Melanie Dickerson is back again with another FANTASTIC fairy tale recreation. Robin Hood meets Swan Lake - Genius.
Robin Hood has always been one of my favorite tales, so to see a strong, caring female in the role of archer is always a fun spin. Odette Menkels is both a shining light and an oddity among the women in her era. Her courage and independence make her desirable and yet outside the norm of what society expects of women at that time. Despite all societies pressures to get married for security, Odette would rather provide food for the poor and study, things she's sure a husband wouldn't allow her to do. Love is a must for marriage. Bravo, Odette. You're a woman after my own heart.
Jorgen is a strong, handsome man with mettle and valor. He's also kind and gentle. If only he had the money and societal standing to convince Odette's uncle he's a worthy suitor.
If only I could magically transport Jorgen to present day and off the pages of my book. Wow. He had me at hello, so to speak. :) The growing relationship between he and Odette is not just sweet, but at moments breathless. Even though it seems to be doomed from the beginning, happily ever afters are possible in Thornbeck Forest and I love the twists and turns that finally bring them together.
Melanie did an amazing job recreating a story I love into another tale I love just as much. Odette and Jorgen are characters that transcend the page and become legends in their own right.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A beautiful maiden who poaches to feed the poor. A handsome forester on a mission to catch her. Danger and love are about to unite in Thornbeck Forest.
The margrave owns the finest hunting grounds for miles around—and Odette Menkels spends her nights poaching his deer to feed the hungry orphans of Thornbeck. By day, Odette is a simple maiden who teaches children to read, but by night this young beauty has become the secret lifeline to the poorest of the poor.
For Jorgen Hartman, the margrave’s forester, tracking down a poacher is a duty he is all too willing to perform. Jorgen inherited his post from the man who raised him ... a man who was murdered at the hands of a poacher.
When Jorgen and Odette meet at the Midsummer festival and share a connection during a dance, neither has any idea that they are already adversaries. The one man she wants is bound by duty to capture her; the one woman he loves is his cunning target . . .
What becomes of a forester who protects a notorious poacher? What becomes of a poacher when she is finally discovered?
ABOUT 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.
I received this book free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Song Stuck on the Brain:Average Girl by
Barlow Girl
Welcome back to #NationalPrincessWeek!
A week for us to celebrate the little girl (or not so little girl) in all of us
that at some point dreamed of being royalty and finding her Prince Charming.
I love princess stories, but I really like princesses
that are spunky like me. That’s why The
Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke is one of my favorites. I read it all the
time. But when I need a good giggle, I like to read: The Princess and the Pigby Jonathan
Emmett
“There's been a terrible mix-up in the royal
nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella,
the farmer's new piglet. The kindly farmer and his wife believe it's the work
of a good witch, while the ill-tempered king and queen blame the bad
witch-after all, this happens in fairy tales all the time! While Priscilla
grows up on the farm, poor yet very happy, things don't turn out quite so well
for Pigmella. Kissing a frog has done wonders before, but will it work for a
pig?”
I love a good series, don’t you? Well then get ready for
another great Princess themed series. Melanie Dickerson’s re-imagined fairy tales
are romantic, adventurous and full of faith. Each one connected with me in a
special way. There are 4 in the series, but Melanie Dickerson has announced a
new title, The Princess Spy coming November
2014. You can’t miss these.
The Healers Apprentice
“Two Hearts. One Hope. 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.”
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.”
The Fairest Beauty
“A daring rescue. A difficult choice. Sophie desperately
wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, 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 Sophie's one chance at freedom---but can she trust
another person to keep her safe? Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by
going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's
inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible---she is
his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else---he
promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what. When the pair
flee to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help---but also find their feelings
for each other have grown. Now both must not only protect each other from the
dangers around them---they must also protect their hearts.”
The Captive Maiden
“Happily
Ever After ...Or Happily Nevermore? Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter
and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her
father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her
stepmother. So when Gisela learns the duke's son, Valten---the boy she has
daydreamed about for years---is throwing a ball in hopes of finding a wife, she
vows to find a way to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll
never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough
around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But
other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting
Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.”
