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27 February 2013

Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

Veiled Rose


Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

Veiled Rose is Book Two in the enchanting Tales of Goldstone Wood series, and most effective and satisfying when read after Book One, Heartless.  This fascinating allegory fantasy will have you diving into an exquisite tale of memorable mortal and mythical type characters, evil dragons, intriguing and unique settings, and with an inspirational and phenomenal storyline!

Throughout this story, you’ll also feel God’s beautiful and ceaseless love portrayed. Additionally, you’ll be prompted to think about the darkness that may seep into our lives when we don’t ‘follow the light’ by putting our trust in Him during life’s adversities.

In Veiled Rose, we view the individual journeys of the enigmatical veiled girl Rose Red and the kind and humorous, yet fallible Prince Lionheart. We also experience the epic battle between good and evil throughout, and ultimately the tug-of-war for our souls.

The wonderfully mysterious Rose Red lives on a forest mountain behind a village, hiding from the villagers and wearing a shroud of veils. She has only her father who works all day and her nanny; a goat named Beana for companionship, and therefore is terribly lonely. When a young lad called Leo who is spending the summer holidays at Hill House at the bottom of the mountain, ventures up the mountain to fight the ‘monster’ that he’s heard the villages whisper about, he meets the odd but interesting Rose Red. They spend many hours playing adventures and so began a deep and abiding friendship. Eventually she acquiesces to show him the monster in the cave. Who and what is the mystery of this monster? And can she trust her friend with this secret?  Leo returns five years later, and when he discovers that Rose Red’s father has died and she is barely eating, he brings her home with him to Southlands, having revealed he is in actual fact Prince Lionheart of the Southlands.

The horrifying Dragon King, who believes Rose Red is the Beloved of his Enemy, is furious to see her leave the mountain, and him. He gives her a year and a day to return or he will come for her. When she didn’t return, the Dragon attacked Southland setting everything on fire and causing great destruction across the kingdom. And even when the fires died down, the lingering poisonous smoke continued to affect the citizens and their minds making them weak and causing dark thoughts. Lionheart sets off to find a way to be able to kill the dragon and save his family and kingdom. However the Dragon King’s sister, The Lady of Dreams, plans to ensnare Lionheart by manipulating him to choose a dream that will go against his will, his new love, and to enslave him. Follow Lionheart aka Leo the Jester as he disguises himself while on his courageous quest to rid his kingdom of the evil. Likewise, join Rose Red in her own journey of grave danger and self-discovery.

I genuinely enjoyed this ingenious tale and recommend it highly for everyone! It’s especially encouraging for those who are going through difficult circumstances and finding it difficult to place their whole trust in God. And if you are feeling lonely or just different, you’ll relate very much to the character of Rose Red.

Wrapping up this review I’d love to share some words of God’s amazing love from the Thrush Songbird in Veiled Rose. “I want you for yourself. I want you to be everything you were intended to be before the worlds were formed. Everything this death-in-life has prevented you from becoming. Yes, we both want your loyalty… I will never take something from you that you do not wish to give.”
Thank you Anne Elisabeth Stengl for this treasure!

Anne's books can be found at AmazonCBDBarnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
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GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of any one of Anne Elisabeth's books this week (ebook only for international winners.) Anne Elisabeth is also giving away a signed copy of Starflower. Leave your email address and answer the question. 

QUESTION: Do you ever feel lonely or different and if so, what has helped you to overcome any negative feelings associated with those things?  

21 comments:

  1. Great review. These books sound really good.
    I used to feel lonely and different in high school. I was the shy, kept to herself, always had her nose in a book type. I used to day dream about being a wife and mother one day(those thoughts kept me going)....here I am 33 years later, with plenty of friends, a husband, 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren.(with 2 grandchildren on the way) Oh...and two dogs; can't forget the dogs. :)

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  2. Bless you DEBBIE! These stories of ANNE'S really are very interesting and enjoyable to read so I do hope you get to read them!

