Review - The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Title: The Captive Maiden

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 302

Published: November 23rd 2013 by Zondervan

ISBN: 9780310724414

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten--the boy she has daydreamed about for years--and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.

I Give This ...

I love fairy tale retellings.  I particularly enjoy Melanie Dickerson's versions.  They are clean and tastefully done, even if they don't stray much from the original idea.  This one was no different.

The story of Cinderella is actually one of my favorite fairy tales, so this one called to me.  I enjoyed how this story was setup.  Gisela is the daughter of a wealthy business man known for his outstanding horse farm.  Which was one of the aspects I enjoyed most in this story.  Gisela has her father's affinity for horses and I found it charming.  After her father's death, Gisela's stepmother has sold the horses one by one to keep up her extravagant lifestyle.   She also knows it's the one was to keep Gisela in check and continue to do her bidding.  

I was curious the first time we meet Valten.  I was sure that Gisela had built up this girlhood crush into a man that could never leave up to that ideal.  While Valten is far from perfect, I was relieved to learn to that Gisela was willing to see Valten for what he was.  I actually enjoyed their flirting and how they interacted with each other.  I never felt like it was an instant attraction.  They were drawn together and circumstances led to the intensity.  Plus, fairy tales are all about the heroics.  

This story actually reminded me a lot of Ever After, which is has always been one of my favorite movies, so double bonus.  I need to remember to read another one of Melanie Dickerson's books.  I have a couple on my Kindle ready to go!

Review - The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Title: The Merchant's Daughter

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: Stand Along

Pages:  284

Published: November 29th 2011 by Zondervan

ISBN: 9780310727613

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

I've seen this author a couple times and have her other book on my kindle.  I liked the sounds of this one as well and figured why not?   While not as good as I had hoped, it was a pleasant read.

Annabel's family is no longer wealthy and they are either required to work in the fields or pay a type of tax.  They have been doing neither and bribing those who come to collect for the past 3 years.  The new Lord isn't having any of that and the family is put on trial.  They are ordered to pay the back taxes or a family members needs to enter into indentured servitude for 3 years.  

I really loved Annabel's attitude.  She knows she has a family who is unwilling to lift a finger for anything.  They're full of excuses.  They think Annabel is the answer to all their problems and not in the way one might think.  They want to marry her off in exchange for having their past taxes paid.  I have no idea what they planned to do with the future ones.   Annabel refuses to be married off this way, especially to the despicable baliff who makes her skin crawl.  She enters into to the Lord's house in servitude.  She tries hard to do all the duties asked of her.  But, she has been brought up this way and lacks certain things the other's have.  Instead of hard labor, she ends up mostly working in the kitchens or around the manor house.

The Lord finds himself intrigued be Annabel despite himself.  He's been cut deep by females in the past and he is beyond wary to let himself feel anything for Annabel.  But, she doesn't behave in the usual manners.   She may carry herself like the nobility, but she's also humble and has a deep understanding of what she wants out of life.   Plus, she's fiercely loyal.  When an unfortunate incident occurs that buts her and a friend in jeopardy, she has a hard time confessing to the truth.  She's afraid her friend will be blames and then she deserved it.  In the end, she confides in Lord Ranulf and he helps protect her and her friend.

It's interesting to get both view points to this story because you see them both falling for each other.  But, there both convinced the other doesn't feel the same and for reasons not even remotely accurate.  It really is a sweet love story. 

So why the 3 rating?  It was really slow moving with very little driving the story foward.  It think it holds really little adult cross over appeal.  I think younger teens might really enjoy this story though!