Today's post is the Super Book Blast for The Cracked Slipper, a Romantic Women's Fiction Fantasy by Stephanie Alexander available now. As a Book Blast, it will not include interviews or blog post, but will have the author's bio, the blurb and an excerpt, and I will also post links to the rest of the blogs on the blast. This is a bit of a twist on a fairy tale, with some less than normal twists to the story, and I look forward to picking up a copy soon. Stephanie will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so please leave your e-mail address when you comment.
Stephanie Alexander grew up
in the suburbs of Washington, DC, the oldest of three children. Drawing,
writing stories, and harassing her parents for a pony consumed much of her
childhood. After graduating from high school in 1995 she earned a Bachelor of
Arts in Communications from the College of Charleston, South Carolina. She
returned to Washington, DC, where she followed a long-time fascination with
sociopolitical structures and women’s issues to a Master of Arts in Sociology
from the American University. She spent several years as a Policy Associate at
the International Center for Research on Women, a think-tank focused on women’s
health and economic advancement.
Stephanie embraced full-time
motherhood after the birth of the first of her three children in 2003. After
six wonderful years buried in diapers and picture books she returned to her
childhood passion and wrote her own fairytale. Her family put down permanent
southern roots in Charleston in 2011. Stephanie is an adjunct professor of
Sociology at the College of Charleston.
www.thecrackedslipper.com
blog.thecrackeslipper.com
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twitter: @crackedslipper
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cracked-Slipper-Series-ebook/dp/B007FLG8KS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364778060&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cracked+slipper
Blurb from The Cracked Slipper
When Eleanor
Brice unexpectedly wins the heart of Gregory Desmarais, Crown Prince of
Cartheigh, she's sure she's found her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Prince
Charming has a loose grip on his temper, a looser grip on his marriage vows,
and a tight grip on the bottle.
Eight years of
mistreatment, isolation and clandestine book learning hardly prepare Eleanor
for life at Eclatant Palace, where women are seen, not heard. According to
Eleanor's eavesdropping parrot, no one at court appreciates her unladylike
tendency to voice her opinion. To make matter worse, her royal fiancé spends
his last night of bachelorhood on a drunken whoring spree. Before the ink dries
on her marriage proclamation Eleanor realizes that she loves her husband's best
friend, former soldier Dorian Finley.
Eleanor can't
resist Dorian's honesty, or his unusual admiration for her intelligence, and
soon both are caught in a dangerous obsession. She drowns her confusion in
charitable endeavors, but the people's love can't protect her from her
feelings. When a magical crime endangers the bond between unicorns, dragons,
and the royal family, a falsely accused Eleanor must clear her own name to save
her life. The road toward vindication will force a choice between hard-won
security and an impossible love.
The Cracked
Slipper is a book club friendly fairytale retelling in the vein of Gregory
Maguire, with a dash of romance. Set in a pseudo-renaissance,
corset-and-petticoats enchanted kingdom, The Cracked Slipper brings a magical
twist to women's fiction.
Excerpt from The Cracked Slipper
"Their
host, Sir Robert Smithwick, rose and gave a toast to the health of his nephew.
Other speeches followed, each more suggestive than the next. She laughed out
loud when Dorian subtly mocked Brian’s inability to hold his liquor. Gregory
spoke last, and gave a surprisingly thoughtful salute to his cousin. She patted
his arm when he sat, and he gave her a tentative smile.
As
everyone returned to their venison and cliff shrimp Eleanor's stepmother tapped
her goblet. Mother Imogene rose and lifted the cup. “I must ask you to pause
for just one more moment,” she said. “I have another announcement.”
“My
darling,” she said to Sylvia. “We’ve all so enjoyed your hospitality this
summer. But now my daughter must remember herself, and rest, for with the
winter will arrive a future duke! Our dear Sylvia is expecting!”
The
guests applauded, congratulating Imogene and Sylvia. Sylvia gazed demurely in
her lap, as if embarrassed by the association with procreation. As for the
expectant father, he was nowhere to be seen. His wife’s entertaining had proved
too much for him, and the duke returned to Harveston for some peace.
Eleanor
glanced down the table. Anne Iris retched into her cup, but it was Dorian’s
calm face that inspired her. She stood and the room quieted. “My dear sister,”
she said. “Let me extend my good wishes.”
Sylvia’s
simpering went rigid.
“I
will say, Sylvia always had a flair for the dramatic when we were children. Who
knew you would entertain so many with your widely varied talents? While I have
recently been ill, I’ve heard you neglect no one, from the loftiest lord to the
most common stable hand. We are so fortunate there is one among us who gives so
generously of herself to others. It’s no wonder His Grace, your husband, took
his leave. It must be difficult to share you with so many.”
Imogene’s
eyes bulged and her nostrils flared, while Sylvia gave an uncertain twitter.
Eleanor looked at Dorian again. He winked.
“So
I salute you, Your Grace,” she said.“May your child look just like you. Just as
lovely.”
The
guests applauded, all the while hiding their smirks and chuckles in their
goblets and napkins. Eleanor sat down. This time Gregory touched her arm. “Well
played,” he said."
Oh, my, what an...elegant way to put someone in their place. I love Eleanor already, and I really do need to get this one for my collection.
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38: The Write to Read
39: Just Trying to Let it Be
40: Danita Minnis
41: Reading In Twilight
2: Bunny's Review
3: Farm Girl Books
4: A Writer's Life
5: Welcome to My World of Dreams
6: Sue Perkins Author
7: Jody's Book Reviews and Giveaways
8: Tamaria Soana
9: Margay Leah Justice
10: Hope Dreams. Life... Love
11: Novel Moments
12: Author Jinni James
13: Linda Nightingale-Wordsmith
14: Loose the Hounds
15: Blood Red Shadows
16: Happily Ever After
17: Shelley Munro
18: Nickie's Views and Interviews
19: Book Bling Blog
20: The Dan O'Brien Project
21: My Devotional Thoughts
22: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
23: A to Z Reviews
24: Long and Short Reviews
25: Book 'Em North Carolina
26: Writer Wonderland
27: United By Books
28: Enjoying the Unique Flavors of Life
29: The Broke Book Bank
30: You Gotta Read Reviews
31: Dawn's Reading Nook Blog
32: Sandra's Blog
33: Author Raine Delight's Blog
34: My Odd Little World
35: Brewing Passion
36: Lindsay's Scribblings
37: Andi's Book Reviews
38: The Write to Read
39: Just Trying to Let it Be
40: Danita Minnis
41: Reading In Twilight
