Publication Date: Mar 2026
Blurb:
A widow twice-over, Etheldreda is now saddled with the care of her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, and a razor-taloned peregrine falcon. Her entire life has become a ruse, just like the manor hall they live grand and ornate on the exterior, but crumbling, brick by brick, inside. Fierce in the face of her misfortune, Ethel clings to her family’s respectability, the lifeboat that will float her daughters straight into the secure banks of marriage.
When a royal ball offers the chance to secure the future she desperately desires, Etheldreda must risk her secrets, pride, and limited resources in pursuit of an invitation for her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the heir of the kingdom unfolds with unnerving speed, she discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she’s sought for years and the wellbeing of the feckless stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.
What To Expect:
In this reimagined fairytale, readers can expect a unique retelling of the Cinderella story with a strong female lead, and a well-paced plot.
Content Warnings:
Language: Moderate – Some strong language, not overly saturated
Sexual Content: Closed Door – Non descriptive kissing
Violence: Moderate – Sexual assault and physical abuse are mentioned many times, though not in overly graphic detail
Substance Use: Mild – Hard cider is brewed in the house
Prejudices: None
Religious Themes: None
Other Topics: Pregnancy out of wedlock, incest
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