The Virgin and the Beast (Stud Ranch Standalone Book 1)

This book was a very spicy twist on a classic story and I thought that the author did a great job writing the characters in a new and interesting way.

ebook/audiobook - narrator Shea Hart The Virgin and the Beast is the first book in the Stud Ranch Series. I believe this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. This is Xavier (the beast) and Melanie’s (the beauty) story. I loved read/listened to their story. Shea Hart the narrator is new to me. I haven’t heard of her before. She did an amazing job. I really like how she voiced Melanie’s part. I am spoiled now because of duet or even full cast readings now so I still prefer when the author has at the very least a male and a female narrator but this was very good. I enjoyed reading Melanie and Xavier’s story. Xavier was pretty extreme in the beginning but you find out why and their story was great. I know I will be reading more from the Stud Ranch series!

This was a deviation from my usual genre but it was interesting. I loved the Wyoming setting and the horses. The characters were engaging.

I will give this book 3 stars because it was a decent read I managed to finish without skimming through. However Mel really irritated me for the better half of the book, she was so dern frustrating I wanted to smack her a couple times. Her father was looking at several lifetime sentences for fraud deceiving people into getting their money or something like that, Mel had just been fired from her job because of her father and she was approached by a man with an opportunity to save her father from jail time. In the contract her father would be set up somewhere he could live out his remaining days peacefully, all she had to do was be with his client and provide him with an heir one years commitment. Instead of going over that contract with a fine tooth comb Mel just gives in and signs, both Mel and her father are immediately taken away their faces were covered so they couldn't see where they were going and her father was drugged so he didn't cause any problems. Due to the way she was abruptly separated from her father Mel was automatically in freak out mode screaming this is Kidnapping! No honey it wasn't kidnapping you agreed now it's time to pay the piper, everything that happened after she reached Xavier's home was ridiculous she acted like a spoiled brat because she was ignorant to think this would be so simple. I read the 1 star reviews and I was blown away by the really harsh reviews. Yes he treated Mel pretty rough but I have read much much worse! This book was decent it wasn't something I would read again and again but I don't think she deserved the hate filled reviews. Anyways for those that are so very sensitive to Dark Romances for example: humiliation, spankings, Master/Slave, BDSM, D/S, heck I can keep going and going if any of this causes u to squirm I wouldn't recommend this book for you.

Stasia Black is an incredible storyteller. The author takes a plot to extremes by weaving reality within all the what if’s life offers. In this obsessive read a woman in turmoil of life and death odds is rescued. Her rescuer enslaves her. Yet, those are just plot points leading to a story that unravels human tragedy and triumph. It’s a must read.

This story is a dark romance that starts a series around a horse rescue farm in Wyoming. It is a dark romance with adult themes including adult language throughout, steamy intimate scenes and references to violence. This also alludes to several issues that could be a trigger or offensive to some. This includes consensual/ non-consensual acts, elements of B D S M, Dominate / submissive roles, etc., so reader discretion is advised. There are a few other elements that I am afraid to list because I don’t want to accidentally provide any spoilers. This is not an easy read from a content standpoint, but to me that is kind of the point to a darker romance. I struggled with how Melanie was treated for the majority of the story by Xavier. I was able to get immersed in the story fairly easily despite the subject matter. After they actually communicate towards the end of the story, it is easier to understand why things were the way they were. I highly recommend this story for anyone who would rather read a story with an emotional plot, rather than non-stop action and intrigue. I will definitely read this story again. The only thing I missed was Xavier’s POV, which would have pushed this to the next level for me.

I love this book. I don’t care what anyone says about it. Beauty and the Beast vibes, Dom Master relationship, Virgin Fmc

I am a hard headed city girl but I found the more real setting for this book a breath of fresh air. Both the characters and the plot were well developed. I haven't read romance novels in decades. This was a good re-introduction. I will read more from this writer.

Now this is a fairytale with a difference... Melanie is a ball busting business woman on the up but her life because of her father’s business scandal is falling apart. She loses her job and is on the verge of losing her apartment and her father is going to jail, but when a mysterious stranger gives her a deal to save her father but with the catch she has to give up 1 year of her life to a stranger so that they can have a child she reluctantly takes it. She finds herself on a horse ranch in the middle of nowhere and as a city girl she has to adjust but on top of that her fathers saviours an ex soldier who is a dominant with trust issues. This is a dark romance with problems of modern day issues and a happy ending that makes you gush with happiness for the characters... very enjoyable read.

I had so much fun reading this book nonstop. The book right from the start grips you firmly in its grip and doesn't let go. The author's writing kept me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what happens next, how does Mel handles things. I sorta hated Xavier at times and I just can't believe how she's made me fall for him. I really didn't want this book to end. Loved loved this one.💟

Leuk verhaal om te lezen. Je wit graag doorlezen om te weten waar dit verhaal naar toe gaat. Leuke personages.

Literally and figuratively, "don't judge a book by its cover" is a fitting saying for this story-line because Xavier isn't just a man hiding in the shadows from society from himself because of his (not telling) but also because of the demons he struggles with daily. His absolute need for controlling every aspect of his life forces him to acquire a woman for procreation, choosing Melanie (a 21st century, a hard-working woman determined to make it in a man's world -her words) to no only bare his child but Xavier needs to "break" her independence in order for him to keep her safe. This story is a heart-wrenching, mind-exploding, a sexually charged love story that deserves to be read. (As a bonus, you get two other stories as well.)

For only 99p I didn’t expect much but I had a laugh reading this! The feisty female character really added to the story in ways that made it all that more enjoyable and it was hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, the story truly is worth the read for anyone. Lots of spice but also that good storyline.