Silent Songbird - A Review

Published - November 2016, Thomas Nelson
Author - Melanie Dickerson
Title - The Silent Songbird
Format - ebook, paper, audio
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About the book (from Goodreads):
Evangeline longs to be free, to live in the world outside the castle walls. But freedom comes at a cost. Evangeline is the ward and cousin of King Richard II, and yet she dreams of a life outside of Berkhamsted Castle, where she might be free to marry for love and not politics. But the young king betroths her to his closest advisor, Lord Shiveley, a man twice as old as Evangeline. Desperate to escape a life married to a man she finds revolting, Evangeline runs away from the king and joins a small band of servants on their way back to their home village. To keep her identity a secret, Evangeline pretends to be mute. Evangeline soon regrets the charade as she gets to know Wesley, the handsome young leader of the servants, whom she later discovers is the son of a wealthy lord. But she cannot reveal her true identity for fear she will be forced to return to King Richard and her arranged marriage. Wesley le Wyse is intrigued by the beautiful new servant girl. When he learns that she lost her voice from a beating by a cruel former master, he is outraged. But his anger is soon redirected when he learns she has been lying to him. Not only is she not mute, but she isn't even a servant. Weighed down by remorse for deceiving Wesley, Evangeline fears no one will ever love her. But her future is not the only thing at stake, as she finds herself embroiled in a tangled web that threatens England's monarchy. Should she give herself up to save the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne? 

My Thoughts:
Loosely based on the fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, Melanie Dickerson brings readers another delightful, medieval romance. One of the things that I loved about this book is that it is connected to The Merchant's Daughter. Sure, it's set in the same fictional world as the author's other fairy tale retellings, but this one is a sequel to the Merchant's Daughter. As with any of the books in this series, this one stands alone.

I loved Evangeline from the moment that she appeared in the book. I loved how she was determined to prove that she could in fact pretend to be a servant. She tried so hard. In some ways, it was rather comical. I also thought that Wesley was almost too perfect. I'd guess his biggest flaw was his anger. But even with that, the book was very enjoyable. I'm eager to see where the author takes the reader in her next fairy tale novel as well as which fairy tale will be retold. 

I received the Kindle version of this book for free from the publisher as part of the Booklook Bloggers program. I was asked to give my honest opinion about the book, which I have done. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fairy tales, young adult, Melanie Dickerson, Jessica Day George

Rating - 4 stars

Stars Above - A Review

Published - February 2016
Series - Lunar Chronicles Companion
Author - Marissa Meyer
Title - Stars Above
Format - ebook, hardcover
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This is a collection of 9 short stories set in the world of the Lunar Chronicles. In this collection, the reader gets to discover how Wolf became the solider he is, a young Carswell Thorne, how Cress ended up on the satellite, how Cinder arrived in New Beijing, Cinder and Kai's first meeting from his perspective, how Scarlet came to the farm, a wedding, and more. They are arranged in chronological order.

Story: The Keeper
Michelle Benoit, Scarlet's grandmother, finds herself the guardian of a young lunar girl. This girl is important, but she must be kept hidden. Then her young granddaughter Scarlet arrives. Michelle knows that she will protect both Scarlet and the young girl at all costs. But what will it be?

My Thoughts: This is actually a prequel to Scarlet. Time passes rather quickly in this story. Since I have never read the prequel story before, I really enjoyed this one. I loved getting more of Scarlet's background and seeing how Cinder received her cyborg parts. Rating: 4.5 stars

Story: Glitches
Cinder has arrived in New Beijing and now meets her new family. Cinder soon finds herself at odds with her new family, and then tragedy strikes when Linh Garan is stricken with the plague.

My Thoughts: Cinder's book is a retelling of Cinderella. This is a prequel story for it. It explains how the stepmother is left raising the girls. This glimpse into the eleven year old Cinder is both touching and rather sad. Touching because I know what she will become. Sad because of how she's treated. Rating: 4 stars

Story: The Queen's Army
Ze'ev Kesley is only 12 years old when he is chosen to become a part of the army that the queen is building. He's ripped away from his family and given injections that change him. He's forced to prove himself over and over.

My Thoughts: Wolf has been my favorite character since he first appeared. But this backstory of his shows just how cruel Levanna was. My heart hurt for the boy that was Ze'ev. But this story made me love him more. Rating: 5 stars

Story: Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky
Carswell Thorne is young. Very young. And he's already proven himself to be adept at getting what he wants. But is he really just trying to gain the attention of his parents?

My Thoughts: This one was rather humorous for me. I enjoyed getting to see the young Thorne. And to see, in part, how he became the man that falls for Cress. Cute. Definitely light-hearted, especially after reading Wolf's backstory. Rating: 4 stars

Story:After Sunshine Passes By
Crescent Moon is a shell. But she's very talented at anything related to a computer. She hopes to be of use to the queen, but doesn't like Sybil Mira. When Sybil realizes exactly how skilled Cress is at computer programming, she takes Cress to an isolated satellite. There Cress is left on her own.

My Thoughts: This was probably the shortest of all of the stories. And once again, it just shows how far those who work for the queen will go to ensure that the queen remains queen. But, at least this story explained how Cress came to the satellite. Rating: 5 stars

Story: The Princess and the Guard
Princess Winter is used to playing with the son of one of the palace guards. Jacin is Winter's best friend. But he's so much more than that. He's her protector. Sure, he's got his own dreams of being a doctor, but Princess Winter is more important. As Winter grows, she realizes what using her Lunar gift does, and wants nothing to do with it. Will Jacin stay beside her?

My Thoughts: While this couple is not my favorite, I have to admit that this story made me understand their relationship so much more. My heart broke for Winter as she realized the end result of not using her gift. But I actually came to really like Jacin for the way he stay with her. Rating: 4.5 stars

Story: The Little Android
Mech 6.0 is a mechanic working on a luxury ship. When the owner's son falls into a vat of oil, she dives in after him - at the expense of her own functionality. A new body later, Mec 6.0 is watching from a distance as the young man falls in love with the client's daughter. Yet he doesn't know how she feels.

My Thoughts: I loved this story. It's a retelling of the Little Mermaid, and is just beautiful. This is the only story that doesn't really feature any of the main characters. I've read the Han Christian Anderson fairy tale and it is heart breaking. This one had me in tears. Meyer stays true to the Anderson story and not the Disney version. Rating: 5 stars

Story: The Mechanic
Prince Kaito has a problem. His trusted android, Nanci, isn't working. He needs her. Because she has information about the missing princess Selene. Kai has heard of a mechanic name Linh Cinder who has a reputation of being able to fix just about anything, so since he's desperate, he leaves the palace and heads to the New Beijing market. He doesn't expect to discover that Linh Cinder is a cute teenage girl close to his age. He also doesn't realize how important that this mechanic is going to be in his own life.

My Thoughts: I loved seeing this from Kai's perspective. Because at first, I didn't like the dynamic between Kai and Cinder. It grew on me through the series, but I didn't like it at first. This though, showed that he liked her from the beginning. Of course, it gives glimpses of what they're going to mean to each other later on, but this first meeting, from his perspective was so sweet. It was like one of those awww moments. Rating: 5 stars

Story: Something Old, Something New
This is the wedding of the century. Cinder, Iko, Cress, and Thorne arrive at Scarlet's farm where they meet up with Kai, Winter, and Jacin. There has been a wedding being planned, but which couple will be the one to get married?  And will everything go off without a hitch considering that in attendance there will be an emperor, a princess, a queen, and more than a few Lunars?

My Thoughts: This is the story that I was by far the most excited about. It is the reason that I bought the book. I have to say, that this is the perfect conclusion to the series. The wedding was obviously going to be one of the four couples, but which one? I knew which couple I was wanting, but I'd have been happy with any of them. This story is set 2 years after Winter. And I have to say, that I LOVED it! I'm trying really hard to be spoiler free here, so I can only gush about how delightfully cute it is.
Rating: 5 stars

Overall thoughts: This is the perfect companion to the Lunar Chronicles. More so in my opinion than Fairest. While some of the stories were better than others, all were good.

I read this book for pure pleasure.

Overall rating: 4.67 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

Winter - A Review

Published - November 2015, Feiwel & Friends
Series - Lunar Chronicles Book 4
Author - Marissa Meyer
Title - Winter
Format - ebook, hardcover, audio
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Princess Winter sees things that no one else does. She's crazy, and so Levana's court find her entertaining and harmless. Yet the people love her, despite her beauty being marred by three scars on her face. Since she's not of the royal line, Levana doesn't see her as a threat until her popularity with the people begins to threaten Levana's already precarious position as queen. After all, she's got enough on her hands - a wedding to Earth's Eastern Commonwealth emperor, a galaxy to take over, and a rebellion to stop - that she plots to do away with her stepdaughter. Only a determined palace guard can keep Winter from harm, but she has to trust him with not only her life, but Scarlet's as well. Can Winter escape the palace in time to assist Cinder with the revolution?

Talk about a dramatic conclusion! The stories that began in Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress come to a beautiful conclusion in this final book in the Lunar Chronicles. While this volume is really the retelling of Snow White, the stories of the others are continued as well. At last we learn if Cinder's attempt to reclaim her birthright is successful.

While I wish that this book had more of Scarlet and Wolf (my favorite couple), I didn't mind it too much that they were more minor characters. After all, they each had a purpose to fulfill in this one. I loved both Cress and Kai in this book. I loved how Cress was determined to do her part even though she was separated from the others. And Kai. Well let's just say that I came to really like the young Earthen emperor.

Like the others in the series, the chapters are short. There are various points of view (Cinder, Winter, Kai, Jacin among them) and they each together told the story. The fairy tale elements of Snow White are in it too - the poisoned apple, the huntsman who couldn't kill her, the young princess more beautiful than her wicked stepmother, and this is stretching it slightly the seven dwarfs (meaning Winter's friends of Cinder, Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Thorne, and Iko). Yet while the elements of the fairy tale are there, I loved the way that the author made it her own. The characters are strong and developed.

There was action. Lots of action. Battles. Weddings. Coronations. Plans that went wrong. Because after all, Levana won't make it easy for Cinder to claim her rightful throne. But what I picked up more in this book than in any of the others was that Luna seemed similar to Panem by the way it was arranged in sectors (think districts for Panem). Each sector provided the capitol with a different resource, and Cinder had to unite all of them together.

This was an easy series for me to enjoy. I ADORE fairy tales. While the covers of the books reminded me of the Twilight Saga (that was probably done on purpose), these books are a much higher caliber than Twilight. And while the ending is one I can live with, I'm thrilled to know that in February, there will be a collection of short stories called Stars Above which will include the ever important epilogue for Winter that is the wedding of the century! Whose wedding? Well, I know which one I'm hoping for.

I read this book for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Hunger Games, fairy tales, Marissa Meyer, young adult

Rating - 5 stars

Golden Braid - A Review

Published - November 2015, Thomas Nelson
Series - Fairy Tale Romance Book 6
Author - Melanie Dickerson
Title - The Golden Braid
Format - ebook, paper, audio
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Rapunzel is talented. She can paint beautiful pictures on the walls of her home. She can throw a knife better than any man. But there is one thing that she longs for above anything else - a chance to learn to read. And if she happens to fall in love too, so much the better. Yet she feels that her mother won't allow her to do either of those things. When a young farmer asks for Rapunzel's hand in marriage, her mother quickly packs the house and she and Rapunzel move to the large city of Hagenheim. The journey there isn't easy. When a young knight rescues them, she and her mother reluctantly allow the knight to travel with them. Soon the knight is injured and Rapunzel's quick knife skills rescue him. To repay his debt to her, he agrees to teach her to read. Yet as the pair spend time together, they soon realize that things aren't always what they seem, especially in the city. Rapunzel uncovers a mystery that will change her life forever.

I've loved each of the fairy tale books I've read of Melanie Dickerson's. This one occurs during the same days/months as Princess Spy. As some of the events in this book occur in Princess Spy, I recommend reading that one first.

