Tell A Fairy Tale Day!!

Song Stuck on the Brain: The Lady of Shalott by Loreena McKennitt


Today is Tell a Fairy Tale Day! What fun, right? I love fairy tales. I think the earliest book I remember reading - or having read to me - was Cinderella. My favorite book as a child was a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. I remember reading it over and over.

And don't even get me started on the Disney movies. Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorites, Belle and I have a LOT in common. I seriously envy her library! :) Ending up with a super hot prince in the end isn't shabby either of course.

It seems pretty obvious to me that with that type of history it's not surprise that storytelling became my future. Whether it's classic or modern romance, I think think there is always an undertone of fairy tale to be found. But sometimes it's fun to write and read an actual fairy tale, don't you think?


I did. And my once upon a fanciful day of creating a fairy tale, eventually became a part of my modern day romance Dysfunction Junction. In the book it's written by main character Kianna Ravencamp. You've met Curly-Locks in previous posts for National Princess Week. Here's your chance to get a sneak peak at her story. Enjoy!


Cherry-Locks and the Three Men
(A sneak-peek from Dysfunction Junction by April Erwin)

Once upon a time and not long ago, there lived a beautiful (albeit large) young

woman with long flowing locks the color of black cherries. Cherry-locks, as her

friends called her, was friendly and intelligent with a winning smile and a

charming sense of humor. She had many friends, both guys and girls. But what she

did not have was a boyfriend.

One morning Cherry-locks awoke with a yawn and smacked her alarm clock.

As she rolled over to gain another nine minutes of sleep she noticed something

wasn’t quite right. She sat up and looked out her bedroom window. To her

surprise, it was not her quiet neighborhood street she saw, but a quaint little store.

She threw her covers back and stumbled to the window. All her neighbors’ homes

were gone and in their place, a misty haze rolled along the dewy grass. The store

looked like a tiny candy shop.

“Oh my goodness!” exclaimed Cherry-locks. “What in the world is this?” She

quickly donned her clothes and went down for a look. Upon exiting her small

house, Cherry-locks met a sweet little woman in a pink pants suit with poufy

blonde hair. She could have been about seventy, but her flawless make-up made it

hard to tell.

“There you are, honey.” The woman linked arms with Cherry-locks and pulled

her out onto the sidewalk. “I was beginning to think you’d never get up.”

Confused and still a bit sleepy-eyed, Cherry-locks looked at her quizzically.

“Who the heck are you?”

“Why, honey, don’t you recognize a Fairy-Matchmaker when you see one?”

The older woman said with surprise. “I heard you wish for the man of your dreams

on the turkey bone at Thanksgiving. So here I am to help you find him.”

“Thanksgiving?” Cherry-locks’ eyebrows shot to the edge of her cherry

colored hairline. “That was eight months ago. In fact, it was eight months and six

years ago. I’ve wished for the same thing every year.”

“Well, honey, you’ve got to give us time. There’s not many of us Fairy-

Matchmakers left and we have a lot of wishes to fulfill.” She propelled Cherrylocks

toward the store.

“It used to be we only had to answer the flower wishes. But now, with the job

market the way it is and downsizing and all, we’ve also been given the star wishes,

fountain wishes, turkey-bone wishes…” She shook her head dismally. “The list

goes on and on, so we’ve gotten a little behind in the wish fulfillment arena, but

today your name came up, so here I am.”

The Fairy Matchmaker paused in front of the little shop and turned to face

Cherry-locks. “Now I don’t have much time, so I’ll explain quickly what’s on the

agenda. The store in front of you is the Wish Fulfillment Center for Lonely Hearts.

Inside you can choose between three selected bachelors. I’ve personally screened

them to fit your general tastes. The one who’s just right is yours to keep. So, if

you’ll just come along with me, I’ll introduce you.” With that said, she once more

propelled Cherry-locks toward the front door.

continued in Dysfunction Junction by April Erwin

For more fun:

Which Fairy Tale Best Describes Your Life? quiz!

My quiz answer was Puss In Boots:

You are smart and capable of taking great care of yourself. No matter where you find yourself in life, you always have a plan, and just like a cat, can always land on your feet. a word of advice though - try helping others without getting them thrown into a lake. Naked.

If you enjoyed Loreena McKennitt, here's another one of my favorites.

Lost and Scared by K.C. Sprayberry

Today, I'm welcoming Friend and Fantastic writer, K.C. Sprayberry to ProjectingA. 

Check out her brand new Release!!

When their younger twin siblings were murdered by their cold-blooded father, Shane and Keri’s own twin connection deepened. Their father shamed Shane and Keri into silence, and then went on to bring four more children into a house shuddering under the weight of his unpredictable temper.

Ten years later, what should have been a regular visitation turns into a horrific nightmare. Trapped in the Superstition Mountains with an addicted and dangerous father, Keri’s faith and determination wavers, but she knows she must save her brothers and sisters and return all of them to the home they love.

She now faces one insurmountable obstacle. He can’t afford to let her go.

Lost and Scared

Excerpt 1 ~ Shane

The window in my bedroom that I share with my two younger brothers overlooks Main Street. I angle my head, so I can attempt to see where my twin is.

“See Keri?” Axe, my best bud, asks.

“Nope. But I do see a bunch of cars leaving.” I face him and grin. “That means she’s on her way back.”

“Great. We can leave now.”

“Looks that way.”

He and I race down the stairs. The normal noise of a large family during winter holiday break greets me, along with what can only be described as evil snickering. We come around the corner, shoving and pushing to see which one of us gets to the bottom first, with me gaining an inch on my bud.

“Yes!” I pump a fist and hop down the last three steps, the satisfaction of proving once and for all that I’m the best pass receiver on our team.

“I am so going to beat you one of these days,” he says.

We knuckle bump and clown around.

“Ready when you are, honey,” a strange female voice says.

“Huh?” I turn around.

A woman who looks like a million miles of bad road stands beside the open front door. Before I can ask who she is and what she’s doing in our house, a series of loud bangs precedes the sound of a cat yowling. That noise sends fear shivers through every inch of my body, and I don’t scare all that easily.

“What the heck?” Axe pushes me aside. “What’s going on, Shane?”

“Don’t know.” I point at the woman. “Who are you?”

“Jake’s honey-poo,” she purrs.

That response is wrong on so many levels, beginning with Jake is my dad’s name. The last time I checked he was still married to my mom.

“Who are you two handsome hunks?”

Gross. Sick. Yuck! She sounds just like Scooter when he catches a mouse.

Just as I’m about to tell this loser from the wrong side of the tracks to get lost, Scooter races out of the kitchen. A mix of who knows what, he has gorgeous gray and white striped fur and I can only describe him as fat and slow.

Slow comes nowhere close to describing that streak racing for safety. Scooter howls out his fear. His fur stands on end and his tail is so fluffy that it looks ten times its normal size.

Book Trailer

Excerpt 2 ~ Keri

Carly and I sneak up the walkway to the backdoor of the house where I live with my parents and five siblings. We’ve done nothing wrong. There is no reason for us to be sneaking into my house, except one… him.

“Are you sure about this?” she whispers.

“Yeah.” I cast a guilty glance at the driveway.

Shane’s truck isn’t here. He must still be hanging with his best bud, Axe. Heat rushes up my face whenever I think about that hunk. Axe not Shane. Big Bro is anything but a hunk. Well, he is kind of cute, and a lot of girls like him, but a hunk? Give me a break. None of the girls hot for him know that he stinks up a bathroom or dumps his clothes all over the place for me to pick up.

I’ll forgive Carly for thinking like that. She’s good for Shane, if he’d just get over the “everybody will hate us for dating” thing. Big deal if she’s African American and we’re white. Nobody cares about that anymore.

“Your dad will pop a cork if he catches me in the house,” Carly says. “You know he hates… you know.”

We never talk about that. So what if my dad is the biggest bigot in the world? The rest of my family is totally cool with me having Carly around. They like her. She’s funny, and an awesome bestie.

We both stop in front of the back door. I reach out a hand, but don’t turn the knob when I hear shouting.

“Oh, shit.” I glance at Carly.

“What now?” she whispers.

Memories flood through me of a night I try so very hard to forget. Once upon a time, there was another set of twins in our house. Then they were gone. The reason they’re not with us anymore is too hard to think about. I don’t even talk about that night, but that’s because Shane and I made a sacred vow. We will always keep that secret. Telling now will cause so many problems for us.

I have to tell someone, but that means I’ll go to jail. Won’t I? Isn’t that where liars go when they hide a crime?

The anniversary of that particular act still haunts me, even though it was way back in August. December has usually been good, even if we’re sad because of whatever he is doing. To have such an innocent act end in the violence as that one did should never happen to anyone, especially a kid. To have the person responsible still walking around as if he did nothing wrong infuriates me, until I think about how I never told.

Shane didn’t either. We should have told. It didn’t matter if we were only seven. It doesn’t matter now that we’re almost seventeen. We should have told.

Author Bio:

Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in Northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond.

She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Some of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, others in magazines. Three of her books (Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama’s Advice) are Amazon best sellers. Her other books are: Take Chances, Where U @, The Wrong One, Pony Dreams, Evil Eyes, Inits, Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates, The Call Chronicles 1: The Griswold Gang, The Curse of Grungy Gulley, Paradox Lost: Their Path, and Starlight. Additionally, she has shorts available on Amazon: Grace, Secret From the Flames, Family Curse … Times Two, Right Wrong Nothing In Between, and The Ghost Catcher.

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Manic Readers

The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Deception Available for Pre-Order

Canadian friend and fellow author Suzanne de Montigny's long awaited sequel is here! 

Did you love Azaria the Unicorn in The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy (The Shadow of the Unicorn Series Book 1)?

Well, the next part of this epic tale is now available for pre-order on Amazon. 

The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Deception (The Shadow of the Unicorn Series Book 2)

Ulysees’ breath was ragged, and his heart filled with terror when they galloped toward the herd pursued by an enraged Icarus. How did the Legacy of Azaria transform into the world fear it has, the unicorns barely existing hidden in the depths of the forest? Why is Icharus, the Great Stallion, so cruel and ruthless? And who is Jaresh, the invisible being who takes away their powers? Angry, the young colt Ulysees and his friend Téo rebel, following an abandoned trail where they’re discovered by humans. Now the entire herd must make an exodus. But Ulysees discovers there’s more danger then just humans when he meets a giant creature who warns them of impending doom…

It's on SALE for just $2.99 right now. Hurry to get your copy on order. 

SUZANNE DE MONTIGNY wrote her first unicorn story at the age of twelve. Several years later, she discovered it in an old box in the basement, thus reigniting her love affair with unicorns. 

 Suzanne taught music in Vancouver for many years where she learned she could spin a good tale that kept kids and teachers begging for more. She took up writing in earnest eight years ago and has never looked back. The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, was released in 2012 as an e-book, and as a print book in 2014. The second book of The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Deception will be released in February, 2015. She lives in Burnaby, B.C. with the loves of her life - her husband, two boys, and Buddy the dog.

Tried and True by Mary Connealy

Song Stuck on the Brain: Alouette. Although, it's my grandmother's goofy lyrics that are actually running with that melody. 

All you et a, think of all you et a. 
All you et a, think of all you et. 
Think of all the taters you et, think of all the taters you et, 
Taters you et, taters you et, 
Oooohh..... 
All you et a, think of all you et a,
All you et a, think of all you et! 

This could fit any dinner she was serving, she'd simply substitute "taters" for whatever was on the table. Grandma Helen was a very sweet woman that loved to cook and had a fun side to boot. Now you can see I get this crazy song addiction genetically. :)

Tried and True

Wild at Heart #1

by 

Mary Connealy

MY TAKE:

I think I might just love this new book, Tried and True, the best. Although, I think I've said that after every Mary Connealy book I've read. It's so hard not to. With this being her 33rd novel (!) how could I really choose a favorite anyway? Her concepts are always captivating, funny and moving in all the right places. I love when a story can make you laugh, hold your breath, swoon, and keep you completely entertained - and yet you walk away feeling your eyes were opened to something bigger. 

This new Wild at Heart series has started off with just that kind of bang. I love the concept of seeing the civil war through the memory of female soldiers living incognito as men as they try and tame the wild west. Those are some mighty brave women! How long their disguises will last is questionable, but the realities of what they lived through and how it helped them become the women they are now, is not. This story might be set in 1866, but I think there would be many modern day warriors who could identify with the tale. 

Be sure to check this one out soon, the sequel, Now and Forever releases June 2015. You really don't want to miss this series. 



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters! Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy is the bestselling author of romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Carol Award winner and a Rita and Christy and IRCC Award Finalist. She is also an author, teacher, and journalist, Mary lives on an eastern Nebraska ranch with her husband and enjoys spending time with her four daughters and a bevy of grandchildren.

What's on Your Book Pile?

I have been busy, busy, busy!! But that doesn't mean I've stopped reading... Are you kidding? That would be like going without air. :) SOOO, to catch you up a little, here's a smattering of what I've read lately. Enjoy!


Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?


Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?

Karen Witemeyer has a gift for emotionally compelling stories that also make me laugh out loud. Both Nicole and Darius have deep seeded fears from their past driving them to do bold and outrageous things now with the need to protect every one around them in the process. Especially from each other. The attraction and romantic pull between the two would be heroes is so much fun to experience. Nicole is sassy and Darius isn't always the alpha male 'boss' he pretends to be. I couldn't help but fall with Nicole as she lost her heart to Darius. Great read!



The Hatmaker's Heart by Carla Stewart

For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman's best qualities. She knows she's fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell's fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stutter she's had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.

But it seems Nell's gift won't be hidden by Oscar's efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.

I love the Art Deco period with flapper girls and the style of a new century proudly breaking the rules against a backdrop of prohibition and Women's rights. Nell is a modern young woman that designs beautiful hats that bring out the best in each of her clients. She's quickly building a fan base that clamor for her to have her own line. Her boss is quick to use her talents and her good looks to help build his business, but give Nell proper credit and help her succeed on her own? No way.

Carla Stewart does a great job of recreating that world and allowing the reader to step into Nell's shoes to see the world in a new way. I had expected it to be more of a romance, and although there is a satisfying romantic ending, the story really revolves more around Nell becoming independent and yet also more faithful and dependent on God. It was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed it a lot.

It even reminded me of one of my favorite pictures of my grandparents when they were just young teens and in love. :)

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

Kat is a VERY creative baker. She loves to experiment with new flavors and combinations. I can totally identify with that. Who doesn't love creative baking? Especially when it's delicious? 

According to Kat - only Lucas, her best friend. No one else in town wants anything but plain strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. Not that her aunt's recipes aren't tasty, but they're stuck in a rut. Kat feels trapped in her hometown with little confidence and no hope. Lucas sees a whole different picture. When seeing Kat through Lucas' eyes, you can see why he's so head over heels in love for her. The fact she can't see it despite her own feelings toward him had me a little ready to scream in frustration. But, isn't that just how it is so often? Our own fears getting in the way of taking chances and letting our hearts talk?

The cooking competition shakes things up for the best friends drastically, but the passion is stirs is perfect. And the touch of sweet heat that each fights with their attraction is like icing. The author is honest in her presentation of relationships while keeping it clean and honorable. Loved it. 

What the Bride Didn't Know by Kelly Hunter

Shh…it's a secret! 

Special ops expert Trig Sinclair is a man's man, and that means he knows the cardinal rule of the bro code—no matter how dynamite Lena West is, as his best friend's younger sister, she's strictly off-limits! 

But when a secret mission to Istanbul sees Lena and Trig pretending to be married (and sharing a bed!), he finds himself in a whole new world of sweet torture…. But if Trig thinks playing the honor-bound hero is tough, it's got nothing on how Lena feels when she discovers what her "groom" is really hiding….

Lena has two super smart brothers, she's never felt like she could keep up with them. In school or any where else. But that hasn't stopped her from trying. Trig, her older brother's best friend, has always been there to help her out. As they got older the three of them become a team as she follows the guys right into special ops. But Lena's older brother is out of contact and she's determined to go find him. Trig's not about to let her head off into dangerous territory alone. Under a pretend cover of newlywed's the two start their investigation in the street markets. Lena get's mugged and her concussion has her believing they really are married. Trig would be fine with a relationship, but he has to be honorable, Lena isn't thinking strait. Only she's making that very difficult for him. 

This was a hit and miss for me. I enjoyed the action and intrigue and the glamour of foreign lands, but the relationship between Lena and Trig seems rather quick. HOWEVER, I will say I discovered later that this is the third book in a series, so there could be a lot of build up for the couple in earlier books. It was a fun read, but not a lot of depth or connection romantically other than the physical attraction. NOTE: This is not the type of book I typically review. This is definitely a steamier romance, be prepared for the bedroom scene. 

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

When Her Friend Goes Missing, Every Minute Counts
Darcy St. James returns to Alaska to join a journalist friend undercover on the trail of a big story. But when Darcy arrives, she finds her friend has disappeared. Troubled by the cruise ship's vague explanation, Darcy uses her cover as a travel reporter to investigate further.

The last person Gage McKenna expects to see during his summer aboard a cruise ship leading adventure excursions is Darcy. And in typical Darcy fashion, she's digging up more trouble.

He'd love to just forget her--but something won't let him. And he can't help but worry about her as they are heading into more remote regions of Alaska and eventually into foreign waters. Something sinister is going on, and the deeper they push, the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

I love Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series! Stranded did not disappoint. Darcy St. James has appeared once before in an earlier book and I thought for sure she and Gage were set to fall in love. Then he shut her out and she left. Talk about sad! But now Darcy is back and her investigation has gotten her in a lot of trouble. In fact, Dani could be dead if Gage doesn't come through in time. 

The suspense is fantastic. Dani also does a wonderful job of bringing you into a wild wilderness that's beautiful and harsh, a land to be respected and tamed. Much like Gage's heart. (okay, that may be cheesy, but still very appropriate.) I found myself holding my breath at times and that is the best way to read a suspense. 

North Star Brides by Erica Vetsch

Minnesota tycoon Abraham Kennebrae is in the business of love when he plans to marry his grandsons to the wealthiest heiresses in town. The trouble is the brothers and their future brides aren’t happy about the prospect. Jonathan desperately wants to keep his fortune while Melissa wants to protect her deepest secret and her heart. Noah flees to the safety of Sutton Island where he unexpectedly meets his would-be bride, Anastasia. Eli is betrothed to marry Clarice Zahn, yet it is her younger sister, Josie, who truly has eyes for the groom. Can true love result from mismatched matchmaking?

Abraham Kennebrae was the kind of old man you hated to admit having visions of putting in his place - any way necessary. The old goat is pushy, hard headed, old-fashioned and greedy. To point out his nice qualities. He's told his grandsons they will marry the brides he's chosen for them to help grow the business - or lose their inheritance. 

I was very happy to say that all three brothers were the stand up kind of guys that were willing to give up an inheritance in order to find love. Until it threatened someone else special. Each of the three novels had a unique romance and story. The brothers all one of a kind. The setting and historical background is well written and even better, the girls have as much spunk and say in this as the brothers. It may have seemed like mismatched matchmaking, but when put in God's hands, even grandpa's greedy motives can be turned into something beautiful. I really enjoyed this series, hardly taking a moment to breathe between each book. 

All of these books came free, courtesy of Netgalley and they associated publishers. All opinions are mine, freely given with remuneration from the publishers.