A Noble Protector ~ Review

A Noble Protector

Cornerstone #8

By Madisyn Carlin

Varrick Landreth, along with his brothers and sister, has been betrayed. He is dying and left to do so in utter agony. When his sister seeks out an outcast young woman for aid, Varrick is anything but pleased. He is the family's protector and he doesn't know this stranger who could endanger Elissy. 

But this stranger in the Dead Woods has sought this refuge after being betrayed and left for dead. Gwen Yesen fears what offering her aid will mean if she is seen. Those who sought her death will never be satisfied until she meets the fate of her parents. But Gwen is the only one who can help Varrick and his brothers find the cure they seek. 

A Noble Protector is a non-magical retelling of the Wild Swans. I loved how various elements of the original fairytale were reworked to remain in the story but in an entirely plausible real-world way. The betrayal that both Varrick and Gwen faced is seen after the fact, but the repercussions are far-reaching and guide the actions of both throughout this original retelling.

I highly recommend this book for tweens and up. It is well-written and offers a wide range of feelings—despair, fear, hope, determination, love, and so much more. This book does have moments of violence but nothing graphic, just enough to set the mood for the utter hopelessness of their situation, before hope is offered. There is a definite faith element running throughout that gives hope during the darkest moments and which is appreciated.

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 an outcast. He’s a dying prince. Together, they may be the kingdom’s last hope.

Outcast princess Gwyn Yesen has resigned to live in anonymity for the rest of her life. When her only friend, the princess of the land unintentionally granting Gwyn safety, needs help, Gwyn knows she must assist—even if it risks revealing who and what she really is.

What would you do to save your family? That's the question dying prince Varrick Landreth find himself answering. Willing to do anything to save his brothers and sister, he finds himself joining forces with a suspicious woman keeping too many secrets.

As death nears and time runs out, Gwyn and Varrick must work together to save the royal family before usurpers and schemers enact their final, deadliest plan. But secrets have a way of being revealed at the worst time, and soon Varrick finds himself not only fighting for his family and kingdom, but being forced to choose Gwyn’s fate.

A Noble Protector is a New Adult Christian fantasy Wild Swans retelling and is Book #8 in Cornerstone Series. 

Each book can be read as a standalone.

Coming Soon ~ A Garden of Fairy Tales

 Series Announcement

A Garden of Fairy Tales

a multi-author collection of

Fairy Tale retellings

is coming this Spring...

Spring is Coming...

A GARDEN OF FAIRY TALES features:
Bleeding Heart by Kendra E. Ardnek,
Daylily by Madeline Kersbergen,
Snapdragon by Sarah Beran,
Carnation by Yakira Goldsberry,
Peaflower by Jessica A. Tanner,
Forget-Me-Not by J.F. Rogers,
Golden Lotus by Meagan Myhren-Bennett,
and Lilac by Madisyn Carlin.

Spring has sprung with these eight 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.

Cover reveals coming soon!

My book Golden Lotus is available for

preorder on Amazon for

a special precover release price of $0.99

Preorder Golden Lotus with this link

The Dancer and the Dragon Speaker ~ Now Available

The Dancer and the Dragon Speaker

The Intertwined Tales

By Laurie Lucking

I really enjoyed this book, which offered a unique twist on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Princess Emelia and her four sisters are threatened with the destruction of their kingdom, Oneska, unless they comply with Prince Leonnar of Tsantar's demands. They were to be available at his bidding to grace the court of Tsantar whenever he sent his dragons to "escort" them to his gatherings. The goal is to marry one of the princesses and gain access to Oneska's secrets. 

Emelia is stymied with little hope of thwarting the dragons until she tries to learn "Dragon Speech," which gets the attention of Merric, a new stable hand who has a way with horses. Merric has unique insights into dragons, which Emelia hopes will help. But first, she has to get past Merric's evasive wariness. 

Could dragons be as good as Merric says? Or are they the beasts of destruction that Prince Leonnar claims? Princess Emelia must choose who to believe, the future of Oneska depends on it.

This was an enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it for fans of fairytale retellings or those who like clean romance that won't make you blush or cringe. (Raise your hand if you agree!) I was thoroughly engaged and enjoyed this book in one day. I always consider a book a good read when it makes me want to read the author's other works and Laurie Lucking did that with The Dancer and the Dragon Speaker.

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:

Sisters trapped under threat of fire and destruction. 

Dragons enslaved by a power-hungry prince. 

A stable hand who must devise a plan to save them all.

Dragons circle the Oneskan palace at night, shrouding the kingdom in fear and mystery. Only Princess Emelia and her sisters know the fiends fly them to the enemy country of Tsantar under cover of darkness, where Prince Leonnar hopes to steal their secrets and gain control of Oneska. Their father’s proclamation that the man who drives away the hovering dragons will marry one of his daughters incites the princesses to redouble their efforts to escape Prince Leonnar’s tyranny.

When the enigmatic new stable hand, Merric, offers to help, Emelia finds him as frustrating as he is attractive. His superior knowledge of dragons gives her new hope, until he shatters her trust by showing more interest in protecting the vile creatures than getting rid of them. But only by finding a way to work with Merric—and with the dragons she detests—will Emelia have any chance of freeing herself, her sisters, and her kingdom from Tsantar’s clutches forever.

Retelling The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Language of the Birds

The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairytale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairytale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

A Lady Most Alluring ~ Now Available

A Lady Most Alluring

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Amy Newbold

A delightful Regency twist on Cinderella that does not have a cruel stepmother or evil stepsisters. A Lady Most Alluring finds Cecilia Barnet, her older sister Miriam, and her mother leaving London behind. Following the death of her father, the family has to remove to the country and is tenants of the Colbourne family.

This book reminded me of Lizzie and Jane's closeness in Pride and Prejudice and Marianne and Elinor's in Sense and Sensibility. 

Cecilia is trying to live below the notice of others. Before her father's death, she was linked to a scandal through no fault of her own. Since then, she has been attempting to distance herself from any hint of anything being improper. So when she attracts Benedict Lockhart's attention, she is no more surprised than anyone about this turn of events. Her sister Miriam is supposed to garner attention and raise the family's standing to what it once was. 

Even more disturbing, Cecilia finds herself drawn to the gentleman, who is trying to avoid any and all romantic entanglements to the point of societal rudeness! 

This sweet story is appropriate for tweens, teens, and those who want clean, no- or low-spice romance. 

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 Books:

A scandal. 

A wager. 

A masquerade ball.

Cecilia Barnet flees London and a scandal for a fresh start in the countryside. Desperate to keep a low profile, her sole focus is finding a match for her sister, Miriam.

As Benedict Lockhart arrives with his mother at their country estate, he is determined to avoid romantic entanglements. He makes a wager with his friend that he can rebuff the attentions of the rural ladies.

When Cecilia and Benedict meet, it’s dislike at first sight. But within the small country social circles, they are repeatedly thrust together. An undeniable attraction sparks between them, and Cecilia fears rejection if Benedict learns of her past. As she strives to protect her secret from him, Benedict fights his growing feelings for her. He clings to his wager and plans to return to London unattached.

If Cecilia can't find the courage to be truthful, it will cost her a chance at unparalleled happiness. And if Benedict can't set aside his pride, he will lose the only woman who's ever spoken to his heart.

This charming Regency romance novella is inspired by Cinderella.

This series reimagines classic Grimm Brother tales as Regency romances. Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy these stories of sweet romance and loveable characters.

A Grimm Regency Tale series

• A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
• A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peake
• A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
• A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
• A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
• A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
• A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

The Shifter and The Mage ~ Available Now

The Shifter and the Mage

The Intertwined Tales

By Lucy Winton

Shyla Merrigan is anticipating an apprenticeship that will bring her one step closer to becoming a King's Mage. But her connection to her brother-in-law has tainted her and an apprenticeship is not offered to her. She is understandably unhappy and disappointed. And she is angry, so angry that she agrees to kill a lindenworm. 

Andriel can shift between his two forms as a man and a thrush and requests Shyla's help with getting rid of the lindenworm. They will travel together, pretending to be married for Shyla's protection. This is the chance Shyla needs to try to get the apprenticeship she was denied so she agrees.

As Shyla and Andriel travel and work to provide for their food and lodging a friendship forms. But Shyla senses that Andriel is hiding something, something that keeps her from totally trusting him. But she can't command her heart or her feelings in regards to her brother-in-law Alarick or Adriel. And then there is the linden worm she has agreed to rid the region of.

This was an interesting twist on the world of fairy tale retellings of King Thrushbeard and Little Wildrose. For those wondering there is magic involved. A given with the title. The romance is light and clean. This is story of growth and discovery, as Shyla comes to terms with various situations in her life, situations that she has no control over and yet has to live with the outcome.

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 mage with a temper. A shapeshifter with a secret. A fake marriage that starts to feel real. Shyla Merrigan wants to become a King's Mage, but after graduating from the Academy she is told she will not be starting an apprenticeship as she'd thought. If that wasn't bad enough, she is invited to attend a party hosted by Alarick of the Wolves, the brother-in-law she despises. When she hears that Alarick is planning to marry her off, she lashes out in a rage and storms away from the banquet. On encountering Adriel, a young man with the ability to turn into a thrush, she discovers there is a lindenworm troubling his home. If Shyla kills the lindenworm, she may have a chance of becoming a King's Mage after all. Adriel offers to be her guide. He also suggests they pretend to be married to protect her reputation. Shyla agrees without hesitation, but as they travel together she begins to suspect Adriel is not who she thinks he is. Worse, she might be starting to develop feelings for him. She must decide which is more dangerous: fighting a monster, or losing her heart to someone who could destroy it. The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairy tale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

The Princess and the Shoemaker ~ Available Now

The Princess and the Shoemaker  Intertwined Tales By S.R. Nulton  This book was attention-grabbing. I was of the mind, "I'll read one chapter before bed." Yeah, that did not happen. Instead, I stayed up well into the night because the story drew me in, and I just had to know what happened. Princess Cherree has been living under a curse that preyed on her love of dancing. But now someone has gone even further, and now she can never stop dancing. Her only hope is to find a way to break this curse before it takes her life. But can a pair of cursed shoemaking elves help her?  When an enchantment goes wrong, anything can happen, and Cherree must be strong while those around her try to determine what can be done to free the young princess.   The elves were an intriguing element in this story. Their skill with shoe-making and understanding of magic made them essential. But they were suffering under a curse that was thwarting their magical abilities. The younger of the two, Enen, connected with Cherree because of their perceived closeness of age, and they developed a friendship.  I found the lack of respect Cherree received from the people a bit perplexing, but this book is a companion to the author's Refurbished Fairy Tales series. I now feel I need to read the books that seem most important to understanding the backstory, The Twelve "Dancing" Princesses and Rivers of Gold. But this book so thoroughly captured my attention I am more than willing to take a step back and read these other books and then reread this book from a different viewpoint.  This book is appropriate for tween readers. It is light on the potential of romance in the future. I would like to revisit these characters in a future book. There is still a question of where all the other Elves are.  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 princess cursed to move.  An Elf separated from his people.  A pair of deadly shoes destined to change both their lives. Elves have been a thing of myth and legend for years, to the point where even the Fey don’t know that they exist. Cherree has loved dancing since she was a babe, but there are more dangers than just snooty nobles. She’s also experienced enough curses to know when she’s under one. When a mysterious pair of red dancing slippers appear, creating chaos in her life, she turns to the experts. Who knows more about making shoes than a cobbler? Well, maybe his mythical assistants. Can they save the new princess from dancing herself to death? Or, will this be one curse too many for the princess? Two Intertwined Tales.                                  One Happily Ever After.

The Noble Princess ~ Review

A Noble Princess

Cornerstone Series

By Saraina Whitney

Princess Aurelia of Galandra is soon to be the future queen of Nordenberg. But how can she leave her ailing mother and journey to a strange land and marry a prince she does not love? The answer is simple duty. Aurelia knows her duty and will fulfill it even if it tears her heart in two.

Wilder Beckington is the man tasked with seeing the princess safely to Nordenberg. But he Jas also been ordered to keep from a secret, a secret that could destroy everything if it comes out. But Becks is also Aurelia's friend and keeping the truth from her just feels wrong, but he knows his duty.

A Noble Princess was an enjoyable read. Duty is an interesting concept and one that is explored throughout this book. Duty versus wants, hopes, or needs. Who decides which is greater? One's self-worth is also explored, as both Aurelia and Becks struggle to see the!selves in the light others see them in. Becks sees the boy he used to be and Aurelia contrasts her skills against those of her mother. Both find themselves lacking even as they push on for the sake of duty and honor, no matter the cost. I feel that this book is appropriate for tweens and up.

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:

What happens when duty and love tear you in opposite directions?

