The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Since I was a little girl, I have always loved a good fairy tale. Cinderella just happens to be one of my favorites, maybe because I was sometimes called Cinderella when I was younger. So when I had the opportunity to read, and review, The Captive Maiden I jumped at the chance!

Ms. Dickerson has a talent of taking an age-old fairy tale and putting her twist on it creating a masterful retelling.  The Captive Maiden is her retelling of Cinderella and once again she has created a masterpiece.

The two main characters, Gisela and Valten, were well crafted and endeared themselves to my heart.  I truly enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the course of the book. I found myself rooting for them both time and again as they faced each challenge. 

While The Captive Maiden is listed as a young adult novel, I guarantee you, adults will find this book a treat to read. With twists and turns you are held captive from page one until the turning of the last page.  I highly recommend this book to all those readers who love a good fairy tale retelling and a good clean Christian read.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 BIG Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Zondervan and the BookSneeze program for my copy of The Captive Maiden. I received my copy for free in order to read and give an honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker - My Review and Giveaway

I have to say that the story of Cinderella has always been a favorite of mine. So when I was given the opportunity of reading If the Shoe Fits I jumped at the chance since I heard it was based on the story of Cinderella. The fact that the author was Sandra D. Bricker was another reason to read the book as she has a knack of creating fun and entertaining stories.

If the Shoe Fits is the story of childhood friends, Julianne Bartlett and Will Hanes both attorneys who, as the story begins, have just opened up their own law practice together. Will has loved Julianne from childhood but Julianne only sees him as her best friend.  Julianne believes that her Prince Charming is out there and one day he will come and sweep her off her feet. In the opening scene, Julianne sees who she believes is her true Prince Charming and she takes it as a sign from God that he is the one for her.  What transpires afterwards is true Sandra D. Bricker magic as she creates a fairy tale world based in reality.

Ms. Bricker's characters are believable and draw you into their world with no coaxing at all. You find yourself part of their world and sorry when you have to say goodbye. The Christian thread was not overpowering and I felt that there was a moral to the story.  I felt the moral was "when we step out of the way and allow God to open our eyes to His plan we will find our dream come true".

I would highly recommend If the Shoe Fits to anyone who loves to read.  It is a laugh-out-loud masterpiece of pure delight.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Hilarious Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Moody Publishers for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

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************ GIVEAWAY RULES  ************

1.  Giveaway is open to US and Canada

2.  No PO Boxes please.

3.  You MUST be a Google Friends Connect follower of my blog (please be sure to leave the name you follow under in your comment)

4.  For extra entries you may do one or all of the following:

    -- become an email subscriber +1

    -- invite a friend to become a follower of my blog.  If they become a follower & mention your name, you will both receive 2 extra entries

5. Include an email address where I can reach you if you are selected as the winner of this giveaway.  Please enter your email address in this format    winner[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giveaway will run through October 5th and the winner will be selected using Random.Org

Smiles & Blessings,