The Beast of Beswick

Rapid-fire repartee and a struggle for self-acceptance underpin this playful, steamy Regency retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” from Howard (What a Scot Wants). Lady Astrid Everleigh is livid when she learns her greedy uncle intends to marry off her younger sister, Isobel, to the Earl of Beaumont, who destroyed Astrid’s reputation with a malicious rumor nearly a decade earlier. Powerless against her uncle’s decision, Astrid impulsively proposes marriage to reclusive Lord Thane Harte, known as the Beast of Beswick as much for his quick temper as for the grisly scars covering his body. Despite intense mutual attraction, both Astrid and Thane are convinced that they are unworthy of love because of the way society has shunned them. Their marriage of convenience presents a chance to both save Isobel’s future and to heal their own wounded hearts. Thane and Astrid are equals in their independent spirits, intelligence, and verbal dexterity, and their passion is off the charts. Readers will fall in love with this fresh twist on the fairy tale. Agent: Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown. (Dec.)