Review The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: November 29th 2011 by Zondervan

From Goodreads:


An unthinkable danger. 


An unexpected choice.


Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. 
As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.


I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair Review.


Find Melanie on the web: Goodreads


Review: 5x5


I really enjoyed this book. I only read a tiny bit of the blurb about the book so I really had no idea going in what it was really about. I was surprised, in a good way! This is an excellent *sort-of* retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The characters she used to tell her story are in the 1300's and she did a great job of making it feel like it was the time. The setting and people are all well written and well researched. The story line itself was very intriguing and very easy to follow.


It also has great Christian influence, as our heroin in all her life she just want's to join a convent so she can read the Holy Bible. The hero is broken in spirit and body and has her read to him from his copy of the Holy Bible. She did a great job of showing how in the times ladies were not even allowed to read from it. The story is heart wrenching and sweet at the same time. I highly recommend it.