Romance is in the Air featuring Laura Ann

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY

Goldilock’s Misunderstood Billionaire
(Middleton Prep Book 9)

by Laura Ann

During February and March, we will be featuring 14 fabulous authors who write clean romance. Today we feature Laura Ann with Goldilock’s Misunderstood Billionaire, ON SALE for $0.99.

Also available in the Middleton Prep series: A Home for the Ugly Duckling (FREE for newsletter subscribers), The Librarian and Her Beast, Ms.Cinder’s Prince, Waking Ms. Briar, A Date for the Goose Girl, Running from the Wolf, Ms. Frogg’s Hidden Billionaire, Saving Ms.Gothel, and A Billionaire for Ms. Snow. Each novella is a clean, sweet romance loosely based on a beloved fairy tale. They can be read in any order.

This book blast and giveaway is hosted by Clean Wholesome Romance.

Description

She needs his help… He needs her.

Goldie Lockwood loves her job as the Art Department head at Middleton Prep Academy. She loves that her friends have all found true love. And she even loves living with her triplet brothers, despite the fact they’re way overprotective. What she doesn’t love, is Finley Gruffman. His practiced charm and flirtatious smile drive her crazy and she makes sure he knows it. Much to her dismay, she finds herself in a position where she needs his help.

When Finley Gruffman finds himself attracted to the tiny, blonde art teacher, he quickly discovers she’s got hidden claws and a sharp tongue. Riling her up becomes his favorite past time. However, when she approaches him about sponsoring an art fundraiser, he makes a deal with her. If she will pretend to be his girlfriend in order to keep his ex and the media at bay, he will provide the much needed funds for the exhibit.

When their feisty personalities clash, the line between enemies and lovers comes muddled. But Finley’s reputation as a heartless jerk isn’t completely unearned. Can he convince Goldie he isn’t the man everyone else thinks he is?

Excerpt

Goldie spun and nearly fell over.

The man from earlier lunged forward, grabbing her around her elbows and helping keep her upright.

“Oh, thank you. That was incredibly helpful and an excellent reaction time.” Goldie stepped out of his hands, which seemed to linger on her arms until the very last second. Uh oh, maybe he didn’t quite get the message earlier.

Travis chuckled. “Anytime.” His eyes wandered up and down her, warming her but not in a good way. “You sure you don’t want to see my house? I’m thinking we could have a great time there.”

Red flags were waving like they were in a hurricane in her head. “Uh… “

He took her hesitation as an opportunity to step into her personal bubble and leaned down towards her face. “I’ve even got a hot tub out back.”

Goldie felt herself leaning back. “Thanks, but no thanks, Travis. Not really my thing.”

“I’ve got a theatre.”

“No.”

“Pool table?”

Seriously? Does he not get it? “No, thank you. I’m not-”

“Hey, hon. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” A dark, gravelly voice came from Goldie’s right side just as a large arm slipped around her waist.

What the-? Every nerve ending stood on end as Finley put his arm around her. Goldie couldn’t seem to control the shiver that ran down her spine and the electricity that shot out from his hand. Turning sideways, she glared at him, only to be met with an amused smirk.

“Oh, I see. Well, you should have just said so,” Travis cleared his throat and stepped back.

“No.” Goldie’s tone was firm.

Both men froze and looked at her.

Stepping out of Finley’s reach she put her hands on her hips. “We,” she waved a finger between her and Finley, “are not together. And I don’t appreciate you making it seem that way.”

Finley’s expression went from shocked to thunderous in moments. His dark eyes looked like a tornado was brewing and Goldie knew it was time to get out.

She turned back away from Finley. “Travis, thank you for the invitation, but before we were interrupted, I was trying to tell you that I’m not interested. Thank you, anyway.” She turned back to Finley. “As for you, I thank you to keep your hands to yourself. I want no part of this little charade you’re trying to put on. Good night.” Spinning on her heel, she stomped to her car and carefully eased her way out of the busy driveway, leaving both men with their mouths hanging open.

Goldie couldn’t help it. As she watched the men get smaller in her rearview mirror, she couldn’t help but giggle. “Good thing I’ll never see either of those two again.”

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“My cheeks hurt from smiling. Truth is, I stayed up all night reading it.”

“For sweet romance lovers with a little humor on the side this is the book for you.”

“This may be a clean, sweet read, but you’ll never miss the lack of sexual interaction with such a meaty book. I’d give this story more stars than five if I could!”

About the Author

Ever since I was in elementary school, I have wanted to be an author. Career day was a bit rough, since there is no official uniform for this job. Pajamas and a laptop maybe? Although my clothes change from day to day, my job as a wife and mother doesn’t. My days are filled with my 5 children and enjoying time with my husband, while my evenings are filled with creative time. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Giveaway

Enter the blast-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.

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Books featured in this post:

a REAL life fairy tale Boxed Set by Jamie Brook Thompson

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY

a REAL life fairy tale Boxed Set:
Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast,
and The Frogg Princess

by Jamie Brook Thompson

This book blast and giveaway for a REAL life fairy tale Boxed Set by Jamie Brook Thompson is brought to you by I Am A Reader.

Description

Cinderella 

If a dream is a wish your heart makes then Cindee Ellis is in major trouble. There’s no way Henry Christensen will ever notice her under all those oil stains and brake fluid splattered across her shirt. Unless—she’s dead wrong about him. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll work her guts out to make her own happily ever after.

Beauty and the Beast 

There’s a tale as old as time of two people falling in love, but what happens when Belle won’t have anything to do with it. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll transform the town’s beast into a handsome prince with her heart, not her beautician skills.

The Frogg Princess 

Taya is almost there. Join her in this real-life fairytale, set in the small town of Silver Creek, as she plans to start a new life by opening a little restaurant. Only to find a few rude people that don’t seem to welcome her. But that doesn’t seem to bother Felix Frogg, a local police officer, and the love-at–first-sight reactions he keeps tossing her way. If Taya isn’t careful with the way her heart is softening towards Felix, she could be walking into a lifetime commitment of happily ever after that wasn’t in her plans.

Excerpts

Cinderella

“Hey, Cindee, before I forget. You have a real nice day.”

I nod with about the blankest expression I’ve ever felt, and then he winks. HE LITERALLY WINKS!

My eyes are as big as I can stretch them.

Either Henry Christensen just did that on purpose, or he has something irritating his eye. I want to go with my first choice, but the second one seems more accurate. I’m the girl with no name, until just now, standing in a huge coat, so it’s gotta be the second choice, right?

“Henry? Is that you?” Priscilla’s sticky-sweet voice interrupts.

He doesn’t speak a word as he presses on the gas to slowly start backing up.

“I’ll stop by the station to pick up the trucks in a while. Make sure you’re there,” he says before quickly pulling onto Main Street where everything disappears, except for the faint glow of his brake lights that blink three times.

Is he saying goodbye? I know other girls back in high school had boys do this to them, but not me. NOT EVER. Not once did a boy tap his brake lights to me. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Beauty and the Beast

“Thank you for this.” I whisper into Adam’s ear.

“For what?” He grins.

“For being the kind of man that makes a woman believe there’s a God in heaven.” I nuzzle into his shoulder and close my eyes as the preacher asks us to pray.

Once we finish, the rows of people begin to stand. I wipe under my eyes one more time just to make sure I don’t have mascara running down my face.

The Frogg Princess

“You probably shouldn’t be with a girl like me. I could corrupt a boy like yourself,” I tease, trying to ease the heat flooding my face. How could I push myself on him? I’m cringing inside at being so stupid.

“Nah, I’d happily go as far as you’d allow me,” he softly chuckles. “I just have a promise I made with my brother.”

“A promise?” I narrow my eyes.

“Yeah, we both agreed to wait for marriage.”

I stifle a gasp. Is he for real?

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Books

Cinderella 

"What a fun, quick, romantic read! Loved the modern spin on the classic fairytale. This is the perfect book to take a break from the real world and can easily be read in one sitting. I'm excited for the next ones in the series!" ~ wordygirl1

Beauty and the Beast 

"I LOVE this fairy tale series. Fun characters set in this cute, little country town. This story will sweep you right in. A fresh, new look at some beloved characters. I love the twist with Belle & Gaston." ~ Amber W.

About the Author

Jamie Brook Thompson is a small town girl who loves to tell a good story. She grew up as the daughter of a redneck farmer and hippie mother. Her entire life has been filled with duct tape and peace and love. She currently has six children, two dogs, and a handsome Prince of her very own! When she isn’t writing, you can find her out at her father’s ranch changing tires on tractors, working on motors that need repair, or adjusting carburetors on the family four wheelers to ride the high Utah desert. She’s a woman of many talents and trades, but the one she enjoys the most is writing stories to take readers into a world of hope - a world of clean romance!

