Book Review: Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae

About the Book:

A classic Cinderella fairytale with a Victorian Twist.

With her guiding hand, Lady Ada turns the mundane into the magnificent, lumps of charcoal into beautiful sketches—and second-hand clothes into gorgeous gowns. Only her debilitating stutter is beyond reach.

When her cruel brother is accused of treason, he threatens her—she must help him, or be thrown into an asylum, claiming her stutter as evidence of an unsound mind.

Like a rabid dog, the Duke of Girard is consumed with uncovering the traitorous plot surrounding Lady Ada’s brother. She holds the key to solving the mystery, but is unable to speak.

He’s determined to interrogate the woman, but the longer he’s in her company, the more kind he becomes. With Lady Ada’s brother on the loose, can the Duke of Girard win her trust—and her heart—in time to save the queen?

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My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae. This Cinderella retelling brings together an independent, freedom-chasing heroine (Lady Ada) and a persistent, duty-bound duke (Edwin, Duke of Girard). Romance brews from the moment they meet, and the relational tension grows as family ties and political intrigue swirl around the pair. Their growing attachment brings romantic moments that kept me flipping pages late into the night.

Although the romance in Cinders Like Glass is lovely, I also enjoyed the mystery of le Tailleur (which carries into the next book), the dangerous moments, and the character development. For much of Lady Ada’s life, her stutter could trigger unexpectedly, causing awkwardness and shame. As Ada learns to push through this disability, her strength blossomed in every area of life. A fabulous journey to watch unfold. 

Cinders Like Glass stands as the second novel in Clarissa Kae’s Victorian Retelling series. I recommended reading the series in order, but Cinders Like Glass can be read as a stand-alone. I confess, that I never did figure Nikolas out and I’m hoping his character will be fleshed out in a later novel. 

Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae is a clean fiction read. The romance goes no further than a few swoony kisses. There is occasional, mild English cursing, but not so much that it hindered my enjoyment of the story.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review & Giveaway: A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae

About the Book

Book:  A Dark Beauty

Author: Clarissa Kae

Genre: Fairytale

Release date: March 9, 2021

A Victorian Twist on Beauty And The Beast

Bold and brilliant, Georgiana has a gift for fixing machines—from clocks to carriages—while her father has a penchant for finding trouble. In an accidental fire, Georgiana and her father scar the once handsome face of Lord Pichon, cousin to the queen.

Rumors of Georgiana’s gift raise her family’s status. Her incomparable beauty captures the eye of many gentlemen and the wrath of Lord Pichon. Abandoned by his peers and alone in his cold castle, Lord Pichon is determined to enact revenge.

When Georgiana’s father makes a terrible mistake, she sacrifices herself to pay his debt—as a lowly maid in Lord Pichon’s castle.

Her wit and warmth begin to thaw Lord Pichon’s estate, making him question his version of the past. Will her kindness break the beastly lord or will he hold her family hostage forever?

Click here to get your copy!

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My Thoughts

I enjoyed every page of A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae. From start to finish, this Beauty and the Beast retelling captivated my attention. The perfectly paced plot included fresh twists on expected events. Themes of loyalty and the value of family wove into this clean Victorian-era romance.

The enemies-to-lovers romance between Georgiana and Lord Pichon delighted me. Their “Battle of Wits” added humor and tension. From the first time these two met, I rooted for them find love together. I appreciated that their relationship went beyond companionship. Both characters, but especially Lord Pichon, change due to their growing relationship.

A Dark Beauty stands as the first novel in the Victorian Retellings series by Clarissa Kae. A mystery weaved into the story and set the stage for book two. I plan to purchase a paperback copy of this novel and the forthcoming book in the series. I recommend A Dark Beauty to readers who enjoy clean historical romances. Four stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this ebook by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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About the Author

 

Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She’s the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she’s explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

 

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

 

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.

 

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More from Clarissa

As a young girl most of the fairy tales talked about beauty as the only attribute but when Disney came out with Beauty and the Beast, my world was rocked. For the first time the heroine was a woman with a brain and a plan. I began researching the fairy tale and read every version. When my youngest daughter was born (with dark hair and big beautiful brown eyes) I named her Isla Belle. For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of writing a Beauty and the Beast retelling. And finally, that dream as come true.

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Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, March 25

Labor Not in Vain, March 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 26

The Write Escape, March 26

Books and Everyday Life, March 26

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Breny and Books, March 27

The Christian Fiction Girl, March 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 28

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, March 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 29

Through the Fire Blog, March 30

Inklings and notions, March 30

deb’s Book Review, March 31

Connect in Fiction, March 31

Inside the Wong Mind, March 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 1

Inspiration Clothesline, April 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 2

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 3

To Everything There Is A Season, April 3

Beauty in the Binding, April 3

Connie’s History Classroom, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 4

A Baker’s Perspective, April 5

Genesis 5020, April 5

Pause for Tales, April 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 6

Godly Book Reviews, April 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 7

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 7

Mary Hake, April 7

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Clarissa is giving away to two winners one $25 Amazon gift card each!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/109d3/a-dark-beauty-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Tour & Review: The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Piper's Pursuit
(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

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | TNZFiction

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My Review:

The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson lands as book ten in her Hagenheim series, but reads fine as a stand-alone novel. I did enjoy the little mentions of Wolfgang and Mulan from The Warrior Maiden, plus cameos of Duke Wilhelm and Rose, the original couple featured in The Healer’s Apprentice.

The Piper’s Pursuit entertains as it creatively retells the Pied Piper tale. Replete with danger and suspense, I found the story engaging in spite of a few predictable moments. Themes of gender equality and the necessity of confronting evil added depth to the story. Wrapping around those themes is a sensitivity to abuse victims that plays out in Katerina’s trust issues. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of Katerina as a strong and wise young woman in spite of past oppression. The suspense and embedded themes shine equally well in this novel while a sweet romance grows between Katerina and Steffan.

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.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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Other Books in the Series:

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

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About the Author:

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.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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Tour Schedule:

Book Review: The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

About the Book:

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.

My Thoughts:

First off, I loved the fitting title and gorgeous cover of the book.

I also loved the well-paced story line that held my attention from beginning to end. I liked that The Warrior Maiden was loosely based on the Mulan movie, but didn't strictly adhere to the movie's plot. The author gave fresh resolutions to scenarios from the movie. There was a different setting and reason for war. These variations allowed the story to give a nod to the original while retaining its own uniqueness.

I also liked that the author subtly addressed gender equality through the character of Mulan and her experiences. Though sometimes moody, Mulan's determination and resilience made her a strong female leader. Her ability to deal with difficult situations inspired others to have confidence in her. She demonstrated solid confidence and faith in God numerous times.

Unfortunately, I felt like this book was not as well-written as some of Melanie Dickerson's other books. Especially in the beginning, some conversations felt choppy and stilted. My husband and I agreed that certain things the characters did were unrealistic. (Not naming them because I don't want to include spoilers.) Plus, I strongly disliked Mulan's pet name for Wolfgang.

Bottom line: I loved the story enough to overlook the sometimes mediocre prose and give it a permanent home on my bookshelf.

Lastly, The Warrior Maiden is part of Melanie Dickerson's YA Fairy Tale Romance series. I have read some, but not all of them and this functioned fine as a stand-alone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson

Evangeline's privileged life as the ward of her cousin, King Richard II, sometimes feels more suffocating than blessed. When the king awards her in marriage to his most trusted adviser, Lord Shiveley, Evangeline's desperation peaks and she escapes the night before her nuptials. Disguising herself as mute, she travels with a band of servants led by the handsome and kind Westley le Wyse to Glynval. When her deception is uncovered, Evangeline finds herself in danger of Lord Shiveley's search parties and a broken heart. Will Evangeline find the absolution she craves as well as redemption for her past deception? Can a relationship with Westley survive such a shaky beginning? Read more in The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson.

The Silent Songbird is the seventh novel in Melanie Dickerson's Hagenheim series. The novel works as a stand alone, but I do recommend reading the earlier novels as it's enjoyable to encounter some of the previous characters and I think her earlier works are better quality. Mixing The Little Mermaid with Medieval England, the novel's strength lies in Dickerson's creativity. She blends the enchanted fairy tale “feeling” with elements of mystery, deception, romantic expectation and spiritual truth. Unfortunately, at times the dialogue felt stilted or choppy and the prose lacked the beauty present in other novels by Dickerson. In my opinion, The Silent Songbird isn't Dickerson's best showing, but it is worth reading. There are positive elements to enjoy and fans of the Hagenheim series will want to read it to keep up with the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free via netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

Avelina's position as lady's maid to Lady Dorothea, daughter of the Earl of Plimmwald, shifts precariously when she assists Dorothea in running away with a knight she is desperately in love with. The earl insists that Avelina stand in Dorothea's place and attend a two-week visit to Thornbeck Castle. During her visit, Avelina must remain under cover and make sure she is not chosen as Margrave Thornbeck's desired bride, as the Margrave has invited ten ladies in an attempt to procure a bride. Unfortunately, the Margrave notes Avelina's sensitivity and candor quickly. Avelina diverts his attentions to her friend with a hidden bit of dismay as her own feelings for Margrave Thornbeck have grown beyond platonic friendsip. Will Avelina's secret keep her from true love or is there a chance that love can survive the deception, intrigue and danger permeating Thornbeck Castle? Read more in The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson.

