Melanie Dickerson's latest novel, Castle of Refuge, is quintessential Melanie Dickerson: a sweet romance with spiritual and fairytale elements in a medieval setting. Read on for the full review!
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Published: 2021 by Thomas Nelson
About the Book:
"Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry—until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her face and her prospects. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister’s cruelty. When her father announces his plans to marry off his damaged daughter and bring Maris home, Audrey decides to flee in search of her true destiny.
However, life outside her home is dangerous, and she soon finds herself attacked, sick, and in desperate need of help. She is taken in at Dericott Castle to be nursed back to health. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier and bears scars of his own.
Meanwhile, Edwin—Lord Dericott—is curious about the new, well-educated servant’s identity. All he knows is that he’s quickly becoming smitten with her. When the man Audrey’s father wanted her to marry comes looking for her, she and Edwin must make life-changing decisions about what to believe and whether or not love is truly worth trusting.
In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a high-stakes, encouraging tale about the power of love."
The Artist Librarian Review:
Castle of Refuge is quintessential Melanie Dickerson: a sweet romance with spiritual and fairytale elements in a medieval setting.
This second title in The Dericott Tales series is based on another classic Hans Christian Andersen story, The Ugly Duckling. While I read it like a stand alone, there are some plot spoilers from Court of Swans (though a few are mentioned in the book summary). It's been a while since I have had a book keep me up all night, but I was utterly engrossed and charmed by the fairytale world Dickerson always creates. A definite recommendation to all of Dickerson's fans or those looking for a wholesome historical romance novel.
[Disclosure: I received an advance readers' copy for review purposes from the publisher via JustRead Tours.]
"Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author and two-time Christy Award winner. Melanie spends her time daydreaming, researching the most fascinating historical time periods, and writing and editing her happily-ever-afters. Visit her online at MelanieDickerson.com; Facebook: @MelanieDickersonBooks; Twitter: @MelanieAuthor; Instagram: @melaniedickerson123."
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