“That was what Audrey wished for her life to be — a burst of light. An intense color. Something unforgettable” (location 75). After Audrey is injured, she feels her hopes for that are taken away. When her father tries to marry her to an older man, she flees, hoping to find a place where she’ll belong and feel safe. She stumbles upon a castle of refuge and finds rest. But will trouble follow her there and endanger her new friends?

Rarely do I come across a sibling with such malicious intent so that was unusual and interesting. Audrey is truly remarkable to show compassion to her sibling after all that Maris has done to her. Edwin is an amazing character. He uses his new position to make real changes for those under his protection. He and Audrey both have physical and emotional scars that hinder them from seeing their
own value as children of God and worthy of love. I liked how Edwin and Audrey were able to help each other.

I enjoyed this story and would recommend it. I love stories set in England during this time period. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Castle of Refuge is book two in the Dericott Tale series. It is not necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Audrey may be a viscount’s daughter, but her life is anything but easy. Her mother died at Audrey’s birth, her father barely acknowledges her presence, and her sister has a vicious mean streak and frequently directs her temper at Audrey.

All Audrey wants is to make a difference in the world, but when tragedy occurs, she worries her hopes and dreams for the future have been dashed forever.

When dangerous circumstances force her to flee her home, she finds that dangers lurk in the world as well. Starving, sick, and lost, Audrey is discovered on the road and taken to Dericott Castle where she is nursed back to health.

Terrified of being returned to her father and sister, she pretends to be a servant and decides to remain at the castle and work.

Will Audrey be able to keep her identity a secret and make a new life for herself, or will Lord Dericott find her out and send her home?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. It definitely has a fairy-tale feel to it, and a nice romance. I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline-although I did feel the ending was a bit drawn out.

Overall, it is a fun read-especially if you enjoy the “princess in distress” type of book.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I am really enjoying this new series by Melanie Dickerson. It was fun to catch up with Edwin.
I really appreciated how Dickerson developed what defined the characters' lives based on historical context and how therefore the injury that both Audrey and Edwin sustained from their respective accidents would impact their view of themselves and their role in society. Overall heartwarming story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I should know better by now not to start reading a Melanie Dickerson book in the evening Why? Because it will undoubtedly keep me up until I have finished the entire thing. And, more than likely, I'll make the same mistake next time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Melanie Dickerson is a master storyteller and her creativity and unique writing ability shines through this latest novel. I dare you to start reading and be able to put it down. Once you get into the first chapter, you are hooked. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Full of intense moments and nail-biting suspense, Melanie Dickerson has crafted a story about what it truly means to be masculine and beautiful aways from the current definition. In many ways, I found myself relating to Audrey and other readers will no doubt be able to identify with one or more characteristics of the characters.

In true Melanie Dickerson fashion, this is a thrilling love story that I won't be able to forget soon. Please, for all the readers out there who want a true love story, look no further than this book.

This book is appropriate for ages 13+ for acts of violence.

Castle of Refuge continues the story of Edwin, Lord Dericott. With great attention to 14th century detail, Melanie Dickerson weaves a tale of service, dedication, love and the willingness to sacrifice for others. By looking to the care and comfort of others, 2 scarred individuals will find a level love they never expected. Months after he and his family fight their way from execution and prove their innocence, Edwin is working on adjusting to life with only 1 arm as he as learns to be the new Earl. Audrey is also working through a difficult situation, how to deal with God's directive to obey and love while living in fear of those who should love and protect her. Her older sister has always loathed her and her father has never protected her. But things have gone too far and now Audrey bares the scars of her sister's hate. When she returns home Audrey sees no hope but to flee. When her path crosses with Edwin, they both start to learn how scars do not have to define a person. But Audrey's sister has not given up her need to punish and hurt Audrey. When put to the test, they will both realize that the outward appearance matters little when their inner strength is what defines them. A great story of how to look past the outer to the most important inner traits. I love Melanie Dickerson's fairy tale retellings, they have great detail that pulls the reader into the story. She brings the past to life with vivid descriptions and captivating characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Castle of Refuge is a very well written regency romance. Good plot and character development. I recommend this book.

Castle of Refuge was overall a great story and more along the lines of what I'm come to expect from a Melanie Dickerson book. There was romance, drama, adventure, and suspense. It is a retelling of The Ugly Duckling, which was easy to see as you learned more about the main characters. Both Audrey and Edwin bear scars that make them feel less than others and unlovable. Audrey suffered burn marks to her face caused by her vengeful sister. Edwin is missing one of his arms following injuries he sustained saving his siblings in the first book in this series, Court of Swans.

In my opinion, I enjoyed the overall story and characters better in Castle of Refuge than the previous book. I am a sucker for broody leading men and Edwin certainly is that. He feels like less of a man because of his missing arm. But when Audrey shows up mysteriously at his home and falls seriously ill, he is determined to keep her safe. I also admire Audrey's strength. Sure she has some emotional scars to go alongside the physical ones, but she has a lot of tenacity and an overwhelming desire to do good in the world. This book can be read as a standalone, but is technically book 2 in this series. I don't think a reader would feel lost if they didn't read book 1 first.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.

Castle of Refuge
by Melanie Dickerson
Book 2 in the Dericott Tales series
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Fairytale Retelling
Rating: 4/5

Loosely based on the Ugly Duckling, this beautiful story about acceptance was just what I needed to read today. I am such a huge fan of Melanie Dickerson and she did not disappoint. I really liked how she set up the story. I could feel the main character, Audrey, and her feelings of unworthiness that she grew up with coming from her father and her older sister, Maris. I could feel the malice that Maris held toward her younger sister. As someone interested in psych, Maris would be a fascinating character study, but I also felt Audrey's love for her sister and desire to see her healed. Audrey just desires to belong and be accepted while also pursuing a worthy goal. She finds that by teaching the young girls (no matter their status) to read and write. I also loved seeing how Edwin, the young Earl of Dericott, dealt with the loss of his arm. I didn't think he would have so much trouble with his balance but his darker thoughts were very authentic and relatable. His fear of rejection and fear of being useless was similar to Audrey's fears. They were a perfect couple. Audrey's scars were minimal but still dearly affected her, especially in the eyes of her father. How many times do we allow our scars to define who we are? How many times do we think no one will accept us because we are different? Such a powerful and timely message about unconditional love and the power of belonging!

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean fairytale retellings with a Christian message.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

I had trouble putting this book down! I was so caught up in the story and wanting to know how it would end. I’m not sure what I’d do with a sister like Maris! You won’t be disappointed with this book!

Enjoy a story set in the days of English knights and ladies. It took a little while for me to get into the story, but then it had my attention to the end.
The plot is good, but I struggled with the Mavis character. I understand she was abused as a child and may even have been mentally challenged, but I can’t understand catering to and ignoring the underlying issues instead of dealing with them before they escalated so far.
I also felt the author could have laid a more rounded version of Edwin’s situation with his step mother. I understand the author leaving hints here any there, but I still would have appreciated more detail.
In a time that was often a duty to marry whomever was pick for women, it is refreshing to read of a true love story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A fabulous retelling of The Ugly Duckling set in 14th Century Medieval England. Melanie Dickerson brings us the next tale in the Dericott series, and it does not disappoint. This is an excellent clean, sweet tale fitting for YA lovers of historical fiction. Audrey and Edwin both discover their intrinsic value and worth and that they are lovely to others because of their heart, not their appearance. Audrey is a sweet girl who has lived through some very trying experiences. Her sister is mad with jealousy and her father doesn’t stand up to protect her very well. Edwin is one of the brothers we met previously who lost his arm and is learning how to live and lead with his new disability. Together, they made a sweet couple who overcome so much conflict and hardships; a true happily ever after. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

I always enjoy Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings, and this particular revisiting of the classic Ugly Duckling story was no exception. I love how she brings these sometimes goofy little stories to life by weaving them into the fabric of historical fiction, in this case using the thread of Richard II and the Peasant’s Revolt to give authenticity to her tale.

But this story was more than just a lovely work of historical fiction. It was a wonderful reminder that God uses every bit of us, even our scars (whether physical or emotional) to work all things for the good of those who love Him. The song “Beautifully Broken” by Plumb kept playing in my head while I read this story, pointing out that what we see as broken in us, God sees as beautiful when covered by His mercy and grace.

It was a wonderful read, and I recommend you pick up your own copy of Castle of Refuge, book 2 of the Dericott Tales by Melanie Dickerson.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

Audrey longs for a chance to make a shining difference in the world. Just when it appears that might be happening, her cruel sister causes an injury which disfigures Audrey and tears down her hopes and dreams for the future.

Edwin knows a thing or two about disfigurement. In Court of Swans, the first book in this series, he lost his arm trying to save himself and his brothers from execution after being falsely accused of murder. Adjusting to life with one arm, when before he had been an able-bodied knight, has proved a challenge.

When Audrey runs away from home to save herself from an unwanted marriage, she collapses, sick and weary, on Edwin's property. The two of them see a spark of familiar pain in the eyes of the other, and together seek to protect themselves and those they love from the machinations of Audrey's evil sister Maris.

I really enjoyed the first half this book. Audrey was a bright light, even with all that she'd gone through. I noted down a few quotes from the book, including this one from Chapter 8: "God must have a reason for allowing her scars." I think many of us, whether our scars are external or internal, can relate to wondering how God can choose to work through the pain we've gone through and the scars we've collected. In the second half of this book, the emotions got a little overwrought for my taste, with a lot of crying as dangerous events unfolded. Overall, I do think this is a valuable book for a young adult audience, as it teaches that our woundings and limitations do not define who we are, and that God still has a wonderful plan for our lives even when we might think we've lost our chance for it.

I received my copy of the book from JustReads Publicity. All thoughts in this review are my own.

While fleeing a sister who hates and resents her so much that she has already harmed her once, as well as a marriage to an older knight, Audrey falls ill outside Edwin's castle. He takes her in and nurses her back to health, but fails to recognise her as the girl her father had briefly talked of offering him in marriage several years earlier - the incident which led to her sister attacking her, leaving scars on one side of her face. While Audrey recognises him, she is afraid to tell him who she is lest she be sent back to her father. Can she learn to see past her scars to find happiness? And will the castle be her refuge, or will her sister find her even there and destroy her happiness again, more permanently?

I'm a little conflicted on how to review this. I really enjoyed the story overall, but it was partly spoiled for me by Maris - she's just so pervasively and malevolently evil. There are probably people like that in the world, but I must confess to finding them rather uncomfortable sorts of characters. That aside, the story is clean and well written, somewhat but not overly predictable, and it was good to see more of what happened to Edwin following the loss of his arm in the first book in the series. Note that, while part of a series, this can be read on its own without problems - though I'm interested to hear more of the rest of the family in future books.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Talk about swoonworthy!! Aaaahhh! This book is absolutely fantastic!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, and my opinion is: This is a 5 star must read!!

After having read Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson, book 1 in the Dericott Tales series, I was thrilled to read Castle of Refuge. This is an Ugly Duckling retelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!! You won't want to delay purchasing it if your heart is already held captive by the Dericott family from book 1.

This book features Edwin, Lord Dericott, who lost his arm in book 1. This handicap totally endears him to the reader and makes him absolutely irresistible...IMO. And Audrey, the poor dear, has suffered much abuse at the hands of her older sister. Man! The struggle, the tension, the realness of Maris's (Audrey's sister) madness made me wonder if the author has had personal experiences; it was incredibly written!! I felt myself getting quite anxious at times!!

This book will put you through the wringer washer! I couldn't read the pages fast enough. I'm not a fingernail biter, but this book certainly could have turned me into one temporarily.

Yet another of Melanie’s fairytale retellings! This one is a retelling of The Ugly Duckling & I really enjoyed the characterisation of the two scarred MCs. Both carry physical scars - Audrey has burn scars & Edwin has a missing arm (if you want to know how he lost his arm, you’ll have to read the first book in this series - Court of Swans - but otherwise this novel can totally be read as a standalone. However, knowing the background makes the story so much richer), but they both carry deeper psychological scars also.

Maris was a fascinating and unique antagonist & the suspense was full on. This book once again, just like the first in the Dericott series, reminds me of a YA version of an Abigail Wilson book. It has that same perfect mix of historical feel (although this is medieval rather than Regency) and suspense.

I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend this one if you love historical (either medieval or Regency) and/or YA!

And it’s put me in the mood for more historical suspense, so expect another review from that genre soon!

Thanks @tnzfiction and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return, and here it is!

I really enjoyed this one. This was my first book by this author but will not be my last, in fact I immediately got another of hers upon finishing Castle of Refuge!

Check this one out if you are in the mood for:
❤ Tender, clean romance
📖 Super readable prose
😈 Villainous sister drama
🏰 That special fairytale mood
🗡 Action!

Thank you NetGalley, author Melanie Dickerson, and publisher Thomas Nelson for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
Melanie Dickerson returns with yet another fairy tale retelling, this time The Ugly Duckling.
This book follows a nobleman's daughter named Audrey, who has been at the mercy of her evil older sister since the lost of their mother. As Audrey reaches the marriageable age of fifteen, her father has arranged her marriage to a second son of an earl. But due to Audrey's older sister's jealous, she suffered an accident that left her with burn facial scars and a deeper fear of her sister.
Edwin lost an arm while escaping the Tower of London and feels he can no longer be the man he used to be so proud of. Fate will put both of this scarred souls on the same path of healing and faith with the most unlikely circumstances.
The first couple of chapters were slow, but laid great groundwork for a fantastic story overall. I loved how caring both the main characters were despite all they have gone through and had to overcome. The pacing and the writing were beautiful, which made for a very enjoyable read that could be finished in one sitting! Her stories are always heartwarming and tender! Overall, this was another great book and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I love Melanie Dickerson's writing, but again this new series is falling flat for me. This is about Edwin, who we met in the previous book. He lost his arm and is now trying to move on with his life. The heroine is Audrey who has been severely abused by her sister.

I felt that the characters were very surface, the conversation stilted, the story line not real enough. Perhaps this is being written for a much younger audience.

Castle of Refuge
by Melanie Dickerson
Thomas Nelson--FICTION
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Thomas Nelson
Christian | Teens & YA
Pub Date 01 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 01 Jul 2021

Melanie Dickerson returns with yet another fairy tale retelling, this time The Ugly Duckling. This is a great book for Christian/Teens and YA. I liked Melanie's approach and feel YA will appreciate looking below the surface for beauty. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this ARC.

5 star