fairy tales – Sydney Winward

Ashley Evercott’s Enchanting Gold Is Now Available!

Blurb for Enchanting Gold

She made a bargain to save her life. But falling in love was not part of the deal.

Lying is forbidden, but Lynn cannot stop her father from weaving the biggest lie of all. Forced to atone for his crime, Lynn must spin a room of straw into gold. Fail, and she and her father will die.

However, a peculiar half-fae agrees to complete the impossible task in her stead. In exchange, Lynn must risk her life to steal a powerful item from her Lord. But one night of spinning straw isn’t enough, and Lynn makes another deal that will force her on a precarious journey.

Rumpelstiltskin has made a mysterious bargain of his own. With a monster. He will do anything to save his mother and free the creature when the blood moon rises. Even if it means jeopardizing another person’s life.

The only problem? He’s falling in love with the woman he’s deceiving.

Can they fight off their growing attraction, or will it cost them their lives?

Enchanting Gold is a new adult Rumpelstiltskin retelling and book two of a fairy tale retelling series. This takes place hundreds of years before the first, but each book is a standalone novel within the same world. No need to read them in order. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow burn, morally gray love interests, and all the angst. Happily ever after, guaranteed.

Get Your Copy of Enchanting Gold

February 22, 2023 by Sydney Winward

Release Date for Yours, Sterling!

Blurb

If the enemy finds her, they will kill her.

An arranged marriage to a younger man wasn’t what Kathleen de Clare had in mind for her future, but after an assassination attempt on their wedding day, a war tears them apart. Sequestered in the safety of the mountains stitching up injured soldiers and mending broken bones, she must wait out the war.

But what if it doesn’t end?

For all his life, Sterling Winfield has only known loss. His parents were assassinated, forcing him to take the throne at a young age. When his new wife’s very life is threatened, he does the only thing he thinks he can do. He hides her. But are letters enough to build a friendship with a stranger and keep their relationship alive? Will he lose her to war? Will the distance destroy what happiness they could have had together? Or will their reunion be as sweet as her letters?

Get a Copy of Yours, Sterling!

March 18, 2022 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Bjerner and the Beast by Miranda Grant

My Review

Wow! I really enjoyed this book.

What better match could you have for a woman who can turn people to stone with a single look than someone who is blind? Greek mythology mixed with Beauty and the Beast made for an interesting tale of love and heartbreak. Not only did this story contain some really funny dialogue, but I found myself near to tears on multiple occasions when the story took a sad turn.

Miranda Grant has a talent for weaving an incredible story and hitting the reader right in the feels. Bjerner and the Beast is the perfect mixture to make a heartbreakingly amazing love story.

My rating 5 stars

June 5, 2021June 5, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Shatter the Dark by Jenna Collett

My Review

The tale of Hansel and Gretel has never been one of my favorites, but in Shatter the Dark, Jenna Collett managed to create something unique, entertaining, and above all, romantic. I ADORED this mashup of Hansel and Gretel and Beauty and the Beast. Both Liana and Bowen are such a great match, each a little bloodthirsty in their own ways and out for revenge. Despite their dark pasts, they bring out the best in each other and I loved seeing how each character transformed into something strong at the other’s side.

Once again, Jenna Collett has weaved an incredible fairy tale retelling, one that brings back other characters in the series while maintaining that fun, humorous tone I like so much. This book is definitely worth a read for those who love fairy tales, humor, and unique retellings.

My rating: 5 stars

April 27, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Song of Sea and Shore by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I have no words to describe this. Pun intended? Maybe a little. As of yet, A Song of Sea and Shore is my favorite of all of Katherine Macdonald’s works I have read so far, and let me tell you, I loved Kingdom of Thorns like nobody’s business.

The author broke my heart, then patched it up, broke it again, patched it up, and maybe repeated the process a few more times after that. This story was so emotional and so well-crafted, it brought me to tears on several occasions. I loved the characters and the hard choices they had to make throughout the book. I loved the uniqueness of a plot we have heard time and again. I especially loved this different type of hero the author painted (another pun, sorry!), one who is quiet, thoughtful, creative, and emotional. Did I also mention he blushes easily?

The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I adored this particular retelling. I absolutely recommend!

My rating: 5+ stars

March 12, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Grace by Contract Book Tour

After her father uproots the family to the northern duchy of Brackenhurst, Grace Eldon and her four younger sisters struggle with a new life of hardship. Desperate to keep a roof over their heads amid mounting debts, she and her youngest sister seek employment in the Duke of Brackenhurst’s household despite fearsome rumors.

