Book Blitz: Bound Beauty (Wylder Tale, #3) by Jennifer Silverwood

Bound Beauty
Jennifer Silverwood
(A Wylder Tale, #3)
Publication date: July 14, 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Forgotten gods haunt her steps, and the cursed prince she left behind isn’t done fighting for her soul.

Vynasha is bound to the prince of Bitterhelm. Even if she were to die, her spirit will remain trapped with him in the castle forever. But she won’t give in to Grendel without a fight. With the aid of an oracle, a witchling, and the wolf that claims her heart, Vynasha plans to claim her power as the curse breaker.

Ceddrych guards their nephew secretly while fighting to keep the feral beasts roaming their borders at bay. But the monsters are closing in, and the madness he has struggled with drives him to one desperate, unforgivable act.

A war is about to begin between the forgotten people of Wylderland and the cruel might of Bitterhelm. Beings of prophecy and legend unite in the epic third chapter of the Wylder Tales Series, a romantic gothic re-telling of Beauty and the Beast.

WYLDER TALES is a series of romantic dark fairy tales, set in the past of the wider Borderlands Saga, and includes:

•slow burn romantasy
•forced proximity
•enemies to lovers
•found family
•magical bonds
•wicked witches
•burly beasts
•morally gray characters

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EXCERPT:

IN A FORGOTTEN CASTLE IN WYLDERLAND…

Alone with Grendel, the man she had been tempted to love, the prince she loathed, Vynasha didn’t want to wake up. Let her sleep for a thousand years like the cursed princess, Morana. Let these walls crumble, the rose garden spread throughout the keep with thorns and vines to keep the world out forever.

“I know you are awake, Ashes.”

Vynasha opened her eyes. The prince stood before the hearth, his back to her. He hadn’t changed clothes since she had last seen him. Yet his faintly luminous skin had dimmed from bronze to the dull gray she remembered. “What happened?” she asked.

“A fever in your sleep. Odym says it was the runes.” Grendel’s shoulders hunched as he hung his head. “I should not have come, I know this. But I…” he twisted to face her. “Forgive me, Vynasha, but I cannot stay away from you any longer. I could feel your pain through the bond, yet there was nothing I could do to stop her,” he growled. “Do not ask me to leave you again, I beg of you.”

Vynasha should have been disgusted, but she was coming to accept the fact that Odym had been right. No matter how she truly felt, they needed each other. And she could not deny the way his words danced about her mind and breathed life back into her limbs.

“I wish I could tell you I was different,” he continued, “before my mother cursed me. But the truth is, I was always a monster.” Grendel drew his shoulders back and lifted his chin, pushing away from the fireplace mantel. He shook his head and held his hands before him, palms upturned. “I never wanted to be my father. I shall not make his mistakes, and so I will be honest with you, Ash. No more secrets.”

She shuddered and desperately wished she could bathe, could banish dreams of Nymwe and be rid of the prince. The dread she felt before only grew as Grendel paused, clenching his fists as though steeling himself for words he could not take back.

“I owe you everything, so much more than you know. When you willingly accepted the curse, you took some of the monster into you. I have not been forced to change into a beast ever since. It has given me time to remember myself in your absence, who I was and who I hope to be.”

Vynasha ground her sharp teeth. So they not only shared a bond with his spirit, but she had taken part of his beast? That they were forced to share something she had learned to take pride in made her ill.

Whatever he saw in her face must have pained him, enough for him to turn away. “Forgive me. I shall go. I should have never hoped…” He shook his head, dispelling whatever he might have said as he took two more steps to the door.

She traced the tip of her tongue on her lip, tasting the blood she spilled to forget. His hand was on the doorknob when she said, “Wait.” The strength behind her command surprised her and caused the prince to freeze in place.

Vynasha lifted her hand with surprising ease. “Stay?”

We need each other.

His graying skin flickered to golden life as he turned with hope burning in his violet eyes. “Always.”

At his word, his promise, Vynasha released the breath she didn’t know she had been holding. Even then, a small corner of her mind railed against her actions, at the feelings she couldn’t seem to control. It must Grendel’s influence, his feelings trickling through their bond.

This is wrong.

Still, she couldn’t deny how the persistent itch beneath her skin abated with him beside her, holding her hand. It shouldn’t have mattered. Truly, she hated how easily she gave in to these feelings. She could never tell him. Grendel had bound her life to his. Even if she were to leave, to beg the wylderfolk to take her back into their home, she would never be rid of him. And the longer she remained in the prince’s castle, the less she wanted to be free.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Silverwood lives in the middle of an enchanted forest surrounded by cursed books, nosy spirits, and mischievous goblins she calls her children. After beginning several nonsensical degrees, she found her calling helping other authors bring their books to life. Jennifer is the author of two fairy tale fantasy series: the Borderlands Saga and Wylder Tales. Because she wasn't satisfied writing in one genre, she also invites you to explore uncharted space with the Heaven’s Edge Novellas—and dare to fall in love again with the standalone romance titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight.

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Book Review: Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow

Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teamwork makes the Happily Ever After dream work!

Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow is an enchanting young adult romantasy that reimagines the Cinderella fairytale and combines it with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Newly graduated as the head of her class from the Mortal Outcome Academy, young fairy Darling Sparkleton is given her first assignment to guide Mortal, Lucy Addlesberg, onto the path to her HAPPY EVER AFTER, with the added incentive that, if she is successful, she will win a much-coveted mentorship with the ruling board, the Mortal Outcome Committee. What Darling doesn’t realize is that Calamity, a celestial Misfortune and another recent graduate of the academy, has been given the same opportunity. However, his success means he must guide Lucy away from the risky path to an HEA and make a safer choice that would result in an ORDINARY EVER AFTER, without her one true love.

This book had such a fun plot, with an absolutely delightful main couple: Darling and Calamity (or Calam, for short). Darling is all glitter and light and sweetness, while Calam is her opposite. Competitors for the same life-changing prize, they have entirely different missions until they discover they really want the same outcome. Their gradual understanding of the nature of mortals, free will and self-determination, love, and each other, as well as their slow-burn, inevitable, sweet romance, make for a wonderfully layered tale.

The story moves at a fast pace, and I found it hard to find a good stopping point in the narrative without being loath to put the book down and take a break. The banter between Darling and Calam sparkled from more than fairy dust, and I laughed out loud in several places. I loved Darling’s interventions to improve the lot of the entire village of Fulham, especially her solution for the toxic Mrs. Arconia, who used her local status and means to make people, including Lucy, miserable.

However, the story isn’t all froth and fun. Both Darling and Calam face tough personal struggles. While Calam’s success means he can finally escape a lifetime of criticism and disapproval from his cold, emotionally-aggressive father, Darling suffers from the highs and lows of Vacillating Disorder, where negativity and self-doubt can send her into a frightening downward spiral of self-hate; both issues have real-life parallels.

This Cinderella story has a number of twists on the original, and I found it entertaining, hard to put down, and so very, very satisfying when I reached the last page. I recommend UNTIL THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT to readers of young adult romantasies, young adult fantasy coming-of-age stories, and fairytale reimaginings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.


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Book Review: The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta R. Garg

The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories by Ekta R. Garg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Clever and entertaining stories that lean slightly to the left and right of classic fairy tales.

Fairytales. We all grew up listening to them told over and over, in all forms of artistic media: storytelling, plays, dance, and film. In Ekta R. Garg's reimaginings, she takes these well-known, familiar gems and gives us, in the words of Paul Harvey, "the rest of the story."

The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories is a small compilation of tales created in response to the author's question of "why" a character acted the way they did in the famous story or "why" a situation arose in the first place. For instance, remember when, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's house falls on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East? Garg answers the question of why the witch was in the roadway where the house landed. What follows is a fun and completely reasonable explanation with an unexpected twist that ties the popular L. Frank Baum novel to another familiar but unrelated tale. Garg works similar magic on the fairy tales of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Emperor's New Clothes, Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, and the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill." The results are imaginative, surprising, and spun gold.

I recommend THE WITCH'S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES to readers who enjoy fairytale reimaginings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.


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Book Review: The White Deer of Kildare (The Castle in Kilkenney, #2) by Christy Matheson

The White Deer of Kildare by Christy Matheson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maura is swept back in time on the eve of the family's first winter solstice in Ireland.

