A Pint of Peaches and Poison ~ Review

A Pint of Peaches and Poison
Enchanted Confections

By Anabell Raven

Nykita was promised in marriage 100 years ago! No, she is not that old. But what's worse she is promised to a Mer-Fae Prince and fae are not to be trusted, ever. And especially if the said prince smiles too much and is way too nice for the whole pre-arranged marriage thing He must disguising his true purpose.

Warrick wants to have a marriage like his parents and hopes with time he will - he just needs earn her trust and get past the I'm-going-to-kill-you-first stage of their marriage. And deal with a rebellion that could destroy everything-the island, the alliance with his people, his marriage-everything.

This book was a fun twist on The Little Mermaid with peaches fire-breathing lizards, and expectations. Don't come in expecting an update to Anderson's original tale or an adaptation of what Disney presented, no, this is a tale as unique as the cover that graces its pages. And don't be surprised if you develop a hankering for peaches while you are reading.

                                            

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

About the Book:

1 Pinch of Poison.

1 Dash of Daring.

1 Fragile Alliance (and the lies that might set it on fire).

Their marriage was arranged a century ago, but she’ll do everything she can to stop it now.

Nykita spent years fighting her scheduled arranged marriage, and now that the day has finally arrived, she will take whatever measures she must to avoid binding herself to the ocean fae’s prince.

Warrick is determined to build a successful marriage with the human princess, but he did not expect to find her little kingdom on the verge of collapsing on itself.

Warrick and Nykita need to see past each others’ crisp edges and expose their own tender vulnerabilities if they hope to stop a rebellion and save the alliance between their people. It’s a good thing they have a fire chicken to help.

How will Warrick respond to life on land, reluctant rebels, and a princess who doesn’t eat sugar? What will Nykita do when she discovers she has worse enemies than the man she married? Find out in this delightful tale of magic, tension, and no-spice romantasy!

A Pint of Peaches and Poison, a wildly reimagined, reverse-gender Little Mermaid retelling, is a standalone novella, full of magic, betrayals, redemption, and delicious fruits. It is part of the Enchanting Confections series, a collection of cozy stories with no-spice romance guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Order this Little Mermaid retelling at https://books2read.com/pintpp

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness ~ Review

 

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness 

The Enchanting Confections
By Gabrielle Landi

Narrated by Jess Moran

This is a fun and delightful Thumbelina retelling and no magic was involved. Linnea has been left in charge of the Cozy Cat Cafe when her employer is away. Handling everything on her own–no problem. Well, maybe a tad overwhelming, especially since she volunteered to bake muffins and tarts for the local school fundraiser. But how could she say no when Conrad the new schoolteacher asked.

Conrad and Linnea spend much of the time wondering if the other may have feelings for the other, though it is obvious to almost everyone that they do. It's those who aren't in the almost category who complicate things for them.

Thing was a cute and enjoyable story that I enjoyed in audio format. It was a quick and enjoyable listen that was well presented by the narrator, Jess Moran. The total run time is less than three hours and was a great way to pass an afternoon.

To order this title go to the following link: Taste of Tea and Tenderness store link

About the Book:

A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line.

Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll.

Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected.

Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned?

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

Evermore ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Book Bee Blogger's Choice Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours!

Evermore

Fairy Tale Frenzy

By Tabitha Boulin, Megan Charlie, and Heather Flynn

Falling for the Beast by Tabitha Bouldin finds Mordred cast from his realm and slowly being transformed into a being that gave me Steampunk vibes. Each evening, he is transformed, losing more of who he is to a body of metal and wood. He has one hope of stopping his transformation and returning to his realm, but it will require a sacrifice--and the chosen sacrifice is Belle, a young woman who is cursed and unable to use her magic. But to aid her father and sister, Belle agrees to help Mordred. But nothing is easy or simple in this imaginative and engaging retelling of what was lost.  

Dust Clothes and Dumbbells by Megan Charlie finds Bernie working in the remote estate of a beast-cursed lesser prince. Prince Emrik, as his loyal staff of twenty-plus years likes to call him, is so far down the list of potential ruling princes that he is only of importance because of the off-chance of some noblewoman breaking the curse and freeing them all. This is one of those stories where you know where you are going, but its true beauty is in the journey. And this journey is lovely as Bernie and Emrik interact and grow closer in their shared cursedness.

