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Tales of Dormiraa #1
Slumber
The Tailor has been tasked to find the princess…
Upon decree from his king, Sebastian, Tailor to the entire kingdom of Dormiraa, embarks on the mission to fetch the Princess Thalia home, her seven year Royal Tour over. He didn’t expect to find her working with clockwork and gears, encased within a coffin of glass. He did not expect the sight of her wild black hair to set his heart to pound, or the flash of her dark eyes would heat his blood. He did not expect he would want her so badly, not when he could never have her.
The princess must become the Queen…
Thalia has always known she must return to the capital to prepare for the throne. She did not expect her father to send the Tailor to fetch her, or that this man with his extravagant clothes and subtle cosmetics would intrigue her so well. There was something about him, something that spoke of danger and secrets, even as his wicked mouth and knowing eyes made her yearn.
However, not everyone desires the princess’s return. When they are attacked, they can only turn to each other. Will they overcome status and secrets to discover a love for all time?
Upon decree from his king, Sebastian, Tailor to the entire kingdom of Dormiraa, embarks on the mission to fetch the Princess Thalia home, her seven year Royal Tour over. He didn’t expect to find her working with clockwork and gears, encased within a coffin of glass. He did not expect the sight of her wild black hair to set his heart to pound, or the flash of her dark eyes would heat his blood. He did not expect he would want her so badly, not when he could never have her.
The princess must become the Queen…
Thalia has always known she must return to the capital to prepare for the throne. She did not expect her father to send the Tailor to fetch her, or that this man with his extravagant clothes and subtle cosmetics would intrigue her so well. There was something about him, something that spoke of danger and secrets, even as his wicked mouth and knowing eyes made her yearn.
However, not everyone desires the princess’s return. When they are attacked, they can only turn to each other. Will they overcome status and secrets to discover a love for all time?
- GenresFairy Tales
133 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2014
67 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Dean
42 books190 followersCassandra Dean is an award-winning author of historical and fantasy romance. She grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.
Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com
Join Cassandra’s mailing list at http://cassandradean.com/extras/subsc...
Be sure to follow Cassandra on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3rzSIpu
Follow Cassandra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandra... and on Twitter @authorCassDean
Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.
Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com
Join Cassandra’s mailing list at http://cassandradean.com/extras/subsc...
Be sure to follow Cassandra on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3rzSIpu
Follow Cassandra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandra... and on Twitter @authorCassDean
Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 18, 2015
Fantastic retelling
Though short, SLUMBER is a fantastic retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Once she reached majority, Princess Thalia went on a "tour" of her kingdom in disguise to learn more of how the common people lived as part of her training as the successor to the king, her father. However, immersed in the enjoyment of working with gears, seven years went by until the king sent the Tailor, the second highest in the kingdom, to bring her back to the palace. We see here the common people "waking up", as they celebrated their princess's return, as though her seven years away had also sent them in hibernation. However, enemy factions are at work, as not everyone desires the princess's return, and seek to silence the princess forever.
SLUMBER is part of Decadent Publishing's Beyond Fairytales series, and author Cassandra Dean fleshed out Princess Thalia as she never had been in the original fairy tale. Thalia didn't grow up in the forest among the animals, nor did she do anything so foolish as to prick her finger on a spindle (although there are Spindles). Instead of just sitting on her gilded throne, she went through a reality program to help her understand her people better, and that's one admirable princess. Sebastian, the Tailor, comes with his own baggage, but underneath the fine clothes and correct manners, we slowly see the real Sebastian, the one who used his wits and cunning to scramble out of the gutters.
The story's pace was just right, and while the main characters and their motivations were fleshed out, I wish we could have seen more of the Spindles and more plot and conflict from this angle. Still, as it is, SLUMBER is a fine addition to the series.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Though short, SLUMBER is a fantastic retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Once she reached majority, Princess Thalia went on a "tour" of her kingdom in disguise to learn more of how the common people lived as part of her training as the successor to the king, her father. However, immersed in the enjoyment of working with gears, seven years went by until the king sent the Tailor, the second highest in the kingdom, to bring her back to the palace. We see here the common people "waking up", as they celebrated their princess's return, as though her seven years away had also sent them in hibernation. However, enemy factions are at work, as not everyone desires the princess's return, and seek to silence the princess forever.
