The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

 Who doesn't like a fairy tale where the poor and lowly servant has a chance to become a Lady?  For years, little girls have had those grand dreams of becoming a princess. Melanie Dickerson is great at telling fairy tale stories and her newest one, The Beautiful Pretender, is out! I was so excited to pick this newest book up after reading The Golden Braid last November.  Find out what I thought of this newest book.

From the Back Cover:

 

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?
The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

My Review:
 I loved this book!  Melanie did a fabulous job weaving together a beautiful story.  There is romance, of course, but also, murder attempts, spying and a mystery to solve.  Avelina's character has known such hardship in her life, and only dreams of the chance to have a future that is full of love and happiness.  The Margrave of Thornbeck is a man that seems so gruff on the outside, that no one really knows the caring man he is on the inside.  Reading through the story, the reader is kept wondering if the Margrave will pick the servant, Avelina, or not.  But if he does pick her, what will she do knowing that she can't marry him?  Melanie Dickerson has written another great book that you'll definitely want to add to your library!

***I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.