I really, really wanted to love this book. A medieval read with knights, a damsel in distress, and an evil baron sounded so promising! And I really appreciated the strong faith messages shown throughout the pages. Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me, and I wasn't even able to finish it. The evil baron was almost cartoonish in nature and the budding romance between Violet and Marek wasn't very believable. The writing lacked a smooth flow, and the plot was rather simple. I hate writing negative reviews, and while there are a lot of readers who thoroughly enjoyed this book, "Cloak of Secrets" just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book!

Another sweet addition to the Dericott series. Take a trip back in time to follow a brave knight and an ordinary girl who both want to see justice and honour upheld in a kingdom whose leader has lost both. Melanie Dickerson weaves a tale full of love, loyalty, courage, and a bit of daring. Each character takes the reader on a journey of discovery and growth. Who do they want to be, what do they want to stand for, where is the line for acceptable and despicable? They spring off the pages and into the reader's daily life through the telling of their story. And they bring the trials and simplicity of a bygone era with them. It is easy to tell Melanie Dickerson has done her research and vividly brings this historical time to life.
It was so fun to watch Violet and Merek find each other and then find the best qualities in each other, with a strong and lasting love. But with danger all around and no idea if they can trust anyone else, what will happen before the truth gets out? Melanie Dickerson takes the reader on a merry chase through medieval England with a twit on an old fairy tale classic. I look forward to another marvelous Dericott tale and the adventure it will take me on. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Love is everything."
I enjoy the Dericott Tales series by Melanie Dickerson. I want to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley for my copy of this book. Cloak of Scarlet is a tale based on the Little Red Riding Hood story from childhood days.
Violet Lambdon is an insignificant orphan in the medieval kingdom town that evil Baron Dunham oversees. Adopted as a young child she is devoted to her grandmother and incensed when the woman is robbed by Dunham's knights. She intends to do something about it.
Sir Marek of Dericott has come to the region to serve under Baron Dunham. He has no idea of the true circumstances taking place in the town.
This is a story of intrigue, oppression, even abuse of the people, cruelty and deceit. There are startling twists and turns for Violet. Melody Dickerson writes in such a descriptive style which causes me to 'see' what the characters see, even wince in reaction to their pain.
I liked the characters of Sir Marek, Violet and her grandmother. This is a good story for those who like a sweet romance with stressful situations, medieval setting and the 'how do they get out of this' situation. This is my own unsolicited opinion. I liked it very much.

Violet Lambton is outraged to discover the local baron is stealing from his people, including her beloved grandmother. Armed with the education her adopted father gave her, Violet writes to the king—and proceeds to land herself into a whole heap of trouble.

Sir Merek is loyal to the king and to his new assignment with Baron Dunham, but when he learns the baron might not be honorable, he joins forces with Violet and others to uncover the truth and bring peace to the land.

This is a young adult tale simply told, with a spirited heroine and a trustworthy hero. It's supposed to be a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but aside from Violet having a grandmother and a red cloak, I didn't see any similarities. That was pretty disappointing, since the whole reason I chose this story was to see how the retelling played out. It's an easy and clean read, definitely geared more toward younger readers.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson was a medieval, Christian tale that was based on the premise of Little Red Riding Hood. I can appreciate the new spin on an old classic and how Violet’s faith grew throughout the story. Her grandmother played a pivotal role in teaching her faith. I like that the author had done her research on the era.
A few things that could be improved was the backstory in chapter one. I believe it was done via dialogue from the past. One conversation from Violet’s past seemed okay to interweave into the story. However, for example, her feelings for the other landowner could’ve been left more of a mystery to give the story's beginning an edge.
All in all, the author made this fifth installment easy enough to follow along with. This story is excellent for lovers of historical fiction, inspiration, and fans of happily ever after.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own,

This is historical fiction and book 5 in The Dericott Tales that follows two people who become unlikely heroes. Violet was an orphan and in the time period the book is set in she was esteemed to be of no importance and Sir Merek was a knight using my own words 'a knight who wouldn't get the girl'. It is a historical fiction with romance, action and two unlikely heroes and well written

Violet has a difficult life and it’s about to get worse. Sir Merrick gets drawn into her problems and when things go south she has to learn to trust and hope. This is an addition to a series but I think it stands alone.

A nice little jaunt into a medieval period where good and evil are constantly battling. There are well done Christian elements that bring purpose to the characters.

Both Violet and Sir Merek stand up against injustice. However, they both tend to be impetuous, which is not ideal when dealing with the conniving Baron Dunham. They will need fortitude, cunning, faith in God, and faithful friends/allies in order to save themselves and secure a better future for themselves and others. However, they will also first have to come to trust each other, which will be especially challenging for Violet due to her prejudices about the nobility and the circumstances under which Violet and Merek meet.

On the opening pages of Cloak of Scarlet, Melanie Dickerson introduces Violet Lambton. The year is 1386 and Violet is on her way to visit her grandmother. Along the way, she meets Sir Merek of Dericott. Violet hopes to encounter this handsome knight again. When she learns a wealthy baron’s knights stole from her grandmother, Violet is ready to fight!

As Violet journeys home, she crosses paths with Sir Merek again. When she learns that he is one of the baron’s knights, she wants nothing to do with him. Once he speaks to her grandmother, Sir Merek commits to right the wrong. After Violet learns that she is actually the daughter of the baron, you will not believe the change of direction this tale will take!

Violet and Sir Merek are determined to find evidence to give to the King that proves the baron is up to no good. Hold tight to see what happens when the Baron tries to force Violet to marry a viscount she has absolutely no interest in. Will Sir Merek come to her rescue again?

4.5* I enjoyed this story set in the Dericott family during the time of King Richard. Its gentle Christian themes were inspiring, the characters were strong and clear in their motivations, and the allusions to Little Red Riding Hood were fun.

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

I loved this book!! The story was very similar to a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but it was so much more the just a fairy tale. The relationship that Violet had with her grandmother was reminiscent of my own relationship with my grandmother growing up. I felt the love between Violet and her grandmother and the strong bond that they had developed over the years. Melanie Dickerson did an excellent job of allowing the reader to feel and experience the many trials that Violet faced in standing up against evil all the while trying hard to remember to put her faith in God. This is more than just a good vs. evil story it is a story of love, faith, and determination. Dickerson also did an excellent job of allowing the reader to gain insight into the thoughts and feeling of the many characters in the story.
Thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for the readers galley in return for and honest review of this book.

A sweet entertaining take on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. There is a young woman, Violet, who wears a red cloak, a spunky wise Grandmother, and the wolf is personified by a local Baron. There are family secrets, good vs. evil, knights, a castle, nobility, chivalry, humor, and a sweet romance too.

This is the first novel in the Dericott series I've read and I look forward to reading the rest. The book is YA and I feel is appropriate for 13 and up; I have no qualms in letting my teen daughter read this book.

If you like fairy tales, clean reads, sweet romance, and medieval settings, I think you would enjoy this book.

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

Interesting story. First reaction felt like a repeat of so many other books that have similar stories. However, I was quickly drawn into the characters and wanted to know more about them and the story. A young lady (Violet), who was adopted at a young age, lived in a village with her adopted family. She did not know her birth parents but the family that raised her lived a reasonable quality of life. She discovers that her birth father is the local Baron, who is not a nice person to those living in the village. Her grandmother (who knew Violet's mother) and Violet are locked into the dungeon. Sir Merek and friend are going to attempt a rescue mission to release them from the dungeon. But will they be able to save them? Sir Merek will need more information on the corrupt Baron if he is to be successful in presenting Violet's and the village case to the king. The information is in a ledger that is locked away Baron's dungeon and kept under lock and key. Sir Merek believes he will find evidence of corruption by the Baron in the ledger. Fingers crossed.. Will he be able to achieve this, also? Must read to know more.

“I was just the same as you until I learned three things: that most problems work themselves out, that most of what we worry about never comes to pass, and that God is trustworthy. He is working all things for our good even when we don’t see it or understand it."

What a great story! Melanie has really outdone herself with this book, delivering a beautiful tale of faith, love and bravery that readers of all ages will enjoy. A definite must read!

Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary e-book I received to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, but was more than glad to. The thoughts above are my own.

3.5 Stars

Violet is an orphan who was raised by a landowning family in this medieval England-set story. When she realizes the Baron is acting outside his duties, she sets out to prove his wrong doings, enlisting the honorable Sir Merek.

The story is a quick one, albeit a little lack luster. The characters aren’t very deep and the storyline is predictable. The entirety of the story seems like it takes place in just weeks and wraps up rather quickly. Enjoyable and an entertaining read.

Cloak of Scarlet was my first Melanie Dickerson novel, and it…wasn’t my favorite. Since I was little playing my “make believe” games on the playground equipment, swords, archery, and medieval fantasy have been favorites. I can remember shooting a bow at Girl Scout camp, pretending I’m shooting at an evil villain tied to the target. Being my own hero, fighting a dragon myself instead of waiting for some prince. Who needs a prince if I have his horse? I grew up reading stories like Little Red Riding Hood, and ABC’s Once Upon a Time was a favorite TV show. Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson takes the classic story of the girl in the red garment and makes it something new.

Based off this particular novel, I will not be reading any more Melanie Dickerson books. Her imagination is obviously large and powerful, but I did not like Cloak of Scarlet. Dickerson’s writing style did nothing for me. Everything about the novel felt flat. The characters never resonated with me. Dickerson described their personality traits rather than having the characters portray them. She wrote sentences like, “Trouble overlapped with his fiery temper”…but I never saw the character lose his self-control. I did not need constant reminding of how this character was stubborn or kind, or how this character was trustworthy. Show me, don’t tell me.

Reading Cloak of Scarlet was like sludging through mud that tried to suck me down. I had to force myself through it. The drama and dangers had no intensity. Declarations of “I’LL THROW YOU IN THE DUNGEONS” and “I’LL KILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY” made me roll my eyes and say “Sure, okay.” I didn’t care or believe it. Dickerson never really explained the characters’ motivations well enough for my liking. There was no complexity to any of the characters. Merek, Violet, Violet’s mother, the baron—each one seemed to show one personality trait the entire book. And Violet’s brother does not care about her…like at all? Her family doesn’t try to stop her when she surrenders?

The story was too simple, and the writing style felt forced and stunted. Instead of flowing, the paragraphs were choppy like a body of water during a storm. Everyone has different tastes in foods, drinks, and books. I don’t like pickles. I will pull them off my food, trying my best to wipe away whatever pickle residue may still be on my sandwich. Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson was for me, like a pickle.

But some people like pickles, and I’ve read plenty of positive reviews for this book. My mother likes pickles, and I’ll give her mine if we’re eating together. Some people like pickles—and some people will like Cloak of Scarlet. But that’s not me. And that’s okay.

I really enjoyed this book! It had intrigue and suspense and some sweet romance. You had no idea how it would work out until the very end! It was twisty. I really liked it!

I am always excited to get a new Melanie Dickerson book. I have loved the Dericott Tales series. This book, the Cloak of Scarlet is the story of Sir Merek. I have been anxiously waiting for his story, he always seems to find his way into trouble. He is serving as a knight for Baron Dunham, while he is out on an errand for the baron, he comes across a lovely young woman with the most striking violet colored eyes. Unfortunately, the next time he comes across this woman, it is to deliver her to the Baron.
Violet was orphaned at a young age. She was raised by a loving mother and father, that were humble landowners. When she is summoned by the Baron, because she had been caught writing a letter to King Richard about the misdeeds of said Baron.
I thought the plot of the story was really good. I enjoyed the nod to Little Red Riding hood with the red cloak Violet’s grandmother had made for her. Rich men stealing from the poor. And those honorable enough to fight for what’s right. I would have liked maybe a little more depth to the story and character development. There was nothing that really grabbed my attention and held on. Typically when I read a Melanie Dickerson book, I tune everything out and get lost in the story. I just didn’t quite feel it this time. It is a historical, medieval clean romance with Christian dialogue. It is a standalone story, but I highly recommend reading the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you love fairy tale retellings and books set during the Middle Ages then you will love this book. This story is loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood. Violet and her scarlet colored cloak is brave enough to stand up to the evil Baron with the help of her grandmother, and Sir Merek. Sir Merek is the brave knight willing to help bring down the evil Baron as well. Merek and Violet grow close as they work together. And there are some fun little twists along the way. I also Loved the message of trusting in God always. I really enjoyed this story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Melanie Dickerson's stories always please. This book is no exception. I think I know what will happen besides the "right" ending and yet she still surprises me. I enjoy the way we are in the heads of the lead characters. It helps get to know their hearts better which is what her books are about. They teach lessons on living your life by letting love and respect lead it. This is a lesson everyone needs to review regularly. All her characters are realistic and flawed but those that do the right things are successful in the end. Read Melanie Dickerson books!