SLUMBER is part of Decadent Publishing's Beyond Fairytales series, and author Cassandra Dean fleshed out Princess Thalia as she never had been in the original fairy tale. Thalia didn't grow up in the forest among the animals, nor did she do anything so foolish as to prick her finger on a spindle (although there are Spindles). Instead of just sitting on her gilded throne, she went through a reality program to help her understand her people better, and that's one admirable princess. Sebastian, the Tailor, comes with his own baggage, but underneath the fine clothes and correct manners, we slowly see the real Sebastian, the one who used his wits and cunning to scramble out of the gutters.
The story's pace was just right, and while the main characters and their motivations were fleshed out, I wish we could have seen more of the Spindles and more plot and conflict from this angle. Still, as it is, SLUMBER is a fine addition to the series.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2015
Independent Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.
Sebastian, the Tailor to the KIng, is sent to rescue the Princess Thalia. Its time for her Comfirmation to the Crown. But there are dark forces at work, and when Thalia's life is threatened and they have to run, with guards, Thalia realises that there is more the the Tailor than he lets on.
A fairy tale adaptation of The Glass Coffin, Brothers Grimm. Its not one I've read before, so this was all new to me, and a new to me author too, and it was delicious! (I know, I know, but it was!)
Its a great little story, with some action and drama, and so much love between Sebastian and Thalia, but neither will admit at, till Thalia's life is in danger. I loved the interaction between them, especially when Thalia pulled her Princess pants up and got all high and mighty with Sebastian, and didn't he just love that!
Its only short, 122 pages, about an hour and a half reading time for me, but it packs a little bit of everything in, andits very well packed in! Erotica, fairy tales, fantasy, a little steam punky too. I'm filing on Fairy tale retells, short stories, and hangover cures.
Fabulous little read and I will certainly look out for more by this author AND more in this series. OH! Having a quick look, each book in the series is by a different author. Lots for me to look.
4.5 fangs, simply because it is short. No other reason at all, I very rarely give 5 fangs to short stories.
**same worded review appears on Goodreads, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk**
Sebastian, the Tailor to the KIng, is sent to rescue the Princess Thalia. Its time for her Comfirmation to the Crown. But there are dark forces at work, and when Thalia's life is threatened and they have to run, with guards, Thalia realises that there is more the the Tailor than he lets on.
A fairy tale adaptation of The Glass Coffin, Brothers Grimm. Its not one I've read before, so this was all new to me, and a new to me author too, and it was delicious! (I know, I know, but it was!)
Its a great little story, with some action and drama, and so much love between Sebastian and Thalia, but neither will admit at, till Thalia's life is in danger. I loved the interaction between them, especially when Thalia pulled her Princess pants up and got all high and mighty with Sebastian, and didn't he just love that!
Its only short, 122 pages, about an hour and a half reading time for me, but it packs a little bit of everything in, andits very well packed in! Erotica, fairy tales, fantasy, a little steam punky too. I'm filing on Fairy tale retells, short stories, and hangover cures.
Fabulous little read and I will certainly look out for more by this author AND more in this series. OH! Having a quick look, each book in the series is by a different author. Lots for me to look.
4.5 fangs, simply because it is short. No other reason at all, I very rarely give 5 fangs to short stories.
**same worded review appears on Goodreads, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk**
August 31, 2015
Pleasant Surprise
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Author Cassandra Dean is a new-to-me author, and I was very pleasantly surprised with Slumber, part of the Beyond Fairy Tales series. It’s a re-telling of the “The Glass Coffin,” Brothers Grimm which I am unfamiliar, but understand it’s a rehash of the story of Sleeping Beauty. That tale I’m very much familiar with. I was transported to a world described, I thought was a little of bit of Medieval, Regency, and Steam punk mixed together. Steam punk because of the steam boat scene, gears, and machinery, and Regency because of the many fashion descriptions of items our characters wore.
The king had sent Sebastian, tailor to the king, to find the absent Princess Thalia and bring her home to accept her Confirmation to the throne. As in tradition, the heir is sent out on a “trip” to learn of the common folk. But what should have lasted a year stretched to seven. Sebastian is not what he seems, though he’s dressed in a foppish way. During the journey home they couldn’t deny their attraction for each other, and Sebastian found himself protecting the Princess at all cost. Just loved this delightful novella and the revealing ending choked full of emotions. Ms. Dean’s writing is flawless and she uses her craft to evoke emotions and paint descriptive scenes, I felt I was right there. Its an adult version, so the love scenes are quite steamy. If you love re-telling of fairy tales this is one book I recommend.
My rating: 4
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Author Cassandra Dean is a new-to-me author, and I was very pleasantly surprised with Slumber, part of the Beyond Fairy Tales series. It’s a re-telling of the “The Glass Coffin,” Brothers Grimm which I am unfamiliar, but understand it’s a rehash of the story of Sleeping Beauty. That tale I’m very much familiar with. I was transported to a world described, I thought was a little of bit of Medieval, Regency, and Steam punk mixed together. Steam punk because of the steam boat scene, gears, and machinery, and Regency because of the many fashion descriptions of items our characters wore.
The king had sent Sebastian, tailor to the king, to find the absent Princess Thalia and bring her home to accept her Confirmation to the throne. As in tradition, the heir is sent out on a “trip” to learn of the common folk. But what should have lasted a year stretched to seven. Sebastian is not what he seems, though he’s dressed in a foppish way. During the journey home they couldn’t deny their attraction for each other, and Sebastian found himself protecting the Princess at all cost. Just loved this delightful novella and the revealing ending choked full of emotions. Ms. Dean’s writing is flawless and she uses her craft to evoke emotions and paint descriptive scenes, I felt I was right there. Its an adult version, so the love scenes are quite steamy. If you love re-telling of fairy tales this is one book I recommend.
My rating: 4
July 15, 2016
Erotic romance with a touch of fantasy.
With a slow pace but with an interesting plot, Slumber is an erotic story that might remind you of Sleeping Beauty and even Titanic.
I love fantasy, but it's difficult to read well written romances with a touch of magic. Often it comes out as an unbelievable story or like something is misplaced, which is not the case here. Unfortunately, some parts felt flat and the ending was a bit confusing. However, the author did create a beautiful hero, Sebastian, he was my favorite character! He was well developed and we could understand how complex he was. I loved how we got to read from his point of view too. Cassandra Dean also did a great job with her secondary characters.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
With a slow pace but with an interesting plot, Slumber is an erotic story that might remind you of Sleeping Beauty and even Titanic.
I love fantasy, but it's difficult to read well written romances with a touch of magic. Often it comes out as an unbelievable story or like something is misplaced, which is not the case here. Unfortunately, some parts felt flat and the ending was a bit confusing. However, the author did create a beautiful hero, Sebastian, he was my favorite character! He was well developed and we could understand how complex he was. I loved how we got to read from his point of view too. Cassandra Dean also did a great job with her secondary characters.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2015
I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings…when they are done as well as this one. I have a special place in my heart for Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty style tales, but I have to confess I prefer a strong feminine heroine which is not always the case in those stories. In this story the heroine is strong and knows what she wants, but also able to bend for love. The dichotomy of the strength and frippery of the tailor add to the pleasure of this story.
I give this story 4.5 out of 5 clouds and strongly recommend it for the Good Reads Fairy Tale Retelling group.
I give this story 4.5 out of 5 clouds and strongly recommend it for the Good Reads Fairy Tale Retelling group.
July 30, 2015
Intriguing
Slumber is an intriguing and wildly imaginative fairy tale re-telling that is a witty and fun read. A kingdom where the tailor is second in power only to the king seemed overly narcissistic at first glance. However, further reading revealed some deeper social commentary about society's general unwillingness to look beyond the surface to the real substance underneath.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Slumber is an intriguing and wildly imaginative fairy tale re-telling that is a witty and fun read. A kingdom where the tailor is second in power only to the king seemed overly narcissistic at first glance. However, further reading revealed some deeper social commentary about society's general unwillingness to look beyond the surface to the real substance underneath.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews