Adventure Between the Pages: The Merchant’s Daughter

From the back cover:

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

I love the Middle Ages, and I am always looking for books set in that time period.  I had seen a lot of really good reviews for The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, so I decided to get this.  I even got a great deal, only $2.99 for the Kindle edition.

This book drew me in and didn’t let me go.  The characters were well developed and believable.  The setting felt so real and very well researched without the author getting carried away with what she knew. My only complaint is that this book was so good, I got very frustrated, because I couldn’t sit down are read it in one sitting.  Why did God give siblings the uncanny ability to interrupt at the most pivotal parts of the story?  I mean, when I wanted to take a break my siblings were doing things on their own. When I was reading they needed me.

Some of my favorite parts.

I loved the faith the characters have in this book.  So many Christian books have a sappy faith, but that was not the case in this book. I loved how God used Annabel’s situation as an indentured servant to grant her the deepest wish of her heart.

Okay, for all of you who think I scorn romance I will admit that sometimes the girly-girl part of me comes out.  I really liked that this was a re-telling of a fairy tale.  Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales, so the fact that this book retold that story made it all the better.

Things you might want to know before you read.

There is a man that tries to force himself on Annabel, however Melanie Dickerson handled it so well that it didn’t really bother me.  However, younger readers may want their parents to look over the book first.

For my readers who avoid romance, this book is a romance book, and there is kissing, so you wouldn’t like it.