Summary:
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.
Excerpt:
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.
Buy it:
Amazon
Buy it:
Amazon
About the author
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.
Find her:
** Stephanie will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
65 comments:
The book looks really engaging! I'd love to read it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Love it!! I'm a sucker for forbidden love;) And unicorns, lol.
cc_clubbs at yahoo dot com
Mommasez...blog
ccclubbs.com
This books sounds really interesting and unique. I'll have to check it out!
nicole(at)nicoleandscott(dot)com
Awesome!!! Can't read. Thank you for sharing!!!
kptx64@gmail.com
Thank you for hosting
I love historical romance, and this sounds like a wonderful read!
smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com
This books sounds really interesting and its in my TBR List :)
Thanks for the giveaway :)
cris(dot)riquelme(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds pretty interesting!
Can't wait to read it! Looks very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
Looks really good. Thanks for the giveaway. aidansmama77@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway! I love fairytale books!!!
That sounds like a pretty good read! I'm gonna have to take a look, I think.
Thanks for the giveaway!
This book sounds really good and I like the cover too. <3
caliwillette(at)gmail(dot)com
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, this book looks very interesting.
Thank you for the giveaway!! *fingers crossed*
I'd love to read this. Thanks for the opportunity.
Ooh, sounds very interesting! Thanks so much. (:
thaliasbooks@yahoo.com
Thank you for the giveaway!
Danielle Schneider - ArdarelFeuer@gmail.com
Gorgeous cover! Thanks for the giveaway!
Ali, http://frombowstobooks.blogstpo.com
The Cracked Slipper sounds amazing! A straight up fairy tale! I love the dragons, and the magic in just the synopsis and I know I and going to eat this book up aster than chocolate mouse for sure! I am thinking even if I do not win...I am still going to buy it because I am now hooked after the excerpt!
Thanks for the giveaway and "about the author"!
Thank you, Stephanie Alexander, for creating what sounds like a great read for any occasion!!!
My email: mrsjtucker2012[at]gmail[dot]com
Looks like a great read! thanks for the giveaway, good luck everyone
paddlefoot55@bigpond.com
This book looks great! Congratz on this book and thank you for the giveaway!
Maw3690@gmail.com
The story sounds interesting
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Looks like a sweet story <3
gatosqueak at gmail dot com
wow :D
It is the reserved attentions of the gentleman and the polite coyness of the lady, which creates the 'magic' within a historical novel (set within regeny/ renaissance). It is the hint of a suggestion that lets the imagination take over, so rather than having everything 'in your face' bluntly, one is left to guess and fill in the details. It is this element that makes it so romantic and enchanting...the way he touches her hand or a fleeting glance.
The magical touch and fairytale theme to this novel, makes it sound wonderfully captivating. Cinderella, snow white etc. all have a place in our hearts for we all live in dreams (even if only on the page). I am very excited about "The Cracked Slipper"!
From: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
Love the parrot on the cover :)
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
The book looks awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the post and excerpt. :) I think it is neat that this book is described as book club friendly :)
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I like the simplistic cover.
bookaholicholly at gmail dot com
sounds like an interesting read. Congratulations and all the best on your writing career
sandy@thereadingcafe(dot)com
I would read this one! meganlouise at the google-based email provider!
Love it!!!! I hope I win and regardless will be adding this book to my reading list!
I really appreciate the contest! It sounds like an awesome read. Thank you!
Thanks for having this contest, it's really nice!(:
sounds like a good book, gonna have to check it out! thanks for the contest/giveaway!
patricia crews
adamsgirl4602@yahoo.com
i like the sound of this one ....
Thank you for the giveaway :)
The book sounds really interesting and I'd love to read it! (I think it was the eavesdropping parrot that really sold it to me :D)
P.S. Thanks for the giveaway :)
oh i love the cover and the blurb....i am eager to read The Cracked Slipper ...
thx :)
-nurmawati djuhawan-
chiko_jubilee at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway! I love fairytale books and the cover is very nice!
jolie_phantasm@yahoo.es
The book sounds really interesting. Thank you for the giveaway! :)
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway <3
Thanks for giveaway ^^
that book looks awesome and I just love that cover its so pretty!
Sounds like a great book! thanks for the giveaway,
blackcapballistics(at)gmail(dot)com
LOL so much drama in the synopsis itself! Apparently family drama too! Sounds quite adult fairy-tale, but anyway, unicorn AND dragon! Awesome! :D
feeyonachan at gmail dotcom
Sounds interesting. And I like the title. I also like the idea of a magical twist to women's fiction. Sounds neat.
Thanks.
jlkalman26 at gmail dot com
Thanks so much for this giveaway!!!!! and sound like a really good book on my TBR already :)
cris (dot) riquelme at gmail (dot) com
Looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Wonderful!
preciousyipperbear uses gmail
Sounds like a great read!
Thanks for the opportunity!
farmaki@live.com
Am I too late? Thanks for the giveaway
Anastaciaknits @ gmail dot com
Really need to read this!
Tessavr @ live.nl
I really like the cover and the title...sounds like a great book :)
Diamondnazaneen at gmail dot com
This book sounds like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway!
The storyline, review, all say read me.
Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway.
cenya2 at Hotmail dot com
A great book from a great writer. I hope to get one and be inspired with the art of your writing skill.
I found out your masterpiece was interesting.
bumanglagrobert@ymail.com
Love the eveasdropping parrot
I like the cover. I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the cover and thanks for the giveaway!
acreadsblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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