Becoming Hook by Mary Mecham

From Goodreads:

A pirate, a pixie, and a plot to foil Peter Pan…

James Hook never meant to become a pirate, and never dreamed that he would turn against best friend, Peter Pan. Every adventure and eternal youth awaited them… until a pixie exposes a shocking revelation. Tinkerbell’s information forces James into acknowledging that, far from being the benevolent hero he painted himself to be, Peter Pan was kidnapping innocent children.

After accepting the traumatic loss of his hand and of the family he can barely remember, James deserts Pan. In the fight to rescue the Lost Boys, Hook will risk everything, even if that means becoming the most notorious villain in Neverland… or losing the fiery pixie who is stealing his heart.

Can the original Lost Boy vanquish Neverland’s greatest threat?

My Take: 

This was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed seeing the story from James Hook's point of view and appreciated all the nuances of a different perspective. Tinker Bell and James made a great team as they tried to rescue the lost boys from Peter Pan's devious clutches. By part three, I ached for poor James. It seemed Peter would always be a step or two ahead. 

Thoroughly enjoyable! I give Becoming Hook a solid 4 because I enjoyed it (and related to it) better than Peter Pan. 

1-5 scale and what it means: 

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad 

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing 

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive 

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love 

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading 

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read 

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Snow White by K M Shea

From Goodreads:

Once upon a time, a princess and her stepmother ruled together with all happiness and joy…until the Queen’s chronic headaches and mood swings escalate to violence, and Princess Snow White is forced to flee for her life. 

Snow White is certain that a dark magic has pushed her once loving stepmother into madness. Shy and bookish as she may be, she will do whatever is necessary to save the Queen, even if it means approaching the infamous Seven Warriors—a group of outspoken fighters who live in the forest—to ask for their help. Unfortunately, six of the men are not convinced the Queen can be redeemed. 

But Fritz, the seventh warrior, is different. 

Hailed as both a deadly fighter and a humble forester, Fritz senses there is more to the Princess than there appears to be. When magical horrors attack, his mind is made up, and the Seven Warriors pledge their loyalty to Snow White. 

With the warriors helping her, Snow White is certain her stepmother can be saved. But just when victory seems near, a poisoned apple changes everything... 

My Take:

Shea is one of my favorite authors for fairy tales. This had enough different elements to be enjoyable. I loved that Snow White wasn't your typical perfect princess being hounded by the big baddie. There is a villain out to get her, but life wasn't perfect before the challenges of good vs evil get started. Here's what I liked (I'll try not to post spoilers!)

1. Snow White had a loving relationship with her stepmother. Queen Faina loved Snow White's father and saw Snow White as her own.

2. Snow White struggled with extreme shyness and anxiety. Over the course of the story, she has to find her own strength to overcome these things, but it doesn't happen overnight. I LOVED that she gets frustrated when she can't speak to the Lords after speaking easily with the Seven Warriors.

3. The Seven Warriors were awesome! The idea that a group of young nobility join up to fight the monsters in their land because the Queen didn't is great. Their interactions are also quite funny.

4. Angel adds another dimension to the story altogether, and I have questions!

All in all, it was a quick and entertaining read. 

I give Snow White by K.M. Shea a solid 4 (only because I found myself skimming at times).

1-5 scale and what it means: 

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad 

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing 

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive 

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love 

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading 

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read 

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Of Beast and Beauty by Chanda Hahn

From Goodreads:

Something evil this way comes. 

7 Vengeful Sisters

7 Fairytale Kingdoms

7 Daughters of Eville

Everyone dreams of marrying a prince—except for me. I am nothing more than a pawn in my adoptive mother's diabolical plot against the seven kingdoms. I was the chosen tool, her sharpened blade that would cut the deepest into the heart of the Kingdom of Baist. But like all deadly weapons, my wedding is a two-edged sword that could cost me my soul.

For I am Rosalie, one of the adopted daughters of Lady Eville, and it is my duty to enter into a loveless and hate-filled marriage with the narcissistic Crown Prince of Baist. My choices and heart are not my own to give. Yet even in the thick of dire situations, beastly vengeance can give way to beautiful attraction.

My Take:
Beauty and the Beast must be my favorite fairytale. Goodness knows I've read dozens of interpretations. This one by Hahn rates up toward the top. In fact, now I'm interested in the others in the series. 

She writes about complex characters who seem stuck in their roles, full of prejudice, and unbendable. And yet they learn, they grow, they change and learn to love. Magic plays a big part of the story throughout. I loved how strong the emotions of each character came through. My heart ached for Rosalie. I cheered whenever she stood her ground and put Prince Xander in his place. And even though we were never in Xander's point of view. Hahn did a great job giving subtle hints that let me know his true feelings, even if Rose didn't catch on. It made the push and pull, the ups and downs of conflict and tension between them even weightier. This is definitely worth your time if you like a Beauty and Beast story.

There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as unique plot points, that make this feel like a new story. And without giving too much away, I love how in the end they are both beauty and both beastly. There's a powerful lesson to be learned by the end of the story for all of us. 

I give the book a solid 5 and a PG rating. The physical attraction is handled well, and the closed door intimacy is between husband and wife.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Beauty and the Beast by KM Shea

From Amazon (couldn't find on Goodreads):

Once upon a time Elle made a mistake. A small miscalculation sends her through the roof of an enchanted chateau. Stranded until her broken leg mends, Elle is unwillingly forced to rely on the good will of the sour chateau owner —the cursed Prince Severin.

Prince Severin—the commanding general and staunch supporter of his brother the crown prince—is cursed to look like a beast until a maiden falls in love with him. He has given up all hope of shattering the curse, and has only disdain for Elle.

Unfortunately, the pair can’t seem to avoid each other thanks to the meddling of the chateau’s cursed servants. Eventually Elle’s playful manners and Severin’s hidden gentleness draw the pair together.

But not all love stories can end that easily. After all, Elle is not what she seems, and Severin’s life is placed in danger when hostilities flare between his brother and the monarchs of a neighboring country. When Elle risks everything to save Severin, will he be able to forgive her for her lies?

My Take (Slight spoilers):
First things first, although this is a gorgeous cover, it doesn't fit the book AT ALL. It is set in historical times, similar to the original fairy tale. And Elle never felt like what this woman portrays. She was always confident, even when frustrated with her new found situation. As time goes on, she starts to think she may have been wrong in her assumptions about Prince Severin, but she's never really this wilting demure girl.

My favorite part is Elle's secret. The thing she's lying about. I can't tell you, but it's what makes her such an awesome strong female lead. I also liked that most of the book I wasn't sure what kingdom's side she was on until the big secret is revealed. This is when we get to see why she thought Severin was a certain way in the beginning--because he was.

I also thought it was great that after the curse is broken, they don't get together right away. Remember that secret? Severin thinks it means she lied about her love! Men can be so dense!

All in all, I enjoyed the beautiful setting, the originality on the cursed nature of the servants, and the refreshing look at what true love is. The fact it isn't a fairy tale, but a choice and lots of hard work.

I give Beauty and the Beast by KM Shea a 4.5 and Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

 R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Five Magic Spindles A collection of Sleeping Beauty stories

From Goodreads
Awaken the Magic!

Emma, a good-hearted midwife, rushes to warn a neighbor about the hired gunman headed to his ranch but can't prevent the catastrophe in store for his daughter.

Palli, the prophesied daughter of a king, is fated to rescue her people from the destruction called forth by a vengeful priest. 

Roselee, a ghost with a faulty memory, flits through the halls of an insane asylum in search of the mortal boy who can help her save the day.

Arabella, a living spirit trapped in her own comatose body, helplessly watches from the realm of dreams as her usurping cousin plots to destroy her once and for all.

Tanza, a tomb raider on a distant planet, struggles to make a living and doesn’t need a long-lost prince to complicate her difficult life.

One way or another, these beauties have no intention of sleeping away their problems.

My Take:

First, I was asked to read and review Spindle Cursed specifically. I hope to eventually get the time to read the other shorts in this anthology. However, for now, here's the review of Spindle Cursed.

Spindle Cursed (Arabella's story)
I loved the unique look at Sleeping Beauty from this angle. How can a Prince feel true love for someone he's never met? This story answers that question in a simple and yet ingenious way. The writing is clean, beautifully descriptive, and satisfying in every way. Gritty villains, a wonderfully developed fantasy world, dragons, spells, magic, humor, and sweet romance.

I give Spindle Cursed a solid 4.5. Great writing, great twist on a classic with wonderful imagery.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure