The Dreaming Beauty

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WALKER, ANNEKA R.

THE DREAMING BEAUTY

Once upon a dream, two cursed people fell in love...

Tansy White doesn't want to end up alone like her three aunts who raised her, but when she is betrayed by her would-be betrothed, she fears she might never change her fate. At her aunts' suggestion, she seizes the chance to visit Rose Cottage, the country home of her late mother. Fr years, dreams of the cottage have haunted Tansy, and she is convinced it holds the answer to her hidden past. But after getting caught in a terrible storm, she meets a man who is just as determined as she is to learn all her secrets.

Marcus Taylor, brother to the Duke of Westmorland, is also troubled by vivid dreams. On a sleepless night, as a tempest rages outside his brother's estate, he makes a discovery far more mysterious than any dream: a young woman, cold as ice, lies unconscious in the library, and he is sure she is the key to solving his problems. When she wakes, what begins as a shared quest for information turns into an unexpected friendship. As they piece together the fragments of their past, they discover a tangled web of lies, and their feelings for each other become just as entwined. But is their love as strong as their dreams...or their fate?

My Review:

Fantastical Romantical!!!! I'm not sure if I'm sufficiently resuscitated from my swooning frenzy to be articulate enough in order to write a review, so bear with me here.

The best Sleeping Beauty retelling I've read -- and I've read a ton over the years. Why you ask? Because...

- The way the author weaves the legend into her story 

- The familiar details transformed into something splendiferously unique and exciting 

- The myriad of twists and turns in the plot

- The romance so sweetly tender but fraught with impossibilities

- The layers of mystery!

- The Regency setting

- Tansy's aunts!!!!!!!!!

- 'The Masked Baron' cameos (book one in the 'Enchanted Regency Romance' series) This can totally be read as a standalone though.

- And I listened to the audible edition narrated by Noah Wall which made it all the more thrilling. 

If you enjoy clever (brilliant even) fairytale retellings, 'The Dreaming Beauty' should definitely find it's way onto your TBR pile. ASAP

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the The Dreaming Beauty, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 29 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

 

Veil of Winter

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE

VEIL OF WINTER

She's hounded from every side by treacherous elements and foes, but her greatest enemy lies within.

In the mountains near France, the medieval Princess Elyce is being forced to marry, thus forming an alliance that will enrich her father but enslave her kingdom. Instead, she chooses to feign her death and flee to Prague to beg King Wenceslaus to help save her people.

In England, the young knight Sir Gerard has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce on her quest. When he arrives to find she has been near death for days, he manages to revive her. However, thinking the stranger was trying to kiss her, the princess immediately distrusts him. But her desperate situation forces her to accept his aid.

Pursued by her enemy's guards over mountainous terrain, they must also battle the deadly winter elements. Her greatest challenge may be to overcome the voices of disapproval and accusation from her childhood. Will her emotions lead her into her true identity, or will they undermine her ability to work with Gerard and to save her people, who desperately need her help?

In this dazzling and romantic story, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson takes the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale to satisfying new heights.

My Review:

A fun fairy tale retelling where the villains are the vilest and the hero the noblest and the heroine? Well, she's driven by demons from her past but led by a pure heart and the desire to provide the best for her people. It all makes for an enchanting mix of action, adventure, danger and intrigue. And romance, of course, because every good fairy tale needs a happily ever after ending.

Enjoyed Dickerson's take on the Sleeping Beauty angle, and how that becomes the pivotal springboard for the rest of the tale. That 'almost kiss' happens very early on in the story and provides a rocky start to Gerard and Elyce's relationship. A nice upside down twist to the classic tale. 

I enjoyed listening to Julie Mason's audio book narration courtesy of my library's Libby collection. She amplified my enjoyment of this read by bringing these characters and their story to life.

Goal Update: #7 Start new-to-me-series, #9 Read outside my comfort zone (YA)

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Veil of Winter 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 22 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Restoring Fairhaven

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MILLER, CAROLYN

RESTORING FAIRHAVEN

Taking her ailing father's gardening business on Merriweather Island, Samantha Green only wants to escape her ex and to make her father proud. But Sam gets more than she bargained for when Greener Gardens accepts the job of restoring the garden of a reclusive writer, Max Fairhaven, whose historical novels about romance and unrequited love litter bookstore shelves and movie marquees all over the world.

Max much prefers the fictional world to the real, and the gardening girl's interruptions means he's driven from his writing cave far too often for his liking.

How's he supposed to craft stories with her distracting him all the time? Things change when he learns something of Sam's family challenges, and his admiration slowly kindles. With his secretary's goading, he's forced to confront the past, while facing the fact that he needs to change in order to avoid a lonely future. Gentle pruning and a whole lot of banter forges a friendship between this not-so-Southern belle landscaper and the half-British author. But is their budding attraction enough to grow into a flourishing happily-ever-after?

Love hurts, or so the songs say, so who wants it?

My Review:

I've enjoyed Carolyn Miller's Regency romances so I was curious to see what she'd do with a contemporary timeline. The same storytelling magic, that's what! 

I'm not sure if it was intentional, but Restoring Fairhaven reads like a Beauty and the Beast adaptation for me. There's the shaggy haired, surly-to-the-nth-degree hero for starters. Max is positively beastly in the beginning hurling poison darts in word and deed at whim. Quick to judge without all (or any) of the facts, especially where 'the gardening terrorist' is concerned. Gah, if I didn't know his backstory I'd have purse-whomped him but good with a tote bag full of a week's worth of library returns. :-) But Miller gives us measured glances into the roiling hurt and seething wounds that have kept Max cut off from the world.

Enter Samantha Green on a mission to keep her ailing father's gardening business afloat. The substantial job at Fairhaven manor will go along way towards making that happen which means she will put up with pretty much anything in order to keep the contract. Even a cantankerous beast.

Sam carries her own wounds as well, and it is inevitable that she and Max are drawn together in sympathetic unspoken understanding of wounded hearts...when they aren't sniping at each other that is! There's plenty of zippy banter and laugh-out-loud moments in this unusual courtship. As well as tender, heart-stirring ones not to mention the toe-curls. And the way Sam leads Max back into the world is as magical as any fairy tale. The double meaning in the title isn't lost on me, because Samantha is instrumental in restoring the property and the man.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Restoring Fairhaven, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 24 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Between Stairs and Stardust

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RANDOM RETRO READ DAY

BASHAM, PEPPER

BETWEEN STAIRS AND STARDUST

An illustrator in hiding, a millionaire with a gardening fascination and the possibility of a perfect fit for a happily-ever-after. Once upon a time...

A young illustrator, forced from her home in Boston, must return to her Blue Ridge Mountains to escape a scandal. Certain that her dreams are on hold, Stella Emory doesn't expect to find a prince charming in the form of James Craven, a young man who works in the gardens of the famed Biltmore Estate. Brought together unexpectedly, the two begin a tender friendship inspired by James's little sister and the story of Cinderella, but James isn't all he seems. 

As their friendship grows into a romance, the truth of James's millionaire status shakes Stella's confidence. When her past follows her to Asheville, Stella thinks her chance at romance with James is over, but will a Christmas masquerade and the remnants of a charm bracelet somehow provide the magic Stella needs to clear her name and claim her own happily-ever-after?

My Review:

published in 2019

"There was something singularly attractive about a man reading a book."

Sqqquuueeeealllll!!!! Pepper Basham turns fairy tale land upside down in this cleverly rendered Cinderella retelling. Love the unexpected twists she brought to this well-loved tale. Clever and witty and just plain swoonalicious! 

It's 1913 in the Blue Ridge Mountains where our plucky heroine dashes to the hero's rescue...see, the author shakes things up right from the very start. It was so much fun to spot the the fairy tale elements in their re-imagined state. And the way the story flows courtesy of Basham's whimsical phrasing is divine. And packed with life wisdom.