I liked Rapunzel. And Sir Gerek. I liked how they both fought their feelings for each other, but their banter was fun. I also liked how they both grew as the story progressed.

I didn't see the twist with Rapunzel's mother coming, though I am familiar with the fairy tale. I also loved the mystery surrounding Rapunzel.

Overall, this is a good addition to the Fairy Tale Romance Series, and i enjoyed it. It's an easy read.

I received this book for free from the Booklook Bloggers program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fairy tales, happy endings, young adult, Melanie Dickerson, Jody Hedlund, Lisa Bergren

Rating - 4 stars

Fairest - A Review

Published - 2015
 Series - The Lunar Chronicles, Prequel Novel
Author - Marissa Meyer
 Title - Fairest
 Format - ebook, hardcover
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 Levanna wasn't always the cruel queen readers know her to be from her encounters with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress. Long before she was queen, she was a young girl growing up in the Royal Palace on Luna. This is her story.

 With how much I loved Cinder, Cress, and Scarlet, I was excited to read Fairest. I was wanting more as to what made Levanna the way she is. This was a disappointment. The majority of the book didn't provide any new information much less more insight into Levanna's character. And in fact, it made me dislike her even more than I did already. Still I'm looking forward to Winter though.

 I rented this book from the library and read it for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.


Recommended to fans of the Lunar Chronicles, young adult

Rating - 3 stars

Saturday Scribbles Vol. 9

It's Saturday my friends. That means that it's time for Saturday Scribbles! This is a feature that is unique to my blog and it's where I talk about whatever. Literally whatever.

The few weeks of not having a specific Saturday post were missed by my reader friends. Ones I know personally kept asking me where it was and when it was coming back. :)

Today, I want to talk about fairy tales. And fairly tale movies. You see, my mom and I went to see the new Cinderella movie yesterday afternoon. I've always loved the Disney animated one. And Ever After (The Drew Barrymore Cinderella story) is by far one of my favorite movies ever. So when I learned that Disney was doing a live action version of Cinderella, I knew I just had to go see it.

Watch this trailer and see for yourself just why I was so excited about it.




This was a delightful movie. I loved the costumes. I loved every thing there was about it. I was basically expecting it to be the same as the animated movie. But it wasn't. It was so much more.

The prince is CUTE!!!!! He was more than just a pretty face though. He actually had dreams and wishes. In some ways, he reminded me of Prince Henry in Ever After. He was very well developed and the actor who played him did an excellent job. His portrayal of the prince has me wanting to hit up IMDB to discover what else he has played in.

And Cinderella herself. Yes she was pretty. But she was sweet and kind and gentle. My favorite scene was at the ball of course. Her gown was simply stunning.

I'd totally go see Cinderella again.

For those who aren't aware, there is a Frozen short featurette before Cinderella starts. And with Frozen becoming one of my all time Disney favorites, I was thrilled to visit Elsa and Anna again.

But back to fairy tales. I've seen (and own) just about every Disney one. I've read countless fairy tale books. I think in college I even had to do a themed lesson on fairy tales. But as far as movies go, it seems like Cinderella is the one that has been made into the most movies. I know of several different versions of it. The Rogers & Hammerstein one, the Disney animated one, an older musical called the Slipper and the Rose, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, and I'm sure there are countless others that I can't remember off of the top of my head. Disney's Into the Woods was a mix of several different ones including Cinderella. And while I loved that movie because it was so different, this Cinderella version was special. It makes me even more excited to see Beauty & the Beast when the live action one releases next year. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) will me a beautiful Belle and I can see her pulling it off exceptionally.

I think one thing that intrigues me the most about fairy tales is that, specifically in the Disney versions, they are happy. All of the characters live happily ever after. But if you actually read the fairy tales, the Grimm Brothers ones especially, then you discover that they really aren't happy. Things don't always work out in a happy ending.

But, I think that everyone needs to be able to dream. To live at times in the fantasy world. To not worry about tomorrow. To have the happy ending.

What would your favorite fairy tale be? And if you have a favorite movie version of one, what is it and why do you like it?

Cress - A Review

Published - February 2014, Feiwel & Friends
Series - Lunar Chronicles Book 3
Author - Marissa Meyer
Title - Cress
Format - ebook, audio, hardcover, paper
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Cinder and Thorne have eluded the authorities once again. This time when they escaped from Queen Levanna's forces, they brought along Scarlet and Wolf. Wolf vows to help Cinder master her Lunar abilities. Cinder's plan at this point to contact Cress, the mysterious hacker who first sent her the message warning that Kai was in danger. Cress has spent the past several years aboard an isolated satellite that circles the Earth. She is the Queen's best hacker. Yet she wants to escape. When a rescue attempt falls apart, Cinder's group becomes separated. Cress finds herself falling to Earth in the satellite with Thorne. Scarlet has been captured. And Cinder's faced with one of the queen's guards, a critically wounded Wolf, and no other option but to go to Africa in search of the doctor who first told her of her identity. With only weeks remaining to stop Kai's wedding to Levanna, Cinder and her friends must figure out how to accomplish such a feat when they are scattered. Will they succeed or will Levanna's rule on Earth begin?

With each volume of the Lunar Chronicles, I'm more and more fascinated with the characters and the intrinsic plot. This one literally had about four different plotlines. Some of them merged. Others are still left open. This one ended on a cliffhanger that has me wishing it were next year already so I could read Winter!

I think that while Cress is an interesting character, she isn't my favorite heroine. I'm thinking that Scarlet still holds that spot. But still, Cress's points of view were very fun to read, partially because of Thorne being in the majority of them.

The various twists and turns of the plot have me very engrossed in the outcomes of these characters. I felt so bad for Wolf when Scarlet was captured. I literally cannot wait to see how the series ends in Winter.

This book is loosely based one the story of Rapunzel.

I rented this book from the library and read it for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fairy tales, dystopian ficiton, Hunger Games, Divergent

Rating - 5 stars

The Princess Spy - A Review

Published - November, 2014, Zondervan Books
Author - Melanie Dickerson
Title - The Princess Spy
Format - ebook, paper
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As the eldest daughter of the Duke of Hagenheim, Margaretha is expected to make an advantageous match. Yet she longs to find love like both older brothers and her parents. When a young man is wounded and brought to the castle's healer, Margaretha is the only one who understands him. As she gets to know him, and he her, she's drawn to him. Yet Colin has determined that the entire family is in danger, but no one will believe him. Can he convince Margaretha of the danger her family is in while still keeping his heart in tact?

I've read all of the books in Melanie Dickerson's fairy tale series. This one is the newest and is loosely based on the Frog Prince. While the books do not have to be read in order, it is helpful. This book connects Merchant's Daughter to the rest of the books.

It's been so long since I've read the Frog Prince that I've forgotten much of it. I do remember some of the elements, the princess dropping something in the well and the frog getting it out, her being in his debt, and I think that's it. This book did have some of those elements - the dropping of a necklace in the well and Colin retrieving it.

Still, like most of the author's other fairy tale books, this one was sweet. I enjoyed the banter between Margaretha and Colin. And I loved Colin. Of course, I loved the ending (happy endings all around). Oh and the cover is by far my favorite of all of them.

I would have liked to have seen more of some of the characters from previous books. I'd also have liked a little more of Colin's family history. But still, it was very enjoyable.

I received a Kindle copy of this book for free from Zondervan's Booklook Blogging Program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fairy tales, happy endings, young adult, Krista McGee, Ella Enchanted, Melanie Dickerson

Rating - 4 stars

Scarlet - A Review

Published - February 2013, Fiewel & Friends
Series - Lunar Chronicles Book 2
Author - Marissa Meyer
Title - Scarlet
Format - ebook, hardcover, paper, audio
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Cinder has escaped from prison and is on the run with Captain Carswell Thorne. They are heading to France to find Michelle Benoit, a woman who may have information about Cinder's past. Scarlet Benoit is frustrated. Her grandmother disappeared a few weeks ago and the police aren't doing anything to try to find her. She soon finds herself being chased by the same ones who kidnapped her grandmother. Scarlet must put her trust in Wolf, the wild man who saves her. Yet there is more to Wolf than Scarlet knows. When she finds out his secrets, will she be able to overcome this betrayal? And what'll happen when she meets up with Cinder?

For some strange reason, it took me a while to get to reading this series. Yet now that I have, I've found that I really am enjoying these fairy tale retellings.

Scarlet is a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. I loved the interactions between Wolf and Scarlet. I loved their dynamics. They are such fun. It was also nice to get glimpses into Kai and how he is adjusting to being Emperor with an evil queen wanting any reason to go to war against Earth. And to see Cinder learning more and more of how to use her gifts. I'll admit that I felt bad for Wolf and all he's been through, but I think that made him all the more interesting.

I rented this book from the library to read for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of fairy tales, dystopian, young adult, Twilight, Hunger Games

Rating - 5 stars

Cinder - A Review

Published - January 2012, Fiewel & Friends
Series - The Lunar Chronicles Book 1
Author - Marissa Meyer
Title - Cinder
Format - ebook, audio, hardcover, paper
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A new twist on the story of Cinderella! Cinder is a mechanic. A very talented one at that. When the prince shows up at her booth with his android for her to repair, Cinder's light-hearted banter causes the prince to finally meet someone who sees beyond his crown. Yet with the country dealing with a horrible plague and an evil queen who wants to marry him, the prince doesn't have the time to spare on flirting with a mechanic. Especially one as pretty as Cinder. But there's more to her than most suspect. Cinder is a cyborg. And she's got a mysterious past. When her secret comes to light, will she accept that she may have lost her chance with the prince?

I love fairy tales. I love fairy tale retellings. Cinderella has long been one of my favorite stories. Add to that a dystopian society and a Star Wars sorta of mix, and immediately my interest has been piqued. That and seeing Cinder on so many of my friends' reading lists. Well, it caught my attention.

I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about, so I rented the audio from the library.

The narrator did an excellent job of holding my attention, so kudos to her.

Anyway, I wasn't expecting Cinder to be so action packed and filled with suspense. I really enjoyed it. Enough so that I promptly placed the entire series onto my Amazon Wish List and requested Scarlet & Cress from the library.

I'd never have thought that I'd enjoy a Cinderella story that has features of Star Wars in it. Let alone having Cinderella being a cyborg.

I read this book for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of dystopian fiction, young adult, fairy tales

Rating - 5 stars

Top Ten Tuesday - Pick your own topic

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme that is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Today's topic is a chose your own. So I got to thinking. Did I want to do a post of Disney songs? Or how about music that makes me happy? Or books waiting to be reviewed? Or books I've read so many times that they are falling apart? None of those ideas really caused me to go "Yes that one!" Well after much deliberation on it, I finally came up with one. 

Top Ten Books that are Fairy Tale Retellings.

1. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - by far the best retelling of Cinderella I've EVER read. I've loved it so much that my paperback copy that I'd had since my children's literature class in college finally fell apart and I was able to replace it with a hardcover from the library in one of their book sales for $1.00.

2. Beauty by Robin McKinley - my favorite retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I'm not sure when I discovered it, but it was probably in college sometime. 

3. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier - a retelling of the Seven Swans. That was one of my favorite fairy tales growing up, and when I discovered this at the library one day, I was delighted.

4. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card - a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I love the twist in this one of both modern and the past.

5. The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey - a retelling of Arabian Nights. I still remember the day I checked this one out from the library. I had 10 books that all came in that day for me to check out! All of them were fairy tale retellings. Good thing I'm a fast reader!

6. The Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn - a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. I remember being fascinated with Rumpelstiltskin growing up. 

7. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine - It's really more of a Snow White retelling than anything else. It's set in the same world as Ella Enchanted.

8. Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson - a retelling of Snow White. This is the first one I read by Melanie but it certainly wasn't my last! 

9. Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett - it's not an actual retelling of one fairy tale, but has elements of several in it. It's hilarious really. 

10. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson - A retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I really enjoyed this one, and I LOVE the cover. 

So there's my top ten. What about you? 

Fairest Beauty - A Review

About the book:
Publisher - Harper Collins, Zonderkidz, paper 2010, ebook 2013
Format - paper, ebook
Author - Melanie Dickerson
Series - Fairy Tales #3
Buy on Amazon




Summary:
Sophie longs to escape the clutches of the duchess. She is mistreated and doesn't understand why the duchess seems to hate her the way she does. When a young man arrives with the startling news that Sophie is actually the long-thought dead daughter of the former duke, and betrothed to his older brother, Sophie sees this as her chance at happiness. But she's leery of trusting this strange young man. Gabe knows he disobeyed his parents by setting off on his own to find Sophie. He also knows that any sort of romance between the two of them is impossible - she's betrothed to his brother and he's betrothed as well. But he's determined to see her to safety. Yet when circumstances force the pair to flee suddenly and seek refuge at the Cottage of Seven, both Gabe and Sophie must now confront their growing feeling for each other.

My Thoughts:
I love fairy tales. And fairy tale retellings. I have to wonder why it took me so long to discover Melanie Dickerson's fairytale series. When the category of FOG was called for Book Cover Bingo in the Goodreads Group I'm a part of, I saw that this one fit that category and I could eliminate a book off of my ever growing to read list.

Unlike other retellings of Snow White I've read, this one was completely different. Sure there were still elements of the classic story I've grown up with. The beautiful princess. The huntsman. The handsome prince. The seven dwarfs. The evil wicked witch. But the way those elements were incorporated into the story made it unique. Sophie didn't realize she was the daughter of a duke. She didn't know her stepmother was the duchess. The seven dwarfs were actually seven misfits. And Prince Charming was the second son of a duke. But those elements helped to give life to the story and I really enjoyed it.

I loved, too, how Sophie struggled with forgiving the duchess for the hurt she suffered. I loved how Gabe had to also figure out how to set aside his own resentment and competitiveness with his older brother. I found all of the characters in general to be deep and more than just names on paper.

I'll admit, that once I finished this one, I made sure that I had the others in this series on my Kindle so I can read them as I can.

I read this book because it fit the cover called for Book Cover Bingo as well as for pure pleasure. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of young adult, fairy tales, Ella Enchanted, and lovers of happily ever afters.

Rating - 5 stars

Once Upon A Prince - A Review

Susanna Truitt never dreamed that her high school sweetheart turned Marine hero and love for the past twelve years would break up with her instead of proposing. Yet that's what he does. As she scrambles to put her life back together, she strikes up a friendship with a man she knows only as Nate. Prince Nathaniel of Brighton came to the small Georgia island community of St. Simmons for a vacation and well needed rest. He never expected the woman whose tire he changed to steal his heart. A beautiful friendship develops between the two. But there are so many obstacles of their being together - the first of which is that Brighton law forbids the marriage between a royal in line for the throne and a foreigner. But as both Nathaniel and Susanna learn, God is bigger than oceans and countries. Does His plan include a royal wedding?

I love fairy tales. And happy endings. This book is a modern day fairy tale that once I finished it, I just sighed happily. I'd first discovered Rachel Hauck's books in January of this year with The Wedding Dress. After reading and loving that  book, I knew I had to read Once Upon A Prince. There is so much of this book that reminds me of Lori Wick's The Princess. I loved both Nate and Susanna. I also loved the way that Susanna's homeless, tent-living friend, Aurora would speak God's truth directly to her. Yet Susanna was reluctant to believe and listen. I loved how both Susanna and Nate were willing to sacrifice for the other's well being, or for the sake of the Kingdom of Brighton. Sure, it's a little predictable, but that was fine with me.

This is a perfect read for a lazy summer day at the beach or under a shade tree with a tall glass of lemonade.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of happy endings, fairy tales, Lori Wick, Becky Wade, summer reads, and feel good stories.

Rating - 5 stars - I loved it and it made my inner princess happy.