The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest ~ Review

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest
A Medieval Fairy Tale
By Melanie Dickerson

She hunts so that the poor may eat, but poaching upon the lands of the margrave could cost her everything if she is caught.  But no one would ever suspect the niece of a wealthy merchant of poaching.

Jorgen Hartman has become the forester, a gamekeeper, for the margrave Lord Thornbeck.  He is determined to do his duty by the margrave and to bring in the poacher of whom he has found evidence.

Odette Menkels has captured the attention of Jorgen Hartman, but he is beneath her in status.  There is something about her that won't let him forget her.  But a forester has no hope of marrying a daughter of the merchant class, even if she seems taken with him as well.

But Odette has a secret that could destroy any feelings Jorgen has for her.  And Jorgen's determination to bring the poacher to justice could very well reveal her secret.  But Odette has been deceived.  Her efforts for the poor have been thwarted and when she discovers the truth she has a decision to make.

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is another delight from Melanie Dickerson.  There is a sweet charm within her books that just draws the reader into the story making it difficult to put down until the last page is turned.  For readers looking for an uplifting, clean read for the tweens and teens in their life this is one you;ll want to add to your library.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description

Swan Lake meets Robin Hood when the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant by day becomes the region's most notorious poacher by night, and falls in love with the gamekeeper.

Jorgen is the gamekeeper for the wealthy margrave, and he is in pursuit of the poacher who has been killing and stealing the margrave's game. When he meets the lovely and refined Odette at the festival and shares a connection during a dance, he has no idea that at night she is the one who has been poaching the margrave's game.

Odette is caught up in a ring of black market sellers of poached animals. She thinks the game is going to feed the poor, who are all but starving, both in the city and just outside its walls. However, most of the animals are being sold by the greedy leader of the ring-her stepfather. When Odette discovers what he is doing, she threatens to expose him, putting herself in great danger.

The gamekeeper finds her poaching one night and shoots her, wounding her. When he realizes who she is, he hides her to keep her from being executed by the margrave and also to protect her from her stepfather. Jorgen and Odette will band together to stop the black market poaching ring . . . as they fall in love. But what will the margrave do when he discovers his gamekeeper is protecting a notorious poacher?

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.