She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted.
Since meeting Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg, at Thornbeck Castle, Lady Magdalen has not been able to stop thinking about him. She knows—as a penniless lady with little to offer in terms of a dowry—she has no real hope of marrying such a highly titled man, so it comes as a great surprise when she receives a letter from him, asking for her hand in marriage.
But all is not what it seems at Wolfberg Castle. Steffan has been evicted by his scheming uncle, and his cousin has taken over the title of duke. Left for dead, Steffan is able to escape, and disguised as a shepherd, hopes to gain entry to the castle to claim the items that will prove he is the true Duke of Wolfberg.
Journeying to the castle, Magdalen has no idea what awaits her, but she certainly did not expect her loyal maidservant to turn on her. Forcing Magdalen to trade places with her, the servant plans to marry the duke and force Magdalen to tend the geese.
Without their respective titles—and the privileges that came with them—Steffan and Magdalen are reunited in the shepherd’s field. Together they conspire to get back their rightful titles. But they must hurry . . . or else they risk losing it all to the uncle’s evil plan.
Melanie Dickerson’s reimagined fairytales are always fun to read. And just like Disney, she slips some of the characters from her former books into her new ones.
Both Lady Magdalen and the Duke of Wolfberg are betrayed by people close to them. But in the betrayal, in the losing the trappings and status they’ve taken for granted, each of them finds their true character.
Lady Magdalen has always been sweet and concerned for her family as well as her people but what she finds out about herself is that she’s braver than she believed. The Duke of Wolfberg believed he took good care of his people but he didn’t allow himself to form relationships with them. When trouble strikes, he’s left with no one to turn to.
As Lady Magdalen and Steffan find themselves in the same predicament, they become allies, intent on exposing the lies going on in the duke’s castle. But they also see each other’s best traits coming to light.
This story that is based on The Goose Girl tale with a bit of The Prince and the Pauper thrown in has a bit of everything—intrigue, betrayal, friendship, growth, God, and love. Once again, Dickerson gives readers an engaging, entertaining story that brings light to her readers.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary book via the author, publisher, or blogging programs, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More reviews of Melanie Dickerson’s books: The Golden Braid, The Princess Spy, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, The Beautiful Pretender, The Silent Songbird
I have read so many of Ms. Dickerson’s books. I especially loved the The Captive Maiden and The Princess Spy. I can’t wait to read the others.
She does a fabulous job with those fairy tales, doesn’t she? Thanks for stopping by!