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GUEST LAUNCH PARTY + GIVEAWAY: Utterly Charming by Kristine Grayson


A big Casa welcome to fellow Sourcebooks Casablanca author, Kristine Grayson, whose book Utterly Charming is in stores this month and very fun twist on Fairy Tales:

Cocktail Party Conversation
by Kristine Grayson

People say I have a strange imagination. I simply think that I like to ask “What If?”

What if Sleeping Beauty slept a looooong time. What if she wasn’t just sleeping, she was in danger? What if Prince Charming, in trying to save her, lived 1000 years longer than she did—real time. What if Sleeping Beauty woke up now and has no memory of the last 1000 years?

Those questions are the stuff of cocktail party conversation, only the cocktail party usually happens in my head. That’s because I’m the kind of person you don’t want at that cocktail party. I’d insist that Sleeping Beauty would be a bit angry (understatement!) and that Prince Charming wouldn’t be interested in that kid any more.

Okay. I wouldn’t just insist. I’d insist loudly. That’s why you don’t want me at the cocktail party. It’s better to roam through my imagination on the page than it is to try to have a discussion with me about things I hold dear.

Even if what I hold dear isn’t real. Because it’s real to me.  I’m rather obsessed with those Princes Charming. I think it might be because I was raised to believe I’d find one. (I did, but that’s another story.)  I also think that it’s hard for anyone, even a Prince Charming, to live up to that incredible a reputation.

Besides, fairy tales are filled with sideways stories—what happened to Cinderella’s stepsisters after the wedding? Why are all the stepmothers wicked? (Are they all wicked? Really? If you believe that, read Wickedly Charming. I guarantee you’ll think about wicked stepmothers differently after that.) 

I’m always asking such questions, and my imagination always supplies the silliest answers. In my other writing incarnations—Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Kris Nelscott in particular—I look at the dark side of the world. But as Kristine Grayson, I see things a bit skewed. Okay, a lotta skewed.

And it’s fun. So long as we don’t discuss my strange ideas over drinks.

Thanks for the post, Kristine! We have 2 copies of Utterly Charming to giveaway. To enter, please share your favorite fairy tale in the comments. US and Canada addresses only, and please leave a way for us to contact you! A winner will be chosen on Wednesday!

UTTERLY CHARMING BY KRISTINE GRAYSON - IN STORES OCTOBER 2011
Bestselling author Kristine Grayson's fairy tale romances bring the classic stories into the present day, where fairy tale characters must grapple with the complexities of modern life as well as their own destinies. 


This time when Sleeping Beauty wakes up, she wants nothing to do with the man who kissed her. Consoling Alex Blackstone, the rejected suitor who is a brilliant magician but inept when it comes to women, falls to modern career woman and lawyer, Nora Barr. Nora now has to deal with Beauty's evil stepmother, and the discovery that Alex just might be her own personal Prince Charming...

About the Author


Before turning to romance writing, award-winning author Kristine Grayson edited the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and ran Pulphouse Publishing (which won her a World Fantasy Award). She has won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and, under her real name, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, the prestigious Hugo award. She lives with her own Prince Charming, writer Dean Wesley Smith, in Portland, Oregon.  For more information about Kristine and her many pennames, please visit http://kriswrites.com/ or follow her on Twitter @kristinerusch.


Comments

  1. Loved Wickedly Charming! Favorite fairy tale? In Disney versions it's always been Sleeping Beauty. (Can't wait to read Utterly Charming for Kristine's take on it) Although I fully believe that she should always wear the blue dress.

    Other than that, I can't pick a favorite. There's too many.

    Discussing what ifs would make any party a whole lot more fun! :)

    lizistarr (at) gmail (dot) com

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  2. Welcome Kristine!

    I love fractured fairy tales. I wish you lots of success.

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  3. Kristine, I think you'd be a blast to chat with at a cocktail party. Congrats on your release!

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  4. Hi Kristine. Congratulations on the release of Utterly Charming. Sounds great. My favorite fairytale is Cinderella.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  5. I am glad authors ask so many what if's. My imagination isn't half as much fun lol. As to fairy tales - I always liked Beauty and the Beast. I always felt so sorry for him.