Throw in a wee bit o' Christmas along with a Biltmore estate setting, not to mention that alluring cover and ingenious title and 'sweet perfection' about sums it up. 

"Magic is as much your own making as any fairy godmother's."

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Between Stairs and Stardust, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 22  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Dust

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SWANSON, KARA

DUST

The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real -- since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Clair'es desperate search points to London...and a boy who shouldn't exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan -- and herself.

My Review:

I'm flying high on pixie dust after this incredible read (well, listen.) Dust is brilliantly imaginative. An exceptional retelling...well, more like a carry on after the book ended. A flightless Peter Pan stuck in London. Along with his Lost Boys who are now foe. Even Captain Hook and his pirates are lurking about. And the pixies!!!! Some of my favourite parts feature the pixies!!! I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry, it's just that this book has me discombobulated. 

It's darker and edgier than a traditional Peter Pan story -- you might say a more grown up version since, away from Neverland, Peter is in peril of growing up. It's ironic and funny with so many clever twists and nods to J. M. Barrie's characters but still fresh and alive in its own right. 

This is more than the traditional battle between good and evil. It goes deeper -- finding a balance between light and shadow and learning to believe in yourself. Even that goes deeper -- to trusting in who you were meant to be, created for a glorious, unique purpose. Simply stunning. I got teary-eyed in places.

And then...it was over all too soon and...GASP!!!!...it ends with a cliffhanger!!!!!! And we have to wait until the summer to find out what happens next in Shadow. Now, normally I abhor cliffies, but this book was so captivating I'm not bothered at all. Yes, it's that brilliant. (I may be over using that word in this review but I can't help it because it's all so very...brilliant!)

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Natasha Soudek -- one of the best book performances I've come across.   

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook or paperback copy 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dust, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday March 20  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

The Masked Baron

GIVEAWAY

WALKER, ANNEKA R

THE MASKED BARON

Andalin is accustomed to her father's frequent travels -- and to being left behind. So when he returns home and instructs her to pack her belongings, she is bewildered -- but there is no time for questions as she is whisked away on a mysterious journey under the cover of night. 

When their tense flight leads them into the forbidding Black Forest, the pair quickly find themselves in great peril. With little hope of escape, father and daughter are spared when rescue appears in the form of the mysterious Dark Rider, a notorious deadly highwayman feared by all he meets. But his assistance does not come without a price: he is taking Andalin with him. Now her fate rests in the hands of the enigmatic masked man whose secrets are inescapably tied to the beautiful young woman now in his charge.

My Review:

Picture me twirling in a dizzying happy dance of Regency Romance elation until, overcome by the exquisiteness of it all, I gracefully swoon onto my fainting couch. That's what The Masked Baron has done to me. My toes might never uncurl and I'm not sure if I'll unswoon before Christmas because...that masked baron...oh mmmmmmyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Thud!!!!!

Eeeeepppp, eeeeepppppp, eeeeeeeeppppp!!!! A fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast -- and this is my all time favourite rendition...ever! And that's saying something because I do love a good B&B retelling. Walker has brought a freshness to the age old story but there are enough similarities (especially to the Disney version) that kept me squealing with delight as I made the connections. So many wonderful nuances that will keep me returning to this fantastical tale again and again.

And there's a lovely redemptive/reconciliation thread woven throughout that brought even more depth to the story. Simply stunning!

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Noah Wall who is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators. She delivers a lively, captivating performance that kept me in compulsive listening mode right to the very end. Happy, happy sigh.

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for an ebook copy (you must have an Amazon.com account) 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Masked Baron, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 19 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Beauty and the Baron

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BARKER, JOANNA
BEAUTY AND THE BARON

A penniless maid determined to save her father, a broken baron bent on isolation, and the undeniable draw between them that will lead to happiness -- or disaster.

Rose Sinclair has run out of options. With her father in prison and their bookshop sold to pay his debts, she has no choice but to turn to Henry Covington, the Baron Norcliffe. But the baron has more than earned his reputation, and Rose must face his wrath in order to save her father -- and herself.

Since the deaths of his parents, Henry Covington has isolated himself from society, ensuring the solitude of his estate with his deliberate callousness. However, when the beautiful Miss Sinclair appears on his doorstep, begging for a chance to repay her father's debut to him, a moment of weakness finds him offering her a position -- as a maid in his own house.

They both soon learn that first impressions are not to be believed. Henry is surprised -- and intrigued -- by Rose's optimistic charm, while Rose slowly uncovers Henry's true self, his compassion concealed behind the pain of loss and betrayal. But when a shadow from Henry's past returns, their newfound hope is tested. They must decide for themselves who to trust -- and what they will risk for their happily ever after.

Beauty and the Baron is a Regency retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is a sweet/clean romance novella, and is Book 1 in a series of Regency retellings. The stories can be read in any order.

My Review:

Squuueeeeee -- I just discovered a new-to-me favourite Regency author! Thank you Good Reads friends for leading me to Joanna Barker. My fainting couch got a real workout with this one -- partly from me jumping up and down as I shrieked my ecstatic pleasure to the world. Because, not only is Beauty and the Baron a scrumptious Regency romance, it's also a retelling of Beauty and the Beast! Squeeeep!!!

Grinning like an idiot writing this as I remember all the good bits which is basically the whole book. An  impoverished, genteel lady with quiet strength and such a kind heart. A seething, embittered baron who has become so jaded by the world that he keeps it at bay with his foul humor. The way Rose softens him by slow degrees, gently showing him a different way to live. Be still my heart! So many happy swoony bits!

 But there's treachery afoot and a mystery to solve before we get to "...and they lived happily ever after." I had so much fun spotting the fairy tale elements Barker wove throughout the story. Her unique twists made this timeless story feel fresh and new.

Toe-curling romantical bliss!

Side note: While not a Christian Fiction selection, Beauty and the Baron is a clean  read that also inspires with sweet gems like this: "Kindness matters most when it's hardest to give."

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Beauty and the Baron, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 8 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Captain and Miss Winter

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BRITTON, SALLY
THE CAPTAIN AND MISS WINTER

A captain seeking to repair the past and the daughter of a fallen gentleman, searching for a treasure that will change their lives forever.

The end of the Napoleonic wars comes as a relief to Caspar Graysmark, but before he can settle into the comfortable life of an English lord he has a duty to the people of France. A treasure lies hidden in the heart of the forest, stolen gold that would save the lives of many who lost everything during the war. In his quest, Caspar stumbles across a hidden cottage in the woods, and a different sort of treasure altogether.

Scarlett, living with her sister and grandmother, belongs nowhere. Her father's mistakes led to their exile from England and their banishment into the forest. The cold winter months have taken their toll on Scarlett's spirits and her grandmother's health. The Englishman who arrives at Scarlett's door, looking more like a bear than a captain of the British army, reminds her of all she lost to the war.

With winter drawing to a close, Caspar must find the missing gold, but his quest to right the wring of war has changed. Can Scarlett let him rescue her, too?

The Captain and Miss Winter is based on the story of Snow White and Rose Red, as recorded by the Brothers Grimm. It is a sweet/clean romance novella, and is Book 2 in a series of Regency retellings. The stories can be read in any order.

My Review:

SQUUEEEEEPPPP!!!! A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling?! I've gone and swooned into a puddle on the floor at the very thought. And that this novel is inspired by one of my absolute favourite fairy tales -- Snow White and Rose Red -- I'm in such ecstasy I have no words. Except...

Sublimely divine from the very first page! Britton has combined the pacing and cadence of a fairy tale with the scrumptious courtly manners and playful banter of the Regency era. It's a lethal combination if you happen to be a bibliophile of my ilk. Though short (novella), the story has all the crucial ingredients of a longer novel and it makes for just as satisfying a read.

A hero with a troubled past set on putting things to rights. A wronged heroine doomed to be an outcast the rest of her life. The hope that tragedy might be overcome and a happily ever after possible. My heart is flip-flopping just thinking about it. And, oh, the dialogue, the shy glances, the yearning to fan the fires of that sweet spark of attraction...BUT...Scarlett has secrets, Caspar is on a quest and there's danger lurking in the woods! Squeal! Eep! Squueeeepppp!!!!

This is my first time sampling Sally Britton's storytelling style and I'm hooked. I have my Good Reads friends to thank for the introduction since I usually read Christian Fiction and I trust them to guide me to clean sweet romances -- especially where Regencies are concerned! If you like Sarah M. Eden, Mimi Matthews, Sarah E. Ladd and Julie Klassen, you'll want to add Sally Britton to your list.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Captain and Miss Winer, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 4 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Seeking Peresephone

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

EDEN, SARAH M.
SEEKING PERSEPHONE

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses, and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he's offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke's castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke's steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gently bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to piece the Duke's armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

My Review:

published in 2011

Eeeeeepppp!!! I'm in a Regency daze of epic proportions. How is it that I haven't read a Sarah M. Eden book before????  She has written a bunch of swoonilicious novels, including 14 Regencies! This is me hyperventilating over 8 years of missing out! Gah! Time for a fast and furious game of catch-up!

Fainting couches, lace fans and smelling salts are definitely necessary accoutrements for this reading journey. Stock up and be prepared to be charmed by witty banter and the social graces of the day...well, maybe not so much when it comes to the Duke who has a somewhat beastly persona. In fact, I would actually classify this as a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Disfigured in boyhood, Adam hides his heart behind a thick armor of indifference. He doesn't need anyone. Especially a bride. So, though he begrudgingly accepts Persephone into his home, he bars her from his life. Or tries to. Persephone can be quite a force when necessary -- the perils of being the eldest sibling of a motherless brood. Love how this beauty's gentle spirit proves stronger than her Beast's gruff stoicism!

An enchanting Regency gem.

Please note: this isn't Christian Fiction but it is a clean read. (and sooooo much fun!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Seeking Persephone, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 3 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Warrior Maiden

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE WARRIOR MAIDEN

She knows women are expected to marry, cook, and have children. Not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a Duke from discovering her secret?

When Mulan takes her father's place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this journey her whole life -- and that her life and her mother's, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, Mulan has little power in the world. If she can't prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death -- or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher.

Disguised as a young man, Mulan meets the German duke's son, Wolfgang, who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the new soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times -- or showing him up in embarrassing ways. From their rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets.

But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Can she be the son her bitter father never had? Or will she become the strong young woman she was created to be?

This fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of heart.

My Review:

Dickerson is back with another fabulous fairy tale retelling for the teen market (or for the young-at-heart YA fiction fan, regardless of a reader's actual age.) This time with an ingenious twist to the legend of Mulan. This feisty heroine is equal parts womanly compassion and warrior courage. There's lots of battle scenes in this action-filled story and Mulan is at the heart of most ot them. As is Wolfgang and I have to say it makes for an interesting romance when the hero and heroine bond over archery and sword fighting! lol Dickerson has kept many of the traditional elements from this Chinese legend while spinning her trademark Medieval European flare. A satisfying page-turner.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Warrior Maiden, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 29 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Sadie : an Amish Retelling of Snow White

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PRICE, SARAH
SADIE : AN AMISH RETELLING OF SNOW WHITE

Sarah Price delivers a delightful retelling of a beloved classic, featuring a young Amish woman who turns to faith as her guide even in the darkest times.

Sadie Whitaker is determined to be a good daughter, but her stepmother, Rachel, has made no secret of her overwhelming jealousy -- or her desire to get Sadie out of her life. Rachel's latest plot involves marrying Sadie to a widower in need of a mother for his unruly children 00 and she has convinced Sadie's beloved father to agree.

Left with no choice, Sadie flees her small Amish hometown of Echo Creek, stumbling across a house that belongs to the seven Glick brothers. All outcasts from the Old order community of Echo Creek, they agree to let her stay -- and for the first time in ages, Sadie feels safe and needed, keeping home for them as any good Amish woman would do. Until, that is, the Glicks' handsome cousin comes to visit. For though he awakens her heart's desire, she can't risk revealing her true identity, until love and faith give her the courage to take a chance on happiness.

My Review:

This is the third book in Sara Price's Amish fairy tale retellings but each book can be read as a standalone. In fact, if you've been reading the books in order, this one might have you doing a double take since it backtracks in time where Belle (book one) has just gotten married and Ella (book two) doesn't have a beau in sight. Not as confusing as it sounds, but in book two there's talk about Sadie's mysterious disappearance though she's present and accounted for in Echo Creek at the beginning of this one. Kinda threw me for a loop but forewarned is forearmed so just dive into this story with that time shift in mind and all will be good.

I get such a nostalgic thrill  when I read fairy tale retellings -- experiencing flashes of cozy contentment from familiar childhood favourites -- the very stories that opened the magical world of books to me! And the author stays true to the Amish culture while finding innovative ways of incorporating familiar details into her retellings. I got such a kick out of spotting them as I read Sadie!

A brilliant addition to Sarah Price's Amish retellings and I am really hoping there are many more to come!. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sadie, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 9 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Orphan's Wish

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE ORPHAN'S WISH

Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn's favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke's steward. But that isn't enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child -- or the fact that he's an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend, Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he's worked so hard to obtain?

An enchanting new version of the well-know tale, The Orphan's Wish tells a story of courage and loyalty, friendship and love, and reminds us wat 'family' really means.

My Review:

Only Melanie Dickerson could bring Aladdin to Medieval Germany and pull it off! Love the diverse aspect of an Arabian hero. Orphaned at a young age, Aladdin is rescued from a life of thieving and brought to a kingdom...er dukedom...that Dickerson fans are very familiar with. Love that the author included childhood details in this retelling and we get to watch both Aladdin and Kirstyn grow up -- and into deep friendship -- at the beginning of the story. And then, as in all good fairy tales, danger and mayhem threaten a budding romance as a nefarious villain seeks misguided vengeance.

The perfect summer read for the Young Adult in your life -- or the young-at-heart reader who still gets a kick out of YA literature (waves hand in the air enthusiastically.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Orphan's Wish, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 22 2108. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Ella : an Amish retelling of Cinderella

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PRICE, SARAH
ELLA : AN AMISH RETELLING OF CINDERELLA

In Sarah Price's heartwarming Amish version of this best-loved fairy tale, a hardworking, overlooked young woman is rewarded in unexpected ways. 

"Be kind and have faith." Ella Troyer strives to abide by her mother's final words, although life in the small Amish town of Echo Creek isn't always easy. Her new stepmother, Linda, treats her coldly, and her two stepsisters, Drusilla and Anna, delight in gossip and laziness. After her father's death, Ella stays at home to manage the household chores, rarely seeing another soul. Until, one day, while running an errand, she has a chance meeting with a young Amish man from a nearby town.

Drusilla and Anna are full of admiration for charming, affluent newcomer Hannes Clemens, and Linda hopes to ensnare him as a husband for one of her girls -- while keeping Ella out of the way. As for Hannes, he longs to catch another glimpse of the mysterious young woman who can sing so sweetly and bake the most delicious pie he's ever sampled. Now, with a little help from some unlikely sources, Ella dares to hope she might find her heart's dearest wishes -- for love, family, and a home of her own -- coming true at last.

My Review:

Sheer brilliance! I get giddy just thinking about this Amish fairy tale series. We've had Beauty and the Beast and now Cinderella and Snow White coming out in the fall. I truly hope that this series is as endless as the number of fairy tales out there! It's so much fun to spot the similarities to the original tales while marveling at the unique Amish twist Price brings to each story.

"Be kind and good, no matter what happens, for God has a plan for you." Ella has lived by the wise counsel of her dying mother in the midst of the most trying times. Clearly I am not as sweet natured as our plucky heroine, because I seethed in fury at the odious Linda's horrid behavior and loudly encouraged Ella to be anything but kind and good. Ha! I love getting riled at the villains in a fairy tale -- especially since I know justice will be served in the end. :-) And the way this familiar tale plays out is pure magic. This author is beyond clever and I want to say so much more but you really need to discover all the delightful nuances yourself. A truly sublime read that will make you happy.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like to win a copy of Ella : An Amish Retelling of Cinderella, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 15 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Belle : an Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

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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!

The Noble Servant

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DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE NOBLE SERVANT

She lost everything to the scheme of an evil servant. but she might just gain what she'a always wanted...if she makes it in time.

The impossible was happening. She, Lady Magdalen of Mullin, was to marry the Duke of Wolfberg. Magdalen had dreamed about receiving a proposal ever since she met the duke two years ago. Such a marriage was the only way she could save her people from starvation. But why would a handsome, wealthy duke want to marry her, a poor baron's daughter? It seemed too good to be true.

On the journey to Wolfberg Castle, Magdalen's servant forces her to trade places and become her servant, threatening not only Magdalen's life but the lives of those she holds dear. Stripped of her identity and title in Wolfberg, where no one knows her, Magdalen is sentenced to tend geese while she watches her former handmaiden gain all she ever dreamed of.

When a handsome shepherd befriends her, Magdalen begins to suspect he carries secrets of his own. Together, Magdalen and the shepherd uncover a sinister plot against Wolfberg and the duke. But with no resources, will they be able to find the answers, the hiding places, and the forces need in time to save both Mallin and Wolfberg?

My Review:

A clever take on Grimm's beloved Goose Girl fairy tale. I adore these retellings by Melanie Dickerson, because she is able to create the very essence of what I imagine Medieval life  to be like. It's in the flow of her words through descriptions and dialogue which propel me into the magical realms of my childhood imaginings.

But she brings dimension to her heroes and heroines. Yes, Steffan is the classic fairy tale hero -- all noble and honorable and knight in shining armorish BUT he doesn't always get it right. In particular when it comes to trusting Magdalen and that causes him to act selfishly at times. Maggie's good for him -- she captures his heart -- something he is very reluctant to part with -- and in the process teaches him a thing or two about faith and trust. They make an intrepid team when they are on the same page! But like all good stories this hero and heroine don't always act exactly as the anxious reader would like, which, of course, makes for a riveting read.

There's treachery afoot, a diabolical villain to thwart and danger lurking around unexpected corners.All the delicious stuff fairy tales are made of -- including the prescribed happily ever after!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Noble Servant, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a 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 September 3 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Silent Songbird

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DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE SILENT SONGBIRD

Evangeline is gifted with a heavenly voice, but she is trapped in a sinister betrothal until she embarks on a daring escape and meets brave Westley le Wyse. Can he help her discover the freedom to sing again?

Desperate to flee a political marriage to her cousin King Richard II's closest advisor, Lord Shiveley -- a man twice her age with shadowy motives -- Evangeline runs away and joins a small band of servants journeying back to Glynval, their home village.

Pretending to be mute, she gets to know Westley le Wyse, their handsome young leader, who is intrigued by the beautiful servant girl. But when the truth comes out, it may shatter any hope that love could grown between them.

More than Evangeline's future is at stake as she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens England's monarchy. Should she give herself up to protect the only person who cares for her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?

My Review:

I adore Melanie Dickerson's fairy tale inspired stories and this time it's The Little Mermaid -- though I see shades of The Nightingale as well. There's political intrigue, forbidden romance between a spunky heroine and a dashing hero and plenty of twists and turns to keep the most avid of readers frantically turning pages.

