My Rock and Refuge: A Review and Giveaway

 

Rachel Kovaciny has released another novel in the Once upon a Western series! It's a completely reimagined take on Beauty & The Beast, and it utelizes all the required tropes but has enough depth and character to stand on it's own as well. 

Beauty and the Beast... re-imagined

Marta knows she shouldn't feel this way toward Mr. Wendell. She needs to keep her job as his servant, especially because her family back in Germany depends on the money she and her brother Jakob send home. Marta's new feelings can't be as important as helping her family save their bakery, can they?

Marta doesn't want to believe the rumors that Mr. Wendell profited from another's tragedy to gain his wealth. Although his face bears terrible scars, she sees past them to his kind and generous heart. Still, she wonders why he never leaves his big house high in the Colorado mountains. Does he hide himself away because of his disfigured face, or because he has a guilty conscience?

While Marta tries to push away her questions, others are determined to find answers. Their efforts lead to a fresh tragedy that threatens Marta's hope of finding happiness with Mr. Wendell. Will Marta fail her family and her new friends, or will God bless her efforts to build a happy future for them all?

. . . 

My review

My Rock and Refuge is a sweet and poignant take on Beauty & the Beast. It flips some of the more tired and well-used tropes and turns what is usually somewhat of a toxic relationship into an applaudable romance. There's a certain maturity to the characters, that I haven’t seen in other adaptations. 

Marta is a delight. A sweet but strong character, who is determined to stand on her own. Her love of baking and unbreakable spirit won me over immediately. I like how her being an immigrant and unable to read is handled, and how it also afforded her traits that are usually attributed to the beast role. An interesting subversion I wasn’t expecting. I love the dynamic it created. 

I was commissioned to do the character art. Hope you like them!!

Arthur is far less abrasive and off-putting than the usual takes I’ve seen. He’s guarded and standoffish, but by all accounts, a gentleman if not a misunderstood one. His quiet nature is a good match to Marta’s exuberant one. I also like how they bond through the isolation they both feel due to their different situations. 

I personally prefer my characters more flawed, and at times found it a bit preachy
but despite that, I enjoyed this story immensely. The characters are so vibrant and their chemistry leaps off the page. If you're looking for a clean, well-written romance, this is the one.

It’s super cozy as well, it has all the trappings of a Ghibli film. Will have you craving fresh bread and apple pie. I recommended baking before you read.

(I received an arc with no obligation to post a review)

Giveaway

You can enter the giveaway here

This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses ONLY. It begins Tuesday, November 8, andends Sunday, November13. Two winners will be chosen on November 14, one for the FairyTale pack and one for the Old West pack.

If your not eligable for the giveaway there's also goodies if you buy the book at any point this month. 

Make sure you check out  Rachel's blog 

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Finding the Magic/ A Review

Belle is sent to the countryside to escape the London bombings during WWII. She knows she will miss her mother and worry about her father, who is away fighting in the war, but she has no idea what awaits her in the manor where she is to live. She finds friends with the staff, but the mysterious master of the house frightens her. Can she teach him to find the magic in a world where all magic seems to be long gone?



Review

This was such a sweet story! I was a bit skeptical about a historical Beauty & the Beast. I'm not a big historical fan, but since it was B&B retelling I thought I would give it a shot. The idea also gave me a bit of a Narnia vibe. This is a light and endearing read. I love that Belle is young in this and it wasn't a romance by any means, it had more of bedtime story vibe, something that leaves you on a light and happy note. Chip was probably my favorite character, he brought a whimsical and childlike wonder to the story.  It's simple and I mean that as a compliment, like the way the Hobbit is a simple story. There is no convoluted plot. It's a domestic story, one that is relatable and inspiring.

It's a lovely Christmas read! 

Jack is an Author who has disillusions of grandeur that she will someday write the perfect book.
She's not impossible, just a bit unlikely.

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Finding the Magic Reveal

I should have made this a fairy tale series or something. I just keep stumbling across these awesome sounding retellings. This one is a Beauty & the Beast retelling. I don't know if all of you are aware but I am a bit obsessed with that one. Just a bit...

So yeah, I might have flailed a bit when I found out Jack's new book was a retelling of my favorite tale. She is a brilliant writer, I especially love her characters. 

Here is the lovely cover!

Isn't it lovely!

I am ecstatic for this story!

Finding the Magic. 

Fifteen-year-old Belle is sent to the countryside to escape the London bombings of WWII. She knows she will miss her mother and worry about her father, who is away fighting in the war, but has no idea what awaits her in the manor in which she is to live. She finds friends in the staff but the mysterious and elusive master of the house frightens her. Can she teach him to find the magic in a world where magic seems to be long gone?

 Author Bio:

 Jack is an author, which is why she spends much of her time writing and little of her time editing. She likes to follow characters around and tell their stories even if they don't tell her everything they know about their stories.

She lives alone in a Hobbit hole and spends her spare time with her nose stuck in a book. When she isn't doing that she is busy baking bread and annoying her neighbors with bagpipes. 

You can follow Jack here: http://www.jacklewisbaillot.com/

I promise to have a normal post next week. Then I have some tags, and I think a few blog tours. We shall see what happens.