The Falling of the Moon (Moonfall Mayhem #1) by A.E. Decker

When Ascot's father dies, she's in a bad position.  Her oldest brother gets the castle, staff and goods.  She's expected to marry and someone has already been chosen as suitable.  Her younger brother has to fend for himself but he doesn't need much.  She decides to take her fate into her own hands.  She takes the fairy tale book teacher had shared with her and goes out to find her happy ever after.  When she runs into a sweet old lady who gives her a ring that will identify her true love, she's thrilled.  So when she hears there's a prince who will be marrying whomever his mother, the Queen, decides is appropriate for him, she goes to compete.

Library Thing and World Weaver Press gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  You can buy a copy now.

I really enjoyed this story.  It's fantasy world that is filled with all sorts of odd creatures.  Ascot is half vampire/half human.  Her pet is a cat that has wings.  When the Queen sends her into the forest on a quest to bring the beast in woods in, she finds a wolf that can talk.  All the animals appear to be magical.

Poor Ascot finds that she has to have fancy gowns and the right shoes and her hair done and makeup and more.  It's a good thing she stole the silverware on her way out.  She just barely has enough to get all fancied up and have something to eat.

No one mentioned that the girls themselves will try to trip, rip your clothes, mess up your hair or any other thing they can do to do get you out of the competition.  The prince sounds like he's good looking but his major interest is frogs.  That's not stopping anyone from trying to be the next queen!

She gets the hardest tests, they try to thwart her, and even has to deal with ghosts.  With all these challenges, she has a difficult time but she doesn't give up.  I especially liked her secret weapon:  A can of hash.  The ending is excellent.  It's very ironic, very clever and just right.

If you enjoy fantasy, you need to read this tale.  It's not like any fairy tale you know.  It's much, much better.