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Summary

When three princesses in hiding come of age, they seek to reclaim their kingdom from the usurper that murdered their parents more than a decade earlier.

Stats

Genre: YA (16+ years) fairytale-styled romances

Series length: Three books, plus prequel novella (Always)

Violence: Moderate violence, including some medieval torture

Magic/Supernatural: Light supernatural, including a character that can talk to animals.

Romance: Strong romance plot lines that go no further than kissing on the page. 

Christian/spiritual element: A few explicit Christian references

Recommendation: Excellent for girls who enjoy the original fairy tales (not the Disney versions) 

You might like this book if you liked... 
Melanie Dickerson books or the original fairy tales

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Opening Lines:

"Another sip, Your Majesty," I pleaded, holding out the golden chalice of raspberry-leaf tea. I tried to quell my shaking so I wouldn't spill the liquid that was supposed to slow the bleeding but hadn't yet.

The queen clamped her lips closed to fend off another scream. Against the feather bolster and pillow beres, the beautiful woman was as pale as the linen sheets she lay upon. Her eyes were glassy, and her blond hair had come loose from its plait and now lay in tangled waves, damp with perspiration.

​"The babe is finally coming."

Always (The Lost Princesses, Prequel Novella)
by Jody Hedlund

A fierce elite guard. A loyal lady in waiting. They must work together to save three princesses from certain death.

On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.

Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes plans to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn’t need or want Lady Felicia’s help.

With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felicia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives—and hearts—forever.

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Opening Lines:

"I shall ride the final course." I grabbed the great helm. "You know I have the better chance at vanquishing Lord Mortimer."

"No, Adelaide." Mitchell reached to divest me of the helmet, but I sidestepped him and thrust it on before he could wrest it away.

​"I shall pretend I am you, and Lord Mortimer will be none the wiser."

Evermore (The Lost Princesses, Book 1)
by Jody Hedlund

An ancient key. A secret treasure. And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace.

Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.

Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia.

When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever.

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Opening Lines:

I crouched next to Edmund behind the boulder. The harpy eagle circled overhead, her gray-and-white markings blending with the frosty winter sky.

"She is beautiful today," I whispered reverently, my breath rising in a puff and freezing on my already-chilled cheeks. 

Focused on Sheba, Edmund was lost in silent communication with the might bird of prey. As a Fera Agmen--an animal trainer--Edmund had raised Sheba from the moment she'd hatched five years past, and the two had a special bond I'd always admired.

Foremost (The Lost Princesses, Book 2)
by Jody Hedlund

A second princess. Another key to the treasure. And a cruel king desperate to squelch the growing rebellion.

Raised in an isolated abbey, Lady Maribel desires nothing more than to become a nun and continue practicing her healing arts. She’s carefree and happy with her life…until a visitor comes to the abbey and reveals her true identity as one of the lost princesses.

When he was a young boy, Edmund Chambers helplessly watched King Ethelwulf murder his family. Edmund escaped and has lived in the abbey ever since, uniquely trained to work with wild animals. Secretly, he loves Maribel and desperately hopes she doesn’t complete her holy order vows.

When King Ethelwulf’s army arrives at the abbey to capture Maribel, she flees with Edmund across the desolate Highlands in an attempt to reach Adelaide’s rebel army. Edmund can no longer hide his love, but can Maribel give up her dreams of becoming a nun to love him in return?

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Opening Lines:

I brushed my hand over the crushed grass and examined the nearly invisible footprint beneath. Only a pace away, a broken twig and a patch of flattened bellflowers confirmed my suspicion. A stranger had made it past the ravine and was quite possibly still lingering.

​My chest tightened, squeezing the air from my lungs and forcing me to stand. I scanned the thick woodland and brush, picturing soldiers in black chain mail converging upon me. 

Hereafter (The Lost Princesses, Book 3)
by Jody Hedlund

The third lost princess. The final key to the treasure. And a battle for the throne.

Growing up deep in the forest as a poor charcoal burner’s daughter, Emmeline has always known her identity as a princess of Mercia, and she lives in fear of being caught and killed. When her adopted father returns from town with news regarding the imminence of war, Emmeline has no wish to join the rebellion against King Ethelwulf.

Prince Ethelrex, the strongest warrior in the land, has done everything he can to prove his loyalty to his father, including searching for the last lost princess. When Ethelrex finally captures Emmeline, the king commands his son to marry the princess in order to win the support of the people and undermine the rebellion.

Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and has no intention of letting Emmeline get away. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?