Melanie Dickerson & J.L. Mbewe | New Novel News

The Beautiful Pretender
by Melanie Dickerson

Published: May 17, 2016
From: Thomas Nelson
Purchase: The Beautiful Pretender

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

Get to know Melanie...

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning?
I like my mug of hot tea, but I started a new thing in January of this year where I read a chapter in the Bible, read my daily devotion in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and pray, with the main focus on prayer. Before this year, I read a daily devotion and usually a chapter in the Bible, but prayer was more of a guilty afterthought. But thankfully I turned the corner on that this year!

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
The first thing that popped into my mind was to be able to grant forgiveness of sins. We often don’t realize it, but that is the thing we need more than anything else in this life, and Jesus has that superpower!

What are the names of your pets?
We have two pet guinea pigs. My daughters named the first one Cecily after a character in The Importance of Being Earnest, one of our favorite movies, and the second is named Ellie, but not after anyone in particular that I know of.

The Darkened Hope
by J.L. Mbewe


Published: May 7, 2016
From: BrokenSeed Books
Purchase: Darkened Hope

The Secret Keeper is on the run, but does she know the secret she keeps?

Ayianna is a cursed half-elf betrothed to Desmond, but her heart belongs Kael. After discovering the cure for the Sorceress's curse, she and her companions embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve the ingredients.

When dragons descend upon their party, Ayianna realizes the Sorceress is searching not just for the corrupted dagger, but a human sacrifice that will open a portal to the underworld. Battling deadly creatures and natural disasters, Ayianna is forced to confront her insecurities and conflicted heart. She must decide whether to be true to her family or true to herself.

As the nations rally for war, betrayal threatens to destroy them all, and it's a race against time to return before the curse destroys the plains people.

Get to know J.L....

Favorite season?
I love the fall. The changing of the seasons, cool temperatures, the wind, the colorful leaves. And for some reason I’m living in Texas where none of that exists. Ha!

What are you reading right now?
I started reading Living Forward, A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want and almost started Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s newest release, A Branch of Silver, A Branch of Gold. But I’ve had to put most of my life on hold as I prepared to launch Darkened Hope. Although, I will be playing catch up with my reading this summer. :-)

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Oh!! I love traveling! I’ve been to Perú and hope to travel to so many places, so I feel kind of bad that I would pick Duluth, Minnesota. I don’t know why, but I just love Duluth. It holds a special spot in my heart. The trees, the lake, the agates, the waterfalls of Gooseberry Falls. It’s Minnesota, yet feels so different. We even spent our honeymoon there, and we plan to spend our fourteenth anniversary there this summer.

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Amanda G. Stevens, Melanie Dickerson & Terri Reed | New Novel News

Far and Near
by Amanda G. Stevens

February 15, 2016
David C. Cook
Purchase: Far and Near

Marcus, Lee, Austin, and Violet are starting over. Texas is supposed to be their sanctuary. But the Constabulary isn't ready to relinquish their worst offenders, legal jurisdiction or not. They've sent agents in undercover, and Marcus is the assigned target of one who has personal reasons to bring him back dead or alive.
Marcus and Lee are ready to be whole again, to secure a home here—together. But wholeness and home might not mean what they thought. Stopping the Constabulary hunters will require more than Marcus knows how to give, and God is about to use him again in a way he doesn't expect.

Enemies, emotions, the past, the future—everything must be faced in the quest for a true haven.

Get to know Amanda...

What prank would you want to play on your main character?
I’ve never thought about this before, but it would be great fun to throw a surprise birthday party for Marcus. Violet agrees with me; now I’m picturing her setting this up! She invites all their friends to the church, decorates folding tables in the gym with “manly” centerpieces, and has a sundae bar set up in one corner. To get Marcus there, they tell him someone needs help with a project at church. (Marcus is always willing to help with a project.) When he discovers the party, he asks what this is for. Someone reminds him his birthday is this week, and he gives a slowly growing smile and says, “Oh.” And then the party’s on.

Who is your favorite secondary character in the Haven Seekers series?
This is impossible; they’re all mine, even those who are unsympathetic most of the time. But … okay, I do love Heath. We meet him in Take and Give (Book 3). I love the friendship between him and Marcus; it’s still in its early stages at the end of the series, but (I hope) it’s clear it will keep growing for the rest of their lives. Heath is intellectual without snobbery, honest without rudeness, dedicated to the Word of God and his church and his wife and pecan pie. He’s also sometimes so far into his own head that he forgets little details like where he put his phone.