Giveaway

Enter the blast-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.

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"The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan" by Steve Wiley

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan

by Steve Wiley

The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan by Steve Wiley is currently on tour with Enchanted Book Promotions. The tour stops here today for my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

"Did you know most anything that matters in this city was built by magic before it was built by men? Of course you didn’t. This city is different from other cities. The true history of it is unpublished. Lucky for you, I know it all by heart." ~ Francesca Finnegan

In Chicago, a secret L train runs through the mythical East Side ofthe city. On that train, you’ll find a house-cat conductor, an alcoholic elf, a queen of the last city farm, the most curious wind, and an exceptional girl by the name of Francesca Finnegan.

When we first encounter Richard K. Lyons, he is a man who has long forgotten the one night, when he was still a boy called Rich, when Francesca invited him aboard the secret L for an adventure though the East Side. The night was a mad epic, complete with gravity-defying first kisses, mermaid overdoses, and princess rescues. Unfortunately for Rich, the night ended like one of those elusive dreams forgotten the moment you wake. Now, Rich is all grown up and out of childish adventures, an adult whose life is on the verge of ruin. It will take the rediscovery of his exploits with Francesca, and a reacquaintance with the boy he once was, to save him.

Note: Half of the proceeds from this book are donated to Chicago Public Schools.

Excerpt

Fairyism

There is magic in the city.

When Rich Lyons was a little boy, he learned of the magic from an old, cockeyed, Captain Hook–looking magician. The old man sat alone at a table for two outside a neighborhood bar every summer day, all day, always with a glass of twinkling whiskey. He said the twinkle had once been in his eye, but had blown out one windy day and splashed right into the whiskey. Rich liked how the twinkle twinkled in the whiskey. He liked it so much, he asked the old man if he could have it. The man told Rich he didn’t need it, because he already had a twinkle of his own, and besides, that particular twinkling whiskey tasted like shit, worse than Malört[1], if that’s possible.

“You be careful,” the old man warned, “because in the city of wind, a twinkle may blow out. The wind here, it twirls and sings like a music-box ballerina. It plays tricks and tells stories like an old-man magician. Like me, like this …”

And so, the old man performed tricks for Rich and regaled him with city folklore and fantasy. He said the Great Chicago Fire was arson, started by a fire-breathing dragon from the Fulton River District who was fed up with the cold winters. He said the Chicago River started flowing backward when a giant sea serpent sneezed so powerfully, it changed the direction of the current. He said the sky was purple (not black) above the city because a wicked witch had stolen all the black for her cats and bats and witch hats.

Rich’s favorite story was one about the L trains, and how each had come to be named for a color. The old man said the colors arrived when the first skyscrapers did. Before then, all the trains were the same dull brown. On the day the first skyscraper went up, a rainbow, unused to encountering buildings so high in the sky, accidentally crashed into it. When the rainbow crashed, each of its individual colors went splattering in all directions. Some landed on the L trains and stained them. The only train to miss a color was the Brown Line, because, the old man said, it was offline for repairs.

The old man also said there was one line, a secret line, that got a splash of lavender.

One day, Rich asked the old man if he could use his magic to tell fortunes. The old man said, well, hell, of course he could, it was a matter of simple city magic. Rich asked if he might hear his own fortune. He wanted to know what he would be when he grew up.

The old man told Rich there wasn’t much he wouldn’t be when he grew up. He would be a father, a husband, an uncle, a brother, a friend. He would be a ghost in the graveyard. He would be a vice president of something. He would be a pisser in the pancake batter. He would be a reveler-adventurer. He would be a hider and seeker. He would be a rocket man. A businessman.

And, he would be a rich man.

---

[1] Disgusting alcoholic spirit, occupied by the evil spirit of a bootlegger, who was bootlegged himself. Available only in Chicago.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

"This is a book for intelligent adult readers who love a playful escape into teenage fantasies of fleeting first kisses, exceptional Ferris wheels, extraordinary cocktails, and a castle that has the sky's stars for a ceiling." ~ Publishers Weekly

"Filled with clever rhymes and plays on words, the prose itself is pure fun. Witty, humorous, and at times profound, the tone is true to its fairytale style. And like all good fairytales, it teaches a lesson - one that older readers are sure to benefit from." ~ Indie Reader

"There are just enough obscenities uttered to ensure this book is never shelved in the children’s or even young adult section. The story, though, is anything but vulgar, a sweet and uplifting tale as heartwarming as the ones it’s poking fun at." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"Twists on Chicago history and fantastical insights into uniquely Chicago phenomenon, such as the reason Malort tastes so bad, make for an entrancingly magical journey that's half Midwestern Miyazaki, half Mad Men, and all Windy City." ~ Windy City Reviews

"The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is an imaginative, modern-day adventure-fantasy for readers of all ages. Offering a view askew of the mundane and the magical, The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan is a lighthearted joy to read, highly recommended!" ~ Midwest Book Review

My Review

By Lynda Dickson

Richard Lyons may be rich, but he's not happy. He's going through life like a zombie. But then, one Friday night, he meets a girl who tells fairy tales in the street. An accidental bump to the head later, and so begin the adventures of Rich Lyons through Francesca Finnegan's fairytale Chicago.

I was captivated from the opening line - "There is magic in the city." - which sets the tone for this magical story that reads like a modern, original fairy tale. It's a charming, whimsical, alternate history of Chicago, complete with funny footnotes, nonsense verse, and cute illustrations (by Chris Cihon). Fragments of things Richard saw before he becomes unconscious, manifest themselves in his adventures. In this respect, the book is reminiscent of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Take a trip with Rich on the mythical Lavender Line through Chicago's non-existent East Side. You'll meet real-life historical figures, as well as fairytale creatures such as the house-cat train conductor, Queen Billy Boyle, Templeton the elf, Thumbelina, Lucy the mermaid, the Grand Duke of Rhine Falls, Mr. Fox, and - of course - the blue-haired Francesca Finnegan. You'll be regaled with tales (look out, it's contagious!) of old Chicago landmarks: the last city farm, Dunning Mental Hospital, Riverview Amusement park, the Green Mill cocktail lounge, Aragon castle, and the abandoned Chicago cable car tunnels.

You'll learn how the Windy City got its name, the cause of the Great Chicago Fire, the origin of the infamous Chicago liqueur Malört, the true events of the Saint Valentine's Day massacre, the legend of footballer George Gipp, the origin of the city's flag, why the Chicago River flows backwards, the story of John Kinzie and the Polish Potawatomi, the origin of Chicago's name, the story of the Dearborn Massacre, the phenomenon of the Chicago River turning green, the cause of the lightening of the Chicago night sky, the origin of Chicago's mermaid statue, and how the Aragon Ballroom came to have its star-studded ceiling.

Along the way, Richard regains some of the magic of his youth - and so will you. A wonderful, satisfying fairy tale for adults.

"Asking how to get anyvere on zis map is like asking vere to fall down a rabbit hole, or how to valk srough a looking glass." ~ The Grand Duke of Rhine Falls

Some of My Favorite Lines

"As a man, spirits were drunk and not dreamed. He snorted pixie dust, and while it made him high, he could never truly fly."

"It was the moment between afternoon and evening when the moon and sun swapped ownership of the sky."

"The Brown Line is one of those color-coded trains that make up the greater Chicago L system, coursing through the city’s anatomy like old-man blood vessels, clumsily pumping life in and out of the loop at the city’s heart."

"Jerking off with a cold is like reading a book upside down. You can start, but never finish, and there is no satisfaction in the endeavor.”

"The rain covered Rich’s face and seeped in his mouth and dripped down his throat. It tasted sweet as soda, and when Rich swallowed it, he was positive he’d live forever. It was the second-to-last time rain would make him feel like that."

About the Author

Steve Wiley is a father, husband, uncle, brother, friend, and purveyor of fairy stories. He grew up in and around Chicagoland, where he still lives with his wife and two kids. He has been published in an array of strange and serious places, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., to Crannóg magazine in Galway, Ireland. This is his first book. He has an undergraduate degree in something he has forgotten from Illinois State University and a graduate degree in something equally forgotten from DePaul University. Follow him on Goodreads and Instagram.

About the Illustrator

Chris Cihon is an artist who studied at Columbia College Chicago. He is a Chicago native and has lived here all his life. Chris’s paintings have been showcased in many local galleries and beyond. When he feels like it, he travels elsewhere to find inspiration. Follow him on Instagram.

Giveaway

Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a hardcover or ebook copy of The Fairytale Chicago of Francesca Finnegan by Steve Wiley.

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