Nephthys Publications

08/27/2022

Sorry to post this so late, Guys, but I got another 4 Star review tonight from the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Here it is --

CATCHY QUOTE
‘A charming, sweetly written Cinderella story, colourfully illustrated. Young children will love it.’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

REVIEW
I must say, I had a very enjoyable evening tucked up by the fire enjoying this superbly illustrated Cinderella story. Firstly, I must say, the drawings were excellent. The illustrator is talented at showing the reader everything they need to see to help them to not only understand the text but also to add to it. I find many picture books too ‘Disney’, but this book has a wonderfully ‘classic’ feel to it which I very much enjoyed.

Now, on to the story. For the most part, this book very much follows the Cinderella story we all know and love - the author adding a little twist here and there just to keep the reader guessing! For the most part, it´s well-written with a good balance of descriptive prose and speech. The words, so important in a retelling such as this, fit the nature of the story perfectly: simple, classic, and mostly working hand-in-hand with the illustrations to tell the story.

In terms of the feel of the book, it´s a light, happy read. The tone is cheery and is considerably less dark than the original in terms of what happens to the father and how the sisters change towards the end. As such, this would be a perfect book for 6 – 8-year-olds.

All in all, this is a well-thought-out retelling of the classic story backed up by a very artistic pen. Although I felt the layout of the text was a little odd – overly large paragraph indents / too few words per line - I would imagine young children – and parents – enjoying this book for many bedtime reads.

08/04/2022

Hi, Guys, I got a new review yesterday for Cinderella. I know it's not as big of an announcement as winning that billion + lottery but here it is --

This is a delightfully engaging and enhanced version of the classic tale of Cinderella. It seamlessly intertwines reality and fantasy while developing the characters’ personalities and quirks in gripping ways. I highly recommend it!

The review was by Lisa Perskie and she rated the book 5 Stars. Yay! I'm a happy camper! 😁

07/11/2022

Hi, Guys, here are the pics from my B.R.A.G. Medallion win (Award #7). Pic #4 is me with both my Medallion wins i.e. Pegasus -- A Dragon's Tale (my first book) and Cinderella. The last pic is all 24 of my book awards for my 3 books Pegasus (11), Button Nose the Sad Little Bear (6) and Cinderella (7). Enjoy! 😊

06/14/2022

Hi, Guys, great news! I got another awesome review for Cinderella on Amazon tonight! Enjoy!

This is the story of Ella, who was born to loving parents. Sadly, her mother became ill and died. Her mother’s parting words were:
“Always remember, my love, that if you need me, I’ll be there. I’ll always help you.”

Later, her father decided to re-marry, giving little Ella a stepmother and two stepsisters. Ella was so excited to have sisters…until the sisters started being mean to her.

“Not a week after the wedding, Ella’s room was taken from her and she was forced to sleep on a wretched straw mattress high in a garret tower…Ella’s position in her own house was soon reduced to a slavey-maid.”

Ella was constantly covered in dirt that she was eventually named Cinderella.

Years later, the royal prince was to have a ball to select his future wife. The night of the ball, Cinderella made a wish and her mother appeared before her. The gods had sent her to set things straight, starting with giving her a dress and glass slippers to wear to the ball. True to the story we all know, the prince falls madly in love with her that night, but she flees, leaving behind a glass slipper. Only the one whose foot fits that slipper is his Ella.

“Just be patient, my love. Your dearest dreams will all come true. I promise.”

The illustrations were vivid and colorful with a crayon-like quality that was truly endearing and innocent. I enjoyed this lavish and Shakespearean retelling of the classic fairy tale.

A sweet and simple tale about making your dreams come true. A truly nice read.

The rating was 4 out of 5 Stars! Yay! 😊😁

05/26/2022

Guys, I created a flier for Cinderella, in case anyone wants to buy a copy for themselves or family. 😊

05/16/2022

Guys, I got my award and medal for Cinderella. Enjoy! 😁

04/27/2022

04/27/2022

Hi, Guys, I have some fantastic news today! I was informed that my Cinderella book has just won a Book Excellence Award! She is a Finalist in the Fantasy category of the latest awards!!!!! That makes Cinderella's 6th award and my 23rd total award for all my book! 😁😁😁😁😁👏👍

04/15/2022

Okay, Peeps, here's my news -- I got my second awesome review of my Cinderella book from Book Excellence. Here it is --

Cinderella: A Love Story is Gina LoBiondo’s retelling of the classic fairytale with a personal twist in which the traditional fairy godmother is traded out for someone closer to Cinderella’s heart. Ella’s life was a happy one when she lived with her father, Charles, and her mother, Marie, but fate has an unpleasant surprise in store for Marie and her death leaves Charles untethered and Ella adrift. Years later, Charles marries Vera, who has two daughters of her own. Charles works long hours and Vera is left to run the household. One by one, she dismisses the servants, giving their chores to Ella to complete and forcing her to sleep by the fireplace, which causes her to wake each morning with cinders on her clothes and earns her the name of Cinder-Ella. When Prince Andrew throws a two-day long royal ball, Vera forbids Ella from attending, but her fairy godmother comes along in the form of her mother, Marie, who Ella misses dearly. With the touch of a mother’s love, Ella is able to make it to the ball and meet the prince. This retelling is original and beautifully told while keeping the core of the story intact for a unique, yet reminiscent story that is fresh and new, though still rooted in the traditions of the beloved tale known and loved by generations of the past.

02/21/2022

Hi, Peeps, great news! I got 2 more 5 Star reviews for Cinderella -- found them on Amazon today! Enjoy! 😊 The 1st one was by Carolyn Bowen --

This modern-day twist on the Cinderella fairy tale will keep you turning the pages wondering the outcome of the rewrite of this classic story. The main character Ella Marie Elizabeth had a loving mother and father as a child. But her life changed drastically after her mother Marie’s death and her father’s remarriage.

Her father allowed Vera her new stepmother to rule the home and Ella was reduced to being a servant to the family. Vera and her two daughters called her Cinder-Ella, and she was reduced to servant status in their home.

A royal ball was planned and the whole family was invited to attend. The young Prince Andrew was to announce his bride after the two-day ceremony. Ella was forbidden to attend by her stepmother and her father didn’t intervene. When it appears hopeless, a magical solution appears showing that love between mother and child transcends time.

Would this eclipse of time and space be a reminder to her father of the man he once was before marrying Vera? And was it too late to do right by his daughter after years of neglect?

A magical fairy tale ending was already in place, waiting to be recognized and accepted by the young prince and Lady Ella. Could he see her beauty and character when staring at her servant appearance and make her his bride? A must-read fairy tale.

The next one is by Elle Alouette --

This fairy tale closely follows the classic story with magical twists young readers will enjoy. Ella was a happy child living in the countryside with her mother and father. Then, her mother Marie dies, and her father remarries to a tyrant with two self-absorbed squabbling daughters. Ella’s life turned dismal with no help from her father to put things right again.

The kingdom where they lived had a young prince of marriageable age and the whole family was invited to the ball where he was expected to announce his new bride. Her stepmother forbade her to attend the ball and scoffed at her servant appearance from years of toiling for the family.

After crying about the situation since her mother’s death, and making a wish, the unexpected happened. Would it be enough to change Ella’s life where she could be happy and free of the dominion of her stepmother and her daughters? Enjoy this magical read today!

The only sad part was that Amazon removed Lily's review. 🙁

01/08/2022

Guys, my book is up on Kids Lit's website now, complete with review and link. Check it out! 😊

Cinderella – A Love Story by Gina LoBiondo, Fairy-Tales, Children's Folk Tales & Fables Kids Lit Book Cafe Reviews, Promotions, Author Spotlights

12/09/2021

Guys, I got another great review for Cinderella today from Book Excellence. I received the review as a bonus for signing up for the latest awards. Here it is --

Cinderella -- A Love Story by Gina LoBiondo is a beautifully written re-telling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. Set in the mid-16th century, the story follows, Ella, as she learns to grapple with the loss of her mother, integrate into the reality of a cruel, unfeeling family, and finally, meet the love of her life. The overall story is well-paced and compelling. LoBiondo’s writing style has been carefully crafted to offer commendable world-building and descriptive imagery that makes each scene leap off the page. The characters have also been re-invented in a unique way. At the core of the story is the endearing relationship between Ella and her mother, who becomes her fairy godmother after her death. The illustrations are a welcome addition and correspond with the scenes perfectly. Themes of family, love and loss pull the story together in a powerful way. For those looking for a fresh, imaginative take on a well-known classic, this book is for you.