an amazing arch angel meets beauty and the beast type paranormal suspense romance. The writing was amazing and fully developed; however, there were a few misspellings, typos, and grammatical errors that should have been caught by an editor. I'm still giving it five stars because the writing and plot were unique and fully developed. The characters were so incredible with Gabe as the beast/Fallen Arch Angel Gabrial and Luna Grace as his one and only true love with ninjaesque sword skills. The other characters were all unique and I can't wait to read more of this series to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Andreea Morariu.
87 reviews14 followers
June 13, 2016
The plot had great potential, but the series ended up a great failure. The story is pretty random and the action all over the place. The characters and the plot itself have no essence. Everything is superficial. Overall, the writer's style is lacking and the action has no proper development. It did not do it for me. After dragging myself through the first book, i tried the second one, with the hopes it will be better. My expectations were totally crushed....And I wasted precious time on something that left me frustrated and annoyed..no satisfaction whatsoever ...So...read at your own risk :D
891 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2016
Beast

Wow! Read it for free and turn around and bought the book. Looking forward to read the follow-up Beast Anew. Love Luna and her humor and the strong character that comes out when provoked. Makes her a formidable female to reckon with in a fight with swords . . .badass. The storyline tends to draw the reader in and hold your interest. Worthy read and new author for me so far so good. . .five stars up.



Profile Image for Izzy.
1,248 reviews629 followers
March 30, 2016
This book is unique. Not necessarily amazing or awful. I plan to read the next one to resolve the story.

It's a really unique retelling of a classic story with biblical additions.

I had some issues with behaviors from the characters being wishy washy which drives me nuts. Then the ending felt super rushed as far as the relationship goes.
25 reviews
September 4, 2016
Beauty and the beast with an amazing twist

This book exceeded my expectations. Beauty and the beast with a twist. It does need some minor spelling/grammar errors fixed, but they do not detract from the story. I'm ready for the next one!
Profile Image for Danielle Dyer.
20 reviews
March 1, 2018
Such a beautiful story

When I received a copy of this story I never imagined the beauty that's full of the excitement the fear the love the anger everything came to the surface with this book the friendship the camaraderie I fell in love with the characters I fell in love with the story and I can't wait for the next one I give it 5 stars there's nothing I have read lately out there that is like this book you will not be disappointed this is one great read and a new series to add to my collection
Profile Image for Jackie.
2,554 reviews
October 23, 2018
Horrendous editing/proof reading, it really pulled me out of the story. Also the ending was one of those bad cliff-hangers that make me choose not to continue with the series. It was an interesting take on Beauty & the Beast though. The heroine, Luna, irritated the hell out of me with her hot & cold attitude to Gabe. I never really warmed up to her at all. Gabe was the typical Beast character wrapped up in mystery & redemption. I felt there was a bunch of things that just made the story strange st times.
Profile Image for Aurora Moore.
31 reviews
December 30, 2022
Some parts are good

The concept is good, and I was really excited for, but some of the conversations are confusing with the characters jumping topics white explanation and no clear explanation of who's taking.
Also, some of the plot and background is overly complex. Like Gabe is some all powerful movie producer, but somehow he's in one of his own movies, which is a spy movie with pirates?
It just seems like the author had a lot of ideas and put them all in one book, instead of making them into different plots and filling out the details.
158 reviews6 followers
June 2, 2017
Beauty and the Beast re-told

An author's take on a classic fairy tale. Gabe notices Luna at a party and falls in love. She is "the one". Will he be able to make her love him?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but was a little disappointed towards the end , not with the story but with the use of profanity. The author uses profanity to enhance the love scenes which was totally unnecessary. This resulted in a 3 star rating and not the 5 I was going to give.
Profile Image for Kasey Mart-Fridley.
108 reviews8 followers
March 7, 2023
It was an okay read.
I liked the storyline.
But there were some parts I had to go back and reread because I was so lost on what was happening.

I was told it wad a beauty and the beast retelling and it didn't seem much like it to me.
I mean sure it had the beast. The library. The red rose. Locking her away.
But it wasn't the story I was hoping or looking for I guess.

Debating if I should read the 2nd one.
59 reviews
August 8, 2024
Fantastic first book of the series

I absolutely loved this book, it had so much going for it. For example , comedy, sadness, love, misunderstanding and so on. I loved the characters and their friends around them that added to the storyline.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and I would definitely recommend this book to those who love the above types of book.
215 reviews
April 11, 2020
A steamy retelling

Tiffany Clark Kemp has recreated a classic love story. This retelling is sexy, steamy and explosive between the two main characters. Luna is one badass chick and Gabriel is one hot as heaven beast.
Profile Image for Punkin.
983 reviews
October 3, 2020
Yay

This retelling stayed close to the disney one to a point. Some parts you read and flash to a memory of the disney movie. Others were interesting additions. Disappointed by the ending. Liked the twists.
172 reviews
October 11, 2022
DNF

Was it me, or was she extremely contrary for no reason? This was obviously supposed to be play on beauty and the beast, but eh. The MFC wasn’t likable, the MMC was a little too desperate. I don’t think I’ll finish, but you never know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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