The Garden of Fairy Tales Collection

 The Garden of Fairy Tales Collection 

will begin releasing on Friday, April 4, 2025!

Aren't the covers lovely?

Preorders are still available at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQVXZ5C1

FREE Books until Midnight on Monday, March 24, 2025

 

FREE books!

 

That's right. I'm making two books free this weekend. Just because I can.

 

Do you like fantasy short stories? 

 

Then you'll want to try Tales of Wonder & Delight, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN286Q93 There are dragons, carnivals, and a hidden world within an attic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you prefer poetry, I'm also offering Gossamers & Wisps free this weekend https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKXJVDTT

 

 

 

 

That's right. You can purchase both books for $0.00 until midnight Pacific Time on Monday, March 24, 2025.

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.

 

Cover Reveal ~ Lady of Shadows

 Today, I am participating 

in the

Sunrise Publishing Cover Reveal

for

Lady of Shadows

Blood of Kings: Legends #3

Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

Title: Lady of Shadows
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends, Book 3
Authors: Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Pre-order sale price: $4.99 (ebook)
Retail price after release: $7.99 (ebook)
Release date: July 15, 2025
Available in ebook, print, and audiobook

SYNOPSIS

The only man she loves is the one she can never have…

Lady Tara’s dreams of marrying for love were shattered with her arranged marriage to
the sickly Lord Gershom. Fine. She may not have love, but she has purpose—a position
of power that lets her make a difference in the kingdom. At least her Carmack, her
fiercely loyal shield, remains by her side, even if she must deny her heart.
Then Lord Gershom dies. And to her horror, Carmack is blamed. Branded a traitor, he
flees, forcing Tara to choose between protecting the life she’s built or following the man
she loves.

Loving her might cost him everything…

Carmack Demry has secretly loved Lady Tara all his life, sworn to protect her at any
cost—even if it meant watching her wed another man. But now, accused of a crime he
didn’t commit, he’s on the run because staying away is the only way to keep her safe.
Except Tara has other plans.

Determined to clear his name, she plunges into a web of treachery and deceit that
reaches far beyond them both—one that threatens the very heart of the kingdom.
Together, they must navigate a world of danger, unravel a conspiracy, and face a choice
more perilous than any battlefield: deny their love or risk everything to claim it.

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book 4: Heir of Light

About the Authors:

Jill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She’s written
over two dozen books for readers of all ages and is best known for her Blood of
Kings fantasy series, two of which won Christy Awards and made VOYA
magazine’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list. She produces films
with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences. 

Visit her at jillwilliamson.com.

Kelly Fernlake loves writing fantasy adventures spun with a touch of romance
and timeless truth. Besides reading and writing, her favorite things include
roaming through castles; classic old movies; comfy sweatshirts; dark chocolate;
and hockey. A North Dakota native, she now lives in Florida with her husband,
two teenagers, and a furball pup. 

Learn more at kellyfernlake.com.

 Available to pre-order at the following online retailers:

Sunrise Shop: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Other retailers: https://books2read.com/boklladyofshadows

 

 

Seer of the Wildwood ~ Review

Seer of the Wildwood

Bonded Realms #1

By Regan Allen

 

This book opens with Marya Santelyn running. Her curse made itself known in a public setting, and whatever she said while in its grip could cost her, her life. Her only hope of escape is in requesting aid from one of the Barbarians crossing through her city. 

 

When a young woman asks him to take her with him, Tam Randene can't refuse her. When he learns she has been blessed with the gift of visions, he vows to be her protector and to hide her in the Wildwood among his people. Now he needs to convince her that her feared curse is the hope of his people.

 

With the immediate danger gone, Marya wants to return home, but Tam is convinced that she must stay safely hidden away. And he can't help himself, he has to win her heart and help her discover just who she truly is. But what Marya sees, scares her. Danger is coming.

 

This is the first book in a new fantasy world. This book finds the main characters dealing with their miscommunications as they confront their feelings. There is a bit of angst amidst various escapes and perilous journeys. Apparently being the first seer in generations is a big thing, and each group wants her for an ability she doesn't want and cannot control. 

The idea behind the book has promise, and it is obvious that it is part of a series, while wrapping up the main focus in this book. There is the potential of additional stories for several of the secondary characters. If you like books that have angsty stories that find the characters in doubt of returned feelings and periods of suspense and danger, you will enjoy this book which is most definitely in the Romantasy category.  

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 might be his prize, but she can see things he can’t, like a future together.

Marya Santelyn, pampered daughter of the Merchant’s Guild, hides a secret. A power stirs within her, one that could destroy everything she holds dear, or save it. When her ability to see the future becomes too apparent for comfort, the spunky Marya takes matters into her own hands and runs, right into the arms of the enemy.

Tam Randene, warrior of the ancient race that makes the mysterious wildwood their home, never expected one of his tribe’s sworn enemies to request his aid to escape her pursuers, but he swiftly recognizes Marya’s value. The land of Alyna hasn’t had a seer in generations. The man who protects her would have a powerful ally, and the man who wins her heart could well rule all.

Captive among his tribe, Marya begins to learn how to embrace her gift even as she begins to feel far too at home with Tam’s rambunctious family. As her visions become increasingly more dire, she and Tam realize that danger is coming to Alyna, danger that will require her people and his to band together to survive. Can she convince her people to listen, or will they tear her from Tam’s arms? Because her heart tells her something her visions never could: Nothing is more important than being together.

If you like closed door, swoon-worthy fantasy romance—featuring intelligent, determined heroines and untameable, honorable heroes; dual points of view (hers and his); and a happily-ever-after with ongoing world conflict—in a land designed to sweep you away, grab this series starter perfect for fans of Kenley Davidson, K.M. Shea, JA Andrews, and Tara Grayce.

 

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.

The Mouse and the Fairy ~ Review

The Mouse and the Fairy

The Intertwined Tales

By H. Eleanor Long

Hailey's been cursed, and the only way to break her curse is through true love. Well, Hailey's pretty sure true love isn't going to find her as she is a widow and she has been turned into a mouse. The mouse part is a bit problematic when you know you need to break a curse by finding true love. But other than knowing she'll spend the rest of her life as a mouse life is pretty good. She has a dear friend, Egbert, who is cursed to be a mole and a young woman, Thumbelina, whom she views with motherly affection. And then there is the cat, who is also cursed and he wants to eat her. So maybe everything isn't great, but she's resigned to her fate.

But when a fairy prince decides that Thumbelina will be his sweetheart, her life takes another unexpected turn. She needs to help Thumbelina meet all the challenges that will prove her a sweetheart worthy of a fairy prince. Neil doesn't have any expectations of marrying Thumbelina but she is a very pretty and sweet young woman. He also enjoys the time spent with Hailey, and when a substitute sweetheart needs to step in Hailey is a lovely substitute. 

This is a lovely retelling of Thumbelina and The Forest Bride. The weaving together of these two fairy tales is seamless resulting in a unique retelling that entertains and holds the readers attention throughout. I would recommend this book to readers 12 and older without hestitation, as this is a clean 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.

Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride

About the Book:

A fairy prince. A mousy widow. A contest of crowns—or hearts?

Hailey’s life has been anything but smooth. From the death of her husband to being cursed into a mouse, nothing has gone right. Her only solace is the kindness of her dear mole friend, Egbert, and the companionship of a sweet girl named Thumbelina. But just as Thumbelina and Egbert get closer, a handsome stranger crashes into their burrow…

Neil has never had any hope of inheriting the throne as the second of three princes. But when his father declares an unexpected contest for the throne, Neil must find a sweetheart right away. When he awakens after crashing in the snow to find a beautiful maiden caring for him, he considers Thumbelina a gift from above. But if fate brought him to Thumbelina, why does his heart beat for her mouse friend?

Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride

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.

Street Team Opportunity

Do you want to help spread the word about an upcoming multi-author collection?

Do you love fairy tale retellings? 

 

If you answered yes, you should apply to be part of the 

A Garden of Fairy Tales Street Team.

 

 

 

Your inbox won't overflow with countless tasks, and your email will not be shared with anyone. You also won't be obligated to share every task; we understand how crazy life can become. We're just grateful for your help!

 

The purpose of this street team is to spread the word about the series, beginning with cover reveals and ending with the final book's release. Don't worry---you won't be spammed with numerous emails per week. Tasks will include cover reveals, fairy tale retelling reveals, release day posts, and at least one countdown. 

 

The form link is https://forms.gle/f9uVhbVr9cVDSmdG7 

 

About the Series:

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.

Release dates run from late March to early May.
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.

Squire of Truth - Now Available

 Jill Williamson's return to the land of The Blood of Kings

with Squire of Truth, 

the first book in The Blood of Kings: Legends series

from Sunrise Publishing.

About the Book:
Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage.

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he’s a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future.

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

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.

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 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.

Casters and Crowns ~ Review

Casters and Crowns 

by Elizabeth Lowham

In a kingdom divided mistrust and prejudice, Crown Princess Aria seeks to broker a peace to stop a war that could destroy her kingdom forever. But her father's hatred and execution of a young boy have pitted most Casters against the Crown. 

When Aria secretly approaches Widow Morton about an offer of peace she had no idea that she was about to forfeit her own life. Aria speaks the words she feels her father would expect of her. After all as king her father is never wrong and never makes mistakes. But Aria's offer instead brings a curse down upon her and all who live within the castle. 

When Baron Reeves seeks to take his father's place within the nobility he is denied. His crime? He is a Caster and therefore not to be trusted, no matter how loyal he has been to the crown. With a steward put in place the secret Baron is protecting is in danger of being revealed. When Princess Aria reaches out to him requesting help in understanding Casters and their abilities he agrees to share information through letters. 

Aria feels that her father's judgment of Baron was unjust. No crime was committed against the crown and worse no trial with Barron given a chance to plead his case. The king's judgment was swift and permanent. And for Aria to question him is a sign of her insufficiency as the next ruler. Her commitment is questioned and she is chastised for it. 

I really enjoyed this book. There is an overabundance of secrets being held. Some of the secrets are revealed early on, but there are a couple that are revealed near the end of the book and goodness they are kingdom changers. I like Aria, her sister, Baron, and his twin brothers. There are several supporting characters who were just lovely. But the king. Let's just say having power went to his head and he was under the mistaken impression he needed no advisors and that he was perfect because he was king. 

This is a book I would highly recommend. I feel it is appropriate for tweens who are testing the waters of teen fiction and is without all the overblown angst most teen books have that make older readers roll their eyes. There is a definite magic element throughout the book. The romance is there but not taking center stage, though it plays a pivotal roll in several scenes.

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:

Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. 

Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? 

A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

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.”

The Handmaiden's Blood ~ Now Available

 AVAILABLE NOW!

The Handmaid's Blood: The Goose Girl Retold 

Once Upon a Twisted Time

By Kendra E. Ardnek

This is a short story based on The Goose Girl. But there is a twist.

The Princess has her handmaid bound by blood to do her will. There is one wee problem, the princess is bound by blood to the queen.

And what an evil queen she is. She plans to use her daughter to cause an international incident and hopefully bring down a kingdom. Yes, that kind of evil. The kind you want to run and hide from. Except for the whole "bound to do her-will" thing going on, which prevents running and hiding.

Though short, this is an intriguing and ingenious retelling that satisfies the key elements of the story but presents them in an original story. 

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

About the Book:

Three drops of blood bind her to the princess's will.

The Goose Girl retold from the perspective of her servant.

Book Fun Fact:

This was actually my third choice for which Goose Girl retelling I would release as part of the Lost Kerchiefs, but the other two retellings I had planned each depended on me finishing the book ahead of them in the series. But, you can watch out for a total of three other Goose Girl retellings from me in the near future, including:

Goose Chase (A Twist of Adventure #8): Another servant-as-the-heroine, but in this one, the twist is that when she lost the handkerchief, the princess swaps bodies with an actual goose, so the servant has to pose as a princess until they can figure out how to fix this curse. This one came really close to being part of this set, and is partially written, but since I didn't release Beanstalk Trials as planned, I had to hold off on this one.

Goose Boy (Ever After Maneuver #3): I promise I'm not copying Tricia, but Cinderella-12DP-Goose Girl seems to be a story order that just works. This isn't a genderswap, as the title implies, but it does shake up the story and make Curdkin the hero. Won't say much more about it, other than the fact that Anice is the princess but not the main character. She has the next book after. 

Sing a Quest of Golden Geese (Bookania #9): This is the book I *really* wanted to release as part of the Kerchiefs, but I just didn't have the brain space to write Bookania #8. I'm really excited about this one, though, as it's one of the crazy mashups, including The Goose Girl, Rumpelstiltskin, The Golden Goose, and the Pied Piper. There may or may not be a baby dragon, and this book is also technically a sequel to The Dancing Princess (A Twist of Adventure #5). because people begged so hard to see more of that world. 

I did also consider writing "The Princess and the Goose Girl" which is a Princess and the Pauper mashup I have rolling around in the back of my head, but I'm not *quite* ready to take the plunge into that series yet.