If you enjoy my books and historical romance then I am thrilled to introduce you to Melanie Dickerson! I have thoroughly enjoyed her novel, The Healer’s Apprentice, and think you will love it too! Here is what the book is about and what people are saying about it!
When destiny sleeps, it can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.
In this historical romance based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, a woodcutter’s daughter becomes the town healer’s apprentice. She must prove herself a competent healer or she faces marrying a disgusting old merchant her mother has picked out.
Lord Hamlin, the future Duke, is injured and Rose must tend him. He is everything that is noble and good, but loving him is forbidden. He is already betrothed to a mysterious woman in hiding.
With two noble-born brothers vying for her affections, Rose learns that the people of Hagenheim are not always who they seem.
“The plot unfolds at a satisfying clip with zesty supporting characters. Dickerson combines fairy tale ambience with historical touches to create a colorful and convincing atmosphere in this strong debut.” –Publisher’s Weekly
“The medieval German setting and fastidious details of period clothing, food, music and dance provide an ideal context… Female readers should savor this romantic fare.” –Kirkus Reviews
“In her debut, Dickerson spins a magical tale… Laced with plenty of romance, action, faith and fantasy, it’s a perfectly romantic and well-told tale.” –Romantic Times
I asked Melanie one question: What are you most excited about with this book?
I am really excited that The Healer’s Apprentice is being published as a Young Adult book. Women write me and say they enjoyed it and didn’t realized it was a YA book, but I’m glad my publisher is specifically targeting young people. It contains truths in it that I wish I’d known as a teen. I love hearing from young people who were impacted it. And I love hearing from parents who say they’re excited to share it with their daughters. My heart’s desire is for young people to stay strong and defeat the enemy of their souls, who is trying to destroy them and destroy the wonderful future God has for them. I want to show that God is the ultimate hero of our stories, and that romantic love is really a picture of God’s great love for us.
Isn’t the cover lovely?
Just answer this question for a chance to win a copy of The Healer’s Apprentice! Since Melanie’s books are loosely based on fairy tales, what is your favorite fairy tale and why?
My all time favorite is the fairy tale behind the Tanabata Festival in Japan.
“Orihime (織姫, Weaving Princess?), daughter of the Tentei (天帝, Sky King, or the universe itself?), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (天の川, Milky Way, lit. “heavenly river”?). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (彦星, Cow Herder Star?) (also referred to as Kengyuu (牽牛?)) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. Tentei was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river. It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet.” -Wiki
I would have to say Cinderella, is still my favorite. It’s just so timeless and classic. What little girl doesn’t wish to be Cinderella at least once?
The cover is beautiful! It made me come over from FB to see what book it was.
Favorite fairy tale….aren’t they all basically the same?! Beautiful girl in need of saving, handsome prince wanting to save her.
But Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. I love that she saw past her fear to see his heart and that transformed him.
My favorite fairy tale is Beauty & The Beast. Mainly because Belle not only got a handsome prince, she also got the world’s best library!
I also liked that she wasn’t shallow. She loved the beast, claws and all.
As a child, I loved Cinderella. Who wouldn’t want a fairy godmother to give you a new gown, and then be whisked in a horse drawn carriage to a ball where you meet Prince Charming? It’s the ultimate in fairy tale romance.
Oooh! Melanie, what if you did a retelling of Cinderella with a Prince who isn’t so Charming? That would be interesting.
By the way, The Healer’s Apprentice is a wonderful read. I relished my copy and so have a few others, who have then gone out and purchased their own!
So don’t enter me.
I’m very much looking forward to The Merchant’s Daughter, coming – when did you say?! EARLY??? Yes – I think so, this November!!
I don’t know that I have a favorite fairy tale, but I surely enjoyed the movie Ladyhawke. It had it all – beautiful setting, fabulous story, well-acted (for the most part), lots of humor and wonderful love triumphing over evil. Yes. Ahhh. My kinda story!
LOL! Love your answer about the library, Angela!
It’s fun to hear about everyones favorite fairy tale. I think mine is Cinderella too. It’s the first one I read as a little girl and such a classic tale of the humble persevering and overcoming.
