Feathered Thief ~ Release Day

Feathered Thief

All That Glitters

By J.M. Stengl

This book was a delightful retelling that featured to young people who developed a bond and were to marry. But then something happened and all seems lost as the kingdom falls beneath a curse.

Princess Helena isn't like the other princesses. No she longs for adventure and outdoor activities. And somehow the prince she despised has feelings for HER! Even more extraordinary he likes her for who she is and not for forcing herself into a version of herself dictated to by expectations.

I really enjoyed this retelling of The Golden Bird. The characters were fun to get to know and I really liked Helena and Kazik. Helena reminded of Meriada from Brave, the Disney animated movie.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. 

About the Book:

A bungled curse divides childhood sweethearts, a bird steals priceless apples, and one brave maiden hunts down her past. Can Lenka remember her prince in time?

Young Princess Helena of Żyrardów despises her tormentor, Prince Kazik of Ostrów, until the day she realizes the boy actually likes her and friendship blossoms. In time, their royal parents arrange a betrothal, but first the princess vanishes, then the prince, and the entire region falls under a strange curse.

Five years later, a girl known as Lenka the Archer tends a lonely golden-apple tree and wonders who she really is. Serving in the King of Trinec’s magical garden is a worthy position, but how did she and the tree come to be there? When golden apples go missing and the king’s two sons fail to identify the thief, the task falls on Lenka, who surprises a golden bird in the act. Instead of shooting it, she receives from the bird one golden feather and cryptic guidance.

The princes go in search of the elusive bird but vanish. So, at the king’s order, Lenka must bring back the golden bird, the apples it stole, and the two missing princes. While disguised as a man and guided by a talking fox, Lenka takes on multiple challenges and finds friends in unexpected places, but nothing goes as planned.

Will the stolen princess find her true self and her beloved prince? Can they rescue their land from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?

Feathered Thief is a no-spice magical quest of love and loss, betrayal, lovable golden treasures, a snooty animal guide, and a romantic happily-ever-after.

In All That Glitters, fairytales clash with forbidden love, quests glitter with danger, and swoon-worthy rewards incite every risk. Magic is deadly, love can be costly, and not all that glitters is gold. Featuring twelve captivating tales of forbidden romance, high-stakes adventure, and no-spice swoon, this series turns every fairytale on its crown, revealing that treasure isn’t always golden or glittery…sometimes it’s something far better.

Lilac ~ Review

Lilac: A Plain Princess Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales

By Madisyn Carlin

No matter what she does, Princess Ivelisse Shenden is a disappointment to her parents. Somehow, she's managed to drive away every prince that has come seeking her hand. Now she is being sent away to a remote cabin in the woods. What's worse she is being guarded by a less than thrilled spy, not that she's supposed to know that he is a spy.

Cage Nior tried to prevent the King and Queen from chosing his aunt to guide and help Ivelisse find herself away from the pressures of court. There is just one thing wrong with this plan, well maybe more than one, Ivelisse is not suited for working and living as a peasant.

When it becomes apparent that danger is encircling them Cage and Ivelisse must learn to trust one another if they hope to survive the evil that has found them.

This was a delightful story that took elements from The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood to create a unique and engaging story of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Truly lovely and not to be missed.

FYI: This book is in the same storyworld as A Noble Protector and several of the characters make an appearance in Lilac. But it is not necessary to read A Noble Protector first to enjoy this book. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She's a spoiled princess. He's a spy unknowingly protecting a deadly secret.

Spy Cage Nior is used to lurking in the shadows. What he's not used to is being called out of a mission and sent to babysit a withdrawn princess who has no idea how to smile or survive outside the palace walls. He expects the three months to pass in tedious dullness, but what he instead finds is danger and secrets.

Princess Ivelisse Shenden is used to hiding in the shadows, ignored by most and gossiped about by all. She's also used to rejection, and it's after her tenth courtship rejection that she finds herself shipped off to a humble hovel in the middle of nowhere. She expects drudgery and toil, but what she finds is danger and something she's long forgotten about---her purpose in life.

The quaint cottage may be surrounded by idyllic woods and fragrant lilac bushes, but sinister intentions shift in the shadows. If Cage and Ivelisse are to survive, they must learn to not only trust themselves, but each other.

