Belle (Book)

Cameron Dokey

Belle is convinced she has the wrong name, as she lacks her sisters' awe-inspiring beauty. So she withdraws from society, devoting her time to wood carving. Secretly, Belle longs to find the fabled Heartwood Tree. If carved by the right hands, the Heartwood will reveal the face of one's true love.

During a fierce storm, Belle's father stumbles upon the mysterious Heartwood -- and encounters a terrifying and lonely Beast. Now Belle must carve the Heartwood to save her father, and learn to see not with the eyes of her mind, but with the eyes of her heart.

My  mother sat beside Papa, an arm around his waist as if to shore him up.

"Drink your tea, Roger," she urged. "The tea will warm you up."

My father took a sip obediently, like a child. "I'm sorry to be so much trouble," he said.

"Papa," I said, shocked. "How can you talk so? How can anything we do for you trouble us?"

The mug of tea slipped from my father's fingers and smashed on the floor.

"Belle," he said hoarsely, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise at his tone. "Ma petite Belle. I wonder if you will say that when you know what I have done."

Characters

 * Belle
 * Roger