Audrey believes that her life has more purpose than to just wed, but getting married may be the best avenue for her to escape the hatred of her older sister who is dubbed "Mad Maris." Left scarred and scared, she flees from her home and ends up in the home of the Earl , to whom she was once betrothed. There she finds another soul who is scarred from losing an arm while protecting his siblings.

This tale is loosely based on the Ugly Duckling. Melanie Dickerson does a wonderful job of depicting the "ugly" souls discovering that their worth does not lie in their looks or scars and ties in beautifully with Audrey finding purpose in teaching the children of the village. The budding romance between Audrey and Edwin is sweet. However, the harrowing encounters with the evil sister were a little cheesy. Some scenes could have been expanded a bit more, but overall, it is a sweet and fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

Castle of Refuge is a fun spin on the Ugly Duckling fairy tale. Written for young adult readers, the fairytale romance follows Audrey’s life as a motherless child who is harshly treated by her older sister Maris. She runs away and is taken in by a former suitor, Edwin. Innocent romance, adventure, and a medieval setting combine into this enjoyable, thought at times simplistic, read.

Castle of Refuge was exactly the quality storytelling I expect from Melanie Dickerson! She weaves lovely characters with real lives, fears, and thoughts into a powerful story of redemption and hope, while respecting her villains as well, nuanced people who have a history and motivations behind their actions. In this book set in fourteenth century England, Audrey lives in a home with a neglectful father, dead mother, and sister who is anything but kind. Hurt by those she loves, threatened, she leaves home and heads for her aunt and uncle's home. Unfortunately, she runs into trouble and illness, which lands her at the castle of the knight she once thought she might wed. Years have passed and he has faced his own difficulties. Will they be able to overcome their own personal tragedies? Will they be able to keep Audrey and those she loves safe from the family member she fears most?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Set in medieval England, this story is the second in the Dericott Tales series, which is another young adult fairy tale retelling by Melanie Dickerson. To me, so far the stories in this series seem to be so loosely related to known fairy tales, that I really am unable to identify which original stories were the inspiration, but I don't see that as a negative. The stories are always sweet and clean, as well as easy to read, making them books I can recommend to younger readers. While this one had some dark elements, such as sibling jealousy resulting in domestic violence and continued stalking, kidnapping, and possible murder attempts, the events are told in mild way and counter balanced with themes of forgiveness, kindness, personal value, service, and faith. Inner beauty is emphasized, and outer beauty is downplayed. Although this book is related to the first one in the series, I believe it would be easily read as a standalone. I am grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this story.

This was a fun fairy tale loosely based on The Ugly Duckling. I enjoyed getting to know both Audrey and Edwin, and then watching them both slowly come to terms with their respective scars and learn to accept themselves. I'm going to have to get my hands on the first book in this series for a bit more history on Edwin's family!
My one issue was with Maris. Her history and possible madness kind of explained her behavior. As the story went on, though, I began to feel like, "Here we go again." Seriously, how is she *still* loose and *still* coming after Audrey? Again?
Despite my impatience with the resolution of Maris's role in the story, I enjoyed the rest of the book.

I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

This was a fun book, that is everything I would expect to get in a Christian based historical romance. I liked the main characters. There was the usual mention of God, but it wasn't too preachy which I appreciate. The antagonist just wouldn't give up. My main frustration was that somehow a girl was able to evade capture for way too long with the number of soldiers looking for the antagonist.

I also liked the theme of equal education for all. Overall a fun book!

Imagine being tormented by a sister who was abused by a nursemaid as a small child. Audrey was a 15 year old teenager in the year 1378, she was a rich man's daughter and she lived in a castle.
She enjoyed studying French, German and Latin with her tutor and riding horses, she was not thinking about marriage.
Her father, however, was thinking of marriage and he invited Edwin, the handsome future Earl of Derricott to his castle, along with Sir Clement, an older gentleman.
But Maris, Audrey's sister, tripped Audrey into a hot fire, and Audrey's face and ear were burnt and Audrey felt disfigured and ashamed to even think of marriage.
What will Audrey's future hold - you will be amazed and horrified to read of her plight!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thanks to Net Galley and to Melanie Dickerson for this book that I love, love, loved! It's been a long time since I walked around from room to room with Kindle in hand, because I didn't want to put it down! You've read about wicked stepsisters... well, Audrey's wicked one was not a step, but a real blood sister. When she runs away from home as a teen, mostly to escape the older sister is when her adventure begins. And what an adventure it was!

After I downloaded it, I noticed that it was labeled as YA, but, honestly, it's for ANY age! And how I loved that it was clean and Christian (as all YA literature should be)!

I wanted to love this book as I have cherished some of her previous stories. This story I thought was not well developed. The characters were poorly developed and the plot line was rote. I did finish it, but would like my time back I spent reading this book.

This book is another book in the Dericott tales series. It can be read as a stand-alone quiet easily. I have to say I enjoyed this even more than the first book. It was based on the ugly duckling, so the themes in this book reflected that - Inner beauty being the most important, followed by love.

I got this free in exhange for an honest review. I would have definitely paid for this book as I read it one in session. This is just how much I enjoyed it. I will definitely be watching out for the next book in the series.

This story starts us out about 4 years before the last story ended, but only briefly. Edwin and Sir Caldwell are visiting Audrey and Maris’s father. At the time they are 15 and 17. We just ahead 4 years to months after Edwin and his brother’s ordeal in Court of Swans and the loss of his arm. Maris is a jealous sister who has acted out against her younger sister, Audrey, for her whole life. When things happen to cause Audrey concern, she runs and winds up at Dericott Castle. This story keeps us hopping with Edwin and Audrey’s struggles with themselves, as well as the scheming Maris. We also meet Sybil, Helena and see Edwin’s brothers and sister. You’ll cheer Edwin and Audrey through their struggles and be waiting with baited breath to see what Maris is going to do next. Great addition to this series.
A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.022

This Dickerson story was definitely high on the action, which I appreciated! A classic Christian Romance.

Overall I enjoyed this story, but not as much as the first book. While the premise was interesting and the moral lessons about true beauty were valuable, I thought the climax of the book was too drawn out. Without spoiling, it basically started at the middle of the book and went to the end. I would have liked to see the second quarter of the book developed more. Still, an enjoyable read. Thanks Netgalley and publishers for the free EArc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I didn't that this is a sequel, so I won't be reading it since I haven;'t read Book 1. However, I am purchasing it for our consortium's Overdrive account..

Simply breathtaking!!
I loved this book. It was so good!
Audrey was abused as a child and youth by her sister. Left scared but never let that make her a mean or nasty person. She was so kind and sweet.
I loved learning more about Edwin. He was so strong in the first book and is even more strong now. I loved how brave and selfless he was.
Melanie Dickerson has such a beautiful way of writing and draws you into the story!
This book taught so much about humility, love and kindness.
I hope this series continues.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“Castle of Refuge”, by Melanie Dickerson (Thomas Nelson - FICTION), is a very sweet, slow burn inspirational historical novel, with lovable, complex characters and entertaining and well written interactions and dialogue.
The writing is smooth, fluid, articulate and flawless, with well crafted digressions into the protagonists’ thoughts and feelings as well as beautiful descriptions of the setting and Nature in general.
I was completely absorbed by Edwin and Audrey, characters who were both beautiful and perfect in the beginning and then… they’re not.
I really liked the disability representation: the author shows Edwin’s problems and struggles with balance, walking and mounting and riding a horse, and also the grieving and psychological aspects of gradually adapting to a new body.
Audrey is scarred, too, and such a sweet person. I felt they were perfect for each other. They both show vulnerability in face of adversity, feel weak and damaged, yet they’re resilient and brave.
I liked the beautiful messages of kindness, grace and tolerance and how the story is full of spirituality without falling into preaching. I also appreciated how the author handled the issues of domestic violence and bullying between siblings.

