Heartless by Anne Elizabeth Stengl

"Timeless fantasy that will keep you spellbound."  That is the slogan for the Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Ann Elizabeth Stengl.  Did the first book in the series, Heartless, deliver the timeless fantasy?  Was I spellbound? Yes.  And Yes!

This book was a breath of fresh air.  It was a breath of chokey fire breathing dragon air.

You see, there was this princess whose name was Una, and her brother Felix, who lived once upon a time in a land far away.  One day a strange spectacle comes to the kingdom and things change around the old castle...  This coinsides with Princess Una coming of age and suitors of different sorts arrive to vie for the heart of the Princess.

I loved the story which kept me wondering what was going to happen next, as the characters continually  went their own way.  It's a wonder that the author herself could keep track of this wayward and delightfully unpredictable cast.

Surprises galore await you as this unique tale unfolds.  There is allegory with twists and turns, drama, mystery, and humor.  All ages can enjoy this wonderful book.
My very own Princess Elsa gives it five Golden Crowns. (The highest you can get in her Land of Make Believe).

This week, the




Christian Fiction Blog Alliance




is introducing




Heartless Bethany House (July 1, 2010)




by




Anne Elisabeth Stengl


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.


Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger.  When Una makes the wrong choice, catastrophe ensues for the princess and her family, and love, courage, and trust are needed when darkness engulfs the kingdom.

Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

There are some delightful things and scenes: the Twelve-Year Market that appears in its own good time and sells fairy goods; a clever blind cat who is invariably underfoot and has, of course, a secret!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Heartless, go HERE.