When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill. When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny. ISBN-13: 9780310721437 When I was of the YA age bracket there wasn't a lot of Christian YA books, tons of juvenile fiction, but little if your reading level was over about age 12. Of course, mine was. I've actually read a lot more Christian YA books as an adult than I ever did as a kid and that is because of books like The Healer's Apprentice. While it is not exactly my top favorite book in either of Melanie Dickerson's fairytale retelling series it did spark a new appreciation for both YA books and fairytale retellings. Since reading this first book I've devoured all of her Fairy Tale Romances and Medieval Fairy Tales. They are all just THAT A good! And each one gets better than the last. The Healer's Apprentice is the start of it all, the block on which the rest are built, and is a good story whether you are 14 or 44 or 64. If you loved the tale of Sleeping Beauty you should check out this lovely retelling set in medieval Germany...
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I've never been a big fantasy reader. As a kid and teen I read the greats such as Tolkein, Lewis, and L'Engle, plus a few popular juvenile authors like E.D. Baker, Gail Carson Levine, and Emily Rodda. But fantasy never really 'took' for me and I cheerfully read literally hundreds of suspense and historical novels. However, a few years ago the great Christian author (T.) Davis Bunn came out with another fantasy series under his pen name Thomas Locke. I was intrigued by his Legends Of The Realm books and gradually found myself stepping out of my comfort zone and picking up more fantasy titles, mostly Christian, to read. Below is a list of my top ten favorite fantasy authors read during the last 3 years, 2020, 2019, and 2018. I'm including the most recent titles that I've read from them so some of the books you'll see will be my favorites from a series and some may not be. The authors are numbered for fun and are not necessarily in any particular order. Also, at the bottom you'll find a couple of authors whose books are not technically 'fantasy' but they are fairytale retellings. I hope you enjoy my list and that you might find some new books or authors to try. . . Are any of your favorite fantasy authors on my list? Are there any different ones that you would recommend? Top 10 Recently Read Fantasy Authors If you enjoy Christian or Clean fantasy I recommend checking out books from the following publishers: Enclave, Bethany House, and Revell. I also recommend authors such as Thomas Locke (Davis Bunn) and Jill Williamson. Fairytale Retellings from Other Genres
Favorite E-Books From 2019Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite e-books read and reviewed in 2019. You can find all of those reviewed and many more by visiting our Book Review List page E-BooksShorter Stories under 200 pages Non-FictionWe are excited to start reading and reviewing in the new year and hope you will be joining us for... Favorite Print Books From 2019Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite books read and reviewed in 2019. You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page FictionSecular FictionWe are excited to start reading and reviewing in the new year and hope you will be joining us for... ![]()
On Tour with Prism Book Tours
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:
Launch - Author Interview
What was your motivation behind THE PIPER’S PURSUIT? Why did you want to write it? I wanted to give Steffan his own story, as he was the rebellious, troubled bad boy in my last book, The Warrior Maiden, so he could redeem himself and get his happily ever after. I also wanted to write a retelling of the Pied Piper fairy tale. I’d loved that story even more after I visited Germany and took a day trip to Hamlin to see all the touristy fun they have with that story there—plays, everything you can imagine shaped into rats, a church glockenspiel depicting the story, and statues of the Pied Piper you can pose beside.
Beauty in the Binding - Review
"Readers who enjoy Young Adult fairy tale retellings will probably like The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson. In keeping with its YA branding, the romance is very clean and the prose had that YA feel where it’s not deeply beautiful, but it’s entertaining. The Piper’s Pursuit was an easy, fast read for me that has a permanent home on my bookcase."
SPLASHES of Joy - Review
"It takes a lot for an author to take an old loved story and make it her own, and Melanie Dickerson is an expert at it. She breathes her own new life into these fairytales, and just maybe someone can find the Lord through her books. I highly recommend this book to anyone because I believe everyone can enjoy this one."
Cover Lover Book Review - Review
"As with all of Ms. Dickerson's fairytale recreations, Piper’s Pursuit is so interesting. It's also unique in that I've never read (or heard of) a retelling of the classic Pied Piper until now. . . . very enjoyable and enchanting."
Paulette's Papers - Excerpt
Did Katerina dare to stay out hunting past dark? The sun was going down, casting long shadows as she skirted the forest on her right and an empty meadow on the left. At least the town gate was visible ahead. She checked her crossbow, making sure the arrow was strung and ready. Her unruly brown hair was starting to come free from the leather tie taming it at the nape of her neck. She picked up her pace as she passed a particularly dark section of the forest. She could easily imagine the giant wolf, or whatever the beast was that had killed so many, coming out of those dense trees and leaping at her. Would she have time to aim her crossbow before she fired? She would only get one shot.
simplysusan - Review
"I have always loved the Pied Piper of Hamlin story and she does wonders with this one! I was captivated from the very beginning and read it in one day. Highly recommended."
Daughter of Increase - Review
"This was such an interesting read! I personally never read the original story of the Pied Piper -- I only know a little bit about it and definitely plan to read it after having read this amazingly written re-imagining. Melanie Dickerson is such an awesome writer. The way she weaves in the word of God in her books is simply amazing."
Life is What It's Called - Interview & Review
Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope readers will gain from this book? Melanie Dickerson - I hope they understand that true love is kind, and true love protects. Also, that you can fight unfair situations and, with God’s help, you can win! "The Piper's Pursuit is probably one of the best books out of the Hagenheim series. There was action, adventure, mystery, romance and more. . . . It's definitely worth a read."
Heidi Reads... - Review
"I really enjoyed seeing Steffan's path to redemption and getting to know Katerina- these characters really came to life . . . . There is plenty of suspense and action, and the romantic tension slowly grows as Steffan proves himself worthy of Katerina's trust. . . . Overall, an exciting and satisfying escape into this creative retelling of The Pied Piper.
Bookworm Mama - Review
"Melanie's books never cease to amaze me. Her ability to bring my favorite fairy tales to life in a beautiful and pure way just makes my heart soar. . . . This story is riddled with danger and adventure. From fighting the beast, fleeing Henneck and his guards, protecting children, and freeing a city...Kat and Steffan will take you on a journey as they pursue truth, freedom, and love."
mypreciousbitsandmusings - Excerpt
His thoughts were suddenly redirected by a sight he’d never seen before—a herd of rats moving down the street, streaming into an alleyway up ahead. They roiled as they crawled and tumbled over each other, making faint screeching sounds, mingling with the collective clicking of their tiny claws on the cobblestones. A man walking into the path of the rats suddenly cried out and started to back away. The rats reached him before he could escape, engulfing his feet as he cried out again, lifting one foot then the other. Steffan held his breath, too far away to help the man as he tried to walk on top of the rats. When he lifted one foot, a rat hung by its teeth from his ankle.
Tell Tale Book Reviews - Review
"The Piper's Pursuit was a wonderful story, filled with adventure, intrigue, and romance. Melanie Dickerson's distinct style of storytelling shines bright in this book. The rich historical and regional details leap off the page in vivid color, leaving the reader completely immersed in the 15th century storyworld. You will love characters and hate the villains. And, I'm sure, like me, will be unable to put down The Piper's Pursuit for even fire, famine, or flood."
I'm All About Books - Excerpt
He burst out the door behind Katerina. He pursued her down the cobblestone street, but not before he noted the hulking man pushing himself off the shop front he was leaning against and coming after them. She was walking fast. He stayed just behind her. Perhaps he could wait until she was less angry before trying to convince her to trust him. He knew a lot about anger. He’d spent the last year realizing how foolish his own anger had been. Now, when that anger rose up, instead of drinking too much to make it go away, he asked himself where it was coming from. Oftentimes he realized he was blaming someone else for something that was mostly his own fault. The person he was most angry at was himself.
Pause for Tales - Review
"The stakes are high with this one. With a beast... or two? . . . The descriptions are chilling and the mystery compelling. I hate the villain with a passion. This is definitely one of my favorite[s], if not my favorite Dickerson book I've read to date."
Wishful Endings - Review
"THE PIPER'S PURSUIT is a twist on the Pied Piper and the Prodigal Son with a strong heroine in the middle and a town to save. The characters are likable, the story entertaining, and the romance is sweet with an inspirational aspect as these characters seek to forgive others, themselves, and trust in God. Recommended to Christian historical romance fans."
Hallie Reads - Review
"This Pied-Piper reimagining (blended with the story of the Prodigal Son) allows the truth of Steffan’s character to shine—and brings him just the type of fierce female he needs. Katerina challenges him, even as she has her own lessons to learn, and together, they make a great team. I enjoyed rooting for them throughout the fairytale adventure."
Remembrancy - Review
". . . Dickerson weaves a story of redemption, learning to give yourself forgiveness and grace for past mistakes, and good conquering evil that is an entertaining addition to the entire Hagenheim series (and readers of the entire series will enjoy the connections to the other stories throughout The Piper’s Pursuit)."
Inspirational Reading Adventures - Review & Interview
"I was excited to read this one, and easily found myself captivated by Katerina’s story! . . . full of thrilling adventures full of action and mystery, the promise of danger, suspense, romance, redemption and love." Q: What are your favorite genres to read and write? What are your favorite books? A: My favorite genre is historical romance. It’s hard to imagine writing in any other genre. My favorite books are Pride and Prejudice, everything else by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, A Vision of Light and the rest of that series by Judith Merkle Riley.
Faithfully Bookish - Interview
What is your next release and/or what are you working on now? M: The Peasant’s Dream "The Piper’s Pursuit’s action-packed plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Dickerson’s story shows that people aren’t always as they appear—for better or worse." - by teen guest reviewer, Faith
Among the Reads - Excerpt
Kat got a strange feeling, a prickling at the back of her neck, as if something were breathing just behind her. She turned, but only Steffan was there, slightly behind and to the side of her. Beyond him were dark, shadowy trees. The sky seemed to have become overcast, hiding the sun and making the forest even darker. She continued forward. How had she never seen this path before? Or gone this way? It must be a very new path. A fallen tree lay up ahead. She vaguely remembered seeing it before, lying against a large boulder, half covered. But today there were other downed trees that looked to have been piled up around it, covering the boulder, if indeed her memory was correct.
Red Headed Book Lady - Review
"I have really really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got to be on this tour. I don't know when I have enjoyed a book so much! But just wow! It's so exciting with twists and turns that it will leave you biting your finger nails and frantically turning the page to see what happens to Katerina and Steffan!! These two are incorrigible! They certainly make an adventure exciting!! . . . I highly recommend this book. Melanie Dickerson is an excellent author who can bring the old fairy tales back to life in ways one can never imagine."
All-of-a-kind Mom - Review
"As always, Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings do not disappoint. . . . This story has all the delights of a fairy tale, and yet, there’s so much more to it. . . . If you are a lover of fairy tales, be sure and read this one!"
All excerpts from The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson. Used with the permission of the publisher, Thomas Nelson. Copyright © 2019 by Melanie Dickerson.
![]() (Hagenheim #10) By Melanie Dickerson YA Fairy Tale Retelling, Christian, Historical Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 320 Pages December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson A fairy-tale journey of intrigue and romance that reimagines the classic Pied Piper story. A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people. In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and Katerina’s evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost. When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the only gentle thing about him seems to be the sweet music he plays on his pipe. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds herself drawn to him despite her misgivings. Together Katerina and Steffan must stop the enemy from stealing the children of Hamlin. But their interference might create an even worse fate for the entire village. Praise for The Piper’s Pursuit “The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!” --LORIE LANGDON, author of Olivia Twist and the DOON series
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About the Author
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Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.
![]() On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Together Katerina and Steffan must stop the enemy from stealing the children of Hamlin. But their interference might create an even worse fate for the entire village. YA Fairy Tale Retelling, Christian, Historical Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 320 Pages December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson “The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!” --LORIE LANGDON, author of Olivia Twist and the DOON series Other Books in the Series My ReviewCan each be the hero/ine the other needs? I knew that when I cracked open a new Melanie Dickerson fairytale retelling that I was in for a treat. What I didn't realize was just how quickly and completely I would be pulled into the retelling of a story that I haven't read since I was a schoolkid. That tale is The Pied Piper Of Hamlin. Suffice it to say that when I read the original story I was much closer to the YA target range of The Piper's Pursuit than I am now. Now, don't mistake me, I LOVE Melanie Dickerson's fairytale retellings partly because they are so appealing to more than just a YA audience. The Piper's Pursuit was a perfect example of that broad age-range appeal. There were some darker tones in it that I don't remember in some of the previous books. But, those darker tones, actually more like difficult topics, were what made the story both unique and so engrossing. Melanie Dickerson handled those things with grace and an honesty that I truly appreciated. I will be honest, when I started the book I was a bit unsure how to be sympathetic to the hero. I flat-out disliked liked him in The Warrior Maiden. But both Katerina and Steffan won me over from the start. Sure, he had some lessons to learn, as did Katerina, but they were both made from the same stuff as heroes. I genuinely liked them both, flaws and all. The Piper's Pursuit was a wonderful story, filled with adventure, intrigue, and romance. Melanie Dickerson's distinct style of storytelling shines bright in this book. The rich historical and regional details leap off the page in vivid color, leaving the reading completely immersed in the 15th century storyworld. You will love characters and hate the villains. And, I'm sure, like me, will be unable to put down The Piper's Pursuit for even fire, famine, or flood. Your family will just have to wait for dinner...or join in the adventure themselves... Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson a 5 Bark rating. (I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
#PipPurPrism
So, I completed my Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge today! Well, actually it was more like almost a week ago, but... I wound up finishing 8 days earlier this year than last year. Not too bad, considering how busy I've been!
I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, so check back at the end of the year to see my total stats for 2019 and whether I break last year's record of 163 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge. 2019 Stats
Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st Completed: June 19th
Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 40
Total Pages Read: 17,893
Fiction: 75 Non-Fiction: 0
Print Books: 44 E-Books: 31 Audiobooks: 0
First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
Flights Of Fancy by Jen Turano
Midway Book In The Challenge:
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Harbor Secrets by Melody Carlson
Longest Book (most pages):
Oldest Book:
The Cherokee Trail by Louis L'Amour (1982)
Newest Book:
Wander Canyon Courtship (July 1st, 2019)
This one isn't even released yet!
Genre: YA / Historical Romance / Fairytale Retelling The Warrior Maiden |
-From Amazon- 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 rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets. But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die 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 hearts. ISBN-13: 978-0718074777 | This Book received a 5 Bark rating. |
Long, long ago...there was a little girl who's older brother took her out to the theater to see a Disney film. This was the little girl's second time in a movie theater, and her little brother's first... Even though the little girl was never into the Disney princess thing or animated movies she really liked the one she saw that day...the movie was Mulan...
Now, fast-forward over twenty years later and Mulan is still one of my favorite animated Disney films and every so once in awhile I drag out my VHS and watch it. When I heard that Melanie Dickerson was doing a Mulan retelling I was thrilled. She is one of my absolute favorite authors and I adore all of her fairytale retellings.
The Warrior Maiden was everything I could have hoped for and much much more! The story was both familiar and new. Recognizable and fresh. You get the idea. Melanie Dickerson has expertly penned a fairytale retelling that stands out of the crowd and leaves the reader both satisfied in the reading and wishing for more.
The Warrior Maiden, like its predecessors, is rich in historical detail and even more rich in characters. Readers will feel totally immersed in the era, location, and in the lives of the heroine and hero. To be honest, I just can't say enough good things about the book.
With equal amounts of sword-fighting action and young romance, this story while aimed at the YA market is sure to delight readers of all ages and I wouldn't hesitate to read it to younger kids as a bedtime or family-time story.
Soooo, the moral of the story is....you should definitely read this story and maybe even share it with others...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson a 5 Bark rating.
Favorite Print Books From 2017
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page
Fiction
Secular Fiction
Non-Fiction
new year and hope you will be joining us for...
