A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment ~ Review

A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment

The Enchanting Confections

By Sarah Carlisle

When Bryony's father does a great service to the crown, he rewarded and Bryony finds herself marrying a stranger. After all, one doesn't refuse an honor from the king. Bryony just wishes the king hadn't felt the need to force such an honor on both her and her new, strange husband. 

And Aberarth, the place she's supposed to call home? Well, we'll just say it needs lots of elbow grease. Fortunately, Bryony isn't afraid of hard work, after all she's only married into the nobility, not born into it. But it isn't just the house that needs work, no the land too is affected by the curse that has fallen over everything. 

Bryony is more than a little confused by her new husband. Arthur always keeps a distance between them. He disappears and she never sees him during the day. And his office/study she is to stay out of it, no matter what, even if he blows things up on occasion. Then there is his talk that all she's doing is worthless if he can't fix something with his magic.

As the story progresses one begins to wonder if Bryony will ever discover what Arthur's secret is. I know I wanted to know what he was doing. This was a fun read based on a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I found it to be very engaging and loved how we never are quite sure what to make of Arthur, who at times could be sweet and charming and at other times a grumbly grouch.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The proudest day of Bryony’s life is the day her father, the village carpenter, is knighted for saving the king. The worst is when she learns the king has a reward for her, too: marriage to a stranger. Not just any stranger, but an earl with a frightening reputation.

Bryony arrives at Aberarth expecting polished floors, bustling servants, and a grand welcome. She’s met with an empty, neglected house and withered fields.

But Bryony isn’t delicate. She’s a village girl with stubborn optimism and capable hands. No servants? A new husband who's too busy making mysterious magical explosions in his study to help with the laundry? Fine. She’ll rebuild Aberarth herself. First step: leave milk on the hearth for the household brownies. Then she'll roll up her sleeves and get to work.

Because Bryony isn’t alone. Brownies, gremlins, dryads, kobolds—the fae have had reason to stay hidden. As Bryony coaxes the estate back to life, old magic stirs. And so does something dangerous and tender between her and the eccentric young earl. But Aberarth’s decay is a warning. Is Bryony the key to waking its true power—or the bait that triggers what’s buried beneath it?

A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment, a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as arranged marriage, friends to lovers, and villager to countess. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries ~ Review

A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries

Enchanting Confections

By Abigail Manning

First off this is an adorable book! I absolutely loved the Goose Girl twist. Princess Emaline is finally going to get to meet her betrothed and get married. 

But her journey finds a tag-along goose hitching a ride on the top of her carriage. This is just the first oddity in her whole trip. And when she has a mishap with a mud puddle, she is unfit to meet the king and queen (aka her future in-laws). Whoops! Then one thing leads to another and a lack of listening finds Emaline and her handmaid Corrine switching places in a case of mistaken identity. 

Can Emaline find a way out of this mess she finds herself in? Who heard of a princess working as a field laborer? Yet Emaline finds herself in just such a role, but with the help of a fellow farmhand named Dane she at least has a few hours in the castle, not that it helps her regain her identity. 

This was the perfect weekend read. Fun and entertaining and perfect for most readers (I'm thinking 10+ would enjoy it). Even better there are no Grimm attributes to make this a scary read, just a disgruntled goose. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A basket of berries, a dash of wild goose chases, and an identity swap that is nothing to honk about.

Princess Emaline has waited long enough for her betrothed’s family to invite her into their kingdom after the lengthy acquisition of a workers’ agreement. Accompanied by her new handmaiden and joined by a freeloading goose who rides valiantly on the carriage roof, Emaline is eager to explore her new kingdom–until her first exploration gets up close and personal with a local mud puddle.

A less-than-cordial exchange with their goose stalker leaves Emaline completely unsuitable to meet her future in-laws. In a desperate attempt to save face, her handmaiden kindly offers to greet the royals in her honor. Which would have been a grand solution had they not mistaken the polite maid for Princess Emaline…

Muddy, lost, and ready to pluck a goose, Emaline hunts for a discreet place to tidy up before rescuing her maid from the mix-up. But during her hunt for clean water, she stumbles onto the slave master's property and is taken in as a new worker. With no way to prove her identity or get in touch with her maid, Emaline must rely on the help of a smooth-talking farmhand who just so happens to be head over boots for the new princess. Now tasked with making the gooseberry wine for her own table, can Emaline reclaim her crown? Or is it all destined to be a wild goose chase.

