Synopsis

Appalled by his daughter’s vain and impertinent attitude, the king forces her to marry a peasant, hoping to teach her a lesson. Feeling devastated by this decree, Alora loses everything she knows and is thrust into a world she is not prepared for. The skills she learned to help her rule a kingdom have not prepared her for the drudgery of living the life of a peasant’s wife.

Larik, her new husband, is determined to help Alora and show her kindness despite her unfriendly personality. Will Larik’s example and affection towards her be enough to heal her heart of anger and grief so that she can see the beauty in the world once again? Can she let go of the past and allow herself to be loved? This is a retelling of the Grimms’ fairytale, King Thrushbeard.

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Praise

“What a wonderful book! It hooks you on the first page and doesn’t let go. It was full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved it!” –Ann Ferri, Book Reviewer

“I didn’t really know what to expect. What I found was a sweet romance with heroes and villains and a surprise at the end! The story has twists and turns and you won’t know what happens next until you keep on reading! It’s amazingly clever how the author retells the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, the spinner of gold. There was great chemistry going on in the romance and it totally engaged me. Well done!” –Sunnie Reviews

“Promises of Gold by Serena Clarke is a retake on the fairytale of Rumpelstilkin. I really did like it. This is a love story with heroes and evil villains. I think the ending will surprise most readers. It did me but it was a sweet surprise. This story is different from the original version but it still covers the gold from straw, guessing the real name of the hero and etc.” Debbie Curto, from Dusty Deliberations

Excerpt

The king slammed his fists on the table and stood up so swiftly that his chair clanged to the floor. Alora jumped in surprise. Her usually mild-mannered father heaved in a deep breath, expanding his great girth, dominating the room and casting his shadow over his daughter.

“Enough!” he cried. “You have grown heartless and spoiled and vain. And I will have no more of it. You are not worthy of your title as a princess or as my daughter!”

“Father!” she cried defiantly. Though she was surprised by his outburst, she had never been afraid of him. “This is nonsense! He is just a peasant.”

Her father’s face grew red. “As so you shall be! You wanted to marry a rich prince so you can continue in comfort. But I declare that you will not. Instead you will marry this peasant that so repulses you!”

Alora’s gaze followed her father’s pointing finger and landed on the peasant that was now standing, a startled look on his face.

“What?” she cried in disbelief. “I will not!”

“You will!”

“You cannot make me!”

“By the power I possess as king of Danitza, you shall. To refuse is treason and you will be banished!”

The king’s deep voice rang throughout the room and Alora finally cowered in fear. She sank back down to her seat realizing that her father could not rescind such a statement, even if he wished it.

“Your Majesty,” the peasant spoke up. “I could not possibly marry the princess.”

“You can and you will,” the king demanded.

“I have just returned from war. I cannot support a wife,” he argued.

The king shook his head. “I will give you enough money to return to your home if you will take my daughter away and humble her!”

About the Author

Serena Clarke is from Sunny St. George in Southern Utah. Serena has a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and has taken several writing classes in college. Her favorite genre is fantasy romance. She is not only an author but also a member of the Red Mountain Shadows Publishing team and creates book covers for indie authors. She has three fantasy romances and two fairytale romances. Her fantasy/romance novels are The Treasure of Isian, The Alliance of Isian, and The Secret of Isian. Her fairytale/romances are Promises of Gold and In Royal Ruins.

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