1365 - Barony of Mallen - Holy Roman Empire

Magdalen Mallin has been allowed to go for a walk but is told to be home before dark. Shortly after she leaves, she is urgently summoned home by her mother. She learns that the Duke of Wolfberg has sent for her as he wants to marry her. This marriage will help save her family from poverty.

The family owns some mines which appear to have “run dry.” But Magdalen has made the duke think that there is copper in those mines and that the family has money. Having already lost a betrothal to an earl when he found out the family has no money, she does not want this to happen again.

Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg is traveling to Castle Wolfberg after having been away studying for two years. He is traveling with two men he doesn’t trust. When they attack him, he is able to kill them which makes him remorseful. He thinks that it is Lord Hazen who wants him dead. He soon finds that he man has plotted to take his place.

As Magdelan travels to to Castle Wolfberg to meet Steffan, Agnes, her lady’s maid, pulls a knife on her saying she wants to marry the duke. Magellan is told she must change places with Agnes. Upon arrival at the castle, Magdalan is sent to care for the geese.

Lord Hazen and Agnes, posing as Steffan and Magdalen, are planning to marry and take over. The story follows the real Magdalen and Steffan as they try to take back what is rightly theirs.

This story is interesting but not one I would necessarily recommend to anyone. I have heard that it is supposed to be a retelling of The Goose Girl but I have never read it. Those who have might find this story more appealing.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Noble Servant ( A Medieval Fairy Tale #3)
By: Melanie Dickerson
The Noble Servant is book three in A Medieval Fairy Tale series. Dickerson weaves another sweet medieval fairy tale story that will have you turning the pages faster to read faster to see what is going to happen next. She did not disappoint. The story and the characters both were well developed. Magdalen’s rightful position has been taken from her. She is forced to work as a goose girl and servant. The Duke has also lost his position . Will they ever be able to gain their positions back like they were? I Love the Christian flair that Dickerson weaved into her story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.

Very nice story, it had some similar elements to The Beautiful Pretender by the same author but also enough different to make it distinct. The love sorry was realistically developed and had plenty of romance and intrigue. Great story! I almost want to start right now and read it again!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another page turner by Melanie Dickerson. Woven with intrigue, Melanie Dickerson retells the story of the goose girl with Lady Magdalen, the daughter of a nobleman sent to marry the Duke of Wolfburg. However, along the way, her maid and her father forces her to switch places. Now Magdalen is working as a goose girl at the castle with none the wiser.

Steffan, The Duke of Wolfburg, is in a pickle. His uncle had just tried to kill him and has seized his castle, placing his cousin in Steffan's place. Now, it's time to disappear. Trading his clothes for rags, Steffan sneaks into the castle as a shepherd, determined to take back his title...with the help of a beautiful goose girl he seems to remember from somewhere...

This has to be one of my favorites if not my favorite Melanie Dickerson book. Her works are always incredible. Five stars.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I enjoy Melanie Dickerson’s books and this one was no exception. I’ve always been fascinated with fairy tales, although I sometimes laugh at how ridiculous some of them are. I like how Dickerson has created ones that have a semblance of it could have happened. I also love the setting and time periods for her books. This one is set in the medieval time period so it has knights, dukes, lords, coups, etc. At times I found the characters to be a bit young but that is realistic to the time period and the book is geared more towards teens and young adults. It was another delightful read from Dickerson.

Melanie never fails to impress me with every single time she retells the fairy tales we have all grown to love in our childhood. Using these tales she spins a much more real and relevant adventure to that time period.

I have fallen in love with her stories and many of my friends and family members have also grown to enjoy her stories.

This story is no different. It comes into play with Lady Magdalen and the Duke of Wolfberg both of whom we were introduced to in a previous novel. The characters are believable, fun and timeless.

I absolutely love the fact that Melanie writes her female characters as very intelligent and capable women rather than just damsels in distress. The male characters are also written to show you that they value the women in their lives rather than use them. Of course you can’t have a good story without having a good villain and that helps to bring balance and shows that not all men and even women have respect for others and things.

I love a story that shows that good always prevails over evil. Just like God will always win over Satan. There is enough sadness and hardship in the world that reading about goodness and overcoming hardships is needed to keep you optimistic and I think Melanie’s stories tend to do that.

I congratulate Melanie for another wonderful book for Women and Young Adult and Teen girls.

Disclaimer: I received this eBook from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for free to read and review through the blogger review program at Net Galley. I was not required to give a favorable review only an honest review, nor was I compensated for my review. All thoughts and comments in this review are my own.

From The Book:
She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted.
Since meeting Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg, Lady Magdalen has not been able to stop thinking about him. She knows—as a penniless lady with little to offer in terms of a dowry—she has no real hope of marrying such a highly titled man, so it comes as a great surprise when she receives a letter bearing his seal, asking for her hand in marriage.
But all is not what it seems at Wolfberg Castle. Steffan has been evicted by his scheming uncle, and his cousin has taken over the title of duke. Disguised as a shepherd, Steffan hopes to gain entry to the castle and claim the items that will prove he is the true Duke of Wolfberg.
Journeying to the castle, Magdalen has no idea what awaits her, but she certainly did not expect her loyal maidservant to turn on her. Forcing Magdalen to trade places with her, the servant plans to marry the duke and force Magdalen to tend the geese.
Without their respective titles—and the privileges that came with them—Steffan and Magdalen are reunited in the shepherd’s field. Together they conspire to get back their rightful titles. But they must hurry . . . or else they risk losing it all to his uncle’s evil plan.

My Thoughts:

If you are a fan (like me) of Historical Romance this book is sure to captivate you from the first page. The twists and turns of this book definitely show that evil doesn’t pay. You will find yourself holding your breath waiting for the next shoe to drop. In the journey that Steffan and Magdalen are destined to take in order to take back their titles, you will find love, forgiveness, compassion and love. This is the first book I have read by this author, but am looking forward to reading more of her books. It is an afternoon of clean entertaining reading.

I'm thinking this is the first Melanie Dickerson book I've read but how can that be? I feel like I've been reading under a bushel. Ha. Well friends, here it is. My very first Melanie Dickerson book review!

Magdalen (poor girl) has a lot of rotten things thrown at her. She has an awful mother, she is betrayed by people close to her, she is put in a position doing things she has no clue about, people are mean to her, she feels the weight of letting her people down, . . . I'm telling you, Magdalen is having a rough time. Plus, one of the geese bites her. Poor Magdalen. Despite all that, Magdalen is a thinker and a fighter. She is always trying to find a way to change her circumstances and put things right. I really loved her pluck.

Steffan isn't faring much better. Well, he has a bit of money, but other than that, his circumstances are just about as grim. I loved the when Magdalen and Steffan were working together and making each other stronger. Of course, even that wasn't all smooth sailing, but the struggle was worth it in the end.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, adventurous journey with a happily ever after ending. What could be better than that?!

This may be my first MD book, but it won't be my last! I hope to read many more books by this author and maybe convince my daughter to read them as well!

Content: mild violence

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

I have always loved the way Melanie Dickerson can take a fairy tale and weave in scripture and faith seamlessly. Our leading characters in The Noble Servant are faced with so many trials. But through the hard things they face, they allow God to change their hearts. To mold them into a better person. And if it wasn't for their worlds falling to pieces around them. It is possible that their paths would not have led them to each other.

In the midst of chaos it can be hard to see God's blessings. To put your trust in God when your world falls apart can be easier said than done. Yet time after time (at least for me personally) He always has a way of making something beautiful blossom from the ashes of what once was.

This book has adventure, deceit, romance, betrayal, and a twist on The Goose Girl that is sure to captivate you. I love the friendship that Steffan and Magdalen build. Trust, honor, truth, "Chivalrous to the core." As they both undergo a transformation set in motion by their circumstances, their relationship grows and their trust in God's plan does too.

I received a complimentary copy of The Noble Servant through NetGalley.I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I’m not familiar with the Goose Girl fairy tale, but I still enjoyed this one. Magdalen is surprisingly fierce in protecting those she loves, and Steffan’s unease around geese is endearing. From betrayal to theft, from dangerous chases through abandoned mines to hidden paintings, Steffan and Magdalen’s story has plenty of intrigue and action to it, not to mention the romance! Once again, Melanie Dickerson has created the perfect blend of adventure and fairy tale. This wasn’t my favorite of her books, but it was a fun read!

I usually love Melanie Dickerson's books, but I had a harm time getting into this one. I guess it just was not for me. Because of this, I have decided not to publicly share my opinion of this book so as not to hinder the author or publisher's sales.

Melanie Dickerson has been a favorite author of mine since I first learned she was going to be writing a Christian fairy tale retelling! I love fairy tale retellings (hence my blog name) and it's not always easy to find clean ones without a lot of mature content. Ever since her first book, I have been devouring everything she writes. I love that young girls and adults alike can enjoy these stories.

The Noble Servant is a fun twist on two fairy tales—The Goose Girl and The Prince and the Pauper! This is the third book in Ms. Dickerson's A Medieval Fairy Tale / Thornbeck series. You don't have to read the first two books to understand this story. It is fun to discover the way Ms. Dickerson weaves the traditional fairy tales into this story and then puts her own spin on it. My favorite aspects of this story are the characters and the spiritual content.

The two main characters are both very likable and relatable. Even though they live in medieval times I find I can very much relate to them and their struggles. It is refreshing that Magdalen, the heroine, isn't a super bold, "kick butt" type. I love those female characters in stories (and Ms. Dickerson does have some of these heroines in her other books), but let's be real, not everyone is like that. Magdalen, instead, is very strong spiritually. She also has great kindness, gentleness and compassion. She does stand up for what she believes in, like when she stands up for a mute boy. Magdalen feels compassion for Agnes, the girl who has taken everything away from her. Steffan, the hero, also defends the helpless when he takes the beating for a man caught stealing bread.

The spiritual aspect of this book is very well written. I feel like Magdalen and Steffan both really learn to incorporate faith into every aspect of their life and they rely on God in hard situations. Magdalen goes right to God in prayer when she doesn't know what to do. She also quotes Scripture. Both characters have their world turned completely upside down and come out of their hardships with a stronger faith. I really love the strong faith thread that is woven into this story.

This is a great book with well written characters and a great faith theme. It isn't my favorite of Ms. Dickerson's stories but I still love it and would recommend it! I give this book four stars. It is a clean read.

Releases May 9th!!

Pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noble-Servant-Melanie-Dickerson/dp/0718026608/

Melanie Dickerson's website: http://www.melaniedickerson.com/

I want to thank Thomas Nelson, Melanie Dickerson, & NetGalley for the complimentary advanced copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

Steffan, the rightful duke, betrayed by his uncle, seeks his rightful place. Magdalen, believing that the duke asked for her hand in marriage, traveled across the country only to be ambushed by those who served her; she now seeks for a way to speak to the duke and regain her position. Unknown to the other, they had both been betrayed... one by his maniacal uncle, the other by her maidservant and that servant's father. Both were forced to work in the fields caring for animals... one to stay alive, the other to find a way to reclaim his title and castle. They are drawn together as they attempt to overthrow those who have stolen from them.

In The Nobel Servant, Melanie Dickerson has delivered another cute novel with a damsel in distress and a nobleman who desires to rescue and protect. It is the age-old story of finding true love that many young girls (and older ones too) dream of. It even comes with the happy ending that we, at least me, all long for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an e-ARC of this novel. The opinions contained above are my own.

** SPOILER ALERT **

Ahhh! I am always so excited for a new Melanie Dickerson book! I really like how she ties each story together in her different series, yet, you could read each book alone and not be lost.

Remember Lady Magdalen from "A Beautiful Pretender"? She's back as the heroine in her very own story. She is the daughter of a baron, but her father is dead and her father's holding is destitute ever since the copper mines ran out. She's sort of been in love with the Duke of Wolfberg since spending time with him in Thornbeck two years ago, but since she's heard nothing from him in that time, she assumes she'll never see him again.

Then one day, a letter arrives from Wolfberg, asking her to come to marry the Duke! How wonderful! She can help her people and marry someone she likes. But we're still only in the first few chapters, so of course it won't be easy.

On the way to Wolfberg, two of Magdalen's servants turn on her and make her switch places with her maid. Now her maid will arrive and marry the duke, while Magdalen has to be a maidservant. Oh, and if she says anything, they will kill her and her other servant. What can she do?

When the group arrives in Wolfberg, Magdalen is made the goose girl while her maid is off pretending to be her. But, things are strange in Wolfberg, because the duke does not look like she remembers, but the new shepherd looks an awful lot like what Magdalen remembers the duke looking like. What is going on?

The rest of the book is spent with Magdalen and Steffan (the real Duke of Wolfberg) trying to find evidence of their true identities and getting help from those who have power. In the midst of all that, they must fight their feelings for each other, because of course a duke can't marry beneath himself (Magdalen being simply a baron's daughter and a poor one at that) and Steffan is afraid to marry for love.

If that sounded cynical, I'm sorry. I really liked this story. While there was once or twice where I thought, "Get one with it and just say how you feel!", that didn't really happen until the end. I liked the characters personalities. Steffan is very chivalrous and treats everyone around him well, yet he's not perfect, as evidenced by his selfishness. Magdalen is compassionate and kind, even though her mother has degraded her all her life. Even she has to fight the temptation to hate those who have wronged her.

Another element that I really enjoyed in this book is one that is in a lot of Dickerson's books - the absence of love-at-first-sight. Sure, Magdalen has been dreaming about Steffan for two years, but even then, she liked him for more than his looks. She liked talking and spending time with him at Thornbeck. Once they meet again in Wolfberg, they spend a lot of time - and share some intense experiences - over the course of several weeks, so they have lots of time to see one another's true personality and how they behave under pressure. Now, I'm not one of those people who have to have all the books they read be realistic, but I do like it when romances are more the way they are supposed to be. Still not the way it usually is, but the way it should be.

I look forward to the next installment of the Medieval Fairy Tale series!

Another great title by Melanie Dickerson, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it highly. I felt the ending was a little rushed OR maybe I rushed it because I had to find out what happened. A very clean read and perfect for Middle School ages to adults.

Another winner by Melanie Dobson....love. love. love her story telling!!!!

I enjoyed this more realistic take on the Goose Girl story. The German was strange at first, but I got used to it after a while. I guessed at one or two of the twists, but not the major ones, so congratulations on that! I'll definitely be recommending this to people and watching out for other novels by the author. Thank you very much for letting me read it.

I have always loved fairy tales, and enjoy them now as an adult. When Melanie Dickerson tells her grown up, inspirational fairy tales, I'm totally her reader!

3.5 stars. The Noble Servant is the third book in the Medieval Fairy Tale series. I haven't read the first two yet, but this works fine as a stand-alone. The story begins with Lady Magdalen traveling to marry the Duke of Wolfberg in an arranged marriage. Magdalen had met the Duke once two years before and developed a bit of a crush on him, so she is happy about the arrangement, as she is penniless and wasn't expecting anyone to want to marry her without a dowry. However, things do not go as planned while on the way and Magdalen is forced to switch places with her maidservant who steals her identity. Little do they both know that more deception is afoot at the Duke's castle.

This is a retelling of The Goose Girl, a Fairy Tale I am not all that familiar with so I can't say how true to that story this is. I did enjoy reading when she was tending the geese and when she met Steffan who just happened to be tending the sheep. I thought it was a little ridiculous that they didn't just tell each other who they were, especially after a certain point. Of course just like most of these historical romances, there are some misunderstandings and characters who don't tell each other how they really feel because they think the other person doesn't feel the same way. It got a little old after a while, and while nothing new, it was a sweet romance and I still enjoyed the book

This is also Christian fiction and I knew that going into the book. I felt it got a bit heavy handed with the scripture quoting and praying. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind those things in general, but as I've said in other reviews, I usually just prefer them to be added to the story in a more subtle way. I think the thing about it that bothered me a bit was that the religious aspect of the book felt too modern and evangelical for the time period and medieval setting in the way it was presented. This kind of pulled me out of the story a couple of times.

I will probably read the other two books in this series as they are nice to read when I just want something light.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher Thomas Nelson for giving me a copy of this book.