Falling for the Winged Witch ~ Review

Falling for the Winged Witch

To Win a Dark Heart #3

By Sarah Beran

Being a stepmother to children nearly your own age is not what Lindy wanted for her life. And apparently neither did her stepsons. But as a now unnecessary heir to the throne, her father needs to make way for her brother. Lindy's been trained to be a queen, and this is an excellent way to be done with her. So what if the king she is to marry is on the older side?

Lindy has an unfortunate reputation, and when the elderly king she's married to dies, she's blamed. Okay, maybe she did turn a prince into a frog, but that was years ago. She didn't kill the king, and she has no aspirations to the throne. Not that anyone believes her.

When her stepsons play yet another prank that goes too far, Lindy is left heartbroken and accidentally curses her stepsons, including the crown prince. The only way to set everything right is to flee the castle and the charges of murder being brought against her. She needs to break the curse, and to do so will take time.

As she works, she comes across another victim of her stepsons' "fowl" prank, a giant looking for his stolen goose. Yikes! But Atlas is determined to wait until the curse is broken. Yes, he wants his goose back that much. And he can't get much from Lindy. During the daylight hours, Lindy cannot speak; it's all part of the curse-breaking process. 

This was a cute mash-up of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Wild Swans. The story was a unique and engaging read. Perfect for a late-night reading treat.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A widowed queen trapped by her past.

A giant who just wants to be left alone.

A fowl curse that could cost them both everything.

Lindy never wanted to get married or have children—especially not seven stepsons old enough to be her brothers and a doddering royal husband. Just when it seems like things couldn’t possibly get any worse, the king suddenly dies, and her sinister reputation for casting curses means that all eyes and fingers are pointed at her. Rather than support their new mother, her stepsons seem determined to do everything they can to make her life miserable. When the youngest fills her room with water fowl as a prank, Lindy finally decides to take things into her own hands—and everything goes wrong.

Atlas lives with his head in the clouds, and he likes it that way. His ancestral home is hidden away so high in the mountains that it’s practically inaccessible. But somehow the secret has slipped, and he keeps chasing away unwanted visitors. After the latest break-in ends with his prized goose missing, Atlas is forced to do the one thing never wanted: climb down the beanstalk.

Unfortunately, the scoundrel who took his goose is now a swan, and the only way to get him to tell Atlas where she is is to help the witch who cast the curse in the first place. The nettlesome woman won’t give him the time of day, refusing to speak until the sun goes down. When she does, it’s to instruct him in the most ridiculous task he’s ever heard of.

But Atlas really wants to get his goose and go home, and if knitting is the way to achieve that, so be it. If only the task didn’t threaten to knit his heart to hers in the process…

Falling for the Winged Witch is a combined retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Wild Swans, featuring tropes such as Unlikely Allies, Found Family, and Opposites Attract. It is the third book in the To Win a Dark Heart series, which retells fairy tales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Hannah and the Nightingale ~ Review

Hannah and the Nightingale
Once in a Wood #4

By Sienna Peake

This was a delightful nod to Hans Christian Anderson's The Nightingale. In this Regency retelling we meet Hannah Bell the eldest daughter of the vicar who has a special talent with a violin. Her musical gift charms the Duke of Arlington and his son Rupert. In keeping with the original tale, Hannah is replaced in the Duke's estimation by a young lady of the peerage. 

I loved how various aspects from the original were reworked into a new enchanting tale. Hannah is kind and giving often to her own detriment. I loved how Rupert saw Hannah and her true worth even when expectations were on him making a better "social" match.

This is the fourth release in the Once in a Wood series but is able to be read and enjoyed without reading the previous stories as this a standalone story complete in this one volume. This is a feel-good story that, while short, will leave you with a smile and a lighter heart.

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

About the Book:

He's the son of a duke. 

She's the daughter of a vicar. 

Will the power of song bring them together?

Hannah Bell is overwhelmed. Her mother passed away two years ago, and her father is constantly busy with his duties as a vicar, leaving her to manage the household and her five younger siblings. Playing the violin is one of her few sources of solace. When two unexpected visitors arrive in the forest, Hannah's life begins to change. Will her music lead her to a brighter future? Will she have the strength to grasp it?

Rupert de Lacy is the only son of the Duke of Arlington, and he knows he must never forget it. His father expects him to be the perfect model of stiff, stern propriety, but Rupert's heart is set on fairy tales and long walks in the woods. When he stumbles upon a new friend at the edge of the forest, he feels safe to be himself for the very first time. But will he have the courage to move forward, even against his father's wishes?

Hannah and the Nightingale is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale The Nightingale. It is the fourth book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. Each book is a stand alone work, and the stories can 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

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