The Gingerbread Queen

Award-winning author Carrie Anne Noble’s charming adult fantasy debut! Sure to enchant fans of The Spellshop and The Whimbrel House Series, The Gingerbread Queen is a fairytale-inspired walk through a lush yet perilous enchanted forest, complete with a villainous duck, an unexpected magical inheritance, and heartwarming romance.Once upon a time, Gretel defeated the witch of the gingerbread cottage and saved Hansel. Now, she must face what the witch left behind. Germany, 1825. Thirteen years ago, Gretel fled the witch’s gingerbread cottage with brother Hansel. She’s changed her name, lived quietly, and tried to overcome her past-yet gossiping neighbors accuse her of being the old witch’s protégé. When roguish Hansel stirs up the townsfolk’s wrath, she must flee to the gingerbread cottage she dreads.Deep within the enchanted forest, the white duck awaits Gretel’s return. He has plans to nudge her toward a dark, magical future. He doesn’t want to stay a duck forever, and she holds the key to his freedom.When compassion for the injured duck forces her to remain in the crumbling cottage, Gretel enlists the aid of town baker, Lukas. A spark of romance kindles between them but she does her best to douse it. No one back home would ever buy bread from the partner of an alleged witch.As the magic within Gretel grows, her hope falters. Could it be her fate to become the next cruel witch-queen to reign over the forest--and to forfeit any chance of a happily-ever-after with Lukas? How far will the wicked duck go to win his liberation?The Gingerbread Queen is book one in the Gingerbread Legacy duology from Carrie Anne Noble, winner of the 2016 Realm Award for Book of the Year. 'I’ve been a fan of Carrie’s work since I was entranced with The Mermaid’s Sister and have read everything else she’s published. Her fun spins on fairy tales and fairy tale creatures have a charm I’ll always enjoy. - Jeff Wheeler, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author'Carrie Anne Noble takes everything you’ve known about a familiar tale and turns it upside down, giving the reader a story of unexpected events, heart-stirring romance, and delightful characters.' - Christina Farley, author of the Gilded series'... a skillfully woven fairy tale inspired by Hansel and Gretel that asks ’what happened afterwards?’ Just the right amounts of Germanic setting, magical characters, and heartfelt plot and creates a quietly mesmerizing story with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Also, the duck steals the show! Highly recommended for fairy tale fans.' - Janeen Ippolito, Award-Winning Author of Met By Midnight