Lilac is a combined Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling of The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood and features tropes such as forced proximity, slow burn, and royalty x commoner.

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order.

These Lying Dreams ~ Review

These Lying Dreams: A 1920s Sleeping Beauty Retelling

The Rose Heist Tales: Prequel

By Emma Donovan

Welcome to Bite-Sized Books! A quick read that delighted my senses. I loved the hints at Sleeping Beauty and the Gothic-vibes the story gave off. Not super scary just a tantalizing whisper that passes through, like a glimpse of something out of the side of one's eye.

Evelina Fairchild hears something that troubles her, but fearing that she will not be believed, sends a letter to her solicitor. Not-so-long story short, the solicitor sends David Peregrine in his place. But things just seem off to David, so he decides to nosy about to figure things out.

Soon, he discovers just how dangerous this crumbling estate really is. I loved this book and hope for more from this new-to-me author. This was a clean read that offered just enough mystery to keep my attention while providing a story short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A mysterious letter brought David Peregrine to the home of a reclusive client, former concert pianist Evelina Fairchild. But once he arrives, Evelina has only lies to tell, and her home seems less a refuge than a prison.

The more he investigates, the deeper he's drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can't sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.

Interview with Jessica A Tanner

Today, I am sharing a fun interview with Jessica A. Turner, the author of the recently released Peaflower. 

Jessica, thank you for taking the time to give us a glimpse into you and your writing.

1) Who is your favorite comfort read author?

Hmm. Clive Cussler. He’s not a fantasy author – more an adventure one. I really like his Isaac Bell adventures—solving crimes, catching bad guys, traveling the US or the world during the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s.


2) What do you most like about this genre that you are writing in?

The genre I am writing in allows me to take old ideas and turn them on their heads. To help people see life from a new perspective. To sprinkle a little magic on the everyday. To inspire. And maybe share a laugh or two!


3) Who, past or present, is one author you would like to mentor you?

I’d like one more sit-down session with my friend and mentor, Linda Farmer Harris. She wrote many stories—one of my favorites is a novella, The Lye Water Bride, in The California Gold Rush: Romance Collection from Barbour Publishing. And she wrote with heart—drawing readers into a memorable tale while sharing her faith.



4) How do you develop your setting (a photo, a trip, a random comment)?

I just start writing and let the world unfurl as the characters interacts with it. Once I have the basic idea, I fill in a few details so readers can better get a feel of what I see in my imagination.


5) If you could share a cup of tea (or coffee) with anyone, who would it be?

I’d like to share a cup or two of hot cocoa with my grandparents. It was super fun when we’d make up mugs of hot cocoa and squirt whip cream on each other’s cups. I miss them.



6) Do you have a favorite author that you would recommend?

I have more than one. Jaime Jo Wright—her time split novels keep me turning the pages and her ability to describe a scene or a mood is stellar, but sometimes they feel a bit dark even though I know the light will win. Clive Cussler—especially his Isaac Bell adventures. Debbie Macomber—her stories featuring the angels and their antics around Christmas time are heartwarming and hilarious!


7) What one book would you recommend that everyone read?

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackey.


8) Who is your favorite character in your book?

Depends on which book. With Sonji, it’s Sonji. With Peaflower, it’s Princess Marion’s pet rat Cleevy.


9) Should I read Peaflower in conjunction with any of your other books, or is it a standalone title?

Peaflower is a standalone. I’m hoping to tell a few more stories in the same story world, but plan for them too to be standalones.


10) What did you most enjoy when writing Peaflower?

Cleevy’s opinion on everything and everybody.


11) Is there a specific line or scene from Peaflower that you feel directed the story in a specific direction? If it had not been in the story, would everything have changed?

This may sound silly—but if Prince Rupert hadn’t thrown Princess Marion into a pond when they were kids, it could have changed the story. She needed to be able to be mad at someone, EVEN if that someone wasn’t the real root of her current troubles.


12) Did you learn anything about peaflowers while writing this book?

I did. Peaflowers often stand for delicate beauty.



13) What one question would you like to be asked, and how would you answer it?

Here’s the question: So many of your reading suggestions and favorite authors are not part of the fantasy or fairytale genre or even YA fiction, how did you get into writing what you do?