I enjoyed The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson. Among the medieval fairy tales by Dickerson that I've read, this one falls somewhere in the middle. It wasn't my favorite or least favorite. Although, the story hooked me early on, I enjoyed the second half of the book a bit more than the first. The plot felt a bit stilted when the bride candidates were going through the “tests” and some of the “twists” were predictable. However, in the second half of the story, things seemed to flow better and the story felt more original. I enjoyed the budding romances and the refreshing forthrightness that Lady Dorothea / Avelina speaks with.

I recommend The Beautiful Pretender to readers looking for a fairy tale romance with plenty of intrigue and themes of faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

Rapunzel loves her mother, even if she is a bit odd, over-bearing and constantly issues warning about the dangers of men. Therefore, Rapunzel's yearnings to read and to marry must remain a secret. When initially unfortunate circumstances award her the opportunity to learn how to read from the handsome knight, Sir Gerek, Rapunzel covertly defies her mother's wishes and finds her love of reading grows deeper than expected. Surprisingly, affection slowly grows between her and Sir Gerek as well. However, he is promised to another and Rapunzel's mother is devoted to keeping Rapunzel home and unmarried all her life. Will Rapunzel and Sir Gerek follow the desires of others or the desires of their hearts? Read more in The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson.

The Golden Braid is Melanie Dickerson's newest installment in her fairy tale retellings that feature Duke Wilhelm, his family and surrounding Hagenheim. Sufficient information is given for this book to stand-alone, but there are so many returning characters that having read the prior books (or at least some of them, as is the case for me) gives the story a deeper dimension. I believe that this story takes place concurrently with The Princess Spy. However, I haven't read that particular one, so I can't say for sure.

I enjoyed Rapunzel's development from being enmeshed within an unhealthy mother-daughter relationship to becoming a liberated, independent young woman. The love relationship between Rapunzel and Sir Gerek developed sweetly. Dickerson's writing style is smooth and the plot moved along steadily.

In spite of those positives, The Golden Braid is not my favorite of Dickerson's tales. Certain aspects were borrowed from the Disney movie, Tangled. I recognize that both this novel and that movie are based on the Rapunzel fairy tale, but somehow the similarities between the two seemed to cheapen the story as these aspects were from the movie, not fairy tale based. It's completely possible that some readers might find these similarities endearing, but for me, it wasn't a positive aspect.

The Golden Braid is categorized as YA reading and I see certain elements that commend it to that genre. However, I think older fans of fairy tale retellings will also find this novel to be a satisfactory read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Being a healer's apprentice affords Rose many benefits. She reads Latin, writes stories, knows how to use herbs to heal, and earns an income that allows her to avoid marriage to a bachelor of her mother's choosing. Rose's problem is that blood makes her squeamish. When she must treat Lord Hamlin, the future duke, it isn't just the blood that makes her unsettled. His handsome features and personal integrity draw Rose's interest, in spite of his high social status and well-known betrothal. Lord Hamlin is committed to fulfilling his duty. Rose is committed to becoming a capable healer. Despite their friendship and attraction, Rose and Lord Hamlin must each learn to walk their own path and follow the One whose plans are greater than their own. Read more in The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson.

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson is based loosely on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. The story moved very fast in the beginning and right at the end, but for the majority of the time it was well-paced with intriguing characters and an engrossing story that felt original in spite of its fairy tale basis.

The Healer's Apprentice is marketed as Young Adult reading and had definite YA overtones that were mixed with Middle Age Catholicism. I was creeped out by the strange pagan rituals and demonic possession scene. Had I known those were in the book, I wouldn't have read it. Given its Sleepy Beauty basis, I suppose this shouldn't have been as surprising to me as it was. With an obvious Catholic/Christian perspective, the name of Jesus prevails over the demons. However, for me, that didn't negate the disturbing scenes. Had that part of the fairy tale been creatively changed somehow, I probably would have given this book a five star rating. The creepiness factor brings it down to three. The Healer's Apprentice is well-written and engaging, but I wouldn't read it again or recommend it to any of my friends.