    Wow how blessed you are with your growing family and I'm so happy for you that your desires came to fruition! I don't think I ever thought about having a family back in high school, but perhaps that was due to my own not so happy childhood. I did however always have a strong need for love and respect, and God has done much in that way as I've followed Him. Thanks so much for sharing Debbie! x

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  3. i always felt left out, as a kid then as a adult, but once i got into church, following the Lord i no longer have the left out feeling
    I would love to win theses books
    Shirley Blanchard
    jcisforme@aol.com

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    1. SHIRLEY I am so glad you defeated that lonely feeling with the Lord, He is a friend that is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). What a wonderful thought, no matter how alone we feel or shunned by others HE will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). Thanks for sharing with us. Noela will be back later tonight since she is in Australia she is ahead of us and it's night there now. :)

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  4. Another awesome review, NOELA! When we remember Whose we are and Who is with us at all times it takes that lonely feeling away. I think most of us are plagued with those feelings from time to time, but with Jesus holding our right hand we need never to feel that way. Staying busy and helping others will cause those thoughts to flee as well!

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    1. Thanks DIANA! How true that staying busy and helping others, in turn helps us to chase away any lonely feelings! I remember my loneliest times were when my first child went off to pre-school, and I found my days suddenly empty. Joining up with a women's group at church and getting into some crafts etc to raise money for causes helped heaps!

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  5. Great review! Sometimes when on our travels, I get a bit lonely, since I am away from friends and family (with the exception of when we get lucky enough to go somewhere where I know someone there). The best way I find to solve that is to go out exploring the area and/or spending time on FB, where I can keep up with friends & family and they can keep up with me. Another GREAT way to handle that is getting engrossed into a GREAT book!
    Vicki OWG

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    1. VICKI, Noela does a wonderful job on her reviews. I love the ways you listed to combat loneliness, those are all wonderful, especially that last one!! Noela is about 15 hours ahead of us here on the East Coast so she is getting her beauty sleep now and will be back on later this evening.

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  6. NOELA another wonderful review, remind me to never review the same book as you!! ;) LOL
    Just kidding, you know I love you and your amazing reviews! I loved Lord of the Rings (movies) so I think I would love Anne's books. Just need to find time to get started.

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    1. I agree, TERESA. When I read NOELA'S review of a recent book she and I both reviewed, I wanted to chuck mine out. This girl can seriously write! :)

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  7. DIANA don't even go there, "Ms. Diana "Beautiful Flowery Words" Flowers! lol You know you can write! Mine couldn't even make it on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader" lol

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    1. You guys are NUTS lol! As if, TERESA haha! LOVE you both!!! :)

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  8. Sounds like an interesting series. I think my kids would like it. I think I always felt a little different but realized after becoming a Christian that my significance isn't in what someone else thinks of me. It's totally in Christ and who HE IS!

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    1. Hi ANNE! It is a very interesting series for sure! For kids and adults alike. Depending how old the kids are that read these books of course, I would say adults would probably pick up a lot more of the spiritual messages in it!

      Amen about our significance being in Christ Anne!! As Ephesians 2:10 says, we are God's handiwork. We were chosen by HIM, and that's about the greatest significance one could have I would think! :)

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  9. turning my attention to Jesus and not self helps alot

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Sometimes...spending time with my sisters
      bekaboobear(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. Thank you APPLE BLOSSUM and REBEKAH for your comments! Both of those things are great things to do to combat loneliness!!

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  10. Yes, definitely. I try to remember that I have a loving husband and baby and puppy. And even though my friends don't live close by I can still give them a phone call any time. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    Rose
    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome ROSE! Hope you do well in the competition! Sounds like you've got your hands full with a baby and a puppy but I'm glad you're still able to chat to your friends on the phone too! :)

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  11. This sounds like a fascinating series! I'm a person who likes to be alone a lot, more than anyone I know. I don't usually feel lonely though. I do wish I was a little more social. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It really is a very fascinating series VERONICA!

      I think it's great if we can enjoy our own company, because there can't always be people around. And you're never truly alone when you know God anyway. Plus we are always here as well! So stop by anytime!

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