Allerleirauh
Once Upon a Time…
In the Kingdom of Tränen, a king makes a promise to his dying wife that
he'll only remarry a woman who possesses her golden hair. In time, the king's
eyes are turned by his daughter. Realizing her father’s intentions, Princess
Aurelia tries to trick him by requesting impossible gifts: dresses created by
the sun, moon and stars, and a coat made of a thousand furs. But when he is
successful, Aurelia sacrifices her privileged life and flees her kingdom,
disguised by the cloak and a new name, Allerleirauh.
She enters the safe haven of Saarland der Licht, where the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus takes her under his care. Hoping not to be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Allerleirauh tries to remain hidden under her new identity when she finds unexpected love with Prince Klaus, even though his arranged marriage to the princess of a neighboring kingdom approaches. Risking everything, Allerleirauh must face her troubled past and her fears of the future along her journey to self-acceptance in this triumphant retelling of the classic Grimm Fairy Tale.
She enters the safe haven of Saarland der Licht, where the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus takes her under his care. Hoping not to be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Allerleirauh tries to remain hidden under her new identity when she finds unexpected love with Prince Klaus, even though his arranged marriage to the princess of a neighboring kingdom approaches. Risking everything, Allerleirauh must face her troubled past and her fears of the future along her journey to self-acceptance in this triumphant retelling of the classic Grimm Fairy Tale.
Chantal Gadoury is a 2011 graduate from
Susquehanna University with a degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she
has published three novels, “Seven Seeds of Summer,” Allerleirauh” and “The
Songs in Our Hearts.” Writing has always come naturally to her, beginning at
the early age of seven. Her love of writing evolved from a passion to read and
document everything about her life in journals. (A Real-Life Harriett the Spy,
without the Spying!) While Chantal is pursuing writing avenues, she enjoys acrylic
painting, watching Disney and romantic historical movies and spending time with
her family.
Excerpt:
“I won’t ever let them
near you again, Aurelia. I swear it,” he promised as his grief-filled eyes met
mine. “You must know I love you. It never mattered to me whether you were a
princess or not. It matters not to me if you think you are soiled, because to
me . . . you are more . . . You are more than what has happened to you, and you
always shall be,” he said softly as his hand slid to my cheek. Carefully, his
thumb wiped a tear away. “You are this wonderful, head-strong, and brave
woman,” Klaus continued. “No one has any right to ever try to take such a thing
away from you. It should only ever be admired and cherished.”
More tears began to
spill over my cheeks as relief flooded me. Klaus would not turn me away;
instead, he accepted me. I rested my forehead against his shoulder, as I felt
his arms slowly wrap around me.
“Tell me what you wish
for me to do, my sweet Aurelia, and I will do it.”