The White Deer of Kildare is the second book in author Christy Matheson's The Castle in Kilkenney: Fairy Tales series featuring the melded Robinson family as they approach their first holiday season outside the U.S. and away from the children's father and the teens' mother. Everyone is settling into their new lives, and it's time for Aiden and Kaylee to travel back to Florida to spend the winter break with their mother. But this year, the kids are determined to continue guiding their own lives and refuse to board the plane. Maura understands their decision but worries about their mother's feelings. Roy, the father of all the children, is now threatening to go back to court and get custody of Oona and Oliver if she doesn't force the older ones to comply.

In the meantime, Oliver brings home a school friend, whom Maura has never met, along with his large pet, to spend the holidays with them at the castle. Maura soon discovers that Oisin's "deerhound," Saba, is really his mother, the former queen of their castle and wife to the legendary Finn mac Cumhaill, enchanted to take the form of one of the famed white deer of Celtic mythology. Although delighted by present times, Saba feels Maura could use a couple of ladies-in-waiting to help her run the household, so she crosses back in time to recruit some likely candidates to come to the future, taking Maura with her. However, while Saba can move between the centuries on her own, she has no real plan for returning Maura to her own time.

The story is a modern retelling of The White Deer and some of the tales of Finn mac Cumhaill. Apparently, the mentions of Saba are generally incomplete, so the author does a wonderfully creative job of filling the gaps in the emotional and tragic tale. Saba is a little naïve initially but stout-hearted and a true friend to Maura all the way to the end of the story. It will be interesting to see how Oisin's presence in the Robinson family is explained in future books. As for the question of the teens' holiday plans, I was glad to see how that played out in a satisfactory manner.

While this is the second book in the series, new readers can easily read and enjoy the story without having read the previous one; however, it really is not one to miss! I recommend THE WHITE DEER OF KILDARE to readers who enjoy contemporary retellings of classic fairy tales.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Book Review - The Horned Women: A Contemporary Retelling of an Irish fairy tale (The Castle of Kilkenney, #1) by Christy Matheson

The Horned Women by Christy Matheson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eerie introduction to the Robinson family, Americans relocated to Ireland.

The Horned Women is the first book in author Christy Matheson’s The Castle in KilKenney series, contemporary retellings of some of Ireland’s most well-known fairy tales. When Maura divorced her cheating husband, Roy, she not only gained full custody of their two small children and an ancient castle in Ireland but, out of the blue, his teenage son and daughter from a previous marriage also applied to the judge to live with her as well. Soon, Maura finds herself a divorced mother of four living in her dream setting, although the dilapidated Irish castle requires some work to bring it up to standards, hopefully at Roy’s expense. As the merged family settles in, there are some bumps along the way, especially with spoiled teenager Kaylee, who appears to have been completely ignored by her parents for most of her young life.

After the children are in bed, Maura turns to needlework for relaxation. One evening, a strange old woman with a single horn growing from her forehead barges into the great room uninvited and, without a word, begins carding wool. She is joined one after another by eleven more old women, each with one more horn than the one that came before her, all with evil intentions in mind. Using her wits and knowledge of Irish folklore and with the much-needed assistance from a surprising source, she must figure out a way to banish the horned women from the castle for good and protect all her children.

The young family and how they are adapting to each other and their new life without their father is the heart of this story. Maura loves her own children, Oona and Oliver, but until the divorce, she had little interaction with the older two, which makes their request to the judge all the more unexpected. It seems their father and mother are real pieces of work, intent on their own desires, leaving their two children to grow up alone and unwanted. Despite this, Aiden is quickly growing into a kind, considerate young man; however, Kaylee, the daughter, has suffered from the lack of parental love and affection, something Aiden may have recognized and prompted his unusual request. The mystical intrusion of the fairy tale into Maura’s present time reveals how she’s gradually come to love the older two like her own.

I recommend THE HORNED WOMEN to readers who enjoy scary fairy tale retellings.

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Children's Book Review: Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans, illustrated by Julia Patton

Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whimsical and amusing retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff with a HEA for everyone!

Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans is the whimsically amusing tale of a family of goats in a story with elements similar to the familiar, old fairytale of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. In this updated version, the goat family has expanded to five, and there is a wonderful happy-ever-after in store for all involved.

Told with rhyme and rhythm, rather than the possibly frightening and confrontational meetings set on the bridge pitting cunning goats against an evil troll, this is a fun story with goats on a mission to celebrate Granny Goat’s birthday at her home some ways away. Worried about the troll who lives under the bridge, which is on the only footpath to granny’s house, the goats hatch a plan to bypass it entirely and travel downriver by canoe, carrying with them a tall and delicious-looking but very unstable and wobbly birthday cake. The suspense around whether that cake is going to make it is very much a part of the fun. The young troll is very interested in what the goats are up to, but in a curiously longing fashion, as if he’s sad at being left out of the coming celebration. With a girl goat and boy goats, some less athletic and others more physically coordinated in the group, this little story has five goats of varying characteristics and abilities for children to consider and relate to, and all the characters are adorable.

What would a children’s picture be without gloriously colorful images to help tell the tale? This one is filled with cute and engaging illustrations by Julia Patton, and it has lots of fun details to examine with each and every reading. Children and the adult guiding them through the story will delight in trying to locate the shy troll hiding on every page as he follows the goats’ progress down the river in their canoe.

The book would be perfect for bedtime reading or reading aloud and sharing in larger group settings. With its variety of characters, detailed illustrations, and sweet story with its surprise ending, this book could attract interest and provide entertainment over multiple readings. I recommend GOATS AFLOAT for children of all ages and for sharing at home, in the classroom, or after-school program settings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

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Book Tour & Giveaway: Red Kingdom (Fairy Tale Retellings, #2) by Rachel L. Demeter

 

Red Kingdom

Fairy Tale Retellings, Book Two

by

Rachel L. Demeter

Historical Romance (Medieval)

Publication Date: April 10, 2024

Page count: 410 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.

Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she made to her grandmother on her deathbed.

Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.

United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.

Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?

Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a passionate historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the longing for a world at harmony.

*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined classic fairy tales. Due to adult content and themes, it is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

What you can expect from Red Kingdom... 

Dark, Medieval Setting

Enemies to Lovers

Slow Burn

Broken Alpha Hero

Strong Heroine

Wolf Companion

He Falls First

Redemption

Warring Kingdoms

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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REVIEW:

5 stars!

A wonderful enemies-to-lovers medieval romance and fairy tale reimagining. 

Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter is the second offering in the author's Fairy Tale Retellings series and features the elements of the Little Red Riding Hood story. However, this is assuredly a grown-up fable of danger, suspense, adult situations, and a well-done enemies-to-lovers slow-burn storyline, and definitely not one to share with the kiddies. 

Princess Blanchette Winslowe is a wonderful heroine. Her upbringing has kept her ignorant of the truth of her father's cold, harsh reign, and she is completely taken by surprise when his knights, led by Sir Rowan Dietrich – the Black Wolf – stage an insurrection. She begins the story naïve and sheltered, though compassionate and kind, but is abruptly forced to face a reality she never even suspected existed. The character experiences great growth and development as she discovers the truth about the state of her homeland and the people her father was meant to safeguard and nurture. 

Sir Rowan, formerly a friend and supporter of Blanchette's father, had been committed to wresting control of the kingdom from King Bartholomew without harming the innocent prince and princess of the castle. Still, unbeknownst to him, some of his soldiers had plans to take their rage and revenge out on anyone in the household. He's a principled man, valuing honor, justice, respect, and upholding the lord's responsibility for caring for the people of the land. 

Together, Princess Blanchette and Sir Rowan are dynamite with a long, slow-burning fuse. 

The author's storytelling drew me right into their world and I practically inhaled this story – it was so good. The shocking opening attack on Winslowe Castle literally changed my plans for the evening; I had to keep reading! The immediate tension, vivid descriptions, and the palpable terror of the characters make for intense and compelling reading. While the plot changes to the relationship between the two main characters, the story's mesmerizing nature continues. 

I recommend RED KINGDOM to romance readers who enjoy fairy tale retellings, a medieval time period, and an enemies-to-lovers storyline.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!

Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I physically learned how to write, I'd narrate stories to my mom, and she'd record them for me.

I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.

In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.

I'm passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.

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