The Secret Slipper (Amanda Tero) – Review + Giveaway

~ About the Book ~

Being a cripple is only the beginning of Lia’s troubles. It seems as if Bioti’s goal in life is to make Lia as miserable as possible. If Lia’s purpose is to be a slave, then why did God make her a cripple? How can He make something beautiful out of her deformity?
Raoul never questioned the death of his daughter until someone reports her whereabouts. If Ellia is still alive, how has she survived these ten years with her deformity? When Raoul doesn’t know who to trust, can he trust God to keep Ellia safe when evidence reveals Bioti’s dangerous character?
As time brings more hindrances, will Raoul find Ellia, or will she forever be lost to the father she doesn’t even know is searching for her?
Genre:  Young Adult 
Series:  #2 Tales of Faith
Release date:  25 May 2017
Pages:  166

Amazon US  //  Amazon AU  //  Goodreads

~ Excerpt ~

Remembrance flashed across Elayne’s face. “Jolin is in the study. He said it was urgent business and that he would not leave until you returned.”
“Send for Galien.” Whatever the business, Raoul knew he’d need both men at his service. His stride quickened as he went through the halls. His study door was open. “What is it?” he asked, before fully entering the room.
Jolin closed the door and stood beside it, studying his hands as they rolled and unrolled the brim of his hat.
“Well?” Raoul went to his desk and sat down, laying his forearms on the surface in front of him. “I am ready for business, Jolin. Or shall we wait for Galien?”
Jolin wlked to the chair opposite the desk, but didn’t sit down. “I met one of your old servants, m’lord.”
Raoul groaned and leaned back. How was this urgent? “The complaints of unjust dues. Really, Jolin, you ought to know how to handle those by now.”
“Nay, m’lord.” Jolin met Raoul’s gaze, his blue eyes serious. “’Twas Nes.”
Raoul’s neck stiffened as the door opened, admitting Galien. “Should I remember him for any particular reason? He was my groundsman—“
“Who allegedly died in the plague.” Jolin’s blunt tone added force to his words.
Raoul lowered his voice, even though Galien had already closed the door. “You say he’s alive?”
“Aye. He is asking for money.”
“Why should the lord hand money to a servant?” Galien asked, settling into the chair beside Jolin, seeming to piece the conversation together. “You ought to make him pay, leaving under a guise.”
“He says he’s not the only servant who left behind an empty grave,” Jolin said. “He’ll give information…for a price.”
“Get to the point, Jolin.” Raoul couldn’t explain the growing tension that threaded itself through his muscles.
As far as he cared, Nes and the memories of the plague could be removed from his life.
“Bioti didn’t die either.” Jolin’s fingers kneaded his hat again. “Nes says she took Ellia with her.”

~ Review ~

This is a sweet variation on the story of Cinderella featuring a father seeking to find his long-lost daughter rather than a prince seeking to find his princess. Set in a medieval-style fictional world (like all the best fairy-tales!), Lia’s life has been one of constant manual labour in order that her ‘mother’, Bioti, might continue to maintain her high standard of living. The unrealistic expectations Bioti has placed on Lia are compounded by the fact that she has a club foot, and is therefore not able to move as quickly as others.
Raoul lost his first wife, Ellia’s mother, in the same plague he believes took Ellia’s life. Although he has found happiness in his subsequent marriage, they have been unable to have children. Learning that Ellia may be alive sends him on a determined search that seems to be frustrated at every turn.
The story has a strong, but simple message about trusting in God, and the way He uses all things for good, even Lia’s deformity. Lia also learns that inward beauty is more important that outward beauty. Both the story and the writing style are well suited to younger readers (I would have no qualms giving this to my eleven-year-old daughter), especially those who are looking for a fairy-tale style story with a definite Christian message.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

~ Other Books in Series ~

~ Giveaway ~

To celebrate her tour, Amanda is giving away a grand prize of paperback copies of Amanda’s three novellas: Journey to Love, Befriending the Beast, and The Secret Slipper.Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b994

~ About the Author ~

Amanda Tero is a homeschool graduate who desires to provide God-honoring, family-friendly reading material. She has enjoyed writing since before ten years old, but it has only been since 2013 that she began seriously pursuing writing again – starting with some short stories that she wrote for her sisters as a gift. Her mom encouraged her to try selling the stories she published, and since then, she has begun actively writing short stories, novellas, and novels.
If something she has written draws an individual into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, it is worth it!

Connect with Amanda:  Website  //  Facebook  //  Instagram  //  Pinterest

~ Blog Stops ~

Tour page on Celebrate Lit

June 6: Desperate Homeschoolers  //  Remembrancy  //  Pursuing Stacie
June 7: It’s Storytime with Van Daniker
June 8: Fiction Aficionado
June 9: These Splendid Sentences  //  Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
June 10: Blogging With Carol  //  Reading Is My SuperPower (Spotlight)
June 11: The Power of Words  //  Karen Sue Hadley
June 12: Moments Dipped in Ink  //  A Path of Joy
June 13: Bukwurmzzz  //  cherylbbookblog (Spotlight)
June 14: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
June 15: Zerina Blossom’s Books
June 16: Live.Love.Read.
June 17: A Baker’s Perspective
June 18: History, Mystery & Faith
June 19: Henry Happens  //  Bookworm Mama (Spotlight)

If you were going to choose a fairy-tale to rewrite, which one would it be?