Evangeline is a born dreamer and she longs to experience life outside the sheltered confines of the castle walls. Definitely not the type of girl to be content with an arranged political marriage -- no matter who orders it -- so she gives her dreams flight when she flees the castle and attempts to hide herself among the peasants of Glynval. There's some really funny scenes as she tries to live the life of a working lass. I have to admire her gumption though and she never quits, even when she becomes the target of a malicious bully.

Westley is the proverbial fairy tale hero. Noble and kind and fair to a fault. It isn't long before he is captivated by the stranger in their midst. But this isn't a straightforward love story. Not when deception severs trust. The angst kept me on the edge of my seat as I waited to find out if these two would ever find their way to a happily ever after.

Lots of action and laughter and sweet romance make this another winning historical novel from a beloved author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Silent Songbird please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 8 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Beautiful Pretender

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DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE BEAUTIFUL PRETENDER

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king's approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn't select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina's best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can't deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse -- far deadlier -- consequences.

My Review:

Beauty and the Beast meets The Bachelor -- let the games begin!

Melanie Dickerson has such a talent for tweaking well-loved fairy tales into something fresh and new. I was thrilled to return to Thornbeck and become reacquainted with some favourite characters -- people I met in The Huntress of Thornbeck. If you've read that book you'll be happy to know that Odette and Jorgen play a significant role in this story. Don't worry if you haven't read the first book in The Medieval Fairy Tale Novels series though, The Beautiful Pretender reads wonderfully as a standalone as well.

There something so captivating about a 'beastly' hero. Reinhart may be a bit of a grumpy recluse but you can be sure there's a tender heart beating within that manly chest. It just takes a certain heroine to bring his softer side out into the open.

Avelina is boldly outspoken, endearingly kind and a little too attracted to the margrave for her own good. It seems the harder she tries to divert his attention, the more captivated Reinhart becomes. Oh what a tangled web we weave...

There's tension and drama and sweet romance. Diabolical villains to subdue and a forest of bloodthirsty wolves to best. Not to mention a treacherous plot to thwart before these two have a hope of a happily ever after. A delectable read from beginning to end.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdickerson

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Beautiful Pretender please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 22 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The author and publisher are holding their own giveaway -- check out the link below to enter.



Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 7th. The winner will be announced June 8th on Melanie's blog.

The Golden Braid

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DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE GOLDEN BRAID

The one who needs rescuing isn't always the one in the tower...

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel's hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again---this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight---Sir Gerek---Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

My Review:

I can't begin to convey how much I love Melanie Dickerson's fairy tale retellings. She can't write them fast enough for me! The Golden Braid is a fantastic addition to her impressive collection. Rapunzel was one of my favourite fairy tales as a kid and I have read a number of fairy tale  retellings, but never one with Rapunzel as the theme. So there I was -- squealing in delight all the way through! Kinda embarrassing, but at least I read it at home so no one witnessed my fan-girling moments, except maybe the mice lurking in the walls. :-)

Dickerson keeps her reader riveted while weaving a familiar but not-so-familiar tale. She's done a marvellous job with the key points of this particular fairy tale, Cleverly twisting classic elements into her own gripping tale of love and betrayal and that all important happily ever after. She kept me on my toes right to the end though.

Oh -- and about that ending. There's a point where this book meshes with scenes from The Princess Spy. It took me a page or two to adjust. I was like, "Wait, I've read this before...no I haven't...um, yeah...but not exactly." So much fun -- the author has added additional layers to the original scenes from a whole new perspective. That was one of my major fan-girling moments. Loved the crisscross connection. No worries if you haven't read The Princess Spy (though why ever not, I ask with a scowl aimed directly at you) those scenes will make total sense to a new reader. Dickerson veterans will just get an extra kick of book-happy while reading them.

Also loved the way the inspirational thread is seamlessly woven into the very fibre of this tale. The Golden Braid checks all the boxes: Adventure. Romance. Inspirational. Angst. Humour. A lovely mix that's sure to leave you basking in the glow of a stellar happily ever after.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdickerson

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Golden Braid please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 29 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!