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  6. Fairy tales are the best! Mythic, personal and full of what if potential... If I ever cross paths with you at a conference, you can be sure the drinks are on me.

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  7. Great post! It must be so tough getting to sleep at night with so much going on in your head.
    My favourite Fairytale is Cinderella. I love the idea of being swept away from poverty.
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book, I'd really like to read it.

    leanne_gag[at]hotmail{DOT}com
    www.booksnmakeup.com

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  8. My favorite fairytale is Cinderella. I loved reading your what if's and enjoy your writing,

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  9. Well, Kristine, the book sounds utterly charming to me! And my favorite way to start a book is to say, "What if..."s
    Congrats and good luck!
    Amelia

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  10. Ah, a fairy tale and it sounds like so much fun! Would love to sit in a corner with you sometime and visit!

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  11. Congrats on your release and welcome, Kristine!

    Wonderful plot line...I'm a huge fan of fairy tales...adding to my TBR list!

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  12. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, but I love them all so much, it's hard to pick just one! Looking forward to reading this book!

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  13. I love reading new twists on fairy tales. You can come to my party anytime!

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  14. My favorite fairy tale of all time is Beauty and the Beast. Cinderella a close second. Congratulations on your new release. I definitely want a chance to read this book.

    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

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  15. I am definitely adding this book to my wish list. Looks so good. I'm a big fan of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

    iqb99(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. My favorite fairy tale would have to be Cinderella! I love the rags to riches stories.

    Congrats on your new release. Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it.

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  17. Wickedly Charming was fabulous. I love twists on classic tales. I seriously love Tam Lin and there have been several adaptations I have on my shelf.
    This one looks great too.

    terilhack at gmail dot com

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  18. Oh I too would have to go for beauty and the beast. Men can be beastly creatures and the idea that a woman can come and an tame all of that pent up aggression and emotion and strip those layers from a person, to allow them to become what they are possible to be is so romantic for me. It is that inner strength and beauty in the story,

    kasuranna at yahoo dot com

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  19. This sounds like so much fun. My first thought was, why didn't I think of that. Usually that means I HAVE to read this one.

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  20. Happy release for "Utterly Charming". The cover has such a sweet, enchanted feel to it.

    My favourite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast followed by Cinderella. I do like seeing them re-told and given a few twists. That way I can have the best of both world; those of my memories and new ones to be made.

    Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  21. Looooove fairy tales retold!!!! My fav fairy tale? Beauty and the Beast! :)

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  22. Ooh, I really want to read this! I think EVER AFTER was the best rendition of the Cinderella tale ever.

    annarkie 12 @ gmail.com

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  23. What romance reader doesn't want the hero to fall madly in love with the heroine. I love Cinderella! Because come hell or high water, the prince is going to find his princess. I like his determination.

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  24. I loved Wickedly Charming so very much, I need to get this book!

    It is really hard to pick a favorite fairy tale, I love them all! Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast are my favorite Disney versions. I will read any new fairy tale twist that I can get my hands on. I have well over 20 versions of different fairy tales. I'm currently reading Alex Flinn's version of Sleeping Beauty "A Kiss in Time"

    myworldofbooks18 at hotmail dot com
    Thanks for the giveaway, I have my fingers crossed.

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  25. CONGRATS Kristine on your release!!! Definitely adding this one to my wishlist.

    My favorite fairy tale is Aladdin! Grew up watching the Disney cartoon and just couldn't get enough of it:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  26. Congrats on the release of Utterly Charming! As for me, I think my favorite fairy tail is Beauty and the Beast. When I was a kid though, I always like Little Red Riding Hood.

    csolinda(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. I just realized I didn't leave my email adress - catslady5(at)aol.com - sorry.

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  28. Congrats to LadyVampire2u and Brooklyn Ann! I will be contacting you this morning about your prizes.

    And another thanks to Kristine for blogging with us!

    Danielle

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  29. Can't wait to pick this one up, Kristine! Welcome to Sourcebooks!

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