Scarred and maimed from a terrible fire Silas Isling, Duke of Brackenhurst, buries himself in his work to avoid the stares of pity and fear. When one of the new maids shows no fear at his appearance, he is intrigued. That is until his meddling steward gives her the task of cleaning Silas’ bookroom. It is a most unwelcome disruption since he prefers to be alone.

While a thief plagues his castle, an old nemesis reappears, and enemies invade in the guise of guests. Amidst the distractions and chaos, Grace brings some unexpected order. Once convinced his scars had stolen all hope for love, Silas finds his life forever changed by the quiet maid. Could she love a scarred Duke?

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast

March 5, 2021February 13, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of A Tale of Ice and Ash by Katherine Macdonald

My Review

I really liked Katherine Macdonald’s take on the Snow White fairytale. The world building was truly unique and interesting. There was surprising depth to the characters, and I love the idea that people aren’t just born evil. They’re created. The author does a very good job at building that up and expanding on it throughout the story.

My absolute favorite part about this book was all the flirting. There was a lot of it, and the banter between the characters constantly had me cracking a smile. I also loved Onyx. He was the perfect grumpy but loving father dwarf.

A Tale of Ice and Ash is a great addition to the fairy tale retellings in this series, and I look forward to reading what’s next.

My rating: 4 stars

January 23, 2021 by Sydney Winward

Witch in the Woods by C. M. Adler Book Tour-Review

“Once upon a time, there was a young girl who lived near an enchanted forest with her sister and her father. One day, while her father was gone selling firewood to the neighboring villages, her sister fell ill. Out of desperation, the young girl ventured into the forest for help and there she found a woman who gave her everything her soul desired…

Ambrosine lives next to an enchanted wood, which is no big deal when you know how to spot a magic hoax nest and trap nasty little night fairies.

And certainly no big deal when there is not even a witch in the woods.

When her little sister Rosaline encounters a strange new creature, she falls asleep and a dangerous fever dream threatens her life. With their mother dead and their father gone, Ambrosine gambles with the deepest desire of her soul as she fights to save her sister.

Based on the Grimm fairy tale, The Tale of the Rose, this is a highly entertaining and bone-chilling story of the first Witch in the Woods.”

November 7, 2020November 7, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Short Story: Shadows and Roses

I wanted to kick October off by setting the right mood. Here’s a story I wrote just for fun called Shadows and Roses. Vampires, romance, and breaking a two hundred year old curse! (P.s. I can safely say I’m more of a novel gal. My fingers itched to add at least 50,000 more words to this.)

This is a paranormal retelling of Sleeping Beauty, except the roles are reversed. Enjoy!

Shadows and Roses

A bloodcurdling scream echoed in the skies, scattering a flock of crows toward the dark clouds overhead. Eliana’s heart squeezed as she dropped the bucket in her arms, the water splashing across the bottom of her blue skirt.

“Help!” Hazel screamed again as she staggered down the dirt road, her face pale and her eyes bloodshot.

Eliana joined the other townsfolk at the edge of the road as the twelve-year-old girl stumbled into her mother’s arms. Her arms shook uncontrollably, her breaths coming in labored gasps.

“Someone, fetch a wet cloth!” the mother cried, and Eliana rushed into action. She dipped a cloth into what remained of the water at the bottom of her bucket, and returned to the girl’s side.

“What happened?” she asked as she dabbed at the perspiration on the girl’s forehead. “Did you discover anything more about the curse?”

Her gaze drifted toward the dark clouds swirling overhead, a greenish tint in their gray depths. They gathered above the large gray castle several miles away, suffocating the skies so no sunlight reached their crops. Thorny green vines climbed the castle walls, a warning to stay away. At night, lamenting howls echoed from the direction of the castle, making sleep difficult to come by.

October 2, 2020October 5, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Curse of the Blacknoc Witch by Tori V. Rainn

My Review

Bad children being forced to run from evil creatures every night against their will? Monsters eating children alive and spitting them out into monsters? How dark and gruesome! This book captivated me from beginning to end. The world building in the forest is phenomenal, with small bits of humor thrown in there that made me chuckle. I loved Samuel’s determination to save children from an inescapable doom and Layla’s bravery as she fights off monsters and tries to break the curse.

This book has a dark Grimm’s fairy tales type of feel to it with fun little riddles along the way. Every scene in the forest, my heart was in my throat as I wondered what would happen next. The cover is stunning, the story gripping. This was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend.

My rating: 5 stars

April 3, 2020June 3, 2020 by Sydney Winward