And here is the answer: I enjoyed fantasy and fairytales as a kid, but what I found in the YA department turned me off. I jumped into the adult section, but those genres for adults often took dark turns that scared me. I wanted something that gave me the feels of a middle-grade fantasy, but starred people my own age—people who weren’t sucked into evil or caught up in some sort of love triangle. I wanted adventure and healthy relationships (not just romantic ones!) and good triumphing over evil. So, I started writing it.

Again, thank you, Jessica, for allowing us a glimpse into your book life!


About the Book:

Her kingdom is under attack. His brother is her betrothed.

Princess Marion Thornhill and her lady-in-waiting Emma flee their kingdom of Brecker with the hope of reaching the princess’s betrothed and garnering help against attacking forces. But along the way, Emma reveals her true loyalties. Left stranded in the woods during a spring storm, Marion crosses paths with her betrothed’s brother Rupert, a prince cursed by an angered fairy. Rupert helps Marion - but can they get help for Brecker before it’s too late? And what about their entangled hearts?

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony-sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent, and they can be read in any order. Peaflower is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea featuring tropes such as an evil lady-in-waiting and a princess with an animal sidekick.

Check out my review of Peaflower at the following link: https://bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2025/05/peaflower-review.html

Peaflower ~ Review

Peaflower: A Princess and the Pea Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales Book

By Jessica A. Tanner

Princess Marion Thornhill is forced to flee when her kingdom is attacked. She, her lady-in-waiting, and guards are sent to ask for aid from Princess Marion's betrothed. But surprises await Marion, starting with a betrayal. Thank goodness, Marion has Cleeevy, her loyal pet rat, to keep her company and assist her as she struggles to survive the evil plots of those who turned on her. When she unexpectedly crosses paths with Prince Rupert, her betrothed's younger brother, he helps her as much as his curse allows. But can they find a way to overcome curses and betrayals to find a happily-ever-after?

Peaflower is A Princess and the Pea retelling, but the further one gets into the pages of this book, the more nods there are to other fairy tales. Then there is Cleevy, who is a significant character throughout this book. We get to hear his thoughts and see his heroic personality in action. This is a charming read featuring a dangerous adversary or two who aim to bring down Marion and the Kingdom of Becker. Truly dastardly doings that need a furry hero to step up and thwart them.

I love Cleevy and wish all rats could be so helpful. This was a fun read, and I thoroughly enjoyed this truly unique retelling and mash-up of fairy tales. A few of the fairy tales I noted were Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a world I would love to visit again. There were several characters whose lives I would love to explore further.

About the Book:

Her kingdom is under attack. His brother is her betrothed.

Princess Marion Thornhill and her lady-in-waiting Emma flee their kingdom of Brecker with the hope of reaching the princess’s betrothed and garnering help against attacking forces. But along the way, Emma reveals her true loyalties. Left stranded in the woods during a spring storm, Marion crosses paths with her betrothed’s brother Rupert, a prince cursed by an angered fairy. Rupert helps Marion - but can they get help for Brecker before it’s too late? And what about their entangled hearts?

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent, and they can be read in any order. Peaflower is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea featuring tropes such as an evil lady-in-waiting and a princess with an animal sidekick. 

Want to learn more about the author Jessica A. Tanner? Check out my recent interview with Jessica at the following link: https://bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2025/05/interview-with-jessica-turner-author-of.html    

Snapdragon ~ Review

Snapdragon: A Thumbelina Retelling

A Garden of Fairytales

By Sarah Beran

Percy loves flowers and working in her mother's flower shop is the perfect way to spend her days. It's a life she loves and can't see herself doing anything else.

When Percy's mother hints at romance, she just doesn't see it happening when the men who show up in the flower shop already have sweethearts or wives. Nope not happening, and her walk with a old friend goes so bad. But when a stranger forces her into a strange world, a world that is dying, Percy is at a loss as to figure out why. He keeps saying he's taking her home. Right, mmhmm. 

And then there is a Lord of Death (aka Hayes) and an underground community. Well, if three individuals can make a community, that is. Trapped in this Fairy Realm, Percy doesn't know how she'll ever return home. She misses her mother and her flowers.

This was an enjoyable story. There is a bit of violence and kidnapping which is where the Hades and Persephone retelling comes in. Then there is Hayes who is paying the price to keep the dying world alive. And then there are the secrets, lots of secrets which have a big bearing on the entire story. 

About the Book:

A spunky florist. A dying kingdom. A bond that could change the fate of a realm.

Persephina’s idea of a perfect future has always involved exactly two things: her mother and their little flower shop. Sure, marriage would be nice, but it’s hard to find love when the only men Percy meets are there to buy flowers for their sweethearts…until a mysterious, handsome stranger shows up in her shop.

But all is not as it seems, and when an innocent walk goes disastrously wrong, Percy finds herself in a whole new realm of trouble.

Literally.

Trapped in the dying Fairy Realm, Percy is left with no choice but to seek help from the so-called Lord of Death. Just when it looks like a future is going to blossom, however, secrets come to light that could change everything.

Because fairy princes are not all that they seem.

And in the end, death comes for all.

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order. “Snapdragon” is a combined retelling of Thumbelina and Hades and Persephone, featuring tropes such as Found Family, Grumpy/Sunshine, and Hidden Identity. 

Daylily ~ Review

Daylily: A Snow White Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales

By Madeline Kersberger

Daylily is the princess of Blumen who spends much of her time among the castle's gardens. She has skills with a needle and has her looks to recommend her. But she knows she has little to offer besides her beauty, and her stepmother has decided the best way she can serve her country is by marrying as soon as possible. The first potential suitor is tolerable and, with time, could prove to be something more.

When tragedy strikes and Lily is forced to flee, she is forced to become someone with more substance. She must find a strength she never knew she possessed to survive and reclaim her rightful place. With a small contingent of loyal servants and soldiers willing to protect and give their lives for her, she must fight for what is hers.

I really enjoyed the first release in the Garden of Fairy Tales collection, which retold Snow White. The writing was engaging, and the characters came to life throughout. I recommend this book for tweens/teens and up. Overall, this is a clean read with some violence because battles are never friendly. I loved seeing Lily's growth and would love to step into this world again if given the opportunity. 

About the Book:

Amid tragedy and betrayal, will Daylily find her true worth?

Daylily, the undeniably beautiful princess of Blumen, is unprepared when her family is betrayed. Finding herself thrust into a role she never expected to take, Lily must dig beyond the beauty she was taught to treasure and find the strength to meet the challenges she faces.

Release Day! Golden Lotus is Now Available

It's Release Day!

 Golden lotus is now Available!

eBook cover

Hardcover

Paperback and Large Print editions coming soon!

She can never leave her home.
He must battle a forever winter to save her.

Years ago, Mala sacrificed everything, including her freedom, to become the guardian of a concealed glen and the golden lotus sheltered within its spring. Confined to this concealed glen, she is isolated from the outside world until someone breaches its boundaries.

Abandoned by his mother, Thorn found a sense of belonging in his grandmother's loving embrace and his friendship with Mala. A friendship that can only be experienced while he sleeps.

A forgotten evil, driven by jealousy, seeks to take over the world by attacking the spring and unleashing an unending winter on everyone. Standing in the path of this evil is Mala, who has no idea of the danger she is facing.

Now Thorn's unique bond with Mala might be the world's last hope for survival. But in this race against time, he must face winter's raging elements. Can he break Winter's deadly grip, saving the woman he loves, and enable a rebirth only Spring can bring?

Golden Lotus is a combined retelling featuring tropes such as good vs. evil, the chosen one, the hero's journey, perilous quest, self-sacrifice, friends-to-lovers, and the power of love.

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and can be read in any order.

Golden Lotus, an origin story of the House of Sorah, is set in the same world as Arabella's Song but hundreds of years earlier. It can be read as a standalone title.

Available on Amazon!

Click here to buy it on Amazon

Golden Lotus - Full Hardcover Wrap Revealed

 I have the full cover wrap for the Golden Lotus 

Hardcover Special Edition to share.

The Special Edition is publishing on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Extra chapters and more in this book.

If you are a digital fan the ebook is still available at a reduced preorder price.

The eBook releases on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Preorder and start reading on Friday.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DQM5K88W?

Enchanting Thorns ~ Review

Enchanting Thorns: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling
Fairy Tales of Gallia #2
By Ashley Evercott

All Brie wants to do is prove herself to her family. Yeah, that doesn't happen, instead she discovers dangerous dark thorns consuming her world. But as the only human being to see the deadly darkness encroaching on her family's farm, she has zero credibility in her family's eyes. Then she learns that a curse is bleeding through from the fae world into hers. To save those she loves, she must break the curse.

 

Kiss the prince, break the curse, sounds easy, right? Yeah, not so much. All it does is wake Roran, a grumpy prince, who is put out that a human woke him. And now he is stuck with her, and she's trapped in the fae realm. Somehow the prince woke up, but the rest of the fae are still trapped in the curse and the portal between the realms is closed. 

 

These two, Brie and Roran must break the curse and maybe learn to work together. After a less than perfect first meeting that found these two more likely to argue than work on finding a cure for the curse. This is an original take on Sleeping Beauty.  A fun and imaginative story that won't be mistaken for the original Disney movie.  Join Brie and Roran as they step into the unknown to save their realms and those most dear to them.    

 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

About the Book:

A Kiss to Wake a Fae Prince, 

A Curse to Destroy the Realms

Brie has always been able to sense malicious auras, and when shadowy thorns consume the forest, she’s horrified to learn that no one else can see the danger threatening her home. Desperate for answers, Brie is summoned by an Enchanter, who reveals she is the only one to save the human world by breaking the spell of a sleeping fae prince–with a kiss.

Roran dreaded the day he would fall under his curse, knowing he would be bound in marriage to whoever woke him. However, nothing prepares him for a human stranger to kiss him awake, and to make matters worse, his entire kingdom is still trapped under the sleeping enchantment. Now bound to Brie, they must embark on a journey to track down the witch responsible for the curse.

Together, they face perilous dangers and unexpectedly find themselves drawn to each other through mysterious dreams. But if they don’t learn to trust one another, the curse will unravel their worlds like a waking nightmare.

Enchanting Thorns is a new adult Sleeping Beauty retelling and book two of the Fairy Tales of Gallia series. Although this story is set hundreds of years before book one, each book is a standalone novel within the same world. Perfect for readers who enjoy no-spice romance, slow burn, magic, and a cupful of angst. Happily ever after, guaranteed.

 

A Noble Friend ~ Review

A Noble Friend

Cornerstone #15

By Kendra E. Ardnek

Joah was abandoned when he was 7 years old. When he was first left on the Rowanshaw doorstep, Joah was raised as if he were a sibling to Charles, Anton, and Aloise. But once the brothers were sent away to school, Joah discovered his true place within the family: that of a servant. 

Since that time, he has devoted his life to being there for Lady Aloise Rowanshaw. However, the time has come for Aloise to get married. When Joah is assigned as her personal guard, the dynamics of their relationship shift once again. 

Joah is to be a silent sentinel, ready to give his life if need be, but never to address Aloise. There is just one little problem, Aloise asks him to share his insights on her potential suitors. Yes, that works so well when Aloise is instantly smitten with a suitor, whom Joah names Bluebeard.

This is when the Bluebeard retelling really becomes apparent. Overall, it is a good story. The more gruesome aspects of the original fairytale are omitted from the story, making it suitable for teen readers.

I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the Book:

He'll follow her to the ends of the earth, even as she marries another. But what happens when her husband proves to be a monster?

A Noble Friend is a New Adult Christian fantasy retelling of Bluebeard. 

Book #15 in the Cornerstone Series.

Rosalyn and the Wolf ~ Review

Rosalyn and the Wolf: A Regency Retelling
Once in a Wood #2
By Sienna Peake

This is a sweet Little Red Riding Hood-inspired retelling within a Regency setting. Rosalyn Lennox is expected to marry well. Her parents favor a certain young man, but Rosalyn isn't so sure. In their youth, George Foster was a bully and was best avoided. He has changed, maybe.

Four years ago, Jasper Wooldridge was sent away to join the navy. But the time has left a darkness in his being. Only when he spends time with his childhood friend does the darkness lift. Rosalyn brings back some of the lightness of his youth, but he fears the duties of war have made him unsuitable to pursue her hand. With her parents partial to his childhood nemesis, he knows he cannot win her heart. 

