Hannah and the Nightingale ~ Review

Hannah and the Nightingale
Once in a Wood #4

By Sienna Peake

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

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

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

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

About the Book:

He's the son of a duke. 

She's the daughter of a vicar. 

Will the power of song bring them together?

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

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

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

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

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

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

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

Feathered Thief ~ Release Day

Feathered Thief

All That Glitters

By J.M. Stengl

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

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

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

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

About the Book:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guinevere and the Three Brothers ~ Review

Guinevere and the Three Brothers

Once in a Wood #3

By Sienna Peake

I loved how this book retold Goldilocks and the Three Bears in a Regency setting. Guinevere Goldwyn must find a husband now or face being forced to accept her stepfather's choice for her. In an attempt to help Guinevere find a match, her mother arranges a visit to a distant cousin in Yorkshire who just happens to have three eligible sons. But Guinevere refuses to settle for anything less than love. Is there a brother who is just right for her? But after several unsuccessful London seasons, she's just about given up hope of catching any man's eye. 

I really enjoyed this book. Guinevere's interactions with the three Morley brothers provide a definite nod to the tale on which it was inspired. There is a scene with jam that is perfectly reimagined for this retelling - I love it! Of course, I now need to try the featured jam. This is a sweet and clean story that is suitable for readers aged twelve and up.

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

About the Book:

In a manor in Yorkshire lived three brothers near a wood...

Despite several unsuccessful London seasons, Guinevere Goldwyn is determined to marry for love or not at all, no matter what her stepfather insists. A surprise trip to visit distant relatives in Yorkshire may be Guinevere's last chance at finding a match of her own, but when her attempts at courtship with the first two Morley brothers utterly fail and the third brother seems hopelessly out of reach, what is she to do? Guinevere must find the courage to reach for what she truly wants if she is to find her own happily ever after.

Guinevere and the Three Brothers is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It is the third book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. Each book in the series is a stand-alone work, and the stories can be enjoyed in any order.


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

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

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

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

Daylily ~ Review

Daylily: A Snow White Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales

By Madeline Kersberger

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

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

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

About the Book:

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

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

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.

 

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A Lady Most Untamed ~ Review

 

A Lady Most Untamed

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Amanda Panhorst

I loved this story. I loved Arthur Fairhurst's character, who was uncomfortable with the public expectations of his role as a duke and being in the public eye, in contrast to his sister Fanny, who seemed to revel in public spectacle. 

All Arthur seems to enjoy is studying nature, which he can observe in the isolation of his estate. But all that ends when a young woman is found trespassing on his estate. Worse, she has decided to take up residence in the forest. Why would a single woman who is obviously a gypsy take up residence in his forest? Being who he is, Arthur decides to "study" the situation.

Mara Boswell has taken refuge in a hidden area of a forest. She is hiding from those who have caused her great pain. She is wary of anyone who approaches. The only one she lets near is her deerhound. This young woman and her unusual ways intrigue Arthur, and he wants to get to know her better, but not as the duke but as himself, as Arthur.

What follows is a delightful story of discovery and friendship. However, I have to be honest: the fairy tale it was based on was one I was unfamiliar with, so I can't compare the original with this story. But regardless, I have no qualms about recommending this sweet story, which I feel is appropriate for tweens and up.

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

About the Book:

Arthur Fairhurst is a terrible duke. Jumpy and nervous around others, he prefers hiding away in his Northumberland forest collecting, sketching, and researching all the wildlife he can find, trying to satiate his inexhaustible curiosity. So when his gamekeeper informs him of a gypsy girl and her dog hiding away in his woods, curiosity demands he find out everything he can about her before telling her to move on. Dressed as a plain woodsman, Arthur gains her trust little by little, and is surprised by the things the gypsy girl, Mara, brings out in him.

Mara Boswell discovered long ago that she cannot depend on anyone but herself. Driven by tragedy, she has roamed here and there all around England, always on the move, running from those who would find her and hurt her once more. Thinking she has found a safe haven at last in the dense forests of Northumberland, she is informed by a woodsman that she is trespassing, and not just on any lands, but a duke’s.

Loath to move on again, she agrees to a bargain to talk about her gypsy life in exchange for permission to stay in the forest unmolested. The opportunity is too good to pass up, and Mara begins to see that not everyone is out to do her harm. That certain people would love and protect her if she would only let them.

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 Peak
* 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

Friend and Faux ~ Available Now

 

Friend and Faux

The Otaku Fairytales #1

By Erudessa Gentian

I think this is by far the most unique of the Lost Kerchiefs challenge stories. First, it is set in today's world. And I'll be honest: I have never read anything written in the AnimeLit style, so I can't compare it to others in the same style. 

All that being said, I did enjoy reading this book. It is easily read in a few hours and takes the reader into the life of a freshman college student. Asuka Gosse is attending because her grades have made her a highly desired student. She may not have the wealth or social status of the rest of the students, but she will work her hardest to prove her worth. 

Of course, a new student who doesn't understand the current social hierarchy is pulled in by the machinations of an oh-so-helpful student willing to show her the ropes and help her navigate this new world. Yep, you can totally see where this is going. 

I loved the ending. I'm not saying anything more because that will totally ruin it for you. Let's just say it was priceless and oh-so-perfect. I'm interested in what comes next in this new series and would highly recommend it to younger readers without hesitation.

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

About the Book:

New school, new start…right?

If only Asuka Gosse’s social smarts were as brilliant as her grades. Can our freshman navigate the intricacies of university life, and discern Friend from Faux?

This short spin on the classic Goose Girl fairytale is written in AnimeLit style and set in a non-magical, contemporary world.

Wind Charmer ~ Available Now

Wind Charmer

By Meredith Leigh Burton

Felicity loves her routines. She needs them, but everything changes when she is sent to a foreign kingdom to wed the prince. What's worse, the person tasked with helping her navigate these changes uses Felicity's need for routine against her.

I like Felicity. As someone who constantly arranges things (like dishes) to find a pattern where none exists, I can empathize with her even greater need for order. That said, I do not like her companion Melinda. Nope, not a bit. 

Felicity's differences, while being her greatest vulnerability, also gave her a strength many underestimated. She had to deal daily with outside factors that could, in minutes, upend her world. Through practice and calming techniques, she overcame and came into her own.  

I love Felicity's connection to animals and how her interaction with them plays into the story. Throughout, one can find nods to the original story: a golden cup, a talking horse, a devious servant, and an arranged marriage to a foreign prince. This is a story that is as beautifully written as the cover and one not to be missed.

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

About the Book:

Felicity does not conform to her kingdom’s idea of a princess. She is shy, clumsy and very routine in her habits. Yet she is also fiercely protective, adores animals and determined to fulfill her royal duties despite the anxiety that often grips her heart.

Felicity has been chosen to marry Prince Nathan of the kingdom of Fidel, a man whom she has never met. Will her eccentricities upset him? When Felicity sets forth on her momentous journey to Fidel, she quickly realizes that a threat lurks closer than she could ever have imagined.

Thrust into a kingdom with different customs, Felicity struggles to adapt to the changes that she must encounter. The malevolent circumstances that follow her every waking moment begin to encroach upon those she holds dear. Felicity must confront the evil that seeks to devour her, an evil that is as deceptively beautiful as it is deadly. Yet how can she do so when feelings of self-doubt and shame plague her every waking moment? Can she find the courage to leave her comforting routines behind in order to save two kingdoms from an impending tyrant’s rule? A surly goose herder, a brusque groom and possibly the prince himself may be the only ones who can help. But can she trust them?

A story of hidden strength, deception and finding your voice, Wind Charmer is a tale of two kingdoms grappling to survive. Gifts of unusual power can be used to hurt or heal. A golden goose and a kind horse will play pivotal roles in a young maiden’s quest to find the courage to face an insidious threat, and a young prince must face a harrowing past in order that he may become the ruler he is destined to be. Wind Charmer is a tale not to be missed, a story of perseverance and faith in the midst of evil. Book Fun Facts:  ~ The folklore in Wind Charmer was inspired by several things, but primarily it was inspired by Lakota Nation folklore. The Lakota Nation is a Native American tribe who believe that the Great Spirit of Creator holds all things together. All nature is interconnected. Thus, animals should be respected just as much as humanity. We are all family. Felicity understands this fact. ~  Felicity loves reading stories and even reads stories aloud to animals.  Her favorite stories are: "The Tyrant and the Star Queen," "The Long-Haired Strong Man," and "The Giant and the Grasshopper". The stories seem simple, but they each play significant roles in Felicity's life. Each group of animals has a particular favorite: for instance, the cows love "The Tyrant and the Star Queen". They regard themselves as the heroines of the story. Each story features animals in important roles. ~  After receiving my first edits for Wind Charmer, I contemplated abandoning the work. There were copious notes of things that needed to be fixed. For instance, I had included Falada's decapitation in my first draft. However, through my editor's suggestions and my own thoughts, I developed a much more satisfying solution to this part of the story. Falada is actually featured on the cover of Wind Charmer in a subtle but profound way that will make sense when the story is read. ~  Felicity's name means happiness. She takes pleasure in seemingly insignificant things; caring for animals and reading stories. She is often ridiculed for her simplicity, but she is smarter than people think. She suffers from loneliness but faces life with joy, so her name befits her character.