The Inked Soul

link to goodreads "It is a dangerous thing to unbelieve something only because it frightens you" What if the Queen of Hearts once baked lemon tarts and pumkin pasties? Heartless is a whimsical and bold imagining of how the evil and foul-tempered villainess from Alice in Wonderland once came from an innocent, lovable beginning.  Catherine Pinkerton is the heiress of Rock Turtle cove, in the King of Heart's kingdom. Kind, witty and very ambitious, Lady Pinkerton excels at baking, and wants to open a bakery with her best friend, Mary Ann, much to the displeasure of her parents, who want her wedded to the king. Her dilemma intensifies with the arrival of the handsome new Court Joker, who slowly captures the young girl's heart. This book had me compelled from the very first lines (a delicious description of lemon tarts) and only intensified my interest as I read along. I absolutely loved how the author combined youthful innocence, ambition and love in the form of a fierce ...