The Spinning Wheel

by R.C. Matthews

Spinning, spinning, forever she is spinning…

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived a master weaver named Arachne who challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving contest.

That didn’t end well for her.

Everyone has heard the tale of how Arachne became a spider. But few know the story of how she gifted Aphrodite with a gown spun from moonbeams, and in return, earned the chance to fall deeply in love and become a maiden again. Having learned her lesson for seeking glory and fame in her past life, she changed her name to Ariana and vowed to settle for a commoner, so as not to draw Athena’s wrath upon her once more.

Ariana stayed true to her plan, until one day a prince came knocking at her door…

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2019

About the author

I was born and raised by deaf parents in the Metro-Detroit area along with four siblings. Growing up in a house full of children, there was never a dull moment! We all inherited the reading gene from our father, who is a voracious reader. And the reading gene continues strong in my own two sons. I'm happily married (second time is a charm) to a patient and loving man who always cheers me on from the side-line to pursue my dreams. What more can a girl want?

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique fairy tale re-spinning the story of Arachne with a satisfying ending. I have not read any of this author's books before, so I'm pleased to discover a new writer to follow in the future. I love these kinds of stories. The Spinning Wheel is entertaining, well-written, and offers a sweet romance.

[Divya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written story. It was one of the best fairy tale retelling I have read. The story develops at a great pace and makes for an entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two twelve-year-old boys opened the creaking door of the dark and spooky Shepherd’s Cottage. Edward, Prince of Aramaya, nudged Maximus Edgewater farther inside the one space that the King had forbidden them to explore. Were the stories of Shepherd’s Cottage true? In the dark corner was an ancient loom with delicate spider webs all over it – and in the center was a huge, magnificent spider, shaped like an hourglass. Edward admired the beautiful webs that glistened like diamonds. He stopped Maximus when he would have attacked her with a broom. Maximus, descendant from a long line of warriors sworn to serve and defend the crown, felt it was his duty to protect his friend, the future King. But Edward held him back.

Edward explained that his father claimed the spider that lives here is Arachne, cursed by a goddess to spin her webs for all eternity. Arachne was a master weaver and probably the best who ever lived. She had challenged Athena to a weaving contest and this was her punishment for her arrogance. Edward wanted to see for himself if the tale was true. The tapestry hanging in the great hall of the castle, the fabled tapestry of Arachne, was the one allegedly woven by Arachne. When the spider moved toward Edward, Maximus swung the broom to kill her – saying it didn’t matter since legend said she could not die. But all life was precious to Edward and he ordered Maximus to never come here again without him.

With war coming to Aramaya, Prince Edward was occupied by keeping the castle forge running day and night to make weapons and armor. He contracted with the smithy and he and his guards rode to look at land on which to build his mother’s dower house. With Edward’s being crowned soon as his father lay dying from a battle wound, he didn’t have time to marry for love, so he had decided to marry a commoner. Whoever he chose, it would be for the good of his kingdom. He even considered the blacksmith’s daughter because, if she became the future queen, the blacksmith could be a powerful ally in recruiting men to fight for him in the King’s Legion. Maximus countered that marrying a foreign princess would form an alliance and give him immediate access to trained soldiers. Edward told him there was no guarantee marrying a foreign princess would strengthen them, where it made more sense to build their own forces from within their kingdom with men who were vested in the outcome. But first, he had to tear down the old Shepherd’s Cottage, show his mother the beautiful land where her house would be built, and THEN ask her to let him suggest a commoner bride rather than a foreign princess. His only regret was that he couldn’t save the beautiful webs, unique pieces of art. But he had to do this for his kingdom.

When the Prince approached the cottage, someone was cleaning it! The woman spoke to a squirrel and tossed it a nut. The Prince was insulted that she addressed the squirrel before him! Didn’t she see the coat of arms his soldiers wore? Why was she occupying a building owned by the royal family? And why was she still ignoring him? The man helping her apologized for not introducing her as she ran inside to get cloth she made for his wife in payment for his help fixing the cottage. When she came out, the man introduced her. She looked Prince Edward over carefully, then said he didn’t look as she had remember him! But she claimed she had seen a painting of him as a boy. When he told her he was going to take the cottage down, she was horrified. She knew he loved this cottage – but how could she reveal her knowledge without giving up too much information? Who indeed is Ariana? And what are her intentions?

This was a very good story, with the feeling of retelling a fairy tale in an entirely different way. Will this be a way to allow Arachne a sort of second chance at happiness? Grab your copy and immerse yourself into the story as you’ve never heard it before! The characters are delightful and the pacing is perfect. Enjoy!

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The online book I have has a different cover. The cover picture shown here is a fairytale image of Ariana. My cover has a more medieval look of warrior and heroine.
This is a fun and enticing fairytale romance. Sheppard's Cottage is the type of place anyone, who loves living in the country would want to be. Even a spider would enjoy such a quaint and cozy home.

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek tragedy spun into a fairytale

Caught my heart from the beginning. If I hadn’t been so busy, I would have read in one sitting. I love the Greek myths and tragedies and this did not disappoint. True love, destiny, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and more. This book had a taste of it all.

[Sharon Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enchanting fairy tale. Even though I did not know the story of Arachne and Athena before,(I had to look it up), I was enthralled by this story with its conflicts and romances. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Kathrin Beddies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different take on the mythological story of Arachne with a second change and a romantic twist. Well written with colourfull characters.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery and I voluntarily leave my honest reveiw of this book.

[Leanne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

creative

The characters and their build up was excellent. I truly enjoyed this light yet thrilling tale. Very creative storyline. I recommend.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know about the myth of Arachne and Athena, so I and the characters learned about the feud and what the curse entailed. Of course there are plenty of obstacles and misunderstandings, but there was a happily ever after at the end.

Beautifully written; easy to read.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book by the author and I loved how it all played out. The characters were great and the story had a great flow. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend this book to all!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the characters and the story. My interest was kept throughout. The author is a great writer and I love the cover. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I've read written by R.C. Matthews; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not familiar with the myth of Arachna, but reading this, I get a very good idea of how it goes. Even though the author gave Arachna a second chance. A chance at true love.
A beautiful fairy tale love story. Lots of colourful characters. Well written.
I could not put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the A Common Elements Romance series. A fairytale That is a take on Arachne which, is a Greek/Roman myth. It is well written and kept me turning pages. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber Christiansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated by the story of Arachne which, like most Greek myths, didn't end very well for the human involved. This unique story is written with a fairytale atmosphere and it gives Arachne a second chance at life outside of her punishment from Athena to be a spider. I love this story premise and I adored the main characters. I've never before seen a story that gives Arachne a romance, and I think the author pulled this one off nicely.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, but my opinions are my own.