Reading Year In Review
Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st
Completed: July 19th
Print Books: 122 E-Books: 29 Audiobooks: 2
Total Pages Read: 37,454
Percentage Of Challenge Completed: 204%
Print Books: 83 E-Books: 14 Audiobooks: 2
CDs: 1 Movies: 1 Other: 0
|
I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, so check back at the end of the year to see my total stats for 2017 and whether I break last year's record of 150 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
2017 Stats
Started: January 1st
Completed: July 19th
Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 34
Total Pages Read: 19,373
Print Books: 66 E-Books: 9
The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson
Midway Book In The Challenge:
Dangerous Testimony by Dana Mentink
Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Danger On The Mountain by Lynette Eason
Longest Book (most pages):
The Romance In A Bottle Romance Collection
Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang
Oldest Book:
Lori Adams And The Riverboat Mystery
(1971)
Newest Book:
The Promise Bride by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham
(August 29th, 2017)
Historical Romance / Fairytale Retelling
The Noble Servant
A Medieval Fairy Tale book 3
by Melanie Dickerson
-From Amazon- She lost everything to the scheme of an evil servant. But she might just gain what she’s always wanted . . . if she makes it in time. The impossible was happening. She, Magdalen of Mallin, 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 Magdalen had 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 they need in time to save both Mallin and Wolfberg? ISBN-13: 978-0718026608 An old fairytale, a wonderful new story... | This Book received a 5 Bark rating. |
Did I love The Noble Servant? Yes! Yes! Yes! The author has such a wonderful way of storytelling, with an absolutely exquisite attention to detail, that you feel completely immersed in the era and the within the story. Magdalen and Stefan quickly became friends, friends that I rooted for, friends that I gasped on their behalf as they faced each new peril, and definitely friends that I didn't want to say goodbye to on that last page.
The Noble Servant is a definite winner in my estimation and a MUST read for any Melanie Dickerson fan. If you love historical novels rich in detail, with plenty of adventure, romance, and danger, The Noble Servant just might be for you. If you love fairytale retellings Melanie Dickerson's latest book is definitely for you!
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson a 5 Bark rating.
YA / Historical Romance / Fairytale
The Silent Songbird
Fairy Tale Romance book 7
by Melanie Dickerson
-From the inside flap- 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 grow 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 about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne? ISBN-13: 978-0718026318 Searching for freedom she finds love... | This Book received a 5 Bark rating. |
I quickly fell in love with the Evangeline and Westley, she with her courage and he with his kind heart. And I despised the truly despicable Lord Shiveley. It was also fun to check into the later lives of the hero and heroine of a previous Melanie Dickerson book...
The Silent Songbird is a truly delightful and engrossing tale, one of romance, chivalry, and intrigue, set in the fascinating and dangerous Medieval period. This is one book you'll want to carve out some reading time for, because once you open that gorgeous cover you won't be able to put it down.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson a 5 Bark rating.
Favorite Print Books From 2016
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page
Fiction
Kids/Juvenile
Non-Fiction
new year and hope you will be joining us for...
Historical/Romance/YA/Fairytale
The Beautiful Pretender
A Medieval Fairytale book 2
by Melanie Dickerson
-From the back cover- 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. ISBN-13: 978-0718026288 Another MUST read by Melanie Dickerson! | This Book received a 5 Bark rating |
Reading book one in the series, The Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest, will definitely give some background to the story but I felt that The Beautiful Pretender could be read standalone as well. If you haven't read book one yet, by all means do, but don't let it stop you from reading this book. Melanie Dickerson is very good at connecting her stories while still making each one complete on its own.
I honestly can't say enough about The Beautiful Pretender and how much I enjoyed it. Melanie Dickerson has a real winner in this one. It is a truly delightful and satisfying story. One that is richly detailed and with enough danger and romance to keep any reader completely enthralled. From its gorgeous cover to the very last page you just won't want to miss The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson!
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson a 5 Bark rating.
9th Blogoversary
Author
Reading and history have been my passion since early childhood when my parents encouraged both. I was introduced to Christian fiction around age 4-5 while listening to radio drama adaptations of books by great authors including Janette Oke. I have been a voracious reader and avid library patron ever since. I started Tell Tale Book Reviews in December 2012. I am also an active volunteer in the areas I hold most dear, library, museum, and pets. Hobbies include a small bead jewelry business, watching classic movies/ TV, listening to Irish/Celtic music, and autograph collecting.
TELL
2008-2017
Born in October, he was a purebred Alaskan Malamute. His red fur and sparkling green eyes highlighted his happy and loving personality. He loved walks, hugs, sneaking human food treats, and Milk Bones.
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