Blog Tour: Ella by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Ella by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Book Description:

Reserved yet resilient, Ella Blakeley lives with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, without hope of escape—until the day Prince Kenton announces a ball that changes everything. Even without mice, magic, or fairy godmothers, Ella might discover a life that’s better than she ever dreamed. This intricately woven twist on Cinderella is an enchanting book you won’t be able to put down.

Andrea's Review:

I typically enjoy fairy tale retellings, and Ella was no exception. You won't find fairy godmothers, and talking animals in Peaslee's version, and I couldn't help but picture the movie version Ever After for much of the time I was reading. But, part of the enjoyment is that this version doesn't follow the typical storyline.

The characters are very well done, and you can't help but become emotionally attached to Ella. She is so mistreated, and yet she pushes through instead of running away because of a promise she made to her father. Time after time she shows her loyalty.

This is a very quick, clean read, that I'd happily recommend and read again. Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee is an author to watch for.

Rorie's Review:

I've enjoyed every retelling of Cinderella that I've watched or read,  and this story was no exception. I've always wondered why Cinderella just didn't up and leave since her step family was so horrible and abusive to her, and this book finally gives the reader a valid reason for it.

Of course,  the romance is an important part of this story,  and I thought it was really well done.  None of this "falling madly in love with someone you just barely met and know nothing about," which is something that has always bugged me.

All in all,  I really enjoyed this book. (I read it in less than two days.) It has all of the elements that make a really good story for me - romance that builds up over time,  good values,  conflict of some sort and an ending that doesn't feel rushed or incomplete.  I will definitely read future books from this author.

Tarah's Review:

I'm a sucker for fairy tales and their re-tellings, but I will admit that I think Cinderella is slightly over done. However, with this retelling it brought out and answered all the problems I have with Cinderella. Why doesn't she just leave? Answered! Falling in love in one night? Answered! A shoe that will only fit her (this one bugs me the most....really, how many of you don't know someone else with your shoe size? Either Cinderella has freakishly large or tiny feet, or they are shaped different for this scenario to work) Well, in this book that problem is addressed and I loved it!

The characters were really well written and even though it's a re-telling there are some surprises thrown in.  As a plus, the surprises don't come out of nowhere. The ground work is laid early on in the story, and that makes for a great read.

Final plus of the book? It was a sweet romance that was clean. Always nice. I can't wait for more from this author.

About the Author:

JESSILYN STEWART PEASLEE was born the fourth of seven children into a family of avid readers, music lovers, movie quoters, and sports fans. Jessilyn graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English, and also studied French and the Humanities. She loves playing catch with her boys, singing, playing the piano, making Orange Julius and popcorn, and watching movies with her husband and five boys. She is very grateful to them for being so supportive while Mommy wrote her “girl book.” Jessilyn grew up in the beautiful high desert of Southern California and now resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. As you read this, she is probably folding laundry . . . or should be.

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Blog Tour Schedule:

November 16: Deal Sharing Aunt
November 17: Utahtopia • The Stubby Pencil’s Library
November 18: Wishful Endings
November 19: Reading for Sanity
November 20: Babs’ Book Bistro
November 21: Reidhead Random-ness
November 22: Bookworm Nation
November 23: My Book a Day
November 24: Mel’s Shelves • The Cover Contessa
November 25: Readalot • Emmy Mom
November 26: Blooming with Books
November 27: Katie’s Clean Book Collection • Hardcover Feedback
November 28: Making Life a Bliss Complete • The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
The View from My Window
November 29: JeanzBookReadNReview • Rockin’ Book Reviews • Literary Timeout
Crossroad Reviews

Title: Ella
Author: Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee
Publisher: Sweetwater Books an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.
Published: November 2015
ISBN: 1462117457
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Books & Things