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
If I could choose, I would want the power of teleportation. I have many friends who live states away from me, who I only get to see once or twice a year. If I could teleport, I could see them anytime I wanted, and I’d never have to buy a plane ticket again.

A Spy's Devotion
by Melanie Dickerson

February 9, 2016
Waterfall Press
Purchase: A Spy's Devotion

In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life—but behind closed doors treason and deception thrive. Nicholas Langdon has suffered a battlefield injury and returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, Langdon attends a ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray.

Get to know Melanie...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
Armie Hammer is always going to be my answer to this question. And I’m not sure about my heroine. Someone pretty and very feminine, yet strong-willed.

Favorite season?
Spring!

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie? Someone really awkward.

What are the names of your pets? If you don't have any, what would you name your pets? Cecily and Ellie. They are our guinea pigs.

What’s your favorite book? 
Pride and Prejudice

Ransom
by Terri Reed

February 9, 2016
Love Inspired Suspense
Purchase: Ransom

"WE HAVE YOUR SISTER."

Liz Cantrell is terrified when she receives a call from a man holding her newlywed sister captive—and she's convinced her sketchy brother-in-law's involved. Willing to pay any price for her sister's freedom, Liz flies to Niagara Falls with the ransom: an uncut diamond necklace worth millions. But the moment she lands, a handsome, world-weary

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes her into custody. Blake Fallon's determined to catch a ruthless diamond smuggler—and the pretty antiques dealer trying to save her sister could be just the break his case needs. But as they team up to rescue Liz's sister and trap the criminal mastermind, a desperate standoff will threaten everything they hold precious—including their lives.

Get to know Terri...

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? 
 I’d want to be able to heal people.

If your main characters were animals, what would they be?
Liz, the heroine, would be a beautiful Huskie and the hero, Blake, would be a Grey Wolf.

Name one song/artist you're embarrassed you like. 
Story of My Life by One Direction.

*Leave a comment to enter to win one of these amazing books! Specify which book you'd like (if you have a preference). Amanda is offering winner's choice of book!

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson | RE:View

A fresh look at the story of Rapunzel that combines action, adventure, and sweet romance.

The Golden Braid is the first book I've read by Melanie Dickerson. I heard a lot about The Huntress of Thronbeck Forest (though I haven't read it yet) and was definitely looking forward to see what Melanie did with this fun (and popular, thanks to Tangled) fairy tale.

Rapunzel is a bright and inquisitive young woman who paints, sings, throws knives, and has an innate fear of men handed down from her adopted mother. She's at once sweet and innocent as she is stubborn and brave which creates a fun character.

Sir Gerek, a handsome knight who puts off a slightly arrogant air, rescues Rapunzel and so begins their journey of friendship and a mystery that leaves Rapunzel searching for the truth of her identity among other things.

The story world is vibrant and the touches of information about the time period, customs, and German setting add a level of depth that anchors the fairy tale aspect in reality. Unfortunately, I wasn't as enchanted by the book as I'd initially expected. I understand that this is YA literature (I love reading YA) but I felt as if the writing was too simplistic. There was a lot of repetition of the same woes, thoughts, and fears, and not a lot of depth to either character. The love story was sweet and the mystery did leave me wondering what was going to happen, but that was the anchor, not the writing.

I would still recommend it to other fans of Mealine's work and this won't stop me from getting my hands on a copy of The Huntress of Thornbeck, but this book wasn't my favorite. I think it would definitely be appropriate for YA readers though there are some aspects of the story that could require some parental discussion with younger readers (some violence, unwed pregnancy, and decisions Rapunzel makes later in the book). I don't see these issues as reasons not to read the book, but as reasons for parents to be involved in what their kids are reading. They are great opportunities to teach, learn, and discuss. If you're looking for a sweet tale combined with intrigue, you've found it.

Rating: 3.8*
(rated at 4* for the sake of Amazon & Goodreads etc.)
Purchase: The Golden Braid

Book Description
(from Amazon)

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

_______________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.