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Fairy Tale Trilogy, The Kimball Family #1
The Gentle Beast
GIVE YOUR HEART TO THE GENTLE BEAST AND FOREVER SHARE LOVE'S SWEET FEAST ...
Raised amid bountiful wealth and enlightened ideas, Callista Raleigh was more than a match for the radicals, rakes, and reprobates who railed against England's King George III. Then a sudden reversal of fortune brought into her life a veritable brute who craved revenge against her family almost as much as he hungered for her kiss. And even though her passionate foe concealed his face behind a hideous mask, Callista believed he was merely a man, with a man's strengths and appetites.
But when the love-starved stranger swept her away to his secret lair, Callista realized that wits and reason weren't enough to conquer him --- she'd need a desire both satisfying and true if beauty were to tame the beast.
Raised amid bountiful wealth and enlightened ideas, Callista Raleigh was more than a match for the radicals, rakes, and reprobates who railed against England's King George III. Then a sudden reversal of fortune brought into her life a veritable brute who craved revenge against her family almost as much as he hungered for her kiss. And even though her passionate foe concealed his face behind a hideous mask, Callista believed he was merely a man, with a man's strengths and appetites.
But when the love-starved stranger swept her away to his secret lair, Callista realized that wits and reason weren't enough to conquer him --- she'd need a desire both satisfying and true if beauty were to tame the beast.
392 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 1996
6 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Shannon
19 books48 followerscolleen1011@gmail.com
Colleen Shannon's ancestor signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and her West Texas roots give her the optimistic yet inquiring viewpoint that she tries to reflect in her books. Believing in the redeeming power of love, the benefits of knowledge, with a bit of sprituality included, are the elements she most enjoys in books and that's what she tries to write. With a bit of humor thrown in for spice!
The strength of her first book for Berkley many years ago led to her nomination by Romantic Times as Best New Historical Author. She went on to win and/or be nominated for numerous other awards, including a Kiss Award for all three heroes of her Fairy Tale trilogy which she wrote for Dorchester Books.
She recently sold three Ranger series books to Lyrical Press. #16 Foster Justice debuted December 2014, and its stand alone sequel #17, Sinclair Justice, will be released in July 2015. The third series book will be released sometime in 2016, tentatively titled Austin Justice. They are her first published romantic suspense-- contemporaries about Texas Rangers.
Colleen Shannon's ancestor signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and her West Texas roots give her the optimistic yet inquiring viewpoint that she tries to reflect in her books. Believing in the redeeming power of love, the benefits of knowledge, with a bit of sprituality included, are the elements she most enjoys in books and that's what she tries to write. With a bit of humor thrown in for spice!
The strength of her first book for Berkley many years ago led to her nomination by Romantic Times as Best New Historical Author. She went on to win and/or be nominated for numerous other awards, including a Kiss Award for all three heroes of her Fairy Tale trilogy which she wrote for Dorchester Books.
She recently sold three Ranger series books to Lyrical Press. #16 Foster Justice debuted December 2014, and its stand alone sequel #17, Sinclair Justice, will be released in July 2015. The third series book will be released sometime in 2016, tentatively titled Austin Justice. They are her first published romantic suspense-- contemporaries about Texas Rangers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 28, 2017
First time reading this author I was pleased with the beginning. Then something happened. I almost didn't finish the book. I don't why but I was bored with the story and I couldn't connect with the heroes... So 2.5 stars would be.
March 29, 2013
A very good story that started with the character's wish to avenge what happened to his father and his life and had it all changed when he fell in love and started to look forward to a future. And the strong girl who once vowed to never fall in love again eventually began to understand her tormentor and had her heart stolen by his gentleness and his wish to make her happy.
And just like the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, I love this story best from all that I've read so far of Colleen Shannon's! It might not be very funny but it gave me a very good feeling and that's what's important, right? :)
And just like the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, I love this story best from all that I've read so far of Colleen Shannon's! It might not be very funny but it gave me a very good feeling and that's what's important, right? :)
June 12, 2025
A beauty and the beast tale
June 20, 2016
I do love the Beauty and the Beast story line. A sweet, feminine heroine and a grumpy, beastly hero that falls hard for his little lady. Well, this book did not do it for me. As much as this book referred to the hero as a dragon, or beast... he was anything but. Yes, I get it, the title is even called The GENTLE Beast. But for me, a gentle beast does not work for a Beauty and the Beast theme. He came across to me as weak. As for the heroine, she was reckless, irresponsible and wishy-washy. But most of all, I disliked the heroine's step-brother and step-father. A pair of losers that she tolerated even when they blew thru her inheritance. I made it to about page 100 and then realized that I did not care what happened to any of the characters.
September 12, 2016
Historical English romance with a masked rich guy and a noble young lady finding love.
Callista Raleigh is a smart heroine, but she falls for the stranger in the mask anyway. Lots of kissing and romance although we have two very reluctant lovers. HEA guaranteed.
I would have given this another star, except that I couldn't get past that fact that our hero wears a mask for 90% of the story, even after everyone knows he is the true heir. Callista has the worse step-father and a terrible half brother, who love her while being incredibly selfish!
No one is perfect in this story, lots of shades of shade because mostly everyone is terrible which is the best part of the story.
392 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Callista Raleigh is a smart heroine, but she falls for the stranger in the mask anyway. Lots of kissing and romance although we have two very reluctant lovers. HEA guaranteed.
I would have given this another star, except that I couldn't get past that fact that our hero wears a mask for 90% of the story, even after everyone knows he is the true heir. Callista has the worse step-father and a terrible half brother, who love her while being incredibly selfish!
No one is perfect in this story, lots of shades of shade because mostly everyone is terrible which is the best part of the story.
392 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
September 12, 2009
When I first started this book, I wasn't very interested in it. It took me until the second chapter to realize that maybe it wasn't so bad. The more I read of it, the more I realized it was a clever way to rewrite The Beauty and the Beast fable.
One problem I did have with it was that there was really no mystery to it. You know exactly who the "masked dragon" is right from the start, and it's a tad predictable.
Despite that, I enjoyed it enough to admit that I kind of liked it.
One problem I did have with it was that there was really no mystery to it. You know exactly who the "masked dragon" is right from the start, and it's a tad predictable.
Despite that, I enjoyed it enough to admit that I kind of liked it.
January 22, 2008
I couldn't put this book down. I just loved it. A nice twist on Beauty and the Beast for adults. I can't wait to find others in this 'series.'
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August 11, 2011I love Drake!!! He is so drak and handsome!!!! must read
March 21, 2016
Surprisingly good for a free read. If you like Beauty and the Beast retellings, this was enjoyable (a little predictable).
March 18, 2016
Lovely rendition of beauty and the beast story.
Good bit of historical detail. Loved use of lexicographer Dr Johnson as supporting character
Good bit of historical detail. Loved use of lexicographer Dr Johnson as supporting character
January 7, 2016
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews