Pumpkin War ~ Review

Pumpkin War: 

The True Story of Cinderella

Ever After Maneuver #1

By Kendra E. Ardnek 

Elindala's task is simple, make the prince of Charmonce fall in love with her and steal his kingdom. Except it doesn't quite go according to plan. Prince Christof isn't falling at her feet. Yes, he did propose, and he did marry her. But he's determined for them to have a proper marriage but not until she comes to realize that she can trust him with her secrets. But how can she tell him the truth when doing so will betray her country. Worse, if she doesn't complete her task, her mother will consider her a disappointment, and she will end up in the tower with the other imprisoned princesses. If only King Hurbert hadn't married her mother and taken over their kingdom, she wouldn't be in this mess.

What's a princess in disguise to do? Ella needs to figure this out and soon.

Christof knows that Ella is the woman he is to marry. Not that her glamour has enchanted him; rather, it was a gift given to him by his grandmother that showed him where to set his heart. But when it becomes obvious that Ella is hiding something he needs to wonder just what role she is to play in his kingdom. Could his grandmother have been wrong? Could another fae have been working in opposition to his grandmother's gift? These are questions Christof must think on and hopefully get to the truth of his new wife.

Pumpkin War is an interesting twist on Cinderella, especially the stepmother—evil stepsister dynamic. This book is separate from but connected to the author's previous book, To Destroy an Illusion: A Glass Mountain Retelling.  So if you've read it you'll get a fun surprise in this book. If you haven't read it, there will be no issues with reading and enjoying this book, which is the first in the Ever After Maneuver series. 

Experience the story of Cinderella as you've never experienced it before! 

About the Book:

All's fair till it isn't a game...

Go to a ball, meet the prince, fall in love.
It's all simple process, though Elindala knows better than to fall in love with the prince. She wears a glamour that molds her into his perfect woman, and as soon as she has his heart, she will play the part of a faithful wife until she has torn down the defenses and has laid bare his kingdom for her family's attack. She just has to keep up the walls around her heart that have kept her safe her whole life.

Christof knows that all isn't right with his new bride. Ella's story has a few too many holes, and she's keeping a few too many secrets. However, she is the woman he's chosen, and he's determined to win her heart the way that she has stolen his. His parents worry, but he's sure that a little patience and care is all it'll take. After all, she's clearly not had much of that from her stepfamily.

War threatens, and secrets abound. Whose heart is forfeit, and whose kingdom will remain standing at the end of the Pumpkin War?

The Ever After Maneuver is a series of loosely connected swoony sweet retellings set in a shared world, with overarching themes of love, treachery, and political intrigue. There will be story arcs spanning multiple books, but unless specified otherwise, they can be read in any order.

Pride and Preston Lin ~ Review

Pride and Preston Lin

By Christina Dudley

Lissie (Elizabeth) is the middle Cheng sister who were taken in by her aunt and uncle when their parents died. When Lissie is overworked one night at the family restaurant she makes what could have been a fatal mistake - she serves a customer with allergies a dish that contains shellfish. Not good and then Preston Lin starts throwing his "privileged" opinion about the situation around. He might be good looking but his wealthy family and self-righteous personality make him an instant cringe for Lissie. Especially after the shellfish incident. It's not like she meant to make such a huge mistake.

Pride and Preston Lin is a modern take on Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice with a twist. Preston is a star student at Stanford, and stellar when it comes to swimming. Everything Lissie isn't. And he has his very own fan club in Hazel Bing, the young woman Lissie had the unfortunate incident with. And her brother Charles has a thing for Lissie's sister Jenny, which means more chance encounters with Preston, ugh!

It is really interesting seeing how the author changes up Jane Austen's classic and makes it hers. This is definitely a modern twist, but it all plays out in such an original way that someone with only a passing familiarity with Pride and Prejudice might not recognize it. It is fun seeing the similarities and just how different they come across in a different time period, setting, and culture. Highly recommend to anyone who reads any and all Jane Austen iterations. 