Wilder “Becks” Beckington knows his duty as a royal bodyguard. Protect, no matter the cost. But when the elderly queen summons him while on her sickbed, she gives him an impossible command he somehow must fulfill. Escort the princess to marry her betrothed, all the while keeping a life-changing secret from her, one that could prove deadly in the wrong hands. He would rather die than lie to the woman who’s become his unlikely friend, but with her entire future at stake, he swears to secrecy.

Princess Aurelia of Galandra knows her duty as the daughter of the queen. Obey, no matter the cost. But with her mother’s health on the brink, she’s also reeling from the discovery of a terrible secret, one that shakes the very foundations of her reality. While anxieties about her future marriage plague her and nightmares about her past leave her sleepless, she undertakes the journey to the Kingdom of Nordenberg, as her friendship with her bodyguard, Becks, becomes more tentative and fragile by the day.

While Aurelia struggles to make sense of who she is and Becks battles to push down the rogue feelings he has for her, danger and unforeseen obstacles haunt their every step. The truth must stay safely hidden, or disaster will strike. Can Wilder Becks fulfill his mission, or will his heart and dark past overcome him, to the detriment of the princess?

A Noble Princess is a NA Christian fantasy Goose Girl retelling for readers 

who love hidden identity, forbidden love, and happily-ever-afters.

A Lady Most Isolated ~ Review

A Lady Most Isolated

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Heloise C. Kensington

Arabella's has been hidden away from everyone and everything. Her guardian has kept her very existence a secret from all but her most trusted servants. Years have passed with little hope for friendship or marriage. That is until Charles Fairfax is sent to the family's estate in Dorsetshire at his uncle's request. 

Charles never expected to find a young lady hidden away. When he sent back to address a neglect an unusual friendship is formed. A friendship forbidden considering Arabella's seclusion, yet one that is needed by both.

I love this meshing of fairytales with Regency settings. It is a fresh and totally unique story that captivates one's attention. I have no qualms about recommending this book to teen and adult readers.

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 tower by the sea.

An unexpected attachment.

A lie capable of devastating the future.

Hidden away by her guardian, Arabella Stewart longs for the chance to experience society and dreams of finding friendship. When company arrives, being forced to live in a tower destroys her prospects.

Sent to an estate on the Dorsetshire coast at his uncle’s behest, Charles Fairfax is relieved to avoid London’s matrimonial traps. When he discovers a maiden in a tower, he begins to reconsider his reluctance to marry.

When a forbidden friendship between them grows into more, will they be able to free themselves from the constraints that bind them? Or will disapproval and deceit confine their hopes?

A Lady Most Entangled ~ Review

A Lady Most Entangled

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Mary-Celeste Ricks

Rupert Stilson is incognito, working in his family's mill to learn the ins-and-outs of how it works. His boss, Mr. Chernock is a hard-hearted, nasty individual and Rupert is looking forward to the day when he can replace him and improve conditions for those working there.

Charlotte Dawson has been working to keep her father from trouble. But when her father makes a deal to get out of debt Charlotte is the loser no matter how it turns out. She will be married to a man she's never met before, a man willing to take advantage of a man in a vulnerable condition. 

Can Rupert Stilson stop her unwanted marriage to Mr. Chernock? And what of the rumors that some young ladies are spreading about Mr. Stilson? Could he be the true villain in this tale? 

I really liked Rupert, his character is a true gentleman and kindness itself. I loved how this story retold Rumpelstiltskin in such a unique and delightful way. I loved how instead of spinning gold the task was to spin fabric - perfect for a Regency setting involving mills. This was a cute read.

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:

What if the knight in shining armor wielded a loom instead of a sword?

Rupert Stilson can never resist a damsel in distress. When Charlotte Dawson becomes entangled in a plot to rob her father of his daughter and his estate in one fell swoop, Rupert rushes in with flax and loom to save the day. But the danger is hardly over once the wager is won. If Rupert cannot trust Charlotte with the secret of his real identity, her family will never truly be safe.

A Grimm Regency Tale series

• A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
• A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peake
• A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
• A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
• A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
• A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
• A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

The Golden Touch and the Silver Note ~ Review and Release Day

The Golden Touch and the Silver Note

The Intertwined Tales

By Ashley Mendoza

King Matthias is cursed. If he does not learn the lesson that the curse was to help him find, he will die. But Matthias is determined to do things the hard way. He seeks anything with magical properties or talents to stop the magic that is slowly turning him to gold. Now he has set his sights on Nadia, a slave known as The Nightingale. Her voice soothes the magic, temporarily easing his pain. But nothing can break the curse.

Nadia was sold by her father and is not even worth the same respect of the horses that transport the performers she is with. Her voice has trapped her in this life, tearing her away from her family and country. When she discovers why King Matthias, she attempts to plead with him to find her sister. But can a selfish, uncaring ruler even understand the loss and emptiness Nadia feels?

I loved watching Nadia and Matthias change as they influence one another and the search for a cure becomes more imperative. As time counts down, the curse is not the only danger Matthias faces. Can he become the king he was meant to be? Or will he become a golden statue worth only his weight in gold? 

The Golden Touch and the Silver Note was a lovely introduction to Ashley Mendoza's writing. This book is appropriate for tweens and up. 

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

About the Book:

He has a secret. She has a magical gift. 

Can they save each other in time?

King Matthias is cursed: everything he touches turns to gold. Closely guarding this secret, he searches for the one who cursed him and for any means to break it. His efforts only result in an added time limit because he apparently was supposed to learn a lesson. Now he has until the first bud blooms, or he will turn into a golden statue himself.

Publicly, Nadia is a famous singer known as The Nightingale. In truth, she is nothing but a slave, forced to travel and sing for nobles until she’s bought by King Matthias. She learns the King’s secret and-more importantly- her singing has an effect, but it is not enough.

What they don’t expect is to fall for each other. Can they break the curse in time, or will they be separated forever?

The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairytale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairytale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

A Noble Match ~ Available Now

A Noble Match

Cornerstone Series #2

By Kirsten Fitcher

Miette was never suppose to rule a country, but when her older brother is murdered by rebels, the duties of ruling are guaranteed. But how can she, the insignificant little sister to the beloved crown prince, take over a roll she had never prepared for? And now the Marriage Council is pressuring her to wed sooner rather than later. And her choice must be from among the nobles of Barlencoy. Her opinions on the matter don't matter, she must accepts one of the noble's suits.

Miette would much rather put off the decision and spend time studying her butterflies. But when whispers of another rebel uprising dictate her life. When the threats come closer still her late brother's friend Gavin Vollo is assigned as her personal guard. Gavin is the best person for the job in Miette's opinion. If only Gavin would speak of her brother it would be perfect. 

Gavin would rather be anywhere else. Miette brings up the pain of Cassoway's death and Gavin's guilt. He should have prevented it. Now he is left with the guilt and a broken spirit. But Miette isn't easily persuaded and soon Gavin finds himself with a front row seat to the totally inappropriate suitors brought forward. He knows what Cassoway would do if her were still alive. But Gavin is a common blood man. Just being a guard for the royal family is highly irregular.

When an attack nearly succeeds Gavin and Miette must look deep and decide what they will do and where their loyalties truly lie. Will Barlencoy be divided forever or will their actions unite the factions into a restored kingdom?

A Noble Match is the second book in the Cornerstone Series. This was a lovely and enjoyable read that is based on Thumbelina. There is no magic involved in this story. There is some interesting technology employed by the guards that proves pivotal in this book. The divide between the social classes is disheartening but it provides Miette with moments of growth throughout the book as she grows into her role as queen. I would recommend this book for preteens and older with no qualms concerning content.

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

About the Book:

Can one sparrow protect Thumbelina from suitors and rebels?

As the little sister to the crown prince, Miette was never meant to be in a position of power. When her brother Cassoway dies, the kingdom of Barlencoy suddenly becomes her most unwelcome gift. The land is torn apart by the classes, and rebellion boils at her doorstep. War is looming, and no one seems afraid of it. The kingdom may be hers, but she has no voice to quieten the tremors that threaten to tear everything she knows and loves apart.

But a marriage also looms on the horizon. With rebels after her head, it’s difficult to focus on the suitors after her heart. Miette knows she must choose a husband soon, but how can she when her heart secretly yearns for her brother’s best friend? Gavin Vollo is the perfect match in her eyes, but his common blood disqualifies him as a suitor.

Moving forward after Cassoway’s passing has been no easy task for Gavin. Especially since the prince’s death is his own fault. With his best friend gone, Gavin is a bodyguard without a real purpose. He doesn’t understand why the prince had to die – just like he doesn’t understand why the royal force wants him back to guard the new queen.

Can love and true joy bring peace, or will the kingdom break beyond recovery?

A Noble Match is a New Adult Christian fantasy Thumbelina retelling and is Book #2 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a Christian writer who loves dragons, thick books, and a little coffee with her creamer. She’s married to her best friend, and she spends her day homeschooling and chasing after their four free-range children. When she doesn’t feel like sleeping, she writes.

 
Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

A Lady Most Intrigued ~ Now Available

A Lady Most Intrigued

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Jenni Ward 

This was as intriguing a read as the title indicates. Hannah Sheppard doesn't fit the mold her mother tries to force her into. It is this very non-conformity that brings about her meeting with John Ingham. Falling into a pond while in a ball gown is not best way to meet a man but it is what it is. And she did drop the forbidden golden ball in the water. John agreed to come back and find it for her. John has always longed for more than the life of a cotton mill worker. But he needs the pay to support his mother. Then, the workers organize a strike, demanding better pay and better work conditions. The potential hardships of a strike allow John and Hannah the opportunity for more interactions. Hannah uses this unexpected opportunity to seek answers. Answers she could never expect to get from her mother. I really enjoyed this book, which is based on The Frog Prince and has elements involving the cotton mill industry, which brought to mind Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. The weaving together of these vastly different pieces was expertly done to create a unique and enjoyable story with romance, mystery, and a proper villain. I highly recommend this newest Grimm Regency tale, which was most delightful. I was provided an advance copy of this title with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Forbidden Love.

A Hidden Inheritance.

A Truth That Could Cost Them Everything.

Hannah Sheppard yearns for more than the stifling expectations of Regency society. Duty, and her mother, demand she marry a man of wealth and status. Then, she meets John.

John Ingham dreams of a life beyond the harsh realities of working in a mill. When he rescues a lady from the lake at Frogmere Manor, he never expects their paths to cross again.

But fate has other plans, entwining their lives through a mysterious family heirloom that unlocks a long-buried secret. But a ruthless enemy lurks in the shadows, willing to silence them forever to keep the past buried.

Can their bond withstand the weight of a legacy built on lies, or will the cost of unravelling the truth be too high to pay?

A captivating sweet Regency romance set amongst the cotton mills of Lancashire and filled with heart-stopping twists, memorable characters, and a love that dares to defy the rules.


This series reimagines classic Grimm Brother tales as Regency romances. Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy these stories of sweet romance and loveable characters.

Goose Princess ~ Review with Snippet

Goose Princess

Beyond the Tales #4

By Tricia Mingerink

 

This is the book I've been waiting for since book three came out. And it was so worth the wait. Unfortunately, it is the final book in the Beyond the Tales series. 

Keziah has been cursed since she was eight days old to not be able to talk to anyone. Through creative reasoning, she has figured out a way to communicate indirectly, but it only works if others are paying attention to her. Now she and her four brothers are fleeing to a safe and hidden location. 

Why are they fleeing? Well, her brothers have all fallen to their curse. All four of them are now geese! Not the best condition to be in when you are the princess and princes of a country under threat from a neighboring country.

But Keziah's plan to protect her brothers is brought to a halt when they come across High King Alexander being hunted by the very people they are trying to hide from. What's a princess to do? Why help her king, of course. 

 

Then there is the whole breaking several curses to deal with, while saving the kingdom, and being selfless. Can we just say this book is packed full of danger, adventure, and learning to trust the Highest King? Well, it is, and it is such good reading.

This series must be read in order to fully appreciate everything. And if it has been awhile since you've read the books, I would recommend rereading them again before reading Goose Princess. I loved seeing Alex's transition throughout the series and how he grew as both a person and a king.

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:

Before he can have peace, he has one last curse to face.

In the three years since he woke from his enchanted sleep, High King Alexander has faced multiple curses, nearly died, and re-united the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia. He has watched everyone around him find peace and happiness. Is it finally time for him to secure happiness for himself?

When an old enemy strikes once again, Alex finds himself on the run, hunted in his own kingdom, and all alone except for the most unlikely ally: a princess who can't talk to people and her gaggle of goose brothers.

With his enemies closing around him, Alex must make a choice. Will he rescue his best friend or save his kingdom? And, after everything he suffered, does he even want to be the high king or is this his chance to walk away and pursue his own happy ending?

Goose Princess is a retelling of the Goose Girl and Wild Swans fairy tales. Enjoy this fourth and final book in Beyond the Tales, a Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling series!

Snippets:

Ezra glared with his tiny black eyes, as if utterly unrepentant that he’d just bitten the high king. Again.

“What are we, helpless goldfinches?” Josiah gestured to himself. “We’ll be geese, Mother. Geese. With sharp beaks and everything.”

A Noble Purpose ~ Available Now

A Noble Purpose

Cornerstone Series #1

By Laurie Lucking

Princess Verena is twenty-five years old and has no desire to marry. But her father has decided that the time has come for her to marry and not be an embarrassment to the family. The embarrassment comes from the fact that she shows no joy or enjoyment in anything. The first man to make Verena laugh will be her husband and the future king. Can anyone see the problem with this? Obviously, the king cannot.

Princess Liesel is not going to sit around and do nothing. She will do anything to help Verena return to the person she once was. Even track down a guard who is stationed far away. If he could make her sister smile and laugh, he may be able to do so again.

Liesel sets out to find the one man who might bring her sister happiness. But the journey is not easy. There are unexpected dangers that Liesel, her maid, and her ever-faithful guard must overcome just to find Sir Jonas. Can they convince him to return with them?

Now, this was a lovely story about the bonds of sisterly affection. I also found it interesting how Verena's father felt she needed to be fixed because of a personality difference. As someone with a different personality from the rest of my family, I know that comments like, "I don't know where that comes from." or "Well, I always react such-and-such way." can be hurtful. So I'm sure her father's comments about her more solemn personality were not helpful, based on her reactions. I loved how Liesel accepted her sister's opposing personality.

This is an easy and satisfying read. It is acceptable content-wise for all readers over twelve. This was a sweet retelling of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, and the first book in the multi-author Cornerstone series.

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:

To help her miserable sister, Princess Liesel must survive the elements, danger…and her grumpy guard.

Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.

But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.

As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?

With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.

A Noble Purpose is a New Adult Christian fantasy Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh retelling and is Book #1 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

Curse of Silence ~ Available Now

Curse of Silence

The Roumaterra Chronicles #3.5

By Erin Halbmaier 

Daphne as the eldest daughter has been given the duty of spy. To aid her in this undertaking she becomes the possessor of the family's handlerchief. 

Yes, I heard you. This no ordinary handkerchief. No, this one has a special power. It allows the bearer to assume another's identity. 

Unfortunately, a servant observed this little bit of subterfuge in reverse. And said servant usurped Daphne as "princess."

Now said usurper is trying get all helpful and get "Princess Daphne" engaged to a prince. Sigh!

With her voice gone and abandoned to fend for herself, Daphne manages to get hired to tend a baron's sheep. No one knows who she is! 

When her best friend, Raoul is forced from fake Daphne's side along with her ever faithful dog, Daphne just might have a chance. Now she must convince Raoul tat she is the true princess. She just cannot print it or write it out thank you very much curse. Silent scream of frustration.

This was one of those books that kept me turning the page. I had to know what happened next. Snowball effect, and ended up reading into the no-so-wee hours of the morning. But it was SO worth it. This is an excellent and engaging Goose Girl retelling. 

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 princess with a magic handkerchief. A flirtatious baron’s son. The maid who turned their world upside down.

As the possessor of her family’s handkerchief, Princess Daphne should be uncovering the truth behind her father’s murder. But she lacks confidence as a spy, and her mother is sending her off to a neighboring kingdom to look for a husband. It means months lost from her mission, but at least her faithful dog and best friend will be with her.

Raoul has been Daphne’s best friend since they were children. But she always laughs off his attempts to confess deeper feelings, and now his father has given him an ultimatum. She’s always been out of his reach, but if Raoul can’t change her mind in the next six months, he’ll lose what little chance he had.

When a kitchen maid catches Daphne alone, she steals the handkerchief and uses it to swap their appearances. The only way to undo it is for Daphne to tell someone who she is, but the curse prevents Daphne from both speaking and writing.

Will Daphne find a way to free herself from the curse? Or will the maid win, leaving Daphne a mute shepherdess forever?

Curse of Silence is a clean, no-spice retelling of The Goose Girl. It is part of The Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter, Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Larsen.