Dericott Tales

Where there is wealth and power, there's always someone willing to do anything to take it. England, 1381: Delia's idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia's seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn't stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom. Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can't ignore the sense, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work. Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?

To live an unforgettable life, she would defy all expectations-including her own. Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry-until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her prospects even further. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister's cruelty. So when her father announces his plans to marry off his damaged daughter and bring Maris back home, Audrey decides to flee in search of her true destiny. However, life outside her home is dangerous, and she soon finds herself attacked, sick, and in dire straits. She is taken in at Dericott Castle to be nursed back to health. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn't count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier and bears scars of his own. Meanwhile, Edwin-Lord Dericott-is curious about the new, well-educated servant's identity. When the man Audrey's father wanted her to marry comes looking for her, each must make a life-changing decision about what to believe and whether or not love is truly worth trusting. In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a highstakes, encouraging tale about the power of love. "When it comes to happily-ever-afters, Melanie Dickerson is the undisputed queen." -Julie Lessman, award-winning author "Set in the harsh society of fourteenth century England, Court of Swans tells a powerful story of forgiveness, love, and choosing joy amidst trials. Dickerson continues to impress with her masterful balance of plot and message, capturing attention with a strong heroine and tugging at heartstrings with themes of trusting God when life seems to fall apart. A book perfect for teen and adult readers alike." -Caroline George, author of Dearest Josephine, on Court of Swans

Princess Elyce is on the verge of marrying the nephew of the unscrupulous King Conrad of a neighboring kingdom, when she discovers that Conrad will use her marriage to force her people to work in his mines. In order to fake her own death and escape him, she takes a sleeping potion, planning to awaken on the third day and then travel to Prague to seek help from King Wenceslaus, who rules the Holy Roman Empire. But, her plan goes awry: the third day comes without her waking up. Sir Gerard is convinced by Delia, his sister and Elyce's best friend, to go help the sleeping princess, still slumbering and held captive by King Conrad's guards. He manages to wake her with a kiss, but the princess is not pleased at this rude awakening. Still, he is her only hope of escape. Thus, begins their journey to Prague in the dead of winter, hounded on all sides by elements and enemies. The greatest threat may come from within, though, as they desperately fight against their growing feelings for one another.

Mazy dreams of independence. Sir Berenger longs to play the hero. But in each other, they may find the secret to happily ever after. Mazelina of Wexcombe has always dreamed of traveling with her father to land beyond the confining walls of their castle. But his sudden death deprives her of the future she imagined. Abandoned by her eldest brother, Mazy is soon forced to seek help from her beloved brother Sir John at the great estate of Strachleigh. Her visit leads to a friendship with the dashing and noble Sir Berenger of Dericott. He has notions of rescuing a damsel in distress. But Mazy is brave enough to defend herself and has proven that her skills in archery and knife throwing rival that of a knight's. So when he is called away to Prussian lands, Sir Berenger looks to distinguish himself in battle. When Sir Berenger returns, he and Mazy meet again on the streets of London, where she is making a living selling goods in the market. Meanwhile, he has been summoned by the king to receive a reward for his service. But the recognition comes with a price: He must marry a wealthy, titled widow to please the king. But when Mazy begins to suspect treachery, she embarks on a journey to the fortress of snow to warn the brave knight and secure her own fairy-tale ending.

She was an orphan of no importance... Violet Lambton never imagined herself as anything but average. Adopted as a young child, she's content with her comfortable life in her small medieval town with her faith, her books, and her baking... and the vivid red cloak her grandmother gifted her. Her one dream: to find a love that is pure and true. Then, her beloved grandmother is robbed by the villainous Baron Dunham. Outraged, Violet finds herself in the midst of the action and determines to put an end to the evil baron's mistreatment of the hardworking people. He was an ordinary knight serving the baron... Sir Merek, a knight in the service of Baron Dunham, has pledged his life to fighting injustice and defending the weak. But when he encounters the spirited and beautiful Violet and discovers the depths of the baron's treachery, he realizes that serving his employer is not serving the kingdom, and so he sets out on a daring journey to go behind the baron's back to expose his deceitfulness to the king. Suddenly the kingdom depends on both of them. But before Merek and Violet can act to bring the corruption to light, Violet is captured and brought directly to Dunham-where she shockingly discovers a secret that shakes her entire world... and the future she dreams of. Thrown together in the baron's quarters in a race against time to save the lives of their loved ones and themselves, Violet and Merek must learn to trust each other to expose Dunham's treachery to the king, all while succumbing to their growing feelings for each other. Can the two find their happily ever after against all odds, or will the wolves amongst them drive them apart? From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a thrilling retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood," where two hearts must learn to trust themselves and each other in order to save a kingdom.