This book was completely captivating and engaging! The plot was well-paced, the characters were well developed, and there was just enough suspense and romance to be absolutely perfect! I highly recommend this fun and quick read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson is exactly what the title suggests. The heroine, Audrey, runs away from home afraid for her life and ends up at the Dericott's castle. I loved Dickerson's fairy tale remakes, and this story is no different. I love the fourteenth-century England setting. I love the castle. I love the way majority of Dickerson's heroes show their love for the heroine. They are slow at showcasing their love and willing to do things they normally would not do to please the heroine. Edwin, the hero, in this story, is no different. He even seeks out the advice of one of his staff members on how to capture Audrey's interest. Then later, readers are invited to watch them interact this way. While the plot has some conflict, it felt right in the story. Overall, Castle of Refuge is a masterfully, written story for fans of medieval literature and romance stories.

I received a complimentary copy of Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Okay so I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book, because I didn't enjoy the first book as much. But this book was amazing and it is a must read! Castle of Refuge is the second book in Melanie Dickerson’s Dericott Tales series. It is a retelling of the Ugly Duckling and I think it was written really well.
Audrey was a viscount’s daughter but she was ignored by her father and abused by her sister, Maris. In an act of malice, Audrey was hurt so badly that their father set Maris to a covenant but Audrey was left with scars. When her father tries to marry her off, she runs away and finds herself taken in at Dericott Castle. Lord Dericott, Edwin, is intrigued by the new, well-educated servant and the story behind her. Will he be able to break down Audrey’s walls and protect her from the horrors of her home?
I felt so bad for Audrey she had been hurt and ignored most of her life, her sister, Maris, was vicious. However I liked how kind Audrey was and how she learned to rest in God. She was really amazing and I liked reading about her finding her place in life and falling in love. She had been abused by sister and she was wary of trusting others. She tried so hard to prove her worth.
Edwin was an awesome character! I so wanted him to find his happy ending after reading the first book, and I am so happy with the outcome. Edwin had been feeling like less of a man because of the loss of his arm, he had to learn to do most anything. But I liked how he was still kind and considered others, he was still fair. It was super sweet to read about him falling for Audrey and how he found her beautiful inside and out.
Edwin and Audrey were super cute together and I loved reading about their relationship. They had to learn to trust each other and how to deal with Maris. Edwin and Audrey learned that Adurey’s sister was more evil then they could have imagined. Will Edwin be able to protect Audrey and those in his care from Maris?
Castle of Refuge was a great book! I couldn’t put it down! I wanted to know what would happen to Edwin and Audrey and how they would deal with Maris. I was shocked by how mean Maris was, but I also understood that there was more going on. I would totally recommend Castle of Refuge, even if you didn't like the first book!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

In CASTLE OF REFUGE, MELANIE DICKERSON retells the tale of The Ugly Duckling in a most enjoyable and inspirational historical romance novel
Although the book is the sequel to court of Swans it can easily be read as a stand alone. It is a charming story with a sweet romance, some intrigue and excitement and a good Christian message. There are also some lovable characters and of course the inevitable villains.
The story starts in 1378 at Engleford Castle, Hampshire, with the heroine, Audrey, meeting two people who will play an important role in her life, Edwin, future Earl of Dericott and Sir Clarence of Nottingham, and carries on four years later at Dericott Castle, Bedfordshire.
We are reminded of the importance of love and how it can heal the broken and scarred as opposed to bitterness, hatred and jealousy which are so destructive. I like the way Audrey wants to do something worthwhile with her life, her love of reading and languages and her desire to pass on her knowledge to the less fortunate.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling the read for you.
I highly recommend Castle of Refuge to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. the opinions in this review are completely my own.