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After the Ball
Many a princess lives 'happily ever after' with a prince who is strong and true. This is cause to celebrate. But not all royal couples are so fortunate. After the Ball offers hope and inspiration to the princess who finds her fairy tale is ending much differently than expected and is now, or will soon be, prince-less.
It offers women and young girls another story to read.
A story often hidden or lost.
A story of strength and courage
A story of hope and fulfillment all women can constantly revisit.
Whether you find yourself without a prince, or without hope, or without direction, may this story be your guide.
It offers women and young girls another story to read.
A story often hidden or lost.
A story of strength and courage
A story of hope and fulfillment all women can constantly revisit.
Whether you find yourself without a prince, or without hope, or without direction, may this story be your guide.
107 pages
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Barb Greenberg
9 booksAward-winning author Barb Greenberg writes books that remind women of their courage and strength and the power of their voice, because sometimes we forget, as she well knows from personal experience. Greenberg graduated from college with a teaching degree in English, not because she was intrigued by the rules of grammar, but because she loved stories. Her books have been described as encouraging, comforting, and thought-provoking. Originally from Minnesota, she now resides in New Mexico, enjoying milder winters, breathtaking mountains, and wide blue skies.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 8, 2009
Which Princess Were You?
Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Some go so far as to decorate their rooms with princess-y stuff. Each princess fairy tale shows a beautiful girl overcoming adversity to find love and happiness in the arms of her Prince Charming.
Every little girl’s dream is to be swept off her feet, by a handsome, loving man and to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, with 50 percent of all marriage ending in divorce, happily ever after seems to be harder to come by. That means there are princesses (and princes) out there whose worlds have been completely turned upside down.
Author Barb Greenberg is one of those princesses whose life did not follow the HEAE (happily ever after ending) that she had dreamed of when she and her husband were first married. Barb turns what she learned through this experience into a new fairy tale to teach others.
After the Ball follows Cinderella and Snow White as they trot into the forest together to find a legendary woman they believe could help them overcome the serious disappointment and anger and abandonment they feel at the end of what should have been happily ever after. Through the woman’s wisdom, they learn to look inward at themselves to pull their hearts out of despair back into living; they that needed to be true to themselves and, upon discovering that truth and them following that truth, they would recover and be able to move on.
It is a truly unique story idea. A quick read – easily done in an hour or two. Beautifully designed cover. It is a fairy tale that is truly uplifting and empowering. It is one that I’m considering buying for a friend whom I know is going through a tough time at the moment.
Well worth the read. I look forward to reading more from Barb Greenberg and Rose Path Press.
Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Some go so far as to decorate their rooms with princess-y stuff. Each princess fairy tale shows a beautiful girl overcoming adversity to find love and happiness in the arms of her Prince Charming.
Every little girl’s dream is to be swept off her feet, by a handsome, loving man and to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, with 50 percent of all marriage ending in divorce, happily ever after seems to be harder to come by. That means there are princesses (and princes) out there whose worlds have been completely turned upside down.
Author Barb Greenberg is one of those princesses whose life did not follow the HEAE (happily ever after ending) that she had dreamed of when she and her husband were first married. Barb turns what she learned through this experience into a new fairy tale to teach others.
After the Ball follows Cinderella and Snow White as they trot into the forest together to find a legendary woman they believe could help them overcome the serious disappointment and anger and abandonment they feel at the end of what should have been happily ever after. Through the woman’s wisdom, they learn to look inward at themselves to pull their hearts out of despair back into living; they that needed to be true to themselves and, upon discovering that truth and them following that truth, they would recover and be able to move on.
It is a truly unique story idea. A quick read – easily done in an hour or two. Beautifully designed cover. It is a fairy tale that is truly uplifting and empowering. It is one that I’m considering buying for a friend whom I know is going through a tough time at the moment.
Well worth the read. I look forward to reading more from Barb Greenberg and Rose Path Press.
September 27, 2009
Women everywhere will be able to identify with this simple yet elegant book. We grow up believing that we will have a “happily ever after” ending to our lives only to be shocked when it doesn’t happen. This is a false illusion we create based on someone else’s story. We must create our own happy ending. We are shown through the change in direction both Cinderella and Snow White take that we can empower ourselves to make changes. We can give ourselves permission to grieve and get angry with wht we have lost as long as we remain strong and true to ourselves. I wish this book had been around when I went through my divorce eighteen yea rs ago. It took me awhile to gain this knowledge and only after I had empowered myself did my true prince come along. I realized like the princesses in the story that I didn’t need to be rescued.
March 1, 2022
Fairy tales are generally just that, a tale of things, times and places that are idealistic hopes and dreams. Reality is much harsher, rather than happily ever after it is more a case of struggle with ups and downs as measured on the happiness meter. Greenberg does an interesting thing, she uses the characters of Cinderella and Snow White, lovely girls that marry their princes and then move off to their respective castles.
Although they are busy being the wives of their spouses, the two manage to keep in touch over the years, meeting on a regular basis to share tea and tales of their lives and woes. They discover that marrying Prince Charming is a wonderful event but that life tends to be hard, even for the social and economic elite. When they were young, both of them had heard a story of a wise woman dwelling in the forest, so at one of their meetings, they agree to flee and seek her out.
After taking many false paths, the two women arrive at the dwelling of the wise woman, whose name is Annetta. They are welcomed to her home, which begins a process of talking and self-study. That study begins with a paragraph that is completely female in tone
When Cinderella and Snow White snuggled down into the cozy blue sofa and covered themselves with a patchwork quilt, Annetta began her story.
It is very easy to generate a mental picture of this scene, despite the elegant movie renditions of the two characters.
At this point, Annetta begins her story of a princess that marries her own Prince Charming, a man that turns out to be hungry for power over all things and his wife is but a tool to be used on his quest. When the reality of his true nature becomes painfully evident, the princess gathers a few things and then departs. After wandering for some time and struggling with her anguish, the princess is able to weave her life back together, developing an inner strength to rise above the painful past. This tale emboldens Cinderella and Snow White to do the same thing, so after a few simple gifts from Annetta, they depart and each finds a cottage of their own, constructs a simple life and lives happily ever after.
When life is good, such as at the start of a marriage, it appears to be a fairy tale, yet tarnish is inevitable. This story is about the fading of the happily ever after scenario and what to do when it all appears covered in rust. Written for females unhappy with their lot in life, this is a book that is a perfect fit for a “chick niche.”
Although they are busy being the wives of their spouses, the two manage to keep in touch over the years, meeting on a regular basis to share tea and tales of their lives and woes. They discover that marrying Prince Charming is a wonderful event but that life tends to be hard, even for the social and economic elite. When they were young, both of them had heard a story of a wise woman dwelling in the forest, so at one of their meetings, they agree to flee and seek her out.
After taking many false paths, the two women arrive at the dwelling of the wise woman, whose name is Annetta. They are welcomed to her home, which begins a process of talking and self-study. That study begins with a paragraph that is completely female in tone
When Cinderella and Snow White snuggled down into the cozy blue sofa and covered themselves with a patchwork quilt, Annetta began her story.
It is very easy to generate a mental picture of this scene, despite the elegant movie renditions of the two characters.
At this point, Annetta begins her story of a princess that marries her own Prince Charming, a man that turns out to be hungry for power over all things and his wife is but a tool to be used on his quest. When the reality of his true nature becomes painfully evident, the princess gathers a few things and then departs. After wandering for some time and struggling with her anguish, the princess is able to weave her life back together, developing an inner strength to rise above the painful past. This tale emboldens Cinderella and Snow White to do the same thing, so after a few simple gifts from Annetta, they depart and each finds a cottage of their own, constructs a simple life and lives happily ever after.
When life is good, such as at the start of a marriage, it appears to be a fairy tale, yet tarnish is inevitable. This story is about the fading of the happily ever after scenario and what to do when it all appears covered in rust. Written for females unhappy with their lot in life, this is a book that is a perfect fit for a “chick niche.”
April 13, 2021
This book was gifted to me as I was going through a very painful divorce. It is a story of friendship, hope, courage and strength told in a fairy tale format. It explores what happens when a "price" steals your power and spirit and how one can not only survive but flourish when regaining the power within. Once you are happy with yourself you can have a "happily ever after".
September 27, 2009
Fairy tales such as Cinderella and Snow White have given women a message that if they find and marry a prince charming they will surely live "happily ever after." For some women, this may happen, but for many it does not. In fact, fifty percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Many women experience loss, grief and disillusionment because their prince charming did not bring them the happiness they expected. "After the Ball" presents an insightful message for all women about the true nature of living happily ever after through self-trust, self-esteem and self-empowerment.
September 23, 2009
After the Ball was a quick read that could be read in one sitting yet make one think longer. I recommend that any women who is in any sort of intimate relationship read this. Barb Greenberg tells the story in a “fairy tale” style parable using Cinderella and Snow White as the main characters. She reminds us through these princesses that we (women) determine our own happiness and even when our relationships go bad we are strong, will get through it, and even eventually find a new love again.
March 31, 2013
This book is great for gifting, especially to any woman going through divorce or any other major life change. A light, fun read, you'll come away with a fresh, bright outlook. The author knows how to get to the essence of what goes on in a woman's heart.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews