Another good read....

      Where do I even start?  This book was amazing!  Heather Dixon, has done an amazing story of retelling the fairytale of the twelve dancing princesses.  The story opens with Azalea, the oldest of the princesses and all of them named for flowers/plants, getting ready for her first ball.  Her mother has not been well, so she will serve as hostess.  Her mother calls her to her room so that she can visit with her, which leaves Azalea even more worried about her pregnant mother.  She tells the king, her father, about her concerns.  During the evening and the ball, her mother passes away, leaving Azalea in charge of all of her sisters, including newborn Lily. The castle is forced into mourning, which for the girls means no dancing.  Dancing is what they loved to do most with mother and they feel they have lost her more than ever.  The king goes off to war leaving the girls alone.

      Azalea continues to find ways to defy the mourning rules and her father, whom the girls feel does not even care that they are there.  Led to a secret and magical area of the palace, the girls meet Mr. Keeper, who earns the attraction of Azalea.  Is he as perfect as he seems?  Is the place as wonderful as what it seems?  And then there is Captain Bradford, who would make a perfect king for the country.  But will he make her a perfect husband?  Who will she choose, or rather who will choose her?  And will any of them survive the darkness that overtakes the palace?  

      This is a wonderful story that you can get lost in.  I giggled, I cried, I mourned with the princesses.  This is a wonderful, magical read that you should race right out and get!

Until next time & happy reading!

Tammy Jo