What do you think?
Rate this book
Eldentimber #0.5
Grace of Vernow
This is a previously-published edition - ASIN: B00ZS54E9U
Pippa, Archer, and Lionel return in this short prequel to Pippa of Lauramore.
The story before the tournament...
Grace is a smart girl with one unwise weakness: she is in love with Lionel, the Crown Prince of Vernow. She clings to the memory of her friend from childhood, but Lionel has grown up. He’s no longer the quiet, shy boy who had all the time in the world for the librarian’s assistant.
When Grace meets Javid, a handsome scholar who may be more than he lets on, she believes she might finally be able to let go of the love she holds for Lionel. But when Lionel feels her pulling away, he doesn’t know if he’s ready to say goodbye.
Filled with new love and new friendships, hard decisions and unexpected possibilities--this novelette is sure to please readers dying for just a little more Eldentimber.
Pippa, Archer, and Lionel return in this short prequel to Pippa of Lauramore.
The story before the tournament...
Grace is a smart girl with one unwise weakness: she is in love with Lionel, the Crown Prince of Vernow. She clings to the memory of her friend from childhood, but Lionel has grown up. He’s no longer the quiet, shy boy who had all the time in the world for the librarian’s assistant.
When Grace meets Javid, a handsome scholar who may be more than he lets on, she believes she might finally be able to let go of the love she holds for Lionel. But when Lionel feels her pulling away, he doesn’t know if he’s ready to say goodbye.
Filled with new love and new friendships, hard decisions and unexpected possibilities--this novelette is sure to please readers dying for just a little more Eldentimber.
62 pages, ebook
First published July 14, 2015
17 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Shari L. Tapscott
68 books912 followersShari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, making soap, and pretending she can sing.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
She loves white chocolate mochas, furry animals, spending time with her family, and characters who refuse to behave.
Tapscott lives in western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Join Shari's newsletter, and be one of the first to learn about new projects, upcoming releases, sales, and specials.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 10, 2019
Grace of Vernow takes place the summer before the story Pippa of Lauramore and provides the necessary background to better understand how the villain in that novel became who he was. For it being a novella, I found it to be well-developed and thoroughly engaging. Our protagonist Grace is a sweet character who harbors romantic feelings for her childhood friend, Lionel, who’s unfortunately become an entirely different man as he’s grown up. Through witnessing how he treats his intended Pippa over the summer and an unexpected encounter with a noble’s son, Javid, Grace finds new love and learns to let go of the man who is no longer the man he used to be.
I loved the added insight this novella gives Pippa of Lauramore. Grace was a wonderful character with a good heart and strong morals, the appearances of Pippa and Archer were delightful, and it was interesting seeing a different side of Lionel. I thought the romance was sweet and especially loved the stargazing element woven throughout the story. Overall, I found this to be a super sweet and cute read.
I loved the added insight this novella gives Pippa of Lauramore. Grace was a wonderful character with a good heart and strong morals, the appearances of Pippa and Archer were delightful, and it was interesting seeing a different side of Lionel. I thought the romance was sweet and especially loved the stargazing element woven throughout the story. Overall, I found this to be a super sweet and cute read.
January 9, 2016
I hate Lionel so freaking much. He's just not a good dude.
But, Grace has loved him since she was young. When she was orphaned and brought under the care of a scholar, the two formed a friendship that eventually turned into love. He wasn't always the awful man he proves to be in Pippa of Lauramore.
But, he is to be married to princess Pippa. When Pippa visits Vernow for the summer, she befriends Grace een though she wonders how the girl could love such a man. Grace sees first hand how Lionel treats the princess.
It isn't until Grace starts to spend time with Javid, a man she believes to be the bastard son of a noble, that Lionel confesses his feelings.
I don't read a ton of short stories but I wanted more of this world and I wasn't disappointed. This story reads just like the others and envelopes us in a rich world full of great characters. The ending is just perfect and makes you feel even more glad for the events at the end of Pippa of Lauramore. But, no spoilers! You just have to read it for yourself, and I suggest you do!
But, Grace has loved him since she was young. When she was orphaned and brought under the care of a scholar, the two formed a friendship that eventually turned into love. He wasn't always the awful man he proves to be in Pippa of Lauramore.
But, he is to be married to princess Pippa. When Pippa visits Vernow for the summer, she befriends Grace een though she wonders how the girl could love such a man. Grace sees first hand how Lionel treats the princess.
It isn't until Grace starts to spend time with Javid, a man she believes to be the bastard son of a noble, that Lionel confesses his feelings.
I don't read a ton of short stories but I wanted more of this world and I wasn't disappointed. This story reads just like the others and envelopes us in a rich world full of great characters. The ending is just perfect and makes you feel even more glad for the events at the end of Pippa of Lauramore. But, no spoilers! You just have to read it for yourself, and I suggest you do!
March 15, 2019
I love getting the backstory on Grace and Javid, and it's nice to better understand what motivated Lionel to win Pippa's marriage tournament when he didn't even like her. However, Lionel is already a scary beast in this book, so if you were hoping to see the decent guy that Grace fell in love with, you will be disappointed.
March 12, 2019
I really enjoyed seeing Javid and Grace fall in love, but I didn't like that Lionel kind of tainted a lot of the book.
March 26, 2018
I really liked this one as well! I really wish it had been longer and that I had read it so much earlier, it explained so much! Another great addition to the collection of stories!
October 12, 2017
I love this series by Shari Tapscott. I've read the entire series but for this story and I'm glad that I've started my rereading with this one, it makes the Pippa story make more sense. Lionel plays a roll in the Pippa story, which is the next book in the series, and he is a main character in this story, and I got to learn why I disliked him so much! Grace will also show up in later stories and it was nice to see who she truly is as a person. I'm glad I started here this time, it's a great foundation to start with. I'm not sure why they took the series off of Kindle Unlimited, but it is well worth the the small amount they are charging for the books now. I read it for free the first time and am buying the books now!
April 11, 2020
I've been hoping to read a story like this one!
Grace fancies herself in love with the monster, Lionel. She has known him the longest and were the best of friends. However, Lionel has changed. Everyone sees it except Grace.
When she finally does see it, she realizes that she actually has fallen in love with someone else. Infuriated, Lionel seeks to keep her as his. However, the only options Grace has is either become Lionel's mistress or leave Vernow with an engagement. She chooses the latter and we see now how moved Lionel is to win Pippa's tourney.
We did get to see Archer and Pippa in this snippet. I love both of them from book 1 and was happy to see them again!!
Nice "beginning."
Grace fancies herself in love with the monster, Lionel. She has known him the longest and were the best of friends. However, Lionel has changed. Everyone sees it except Grace.
When she finally does see it, she realizes that she actually has fallen in love with someone else. Infuriated, Lionel seeks to keep her as his. However, the only options Grace has is either become Lionel's mistress or leave Vernow with an engagement. She chooses the latter and we see now how moved Lionel is to win Pippa's tourney.
We did get to see Archer and Pippa in this snippet. I love both of them from book 1 and was happy to see them again!!
Nice "beginning."
April 25, 2022
Clean, fantasy, romance that sets the stage for the Eldentimber series. However, I will say I read this after reading Pippa of Lauramore; and I believe it gave me a greater appreciation for both Grace and Pippa's characters. This is one of the best novelettes I have read in a while and I hope to encounter both of these courageous ladies, and the men they love, in future books.
January 5, 2018
Not a bad novella, especially as it gives slightly more insight to Pippa of Lauramore. The ending was rather abrupt, and the development between Grace and Javid rushed, but that's to be expected from a story this short.
September 14, 2021
Note to self: just read novellettes in order with a series like this. It makes more sense that way. Although I have to admit, going backwards in Pippa and Archer’s story was fun… knowing the outcome while seeing them together before the tournament.
June 14, 2017
Good addition to the Eldentimber Series. I liked Grace's story.
February 7, 2018
Cute story, but lacks an intriguing plot like the other novels. It was nice to see into Lionel’s personality.
February 17, 2018
Sweet and Beautiful, but contains some sadness for lost dreams and love.
August 25, 2018
Complicated royal love triangles. I read the previous books awhile ago so it was a bit confusing as to who was who.
May 17, 2019
Scholar and Princess
Not sure who I liked more, Grace or Pippa! Javid and Archer were fabulous characters. Lionel was a bit beastly and bi-polar.
Not sure who I liked more, Grace or Pippa! Javid and Archer were fabulous characters. Lionel was a bit beastly and bi-polar.
November 28, 2016
Sweet short story from the world of Eldentimber.
January 8, 2025
Grace popped up in book 5, so I took a quick little break from that one to pick up this novella and learn about her before continuing that story.
Honestly, heartbreaking. Lionel is awful. I appreciate that you kind of get a glimpse into him, and that he's not always awful, and you see maybe why he’s such an ass, but at the end of the day, he’s still an ass.
I love a fmc that lives her life with her nose in a book, so seeing these two very academic people fall in love was lovely. I will say, I wish it had more of a bang, their romance was a little bland and lacklustre.
Honestly, heartbreaking. Lionel is awful. I appreciate that you kind of get a glimpse into him, and that he's not always awful, and you see maybe why he’s such an ass, but at the end of the day, he’s still an ass.
I love a fmc that lives her life with her nose in a book, so seeing these two very academic people fall in love was lovely. I will say, I wish it had more of a bang, their romance was a little bland and lacklustre.
July 16, 2019
Finished July 15, 2019—Reread. I loved this short novelette! Grace and Javid are both so wonderful, and I wish we had more of their story. It was so interesting to see Archer’s feelings for Pippa prior to the tournament, especially from someone else’s perspective. This story fits perfectly into the Eldentimber series, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Pippa of Lauramore.
Finished July 22, 2016—I didn't want this story to end. The writing was fantastic, the characters and world building were well developed (especially for the length of this novelette). It was interesting to see a slightly different side of Lionel, but he was still the rude brute I remember from Pippa of Lauramore. Grace was a sweet, likable character, and I hope I get to see her more in the series. I definitely loved seeing Pippa and Archer again, they are both amazing characters that are well rounded and intriguing. I can't wait to read more of the Eldentimber series.
Finished July 22, 2016—I didn't want this story to end. The writing was fantastic, the characters and world building were well developed (especially for the length of this novelette). It was interesting to see a slightly different side of Lionel, but he was still the rude brute I remember from Pippa of Lauramore. Grace was a sweet, likable character, and I hope I get to see her more in the series. I definitely loved seeing Pippa and Archer again, they are both amazing characters that are well rounded and intriguing. I can't wait to read more of the Eldentimber series.
February 7, 2017
I read this after reading Pippa, so it was interesting to see Lionel as he has the choice to go toward good or bad. I enjoyed the dynamics between Grace and Jarvid. Despite being a novella it had enough character development to be enjoyable.
November 27, 2015
Great Short
This was a lovely brief look into Lionel prior to his pursuit of Pippa. It helped to understand a bit if hide animosity and attitude. I hope the next book will focus on Lionel and him finding a mate that can bring out the good in him, because inspire of his attitude, I bet the good is there. Great shirt story. I have loved all in this series. I am looking forward to more.
This was a lovely brief look into Lionel prior to his pursuit of Pippa. It helped to understand a bit if hide animosity and attitude. I hope the next book will focus on Lionel and him finding a mate that can bring out the good in him, because inspire of his attitude, I bet the good is there. Great shirt story. I have loved all in this series. I am looking forward to more.
March 30, 2016
I think this one suffered a bit for me from the fact that I'd read book one in the series but could only vaguely remember it. So I spent the whole time trying to remember if Lionel, who comes across as extremely annoying in this book, ended up being someone's love interest in a later book. Otherwise, though, it's a good story.
October 26, 2016
This books is short and sweet. Grace isn’t the spitfire Pippa was, but her character is still very likable. The best part about this short story is that it gives us some background into Lionel (the ‘bad guy’) from book one. The author does a great job of showing Grace’s feelings altering in a believable way and gives us another great heroine to root for.
August 16, 2015
This is a wonderful novelette about a lovely young scholar named Grace. Her situation tugged at my heartstrings, and I read this in one sitting to find out what happened to her. This story makes me want to read the rest of the Eldentimber tales. Recommended for fans of love and chivalry!
July 16, 2016
I initially didn't read this one because it involved the main character, Grace, being in love with Lionel which just seemed so unappealing. After reading Audette of Brookraven and realizing that Grace was in there I decided to read Graces book and was glad I did.
July 27, 2015
It's good, it's easy to read, it's a lovely little story, and if you loved "Pippa," it's easy to love "Grace."
April 24, 2016
Much better than the first book.
June 29, 2016
A must read, a wonderful series that will tug at your heart and never put down!
July 25, 2016
Loved this little novella. I wish I'd read it before "Pippa," you get a much better picture of the relationship between Pippa and Lionel. I would for sure read it before "Audette."
November 21, 2016
I have read threst and this story sheds a bit of light before the first book Pippa of Lauramore, but now I want to read Pippa of Lauramore again! LOL!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews