Pages

20 June 2012

Diana Reviews The Merchant's Daughter By Melanie Dickerson


(Zondervan, 2011)
5 stars~*****
Enchanting Read!
In The Merchant's Daughter, Melanie Dickerson has crafted a hauntingly beautiful, medieval tale, reminiscent of the timeless classic, The Beauty and the Beast. The setting is 14th century England, a time in which lords and castles, servants and comely lasses, and superstitious townsfolk abound! Our heroine, Annabel Chapman of Glynval, England, was once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, who died and left his family penniless. To avoid marrying bailiff Tom, a lecher who stalks and terrifies her, Annabel agrees to become a servant to Lord le Wyse, who is equally terrifying, but will not mistreat his servants.

Lord le Wyse is formidable; a man with one eye and numerous scars covering his body, and a disposition that leaves Annabel quaking in his presence. She has heard terrible rumors that the lord turns into a howling wolf and roams the woods at night, and actually sees him in the forest one evening on all fours, emitting a gut-wrenching howl from deep within. What has caused the young lord such anguish of soul and disfigurement in his features?

Annabel wishes only to become a nun and learn the Word of God, and is given an opportunity to read and discuss the Bible with Lord le Wyse, every evening before retiring. In those moments she sees a vulnerable, kind man, filled with torment and feelings of rejection because of his frightening looks, and a secret he has buried deep within. Just as Annabel is learning to trust God and let go of her fear, she is violently attacked in the woods one night, and a seemingly endless nightmare ensues. Can the beauty and the beast save one another, by the grace of God, or is it too late for both of them?

This book was amazing! I was tossed between wanting to savor it, or burn the midnight oil to see what happens next, so I chose a happy medium. The storyline was unpredictable, as it was filled with twists and turns, and unending excitement. I especiallly loved seeing the main characters grow and evolve after reading and discussing the Bible. Lord le Wyse is absolutely intriguing, and ladies, I can assure you, though beastly, he WILL look good in your eyes!:) I was impressed that the author kept a strong spiritual thread throughout, and what a climactic ending! I am so looking forward to Ms. Dickerson's next novel...it appears she gets better with each one!

*I received an ARC of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review.



Melanie's books are available for purchase through Amazon, CBD, and other book stores.


Giveaway: One commenter will receive a copy of this book as we celebrate Diana's anniversary on the blog!  Leave your email address.  (*international readers, ebook win only)

86 comments:

  1. I haven't read this one yet but I hear nothing but good things about it and Beauty and the Beast happens to be my favorite fairy tale! Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful review, Diana! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  3. LIZ, this was a beautiful book. Thanks for the review DIANA!

    MICHELLE, glad to see you here! And we are so blessed at OTT-WGH to have DIANA with us. Can't believe she only came on board one year ago!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great review, Diana, and GREAT line: "I was tossed between wanting to savor it, or burn the midnight oil to see what happens next, so I chose a happy medium."

    LOVED this book, but then I love Melanie Dickerson's work AND her, so I was not a bit surprised. She is a twice-Christy-nominee through and through!!

    Don't enter me because I wouldn't be caught dead with Mel's books and already have them!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  5. LIZ, I loved that Beauty and the Beast tv series that use to be on tv! You will enjoy this one to be sure!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MICHELLE, I responded to your comment on Julie's review yesterday! Good luck in the giveaway! And thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. JULIE, we didn't wear you out yesterday? Thanks for stopping by and showing your love and support for Melanie--and her books!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, CARRIE--it's been a joyous ride so far!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great Review DIANA! I'm pretty sure I have this one on my Kindle, sounds like I'd better get to it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you so much for this wonderful review, Diana! I am tickled that it is always the first one that shows up on Amazon on my book's page! You guys are really special to me, as you know!!! Thanks a million!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, Liz! Hi, Michelle! Thanks for coming by! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale too. There's just so much there, you know? I may end up writing another Beauty and the Beast story some day. There's just so many ways you can do the story.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Julie, you are just the sweetest thing! You know I love you tons, both you and your books. I knew what you meant, but reading, "I wouldn't be caught dead with Mel's books," made me laugh so hard! Sorry, I couldn't help it! :-) Love you, girl.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Teresa, I hope you will like it! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. And thanks again, Diana and Carrie! You guys are the best!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. TERESA, you will love this! He's not a pirate, but he does wear a patch. haha

    ReplyDelete
  18. MELANIE, you are so welcome! Can't wait to get ahold of your new book!

    ReplyDelete
  19. LOVED Melanie's first book, so I would love to read this one.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Have this one on E-Book. Have not had a chance to read yet but it is on my tbr list soon. Happy One Year Anniversary!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great review of a great book! I really loved this book, too. Can't wait for Melanie's next book!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I forgot Clark's lunch and spent 45 mins coming back home and going back to the day camp this morning. Thankfully I got to listen to some great Christian music on KLOVE on the way to and from!

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book, MELANIE!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you, MARIAN! I think they moved the wait 'til December now---grrr.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Leftover spaghetti for lunch, CARRIE? lol That's a long ride...you are such a good mommy!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy Anniversary
    Enjoyed reading the comments and your book sounds really good.
    JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you, REV. KIM JUSTICE! It's so kind of you to drop by for my anniversarary celebration. I know you will enjoy this book!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you, JOYE! Hoping for a win for you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. JULIA, hoping you will win it here, but if not do yourself a wonderful favor and order it. You won't be sorry, and like the Loreal commercial says--b/c you deserve it. lol

    ReplyDelete
  29. Or does it say, "B/C you're worth it", JULIA? Anyway both apply here! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. So we can win any of her books? I've enjoyed her "Love Finds You" books, for the most part, and have one that I've been dying to read.

    katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. KATELYN, do you have Melanie Dickerson confused with Melanie Dobson, by any chance? Their names do have alot of similarities but I'm not aware of Melanie writing any LFY books. MELANIE??

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yes, that's Melanie Dobson who writes the Love Finds You books! So far I just have the two books out, which are both Medieval fairy tale retellings. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Julia, thanks so much! I hope you will get a chance to read this one too. :-)

    Rev. Kim, I hope you like it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Marian, thanks!!! I wish it was coming out sooner, but they moved the release date to Dec. :-(

    Thanks, Carrie! Hope your son has a great day today!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks, Joye! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love to win this book! shondaet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. That being said, KATELYN, I'm sure you will love Melanie's, The Merchant's Daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  38. SHONDA, you will love it!! Thanks for coming by...I've missed seeing you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Would love to win this one for my Mom! tchavel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Melanie, I was just on your website and saw that you live near Huntsville! I live down near Cullman, how cool! Do you ever do events in AL?!? (Sorry for being over excited =) )

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the review. I hadn't heard of this book yet. I look forward to reading it!

    ReplyDelete
  42. TIM, bless your heart for wanting this for your Mama!!! That it so cool!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. LADETTE, dear, we are gonna get you indoctrinated into all the "right" books to read, lol. Right, DIANA!!! MELANIEs books are on that list!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Absolutely, CARRIE! Kudos to TIM! I can't imagine my son ever coming on a blog to help me win a book. Not in a million years! lol

    ReplyDelete
  45. Liz, that is so cool! I go to Cullman sometimes to the Heart of Dixie chapter of RWA meetings (if you're not a writer, you probably never heard of them). We meet the second Saturday of every month. I do a few book signings in Huntsville after every book release. If you're on facebook, please friend me and "Like" my author page, because that's where I make announcements about book signings. Hope I get to meet you some time soon! I'm not planning any signings (although I might end up doing one, I don't know) before my next book comes out in December. I'm hoping to have a release party at my church in either December or January.
    Thanks for saying hi!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hey, MELANIE, do you use WordPress or Blogger?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sounds like a great book!
    Valdezc_1@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  48. Wooooooo... I'd love to win this book!!! The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson!
    Kathleen ~ Missouri
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  49. CANDACE-It is wonderful! Good luck in the drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  50. KATHLEEN-next time try to show a little enthusiasm, ok? LOL! I would love for you to win, too, just to see your excitement! haha

    ReplyDelete
  51. MEL!!!! OH MY GOODNESS ... what a time to leave out a word, girlfriend!! I have to admit, it made me laugh out loud too, so I'm glad you know that I meant I wouldn't be caught dead WITHOUT your books!!

    SHEESH ... what a goose I am!! :)

    Love you LOTS!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would absolutely love to have a chance to win a copy of The Merchant's Daughter. I read The Healer's Apprentice because of the trailer. I didn't know if I would like it since it was classified as YA. I don't usually read YA books or books in the time era, but I really loved the book. Melanie is quite a gifted writer. Thanks for the reviews, Diana, and for giving away books to celebrate your anniversary on the blog.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  53. I thought it was so funny, JULIE, and it encouraged me to know that even a writer makes typos. lol

    ReplyDelete
  54. PAM!!! This is such a great book. It is really more of a historical in my opinion but appeals to YA, too. Yes, MELANIE is so gifted. I am SO blessed to have DIANA with me on this blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  55. JULIE, that gave me a little snicker this morning. Then as I was editing my full MS for the last polish I was snickering at myself for all the errors. Then sighing...

    ReplyDelete
  56. Really want to read this one!
    smilesalot2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thank you, CARRIE! And when I was reading your MS I didn't snicker...may have craved one but that had nothing to do with the other. Ha! I'm such a chocoholic. That fab MS was nothing to snicker about!!

    And thank you, PAM, for helping us celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
  58. MORGAN-lots of luck in the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Tim, Ladette, and Candice, thanks for commenting!

    Kathleen! I hope you get to read it!

    Julie! LOL! I got a kick out of it! :-) You are so sweet just to comment. Love you too!

    Thank you, Pam K. My publisher hires the most awesome guy to do my trailers and cover. I CAN'T WAIT for you all to see my cover for The Fairest Beauty. It is the best one yet. And the trailer is good too! They're supposed do a "big reveal" of the cover and trailer soon, and I'll put it on my Facebook author page when they do.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks, Morgan, for coming by and commenting!

    And thanks, Diana and Carrie! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  61. MELANIE, I am awaiting the big reveal with bated breath!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Ohhhh, thank you DIANA!!! I am praying this MS ends up where it needs to be. MELANIE, I am doing the last look through before we send the full MS to the house that requested it. I am afraid I will be groaning tonight instead of snickering, lol!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Praying with you, dearest friend! God has got this!

    ReplyDelete
  64. This sounds truly wonderful! Beauty and the Beast is one of my all-time favorite stories, and what could be better than a Christian version? I'd like to enter the drawing.

    bskaggs@zoominternet.net

    ReplyDelete
  65. Diana, this was a fabulous review, one of the best I've read. I want to read this book so badly that I will purchase this one immediately if I don't win a copy somehow! Thanks so much for doing such an awesome review and for offering this giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  66. NANCEE, There are two hotlinks in the post that will take you right to Amazon for purchase. Hover over the book title in the post or down at the bottom where I put where MELANIE's books can be purchased.

    ReplyDelete
  67. NANCEE, that just blesses me to no end! Thank you! If my reviews make the reader want to run and order the book, I feel I have done my "job!" And a wonderfully rewarding "job" it is!

    ReplyDelete
  68. MELANIE-I had another blonde moment today...I didn't get what you meant by it's the first review on Amazon on your book's page. duh, Diana. I am thrilled about that...out of 100 and something odd reviews mine is the first to show up. That's crazy! And wonderful! I mean how did that happen?

    ReplyDelete
  69. TEDDY-thank you for coming by! I like what you said about a Christian version of Beauty and the Beast. It certainly is, but is no less enchanting b/c of that...only better!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I have read both The Healers Apprentice and The Merchants Daughter and absolutely loved them both! They are on my keep and reread over and over shelf! I would love a chance to win her next novel as I am sure it will be just as wonderful as the last.
    Thank you so much!
    Tammy A
    Tatertam1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hi, TAMMY! That's my daughter's name. Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments concerning Melanie's books!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I'd love to win this!

    Jewelmaiden@yahoo.com

    Please delete this comment after the giveaway ends, I don't like giving out my address. Thanks. :D

    ReplyDelete
  73. I am loving all these comments! Thanks so much, everyone, for coming by! I wish I could have the privilege of meeting you all in person. I have met Tammy (Hi, Tammy!) and it is a joy to write for such appreciative readers! Thank you again!

    And Carrie, I am praying for favor for you with that publisher! Amen, let it be so!!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hi, Julia! Thank you for stopping by! There should be a trash can by your comment...we can't see it but you can. After the giveaway, if you click on to that trash can, it will give you the option to delete your comment. Hope that helps. We are having a different giveaway tomorrow so you can check back tomorrow and see if we have picked a winner yet for the Merchant's Daughter. Hope you are our lucky winner!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Would love to win a copy for my sister, thanks for the opportunity!

    gwen(dot)gage(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I would love for your sister to have a copy, GWEN, and since a winner wasn't drawn last night, you're still in the running!

    ReplyDelete
  77. MICHELLE, You have won a copy of ANY of Melanie Dickerson's books that you want! Your choice of format. Except for the upcoming release it would need to be paperback
    as I cannot pre-order Kindle copies as a gift.

    CONGRATS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  78. This one has to go on my wish list, just based on the review.. well... and the cover which brought me over here =)

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hi, MARIE, so nice to see you here! I hope you will get a chance to read this one...what a delightful read! We already picked a winner but please feel free to enter a comment on the other giveaways we have going on this week!

    ReplyDelete
  80. What a wonderful sounding story! So many books to read :)

    ReplyDelete
  81. Thanks so much, ladies! I really appreciate it! : )

    ReplyDelete
  82. KIM F, it truly is a remarkable book!

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics