Monday, November 20, 2017

Belle : an Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

GIVEAWAY
PRICE, SARAH
BELLE : AN AMISH RETELLING OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

In author Sarah Price's fresh and inspirational retelling of a beloved classic, a dutiful young Amish woman agrees to marry a notorious recluse for her family's sake -- but the consequences are more than either bargained for...

To most townsfolk, he's known simply as The Beast. Annabelle Beiler has little interest in gossip, but she;s heard about Adam Herschberger's scars and his gruff, solitary ways. Though he sounds like a character from one of Belle's treasured books, the man is real and, it turns out, just as unreasonable as the rumors claim. When a buggy accident wipes out the last of her daed's money, forcing him to sell their farm, Adam buys it. Then he offers Belle a deal -- marry him, and her family can keep their home.

Everyone is shocked by Belle's decision, but she's determined to be a good fraa, cleaning Adam's rundown house and tending the overgrown garden. Breaking through her new husband's icy reserve will be another matter. Belle's courage and strength are abundant, but it will take true faith to guide Adam back to the heart of his Amish community -- and to the loving marriage they both deserve.

My Review:

True confession: I'm a tad shy of giddy over this new series -- and beyond grateful to whoever brought it to my attention during one of my Reader's Choice Weeks.

First off -- I adore fairy tale retellings -- I'm kind of compulsively crazy about them so I get butterflies in my tummy whenever I discover one in the Christian Fiction genre. But to add Amish into the mix? Be still my heart. It won't stop yoyoing around in an ecstatic frenzy because that combination is sweet perfection.

Love the seamless way Price has woven inspiration throughout the story. There are many stop-dead-in-your-tracks-and-ponder-that-thought moments. I love how both Belle and Adam grow as they dare to live their faith bravely. And it takes a lot of courage to banish past heartache and face the thoughtless cruelty of townsfolk who should definitely know better.

While the author stays true to the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, she has also created a unique romance -- Belle and Adam's love story is fresh and poignant, even funny in places. And she does an amazing job with the 'beastly' qualities Adam brings to the story. While Belle's gentle kindness coupled with a good dose of pluckiness keeps her 'beast' off kilter. So much fun to read -- and to pick out the fairy tale elements along the way.

This is the first book I've read by Sarah Price but it sure won't be the last. Especially since she's set up the next two books in the series so perfectly...at least, I think she has. Definitely a Cinderella retelling is coming out next -- there's a sweet peek of it at the end of Belle. But there's also another character, Sadie, who is a bit of a mystery and I'm thinking her story might just be a Snow White adaptation, but that's just my wild guess.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Belle, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 26 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

59 comments:

  1. Beauty and the Beast has to be one of my top favorite Disney movies. I've never read anything by Sarah, though I know of her as an author. Combine my favorite kids movie with a new-to-me Amish author, and I think you got yourself a winner! ;-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. This is my first Sarah Price book too and I honestly don't know what took me so long! Good luck, Trixi.

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  2. I have loved the story of "Beauty and the Beast" since before Disney took it and made it magical, not just once, but twice. I love the idea that beauty comes from within and this story is all about that.

    Anytime I hear of a retelling of B and the B I can't help but want to read it. Thank you for sharing this book with us and I would truly love to be in your drawing to win a copy. Thank you Kav!

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. It's one of my favourites too. Though I admit to preferring my fairy tale versions pre Disney. :-) Good luck, Cindy.

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    2. Well, I just happened to see this book on the shelf at WalMart and it just happened to jump into my shopping cart. So you can take my name out of the drawing for this one.

      Thank you for introducing this book to me.

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    3. LOL Funny how books will do that. Glad you got it, Cindy. Happy reading!

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  3. Beauty and the Beast... Oh, boy!! I love the cover of this book. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Isn't it a feel happy cover? Good luck, Melanie.

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  4. Oh how intriguing! I am definitely excited to read this now, knowing it is a version of beauty and the beast. LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. And a brilliantly done version at that. Good luck, Susan.

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  5. I love retellings, and I love Amish stories. To see the two mash up together, I am so wanting to read the story. :-) Please include me in the giveaway, thanks Kav.

    freda.mans[at][gmail.com

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    1. I know -- why didn't anyone think of this earlier? (Well, I did but I never wrote it. LOL) Good luck, Freda.

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  6. WOW, sounds great! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  7. Very interesting. Thanks. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  8. I love Amish stories. This sounds like a wonderful book.
    pkildow AT gmail DOT com

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    1. It's an Amish story with a great fairy tale twist. Sweet perfection. Good luck, Pat.

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  9. My sisters and I are all looking forward to this book! I'm SUPER excited about this series too!!!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. It's soooooo fantastic. You are all going to love it. Good luck, Elly.

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  10. Thank you for the review and calling this series to my attention. I know I've said a zillion times how much I love Amish stories but adding the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast to it really raises the bar. I just know I'd love to read BELLE : AN AMISH RETELLING OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. I'm with you -- adore Amish fiction and this fairy tale switch is totally awesomesauce! Good luck, Kay.

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  11. AAAAAAAAAAAAAA I MUST READ THIS!!! I LOVE Beauty and the Beast...and from an Amish base? YES PLEASE! ;)

    Many Blessings,
    Amada amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. AAAAAAAAAA yes you must read Belle. LOL Good luck, Amada.

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  12. I have been a fan of Sarah's books for a very long time but I have not read this one. It sounds delightfully entertaining. Thanks, Kav.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. I need to catch up on them all. This just released on October 31 so you're not too far behind. Good luck, Diane.

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  13. This sounds like a scrumptious read. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. I'm not familiar with this author but this book sounds absolutely delightful. Thanks for the review and introducing me to a new author and series. It's definitely going on the list.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Pam. You're going to love this series, I think. Good luck.

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  15. I love the story of Beauty and The Beast. This sounds like a wonderful adaption. I cant wait to read it.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. It certainly seems to be a popular favourite fairy tale. Something about taming the beast I think. Good luck, Lori.

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  16. This is the first time I've seen this book or the author. I like retellings, but the only Christian versions I've seen are Melanie Dickerson's.
    Dianna G.

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    1. I love Melanie Dickerson too. And I'mm super excited about this fairy tale retelling series. Good luck, Dianna.

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  17. Looks really neat with a pretty cover too. I've heard of this author just never heard of this book from her.
    Thanks for the chance
    iamabho@gmail.com

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    1. It just came out but has rave reviews already. Good luck, Linda.

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    2. Oh that's probably why then, LOL Thank You

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  18. I've read many books that you recommend and have loved them, so I'm sure this will be an awesome read! Thank you for featuring it! lelandandbecky AT reaganDOT com

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    1. Glad to hear that, Becky and I'm sure you'll love this one too. Good luck!

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  19. Her books are always good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  20. Sounds lovely.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  21. Sounds like a great read!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. This sounds interesting. I haven't read any of her books but hope to soon. Thanks for your review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. I hope to read more of her novels soon as well. Good luck, Donna.

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  23. I always like fairy tale retellings. Such a striking cover too!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Yes, the yellow really pops, doesn't it? Good luck, rubynreba.

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  24. Yes I really do want to read this one. Thanks for the chance Kav. becci43atgmaildotcom

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  25. This is based on my FAVORITE fairy tale!!! I would love to read this re-telling. TY for the opportunity.

    duhpaynes[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. It's a clever retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I think you'll be pleased. Good luck, Anne.

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  26. Oh, Kav, I LOVED this book. I had meant to ask awhile back if you might review it, because of our shared love of re-tellings. Don't get upset, but B&B is my least favorite princess fairytale, but I adore the non-magical re-tellings of it. Go figure? This was probably one of my most favorite of those re-tellings. So romantic. I also listened to it on audio in the car and I'm super picky with audiobooks, but the narrator was amazing. Reading your review has my heart all aflutter again thinking about (sigh.)

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    1. I think it's one of the best retellings I've read too. Impressive that it caught your attention as a non B&B fan. That's saying something.

      I have two audio books from the library waiting to be listened to -- one Karen Kingsbury and one Jan Karon -- a good narrator is sooooo important to selling a story. If I don't like the narration I can't bring myself to finish the book no matter how good it might be.

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    2. I think that it's I don't really care for the Disney version and it might be the only one I've ever seen. The live action was kind of fun, though. I love the B&B romance trope when it doesn't involve actual animal-like beasts, but rather a dark, broody, damaged, yet redeemable man. LOL! If you like Austen re-tellings, make sure you read Price's Austen Classics Series. Diana Flowers can attest. :)

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    3. That's my pet peeve -- that our fairy tales have been Disneyfied and we have whole generations who think Disney's version is the actual story. I'm a folk tale geek, I guess. LOL

      And yes, I've heard about those Austen Classic Amish books. Must read them in the near future...while I'm impatiently waiting for Ella's story to come out.

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    4. Yes, she can attest to that. :-) Sarah's Amish/Austen series is a must read! Fantastic!

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