The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

A New Suitor. A Shocking Discovery.

Margaretha has always been a romantic and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to the castle, claiming to be an English lord who was left for dead by Claybrook's men. She convinces herself "Lord Colin" is just an addled stranger, until Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy-not only does she tend to talk too much, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. But she soon discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgement about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. She soon finds herself running for her life-and it may be up to her to save her father and her family from one man's wicked plot. 

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"The Frog Prince" was not one of the stories I loved as a child but The Princess Spy will be a favorite of mine for many years to come. This is book 5 in the fairy tale series. They connect the characters in every book, which is something that I love for books to do. I never want the story to end because there are so many characters I want to know more about or I can't get enough of the ones I have fallen in love with.

Margaretha is talkative and intelligent. Most people don't realize she has brains because they are so put off by how much she talks. Not even she realizes how brave and daring she can be until her family is in danger. She never backs down in the face of danger but charges ahead with all her might. When fear starts to overwhelm her she stops and prays for peace. Colin is strong headed but not puffed up. He is not a man trained for battle because where he is from there isn't the need for it as much as where Margaretha lives. He is a bit quick to act, like most 20 year old men. His impulsiveness brought him across the ocean and into her life. 

The story kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next, so much so that I read until 1:30 in the morning to finish it. While I am good at guessing where a story will take me, I have to admit this one surprised me in good ways more than once. I recommend this book all the way from preteen to adult women. 

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Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book, as well as the acclaimed novels The Merchant's Daughter, The Fairest Beauty, and The Captive Maiden. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama. 

HER WEBSITE: www.melaniedickerson.com

HER BLOG: www.melaniewrites.blogspot.com