Belle returns home, assured that God wants her at the castle again. Although rumors touched her ears, she was unprepared to acknowledge the beast her father has become. Belle settles into a routine, tending to small duties about the castle, and waiting for the day her father will want to see her. Yet, how long must she wait for the love of Christ to touch his heart, even a little?

Loyal servants, stormy trials, and a beautiful garden intertwine a message of hope, patience, and faith to Belle’s heart. While she grows all the more beautiful, will the beast grow colder?

Faith is needed when you are Befriending the Beast.

Shortly after, Raoul begins a frantic search for his long-lost daughter. Alongside faithful Jolin and suspicious Gailen, they come closer to finding her trail. Yet, the closer they come, the more danger increases. Will Raoul seek God’s counsel before the child he seeks is killed?

Lia has known naught but the cruelty of her mother and the pain of her twisted foot. Yet, belonging pulls at her heart. Surely, she wasn’t meant for this. Surely, God had been wrong in His plan for her and there was nothing more to do than work and let bitterness simmer inside. Will an old prisoner change her mind before it’s too late?

Love holds on to The Secret Slipper.

Later, after an assault to take his life, Dumphey flees to the woods. He finds a small band of boys, also hiding from the vengeful hand of the new Lord Ferochi. Despite the guilt plaguing his heart, Dumphey agrees to lead the boys in their uncertain days. Will his pledge to never take a life cost him his own – and those of his lads?

Noel is suddenly orphaned and charged with a task too big for his small stature when his brother, Dumphey, mysteriously disappears. Noel is faced with threats from Ferochi, a possible spy, and imprisonment. Each time, he feels smaller, weaker. Then, he is given his biggest task. Will God hear Noel’s lonely cry for protection and help?

The brothers battle for life and liberty, finding that true bravery is in trusting God, true forgiveness comes from God alone, and true justice is following God’s laws – even in the midst of peril.

Courage must rise when you’re Protecting the Poor.

This is the Tales of Faith Trilogy by Amanda Tero. Each book is a Christian re-imagining of a classic tale – Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Robin Hood. Belle’s story is charming, Lia’s intriguing, and Dumphey’s harrowing. They center on a God who is mighty to save – lost souls, lost people, and lost cities!

Prayer was a huge component of these tales. And ye must withstand the medieval script, with many thee’s and thou’s. Honestly, it’s tastefully done and can be fun to read. The sentences are not literarily complex, so the meaning can be easily discerned without having to think it through twice.

I enjoyed the way Amanda intermingled the familiar little elements of each fairy-tale, such as Belle’s flight, Cinderella’s slipper, and Robin Hood’s bow. It was creative and often worked to tie the story together.

The stories build off one another in the same fictional world. The first book has a much smaller view, centered on the castle and surrounding grounds. The next two explore more, as they include journeys. Although a kingdom, the land seems to be compromised of poor, ambiguous, and dangerous people. Forests and castles seem to be the only place to flourish. Yet, faith can flourish anywhere.

The characters also link to one another, keeping a small connection to each previous story. Belle (from book #1) and Noel (from book #3) are my favorites. They each had a meek tenacity that stemmed from their dependence on God.

The themes were excellently woven through conversation, plot, and characters. In each story, the good news of Jesus Christ is central to the story and character development!

While the primary relationships between the original fairy-tales are between guy-and-girl, these tales focus on relationships between fathers and daughters, fathers and sons, God and His children.

Hallelu Yah! God, You are our Heavenly Father – a good and perfect King! (Matthew 6:9, Psalm 24:10) You are a Father to the fatherless, our Provider, and strong Protector. (Psalm 68:5) You discipline Your sons and daughters for their good, pruning us to bear much fruit for Your glory. (Hebrews 12:10-11, John 15:1-2) As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Psalm 103:13)! And You have a place for us, Heavenly Father, in Your everlasting kingdom, because of redemption through the Son, Jesus (John 14:1-3). Hallelu Yah!

If you’re on the hunt for a new medieval trilogy or fairy-tale retelling, Tales of Faith Trilogy is worth a read!