The Cornish Princess

Goldenchild Prophesy Series, Book 1

By: Tanya Anne Crosby

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Said to be a changeling child left to the King and Queen of Cornwall, Gwendolyn is "blessed" at her cradle by three Fae gifts: a prophecy for her future, a gift of "Reflection," and a golden mane-quite literally, every lock of her hair will turn to gold, only provided it is cut by her one true love.

Yet no one understands more than Gwendolyn that her blessings are actually curses. Any man who gazes upon her will see his own heart reflected in her countenance, and depending upon his virtue, she is the loveliest woman in all the land… or the most hideous. It's a cruel jest of the capricious Fae, for unless a man's heart be true, Gwendolyn is destined to be coveted for her crown, but despised for her face.

To make matters worse, Gwendolyn's ailing father is desperate for an alliance with King Brutus of Loegria. "The Romans are coming!" and according to the Goldenchild Prophecy, only by uniting their dragon banners can they stem the Red Tide. Offered to Brutus's ambitious son, Prince Locrinus, Gwendolyn's heart is tempted by a mysterious, maddening half-blood Fae who she can never wed if she is to fulfill her crib side prophecy.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Tanya Anne Crosby (P)2022 Tantor

Oh Good Grief

It sounds like it would be a good book, and the first few sentences aren’t bad. But then the ridiculous little girl does nothing but whine. She’s supposed to be 17, yet acts like a child. The whole of what I have heard is her jumping back and forth in an internal never ending debate. Her prejudice against the other romantic interest is childish and unfounded and after thinking she doesn’t see her other romantic interest in that way, invites him to swim with her. And the going on about her face. Big deal, as far as I can tell she’s not ugly or plain, it’s a curse that anyone can see their true self reflected. If the little idiot had half a brain she use to know who to trust and who not too. Instead she whines that her mother doesn’t love her. Can’t bare the site of her,.. no her mother cannot bare the site of herself. As nothing to do with the brat. Maybe it will get better

The Cornish Princesa

Epic !!! A magnificent writing based on the early history of Britannia. You'll have Tuatha Dedanen, A Kings only Heir, A girl, who was both blessed and cursed at birth. There are mysteries to be solved, most committed for greed...
Amazing, amazing book! I'd say one of Tonya Anne Crosby's very best!
I also bought the audiobook when it came out, narrated by Marian Hussey who did a masterful job making the voices of each character differentiated and believable! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!! Can't wait till book 2 comes out!!! (In a weird way its greatness compares with the legendary " Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell) ❤❤❤❤❤

An absolute masterpiece from start to finish!

Audio-Book: The Cornish Princess By Tanya Anne Crosby
Series: The Goldenchild Prophecy, Audio Book #1
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Overall Rating: 5/5 Five Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Heat Rating: There is no sexual contact in this novel though they do describe the male anatomy.

11th Century BC
Pretania-Ancient Britain
This is Gwendolyn of Cornwall, Princess of the Dumnonii story…it begins on the seventh evening after her birth. This is where she is visited by two ancient fae creatures who generously gave her very specific gifts, yet her mother and her maid Demelza were secretly watching too….the saga begins here.
Queen Esweld-Queen consort and princess of Prydein’s newborn daughter was visited by two fae creatures. This was shortly after Gwendolyn’s birth, now because of the fae creature’s visit, her mother, the Queen, always suspected her daughter was a changeling! Now her mother her mother forces the Princess to go through all of these unnecessary, but difficult and painful tests to prove she was not a changeling. After seven years her father, King Cornelius stopped the testing, as enough was enough, Gwendolyn never felt the nurturing or love as most daughters feel from her mother. Her mother just seemed to criticize and put her down and never felt the love as most daughters do. It really damaged Gwendolyn’s self esteem too, luckily her father the King had always in her corner.
As a Princess, she has a shadow which is a guard, but she is also her father’s only heir-so she has to train with the sword just like a man. The only thing Gwendolyn wants is a lady’s maid, she wants to pick her dear friend Ely and her shadows sister, but her mother keeps refusing her. They also are not happy with her shadow who is also her friend Bryn. They see she takes advantage of him and now she might have a marriage prospect who is Prince Locrinus which is King Brutus’s son.
King Cornelius soon replace’s her shadow Bryn with the annoying half fae-sidhe Málik Danann! All because this betraying fae reported Gwendolyn and Bryn’s behavior to her mother the Queen! Now Málik was supposed to be Bryn’s friend so Princess Gwendolyn sees this as a huge betrayal! However, it was her father, the King, the one who always sided with Gwendolyn who demoted Bryn and was replaced with Málik. Due to her fathers failing health and if married she would live in her husband’s Kingdom most likely. She soon starts to understand it must be someone who will protect her with his life!

Princess Gwendolyn knew her duties and that she had to fulfill her destiny and join their dragon banners. It was part of her ancient prophecy and her duty to serve Cornwall and its people as her fathers heir. Then there are some mysterious deaths that start to happen and Málik saves her life on more than one occasion. As they both begin to see each other in different lights as all fae’s are beautiful but he treats her like an equal and someone who really matters. She begins to understand her fathers decision to pick Málik, yet a mutual desire with both Gwendolyn and Málik builds. They both know this is a forbidden attraction which has to stop before it grows and hearts are broken.

Gwendolyn feels she must give her marriage to a stranger no matter who he is a chance, but will she be happy when her heart is somewhere else? Can a fae and a human even have a chance at love? Will this lost Princess be able to fix her past mistakes with Bryn. Will Gwendolyn help her friend Ely find the perfect husband? Will she ever be able to open her mother’s heart and heal her ailing father? Will they find out who is behind all these murders? Plus then shocking surprise ending that absolutely blew me away!

A book readers don’t want to miss!
Holy Cow! This is one of my all time favorite books I have listened to this year! It’s no wonder I have been reading and listening to this author for nearly thirty years! Tanya Anne Crosby weaves a beautiful historical fantasy with a true, honorable, noble Princess, in Britain’s royal history. History fans like myself will absolutely love this novel too, yet lovers of the fantasy and paranormal genre will also cherish this brilliantly written novel.

Turning each page, I found myself so involved and engaged in each and every written word I heard in this brilliant audio story. It had me spellbound, mesmerized and totally enchanted, as I was swept away on so many levels with so many twists and turns in this extraordinary story! It is a riveting, awe-inspiring, intriguing, fast-paced, action packed, iadventure that I absolutely loved so much! I do warn readers this is not a happily ever after ending romance and has a bit of a cliff hanger too. This just makes me really look forward to the second book in this spectacular series, coming soon called “The Queen’s Huntsman,” the next book in this phenomenal series. I actually love novels written this format-with the same characters in the next book. I remember years ago when the deceased author, Rosemary Rogers, wrote all those Steve and Ginny books which were always so marvelous and entertaining to read!
Tanya Anne Crosby storytelling ability is absolutely magical and this twisted ending definitely put my stomach in knots that made me totally gasp! This novel is an absolute masterpiece and definitely a book I will listen to and visit again! I found it very addictive and can’t wait for the next audiobook in this breathtaking series! I definitely and unequivocally absolutely recommend!

The Goldenchild Prophecy
1)The Cornish Princess-
2)The Queen’s Huntsman-TBR July 26, 2021
3)The Forgotten Prince- TBR

Disclaimer: I received an advance beta copy from Oliver-Heber publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Could not stop listening!

I could not stop listening to this! The story of Princess Gwendolyn life and who Fae's prophecy that her hair would turn to gold after her 'true love' cuts it / Yet her life was not an easy one with a mother who was cold to her and a loving father who made sure she had the training to defend herself and her kingdom did not make her the pampered princess one would think she is. Her dying father in despiar for an alliance with King Brutus of Loegria obligates her to marry a man she did not love but believed she could, especially since this prince acts as though he is enchanted/in love with her. Though her heart belongs secretly to another, she does as she is obligated to do for her father and kingdom. The story keeps you captivated and the ending leaves you wondering if all will be as she hoped.

very good

I enjoyed the story so much. the author did a wonderful job describing the scenes and action. the narrator was wonderful.

It’s OK

It took me awhile to get into this book, about 8 chapters or so. I wish there had been some indication when this was supposed to take place. The story alluded to Helen of Troy and Druids were around so I assume it was long before the medieval era. Overall it was OK but I’m not sure I will continue on with the series. I can’t say there is all that much character development in this first book.

History, Fantasy, & Romance!

The Cornish Princess unearths the skeletal remains of bygone history, beginning with Brutus of Troy's banishment, his landing and settling in what is now Britain, and his eventual family ties with the Princess of Cornwall. In the author's own words, "This is NOT a romance. It is a romantic fantasy." I feel The Goldenchild Prophecy series is far more hybrid than that. When an author passionately researches the past while gently inserting an entirely new perspective... the words, the story, beg to be read. Crosby delves into the spread of Rome's Red Tide while drawing on the magical legend of the Tuatha Dé Danann, with hints of Sleeping Beauty's fairy godmothers, sprinkles of Rumpelstiltskin, traitors, mysterious murders, politics, and currents of familial relations, each carrying a deadly undertow of secrets. There are Druids, witches, faekind, and piskies. Battles, treaties, and takeovers. Faith, friendship, and love. As I stated earlier... The Cornish Princess is not simply a romantic fantasy. There is nothing simple about it. Crosby has created a balanced, multifaceted genre, one where history's battle cry is tangible while fingers of fable and fantasy pull and tug the unwary.

I first read and reviewed The Cornish Princess last October. Those who follow me know that I gobble up all that is historical. When The Cornish Princess popped up in Audible, I decided to dip my toes back into the gloriously cool waters surrounding the British Isles, refamiliarizing myself with Princess Gwendolyn, before the second book, The Queen’s Huntsman, releases on July 26. Narrator Marian Hussey deserves accolades for engaging her listeners so effortlessly. Hussey perfects the gravelly tones of the elder aldermen, King Corineus’ death rattle, Gwendolyn’s youthful exuberance, the sonorous Scottish rumble of Queen Eseld, and Málik Danann’s otherworldly drawl. Hussey makes Crosby’s magical storytelling magical. The Goldenchild Prophecy is a historical fiction/fantasy series plumped to its bookbinding with fables, lore, magic, mystery, and the haunting moors of ancient Cornwall. For those who listen to audiobooks a lot, Marian Hussey’s narration is similar in style to Mary Jane Wells, who narrated Lisa Kleypas’ The Ravenals series, Peter Kenny in The Witcher series, and Justine Eyre who narrated Sarah MacLean’s Scandal & Scoundrel series.

Whiskey & Wit Book Reviews
Kris Helt

I loved it!!

The story is wonderful! Everything that I’d hoped for! Intrigue, romance, fantasy, a masterpiece. I highly recommend!

Disappointed

I wish the story was not so dragging n inner monologue
The story doesn’t start until 7 chapter
Need more suspense n romance to scale up but I doubt if this will salvage the story