Towards Zero

By Agatha Christie 

(Blurb: An elderly widow is murdered at a clifftop seaside house...What is the connection between a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player? To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a houseparty gathers at Gull's Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. It's all part of a carefully paid plan - for murder...)

Now we al know Agatha Christie is a crime-writing genius, but this novel just blew me away! The plot is so entwining and complex, it's pure madness! And as Seneca once said, "There is no great genius without some touch of madness." The ending is so surprising and twisted, but isn't at the same time, because once we realise who the murderer is, we realise that we've been missing all the signs. Gosh, made me feel like such an idiot, but oh, I loved it! I won't give away any spoilers. You won't be sorry! 10/10 :) 

Rebel Angels 

By Libba Bray

(Blurb: Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain...

The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.

But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.)

Libya Bray wows us again through her second spell-binding narrative. Our favourite imperfectionist, Gemma Doyle, is back for the holidays and we journey with her and her friends as they discover new secrets and what we've all been waiting for: the secret to Circe's identity.

In this novel, Gemma undergoes major changes: her visions intensify, bringing frightening and cryptic messages. And as she struggles to maintain afloat amidst all of her inner turmoil, her outside world starts to shatter as well, piece by piece. Will the ones she could count on the most turn out to be  the ones coveting her destruction and seeking to destroy everything in their paths in the process? Gemma, Ann and Felicity only have one shot to make everything right and to face their surprising foe. With unsurmountable challenges and losses to overcome, and battles to win, can the girls come out on top, having saved the magical world, and still have the time and energy to save their own social lives? New to the scene is the handsome and alluring Simon Middleton and the captive nd distraught Nell, who despite her madness, helps Gemma uncover the true identity of Circe. 

You'll have to find out for yourself what happens and read this amazing sequel! With twists and turns at every corner, you won't be a blue to help turning the pages. I give this novel a 9/10! Enjoy! 

A Great and Terrible Beauty

By Libba Bray 


(Blurb: A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy.)

This was my first Libba Bray encounter and I was drawn in from the very first page. She writes in an attempt to draw the reader into the story, and she succeeds, without a doubt! Gemma Doyle is far from perfect, and that's what's so enchanting about her. She isn't trying to be perfect or be anyone but herself.   She struggles though unimaginable hardships and loss, but finds some unlikely friends who, we've yet to find out, either hold her up while she's drowning or who drag her down into the unthinkable turmoil of the magical world they've uncovered. Libba Bray is an absolute genius at writing interesting, though certainly imperfect characters that are so unpredictable that you feel you never know them fully. This is definitely a mystery novel, as we're left in constant wonder at the security of Gemma's relationships and what on earth is going to happen! This is only the first in Gemma Doyle trilogy and so we've only scratched the surface of Gemma's life and adventures. This novel is full of shocking discoveries and enchanting settings and will surely keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the page. Go ahead and read it! Iy's a fascinating, supernatural story that is unlike any I have every read. 9/10 :)

The Winter Ghosts

By Kate Mosse

(Blurb: In the winter of 1928, still seeking some kind of resolution to the horrors of World War I, Freddie is traveling through the beautiful but forbidding French Pyrenees. During a snowstorm, his car spins off the mountain road. Dazed, he stumbles through the woods, emerging in a tiny village, where he finds an inn to wait out the blizzard. There he meets Fabrissa, a lovely young woman also mourning a lost generation. 
Over the course of one night, Fabrissa and Freddie share their stories. By the time dawn breaks, Freddie will have unearthed a tragic, centuries-old mystery, and discovered his own role in the life of this remote town.)

This novel was a 'spur of the moment' buy. I didn't know if I'd ever get to reading it. let alone to liking it! I thought it would be a romance (which, I'm ashamed to say, swayed my decision on whether to buy it) but I fell so hard in love with the story that I found early on, that I didn't care that it wasn't a typical love story. 

Freddy's journey quickly became my own, his sorrows were mine and I loved going on his journey with him, both mentally and physically. He is such an intense character, desperate to heal himself, yet also convinced he will mourn for the rest of his days. But once he meets her, he realises that by unearthing the memories and truth of someone else's past, he can unearth his own, and finally find respite and healing.

This novel was very addicting and was a pleasure to read, though the mystery of the story did get confusing at some points, leaving me with questions that never really got answered. This made reading the novel quite difficult, though I did enjoy it very much. With that in thought, I give this novel a 8/10 :) 

"I am simply a book drunkard." 
~ L.M. Montgomery

"Reading one book is like eating one potato chip."
~Diane Duane

Princess of the Midnight Ball

By Jessica Day George

(Blurb: A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn… 

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. 

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.)

This is a beautiful fairytale, full of magic and mysteries, love and danger. Unlike many other retellings, this novel is full of sorcery and unbelievable magic that assure us that it's all a fairytale, which is great, as it takes us right back to our childhood! This story is beautifully woven (pun intended ;)) and is great to read when your in the mood for a light-hearted fairytale, that keeps you falling in love with the main characters. 
What I really love about this novel is Rose, the main character and the eldest of the 12 princesses. She's not perfect, we see her getting annoyed with her sisters, blaming Galen for her illness and being rude to the people around her. And Galen is just so sweet! He's quite of an enigma as well! He's an ex-soldier who knits his own socks and such, which, though common in that time, is quite odd to read, at first. But his willingness and determination to save the woman he loves (not to mention her 11 younger sisters), makes his bravery and loveliness shine!! 
This is just the perfect, light novel to read when you want to escape down memory lane to a place and time where monster's lurk just below the surface and where you're knight in shining armour actually wears armour! 
I give this an 8/10! It's so sweet, and you're sure to love it :)

"Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it on your own terms."
~ Angela Carter

The Fairest Beauty

By Melanie Dickerson

(Blurb: 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.)

Melanie Dickerson is pure perfection! She strikes again! This time with the classic tale of deeply-rooted jealousy, true love and loyalty: the Brothers' Grimm very own Snow White. 

She weaves a beautiful tale that follows innocent, yet wise, Sophie as she battles all manner of evil that strives to destroy her, both mentally and physically. And while 'doing battle', she learns that the secret to victory is true love and God's healing power. This perfect story is complete with a beautiful and enchanting heroine that I personally, really relate to (which made me love her even more) and a handsome and charismatic hero that is more than just his 'brute strength'. Melanie Dickerson gives our originally unnamed and quite confusing prince what we've always longed for! He has a first class personality which keeps us falling for him over and over again *sigh*. 

I love this novel so much (this is the second time I've read it) and I find that I can't find the right words with which to express just how much I love it (irritating)! 

Well, this novel is just perfection, truly. The characters are all different and loveable and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times! Despite what you'd think, this story is more than the small fairytale we all grew up with, and expands our hearts and minds, as the goodness and sweetness of the characters fills our own senses as we fall deeper and deeper into the story. Woven with the Gospel message and more truth about God, this novel shines as a beacon for those with a love of God and romance. 

A 10/10, no question. Please read it, you won't regret it. 

"What is reading but silent conversation?"
~Walter Landor

"Fiction is wonderful, but it's only one room in the mansion of literature."
~Joyce Carol Oates

"Here's to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy." 
~Charlaine Harris

Bridge to Haven

By Francine Rivers

(Blurb: To those who matter in 1950s Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price she's paid to finally feel like she's somebody.

To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven. Zeke and his son, Joshua--Abra's closest friend--watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding her birth etched scars deep in her heart, scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking bad boy who proclaims his love and lures her to Tinseltown. 

Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naive Abra quickly learns what's expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. But fame comes at an awful price. She has burned every bridge to get exactly what she thought she wanted. Now, all she wants is a way back home.

In this riveting and highly anticipated tale of temptation, grace, and unconditional love, "New York Times" best-selling author Francine Rivers delivers big-canvas storytelling at its very best.)

This amazing and shocking novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Francine Rivers forces you back to the decade of glamour and movie stars that inhabited most of Hollywood back in the 1950's. But, aside from the outward perfection and the drop-dead gorgeous film stars, we see the inward workings of a young girl lured into the limelight by a set of sweet-talking playboys who proved they'd do or say anything in order to get what they want from her, both on and off the screen. 

Having run away from her safe, yet comparingly dull hometown of Haven, Abra Matthews searches for a place and man to finally make her feel like a somebody, and not only that, she seeks the approval and love she feels that she's been deprived of since her birth; she desires to feel as if she's good enough, and that's a feeling all to familiar (for me in particular). Being abandoned as an infant and passed between families as a child, she struggles with feeling unworthy and abandoned. However deep these scars are, though, she learns, through time, that surrendering herself to please those around her will not make her any more valuable than she already is. And, after this internal revelation, she surrenders her 'runaway' ways and succumbs to one man who has loved her and cared for her since the moment he laid his eyes on her. With his help and encouragement, and by his side, she faces old demons and comes out  the victor, learning that unconditional love is more than just a fairy tale.