The Princess Spy
“Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes
her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But
then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English
lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha---one
of the few who speaks his language---understands the wild story. Margaretha
finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and
convinces herself 'Lord Colin' is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves
an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment.
Margaretha knows she could never be a spy---not only is she unable to keep
anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential
betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers
her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin
but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself
from Claybrook's wicked plot.”
Today I’d like to introduce you to Kianna’s gal pal
Rissa. Rissa is married with a little boy named T.J. and he keeps her all kinds
of busy, but despite being a new mom, she’s also the super creative one. She’s
always making/designing/decorating something new. So today she’s stopping by to
show us how to make our own awesome princess hats. Welcome, Rissa!
Hi, Cherry-Locks, great to meet you. Who knew one day
Kianna’s journal would come to life so completely? Lol.
When someone mentions a princess hat, cone hats are the
first thing that comes to mind for most people. They originated sometime in the
late 15th century in Burgundy, France. They’re unique, but charming
for little girls. SO, gather your supplies and I’ll show you how to make your
own.
Things You'll Need:
*Heavy paper or poster board *Pencil *Scissors *Tape *Felt *Colored paper *Faux jewels (optional) *Glue *2 yards sheer fabric *Tape measure *1/2 inch elastic *Stapler
Instructions:
1. Draw
a half circle on a large sheet of heavy paper. Decide how high you want the hat
to be and make that measurement the height of the radius of the half circle.
2.Cut
out the half circle shape and roll it to form a cone. Temporarily, tape the
overlapping edges to secure them.
3. Place
it on the child's head and adjust the size.
4. Adjust
the tape so the hat fits comfortably. Cut away the excess paper so that the
bottom edge of the hat is even.
5. Cut
out felt or paper decorations of your choosing; glue them to the hat's exterior
surface. Add faux jewels if desired. A border design around the bottom of the
cone may represent a jeweled crown.
6. Make
a small slice in the top of the cone and slide the corner ends of two,
three-foot pieces of sheer fabric through the hole, so that they hang from the
top, at the back of the head.
7.Drape
one 3-foot piece of fabric over the cone and allow the other to hang lengthwise
down the back. Secure the draped material to the cone with glue under the edge
of the cone.
8.Measure
under the child's chin, ear to ear, for the chin strap. Cut a length of
1/2-inch elastic to match the measurement.
9.Staple
the elastic to each side of the princess hat. Make sure that the folded ends of
the staples are on the outside of the hat.
Tips and Warnings
*The same technique can be used to
make a hat of felt and fusing, sewn with machine or hand stitching.
*Decorate the fabric, if desired.
Veil materials can be decorated with glitter to mimic gold and silver.
We have a lot more to come. If you haven’t stopped by my
Facebook page yet, be sure to check out the spotlight on Modern Day Princesses
around the world. Being a princess is more than wearing pretty jewelry, now they
have big aspirations. These girls are well educated and have careers of all
kinds that benefit their community. Do you have a favorite princess? Tell me
about it in the comments below!
Finding true love
these days feels impossible to Kianna Ravencamp, only dysfunction surrounds her.
Her sister’s married to an abusive husband and marriages she’s admired for years
are falling apart. Maybe relationships like her parent’s don’t exist anymore.
She dreams of true love and a family, but she’s never even been
kissed.
For her birthday, her best friend gives her a
journal and dares her to follow her dream of songwriting and vocal lessons
quickly follow. Kianna’s finally dared to dream big… if the three men in her
life don’t get in her way.
Nick Steele, her new
vocal partner is flirtatious and charming. Derek Simpson, the new vocal coach is
asking her out for coffee. Even Jason Payne, a childhood friend is acting odd.
For the first time in her life, she will have to navigate dating and flirtation.
Will her inexperience be her downfall? How will these relationships affect her
songwriting career? Letting go and trusting God is the only answer that brings
the path to real love and success.
Buy your copy today at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and more. Click the Buy My Book tab for a list of direct links.
The Christy Awards are here again and the finalists are travleing from all over the country to find out if they are the lucky winner. There are a lot of wonderful writers that were nominated this year, but today, I'm featuring my friend and author Melanie Dickerson!
Melanie has made quite the splash since publishing her first book, The Healer's Apprentice. She was nominated for numerous awards for that novel, including a Christy. This year she's back in the nominations for her follow up book, The Merchant's Daughter.
Melanie was very gracious in accepting my invitation for an interview. So, welcome Melanie. Thanks for taking a quick stop on your road to success and answering a few questions.
If your readers were to take only one lesson from The Merchant's Daughter, what would you want that to be?
I would want them to take away the lesson that God loves them and has a plan for their lives, a good plan, and He will be with them through whatever they have to face in life to get them into the abundant life He has planned for them. My heroine does her best to follow God, and that’s all God really asks of us.
Great message, I certainly saw that in Annabel. So how does your Christy nomination affect your view of your writing career? Has it changed anything?
I have to say, it is a big encouragement to me, but I’m not sure it changes anything. It encourages me to keep writing the best stories I can, to put every effort into revising and every other aspect of writing, and it lets me know I’m probably on the right track, to a certain extent. It’s very humbling too, because of all the other great books out there.
Do you have a favorite Christy award winning novel? If so, what is it? Has it played into your writing desires in any way?
The novel, Christy by Catherine Marshall, is an amazing book and one of my favorites. I’ve dreamed of winning a Christy Award since I started writing novels again, about eight years ago! That makes it all the sweeter to be a finalist.
I loved the book Christy! It's one of my favorites, too. What one thing would you like readers to know about you that no one knows yet?
I have a Snow White book, The Fairest Beauty, which I just unveiled on my Facebook author page, and a Cinderella book coming out next year. Both of these books feature the grown up children of Rose and Wilhelm from The Healer’s Apprentice. I hope my readers will enjoy hearing about what happened to Rose and Wilhelm and how their children are turning out.
I'm so excited! I can't wait to get my hands on them both. I've hooked my book club on your novels, they're just as excited as I am. Good luck at the Christy's Melanie, we're all cheering for you!
Inspired by “The Beauty and the Beast,” THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER follows Annabel Chapman, the daughter of a once-wealthy merchant, whose fate changes when her family goes into debt and she is forced into the role of servant for the beastly Lord Ranulf le Wyse.
In her new home, Annabel is burdened with a host of household duties, including harvesting barley stalks and preparing dinner for the other servants. Worse, she is horrified by her family’s insistence she marry the despicable Bailiff Tom in order to save the Chapman home and keep her brothers from having to work.
After Tom corners her alone several times, Annabel comes to believe a life within a convent may be her only hope of true escape. But as she settles into life inside Lord le Wyse’s home , Annabel begins to see past the lord’s harsh exterior to the kind and wonderful man who hides behind the physical and emotional scars. A man who wants only to help her, even if it means sending her away. Will Annabel follow her heart’s desire before it’s too late?
Dickerson’s long-awaited second book blends the romance of The Healer’s Apprentice with the fantasy of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” tale. THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER is a must-read for teens and young adults interested in fascinating love stories and historical fiction.
Watch the enchanting trailer for THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER
“Dickerson manages a heartfelt romance that will stick with readers.”—Booklist
“A virtuous romance.”—Kirkus
“The message will resonate with readers of all ages: Beauty is within all of us.”
—Romantic Times
“This riff on Beauty and the Beast makes the story as comfortable as a pair of old shoes, but the shoes fit well.”—Publishers Weekly
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Dickerson is the author of 2010’s The Healer’s Apprentice, her debut novel which won Best First Book at the National Readers’ Choice Awards and came in fourth at the Family Fiction Awards. The novel was also a Christy Award, Maggie Award, Carol Award and Golden Quill finalist, and earned the HOLT Medallion Award of Merit. She lives in Huntsville, Alabama, with her husband and two daughters. www.melaniedickerson.com
November 29, 2011 is fast approaching, which means I have 3 things to anticipate this month. My birthday, Thanksgiving and the release of Melanie Dickerson's next novel, The Merchant's Daughter.
I've added it to my Amazon wishlist... and I'm counting down the days.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
If you've missed out on the pleasure of reading her first book, The Healer's Apprentice, click HERE to read more.
ABOUT 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.
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson releases today! If you follow my blog, you'll remember that I posted in April about this fabulous book's coming release. Now the waiting is over and I'm so excited for Melanie.
"When destiny sleeps, it can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.
In this historical romance loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, a woodcutter's daughter becomes the town's healer's apprentice. Rose's job is to care for the sick and injured in Hagenheim Castle. But she gets sick at the sight of blood and is more suited to making up stories than sewing up wounds. She is determined to overcome her weakness and prove herself a competent healer, or she faces marrying a disgusting old merchant her mother has picked out for her.
Lord Hamlin, the future ruler of the region, is injured and Rose must overcome her squeamishness to save him. He is everything that is noble and good, but loving him is forbidden. He is already betrothed to a mysterious woman in hiding.
With two noble-born brothers vying for her affections, Rose learns that the people of Hagenheim are not always who they seem. "
If you're interested in knowing more about The Healer's Apprentice and it's author Melanie Dickerson, visit these fantastic blogs to read Melanie's interviews.
Be sure to visit Melanie Dickerson's own siteas well where she's hosting her own contest. If you see The Healer's Apprentice on a book store shelf, take a picture and post it on facebook. Send the link to Melanie and she will put you in a drawing for a t-shirt with the cover of The Healer's Apprentice on the front.
I am so excited to share my friends news with all of you. I know I've mentioned before that several of my critique writing partners have books being released this year. Well, their news just keeps getting better, so here is an update on books you just have to check out!
You can also find their links in the side bar under Favorite Authors.
A new Twilight competitor? Could be! This book is amazing (trust me, I read an early draft!)
When destiny sleeps, it can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.
In this historical romance loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, a woodcutter's daughter becomes the town's healer's apprentice. Rose's job is to care for the sick and injured in Hagenheim Castle. But she gets sick at the sight of blood and is more suited to making up stories than sewing up wounds. She is determined to overcome her weakness and prove herself a competent healer, or she faces marrying a disgusting old merchant her mother has picked out for her.
Lord Hamlin, the future ruler of the region, is injured and Rose must overcome her squeamishness to save him. He is everything that is noble and good, but loving him is forbidden. He is already betrothed to a mysterious woman in hiding.
With two noble-born brothers vying for her affections, Rose learns that the people of Hagenheim are not always who they seem.
Ex-FBI agent Luke Tanner doesn’t need any more complications in his life. He has moved to Pine Lake to be closer to his minister father, hoping a smaller community and supportive church family will help his rebellious teen-age son. Acting as the temporary fire chief, he suddenly finds in himself in the biggest complication of all as Kitty McGuire’s arrival in town not only sparks a new series of arson fires and murder, but rekindles a love in his heart that he thought was gone forever.
Kitty McGuire is determined to convince the new Pine Lake fire chief that someone has killed her father and framed him for arson. But by returning to her hometown, she has to deal with her painful past and gain the courage to love again.
A serial killer is on the loose, depositing his victims’ hearts amid the Toltec ruins of central Mexico. Meanwhile, a priceless Mesoamerican artifact is stolen from the University of Utah, sweeping archaeologists Anthony Peet and Lori Dewson on a desperate recovery mission south of the border. Accompanied by a reluctant colleague, an enthusiastic young journalist and a Yaqui woman in mourning, the team must decipher clues hidden within the Aztec sunstone, mystical Toltec Pyramids and astronomical calendar rounds to find the priceless effigy of Quetzalcoatl. They suddenly find themselves in a race against the coming solar eclipse, all the while dodging a corrupt Mexican police force still on the hunt for the sadistic murderer – a killer who’s chosen one of them for his next human sacrifice.
Can't wait to see these released. Be sure to keep an eye out for them. :)
A beautiful maiden who poaches to feed the poor. A handsome forester on a mission to catch her. Danger and love are about to unite in Thornbeck Forest.
