To Belguile a Beast has many plot lines I don't care for, but it's such a lovely story that I was more than forgiving.

The heroine, Helen Fitzwilliam, is a Duke's mistress who has fled her protector with her two children because she's tired of his lack of attention and care for their children. She flees to the estate of Sir Alistair Munroe, a naturalist who turned recluse after being seriously wounded in the war on the continent. Helen becomes his housekeeper and the passion between them ignites at the same time as Helen's old protector, the Duke of Lister, is hot on her trail and determined to claim her and her son and daughter once again.

I don't care for mistress heroines. I don't care for children in romance novels. I don't care for moody, reclusive heroes. Despite the fact that all those things are here, I LOVED this book.

The characters are what made it for me. Most heroes who are wounded as Alistair was turn to drink and loose women. Not so here. Alistair may have hidden himself away in a dirty castle, but he continues to work on his observations of plants and animals. He really tried to continue with his life despite the many things in his way and I thought he was the most worthy of heroes for that. Helen may have made a youthful indiscretion that lead to a life as a mistress, but she was a kind, compassionate woman who managed to win me over.

The relationship development between Alistair and Helen was wonderful. Since they lived in the same household, there was no chasing or tricks for either of them. They simply spent time together, did things together and slowly grew to love and admire each other. As Alistair becomes closer and closer to Helen and her children, he gradually begins to awaken to a new life. Alistair steps up as their protector and savior when dark forces threaten them because of the growing depth of his feelings. It was an emotional and thrilling journey to take.

To Beguile a Beast may have started with a lot of things I don't care for in a romance, but it slowly became everything I was looking for in one. Great characters, great plot and great relationship development made this one a keeper.

This book had me laughing, crying, flying through the pages, and left me with that warm and fuzzy feeling only a truly great romance story can.

Our heroine is fleeing London (an escaping mistress) with her 2 children and goes to a filthy castle in Scotland where she meets the tall, well built, but scarred (inside and out) 1 eyed hero.

The bits of fairy tale that start each chapter, the tension of the children's father hunting them down because they are his (as is she, his former mistress he won't let go), the 'beast' coming back to life after so many years shut away in solitude...

just holy wow and fantastic reading all around. The romance has time to build into lust and then love, the children and supporting characters are charming, and the pace is great. Elizabeth Hoyt has a way with story telling and words that had me flying through each page. I'm not a big historical fan, but I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

re-read potential for sure.

I never seem to tire of the old Beauty and the Beast plot lines. I'm not sure why, but I find it--and the Ugly Duckling stories-- to be redeeming in some way. Perhaps it is my innate distaste for the way modern society focuses on appearance, but I really enjoy it when one--or both--characters don't follow the 'they're so beautiful' mold.

This is the first book by Elizabeth Hoyt that I have read, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. She has a fresh approach to historical romance and her characters are well developed--from the servants to the heroes. Every single one of them is memorable.

I particularly enjoyed the fact that the heroine was a 'fallen' woman who didn't fit the 'perfect' heroine mold either.

To Beguile a Beast was a very satisfying book with an even more satisfying theme.

Hoyt is always wonderful, and this book is no exception. Helen Fitzwilliam, mistress of a duke, wants another chance at a life better than her current imprisoned existence. Alistair Munroe is hiding from life in a filthy castle. Because of his external scars, and her hidden ones, they both have trouble trusting but absolutely NO trouble with beginning a physical relationship that remains constant throughout the book, regardless of the challenges they face. This is not one of those books full of frustrating angst, yet maintains a "can't wait to turn the page" interest. Helen's children are special enough that I could see a couple wonderful stories in the future for them - especially Abigail, the 10 year-old daughter. At the book's end, you'll be feeling a sense of deep satisfaction (and maybe want to reach for your man!)

I am not going to go into details because I think previous reviewers have done that already. Suffice to say, I love this version of beauty and the beast - I felt it was the best of the the 'four soldiers' series. It may not have been an action-packed story but I loved the unfolding of the relationship and the final 'happy ever after' ending. Goes on my keepers shelf.

This is the 3rd book in The Legend of the Four Soldiers stories. I liked this one the best because I was drawn to Sir Alistar's character in the previous book. I felt that the characters this time around were most realistic. Although this one did not focus on the Spinner's Falls mystery as much as the previous ones, I was captivated by the love story. Great weekend read.

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Helen Halifax is astonished at the black looking castle looming before her. She has no choice but to go on with her plans, to turn back and go home to London is not an option for her or her two children. Hiding out in Scotland could be just what she needs; posing as a housekeeper sent by Lady Vale, Helen has no idea what lies in wait inside the dark castle. The man that answered the door is enough to send her running, scarred from being tortured in Spinners Falls, Sir Alistair Munroe, is to be her new master.

Alistair has no idea what to do with this woman, he tries to send her away, only to find she had been shopping in the town for supplies as well as hired servants. Being reclusive is what Sir Alistair is used to, but he soon finds himself attracted to the beauty posing as a housekeeper. His scars are not only on his face and hand, but he has built up a wall around his heart, a wall that is slowly crumbling. Even the children begin to make him feel as though all of this is right... but his stubbornness sets in and he believes he is not destined for a happy future with such a beauty for he only sees the scarred beast.

Helen must confess to Alistair her past, and Alistair must learn that he is more than what he believes himself to be.

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt is a beautifully written Romantic Historical that will keep you turning the pages well into the night. I love her descriptions of the characters, the scenery, and the story of the Truth Teller. Also, I loved the fact that her male character, Alistair, wasn't perfect... he was scarred and missing some fingers, but had a heart and persona that any woman would fall in love with. Ms. Hoyt is a very talented lady, that is for sure. 5 Hearts

Beautiful Helen Fitzwilliam escapes London with her two young children and heads to Lord Alistair Munroe's castle in Scotland. Armed with a letter from Lady Vale but knowing little about Alistair, Helen Fitzwilliam arrives in the middle of night and introduces herself as the new housekeeper. From the start, Helen wonders whether she's made the right decision. The castle is filthy, neglected, and without servants. Alistair is gruff, irritable and horribly scarred, but this may be the safest place for them to hide, so Helen sets about learning to keep house and make herself indispensable. Though Alistair seems scarred and irritable, she starts to notice his patience, kindness, and tall lean body.

Reclusive Alistair Munroe is puzzled by Helen Fitzwilliam and her children. Helen is too beautiful and well dressed to be a housekeeper, though she might be a member of the ton on a dare. Her horror at his scars convinced him that she hadn't known about him or his history. He had gotten used to avoiding human contact and wasn't looking forward to having to see the horrified looks of these newcomers. When he inadvertently learns that Helen is hiding from someone, he takes sympathy and welcomes them to his home.

Meanwhile, Helen's lover is determined to find her and teach her never to run from him again.

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed To Beguile A Beast. It's a light romantic read with just the right mix of suspense, romance, and humor. I liked Helen and her children. The children and their interaction with Alistair Munroe added another dimension to the story.

If you're looking for a historical romance and a quick read, I recommend giving Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile A Beast a read.

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy-tale, so perhaps my expectations were unreasonably high for this entry in what has been an excellent series. It's the first time I've given Elizabeth Hoyt less than 5 stars, but this book seemed a little flat to me. Still very good, certainly much better than most of what's out there, but not quite up to the level of her previous books.

Unlike other couples in The Legend of the Four Soldiers and Hoyt's Prince trilogy, Helen and Alistair are not particularly dynamic or well-rounded. Alistair's scars make him unique, not his personality. And Helen is just a bit... insipid. She overcomes any qualms about Alistair's infirmities rather quickly, even when the two become intmate. This is supposed to demonstrate Helen's love and goodness, I'm sure. Maybe I'm just a giant meanie, but it seems like it's one thing to become VISUALLY accustomed to Alistair's injuries and another thing entirely to become emotionally & physically intimate with him. If his scars were so easy for Helen to so quickly ignore, would Alistair be such an outcast? But his injuries never really faze Helen, which is a disappointment for me, because I think that is the poignant and compelling heart of the Beauty and the Beast story--gradually learning to look beyond appearances, differences, assumptions.

All in all, another high quality novel from Elizabeth Hoyt, and I'm looking forward to the last book in the series.

This was not a suspense murder romance mystery and if that's what you like in your HRs, maybe you should pass on this one. However, if you love a true love story, this is a must read. I could not put this down and I loved all of the characters, including the children. Other reviews have criticized the characters as one-dimensional, but I couldn't disagree more. I felt deeply for both the hero and the heroine and the children as well.

I have read other books by this author and judged them as just fair so I went into this one not knowing what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it as a must read, especially if you're reading the series. This is by far my favorite book by Hoyt and I'm so glad I decided to read it. I did like having known the background of the characters from the previous story. 4.5

I always enjoy Elizabeth Hoyt - her characters are interesting and very human as someone else pointed out - they have flaws and personalities. No one is perfect in her books. I also enjoy the intertwined 'fairy tales' as a second thread through the novel and a second story all its own. I tore through this book avidly - and think that most Elizabeth Hoyt fans should enjoy this book as well.

Sizzling love scenes, great story lines, semi mystery. My favorite book of the series. Really got into Alistair's and Helen's story. End was predictable but this was still a great read.