This novel is really wonderful. It isn't the typical 'romance, romance, romance' novel that I'm guiltily so drawn to. Yes, it is romantic, completely, but the majority of the novel focuses on Abra when she's in Hollywood, away from the ones who truly love her. The focus is on her mental journey and discovery of who she truly is. 

Through the example of Abra's life, Francine Rivers also shows us how grace and unconditional love can heal a broken and scarred heart and how temptation isn't all it's cracked up to be, that there's more to it than it's addicting allure, that it's dangerous and risky - all the while bringing God into the equation. :)

This is the 5th novel I've read by Francine Rivers, and, I'm sad to say, it wasn't my favourite. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, I really did, but it just couldn't surpass The Mark of the Lion series for me. Sorry! That considered, I give this novel a 9/10. Please read this novel and see for yourself how special it is. 

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

By Julie Klassen

(Blurb: Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall? 

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love.")

This being my first Julie Klassen novel, I had no idea what to expect, but as soon as I started reading, I fell completely in love with each and every character, minus the baddies, of course! 
Our heroine starts the novel as a selfish and spoiled young woman, who after the escape of a lifetime and countless trials and tribulations, learns from a new perspective, how her actions and attitudes affected those around her. And throughout the novel , we watch her character grow and see her become a wise and kind woman. And what I liked about this novel is that however rude and spoiled Margaret was at the beginning, she was never unlikable. But, after she finds her virtue being threatened, she decides to act as Joseph did when being seduced by Potiphar's wife and just…flee! In a very real sense, her faith in God is what saved her. 
And once she arrives at her 'hiding place', she finds that she isn't as safe as she had hoped she'd be. Despite her disguise, suspicions about her identity surface and she has to constantly combat unwanted attention, while trying not to fall in love with a formerly-rejected sutor… and once she does, wondering if her could ever forgive her and rekindle their love. 
I read this novel in just one day, it was that good! I just couldn't put it down! It was moving, spiritual (but not in the preachy sense) and oh so romantic! Prepare yourself for some tears of happiness as well as squeals of all sorts! I give this novel a 9/10 :) 

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales."
~Albert Einstein

"Sometimes I think losing myself in a book is far better than living my own life. I just want to be someone else for a few hours. I just want to escape, and books are my true solace from life. They're my  escape."
~Me (Emma)

"We are, as a species, addicted to stories. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories."
~Jonathan Gottschall

Phantom

By Susan Kay 

(Blurb: A disturbingly gifted child, horribly disfigured from birth, flees into a cruel world where he will learn to survive at any cost.

Torn between good and evil driven to seek power as a substitute for the love he fears he can never know, Erik begins a journey that will take him across the face of Europe, from a gypsy cage to the treacherous court of Persia, and ultimately to the cellars of the Paris Opera House, where he must finally learn the true meaning of love.

This amazing, heart-wrenching, tear-inducing, perfectly-written novel is what I'd call a diamond in the rough! It is divided into 7 sub-sections, each narrated by a different character in Erik's life. This novel begins with his birth and ends beyond his death, creating a bildungsroman (a novel that follows a character through his or her life).
As we follow Erik (the Phantom) through the misery of his childhood and adult life, we too endure the heartbreaks and abuse of our misunderstood and well-meant hero and journey with him to the ends of the earth, all the while growing and learning new and amazing things, and understanding just how he became the tormented soul we already love from other 'Phantom of the Opera' works (such as the original novel by Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber's award winning musical). 
Now, I don't know anyone who didn't think Christine Daae was a fool for going off with the lackluster Raoul as opposed to staying with the Phantom, Erik. His loyalty, devotion and passion for not only Christine, but also his music and other talents, shone far more brightly than any of Raoul's shallow infatuation and two-dimensional character. This is no fault to Susan Kay's writing, I love the way she portrayed Raoul, I am just a bit biased in my evident love for Erik. Apologies! 
Also, though gruesomely disfigured, the Phantom has endured as a magnetic figure of endless fascination. And in this novel we explore his life, from birth to death - and we find that much happened before he ever set eyes on the winsome Christine.
I think I can safely say that we all love our misunderstood outcasts and mysterious princes of darkness, which Erik undoubtedly is. Brilliant and artistic, he has been reviled since birth, even rejected by his own very beautiful mother. We follow Erik as he is captured by the evil Javert, exhibited and abused as a circus freak. After finally escaping the gypsy carnival, he makes his way to Italy to become a master stonemason's apprentice and to experience his first love, which ends in tragedy. He next surfaces as the dark magician in a Persian court. Everywhere he goes, cruelty and devastation follow until at last he retreats to his native Paris. He becomes the secret genius behind the building of the famous Opera Garnier, where he ultimately decides to hide from the cruelty of the world.
From there, the story roughly follows the well-known Phantom of the Opera storyline, a mix of both the Gaston Leroux novel and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Susan Kay manages not only to pay homage to both, but surpass them in this superb, beautifully written version. This novel is for all those who, if given the choice, would have picked the Phantom every time.
And so, without further ado, I give this novel a 10/10! It is so amazing and to be honest, I can't find the right words in which to express my deep love and admiration for it, so you'll just have to read it for yourselves, and I can assure you you will not regret it. This is one novel destined to make you sob, laugh, squeal and sigh all at the same time! :) 