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.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

In this modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, the quick-witted and contrarian Lissie Cheng must navigate societal pressures and her growing attraction to the rich and enigmatic Preston Lin.

 

Lissie is the middle of three sisters, orphaned and taken in by their aunt and uncle. Both she and her older sister, Jenny, work in the family restaurant while pursuing their education and career dreams. When Lissie accidentally serves a dish containing shellfish paste to an allergic customer, she runs afoul of the wealthy Lin family. Their golden boy, Preston, star swimmer and Stanford Ph.D. student, is as handsome as he is self-righteous. Lissie hates him and everything he stands for, but circumstances keep bringing them together. Can she overcome her pride and her initial misgivings about Preston Lin and his condescending mother? Will love prevail, and will these enemies turn into lovers?

 

Pride and Preston Lin by popular Regency romance writer Christina Hwang Dudley is a hilarious and earnest contemporary riff on Jane Austen’s classic work. And readers will undoubtedly root for Lissie Cheng, a sassy new Elizabeth Bennet for our times, to find lasting love and happiness.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Christina Dudley's books have been called "enchanting," "sparkling" and "swoon-worthy" by reviewers like Austenprose and Austenesque Reviews. She's authored two award-winning Regency series: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh and The Ellsworth Assortment, as well as PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN, a contemporary riff on Austen's classic which was chosen as a February 2024 Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews Magazine and received starred reviews from both them and Booklist. She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

 

"In a world with so many Pride & Prejudice adaptations, a new one has to be truly special to stand out, and this one is. Dudley’s contemporary debut is faithful to its source material but finds clever ways to make it work in a modern setting, while also adding an authentic Chinese American perspective on the beloved story. A warm, sweet story with all the witticisms Austen fans savor."— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

"Like Crazy (not) Rich Asians meets Jane Austen, Pride and Preston Lin is a delightful retelling of a beloved classic that had me smiling from page one."— Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Hundred Loves of Juliet

 

To Capture a Beauty ~ Review

To Capture a Beauty:

A Snow Queen Retelling

Shattered Tales #12

By Kimberly Pearl

Lydia knows she lives in the shadow of her older sister's beauty. And as far as the young men in the area go, she'll always be an afterthought or a distant memory once they catch a glimpse of Rosalee. Even her mother's insistence that Rosales was destined to capture the heart of a man of wealth and prestige showed how inferior Lydia was to her sister. So when a young man stops to actually talk to her and get to know her, she's more than a little surprised and doubtful that his attention will last. And when she learns that he's her father's new apprentice she's pleased at the prospect of more time together.

When Leif meets Lydia on the road to Moonrose, Lydia's family's farm, he's surprised how easily he can converse with her. Their shared interest in plants gives them a point connection as they work together, gathering the herbs and plants her father needs.

But there is danger in the area.  What the danger is no one knows, but young women are disappearing. Finding himself not only an apprentice but an unofficial guard for Lydia, Leif shares with her secrets about plants that he alone knows. Secrets that show her just how affected the area's vegetation is by magic.

When the pair stumble upon an enchanted mirror, they avoid it, but Lydia's brief glimpse reveals something. It showed her heart's desire - perfection. Caught in its siren call, she is tempted to take what it offers perfect unending beauty. Can she withstand its call?

This was a delightful read. Can the unintended rivalry between sisters drive them apart? Lydia's sense of inferiority drives her, damaging her past friendship with her sister. But she is fiercely loyal to her family. 

If you are someone who skips prologues, don't as it sets the whole mood and tone for the book. Deep-seated hurt, feelings of unworthiness, and inferiority that must be overcome. This is an excellent twist on the Snow Queen that will leave wanting more. The book was more than a little engaging; it was, in fact, unputdownable! Highly recommended for any reader over the age of 12 years who is looking for a clean reading, fairytale 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:

An enchanted mirror in the woods. 

Maidens going missing. 

An intriguing farmhand who could easily capture her heart. 

Lydia knows she isn’t the most beautiful Rolnik sister. She tries not to be bothered by the fact, focusing instead on her sketches and helping on the family herb farm. But as her feelings for the handsome new hire grow, so does her dread that her sister’s beauty will outshine her own. 

When she discovers a mirror in the woods that shows a flawless version of herself, its beckoning calls are hard to resist. Especially when the silvery voice tells her she could step through and make the reflection a reality. Will she be able to resist the call, or will the promise of perfection prove too strong to ignore? If she’s not careful, she may end up going missing herself.

To Destroy an Illusion ~ Review

To Destroy an Illusion:

A Glass Mountain Retelling

The Shattered Tales #11

By Kendra E Ardnek

Isobel's life is merely one of existence. She lives within a glass palace that provides for her needs and her reflection is her companion until the day that Kieran appears. 

When Kieran is present she begins to remember another life, but when he leaves they slip away. But slowly she begins to retain what was lost. But does she want to remember what was with its trickery and pain? 

As a pawn Isobel's life was not her own, but as it is now it is incomplete. Kieran holds the answers she needs but he is bound to silence in matters that could set her free.

To Destroy an Illusion is a intriguing and imaginative retelling of the Glass Mountain. How can one determine the truth when surrounded by illusion and the past is shrouded? Isobel will have to work her way through the tangle of secrets, lies, and glamour that have wrapped her within their spell for far too long if she hopes to discover the truth and free the man she loves.

This is a clean retelling that will delight any fan of fairytale retellings even if you are unfamiliar with the original. I highly recommend this book as the characters are engaging and the settings gorgeous. As part of the Shattered Tales collection this book can be read in any order or on its own as each book is complete in and of itself.

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:

Surrounded by glass and glamour, how can you know what's real? 

Now Isobel's life is perfect - as long as she doesn't look too closely at the cracks in the glass. Yet, it's a lonely life, so when a charming young man takes the place of her reflection and speaks with her, she's glad for the companionship, even if his secrets threaten to topple everything she knows. Just how did she come to live in this glass palace? 

Before Kieran might play the part of the roguish younger prince, but he takes seriously his role as the last line of defense against threats to his parents and brother. When Lothilla brings her goddaughter to court wrapped in too much glamour, and his brother falls for the girl too quickly, he knows that something must be wrong. But what can he do against the power of an elder fae? 

Secrets and mystery abound, and who knows the truth under the perfection? What will stay standing when the illusion is destroyed? To Destroy an Illusion is a retelling of “The Glass Mountain” but also contains heavy inspiration from “Fairer-than-a-Fairy,” “The Glass Coffin,” and a few other fairy tales you might know and love.

It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of fractured retellings of your favorite fairytales. The Shattered Tales can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony-sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

To Rival a Reflection ~ Review

To Rival a Reflection

A Snow White Retelling

The Shattered Tales #10

By Selina De Luca

Snow White knows she is destined for great things. and when an Enchantress offers her the chance to become the fairest in the world, she accepts. But there is just one little stipulation: if someone fairer is found, Snow White is out. And the Enchantress's promise of marriage to a prince will disappear. 

Following her deal with the Enchantress, Snow's life is a lonely existence. There are memories that are fleeting of what she used to have, before her father disappeared. Before she found the mirror that tempted her. Before she agreed to pay the Enchantress's price for magical beauty. But is loneliness worthy a beauty that separates her from her village, from friendship, and any close contact with a living being. A chance encounter with dwarves gives her something to consider. 

But when everything is threatened by her own reflection, Snow must fight for everything she holds dear, or Jardonia will fall to her wicked rival. A rival that she alone knows best. How do you fight yourself? Snow has to decide how best to proceed or the curse she has placed herself under may win.

To Rival a Reflection is an interesting retelling of Snow White. There is no wicked stepmother. Everything is Snow White. She is both protagonist and antagonist in this unique twist. How do you defeat yourself when you have been grooming and objectifying your egotistical self for years? 

The magical elements that dominate Snow's world are both helpful and isolating. And then there is the mirror and the Enchantress it summons/homes. There elements from the original that are easily recognizable but the presentation is unique. I've read several Snow White retellings and this is definitely original. Another addition to The Shatter Tales collection.

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

About the Book:

What if Snow White wanted to be the fairest of them all?

As the daughter of the king’s ambassador to Appledale and the prettiest girl in Jardonia, Snow White has always believed herself worthy of a prestigious destiny. When an Enchantress appears to Snow White through a mirror and offers her enchanted gifts and the promise of queendom, she is eager to accept the honor of being the Fairest One of All. There is just one catch: should someone fairer come along, she must forfeit her position as Fairest One—and lose the chance to marry a prince and become queen.

When her reflection begins to fade until it disappears altogether and shows up at her door as the new Fairest One, Snow White begins to see the curse beneath the Enchantress’s empty promises. With her own reflection vying for a place on the throne, Snow White must fight to protect Jardonia from this wicked rival and to keep the love of the prince who has captured her heart.

Will Snow White be able to overcome the curse of the magic mirror? Or will she forever suffer from the bitter poison of her own conceit?

To Rival a Reflection is a retelling of Snow White with inspiration from The Shadow. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

Release Day for Riddle of Hearts

 It's Release Day for Riddle of Hearts! Enjoy Rosie Grymm's retelling of Alice in Wonderland is the 9th and final book in the A Classic Retold series.

Blurb: 

Bad bargains have bad consequences. 

As royal scribe for the Queen of Hearts, Alice Bishop has two duties: record the proceedings of the court and don’t ask questions. But if chronic tardiness and a constantly wandering mind didn’t make things hard enough, now a Madness has seized the court, turning normal gatherings into heated debates and gossip into whispered threats. Unsettling dreams plague Alice’s sleep and follow her into the waking world; white roses and a familiar clearing she’s sure she’s never seen before. 

 Finding answers becomes a matter of life and death after Alice uncovers the Queen’s terrible secret. Along with a mysterious and strangely familiar man, a heartless little boy, and her own relentless curiosity, Alice embarks on a quest through the Madness corrupted forests in search of the truth. But as each step reveals more of her hidden past, her search for answers becomes the discovery of a long forgotten question. One only she can answer…or Wonderland will be lost forever. 

In this imaginative retelling of Alice in Wonderland, Rosie Grymm tackles denial, regret, and responsibility with a (big) helping of classic Wonderland madness.

Available to purchase at Amazon.com: Riddle of Hearts: A retelling of Alice in Wonderland eBook : Grymm, Rosie : Kindle Store

Find the author on social media

Facebook @Rosie Grymm

Instagram @rosies_bookshelf

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168290630-riddle-of-hearts

AUTHOR WEBSITE: https://www.aclassicretold.com/

AUTHOR BIO: Rosie Grymm is a young Christian writer who grew up traveling the world as a military kid. She developed her love of fairytales and mythology while taking family field trips to German castles and exploring Korean folk villages. Storytelling has always been prominent of her life. And when not writing she can be found reading her ever-growing pile of books or planning her next travel adventure. She currently lives in northern Illinois with her family and dog Cinder(ella).

To Deceive a Kingdom ~ Review

To Deceive a Kingdom
A Princess & the Pea Retelling
(The Shattered Tales)

By Kathryn Radaker

Ceris never wanted to be a princess, much less pretend to be one. But an act of betrayal finds her in just such a position. Now her very good friend and member of the royal family, Evla, has Ceris caught in something she may not be able to get out of. How can she pretend to be a foreign princess who is come to work out the details of a royal alliance, so to speak, between the two countries? What's worse, she has to prove the power of her magic to even be considered worthy of this potential alliance. Ceris knows she doesn't have magic anywhere close to what a pure-blood, or near pure-blood, would possess. 

Aieldir is a disappointment to his family. As heir to the Lianthiran throne he is expected to be better than he is and expected to marry the expected Searon princess. When Evla manages to find the nearly drowned Searon princess, Aieldir is bothered by something. Something he can't quite place. But when he does, he'll be faced with a decision - reveal what he knows, bide his time, or help the "princess" in her efforts.

To Deceive a Kingdom is part of the Shattered Tales series and is based on the Princess and a Pea. This is a unique retelling in that the revelation of personal magic is the test. And what a series of tests for someone who believed she could not perform such tasks. I found this to be a good read as the story unfolded, I was drawn deeper into it. This was definitely a late-night type of book, which isn't so good when you have an early morning (as in before 5:00 a.m. with less than 2 hours of sleep), but it was so worth the late afternoon lag!  This was the first book I've read by Kathryn Radaker, and look forward to more stories from her in the future. Fae, magic, and secrets what could be better - a touch of romance, of course, all while facing insurmountable difficulties!

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:

Magic is dying. Everyone is lying.

Ceris is quite content in her role as a horse trainer’s assistant by day and medicinal smuggler by night. But when one of her closest friends betrays her and draws her into a plot of her own, Ceris has to pretend to be a foreign princess to save her smuggling ring…and herself. She may have to go so far as to marry the prince if she can’t find a way out of her friend’s scheme.

Aieldir was born a reluctant secret-keeper and raised to be King of the Lianthiran Fae. But his kingdom’s magic is weakening, and rumors of revolt are circulating. As the heir to the throne, the burden to marry a powerful princess from Searon and secure his kingdom’s future weighs heavily on his shoulders. But when his mysterious “princess” shows up half-drowned, he soon suspects she’s not who she claims to be.

Will Ceris let down her wall of deception long enough to see the man beneath the crown? Can Aieldir possibly put his future—and his heart—in the hands of a fraud? Or will their schemes and secrets shatter their fragile trust, dooming their kingdom as well as their own happily-ever-after?

Release Day for To Kill the Dawn

It's Release Day for Kill the Dawn! Enjoy Emily Hayse's retelling of Hamlet as the 8th book in the A Classic Retold series.

Blurb: 

After a devastating wound and the loss of his beloved father, Hakkr is trying to pick up the pieces of his life. But when his father's last conquest, a mysterious thrall, shares a terrible secret, Hakkr's life only further unravels as incident after incident leads him to the chilling realization that his people's enemies are not the only ones who want him dead. Set in a wild northern world of wolf-hunts and Viking warfare, Kill the Dawn is a breathtaking new retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet, full of heart, beauty, and bittersweet sacrifice.

Available to purchase at https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Dawn-Emily-Hayse-ebook/dp/B0CF872CMK?

Find the author on social media

Facebook @EmilyHayse

Instagram @theherosinger

Twitter @theherosinger)

BLURB:

After a devastating wound and the loss of his beloved father, Hakkr is trying to pick up the pieces of his life. But when his father's last conquest, a mysterious thrall, shares a terrible secret, Hakkr's life only further unravels as incident after incident leads him to the chilling realization that his people's enemies are not the only ones who want him dead. Set in a wild northern world of wolf-hunts and Viking warfare, Kill the Dawn is a breathtaking new retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet, full of heart, beauty, and bittersweet sacrifice.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168128759-kill-the-dawn

AUTHOR WEBSITE: https://emilyhayse.com/

Release Day for Summon the Legend

It's Release Day for Summon the Legend! Enjoy Hannah Kaye's retelling of Moby Dick as the 7th book in the A Classic Retold series.

Blurb:

The End of the Map lies far behind you now. Here there be dragons. 

The nation of Outer Melvia runs on the power of dragon oil, but only the Hunters of Map’s End are fearless–or foolish–enough to pursue the great beasts of the deep.

In the wake of a broken engagement, Ilsa Starling boards the Hunting vessel Relentless in search of the solace the sea promises her.

But dragons are not the only threats that lurk in these uncharted waters. As first mate aboard Relentless, Ilsa becomes a key player in the impossible quest determined by her captain, Adam Chase. Once Map’s End’s rising star, Chase lost everything to an ill-fated encounter with a legendary white dragon that haunts the seas at the very edge of the world. Now the captain swears to avenge himself on the beast and restore all that was stolen from him, no matter what–or who–he may lose along the way.

In this gaslamp fantasy reimagining of Moby Dick, Hannah Kaye spins a tale of hurt and healing, breathing hope into Herman Melville’s timeless tragedy.

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AUTHOR BIO: 

 Hannah Kaye is a professional daydreamer, homeschool mama, drama teacher, and lover of stories in all forms. She is the author of The Sadie and Clyde Adventures, a series of humorous and heartfelt Westerns for middle grade readers. Her stories are largely inspired by her sisters, her Christian faith, and her passion for weaving Truth into fiction. When not spinning tales, Hannah enjoys being outside, especially near water, where she’s dabbled in kayaking, sailing, and SCUBA diving. She lives in northeast Oklahoma with her nerdy husband, two young hobbits, a long-legged dog, and several aquariums of tropical fish. She can often be found lurking near a coffee pot, baking elaborate desserts, or playing jigs on the Irish tinwhistle in improbable locations.

You can connect with Hannah online at www.hannahkaye.blog or follow her on Instagram @hkayewrites.

Connect online via website and add book to Goodreads.

Preorder now at Amazon https://a.co/d/8zjUlAb

To Break a Silence ~ Review

To Break a Silence

A Little Mermaid Retelling

By Lydia Mae

I have to say I love all the Little Mermaid retellings that are coming out this year. Each is unique and utterly charming and To Break a Silence is no different in this respect. However the story is though there are easily identifiable aspects that mark this as retelling of the Little Mermaid. And as part of The Shattered Tales this is a perfect addition.

It is Stella's first time above the surface and she makes a mistake that dashes all her hopes and dreams of a life that includes visits above the surface of the sea. But she is given a chance to win the heart of the man who she rescued from the sea. But the magic that will transform her into a human will work for just a short time. And she'll have to pay a price for this magic - pain while walking and talking - shards of glass pain. Well, walking has to be done, but speaking -  that she can avoid. But getting her heart's desire without the use of her voice could prove challenging. 

What Stella  hadn't expected was her utter lack of  being able to breath, swim, do anything while in the sea. In fact she needs a bit of help. When she is "found" by Captain Dillon Carvy, she gets herself into a bit of a situation - she is mistaken for someone else! 

But Stella is determined to get her heart's desire and she'll use what little advantage she can get. And what is her heart's desire? To win the heart of the prince, of course. But said prince is betrothed to a princess. And when he is rescued he falls for his "rescuer," who is not Stella or the princess. Yikes, we have a tangle if ever there was one.

I have to say I like Stella and Dillon, but the prince, Percival can't say I was an instant fan of his. He definitely came off as entitled and left much to be desired in my opinion. But he did have a dimple so I guess that more than amply made up for his less than welcoming behavior (um, not!). Dillon is caught in the middle of everything - the prince nearly dying, losing his ship, his captaincy, disappointing his father and everything due to a siren's song. Determined to hunt down the siren who wrought all this destruction, he instead finds a young woman in need of his assistance. And a way to reclaim what he has lost.

Get ready to escape into a world of dreams, wishes, and choices. Time is a precious commodity that is all too quickly slipping away, will Stella Break her Silence before it is too late? 

But there is another thread running through this story - forgiveness. And it is interesting how the various characters all need to give or ask for it. As one character says, "Everyone needs forgiveness." I think this was a pivotal moment in a personal, internal way. All too often that is how realizations come.

This is a delight that you won't want to miss. And the conclusion was not what I was expecting, or rather how it came about was a nice and unique touch.

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

About the Book:

A siren's song holds power over skies and men.

Stella has never seen the sky until the day she speaks her oaths and is brought above the surface. After her first encounter with a land-walker's ship forces her to sing up a storm that pulls a prince into the water, she chooses to rescue him.

When Stella's blossoming affection for the prince is threatened by another, she makes a choice to trade her fins for legs. The price: phantom glass in her throat if she dares to use her voice and in her feet when she walks.

Captain Dillon Carvy is determined to have his revenge after a siren’s song costs him his ship and his favored position as the prince's captain. While searching for signs of the siren, Dillon discovers a struggling maiden instead. Pulling a silent girl from the sea, he sees the perfect opportunity to gain his position back.

A case of mistaken identity puts Stella right where she wants to be in the prince's palace. But unless she breaks her silence, continuing her charade may cost her the happiness she hopes for, and quite possibly her life.

To Break a Silence is a retelling of A Little Mermaid. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

To Defy the Dream ~ Review

To Defy the Dream

A Sleeping Beauty Retelling

By Mary Mecham

To save her kingdom, her people she must willing enter the Eternal Slumber, a plague that has slowly decimated her kingdom and stolen her brother, the rightful heir to the throne. Her fairy godmother has given her this one chance to enter the nightmare realm controlled by a djinni. 

Aurelia has the means to return with one other person trapped within the nightmare. But she never expected to have to choose who she'd free - her brother Waylon or Everett, the man who broke her heart. Hoping to find a way to break the djinni's power, Aurelia must do all she can to defeat it. But how do you defeat a powerful being who draws strength from those it holds in this nightmare world? 

To Defy a Dream is a unique twist on Sleeping Beauty. Yes, there is a spindle with a sharp tip. But Princess Aurelia isn't hidden away. She hasn't been cursed at birth knowing sleep was her fate. She is days away from taking the throne. No this is an altogether new take on this fairytale and one well worth reading. This is truly a Shattered Tale. 

If you like ladies in peril who decide to take charge. Second chances at love. Impossible choices. Potential chaos. And daring deeds. Look no further because this book will check off all of these and more.

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

About the Book:

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose?

Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous option Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle.

Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world.

Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves?

No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends.

To Defy a Dream is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

To Escape a Wonderland ~ Review

To Escape a Wonderland:

An Alice in Wonderland Retelling

By Cece Louise 

She made a mistake, she thought she was in love, but it cost her everything. Now she lives in another country trying to hide who she was. But the past has caught up to her, a past she'd rather forget.

Bayne has just given up his role as a knight, he needs a fresh start away from the suspicious, accusatory stares. But when he comes across a woman in need of assistance, or so he thinks, he has to come to her aid. 

When the kingdom is threatened by outlaws, Alice's true identity and mistakes are revealed. But she's determined to help Bayne in any way possible to protect those she has come to care for. As Avi and Bayne plan for a way to thwart not only the man who tried to kill her years before but to stop the Jabberwocky he seeks. But Avi forgets one very important thing - to never look a Jabberwocky in the eyes.

Drawn into a world of madness, where nothing is as it seems, Bayne and Avi must battle their fears if they hope to survive this wonderland they are trapped in.

To Escape a Wonderland is delightful, interest grabbing read from the opening lines. Two broken, guilt-ridden people must work through the mistakes of their pasts and join forces if they hope to save the kingdom they call home. This is Wonderland as you have never before experienced it. The scenery, the characters just pop off the page as the story unfolds. If you love fairy tale retellings you won't want to miss this offering from The Shattered Tales. This is a standalone title so you can enjoy without reading the other books in the series or the author's Forest Tales series (now on my TBR list!)

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

About the Book:

What if Alice was trapped in Wonderland?

Alice once fell in love with the wrong man and paid a devastating price. Now she hides a dark secret and will stop at nothing to discover what happened to the sister she left behind. Bayne, a former knight, only wants a fresh start after his service almost cost him his life—and his mind. He certainly isn’t expecting a run-in with a thieving maidservant from his prior kingdom to change everything.

When the two are captured by outlaws and forced to partake in a traitorous plot, they end up lost in a perilous enchanted land with no way out. They must learn to trust each other—and themselves—if they hope to be freed from a twisted world where nothing is what it seems.

But the clock is ticking and some riddles have no answer. Can they escape before it’s too late, or will they be trapped in a land of madness forever?

To Escape a Wonderland is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romance, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time.

Song of the Selkies ~ Review

Song of the Selkies

By Sarah Pennington

I have to admit I love fairy tale retellings, and this year's offerings via the Stolen Songs tour have some interesting twists on The Little Mermaid. First up is the Song of the Selkies. 

All her life Ceana has expected to have an arranged marriage with a member of one of the neighboring kingdoms. As the youngest, she is more than a little surprised to learn her parents have made no such plans for her. She seeks a marriage of meaning for the good of Atirse. The idea of pursuing a marriage solely of her own choosing and with no political advantages to it is beyond belief. So, she sets out to find a potentially advantageous marriage of her own. 

Ceana's research convinces her that one Kingdom has been overlooked - the Selkie Kingdom is secretive and largely unknown. But Ceana is convinced that her plan would have succeeded if she had access to better information. Being a determined young woman, she decides to seek out the information she needs. And the only way to do this is to go to the Selkies for the answers she seeks. But she needs a disguise. And she needs a lie to hide her identity.

What Ceana discovers will leave her with questions she never expected. But will she find the answers she seeks? Or will her ruse be discovered? This is an interesting twist on The Little Mermaid that offers plenty of intrigue to keep one's attention from the beginning. 

So, if you are expecting a Disney retelling, you couldn't be further from the truth. No, this is something entirely different and new, yet it has all the expected key moments, just with a twist. Get ready to enter a new world! I have to admit, I wouldn't mind revisiting this story world again in the future.

I was provided with 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:

Undercover in a foreign land, a princess discovers the secrets behind a generations-old enmity.

The youngest princess of Atìrse, Ceana always planned to marry for the good of her people and let love come later. With her sisters' marriages ensuring peace with the nearby human kingdoms, Ceana sets her sights on their last unallied neighbor: the magical and reclusive selkies. The two peoples have experienced a wary peace for generations, and the time seems ripe for a deeper alliance that will benefit both kingdoms. The last thing Ceana expects is for Fionntan, king of the selkies, to take the proposal as a grave insult.

With relations between the two peoples suddenly precarious, Ceana is determined to set things right. Aided by her grandmother, she disguises herself as a selkie and travels to their hidden home of Emain Ablach, where she hopes to discover the reason behind King Fionntan's reaction. But the more she learns about the selkies, the more she uncovers long-kept secrets of her people — and her heritage — that shake the foundations of how she viewed the world. Her growing friendships with and affection for some of the selkie nobility, including King Fionntan himself, further complicate matters, especially as her admiration for the selkie king begins to blossom into something more. No relationship built on a lie can survive, but revealing her true identity as an Atìrsen princess will doom her efforts towards peace.

In order to bridge the divide between selkies and humans, Ceana will have to overcome generations of selkies' suspicion and reveal the insidious evil that's taken root in her homeland. But the greatest obstacle to her success may be her own heart.

Discover a magical new world in this Little Mermaid retelling from the author of Through a Shattered Glass and the Bastian Dennel, PI mysteries.

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBJ3TL61/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186791005-song-of-the-selkies 

Learn About the Stolen Songs: https://aristasdirectory.blogspot.com/p/five-stolen-songs.html 

About the Author

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres.  When she isn't writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.

Find her online at:

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