Court of Swans (A Dericott Tale) Book 1 of 3

Where there is wealth and power, there?s always someone willing to do anything to take it.England, 1381: Delia?s idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia?s seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn?t stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom.Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can?t ignore the sense, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work.Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a tender retelling of ?The Wild Swans,? where the virtues of loyalty and love face a harrowing showdown with power and fear.?Set in the harsh society of fourteenth century England, Court of Swans tells a powerful story of forgiveness, love, and choosing joy amid trials. Dickerson continues to impress with her masterful balance of plot and message, capturing attention with a strong heroine and tugging at heartstrings with themes of trusting God when life seems to fall apart. A book perfect for teen and adult readers alike.? -Caroline George, author of Dearest JosephineFirst in a brand-new series set in England: The Dericott TalesFull-length clean fairy-tale reimaginingIncludes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs From School Library Journal Gr 7-10-It is the summer of 1378 in Medieval England and dark-haired, blue-eyed Delia, the only sister among seven brothers, is adjusting to the marriage of her father to Parnella, who is not much older than Delia herself. Three years into the marriage, a new half-brother, Cedric, is born and Delia's father is dead. The king of England's guards arrest all seven of Delia's brothers for treason and murder. Delia instantly takes a disliking to the handsome but dedicated captain of the guard, Sir Geoffrey Grenefeld, but her beauty catches his eye and he soon finds that he can't seem to forget her. With a sense of unease, Delia flees her home in search of her distant Aunt Beatrice, the abbess of Rosings Abbey, as her only hope of freeing her brothers and proving their innocence. Aunt Beatrice secures Delia a seamstress position in the king's castle so she can care for her brothers and attempt to free them. Sir Geoffrey recognizes Delia and soon realizes the arrest of the brothers was part of a calculated plot to steal their power and wealth, just as his uncle the king had stolen his own power and wealth. Will Sir Geoffrey risk what little he has left to help Delia and her brothers? Will they be able to prove the brothers' innocence in time? Character background on the antagonists is lacking, and a relatively quick lead into romantic attraction, as well as a predictable plot, will be quickly forgiven by Dickerson's fans. The inclusion of a character with an anxiety disorder adds a touch of realism to the situation; characters' skin tones aren't mentioned. VERDICT Recommended for Christian fiction fans.-Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review 'Court of Swans is a well-crafted escape thriller with plenty of longing glances to break up scenes of sword fighting . . . A perfect pick for fans of period dramas who want a little action mixed into their romance.' -- Booklist About the Author Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author an