This book has elements from the original fairy tale but presents them in such a way that this story is original. This was an easy read and one that can be enjoyed over a weekend. There are a few tense scenes but nothing to take away from the sweet, clean aspects of the rest of the book. This is a friends-to-something-more, feel-good read that is appropriate for tweens and up, in my opinion. It's less scary than the original tale!

I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

What if the wolf wasn't the problem?
Rosalyn Lennox wants nothing more than to please her parents and stay close to home until her childhood friend returns from the navy and makes her question everything she thought she needed in a match.

Jasper Wooldridge is back after four long years at sea, scarred by the realities of warfare and hoping only for a bit of respite until he reconnects with his dearest childhood friend and begins hoping for more.

When an unwanted proposal and a call back to sea interrupt their reunion, will Rosalyn and Jasper find a way to come together?


Rosalyn and the Wolf is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. It is the second book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. The books in the series may be enjoyed in any order.


Once in a Wood series--Where fairy tale forests meet Regency romance

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

Guinevere and the Three Brothers - inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

Cover Reveal for Golden Lotus

 Today, I'm thrilled to share the cover reveal for my upcoming book
Golden Lotus. This is one of seven books in a multi-author collection
titled A Garden of Fairy Tales.

Golden Lotus is a retelling of the Little Mermaid with some elements
from the Winter Fairy and the Legend of the Frozen Lake.
The ebook is currently available for preorder for $0.99.

There will be a paperback and hardcover edition too. The hardcover will have an
exclusive cover that is just so pretty.

But I know that you're here for the cover reveals.

First, here is the eBook/Paperback cover.

 

 

This cover was created by follow author Kendra E. Ardnek
who is creating all the eBook/Paperback covers.

 

Now for the hardcover cover reveal, which I will
admit I designed. 

 

 

I confess I found designing this cover
to be as enjoyable as writing the book.

 

The release date is May 9, 2025!

Preorder ebook at https://amazon.com/dp/B0DQM5K88W

 

Arrows and Gems ~ Review

Arrows and Gems: 
A Retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red
The Roumaterra Chronicles #4

By Erin Halbmaier

Poor Princess Helena has so many problems. Hidden away because she was cursed as a child, then she fell into a long sleep and was forgotten by her family. Then when her curse was broken she discovered her true love had fallen in love and married someone else. What's a princess to do when she is ordered by the council to wed before the year is up? Run away and join a band of outlaws in another kingdom, of course.

Now I will admit this would not have been my solution to the problem, but then I'm not a princess who has her life completely upended. The plan is clever really, who would suspect a princess to go so totally rogue? Unfortunately for her the leader of the outlaws thinks it is all an elaborate trap to capture him. With Caps distrust of Helena so strong he doesn't trust her with anything. There may be one little problem, his heart has other plans.

This was a fun addition to the Roumaterra Chronicles series. This can be read as a standalone title but it reads so much better if read in series order. Arrows and Gems is a mashup of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red totally works. The characters are believable in this story world that Erin Halbmaier created. Royalty in disguise. Noble purpose. Missing prince. Court intrigue. Misplaced trust. Thwarted love. But all woven together in a clean, attention-grabbing book. Yes, I stayed up to read this one. I should have been doing other things like sleep, but what can I say other than Helena and Cap won my empathy.

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All
thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A runaway princess. An honorable outlaw. A crime that hasn’t been paid.
Princess Helena has always struggled to belong. When she wakes from her twelve-year enchanted sleep, she tries to 

adjust to the changes in her life. But her childhood sweetheart’s marriage and the council’s plan to choose her husband 

push her too far.

Cap just wants to protect the people suffering from the tyrannical regent’s rule. But his less-than-legal methods have 

put a target on his back. He’s wary of the woman he believes has been sent to trap him, but she has a way of slipping 

past his defenses. And he’s afraid she might be another sign that he shouldn’t trust his own judgment.

Can Helena and Cap work together to bring down the regent? Or will their insecurities and secrets destroy everything 

they care about?

Arrows and Gems is a clean, no-spice retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red. It is book four in The
Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter,
Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Lars.

