Monday, November 23, 2015

The Golden Braid

GIVEAWAY

DICKERSON, MELANIE
THE GOLDEN BRAID

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 him 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 are about to be revealed after seventeen years. 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?


My Review:

I can't begin to convey how much I love Melanie Dickerson's fairy tale retellings. She can't write them fast enough for me! The Golden Braid is a fantastic addition to her impressive collection. Rapunzel was one of my favourite fairy tales as a kid and I have read a number of fairy tale  retellings, but never one with Rapunzel as the theme. So there I was -- squealing in delight all the way through! Kinda embarrassing, but at least I read it at home so no one witnessed my fan-girling moments, except maybe the mice lurking in the walls. :-)

Dickerson keeps her reader riveted while weaving a familiar but not-so-familiar tale. She's done a marvellous job with the key points of this particular fairy tale, Cleverly twisting classic elements into her own gripping tale of love and betrayal and that all important happily ever after. She kept me on my toes right to the end though.

Oh -- and about that ending. There's a point where this book meshes with scenes from The Princess Spy. It took me a page or two to adjust. I was like, "Wait, I've read this before...no I haven't...um, yeah...but not exactly." So much fun -- the author has added additional layers to the original scenes from a whole new perspective. That was one of my major fan-girling moments. Loved the crisscross connection. No worries if you haven't read The Princess Spy (though why ever not, I ask with a scowl aimed directly at you) those scenes will make total sense to a new reader. Dickerson veterans will just get an extra kick of book-happy while reading them.

Also loved the way the inspirational thread is seamlessly woven into the very fibre of this tale. The Golden Braid checks all the boxes: Adventure. Romance. Inspirational. Angst. Humour. A lovely mix that's sure to leave you basking in the glow of a stellar happily ever after.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdickerson

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Golden Braid please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 29 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

57 comments:

  1. Wow, who could not rush right out and buy the book after reading that review?! I've never heard of Melanie's fairytale books (ducking head in shame at that ferocious scowl of yours!). It sounds like tons of fun and a great premise for a movie.

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    1. Gasp!!!!!! Really? Well, I've always loved fairytale retellings so when I saw an author of Christian fiction writing them I was so excited!!!!!!! She's done about seven now, I think, and still going strong. Oh and yes, this one and Princess Spy would make a great movie. Good luck, Sandra.

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  2. Great review Kav. I really really want to read this one now. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  3. What a great review, Kav! I would love to read Melanie's book!

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  4. Forgot to leave my email addy

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    Thank you, Kav!

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  5. I really really really want to read this one.
    :)
    Thanks, Kav!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. You really, really, really should. Good luck, Amy.

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  6. nice review. kamjndsen44ATyahooDOTcom

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  7. Excellent review as always! :) I've been wanting to try one of Melanie's for some time now! Maybe The Golden Braid will be it! ;)

    Hugs, Amada (a.m.a.th.a)
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Oh, you haven't read even one yet? Wow! Good luck, Amada.

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  8. Great author, I love her books! Ooh, meshed scenes? Fabulous!
    Lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. I know -- I've never read that before. Kinda fun in a bit of a confusing way. LOL Good luck, Susan.

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  9. FABULOUS review Kav! I can't wait to read this one.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  10. Sounds like such a fun book!!!! Would love to read it!
    amandatero(at)gmail*dot*com

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  11. I've heard such good things about this book. Thanks for the great review.

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Everything you've heard is true. Good luck, Pam.

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  12. I have never read a re-telling of a fairytale. I have watched quite a few and enjoyed them, so I think I will really like this as well.

    eeyore722 at gmail dot com

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  13. I am so very glad that my mother allowed me to learn to read. mknewswangerATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I know, where would be without that ability? Good luck, Michele.

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  14. Melanie's books have been published in the spring and just before Christmas for several years. This makes it very easy to know what to give my daughter for her birthday in April and for Christmas. We both love all of her fairy tale books. The Golden Braid will be a Christmas present for my daughter. Thanks for the great review and the giveaway.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. The perfect gift, in my humble opinion. Good luck, Pam.

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  15. thanks for the chance to read this fairy-tale, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  16. Kav, your review has me quite interested in Melanie's fairy tale retelling. "Twisting classic elements into her own gripping tale of love and betrayal" would definitely make for some "book-happy" reading. I'm ashamed to admit, I haven't read one of her books.....and I'm a lover of fairy tales, so I must find more reading time! Thanks for another enthusiastic review pointing me to a squeal worthy book!
    sheridastewart AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Oh, yes, you must do what the schools do -- STEP -- Stop Everything And Read. LOL Good luck, Sherida.

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  17. I've never read any of her books, but I'd sure like to! I've been having so much fun discovering new authors, and Melanie Dickerson sounds like just the type of author I'd love to read! mylittlebirdie at yahoo dot com

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    1. I've loved all her books -- but I'm a fiend for fairy tale retellings. Good luck, Karen.

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  18. I love Melanie's twist on fairy tales, count me in!:)
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  19. I think I have read all of Melanie Dickerson's books, except the this new one. So excited to get my hands on it! I have really enjoyed her books.

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    1. Then you definitely most read this one. Good luck, Heather.

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  20. Kav, I just knew you'd nail how I felt about this riveting book that has it all!! Melanie truly writes the ultimate stories for taking you away! Thanks for the awesome review! (I'm entering for my mum)
    noela_63 (at) live (dot) com (dot) au

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    1. Melanie really does know how to spin a tale, doesn't she? Good luck, Noela's mum. :-)

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  21. I read The Merchant's Daughter, which I think may have been her very first fairy tale retelling, but alas, none since then! This sounds like a delightful read.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes, The Merchant's Daughter was her first one. I've loved all of them. Good luck, Patty.

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  22. This looks like a great fair tale retelling. Melanie always write such good books.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  23. I love retellings of all sorts. In fact: 1) I have a wish list on Amazon dedicated to retellings and 2) I have all of Melanie's books on my Kindle except for her last two. Probably the only reason I haven't purchased The Huntress and this one is because I'm in no rush. My tbr list is full of must-reads! tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Yay -- another fairy tale retelling fan. My goodness, you have some reading ammunition there. Read The Princess Spy before you read The Golden Braid for double the reading pleasure. Good luck, Terrill.

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  24. I just know this book will be wonderful! Melanie Dickerson is amazing :) Can't wait to read The Golden Braid!
    dguz55ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. She is wonderful, isn't she? Good luck, dguz.

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  25. Love me some Melanie Dickerson!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  26. Great review as always, Kav. I just love Rapunzel with all the twists and possibilities and would love to read this take!
    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Janka. Melanie did some amazing things with the Rapunzel twists. Quite brilliant actually. Good luck.

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  27. I never read that kind of book before, but revisited fairy tales sounds great :D

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh -- they are wonderful, Samantha. You should see if your library has any of Melanie Dickerson's other books. Good luck.

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  28. Alas, I have not read any books by this author yet. Wow, I love your review of this one. This is high on my want to read list.

    Deanne P. Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  29. I've read so many wonderful things about 'The Golden Braid', judging by the comments others have also. As with several other commenters, I've yet to read one of Melanie's books although they've been on my TBR read list for some time now. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy, and your beautiful review - Kav!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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