A Writer's Review of “Princess Ever After” by Rachel Hauck

{About Princess Ever After}

Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.

But she’s content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother’s hand-painted book of fairytales.

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation’s future—and his own.
Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she’s destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together—with a little divine intervention—Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

Purchase a copy and learn more at Rachel’s website.
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{My Review}

Princess Ever After was a sweet, well-written book. It was very much the same sort of situation and plot as Meg Cabot's young adult novel, The Princess Diaries, which was also made into a movie starring a teenage Anne Hathaway.

The writing is good, the characters were engaging, and I was pulled through the book quickly enough... but for some reason I was never really personally invested in what was going on in the book. 

The two books in this series have been the only two books I've read by Rachel Hauck, so I might have walked into the series with my expectations a little off. The books in The Royal Wedding Series are good... just not my cup of tea. I'm not sure if it was the fictional setting in current-day Europe/Britain or the fact that they were just too sweet. I never felt great emotion from the writing or the characters, but I have a feeling that isn't something everyone else is always looking for in a book. Sometimes readers just want to be entertained... and if that's you, this would probably be a very enjoyable book for you to read. 

Rachel Hauck’s Princess Ever After currently has a rating of 4.22 out of 5 stars (from 161 ratings) on Goodreads. I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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{More About Rachel Hauck}

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as RITA nominated “The Wedding Dress” and RITA nominated “Love Starts with Elle,” part of the Lowcountry series, the Nashvegas series and the Songbird Novels penned with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Their novel “Softly and Tenderly,’ was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full time in 2004. Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.
Find out more about Rachel at http://www.rachelhauck.com/.

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{Princess Ever After $200 “Princess” Giveaway and Facebook Party with Rachel Hauck!}

Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of her latest "swoon"-worthy romance,  Princess Ever After, with a fun $200 "Princess" prize package giveaway and a Facebook "Princess" party on March 6th. Grab your tiaras and RSVP today!

  One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card (buy your very own "princess ever after" gown or tanks of gas for your "royal" ride)
• Princess Ever After, Once Upon a Prince, and The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 6th. Winner will be announced at Rachel's "Princess" Facebook Party on March 6th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of "royal" book chat, princess-themed trivia, laughter, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next book in the Royal Wedding series!

So grab your copy of Princess Ever After and join Rachel and friends on the evening of March 6th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Dawn Crandall's Review of “Once Upon a Prince" by Rachel Hauck

{My Review}

I've never read this author before, but I've been trying new and new-to-me authors a lot more in the last year or so... a plan which kind of backfired on me a bit. There were a few I ended up adoring... and a few I didn't. 

Once Upon a Prince was one I liked a lot but still wasn't completely blown away by. I really liked the characters and the friendship/romantic relationship, though everything did seem to develop rather quickly. The parts I skimmed through were the scenes involving the politics and mandates of the fictional country it was set in for the last half of the book. The ending was also pulled together a little too tidily for my taste.

Rachel Hauck is definitely a great writer, and I will read the follow up book to this series (The Royal Wedding Series) called Princess Ever After. I'll probably even look up a few of her others because I've also heard that her book The Wedding Dress is phenomenal. 

Once Upon a Prince currently has a rating of 3.82 out of 5 stars (from 2,091 ratings) on Goodreads. I own this book.

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{About the Author}

RITA finalist and award winning author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida. Rachel loves to encourage new writers and is the book therapist for My Book Therapy and writing community founded by Susan May Warren. Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook. www.rachelhauck.com

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Dawn Crandall's Review of “A December Bride" by Denise Hunter

{My Review}

If Denise Hunter writes something, I'm going to read it. It's that simple. Even if it's short. Even if it's a novella. As far as I know, A December Bride, which is part of a novella series put together by Zondervan, is the only (non-Smitten) novella she's written. She was the perfect choice to begin the series, because as far as I'm concerned, everything she writes is absolutely wonderful.

This novella follows the lives of two characters from her fictional town called Chapel Springs (which is based off of the quaint Ohio River town of Madison, IN), and one of which is the sister of the hero in her latest full length novel, Barefoot Summer. The characters were well developed for a novella. They had super awesome chemistry together... which is pretty much a given being that they're characters from the imagination of this particular author. The plot was simple, but that's a given when the word count is so restricted. Novellas, as much as I've been trying to get into them more this year (mostly because they're everywhere all of a sudden), aren't my favorite. But this one was really good. I flew through it in one evening and enjoyed every minute. 

An eBook Advance Reader copy of A December Bride was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

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{More About the Book}

(from Goodreads) What started as a whim turned into an accidental - and very public - engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season - for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?

Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy, the best friend of Layla O'Reilly's ex-fiance would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency, a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client. For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.

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{More About the Author}

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

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Look out for the next novellas coming out in the "A Year of Weddings" novella collection. There are some pretty awesome authors included in the collaboration.

“The Merchant's Daughter" by Melanie Dickerson

{Elizabeth’s Review}

I am such a hopeless fairytale romantic. Knowing that this book by Melanie Dickerson is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, I knew I would be captivated. It is the third novel I've read (and loved!) by this author. I am very pleased to find that The Merchant's Daughter is just as enjoyable as her other work!  

Our classic 'beauty' takes character form in Annabel, a lovely heroine as beautiful on the inside as she is in her outward appearance. Rejected by her destitute family and forced to work off their debt for the new lord of the area, I greatly appreciated seeing a working "Belle" do hard labor. This leading lady has a character depth that's perfectly suited for the target audience of Young Adult readers. Annabel is pursued by a repulsive and unwelcome bailiff who seems to derive a wicked pleasure from making her uncomfortable with his advances. The unlikely hero arises in Lord Ranulf. Our 'beast' is an emotionally crippled man of title and wealth. His wounds on his face and hand reflect the deep scarring in his soul inflicted by a past love. I have to be honest, I love a dark anti-hero. The more brooding and damaged they are, the more entranced I become. When a character is so jaded and messed up, their cathartic change into a hero is so strong and much more moving.  

Melanie Dickerson has this amazing ability to write in a way that goes beyond the 'Young Adult' label. Enjoyable for any age, I can honestly see mothers and daughters being able to read her novels together. She has this gift for taking beloved fairytales and spinning them into a new light. Filling each book with a Godly presence, her characters are life-like in their struggles and reactions to change.  

This book is actually the second novel written by Dickerson. I backtracked after reading and being very pleased with The Fairest Beauty. Bequeathing her with another 5 stars, I hope that this author never tires of breathing life into the fairytale classics.

{About The Merchant’s Daughter}

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

{More books by Melanie Dickerson ~ click on the photos to read our reviews}

P.S. I've heard that there will be a new novel by Melanie Dickerson coming out next fall based on Cinderella! Learn more about this Melanie and her upcoming books at www.melaniedickerson.com.

“The Fairest Beauty” by Melanie Dickerson

{Elizabeth's Review}

Melanie Dickerson weaves an enchanting tale of courage, honor, and the deepest desires of the heart in this retelling of the classic Snow White. Set during the 15th century, I love that The Fairest Beauty is a twist on a well known and recognizable fairy tale. She definitely knows her way around emotional suspense and her descriptive style captures the thrill of first love and the internal reservations of a forbidden romance. The setting and characters come alive, leaving a lasting impression and the desire to read the story over and over again.

I don't typically read books classified as Young Adult because many of them tend to be filled with a little too much angst for my taste. I've always loved fairy tales, so I decided to give this one a try. And then I ended up finishing it in less than a day! I fell in love with the main characters, Gabe and Sophie.  All in all, I give this book 5 stars. This book is the third by Melanie Dickerson. She is also the author of The Healer's Apprentice (based on Sleeping Beauty) and The Merchant's Daughter (based on Beauty and the Beast).

{About The Fairest Beauty}

Sophie has long wished to get away from her stepmother's jealous anger, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be her chance at freedom---but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe knows he defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the orphan girl has stolen his heart. Though romance is impossible---she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else---he promises to himself he will keep her safe, no matter what.

When the pair are forced to run to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help---but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Can they find a way to protect Sophie while also safeguarding their hearts?

{Meet The Author}

Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.

Find out more about Melanie at: http://www.melaniedickerson.com
 

A Writer's Review of “The Healer's Apprentice" by Melanie Dickerson

I’ve never been one to read young adult fiction or romance. Not even when I was a young adult, in fact. And actually, I didn’t realize this book was listed as young adult until I picked it up from the hold shelf at my local library.  But hey, since I had it in my hand... and it is such a beautiful book, and I’d heard such good things about it, I decided I would read my first “young adult” novel... at the age of 34. Wow. I’m literally TWICE as old as a young adult. How depressing.

Well, even if I’m old, there is something about fairy tales that I still love. The fact that Melanie Dickerson’s The Healer’s Apprentice is based on the tale of The Sleeping Beauty is what made me want to read it in the first place... no matter that I’d never heard of the author before. 

As long as I’m in the mood for admitting things like my age, I also want to confess something else. I’ve been getting into the awful habit of opening a book to a random page in the middle and reading a few pages in order to determine whether I want to read it or not. I know. This doesn’t seem very fair to the authors I’ve never heard of or read anything of before... but you must understand how many books there are in my TBR pile. More than I can keep up with while trying to write my own books, manage this blog, and baby-sit a two and a half-year old and her nine month old brother (but only until June! PTL!).

When I reread those pages (which convinced me that I really SHOULD DEFINITELY read the book), I love them even more once I’d got to them in the order of the story. Yeah, big surprise, huh? I was actually enchanted by the entire story world, the characters and then plot... even though I pretty much already knew the basics of it. Melanie Dickerson is a master at making her characters connect in ways that make you feel God made them for each other. I also loved that the scene on the cover was from a very important scene in the book. It was perfect matched, which isn’t often done so well as on the cover of this book. Covers really do matter, you know. A cover of a book is often what convinces me to become interested in a book in the first place.

Quite frankly, I loved everything about this book.  It wasn’t quite as passion-filled or angsty as other books I like, but the ending was just plain heart-meltingly adorable. I definitely look forward to reading her second book, The Merchant’s Daughter, which is a retelling of the fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast.

I don’t happen have a copy of The Healer’s Apprentice to give away, but I do have a giant pile of books listed under My Give Away Books at the top of my blog for my weekly winners to choose from. To win, leave a comment answering the question at the end of this post (including your email so I can contact you), follow my blog or re-post my book review on your Facebook page. The winner will be announced next Monday.

*What is your favorite fairy tale and why?