Ramblings

     "The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest" is the latest novel by Melanie Dickerson.  I was so excited for this twist on "Swan Lake" and "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood" to release! I love how Melanie Dickerson weaves spiritual themes into adaptations of famous fairytales, as I've always been a reader of fairytales :).

     Odette Menkels was an orphan who pillaged through trash for food until learning to hunt.  Her uncle took her in when he returned to the Holy Roman Empire, and since then, she's poached Lord Thornbeck and the king's deer at night to feed the orphans around town.  By day, she teaches the children and attends parties, although she's not very interested in any of the local men for a husband.  As long as she can help provide for those in situations like she once was, and avoid the local forester, she is happy.

     Jorgen is the local forester, determined to catch whoever has been poaching the land, especially since his father was shot by a poacher.  He is attracted to the mysterious Odette, and helps her teach the local children.  He just can't understand why she is wary of him.  When Odette's uncle comes to financial ruin, and Odette is going to marry another man to save their fortune and provide for the local children, can Jorgen break past her barriers to show her that he loves her?

     I really enjoyed this book.  The plot had many twists and turns that once read were recognizable as being from the famous stories mentioned above, but kept me hanging.  The characters were very sweet, and the setting of medieval Germany was really neat.

     Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.  I was not disappointed in the least; all opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.

The first book in the Fairy Tale Romance Collection is the book The Healer’s Apprentice.  In this book, a twist of Sleeping Beauty, Rose falls in love with Lord Hamlin, the duke’s son.  The message of this book, I would say, is about being independent but courteous.  I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for ages twelve through seventeen.  

    The Merchant’s Daughter is the second book of the series.  It was a spinoff of Beauty and the Beast.  Lord Ranulf le Wyse meets Annabel, and against all odds they are able to marry by the end.  The theme was one of standing strong through turmoil.  To be quite honest, however, I do not know how this book ties in to the rest of the series.   I would say that although this book was all right, it was not my favorite.  There were a few questionable scenes.  So, I would say for this book, readers need to be at least thirteen years of age.

    The Fairest Beauty, the third book of the Fairy Tale Romance series, is centered on Gabehart (Lady Rose and Lord Hamlin’s second son) and his love for Sophia, another duke’s daughter.  The book is based upon the story of Snow White.  Staying true to yourself is the underlying theme in this book.  This book was excellent, but I would still restrict it to ages twelve and up for some intense scenes.  

    The fourth book in this collection is called The Captive Maiden.  It focuses on Gisela’s love for Valten, who is Gabe’s older brother in the previously mentioned book.  This was an exciting twist off the fairy tale Cinderella.  The message in this book is one of staying faithful to your love, come what may.  This book is my favorite in the series, and I would recommend it for ages twelve to seventeen.  

    The fifth and final book in this series is entitled The Princess Spy.  This is an intriguing spin off of the story of The Frog Princess.  Margaretha, the eldest daughter of Lady Rose and Lord Hamlin, falls in love with Lord Collin.  The theme of this book is to love and protect your family.  This book is most enjoyable for ages twelve to sixteen.  

    The eBook Fairy Tale Romance Collection was released in February of 2015 by Zondervan.  Ms. Melanie Dickerson authored it.  Thank you to Zondervan and Ms. Dickerson for providing me a copy of the eBook to review; I was not required to provide a positive review and all opinions are my own.

    Dauntless is the first of the Valiant Hearts series.  It was released by Bethany House Publishers in 2015.  It is authored by Dina L. Sleiman.

    Timothy Grey is the youngest of nine children born to the Baron of Greyham.  So it is only natural that he would want to rise up and make his mark on the world.  As steward to the Earl of Wyndeshire in England, Timothy thinks that things are looking up.  When he is entrusted with capturing the mysterious Ghosts of Farthingale Forest that are suspected to have come to town, Timothy is honored.  But he finds himself in for more than he bargained for when he recognizes their leader.

    Merry Ellison, born to the Baron of Ellsworth, finds herself outside the law when her father’s assassination attempt on the king backfires.  She forms a group from the rescued children of her abandoned village, and they earn the nickname of the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest.  Merry sacrifices much to preserve her precious band.  But Merry finds it increasingly arduous when their reputation brings new threats – and one of them seems familiar…

    I began reading this book, I must admit, with a bit of skepticism.  I hypothesized it might have been very similar to a different book I had read recently.  However, as I read on, I became enraptured in its pages.  The excitement and colorful wording pleased me and drew me in.  I am charmed by this book’s well-written plot, touching moments, romantic twists, and an extraordinary miracle I did not see coming.  Some parts of it may have been a little typical, but the tidy ending made up for it.  The message is a powerful one of a lost soul coming to Christ, and through Him past hurts being healed.  I would recommend this book for adolescents ages thirteen and up, because there was one descriptive death and flashbacks of hangings.  But overall, my opinion of this book is a pleasantly surprised one.

    Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this book.

     "An Uncertain Choice" by Jody Hedlund is published by Zondervan.  This stand-alone book has a prequel novella called "The Vow", which is not necessary for the understanding of this book, although I think it would help.    Even though I just recently discovered Jody Hedlund's writing, I have quickly fallen in love with it and loved this first attempt of hers at young adult fiction. 

     Because of a vow her late parents made when she was born, Lady Rosemarie is preparing to become a nun upon her eighteenth birthday.  About a month before that date, an old friend of her father's comes into the kingdom with a loophole in the vow.  If Lady Rosemarie can find true love and marry before midnight on her eighteenth birthday, she will be exempt from the vow.  Conveniently enough, this duke friend came along with three single, young, handsome guys just waiting to make Lady Rosemarie fall in love with them.  The abbot that has brought up and advised Lady Rosemarie since her parents died doesn't like the loophole though, and tries to convince Lady Rosemarie to just stay the course and go to the convent.  Lady Rosemarie decides to go ahead and have a little "contest" with the three knights for her hand in marriage.

     Sir Collin has showered Rosemarie with many expensive gifts.  Sir Bennett has an appreciation for art and beauty, and takes Rosemarie to festivals.   Sir Derrick is aloof and does not seem to want to pursue Lady Rosemarie.  When multiple "accidents" happen, seemingly aimed at and meant to harm two of the knights, the third knight is suspected of the foul play.  In addition to that, the poor people of the town are catching a mysterious disease and are facing torture from the local sheriff.

     I was not disappointed by this book, although the torture was gruesome.  I think I would have preferred to have it described in a lot less detail; I'd still get an idea of the brutality, and not have the vivid pictures in my mind!  Also, Lady Rosemaire, perhaps because of her age, was very immature.  Yes, she is "uncertain", but really, I just wanted her to make up her mind and see the circumstances and people for what they were.  She seemed way too gullible, and the knights were just as if they had come out of a chick-flick.  Perfect and charming.  Overall, I would still recommend it, but with caution to sensitive readers for the torture scenes.