Betrayed

Beyond the Curse #2

by Laura Greenwood

Life goes on around the cursed.

All Cienna and Henry want is a child, and an heir for their Kingdom. Yet after years of trying, they still don't have one. Seeing it as her only option, Cienna makes a deal with the notorious Xavier.

But every deal comes at a price...

A fantasy paranormal retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. A Beyond the Curse story.

Genres: Short Stories, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Amazon, Fiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Laura Greenwood]

Betrayed is now part of the completely revamped and rewritten Beyond The Curse series. You can find the new version here: https://books.authorlauragreenwood.co...

Changes include but aren't limited to: editing changes, complete removal of some scenes, POV changed to solely Keira in the main series, removal of paranormal elements to focus on the fantasy elements of the stories.

[Laura Greenwood]

Beyond the Curse and the sister series, Children of the Cursed, will re-release in late 2020 with a completely re-written book 1-2. They will have the same covers (the gold ones) and follow the same plot, but with fresh writing.

Beyond the Curse Series:
1. Awakening
2. Cloaked]

Prequels:
1. Betrayed
2. Accursed

[Amy Fudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful short story fantasy paranormal retelling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin. It features King Henry and his Queen Cienna. They both long for a child, an heir to their kingdom. Henry considers their kingdom of people as their "children" and as long as he has Cienna, he is happy. But Cienna wants so badly to have a child of her own, to give Henry and heir. So badly, that she makes a deal with Xavier. Only she doesn't know the true terms of the agreement until it's too late. What will they do?

This is book 2 of the Beyond the Curse series, and I can't wait to read more!

I received and ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review. This is my honest opinion.

[B. Sinsational · Rating 5 out of 5]

💘Spectacular new approach!💘

This is the second installment in the series called:”Beyond the Curse”. Its just as the first book a very masterly, clever re-telling of a child’s fairytale. It has enough to be clearly distinguishable, but here it has been reinvented and added a spectacular new approach. Surprisingly in this series, you will find there is a slight connection between those seemingly unrelated stories. The story takes on a whole new fantastic meaning and gets rejuvenated, acclimated to a mature audience, and to the brim filled with that divine spark that is like an alluring beacon, beckoning come closer, dive in and experience the magic. To a book addict like my self, this is a sirens call, I didn’t want to resist, and I’m happy I didn’t, its definitely a wonderful read.

[OneDayI'll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC to review and give an honest opinion on.

This was an interesting take on the Rumplestiltskin tale. A desperate royal couple in need of an heir, her friend, an evil ruler with magical ties and an unbreakable contract take center stage here.

After a decade of no pregnancy the queen makes a decision that has unintended consequences. Spinning straw into gold is the least of her worries. Due to the nature of the contract she signed the child she may bear will have to face these consequences as well. Remember to always read the fine print!

This is the 2nd book in a series that gives a new look at classic fairytales.

[Joetta Spurling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.

This is book two in the Cursed series... This book reads like it could be book 1 or even a prequel.. but as the author said she has a reason for putting the books in this order... I love these books! Sleeping beauty and the classics on steroids... You know the plain Jane story about sleeping beauty well this is that and more... And in Vampires and witches and wow... Page count is low but it has a lot packed into those pages... Looking forward to reading book 3... I recommend this book to anyone over the age of 18...

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick twist of the Rumpelstiltskin story and a bit more scary. It was a bit more addicting then I thought it would be. I received a free copy and my honest review is that I really liked the short story. Although I was left wondering what would happen next to the kids. Oh wait, I can just go read the next book in the series and find out. I really liked that it was a bit dark themed but clean read. Worth reading and checking out as it is just different enough to be compelling.

[David Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of the fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin.

I didn't realize this was book 2 when I started reading it. But it was short and free so I decided to go ahead a give it a read. While it was obvious that I had missed some background material from the first story, I was able to follow along all right. I liked the changes to the tale. It was interesting enough that I would consider reading the rest of the series.

[JodyL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what happened before sleeping beauty

This is a short prequel to show how Kiera, the girl in the next book gets cursed. It shows what her mother the Queen went through in order to give birth to her. It also shows the agreements that were agreed upon by Xavier and Queen Vienna and the one by Xavier and Madeline.
It is an interesting beginning that lures you in and makes want to read more of the story.

[Linda Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story that reminds you of the lessons learned in fairy tales. It is a cautionary tale about the consequences of making deals and watching out for deals that seem too good to be true. It is a short story. It left me wanting to read more stories in this series.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[BP34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Beyond The Curse series and is based on the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin . Cienna and Henry were unable to produce an heir for their kingdom. So Cienna makes a deal with the notorious Xavier. All things have a price and was this price too much. Some abuse and bad morals. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Lisa Eiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an ecopy of this book for free but wanted to voluntarily share my honest opinion about it here.

I really enjoyed this fairy-tale retelling...it's a bit dark, a bit frightening at times...and an interesting new way to think about the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. Fans of fantasy and fairy-tale revamps should love this book and the Beyond the Curse series.

[Michelle Fritz PA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and Imaginative!
So very different from most of the other retellings. This was creatively written and paced excellently. I loved all of the different plots brimming together. The characters were interesting. I cannot wait to begin Reawakened 💖 Ms. Greenwood always tells such an imaginative tale and she draws you deeply into her stories from the very first page.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one had a creepy character..love.. magic.. and so much fun.. i loved this retelling of rumplestilskin through laura's eyes.. it was amazing and wonderful and so much fun to read. i am so glad i got to review it

[Ksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Having just read Awakening, I enjoyed that this was essentially a prequel story. It gave insight into how events in the first novel were to occur. It also has me making connections that I hope are true. I cannot wait to read the next one.

[Brittany VanLanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This is the follow up to Awakening. It give the back story to the previous book but they can be read alone. This is a great take on Rumplestilzskin! Can't wait for the next one!

[Helgaleena Healingline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply cannot get past Ms Greenwood's atrocious grammar. The characters are well-drawn but the telling is sub-par.

A queen makes a deal with an evil power without reading the fine print, and tragedy ensues.

[Fiona Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aarrgghh

What a horrible ending, poor Madeleine, what a horrible man Xavier is. The tricky way he exacts is revenge is horrible, I don’t think many people are able to beat him. Let’s hope someone does in the future. Highly recommend.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I wanted to love this story as it is one of my favourite fairytales I just couldn't get into it. The characters felt lackluster and there was no passion written into the words. Told for the sake of getting a book out. Very disappointed.

[Mhari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with a sequel slant, setting the scene for Sleeping Beauty at the end. Now I want to go on to the main series, and knowing Laura's work, I'm expecting lots of little twists along the way. Madeline is one of the best supporting characters I've ever seen.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modified version of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Most of the characters are the good ones but it's always necessary to have a bad one.

Interesting system of making deals where one of the parties doesn't get to see the 'deal' before signing.

Good fantasy

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Beyond the Curse series and boy this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is a wonderful retelling. With the new approach to this retelling it gives a fantastic new meaning to everything.

[Ola Adamska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written shortie.
A retelling That willput you in different point of view to this story.
What will happen? How will their problem be resolved? What about deals?
I really enjoyed That short story

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got free from Laura Greenwood Newsletter.

I liked the story of Rumpelstiltskin when I was a little girl. This so reminded me of it. The spinning of straw to making deals to have a child. Well written. Loved the characters in the book. Hope to read the rest.

Thank you for letting me read your story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review for honest review. This story was cute it's a lot like rumpelstilskin story we wall grew up with Very cute.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betrayed -- Laura Greenwood --Its short even for a novella, but it was interesting! A Rumpelstiltskin retelling that manages to be even more sinister than the original! Happy Reading!

[Rosyel Sawali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting enough that it makes me check out the rest of the books in the series...

[Jolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story was okay as far as it went (it was very short) but the morals of the characters are seriously lacking and I do not wish to continue with their stories so I will not be reading any more of the series.

I will put the following in a spoiler although it is all straight from the excerpt included at the end of "Betrayed" so not sure if it is really a spoiler or not.

I don't like the direction that the first book in the series seems to be heading based on the excerpt at the end of this story (sounds like Sleeping Beauty is about to awaken as a vampire who will delight in killing people).

Also Sleeping Beauty wants to learn about what happens in bed between men/women so not the direction regarding sexual content that I want to head. From the preview "hoping to catch one of the maids, or even better a lady of the Court, in some compromising position with a young man. It wouldn't be the first time and I secretly enjoyed finding men and women in such positions, especially as no one would tell me anything about what happened in bed between a man and a woman...or out of a bed as the case may be. They seemed to forget that I was nearly a woman myself and that I needed to know."


I really do not want to read about any more of the child abuse that is alluded to in this story either. The bad guy is violent towards his young (four year old?) son although only bruises/fear are seen on the child; the actual abuse is not recounted as part of this story.

[Coco.V]

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