Once Upon A Time Series by Maya Alden

Once upon a time, there was a young woman called Liesel Brooks who came to Everwood to marry a reluctant prince who thought he wanted another. Now, Liesel would never have agreed to marry the prince if she’d known he belonged to another woman, but her father, who was dying, had insisted that the prince wanted her and that he wanted her safe after he was gone. You see, Liesel had an autoimmune disease that wouldn’t kill her but gave her pain nearly every day of her life... moreOnce upon a time, there was a young woman called Liesel Brooks who came to Everwood to marry a reluctant prince who thought he wanted another. Now, Liesel would never have agreed to marry the prince if she’d known he belonged to another woman, but her father, who was dying, had insisted that the prince wanted her and that he wanted her safe after he was gone. You see, Liesel had an autoimmune disease that wouldn’t kill her but gave her pain nearly every day of her life. She bore the pain gracefully and created magical paintings that turned her agony into beauty. So, Liesel arrived in Everwood, a beautiful wine town where her future husband owned Callahan Vineyards. He was handsome. He was smart. He was not happy about marrying her. She was a slight, dainty, almost fairylike woman with a face that would not launch even one ship, but then Atlas Callahan didn’t see her heart, which would have launched thousands. Kind, wonderful, big-hearted Liesel married her prince, and…no, they didn’t live happily ever after. .. well, not until there was magic. I am Seraphina Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood. I bring lost souls and broken hearts together. So, I wave my magic wand and tell you the story of a little match girl who brought light into the life of a reluctant prince. Publisher's Note: A Temporary Wife is the first book in the Once Upon A Time series and is based on the H. C. Andersen fairytale, The Little Match Girl. This is a standalone book with a very happy fairytale ending. less

Once upon a time, there was an ugly duckling named Hansa Raj, hidden in the shadows of the dazzling lights of Everwood's vineyards, overshadowed by her radiant sister Naina, an ex-supermodel turned media empress. Hansa harbors dreams as fragrant and deep as the wines of Everwood, of crafting her own signature wine with an Indian touch, paying homage to her heritage. Orion Callahan, who once tried to woo the brilliant Naina, has now risen as the wine prince of Everwood... moreOnce upon a time, there was an ugly duckling named Hansa Raj, hidden in the shadows of the dazzling lights of Everwood's vineyards, overshadowed by her radiant sister Naina, an ex-supermodel turned media empress. Hansa harbors dreams as fragrant and deep as the wines of Everwood, of crafting her own signature wine with an Indian touch, paying homage to her heritage. Orion Callahan, who once tried to woo the brilliant Naina, has now risen as the wine prince of Everwood. But this festive season, amidst the cascading golden lights and melodies of Christmas carols, his eyes aren’t on Naina. Instead, they are captivated by the unexpected charm and genuine passion of Hansa, the girl in his tasting room, the duckling that no one noticed. As Everwood sparkles under the festive lights, a complex dance of past affections, silent dreams, and family expectations ensues. Orion, enchanted by both the powerful allure of Naina's world and the genuine dreams of Hansa, finds himself at life's crossroads. I am Seraphina Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood and against the backdrop of frost-kissed vineyards and yuletide celebrations I sprinkle some fairy dust so a prince can learn that some ducklings are perfect as they are and don't need to become swans to be loved. Step into the fairytale town of Everwood and dive deep into a story that talks of ambition, love, and the enchanting magic when two contrasting worlds collide. Publisher's An Ugly Love is the second book in the Once Upon A Time series and is based on the H. C. Andersen fairytale, The Ugly Duckling . This is a standalone book with a very happy fairytale ending. less

Once upon a time in the enchanting wine-country town of Everwood, there was a young woman named Ariel Callahan, who, like the Little Mermaid, loved a prince from a world unlike her own. Tej Nair, a prince in his own right, was a man caught between love and duty, fond of Ariel but tethered to his conservative Indian family's expectations. Ariel's love for Tej was as deep as the ocean, yet she had to keep it hidden, just like her heartache upon discovering she could never bear children... moreOnce upon a time in the enchanting wine-country town of Everwood, there was a young woman named Ariel Callahan, who, like the Little Mermaid, loved a prince from a world unlike her own. Tej Nair, a prince in his own right, was a man caught between love and duty, fond of Ariel but tethered to his conservative Indian family's expectations. Ariel's love for Tej was as deep as the ocean, yet she had to keep it hidden, just like her heartache upon discovering she could never bear children. This secret, used by Tej's mother, tore them apart, leading Ariel to flee to New York, leaving behind her childhood home and family for a life of helping others. Seven years passed, with Ariel transforming her pain into passion, working tirelessly at the ACLU. But the call of Everwood, her home, was strong, and she returned to find solace in her family's vineyard and the cozy confines of the Whispering Vines wine bar. Tej's journey mirrored Ariel's. His life was a tale of unfulfilled dreams and obligations, leading to an unhappy arranged marriage and a successful yet unfulfilling career. His heart remained adrift, just like his new home on a boat in Santa Barbara harbor. Their reunion was bittersweet, laden with resentment and unspoken truths. The spark that once ignited their love still flickered, but the shadows of their past loomed large. It seemed as though their story was destined for heartache, until a sprinkle of magic, the warmth of Everwood's sun-kissed vineyards, and the courage to embrace true love guided them back to each other. I am Seraphine Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood. I bring together lost souls and mend broken hearts. With a wave of my magic wand, I present to you the tale of a Little Mermaid and her prince, a story of sacrifice, hidden truths, and the enduring power of love. For sometimes, the one you want is worth every trial. less