Book Reviews

Book Blurb

What if the glass slipper was size 12?

Housekeeper Mark Sintorella (Sinders) works diligently at a resort hotel while designing clothes anonymously, hoping to get into fashion school. Then his carefully planned life is upended with the arrival of Ashton Armitage, son of the fifth richest man in America—and the most beautiful guy Mark has ever seen.

Ash must find a wife or he’ll lose his grandfather’s inheritance, and he settles on Bitsy Fanderel. But secretly Ash is gay, and the guy who cleans the fireplaces sets his heart ablaze.

Further stirring the pot is the little elf of a man, Carstairs Pennymaker, who has Mark wearing his own designs and masquerading as a girl to impress the fashion investors in the hotel.

When the clock strikes twelve, two beautiful princesses line up for the wedding—but one isn’t a woman. Will the slipper fit? Only Mr. Pennymaker knows for sure.

 

 

First edition published by Amber Quill Press, 2012.

Second edition published by Dreamspinner Press, October 2015.

 

Book Review

Living an honest life is not always the easiest way to go but it is the most fulfilling. Whether rich or poor, if you have to lie about who you are and what you believe in, it will eventually take its toll. One lie leads to another, as Ash Armitage of 'Sinders and Ash' by Tara Lain finds out, and soon he’s not sure what's important and what isn't.

Even though Ash is rich and famous, he's poor when it comes to freedom. His life isn't his own, it's dictated by his status. Ash has a lot of potential, perhaps, but little motivation. Mark, aka Sinders, on the other hand, is as poor as a church mouse, and prefers a profile lower than Ash could ever wish for. Instead of having all the privileges of the rich like Ash does, Mark has been on his own since he was sixteen. Everything he has achieved has been through his own ingenuity and determination. Even though Mark has very little money, he has big dreams and he's willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them. Living openly as a gay man hasn't always been the easiest choice, but for Mark, it's the only way. Ash admires Mark's honesty and bravery and yearns to be like him. When it comes down to the wire, Ash has to choose between loving Mark and keeping his fortune.

Although this story has all the makings of a modern-day fairy tale, including a spoiled rich prince, a poor hardworking commoner, and a fairy godmother, Tara has also woven in some serious issues, such as gay children being rejected by their parents and their fight for survival. She also reminds us how insidious lies can be, stealing our dignity and plaguing our consciences. She's also thrown in some positive messages, like being true to oneself, anything you can dream you can do, money can't buy happiness, and last but certainly not least, that clothes don't make the man or woman. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an enjoyable, sensual story, full of charm, wit, age-old wisdom, and, of course, as with all fairy tales, a happily ever after ending.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novella, 177 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	11-August-2020
Price	$3.99 ebook, $11.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Sinders-Ash-Retelling-Romance-Pennymaker-ebook/dp/B08F4L2JPG