Reviewed by Deborah Stone for Readers' Favorite

Ingrid’s Engagement by Kristen Reed is a romance fantasy that delivers much more than enjoyable reading. King Viggo of Villriket is waging war against King Ansgar of the Schlagefilde Kingdom. Count Edmund Kappel of Anselm County is aiding King Viggo and, while discussing their new agreement, King Viggo sees a portrait of the Count’s oldest daughter, Ingrid. Her beauty intrigues him and he changes the conditions of their new agreement. If Count Kappel will allow him to marry Ingrid, the king will leave the county of Anselm in peace. When Ingrid overhears this proposition, she takes the decision out of her father’s hands and agrees to marry the king. Ingrid and her father are taken to the king’s camp so that they cannot escape while the war is raging. During the days leading up to the battle, Ingrid gets a glimpse of the man that she has promised to marry. She begins to see that there might be more to him than the ruthless and dangerous man that she has heard of. Ingrid is beautiful and she is also strong willed and outspoken, not necessarily qualities that a man of that time would be attracted to. As Ingrid and King Viggo learn more about each other, they find things that they admire and things that they don’t. Once the battle is over and King Ansgar is dethroned, Ingrid tries to convince King Viggo to be merciful to the man that had murdered his parents. Ingrid speaks of forgiveness while the king’s brother screams for vengeance. Can King Viggo’s heart be softened? Can Ingrid honor her agreement to marry a man that is so filled with hate and refuses to honor God?

Kristen Reed has written a delightful fantasy romance that contains a powerful message. Ingrid’s Engagement reminds us of Beauty and the Beast, but it also reminds me of the story of Esther. The beautiful, virtuous, gentle, godly young woman who had been placed in a situation of sacrificing her own happiness to achieve the good of her people. Kristen Reed has blended the fairy tale and Scripture to perfection for a charming and riveting romance that will not only entertain, but will also minister to its readers. Kristen Reed’s characters come alive and her storytelling makes it difficult to put the book down. I didn't think I was going to like this book and almost put it aside. I don't usually read fantasy, but I am so glad that I kept reading! Loved the book, the characters, the style of writing and the message conveyed.