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C. S. Johnson

THE ONCE UPON A PRINCESS COLLECTOR SET

 

Beauty’s Curse

Beauty’s Quest

Beauty’s Kiss

Beauty’s Gift

At her birth, Princess Aurora of Rhone—Rose to her friends—was cursed Magdalina, the wicked ruler of the fairies at war with her kingdom. Under the curse, Rose is doomed to die on her eighteenth birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel.

 

Along with her friends—Theo, a priest on a quest for his own revenge; Mary, a young and talented fairy; Ethan and Sophia, siblings with a troubled past; and a newcomer to the group, Prince Philip—Rose sets out to find a way to break her curse, willing to risk everything to fight the battle of her life—the battle for her freedom, her kingdom, and her heart.

Alexa Crema

Once Upon a Princess

The Once Upon a Princess Saga: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

What if Sleeping Beauty knew about her curse? 

For four years, Princess Aurora of Rhone—Rose to her friends—has searched the world for a way to break the curse placed on her by Magdalina, the wicked ruler of the fairies at war with her kingdom. Under the curse, Rose is doomed to die on her eighteenth birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. And time is running out.

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Rose makes the journey home with her friends—Theo, a priest with a penchant for revenge; Mary, a young and talented fairy; and Ethan and Sophia, siblings with a troubled past–as pressure from her father, King Stefanos, leaves her with two equally unsatisfying options: Abdicate the throne, or get married.

From the book:

“I have better things to do.”

“Like what?” Rose asked. “Waste your life on a fool’s journey, under a silly girl’s orders?”

“I have never considered saving your life to be the same as wasting mine, Rosary.” He came and stood in front of her, the ease of his presence replaced by an unusual heat rather than familiar warmth. Rose had never before been bothered by the six inches he stood taller than her, but all of a sudden the shadow of his strength imposed itself on her.

The cursed beauty of the moonlight revealed the clarity and sharpness of his eyes as she gazed up at him. “What if you did waste your life though? What if?”

“If I have wasted my life, I have wasted it on you. Willingly."

﻿

Enjoy this novella series retelling of the Sleeping Beauty, with new characters, new plot twists, and plenty of action and adventure. Perfect for teen and young adult historical fantasy readers, and check out Part II, "Beauty's Quest," as the story continues!

Beauty's Curse: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

In order to defeat the sorceress Magdalina, and free herself from her curse, Rose, the Princess of Rhone, has set out to find dragon’s blood. As she travels toward the Romani territory, where the Serpent’s Garden resides, she is accompanied by her faithful group of friends, including their newest member, Prince Philip of Einish.

But when the group ends up shipwrecked on the small island of Maltia, they find themselves trapped without supplies and a way off the island. With time, money, and new enemies working against them, Rose remains determined despite her despair to rise to each challenge. But can she face the growing fear—and longing—inside herself?

From the book:

“You want to be free,” Theo told her. “But you don’t even allow yourself to dream of it, even with small things, like singing a song.”

A new wave of anger, both at him and at herself, washed over her. “If I am free, I am free to refuse,” she muttered.

“It’s not a matter of freedom, but fear.”

“I am not afraid!”

“Aren’t you?” Theo asked quietly.

“No.”

Rose waited to hear Theo argue with her. But he said nothing.

Sweet, suspenseful, and full of surprises, Beauty’s Quest is the second book in the Once Upon a Princess saga from C. S. Johnson. Enjoy Part II of this historical fantasy retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale!

Beauty's Quest: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

Rose, the Princess of Rhone, doomed to fall into a sleeping death on her eighteenth birthday, has only ever wanted two things in all her life: to be free of her curse, and to never fall in love. After securing the dragon's blood from the Serpent's Garden, Rose is confident she has all she needs to free herself from Magdalina's curse. But when Magdalina comes to offer Rose a new deal—one that would free her from her curse, while also eliminating future threats—Rose is forced to confront the truth of her feelings for Theo.

As Theo's past and new troubles interrupt their journey back to Rhone, Rose knows she must make a devastating choice. Will she let herself fall in love? Or will she break her own heart instead?

From the book:

You’re crazy,” Rose said. “He knows, of all people, how I feel about love.”

“And he is the one person, of all people, who is determined to get past the barriers you have in your heart.”

Rose shook her head. “He won’t.”

This novella series is an expanded retelling of the Sleeping Beauty, with new characters, new plot twists, and plenty of action and adventure, perfect for teen and young adult historical fantasy readers. Look for the conclusion of this saga in "Beauty's Gift."

Beauty's Kiss: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

With only weeks away from her eighteenth birthday and the fulfillment of her curse, Rose, the Princess of Rhone, faces more obstacles than ever. The kingdom, anxious over her fate, is destabilizing under her father's rule; her mother is imprisoned, and her uncle is holding a silent coup against the crown. With Theo's absence, she is unable to do more than brood over her fate as she attempts to solve the problems around her.

When Theo returns with surprising information, Rose knows the time has come to risk everything. Along with her friends, she prepares to face Magdalina, the wicked ruler of the fairies, and fight the battle of her life - the battle for her freedom, her kingdom, and her heart.

From the book:

“I don’t want to talk about it, Mary.” She measured her words out carefully, keeping her tone light. “I told you, he had to go and take care of something for his grandfather. It was important.”

“It was more than that.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Obviously, it does, or you wouldn’t be acting like this.” Mary came up beside her. “He told you that he loved you, didn’t he?”

The blush on her cheeks burned hotter. “Please stop, Mary,” she said. “Isn’t it bad enough that he said it?”

“But Rose, you love him, too.” Mary arched her brow at Rose’s silence. “Don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” Rose snapped. “But he doesn’t deserve to be stuck with me and my curse. That’s why it’s better that he left.”

“Oh, Rose.” Mary came up and leaned against her, stroking her hair in a mothering manner. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Enjoy the conclusion to this historical fantasy fairy tale series, a fun retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale. "Beauty's Gift" is a tale full of true love, adventure, revenge, and betrayal that will have you guessing until the very end!