Once Upon a Time

by Irene Brand

What happens when fairy-tale adventures meet modern life? Find out in this unique novella collection, as four women hope for the "happily ever after" of a God-ordained marriage. In A Rose for Beauty, feel Beauty Bartlett's pain over losing her home - and especially over having to work for the man who took it. Can she see past his scars to the person within, or will the loss of her family fortune forever be a thorn between them? Marissa Jones has long...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577489756
• ISBN13: 9781577489757
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Fairy Tales Modernized with a Christian undertone

There are four short stories in th book, each one LOOSELY based on a fairy tale. If you like fairy tales and Christian literature, than this is a book for you! The first story is based on Beauty and the Beast. My favorite story in the book! It isn't a beast under a magical spell though, he has scares on his face from an accident. The girl is called Beauty and she is working at the house of the beast for her father who just suffered a stroke. Find out the details of why her family is poor? And what are "the beast's" secrets! The second story is based on the Elves and the Shoemaker. There is a new shoemaker in town and he is having trouble keeping up with the orders. He has an accident with this woman and a surfboard, and when he comes into work and ten orders are completed he begins to think he suffered some memory loss from the accident. Does he have a secret helper? or is he losing his mind? The third story resembles Snowwhite and the Seven Drawfs. Lily White is applying for a new job at an advertising agency. The agency turns out to be a big family with many characters, one thats really grumpy, another always telling jokes, and so on. . . She feels an attraction for her boss but it is obvious he is involved romantically with a client who used to be a model. Does she stand a chance at winning his heart? Should she even try? Who is in love with the former model? The last story resembles Little Red Riding Hood and it takes place in Germany!!! How fun! This book has the heaviest christian undertones of the four and involves a rekindling of a romance with an exfiance who had no religious values before. Who is the "wolf" in this story? If you don't want to read stories that contain scriptures and talk of God, than these stories are not for. But I highly recommend this book as a wonderful Christian example a love mixed in with a few of everyones favorite fairy tales.

I THOURGHLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK!!!

If you enjoy Christian romances and fairy tales set in modern day settings this is the perfect book for you! It includes four different books by four authors. 1. Rose for Beauty by Irene B. Brand (My favorite of the four) 2. Shoemaker's Daughter by Lynn A Coleman 3. Lily's Plight by Yvonne Lehman 4. Better to See You by Gail Gaymer Martin

I ENJOYED THIS BOOK TREMENDOUSLY!!!

ONCE UPON A TIME is a wonderful success as Barbour Publishing authors tackle old time fairytales with contemporary plots and settings. I have really enjoyed reading all four novellas in this book and know that if you try them, you'll be "enchanted" as well! A great read and a wonderful time if inspirational romances are your favorites!

Delightful and Refreshing Bit of Modern Fantasy

The four love stories in this book are all enjoyable. The authors did a great job in a short space. How creative to make modern stories that follow the story of fairy tales!