The Dericott Tales Series by Melanie Dickerson

Where there is wealth and power, there's always someone willing to do anything to take it.England, 1381: Delia's idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia's seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn't stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne... moreWhere there is wealth and power, there's always someone willing to do anything to take it.England, 1381: Delia's idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia's seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn't stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom.Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can't ignore the sense, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work.Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a tender retelling of The Wild Swans, where the virtues of loyalty and love face a harrowing showdown with power and fear. less

To live an unforgettable life, she would defy all expectations—including her own.Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry—until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her face and her prospects. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister's cruelty... moreTo live an unforgettable life, she would defy all expectations—including her own.Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry—until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her face and her prospects. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister's cruelty. When her father announces his plans to marry off his damaged daughter and bring Maris home, Audrey decides to flee in search of her true destiny.However, life outside her home is dangerous, and she soon finds herself attacked, sick, and in desperate need of help. She is taken in at Dericott Castle to be nursed back to health. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier and bears scars of his own.Meanwhile, Edwin—Lord Dericott—is curious about the new, well-educated servant’s identity. All he knows is that he's quickly becoming smitten with her. When the man Audrey’s father wanted her to marry comes looking for her, she and Edwin must make life-changing decisions about what to believe and whether or not love is truly worth trusting.In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a high stakes, encouraging tale about the power of love. less

She’s hounded from every side by treacherous elements and foes, but her greatest enemy lies within.In the mountains near France, the medieval Princess Elyce is being forced to marry, thus forming an alliance that will enrich her father but enslave her kingdom. Instead, she chooses to feign her death and flee to Prague to beg King Wenceslaus to help save her people.In England, the young knight Sir Gerard has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce on her quest... moreShe’s hounded from every side by treacherous elements and foes, but her greatest enemy lies within.In the mountains near France, the medieval Princess Elyce is being forced to marry, thus forming an alliance that will enrich her father but enslave her kingdom. Instead, she chooses to feign her death and flee to Prague to beg King Wenceslaus to help save her people.In England, the young knight Sir Gerard has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce on her quest. When he arrives to find she has been near death for days, he manages to revive her. However, thinking the stranger was trying to kiss her, the princess immediately distrusts him. But her desperate situation forces her to accept his aid.Pursued by her enemy’s guards over mountainous terrain, they must also battle the deadly winter elements. Her greatest challenge may be to overcome the voices of disapproval and accusation from her childhood. Will her emotions lead her into her true identity, or will they undermine her ability to work with Gerard and to save her people, who desperately need her help?In this dazzling and romantic story, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson takes the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale to satisfying new heights.Sweet historical medieval romancePart of the Dericott series: Book 1: Court of Swans; Book 2: Castle of Refuge; Book 3: Veil of Winter; Book 4: Fortress of SnowBook length: 85,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs less

When her father dies and her brother, Warin, abandons her, Mazy is forced to seek help from her beloved older brother Sir John, who is training knights at the great estate of Strachleigh. While there, she becomes friends with the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Circumstances then force them apart: Berenger goes to Prague, while Mazy and her brother move to London... moreWhen her father dies and her brother, Warin, abandons her, Mazy is forced to seek help from her beloved older brother Sir John, who is training knights at the great estate of Strachleigh. While there, she becomes friends with the kind and loyal Sir Berenger. Circumstances then force them apart: Berenger goes to Prague, while Mazy and her brother move to London. There, Mazy puts her knife-throwing skills to excellent use as she defends herself, and she learns to make breads to sell in the market to earn money. Her business is expanding when Berenger returns to London and they are reunited.Romance is just beginning to bloom when the king offers Berenger a new mission that also serves as a chance for a title: Berenger is to marry the recently widowed Lady Bristow and take over her estate. To Mazy’s dismay, Berenger agrees to go to Bristow Castle to visit her and make his decision.But Bristow Castle is hiding secrets, and the only person who might be able to save the knight in distress is the damsel Mazy herself. less

In this exciting retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, Melanie Dickerson sweeps readers away into a thrilling adventure and a charming romance.Violet—so named because of the unusual color of her eyes—knows almost nothing about her birth mother. She has formed a close bond with her grandmother, who fills her heart with dreams of true love. When Violet has a chance meeting with Sir Merek—a guard working for the villainous Baron Dunham—she immediately dislikes him... moreIn this exciting retelling of the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairytale, Melanie Dickerson sweeps readers away into a thrilling adventure and a charming romance.Violet—so named because of the unusual color of her eyes—knows almost nothing about her birth mother. She has formed a close bond with her grandmother, who fills her heart with dreams of true love. When Violet has a chance meeting with Sir Merek—a guard working for the villainous Baron Dunham—she immediately dislikes him. As she works to help her people and speak out against the baron, Dunham sends a guard to bring her to the castle—and that guard is none other than Sir Merek himself.Dunham threatens her grandmother to ensure that he can use Violet as a pawn in his power games, attempting to force her into a marriage of his choosing. Despite Merek’s assurances that he is on her side and working to help her, Violet sees no reason to trust him. But as the baron continues to search for any disloyal subjects, Merek finds himself in danger of his own.Violet and Merek will have to work together to stop Violet’s betrothal, keep her grandmother safe, and convince the king of the baron’s treachery. Along the way, they must decide if they can also trust one another with their hearts.A medieval retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood”Part of the Dericott Tale series of stand-alone fairy talesIncludes discussion questions for book clubs less