Somehow, I think this is an unfair question. Lol! I LOVE fairy tales, both the classics and the newer, generational retellings, so it’s really hard for me to choose. I’m going to say Beauty and the Beast.
I’m actually branching off from writing my traditional christian fantasy books toward a 1st person Christian fairytale. I’m SO excited!! Anyway, thanks so much for bringing this book to my attention… I can’t WAIT to read it! 
~Amanda Bradburn
Wow The Healer’s Apprentice sounds like a wonderful book. I look forward to seeing it in bookstores soon! Please enter me in your contest! It is so hard to chose my favorite fairy tale though- I would have to say right now anyways either Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast. Both are such beautiful and romantic stories, so fun
Hahahahaha! I would LOVE to have Belle’s library! I, too, was going to say BATB, but then I read the comments. I also loved Little Mermaid and Twelve Dancing Princesses. And any tale where the overlooked servant got the handsome prince:)
Who wouldn’t want Belle’s library?!
My favorite fairy tale(s) of all time:
, and I love-love-love them … I think because in both cases, it’s not the dashing good looks or status of the Prince which wins the girl – it’s the time she spends with him, getting to know him, learning to love him — and, of course, him learning too. I guess I love them because they seem more ‘real’, ya know? 
A little more likely to happen than a prince hunting me down to return a shoe, lol … So if you see a wandering Polar Bear? Let me know! 
Beauty and the Beast AND East o’ the Sun, West o’ the Moon
They’re actually pretty similar, to my heart & mind at least
My favorite is most definitely Cinderella. My daughter (and even our little son) love it and have watched it many times. I love that Cinderella showed so much humility and never wanted revenge. I also like that the “evil” characters were not witches, sorcerers, or something else that my children consider scary.
Was thinking of purchasing a couple for the pre-teen girls in my life; glad to hear I’m on the right track! Now, I think I must read it, too! Thanks for the great info!
Disney version: hands down Beauty and the Beast. Belle is independent, not afraid to take matters into her own hands and loves to read! Classes tales: any that show good virtues prevailing over evil.
My favorite fairy tale is the Wild Swans, also known as the Six Swans. I love how strong the girl was, how determined to save her brothers even though it meant considerable pain and hardship for herself. Also, the idea of a romance where they fall in love without words on her part always sparked my imagination. Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest is a particularly lovely version.
I have read The Healer’s Apprentice and loved it, it would be great to have a copy.
I liked Cinderella, and my children loved it, too, esp. my daughter.
I love all these comments! Thanks, everyone, for commenting!
Angela, you read my mind!!! My next book is a Beauty and the Beast story, coming out in November called The Merchant’s Daughter, as KC pointed out. And I’m planning a Cinderella retelling, and the prince isn’t so charming! He’s your typical take-charge male who loves jousting and war games and fighting and all that testosterone-laden stuff that makes men men!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m actually writing a Snow White story at the moment. The Cinderella one is still in the planning stages.
Beauty and the Beast, animated. LOVE the singing teapot and ballroom. I’d forgotten about all the books, but I’d love them all in my own house!
I’ve heard such great reviews on the Healer’s Apprentice. I find that teen novels it well with us oldies, too! Get to reminisce.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
My favorite fairytale is, without a doubt, Beauty and the Beast. I love watching it – even now that I am 18. It has a good lesson – about looking past a person’s outward appearence and looking at the heart.
Thanks for the chance to win!
~ Katy
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com
The Princess and the Pea because I read it all the time for my little one and she always kicked something wicked whenever I did. sounds silly, but it made me feel like a mommy for the first time.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Thurs March 3rd,
Hi Melanie.
I believe my most favourite fairy-tale, is ‘Cinderella’. Always impressed with ‘true love’, committment, devotion, and determination. All of those aspects are in that story. The Princess is – humble, sincere, beautiful inside and out. Prince Charming — is faithful, consistent – never giving up hope, where love conquers all ! It is a classic — ‘everyone’ would love to have or be in this kind of a relationship ! It’s romanctic and pure !!! A real love-story for sure !!!
Thank-you for entering me into your contest. I would love to win a copy of ‘The Healer’s Apprentice’ … sounds like a wonderful and excellent story !
Brenda Hurley ( brennie7@hotmail.com )