"Books are doors to another world."
~ Unknown

"The love of books is among the choicest gifts of the gods." 
~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Lady on my Left 

By Catherine Cookson

(Blurb: Alison Read, orphaned when she was two years old, had for some years lived and worked with Paul Aylmer, her appointed guardian. Paul, an experienced antique dealer whose business thrived in the south-coast town of Sealock, had come to rely on Alison, who had quickly learned the trade. But when he had asked her to value the contents of Beacon Ride, a chain of events was set off that led to the exposure of a secret he had for years managed to conceal. As a result, Alison's relationship with Paul came under threat and she knew that only by confronting the situation head-on would her ambitions be realised. Part-mystery, part-love story, and with it's fascinating glimpses of the world of antiques in the 1960s, The Lady on my Left displays yet another facet of Catherine Cookson's remarkable talent.)

Oh, where to begin… this novel was completely shocking, in the best way. I picked it up, sure I wasn't going to enjoy it, then before I even finished the first page, I was immediately hooked and in love with Alison and each of the characters (bar a couple, you'll understand once you've read it). Our leading lady is feisty, innocent and completely unaware of her own feelings for her guardian Paul. 

This novel is so amazing, truly, I read it in only 3 hours, I just couldn't put it down. From the very first page, you're sucked into the world of Sealock and the blissful world of Paul and Alison, one that's going to be temporarily shattered. Our love story wouldn't be complete without the villain of the tale, one that's even scarier than most, as she plays the role of a 'white devil' (someone who is truly evil and underhanded, but lacks the appearance of it). She weasels her way into the contented lives of two people and rocks their foundations, yet in the end, the truth is revealed and their hearts are uncovered. 
I've read this book a number of times and can safely say that it has become my favourite novel, my only problem is the length…seriously too short, but what can you do, huh? 10/10 easily! READ THIS AND LOVE IT!

"If I'm honest I have to tell you I still read fairy tales and I like them best of all." ~Audrey Hepburn

The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne

By Ann Radcliffe


(Blurb: Ann Radcliffe's first novel is set in the Middle Ages against the melancholy beauty of mountains and rugged coasts of the Scottish Highlands, tells the story of the warring clan chieftains of Athlin and Dunbayne. One of the earliest Gothic tales (1789), it recounts low-born Alleyn's quest for love and honour, and alternates scenes of passionate feeling with breakneck pursuits. The castle itself, in all its romantic sublimity, becomes the true focal point of the novel. Long out of print, this edition makes a little-known treasure available to modern readers.)

This novel by Ann Radcliffe sets the scene with beautiful and mysterious landscapes, dangerous yet serene forests and a perfect family whose peace and tranquility is shattered by the evil actions of a neighbouring tyrant. Though faced with unimaginable challenges and the pains of true love, each character shines with a virtue and steadfastness that reproaches our own corrupt 21st century. Though, short, this novel doesn't in any way lack the excitement and adventure of any other Gothic novel. It is full of danger, love and shocking surprises that keep us on the edge of our seats; including a perfect ending which adds to the novels overall charm. I, personally, love a solid, happy ending, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Our heroes and heroines are finally repaid for all the heartache, abuse and torment they endured throughout their stories. This story is full of sword-fighting, daring escapes, a handsome set of heroes and beautiful heroines, it's a tale of loyalty and love, complete with our very own evil villain, all the while taking us on the adventure of a lifetime. Overall, I give this novel a 8/10. My only complaint is that it's too short! 

"Read a book and you are giving yourself an inner life. Reading is a rendezvous with your soul."

~Jeanette Winterson

"I'm not a bookworm, I'm an escape artist."
~ Unknown

"Books are many things: lullabies for the weary, ointment for the wounded, armour for the fearful and nests for those who are in need of a home."
~Glenda Millard

"One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time."
~Carl Sagan

"Books aren't made of pages and words. They're made of hopes, dreams and possibilities."
~Unknown

The Merchant's Daughter

By Melanie Dickerson

(Blurb: 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.)

This was a magical, suspenseful and powerfully written version of the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast. It's mesmerising, enchanting, and haunted me through to the very end! Reading this novel took me on a journey - through the eyes of the characters you jolt through the twists and turns, endure their joys and sorrows, completely falling into the story and leaving reality behind. Along with being a beautifully written story about love, persecution and redemption, it also was a story that told about the reality of faith and the struggles we all endure in regards to being 'set apart' from the rest of the world. Melanie Dickerson has found a way to speak to us as the readers individually through her writing. I felt as if I was there - I was Annabel, I was fighting for my life, falling in love with a man against my will. She preaches genuine Christian themes and teaching's into the story without being domineering and show's us, through the character's own struggles, how to strive to be better people amidst all of life's 'curveballs'. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast was, all at once, entirely original, and also genuinely devoted to paying homage to the original fairytale. Annabel portrays the strong, independent and intelligent young woman that we all know 'Belle' to be and Ranulf completely satisfies our desire for a beastly hero, who, in his time, is tamed by his love for the heroine. They're romance is sweet and pure - they aren't looking for love, in fact, they're trying to steer clear of it, yet it finds them nonetheless. And all through the story, the message of God's love and blessings shines through, blessing the reader in turn. Everything considered, this novel is a 10/10! It's beautifully written, and will capture the hearts of all who dare to pick it up. 

"Fictional characters do exist, not in our world of course, we'd be done for if that ever happened. But in the world of our minds, they are the main population there. They bring colour and life to it, they are the little voices in your head telling you not to do something because it'll end up bad.
People who don't read and scoff at people who like reading, they will never have that. They're minds will be grey and boring, they'll never know the pleasure and plain that is to love someone so much, even though you can't physically touch them.
So if anyone ever laughs at you for reading and being imaginative, pity them. Because they will grow old and boring, their lives will be sad and plain while yours will be full of the adventures you shared with the fictional characters in the books you love."
~Unknown

"When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind."
~Michel Montaigne

"Reading forces you to be quiet in a world that no longer makes place for that."
~John Green

"That is part of the beauty of literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." 

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Healer's Apprentice

By Melanie Dickerson

(Blurb: 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.)

Reading this novel was like being transported back to a world of castles and kings, knights and curses, love and danger. I could see the castle, I could hear the voices of the characters, I could feel the pain and the love. This beautiful medieval world Melanie Dickerson created had all the charm and love that I'd have hoped to find in a story, without sacrificing any goodness and becoming crude. The way she wound Christian virtues and beliefs into the story was really the 'selling point' for me as well. And even though the novel was set in the medieval era, it's still applicable to readers' today. 

I'm a massive fairy tales fan and this story, which is based off of Sleeping Beauty, has all the elements I look for in a story; not only is there a great, intriguing plot, a swoonworthy hero, and an intelligent heroine there's also a great message for girls everywhere about waiting for the right guy to come along. Rose, the heroine, not only has to deal with learning that her parent's aren't who she believed them to be but also has to deal with a very handsome, but deceptive, young man who isn't who he seems to be. She also had to deal with the pain of falling in love with an unattainable man. The love, pain and struggles they/she experience(s) is relatable and applicable no matter the time period. The plot keeps you guessing all the way through and you have the amazing advantage of reading the story from both the hero and heroine's point of view. 

Melanie Dickerson also does an amazing job at making the story romantic and entertaining while still maintaining a Christian theme. As a born-again Christian, it's such a relief to see a brilliantly-written novel that's beautifully woven real-life pressures and problems and Christian solutions and point of views. Just the act of reading this novel and living the lives of the characters, seeing the story through their eyes, and how they put their faith into action, has strengthened my own faith. There's an evil sorcerer and wicked black magic but also characters who rely on their faith in God to get them through rough spots and protect them from harm. 

Overall, I give this novel a 10/10! Anyone who can read, needs to read this. It has universal themes that speak to all of us.