Beauty in the Shadows by Heather Flynn finds Lewis Winlas occupied with his duties a shepherd when on a break he hears stories of "Old Jack" Langley and finds himself drawn to the old Langley place. But it isn't until he is hurt that Lewis has a chance to learn more about "Old Jack" and that Jack is, in truth, Jacaranda, the last member of the Langley family. This story has secrets, treachery, and betrayals that give it an appealing twist when combined with a faith-filled thread.

This collection of stories was a delight to read and one I am thrilled to share with you.

About the Book:

Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of heartwarming, thrilling, and romantic fantasy fairy tale retellings.

Falling for the Beast by Tabitha Bouldin
Belle never asked to inherit a curse that stripped her of magic. Mordred never expected to be cast from his realm, trapped in a body of gears and wood. Bound by fate and desperate bargains, the two must risk trust—and their hearts—to survive Castle Graymoore’s secrets. But when betrayal and sacrifice collide, will love be enough to shatter the curse before it consumes them both?

Dust Clothes and Dumbbells by Megan Charlie
Bernie has been a maid in a cursed household for nearly 20 years. If the Beast/prince can’t find love soon, everyone on the estate will die.
Nothing is working out as it should and Bernie’s growing feelings threaten to jeopardize everything. How can one maid save a cursed prince?

Beauty in the Shadows by Heather Flynn
A shepherd, who is more than he appears to be, is injured in an accident. In desperation he finds himself at the mysterious Langley Manor, a subject of many rumors in the village of Enulmoor. There he meets a woman who hides herself in shadows, loaded down with guilt of the past. Together they must take on the challenges that bring her face to face with her past, while he must face his destiny.

Be sure to check out all 14 titles in Beyond the Bookery's Fairy Tale Frenzy collection.

Available at Amazon.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 gift card (winner's choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, or Baker Book House)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 8, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

A Touch of Tiaras and Treachery ~ Review

A Touch of Tiaras and Teachery

Enchanting Confections

By Ashley Evercott

Oh, I absolutely LOVED this story! I loved Nin and how caring for her younger brother was the driving force behind all her actions — pickpocket, double for the princess, assassination bait.

 

Was it easy to impersonate a princess? Absolutely not — there are rules, multilayered clothes, etiquette, more rules, dancing lessons, and no tasty sweet treats. Did I mention rules? And absolute secrecy — only Captain Cedric Duval, the real princess, and Lucille know what's going on. To breathe even a hint at what they are doing could cost them their lives, their freedom, and well, really, everything. 

Yeah, not a fan of death because the big secret plan to save the princess does not go as planned. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to save her brother. 

I have never had a macaron before, but after reading this, I need to find someplace that makes them and try one. You'll understand once you've read the story.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. 

Is it all Lollipops and Roses? No. 

Does it have a Happily-Ever-After? Yes.

And the ending totally loved it!

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

About the Book:

For Nin, the dream was never a tiara—only survival. But when a desperate bargain promises her brother’s safety in exchange for taking a princess’s place, she can’t refuse. Thrust into a world of luxury and suspicion, Nin must master courtly etiquette to keep the true princess hidden. One mistake could cost more than her secret, it could cost lives.

Captain Cedric Duval lives by a strict code of order, discipline, and restraint. Training a street-smart pauper to impersonate a princess, however, proves far more difficult than any security drill. As he teaches Nin curtsies and royal customs, he begins to question the wisdom of his plan… and his growing feelings for the girl beneath the disguise.

With a royal wedding drawing near, Nin and Cedric must survive a court where danger lurks in the shadows and every dance could reveal hidden truths. Each step closer to uncovering the plot puts their deception—and their hearts—at risk. If they fail, it won’t be a princess the assassin strikes, it will be the girl wearing her tiara.

A Touch of Tiaras and Treachery, a gender-swapped retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as "swapped identities", "slow-burn", "princess training", and "bodyguard romance". It is a part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

From the author Content Warning: This book contains an assassination plot, attempted assassination, non-explicit death, use of a coercive drug, mention of deceased parents, and poverty

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 Huntsman ~ Review

Falling for the Huntsman

To Win a Dark Heart #12

By Leialoha Humpherys

Have you ever hidden yourself away? Malia has done just that. She's lived with the guilt of what she's done, but not of what she was accused of doing. No, she never sank that low. She's called "witch" and viewed with suspicion by the villagers, who should call her neighbor and healer.  

Alaric never wants to be poor or suffer again, and the means to his goal is whaling and building a fleet of ships around it. Alaric is not just good at his job; he's the best, and he has built an empire that is known across the seas. But when his ship is attacked, Alaric nearly pays for the treachery with his life. His rescue is the talk of legends, but only if he recovers to speak of it. And it is here that our two wounded "villains" come together. Malia is a healer and Alaric is nearly mortally wounded. 

Falling for the Huntsman is such a good read. It is one of those books that once you open it, you don't want to put it down. And when forced to do so, you just want to return to this faraway island world and dive back in. This was a wholly unique blending of Snow White and Hansel and Gretel set in an exotic, tropical location. I love it when a book makes me want to find more titles set in its story world, and Falling for the Huntsman does just that.   

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

About the Book:

A Villainous Twist on Snow White and Hansel & Gretel

Two villains. 

One shipwreck. 

A queen’s betrayal that could ruin them all.

Alaric, the infamous huntsman who once saved Princess Sereth, has built a brutal whaling empire without her crown or favor. Feared, powerful, and as untouchable as the sea, he’s the kind of man no one crosses. But when a mysterious ambush leaves him shipwrecked, he wakes in the care of a quiet woman who seems to loathe him on sight.
Malia has spent years in exile, her name twisted into legend after two lost children fled her forest home and never returned. She lives with pain and guilt, hidden far from the queen’s reach… until the sea tosses a wounded whaler onto her shores.

He’s sharp edges and control. She’s soft silence and secrets. But the more time they spend together, the more their guarded hearts begin to unravel. And when the truth surfaces—about the ambush, the queen, and their own pasts—they’ll have to decide if love is enough to survive what comes next. Falling for the Huntsman is a lush, romantic retelling that weaves together Snow White and Hansel & Gretel. After betrayal, exile, and near-death, a ruthless whaler and a reclusive witch are forced together on a faraway island, where old wounds burn and forbidden feelings spark.

Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, cozy danger, and villain redemption arcs, "Falling for the Huntsman" is the twelfth book in the To Win a Dark Heart series, which retells fairytales as old as time—but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Falling for the Dark Mage ~ Review

Falling for the Dark Mage

To Win a Dark Heart

By Lucy Winton

Seraphina is a disappointment. She knows that in her mother's eyes, she is useless, with only skills in creative magic. Her mother plans to marry her off, only as a bride to a king is she of worth. Seraphina does not wish to marry to further her mother's cruel and criminal ways. She has plans, but then a mage on the run for cursing his prince is welcomed into her mother's criminal empire. 

Damario is the missing ingredient in Phyllida's plans to control not only a criminal empire but the kingdoms around them. His curse was powerful, and she needed to create an unbreakable curse to expand her power. 

But when Seraphina and Damario form a friendship, something shifts. Seraphina knows that her chance to escape her mother's clutches and plans may be thwarted.

This was a well-paced retelling that kept my attention from the opening scene. An engaging tale that is unique, with whispers of the originals woven together to create something new. Appropriate for teens and up, with nothing to cringe at in the romance department.

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

About the Book:

A mage desperate to escape. 

A stranger with a dark past. 

An alliance that could free them both.

Seraphina is a disappointment. The daughter of a dark mage, she is unable to cast curses and can only create three charms. The sole way she can benefit her mother’s criminal empire is as a bride.

The first attempt ended badly, with her mother flying into a rage and cursing the reluctant groom to be frozen into his Bear form. Now Seraphina bides her time, practicing her Creative magic and waiting for her chance to escape.

When a newcomer arrives at the fortress, Seraphina’s mother takes a strong interest in his talents. On the run from cursing the crown prince of a neighboring kingdom, Damario could provide her dark mages with the one thing that’s missing from a curse they’re perfecting.

Seraphina’s escape plans are jeopardized when a familiar figure from her past appears. She is determined to leave the fortress, but can she manage it in time? And will Damario give Seraphina a reason to stay?

Falling for the Dark Mage is the eleventh book in the To Win a Dark Heart series, which retells fairytales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Falling for the Wolf ~ Review - Release Day

Falling for the Wolf

To Win a Dark Heart

By Megan Charlie

Tasia may have told Prince Frank something about her family that she shouldn't have. Well, that was the last time she'd be able to spill the beans and betray their trust, because she was sent to a different kingdom to relatives she had never met. Talk about culture shock. What's worse, no one wants anything to do with her. Which is problematic when she needs to get a job and contribute to the household. 

What's a girl to do when there are no available jobs for her? Take the only one available—delivering medicine to an old woman known as Grandmother. One delivery a week, surely Tasia can handle that, can't she? Evidently not, because she gets lost in the woods. She needs help and happens to stumble upon Mitch.

Mitch is cursed. There is no other word for it, and now he's saddled with Tasia because she stumbled upon his secret. Now he's stuck helping her get from town to Granny's house. He's counting down the days until he can leave the town behind and start over somewhere else again. And he refuses to be anything but brusque and surly with Tasia. No way is he ever helping someone willingly again. 

Nope, not happening ever. 

So, yeah, that changed. And now the two of them must work together to stop an evil plot that could totally ruin their lives for however long they live. Right sounds totally dire. But they have a plan. Or will have a plan. They need to think of a plan. 

This is a cute story that brings together the villains from Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella in a delightful, fun reimagining from the POV of the other side of these well-known fairy tales. Mitch and Tasia are such opposites that they truly need one another to thwart the danger that has surrounded them and maybe their own Happily-Ever-After.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.   

About the Book:

A woman who betrayed her family

A rogue hiding a hairy secret

And a blackmail arrangement with unexpected consequences

After her stepsister marries the crown prince, Tasia is shipped out of the country to live with relatives she’s never heard of before. Blamed and scorned for her role in that debacle, Tasia struggles to make a new life for herself amongst a community that doesn’t care for outsiders. But even that is less nerve-wracking than her weekly trips through the woods to deliver a basket of “goodies” to the sinister old woman known only as Grandmother.

Mitch helped a naive girl travel through the woods once before. After having his heart viciously yanked out and stomped on, he’s not doing that ever again. When Tasia comes along, all innocent smiles and no sense of self-preservation, he vows to stay far away. But she stumbles upon his furry little secret and he reluctantly agrees to play protector in exchange for her silence.

What seems like a simple arrangement soon becomes complicated as enemies from the past begin cropping up in unexpected places. When Mitch and Tasia stumble onto a villainous plot with far-reaching consequences they must choose between looking out for themselves or risking everything for faceless strangers. With lives–and possibly their hearts–on the line, how will two recovering villains decide what to do? And will their choices be compatible? Or just another betrayal?

Falling for the Wolf is a retelling that combines elements of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Set after the events of each of these stories, this no spice romantasy is the 8th 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.

Falling for the Crystal Fae ~ Review

Falling for the Crystal Fae

To Win a Dark Heart #4

By Anabelle Raven

This book captured me from the opening scene: 

My heart never stopped beating, but my imprisonment was its own form of death. It separated me from my throne, my power, and my tea.

This gave me such a sense of Khiona's pain and the reasoning behind her desire for vengeance.

When Khiona finds a lamp, she never expected to find someone imprisoned within it. Someone with the power to release her from her own prison. Someone who needs her as much as she needs him.

Andar has finally found a way to escape his prison, a prison that allows him access to unlimited power, but only at the bidding of another. He plans to help Khiona just long enough to trap her in his prison.

Of course, nothing goes quite to plan. Andar and Khiona are not what the other is expecting. Slowly, they start having trouble. How can you use someone when you start forming an attachment to them? 

I loved watching the transformation as these two made their way from the Winter Kingdom to the Autumn Kingdom. This was a story of second chances and redemption. Excellent reading.

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

About the Book:

A vengeful queen.

A sorcerer chained by magic.

A truce with power to destroy the realms.

Khiona once ruled her fae kingdom with an icy fierceness—until humans twisted her magic into a prison she could not escape.

Andar once collected enough power to control the cosmos, but he was bound so he could only use it at another’s bidding.

Alone, Khiona and Andar were captured, safely removed from society and trapped in prisons as unique as the villains themselves. But when an earthquake brings them together, they both devise ways to use each other to achieve their ever-distant dreams.

Complications arise when those dreams do not align with each other and new feelings interfere with old agendas. Will the most powerful tyrants known to fae finally bring the world to its knees? Or will they destroy themselves with their own opposing plans—especially when none of those plans included falling for each other?

Falling for the Crystal Fae is a fairytale novella that combines fantasy elements of The Snow Queen and Aladdin. Set after the events in each of these stories, it is brimming with new adventures, dangerous dragons, redemption, betrayal, and a no-spice, sweet romance love story.

Falling for the Crystal Fae is the fourth 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.

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.

Falling for the Trickster ~ Review

Falling for the Trickster

To Win a Dark Heart #1

By Lucy Tempest

Falling for the Trickster is a Rumpelstiltskin/Goose Girl mashup that focuses on the maid who tried to usurp her princess. In this retelling, the princess is awful, and no one can blame Ottoline for wanting a better life, considering Princess Gertrude's abuse. 

When she is offered the chance to switch places and get the life Gertrude is assured of, Ottoline takes it. It will only cost her an unknown favor to Roderick. What could it truly cost if he can switch things up so easily?

Yeah, it's never a good choice to make a bargain without knowing the costs. But nothing is as Ottoline, Gertrude, and Roderick expected because the king of Orcage demands that the "princess" turn objects to gold. Her upcoming marriage to the prince is not enough to dispel the debts owed to Orcage. 

Does anyone else see the problem? 

With the assistance of Roderick again, for the price of a kiss, everything will be great. Not so, the king is not so easily satisfied, and Roderick's gold-turning abilities are limited. Everyone needs a reset, but nope, not happening. What follows is a sweet yet dangerous attempt to stop the king and get what both Ottoline and Roderick truly want.

I loved how various aspects of the Goose Girl and Rumpelstiltskin played out. There is a lovely interweaving that allows both tales to be fully present while offering something new and fresh. The villains get their day, and in this retelling, you will be rooting for them to succeed. 

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

About the Book:

Rumpelstiltskin meets The Goose Girl.

An opportunistic maid.

A manipulative faerie.

A gilded deal that binds them both.

Ottoline has had enough. After years of enduring Princess Gertrude’s cruelty, the maid’s patience snaps during their voyage to the foreign kingdom of Orcage, where the princess is to marry the crown prince to settle a royal debt. There, she crosses paths with a silver-haired, silver-tongued man with a penchant for deals and deception.

Cunning and ambitious, fae nobleman Lord Roderick von Ravenstock offers Ottoline the opportunity of a lifetime: to switch places with her tormentor and claim the life of a princess.

With a snap of his fingers, she is set to live the life she had dreamed of at the glimmering court of Orcage...until its superstitious king demands she fulfill her kingdom's debt by turning everything into gold.

Trapped by her own masquerade, Ottoline turns to Roderick again, and he offers to save her, in exchange for a kiss.

One kiss. One favor. One step closer to ruin.

As the king’s demands escalate, so do Roderick’s bargains, each adding another layer to his plot against the royal family, and drawing her deeper into a deadly game of magic and court intrigue. But when the king’s greed spirals beyond control, Ottoline has no choice but to escape into Faerie where she falls from one monster’s grasp into the next.

Risking his plans, Roderick saves her and, as she recovers under his watchful gaze, the forced proximity begins to crack their defenses, revealing who they are underneath their roles as the trickster and the fraud. Villains in the lives of others, but heroes of their own stories.

Together, they plot one last con to bring the king to his knees. But nothing ever goes to plan, especially when hearts are on the line.

Falling For the Trickster is the first book in the To Win a Dark Heart series which retells fairytales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

And the Mountains in Reply ~ Review

And the Mountains in Reply

The Carols of Christmas

By Sienna Peake

Sarah Gibson is about to become Prescott, Arizona's first teacher. She left behind the life of luxury she was used to living in Philadelphia. Here she's determined that all children will be able to attend her school, and with the help of local carpenter Elijah Phelps she extends the invitation to the children some deem unfit for school.  

Elijah isn't the most sociable of men, nope he has scars both visible and of the soul. For him, his work in Prescott is a temporary stop on his way further west. Helping Sarah with various school related tasks gives him a glimpse into what could be, but he knows if she learns the truth about his past, she'll turn her back on him.

And the Mountains in Reply is a story of grace, second chances, and seeing worth in others. A lovely and sweet romance, perfect for teens and older who want a clean read.

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

About the Book:

The music of Christmas mends hearts in frontier Arizona

When Sarah Gibson arrives in Arizona, she has nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and a set of lesson plans to start her life as Prescott's first teacher. From the start, complications arise, and they all seem to bring her in contact with the same taciturn carpenter: Elijah Phelps. When Sarah's school plans begin to fall apart, she'll need to work with Elijah to prepare a Christmas concert powerful enough to bring the town together and maybe the two of them as well.

And the Mountains in Reply is a stand-alone novella in the Carols of Christmas series of Christian romances inspired by classic Christmas hymns.

His Boss's Little Sister ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for His Boss's Little Sister 

by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

His Boss's Little Sister 
Apron Strings Tea Tales 

By Danielle Grandinetti

When Kyle Docherty left Crow's Nest, Wisconsin, behind, he did so without saying goodbye to Samantha Martens. Sam's heart was bruised by Kyle's departure. But when Kyle didn't return home, Sam was left as the odd Marten out as her brothers found love, 

Determined to not be an additional burden on her brothers, Sam finds a job and lodging elsewhere. But when an illegal substance is found in the Teahouse where she works, Sam wants to find out where the margarine came from. Is someone cutting costs? Or targeting the German Tea House? 

When Kyle walks back into her life, they work together to find answers and to decide if they have a future together.

This was a quick and easy read and an enjoyable spinoff of the Crow Nest series. I found myself rooting for Sam and Kyle to get a chance at having a second chance. The historical aspects surrounding margarine and the dairy industry in Wisconsin were interesting. Who knew that margarine was smuggled over state lines? I sure didn't. I knew that it was illegal but not the full extent. Fun and enjoyable. 

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

If you are interested in reading Wisconsin's oleomargarine laws, here is a link to the law - 

Wisconsin Legislature: 97.18. 

Yes, this is a thing.

About the Book

Title: His Boss's Little Sister 
Series: Apron Strings Tea Tales 
Author: Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date: November 18, 2025 
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

Broken hearts, underground smuggling, and a meddling family ... one Wisconsin Teehaus offers a love of more than sweet treats. 

November 1931---Needing a new start, Samantha Martins escapes the happily-ever-afters of her hometown to take a waitressing position at a German Tea House. But all is not as it appears beneath the pretty trappings. When she discovers illegal oleomargarine on the premises, which could shut down the cafe, and thus cost her job, she goes searching for the source. 

Samantha's old beau, Kyle Docherty, returns to Crow's Nest a changed man, both inside and out. An apology burning in his heart, he finds she's left home. However, with trouble on her trail, Samantha's brother hires Kyle to be her bodyguard. But will she even speak to him? And if not, will she at least allow him to protect her, even without the arm he lost in a logging accident? 

When the breadcrumbs lead them into a trap, putting Kyle's life in danger, Samantha faces an impossible choice: listen to Kyle and run for help, or stay a captive and outwit a criminal. If only the ticking bomb were on their side.  

A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope. 

His Boss's Little Sister is a stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea Tale multi-author series, and a 1930s historical romance retelling of Hansel and Gretel. 

Fans of the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and discovering the HEA of the hero's little sister from Confessions to a Stranger.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | DanielleGrandinetti.com | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of 

Confessions to a Stranger and Escape with the Prodigal!

Full tour schedule linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on November 10, 2025, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 17, 2025. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 

48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

So, To Honor Him ~ Review

So, To Honor Him

The Carols of Christmas

By Alice Monday

Elizabeth Parks finds her shaky faith tested when her husband dies from yellow fever. Before he is even buried Elizabeth finds that she must determine where her future lies. Does she stay in the South with its ties to slavery or does she move North where slavery is not allowed. But when war divides the nation, she finds herself on the wrong of the conflict.

But she is where God needs her to be when a young drummer boy is injured during the fighting. Samuel needs nursing and Elizabeth is willing to provide it and help him return to his home in the North. Helping Samuel is the first step in the healing she needs, but it also allows her to reconnect with the God she blames for her loss. Could God have an even better future for her than she expected? Elizabeth is about to discover the future she never expected and with it a second chance at love.

Discover the abiding love of God in this Historical Christmas Romance that will take you from sorrow to joy in this moving story.

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

About the Book:

A Civil War nurse’s journey from heartbreak to hope.

Set during the American Civil War, Elizabeth Parks renounces her faith in God in the wake of her husband's sudden death by yellow fever. Feeling lonely and trapped, she throws herself into the nursing of wounded soldiers following the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and hopes she will find some comfort in helping others. When a gravely injured, drummer boy soldier named Samuel Gordon arrives at Charlottesville General Hospital, Elizabeth finds purpose in nursing the child back to health so that he can make it home for Christmas.

With Samuel’s Christmas wish driving her forward, Elizabeth leaves her home in Virginia to accompany Samuel back to his father’s home in Maryland where he hopes to play his drum for his father, Thomas. Along the way, war and loss continues to threaten them at every turn, but Elizabeth also catches a glimmer of hope against such suffering as Samuel relays Bible stories, including the story of Jesus’s birth, to Elizabeth. When they finally reach Samuel’s father Thomas, Elizabeth’s heart begins to heal. As she helps care for Samuel and spends time with Thomas, Elizabeth questions whether she should remain in mourning or open her heart to new love and embrace the peace that only comes through trusting in His plan.

Inspired by the song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” So, To Honor Him released on October 27, 2025. It is part of The Carols of Christmas, a multi-author series, though it can be read as a standalone novella.