Review originally posted in November 2014 as a What To Read Wednesday post at Fiction Vixen by Angela.

A couple of weeks ago I featured Master of Crows on a WTRW post. I loved that book so much that I couldn’t wait to dive in and see what else this new to me author had to offer. I settled on her newest release, Entreat Me, a fantasy romance based on the Beauty and the Beast myth.

This is the story of a curse laid on a husband and son by a dying wife bent on revenge. During a period called the flux, the curse slowly turns these men into beasts. Ballard, the father, has been taking most of the curse upon himself in hopes that his son, Gavin, be spared enough to go out into the world and have some kind of life. Because of this he is confined to his dark, twisted castle, awaiting the time when he gives in fully to his beast side and must be put down.

Ciannia falls in love with Gavin and when she finds out her family is in desperate circumstances journeys with him to his ancestral home hoping he will help. Her older, protective sister Louvaen follows and they ultimately find themselves guests of the father and son. Each sister might be the answer to breaking the curse, if they can accept and love their men as they are in all their forms.

Truly, Grace Draven can write the hell out of a fantasy romance. Very character driven, her main protagonists come alive on the page. My very favorite thing about this book was the strength and fortitude of both of the sisters. Louvaen with her no-nonsense attitude and sensual embrace of the disfigured Ballard. Cinnia who Ms. Draven could have trapped in that secondary character role of being ridiculous and tiresome, instead proves herself as a smart, resourceful, loving woman. I can’t remember a time when I was more taken with the heroines in a romance.

The love scenes are sensual, the world-building and fantasy aspects well written and the characters vibrant. While a little slower paced than Master of Crows, I think this story endeared itself to me just as strongly.

Ms. Draven has a wonderful talent. I’m off to one-click her backlist.

Favorite Quote:

“I’d challenge gods and queens to make you mine, Ballard. Conquer a kingdom or two if necessary.”