 

Legacy of Roses ~ Review

Legacy of Roses: A Beauty and the Beast Tale

Kingdoms of Legacy #1

Melanie Cellier

Rosalie is trapped, she will be forced to live the life of a fairy tale. The land is enchanted and she fits the mold as the third daughter of a merchant. It's not her fault that her youngest sibling was, in fact, triplet brothers. It may be her fault that her family lost everything. But she refuses to be trapped into living out the rest of the story. Of course, that was before Dimitri moved into neighboring castle.

Dimitri has no idea of the trouble he's walked into by returning to his family's abandoned home. He knows nothing about the kingdom of Glandore or the Legacies. All he knows is that his nearest neighbor seems determined to see him gone as soon as possible. But when changes start occurring around the castle grounds, he just might have to start believing in them. But will he truly turn into a beast? 

This is the first book in the Kingdoms of Legacy series which offers a new twist on the fairy tales one has grown up with. What if fairy tales repeated themselves on new generations? The basic story played out but with unexpected differences that could change something important making the expected conclusion uncertain. This was a fun read that is appropriate for tweens and older readers who love fairy tales.

I borrowed a copy of this book through Kindle Unlimited.

About the Book:

A returned royal with no interest in becoming an enchanted prince.
A merchant’s daughter who knows better than to pick roses.
A Legacy determined to force them into a story neither wants.

Rosalie’s family has already lost everything, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect them from further harm. Even if that means stopping ignorant newcomers from picking enchanted roses.

Dimitri knows little about his new kingdom, and he can’t help being captivated by the fiery girl who holds the answers. But Rosalie seems horrified by both his presence and his handsome face, and it turns out she has good reason. In the kingdom of Glandore, it’s a dangerous thing to be a young man of royal blood living alone in a castle. Almost as dangerous as being the youngest daughter of a merchant.

Enter a world where tales of the past shape the enchanted landscape—where glass can bend like a slipper and picking a rose courts danger. A world where the inhabitants must overcome the fabled Legacies as they find romance, adventure, and friendship.

Heart of Beauty ~ Review

Heart of Beauty

Hearts of the West #11

By Danielle Grandinetti

Caleb Orson is considered to be a beast, at least in his personality. And he may be a big guy with a beard that hides most of his face. And he can be a bit grumpy. Okay he's a beast, but he lives with the memories of what he saw during the war and the lives he took. Now he's responsible for Sal Beauregard.

Sallie's been disguising herself for years. Her father was determined to keep her hidden away from Brendan Doran. But when Sallie accidentally reveals her true identity while trying to save Caleb's stallion from Doran, she finds herself the target of Doran. He wants to claim her as his wife. And in Doran's opinion she has no choice but to accept.

This a enjoyable read that offers a twist on the Beauty and the Beast theme. This is a sweet read and would appeal to fans of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly books. For those who have read Daniella Grandinetti's previous works there is a link. Oh, yes, I'm giving you a teaser and not saying anything else. But this was a quick read perfect for a weekend when you need to get out of the cold. (I'm currently enjoying subzero temps, so, yeah I'm all about seeking out ways to avoid the outdoors.) This book is a great way to be introduced to the author's writing if you have yet to read any of her work. I highly recommend it and feel it is appropriate for those 13 years or older.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Publisher: Hearth Spot Press

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

How can a beauty save a beast?

Blue Spruce, Montana, 1871—When Caleb Orson’s prize stallion escapes his ranch, Sal Beauregard rides to the rescue, revealing her true identity as a one of the few eligible females in town. She’d do it again if it meant saving an animal from the cruel retaliation of Brendan Doran. The man has no respect for women or God’s creatures.

But the sun’s early setting strands her at Caleb’s ranch. Worse, Sallie’s father unceremoniously leaves her there under Caleb’s protection. However, Doran refuses to lose again to Caleb—first a horse, now a woman. He wants Sallie as his wife and not even the reclusive ogre of a cowboy can stand in his way. No matter Sallie’s opinion.

Choosing to make the best of a difficult situation, Sallie takes over the gentling of Caleb’s stallion. She believes she can reach Caleb as well. Only, the first blush of friendship grows into something … more. Something that threatens the desires of Caleb’s enemy. And if Doran cannot have a beauty like Sallie, neither can a beast.

A Tale of Tenacity, Romance, and Peace