Once upon a Time is Timeless
The Duchess Jessica’s childhood began with a tragedy: her mother’s death. Her father, heartbroken at the loss of his beloved wife, could not bear to raise the child. Largely ignored, Jessica is spent the first eleven years of her life running free on the family estate, cared for only by the servants.
Then her father decides to remarry, bringing an end to Jessica’s independence. At first her new stepmother just seems overly strict. But as Jessica grows into a beautiful young woman, it becomes clear that her stepmother is also wildly – and murderously – jealous of her.
Jessica Escapes to London. Going by the name Snow to hide from her family, she falls in with an off band of outcasts who accept her into their makeshift family. But when her stepmother appears in the city, repentant and seeking her forgiveness, Jessica will have to decide whom to trust… with her life.
This is my favourite book of the series. Authors, Tracy Lynn, Cameron Dokey, Nancy Holder, Suzanne Weyn and Debbie Viguie have all come together to create this collection of Re-Told Fairy Tales.
Taking the essence of the original story, these ladies have written a new story full of twists and surprises that successfully entertain and keep the old fables alive.
These books are also perfect for those girls who don't read too much or would just like something on their bedside table to read a chapter or two before bed.
Being quite small and none over 320 pages, these are wonderful quick reads.
Other titles in the Once Upon A Time series.
Beauty Sleep – Sleeping Beauty
Before Midnight - Cinderella
Spirited – Pocahontas
The Rose Bride – White bride and the Black bride
Snow – Snow White
The Crimson Thread - Rumpelstiltskin
Midnight Pearls – The Little Mermaid
The Night Dance – 12 Dancing Princesses
Water Song – The Frog Prince
Golden - Rapunzel
The Storytellers Daughter – Arabian Nights
Sunlight and Shadow – The Magic Flute
Wild Orchid – Mulan
Scarlet Moon – Little Red Riding Hood
Belle – Beauty and the Beast
From Snow
Two Years.
Two Years and fifty-five days Snow had been a prisoner in her own home. Several generations of mice had come and gone; Andy, Colin and Nigel had formed clans, houses and lineages of their own, but still found time to play with her. They now ran up and down her arms, looking for treats.
She missed being outside. She imagined shoving her fingers into the dirt, during the rain maybe, shoving her fingers and hands in as deep as she could,
”Jess!”
She looked up, surprised. Alan was the only one who called her that anymore – and there he was. Perched outside on her window sill.
”Alan.” She carefully put the mice on her shoulder and passes delicately over to the windowpane. “Whatever is wrong?”
His normally rosy face was beet red and sweating; veins popping out on his head as evidence of an inner struggle. His hand twisted at the fiddle charm he wore around his neck.
”Listen to me. You have to go. She’s going to – you’re going to be - she will – she hired – a murderer---“ his face went white with the effort of whatever he was trying to say and he almost fell.
”Alan!” She grabbed his hand to steady him, Andy Campbell squeaked with dismay as her shoulder jerked.
”You’re going to be killed if you stay here.” Alan said finally, after he had rested a moment. His eyes were closed and his breath came out in gasps.
”What are you talking about?”
”Please, just listen to me. You have to go. I … can’t…Help you… She’ll ask… I cannot lie… meet me at your mother crypt as soon as you can. Take very little with you so no one will suspect anything! Hurry! Wait for me there!”
And he was gone. Just like that, her world had changed.
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