New Release Announcement: The Battle of Castle Nebula (Review + Giveaway)

Can you believe it's been six months since the Five Glass Slippers blog tour? One of our guests during that fun shindig was Stephanie Ricker, author of one of the five stories that made it into that Cinderella collection.

Well, it's my pleasure to help announce a new story from Stephanie, which releases today! Better yet, this novella features some of the same main characters from A Cinder's Tale (an engaging sci-fi retelling). This series will include both past and future tales, starring Elsa, Bruno, Karl, and the rest of the cinder crew. Here's the official scoop on Volume 1:

She has nothing left, not even her dreams. But Elsa Vogel still has her duty, and she will do it, no matter the peril, no matter the anguish in her heart as she leaves her ravaged home planet, perhaps never to return.

And the same tragedy that tore Elsa’s life to pieces also transformed the lives of others. Others who may need a reason to go on living, after the cataclysmic Battle of Castle Nebula…

The Battle of Castle Nebula ebook is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Don’t have an e-reader? Not a problem. Amazon offers a free Kindle app for almost every device.

Stephanie Ricker is a writer, editor, and tree-climber. She adores the cold and the snow but lives in North Carolina anyway, where she enjoys archery, hiking, and exploring with friends.

Stephanie’s first novella set in the Cendrillon universe, A Cinder’s Tale, was published in Five Glass Slippers, an anthology of Cinderella-themed stories. Stephanie’s fiction has also been published in Bull-Spec, a magazine of speculative fiction, and in four consecutive editions of The Lyricist, Campbell University’s annual literary magazine. Her senior thesis on Tolkien was published in the 2009 issue of Explorations: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity for the State of North Carolina.

Find out more by following Stephanie Ricker at her blog, Goodreads, Facebook, or Twitter. 

My Review

This first volume of "The Cendrillon Cycle" takes us back in time (well, the future for us, but the past for the characters from Stephanie Ricker's novella in the Five Glass Slippers collection, A Cinder's Tale). Not only does the story begin in Elsa's past, but partway through it jumps back into the past again, to ten years prior and the lead-in to the Battle of Castle Nebula.

Suffice it to say, it would be good to come to this story with the knowledge that 1) you're getting some of the back story from Ricker's first novella, and 2) you'll be doing a bit of time travel during the reading experience.

With those caveats in mind, fasten your safety belts and prepare for a battle of galactic proportions!

Truth be told, when I began the story, I wasn't sure if I wanted to finish it. There's a wild beginning with some animal-related gore, and while the action caught my attention, I didn't think this sci-fi tale was going to be for me. I never did become overly emotionally invested, but I'm glad I kept reading, because the characterization shines.

Not to mention Ricker's world-building. I'm not a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan (do those fans have their own cool name like Star Trek fans?), but Ricker's inventions are graspable to a certain degree, while still being incomprehensible enough to be cool and futuristic. (Well, that sounded very intelligent, didn't it?)

But it's the people traveling in the spacecraft and using the new technology - their stories, their trials and heartbreaks - that make Ricker's stories accessible and enjoyable to those who aren't normally sci-fi readers. This particular set of scenes is rather painful...as battles are wont to be. War is no respecter of persons, and no character is left unscathed by the trauma.  

This is no light-hearted romp through deep space, but it's not without hope. And the ending brings everything together in a satisfying and optimistic way, leading fluidly into A Cinder's Tale. These are characters you'll love to meet up with again in Ricker's debut novella and in Volume 2 of the series, set to release December 2015.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a PDF copy of the book, in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Giveaway!

Click HERE to enter to win a print copy of Five Glass Slippers, the anthology containing the first story set in the Cendrillon universe!

(Giveaway open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.)

Be Cinderella of the Ball! (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour Conclusion)

Midnight has passed. You're almost to your carriage when one of those pesky glass slippers slips right off your foot. You trip, and then wince at the clink of something delicate shattering as you tumble down the last step leading away from the castle.

"Are you all right?" It's a gentleman's voice. You roll over - as gracefully as possible - and glance up at your dancing partner. Once again, he holds a hand out to you; it's an invitation. You place your hand in his, but before he can help you onto your feet, you glance at the shards of broken glass. It seems to be all that you can see, the lights from the windows reflecting off those little pieces.

He follows your look. "I'm sorry about your shoe." To your surprise, there's a hint of laughter in his tone.

"You know, I really don't care." You smile up at him. "When else would I have the chance to wear such things?"

As he raises you effortlessly, he declares, "Why, at another ball, of course."

Your eyebrow lifts slightly. "I don't get invited to many balls."

"Me, neither."

You realize there must surely be a tale there. You're about to ask him more about it, when he kisses your cheek and whispers near your ear, "I'll get you five more glass slippers, and we'll invite ourselves to as many balls as we can find."

* * * 

Before you all hop into your carriages, we never did get a chance to share about our own dresses and favorite dance songs, did we?

Here's a dress (discovered via Pinterest) that I think is simply beautiful!

 Sweetheart Empire Waist Elegant & Luxurious Wedding Dress

Source: gotodressau

Of course, it's a wedding dress, so perhaps not appropriate for a ball. ;) But I would also be happy to wear any of the dresses on these gorgeous book covers:

As for a song, I thought I'd share a semi-dance scene from a Hallmark movie I adore (Remember Sunday), with a perfect dancing song ("Dancing Queen" by Abba):

Tell me, what have you been wearing to the ball this week? Which song are you hoping to hear before the orchestra leaves?

* * *

Ah, yes - we haven't forgotten! It's time to announce the winner of the "Cinderella of the Ball" giveaway! The winner receives all of the following prizes: a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer).

And our Cinderella is...

Tammy S.!

Super congrats, Tammy! We hope these prizes will make you feel like Cinderella of the ball. :)

Huge thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway and spread the word about it! Even if you didn't win the giveaway, everyone's a winner with the fabulous $.99 Kindle sale for Five Glass Slippers:

But hurry! The sale ends at midnight (or thereabouts). Fitting, no? You can also buy the book in paperback. And as you can see by all the positive reviews rolling in, this is a book you'll definitely want to have on your real or virtual bookshelf!

* * *

As you enjoy a last glass of punch and a final song, let me take a moment to say "thank you" to all of the amazing bloggers who participated in the tour this week! Seriously, I sent them a lot of information, and there were a lot of tidbits and dates to keep track of - yet things came together quite smoothly! Everyone's enthusiasm and attention to detail made this a tour to remember, and I'm so grateful for the effort and time the bloggers put in to make this happen.

I also have to thank Anne Elisabeth Stengl and Rooglewood Press for giving me the opportunity to work on this awesome tour, as well as the five fabulous authors (Betsy, Emma, Rachel, Stephanie, and Clara) for writing touching, entertaining, and astoundingly creative stories. Plus, they also put a lot of time and energy into making this tour fun for all of you with their great interview responses, picture/song hunting, write-ups, and comment responses. *round of applause*

This concludes the Five Glass Slippers blog event, but let's continue to celebrate life's Cinderella moments and dance the night away!

Cinderella of the Day: Clara Diane Thompson (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour)

You're happy to oblige your kind and attentive dance partner by singing a haunting farewell song, accompanied by the orchestra. As you hold out the last note, you catch the young man's eye and blush at the look there. Before the last strain fades - and before you can quite decipher the way he's watching you - you hear a grand clock chime the hour. Midnight! You've stayed much too long. It's past dark, and you have appointments and obligations awaiting you on the morrow. You simply must go. With a glance full of regret, you spin on your heel and rush toward the entrance hall...

* * *

And the Five Glass Slippers blog tour continues! (The home page/entrance hall can be found HERE.) We're celebrating the release of this special Cinderella-themed anthology (published by Rooglewood Press) by featuring each of the collection's five authors as "Cinderella of the Day." You'll find out which dress they're wearing to the ball, what dance song they've requested, and you'll hear about their very own Cinderella moment - in addition to discovering some fabulous fun facts via the interviews on participating blogs.

Today's "Cinderella of the Day" is Clara Diane Thompson, author of "The Moon Master's Ball"! 

Clara Diane Thompson lives in the swamps of Louisiana with her loving family, dashing dog, and a very confused frog that resides in the birdhouse outside her window. Aside from writing she enjoys playing guitar, singing, Broadway plays (particularly The Phantom of the Opera), ballet, tea with friends, and long BBC movies. An enchanted circus may or may not appear occasionally in her back yard.

You can find out more about Clara and her writing on her blog: www.claradianethompson.blogspot.com.

"The Moon Master's Ball" by Clara Diane Thompson

After her terrifying experience there several years ago, the one place young housemaid Tilly longs to avoid is Bromley’s Circus. But when kindly Lord Hollingberry begs her to deliver a message to the mysterious Moon Master hidden away among the circus dwellers, Tilly can’t refuse . . . and finds herself ensnared in a web of enchantment cast by the loathsome Mrs. Carlisle and her beautiful goddaughter.

* * *

Amber: Our final guest has arrived, and doesn't she look gorgeous? Tell us about that lovely dress you're wearing, Clara.
 
Clara: The dress is a Christian Dior design called "Venus".

Amber: Beautiful! And what sort of song would you want to dance to while wearing such a dress?

Clara: "Butterfly Waltz" by Brian Crain. I would definitely dance to it if I were at a ball! :)



Amber: Ooooh, me too! A perfect song for the end of the evening. They almost always end our local square dances with a waltz. It's just...appropriate. And sweet. :)

Tell us, what was your Cinderella moment?

Clara: Few things in my life can be counted as a “Cinderella” experience. I’ve never been to a ball, I don’t have a pair of glass slippers, and I have yet to meet my Prince Charming.

But, thankfully, there are more comparisons to draw between my life and Cinderella. The heroine of the classic fairy tale went through trials and dark times, but her life turned out to be all the brighter for them! She had two evil stepsisters who made her life miserable. Her father died…everything about her life seemed simply undeserved! This reminds me of that cheerless time in my own life when the doctors discovered that my big brother had cancer. I was nine when he was diagnosed, and didn’t quite understand what was happening. All I knew was that my brother was in the hospital, and my Mom was staying with him…oh, did I miss them terribly! It was certainly a dark time in my life. It felt wrong…unjust even, that leukemia had snared my brother.

Through his hard journey with leukemia, he was able to share his faith with so many doctors and nurses. Plus, it inspired him to become a nurse himself once he was declared cancer free! He’s still free of that horrible disease after these ten years, and is still a wonderful big brother whom I love very much! So, like Cinderella, there was one massive, black time I had to overcome, and like Cinderella, I am now living happily ever after.

Amber: You know, I think what really makes a "Cinderella moment" is the attitude. Cinderella lived a hard life before (and even after, for a time) the ball, but she was a kind person with a beautiful heart full of hope. That sounds just like you and your family, Clara, and I'm so thrilled to hear you're living in a real-life happily ever after!

Want to learn more about Clara? She's starring on several blogs today, and you won't want to miss all the fun features: 

• A Curious Thrill
• Blooming with Books
• Fictionally
• Flowers of Quiet Happiness + Review
• Kathryn Elizabeth Jones
• Tales of Goldstone Wood
• The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls
• The Wonderings of One Person
• Vonnie's Reading Corner

* * *

Do you want a chance to be Cinderella of the ball, as well? Today is the LAST day to enter the tour-wide giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cinderella of the Day: Stephanie Ricker (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour)

You and your charming dance partner have glided to a stop by the orchestra. And suddenly, they start playing another tune you recognize. The young man turns to you, your hand still in his, and asks, "Will you sing?" He must have noticed the way your face lit up in recognition, and how you've begun humming along. Shyness descends and then dissipates like rain on warm, stony ground. Tonight is a night to embrace life, to shine. So you step closer to the orchestra and start to sing...

* * *

And the Five Glass Slippers blog tour continues! (The home page/entrance hall can be found HERE.) We're celebrating the release of this special Cinderella-themed anthology (published by Rooglewood Press) by featuring each of the collection's five authors as "Cinderella of the Day." You'll find out which dress they're wearing to the ball, what dance song they've requested, and you'll hear about their very own Cinderella moment - in addition to discovering some fabulous fun facts via the interviews on participating blogs.

Today's "Cinderella of the Day" is Stephanie Ricker, author of "A Cinder's Tale"! 

Stephanie Ricker is a writer, editor, and tree-climber. She adores the cold and the snow but lives in North Carolina anyway, where she enjoys archery, hiking, canoeing, and exploring with friends.

Stephanie’s fiction has been published in Bull-Spec, a magazine of speculative fiction, and in four consecutive editions of The Lyricist, Campbell University’s annual literary magazine. She was the editor of the 2009 edition of The Lyricist, which won first place in the American Scholastic Press Association Contest. Stephanie’s non-fiction has been published in an assortment of medical magazines and newsletters, and her senior thesis on Tolkien was published in the 2009 issue of Explorations: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity for the State of North Carolina.

You can find out more about Stephanie and her writing on her blog: www.QuoththeGirl.wordpress.com.

"A Cinder's Tale" by Stephanie Ricker 

 It’s a dangerous life, yet Elsa wouldn’t trade this opportunity to work at Tremaine Station, mining cendrillon from the seething surface of planet Aschen. Nevertheless, when a famous deep space explorer and his handsome son dock their starcraft at the space station, Elsa finds herself dreaming of far galaxies beyond Aschen's blistering heat. There is no time for dreaming, however, when danger threatens the space station, and Elsa and her fellow miners are tested to the limits of their courage.

* * *

Amber: Today's star of the ball is Stephanie, and we're happy to welcome her! Do show us that sparkle you're wearing... 
 
Stephanie: I’m not one for fluffy ball gowns, but I would happily wear this star-dress:

Pleated Chiffon Gown with Beading

Source: Fashion Jot

Amber: OK, that is just plain awesome. I could picture your heroine, Elsa, wearing something like this - perhaps with additional space gear!

Which song are you hoping the orchestra plays tonight?

Stephanie:  I love swing dancing, so I must choose “Sing Sing Sing” by Benny Goodman.



Amber: Yay! Swing dancing! I'm not an expert at it by any means, but I, too, love what little I know. :) So fun!

Can you share your Cinderella moment with us before hopping onto the dance floor?

Stephanie: My Cinderella moment happened about five years ago. I graduated from college during the recession, and job offers were mighty scarce. I took a job in Florida, which I thought was ebook editing (turned out not to be) and which I thought would be decently paying (turned out not to be). I had left all of my friends and family in North Carolina, and I didn’t know a soul in the entire state. I was so broke that I would scour parking lots for change, use the coins to buy an hour’s worth of metered parking at the beach, and gather coconuts on the beach to take home and eat. I was miserable. After four and a half months, I finally caved and moved back to North Carolina, even though I didn’t have a job lined up on the other end. On the day after I moved back, I interviewed for an actual editing job that paid actual money…and I got it! Overnight I went from a job I loathed, existing mainly on rice and coconuts and desperately missing everyone I cared about, to a job that used my degree, was close to loved ones, and provided a paycheck that seemed positively luxurious by comparison. It was a huge blessing from God, and I’m so grateful to be where I am!

Amber: Oh, wow, Stephanie. That is a true Cinderella story if ever there was one! I'm so sorry for the suffering of those four and a half long months, but that's awesome the way God blessed you when you returned home. :)

Want to learn more about Stephanie? She's starring on several blogs today, and you won't want to miss all the fun features:

• Books, Cats, and Whimsy + Review
• Home of the Shabby Elf
• Rina's Reading
• The Lore-Mistress
• The Wonderings of One Person
• The Writer's Window
• Tialla's Tellings
• Vonnie's Reading Corner
• Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

* * *

Do you want a chance to be Cinderella of the ball, as well? All this week (through Friday) you have a chance to enter the tour-wide giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cinderella of the Day: Rachel Heffington (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour)

An open hand - an invitation - appears before you. You glance from his steady fingers to the half-grin playing on his face. Who could resist that smile, or the chance to dance to a song you love? You place your hand in his and let him lead you, weaving through the chatting groups until you join the other couples. Your heart quickens as the tune picks up pace. Your feet fly as your dance partner guides you, twirls you, and laughs with you at the missteps you both make and the intoxicating energy of the ballroom atmosphere. Before you realize it, you're near the orchestra and the song ends. But then another song begins...

* * *

And the Five Glass Slippers blog tour continues! (The home page/entrance hall can be found HERE.) We're celebrating the release of this special Cinderella-themed anthology (published by Rooglewood Press) by featuring each of the collection's five authors as "Cinderella of the Day." You'll find out which dress they're wearing to the ball, what dance song they've requested, and you'll hear about their very own Cinderella moment - in addition to discovering some fabulous fun facts via the interviews on participating blogs.

Today's "Cinderella of the Day" is Rachel Heffington, author of "The Windy Side of Care"! 

Rachel Heffington is a Christian, a novelist, and a people-lover. Outside of the realm of words, Rachel enjoys the Arts, traveling, mucking about in the kitchen, listening for accents, and making people laugh. She dwells in rural Virginia with her boisterous family and her black cat, Cricket.

In February 2014, Rachel released her debut novel, Fly Away Home, and is excited to collaborate on Five Glass Slippers with her fellow authoresses. She hopes to release her second full-length novel and first mystery (Anon, Sir, Anon) in autumn 2014. For more on Rachel, her current projects, and writing in general, visit her on her blog: www.inkpenauthoress.blogspot.com.

"The Windy Side of Care" by Rachel Heffington

Alisandra is determined to have her rights. She knows that she is the king’s secretly dispossessed daughter, the true heir to the throne. Prince Auguste is an imposter, and if she plays her cards right, Alis will prove it to the world! That is, if charming Auguste doesn’t succeed in winning her heart before she gets her chance . . .

* * *

Amber: Everyone, the lovely Rachel has arrived! Do show us what you're wearing tonight, Rachel. :)

Amber: One of the dresses from The Young Victoria! Stunning. And that detail...

Amber: Why, with those roses, it could also work for a ball in celebration of the next collection (Five Enchanted Roses). :) Very nice!

Which song are you hoping to dance to tonight?

Rachel: 



Amber: Oooh, I love this song! I seriously wanted them to play this at my own prom. :) No such luck, but still... At least we get to enjoy it at this ball, right?

Do you have a Cinderella moment you can share with us before some handsome bloke sweeps you away?

Rachel: It came after a week of counseling at a summer camp high up in Colorado. I was tired to bits with losing my breath just crossing the green, but it was the gala night and I would try to set aside thoughts of all the problems attending a camp full of high-schooler students. I slipped into my blue and black taffeta cocktail dress, slid my feet into my black heels and tossed on earrings and a bit more mascara. It would have to do. There was a mountain lodge to transform into a Hispanic fiesta hall.

Slowly, hoping not to arrive a panting mess, I crossed back to the lodge and entered through the side door. A few of my fellow counselors looked me over appreciatively and the girls congratulated my transformation. One of the staff, a man I did not know in the slightest and who had only stared at my panting, t-shirt-clad self before, struck up conversation and kept it up for a full ten minutes. It was innocent and gratifying, to be noticed. The campers poured in, all in their finery; the music began and I slipped easily into my given role, far more charming and witty than I'd felt before. I can do this, I thought. I've left the t-shirts behind.

Amber: How fun! An honest-to-goodness Cinderella moment in an unexpected setting. :)

Want to learn more about Rachel? She's starring on several blogs today, and you won't want to miss all the fun features:

• A Writer's Heart
• Blooming with Books
• Flowers of Quiet Happiness
• i blog 4 books
• Jaye L. Knight
• Jenelle Schmidt
• Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima
• Rina's Reading
• The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls
• Tialla's Tellings
• Vonnie's Reading Corner + Review

* * *

Do you want a chance to be Cinderella of the ball, as well? All this week (through Friday) you have a chance to enter the tour-wide giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cinderella of the Day: Emma Clifton (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour)

The evening has only just begun, and you're wandering the perimeter of the room, filling a plate with chocolate-dipped strawberries, tarts, heavily-frosted cupcakes, and those delicious dinner mints. (A ball is no place to count calories.) Suddenly, the orchestra starts playing a song you recognize, and you smile wide as you sway to the tune. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot a young man heading in your direction...

* * *

And the Five Glass Slippers blog tour continues! (The home page/entrance hall can be found HERE.) We're celebrating the release of this special Cinderella-themed anthology (published by Rooglewood Press) by featuring each of the collection's five authors as "Cinderella of the Day." You'll find out which dress they're wearing to the ball, what dance song they've requested, and you'll hear about their very own Cinderella moment - in addition to discovering some fabulous fun facts via the interviews on participating blogs.

Today's "Cinderella of the Day" is Emma Clifton, author of "Broken Glass"!

Emma Clifton has been thinking up stories since before she knew how to type them out.  Reading books such as the Chronicles of Narnia, The Door Within Trilogy, and Redwall inspired her to take her writing more seriously.  Though her rigorous homeschool education keeps her busy, she also enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time with her family in beautiful Northern Virginia. 

Emma blogs at www.peppermintandprose.wordpress.com.

"Broken Glass" by Emma Clifton

The slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl! Rosalind never once danced with Prince Marius at the ball, for she is in love with his brother Henry. If only Rosalind and Marius would stop bickering long enough to invent a scheme, perhaps the three of them can find the real mystery lady. But they must work quickly, for dark deeds are afoot, and the kingdom is poised on the brink of disaster.

* * *

Amber: Our next guest has arrived! Wonderful to see you here, Emma. Give us a twirl and let's see your lovely dress!

Amber: Well, this is fabulous! I love the simplicity with a bit of flair, and the color is very pretty. You look beautiful, Emma!

So tell us what song you're hoping to dance to tonight. :)

Emma: 

Amber: Haha, too fun! Disney is appropriate for any occasion, right? I don't think I would have thought of this one, but it really is a "get up and dance" song, isn't it? 

Could you share your Cinderella moment with us before you get back to dancing?

Emma: Recently, a young lady at my church was cleaning out her closet, so she invited all of the girls to come over and take what clothes they wanted. My sister and I went over and I didn't expect to find much. I was totally surprised! This young lady had a bunch of gorgeous dresses and a lot of them fit me perfectly! I was so happy and felt rather like Cinderella. Getting so many lovely dresses for free--it really made my day.

Amber: Aww, that's awesome! An unexpected gift. Who doesn't love getting new dresses? And no price tag - even better!

Want to learn more about Emma? She's starring on several blogs today, and you won't want to miss all the fun features:

• A Curious Thrill
• A Writer's Heart
• Fictionally
• Flowers of Quiet Happiness
• Jaye L. Knight
• Jenelle Schmidt
• Not All By My Lonesome
• Tales of Goldstone Wood
• The Wonderings of One Person
• The Writer's Window + Review 

* * *

Do you want a chance to be Cinderella of the ball, as well? All this week (through Friday) you have a chance to enter the tour-wide giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cinderella of the Day: Elisabeth Brown (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour)

It's early evening, and the ball is about to begin. A footman opens the door of your carriage, extends a hand to help you down the steps. The chandelier and candles in the ballroom are shining through the windows of the castle, beckoning you onward. You glance down at your dress. Perform a little twirl and smile a little smile just for the sheer joy of the moment. The faint strains of music drift through the air, and you skip-walk until you merge with the crowd.

You've arrived.

* * *

Welcome to the Five Glass Slippers blog tour! (The home page/entrance hall can be found HERE.) We're celebrating the release of this special Cinderella-themed anthology (published by Rooglewood Press) by featuring each of the collection's five authors as "Cinderella of the Day." You'll find out which dress they're wearing to the ball, what dance song they've requested, and you'll hear about their very own Cinderella moment - in addition to discovering some fabulous fun facts via the interviews on participating blogs. Before we get to today's author, though, let's start out with an overview of the book:

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS

A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

Available now in paperback and Kindle formats! 

 (Psst...The Kindle version is only $.99 this week!)

* * * 

Today's "Cinderella of the Day" is Elisabeth Brown, author of "What Eyes Can See"!

Elisabeth Brown has always loved words. The third of seven children, she enjoyed being homeschooled through her senior year of high school, and is now studying piano performance at Appalachian Bible College. When she’s ignoring the fact that she should probably be practicing more or doing Greek homework, you’ll find her sewing, baking, reading, singing along to basically any musical ever created, hiking through the woods, or laughing at incredibly silly puns. What Eyes Can See is her first published story, but she also rambles at www.metaphoricalcello.wordpress.com.

"What Eyes Can See" by Elisabeth Brown

Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined that her beautiful stepdaughter should be presented at court along with her own two daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her life suddenly far more complicated than she ever desired.

* * *

Amber: And our first honored guest has arrived! Welcome, Elisabeth. Let's see what dress you chose to wear to the event...

  Source: Dressed Up!

In Elisabeth's words: It's purple. It's poofy, but not too poofy. It's sparkly, but not too sparkly. It's basically perfect.

Amber: I am in complete agreement! Purple is my favorite color, so I'm loving this dress. So which dance tune are you hoping to hear tonight?

Elisabeth: "The Laendler" from The Sound of Music. 

Amber: Lovely! Perfect for a ball. :) Makes you want to hum along. 

Now, before you enter the castle and start dancing, could you share a "Cinderella moment" with us?

Elisabeth:  I've never faced an authentic Cinderella moment when I suddenly went from scullery maid to princess, mainly because I've never been a scullery maid. I have felt like a princess, though; one relatively recent time when I was particularly blessed was last January. I was in the piano lab at my school, doing ear training drills, which are, for me at least, quite challenging, sometimes even tear-inducing. Anyhow, I was sitting there, drilling away, when a friend texted me: I'm ready for a break from homework. Do you want to join me in the Servant Center? (The Servant Center is, gentle readers, the location of my school's student lounge.) Tired of ear training, I eagerly acquiesced to her suggestion.

We wandered over to the Servant Center, when she paused before a classroom door. "I wonder what's going on in here?" she remarked innocently. "Kaite," I replied suspiciously. "Why are you going into a dark and empty room?" Katie merely returned "Why not?" with her most angelic face. So we walked in, and immediately were greeted with calls of "Happy birthday!!" ... just for me. My friends had gone out of their way to throw me my very-first-ever surprise birthday party (complete with purple cake!), and I couldn't have felt more blessed. From ear training to cake-eating...I'd say that's a Cinderella moment if ever there were one!

Amber: Indeed! How special. Purple cake and a surprise from friends - doesn't get much better than that!

Want to learn more about Elisabeth? She's starring on several blogs today, and you won't want to miss all the fun features:

• Blooming with Books + Review
• Books, Cats, and Whimsy
• Fictionally
• Historical Heartbeats
• i blog 4 books
• J.L. Mbewe
• Not All By My Lonesome
• Rina's Reading
• The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls
• To Be A Person + Review

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Do you want a chance to be Cinderella of the ball, as well? All this week (through Friday) you have a chance to enter the tour-wide giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review of Five Glass Slippers

Guess what starts tomorrow?? (Hint: The banner above has something to do with it. *wink*) I'm honored and thrilled to join with Rooglewood Press in hosting the Five Glass Slippers blog tour! Step into the fairy tale and join us for a week of all things Cinderella...

I'm going to be posting special (and super fun!) spotlights for each of the collections' five authors here June 23-27, and various bloggers will be sharing their mini interviews with the authors on their designated days. AND, there's going to be a fabulous giveaway you won't want to miss! You can check out the schedule HERE. I hope to see you all bright and early tomorrow!

To kick things off and get us excited for what's to come, here's my review of this wonderful collection of novellas:

Here's a description of the book:

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS

A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Five Glass Slippers deserves five shining stars for its presentation and for the creativity found within the collection. Not that the stories are all completely different in terms of genre...four of them are fantasy-esque or more classically fairy-tale, while one is a sci-fi. But each story contains such unique personalities and delicious writing, thereby making this a sweet read indeed for fans of Cinderella!

What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown: This first novella contains many familiar elements of the Cinderella story - but the twists are quite fun and sweet! While "Cinderella" is one of the "main" characters, it's one of the stepsisters who really takes the spotlight, especially since the Cinderella character has other ideas than following the path so kindly set out before her. (Far from oppressed, this girl!) The real heroine is quite likeable, although I must confess that the prince has quite the thick skull when it comes to matters of the heart. The fairy tale develops in new ways and ends up sharing a cute message about true romance.

*Broken Glass by Emma Clifton: While I greatly enjoyed all the novellas in this collection - and while there are a couple that come not far behind this one in my estimation - I believe Broken Glass is my absolute favorite. That's because it was full of: great writing, with alternately hilarious and profound lines; fabulous personalities, all of which intrigued and surprised me; and plenty of adventure and romance adding up to an engaging plot. Oh, these characters! The couples are stinkin' adorable (well, at least by the end, haha). The fairy godmother has a great role, and I love her connection with the glass slipper and the title of the story. And the epilogue is just perfect. This is a gem of a story, one that I believe I'd enjoy re-reading, for sure!

The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington: Having loved Heffington's debut novel (Fly Away Home), I wasn't surprised to discover that her novella is another clever story with great descriptions. She has a lovely writing style. I confess, though, that this particular story ended up coming across as a little "too" or "overly" clever in some ways, and a little drawn out at times. But I liked the echoes of the Disney version of Cinderella, as well as Ever After, and the ending is quite fun! Also, you gotta love the godfather. ;)

A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker: I so enjoyed this story, despite not being much of a sci-fi fan! Even though I'm not super familiar with Star Trek, I got some similar vibes with the camaraderie between the characters and the "exploration" angle. The characterization is just awesome, and I really loved the crew! So fun how they matched some of the Disney Cinderella characters while having personalities that are entirely their own. It's an engaging story - and you gotta love a happy ending! :) Plus, the "pumpkin patch" reference is too clever!

The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson: I love the atmosphere of this story. The references to the fall season and the pervading sense of mystery and suspense are wonderful. Thompson fills the story with bright details that delight and entice. And I liked how the fairy godmother reminded me a bit of the one from Shrek 2. ;) I would have liked a little more from the ending, though, and I wasn't entirely convinced Rodger's character was necessary (I liked him, but he felt like more of an unnecessary foil) - but all in all, it's a unique and fun read!

In conclusion, I'm quite impressed with how this collection came together! (Might I add that the title pages are so perfect and lovely!) Definitely a lot of talent on display here from this group of authors. There's a bit of head-hopping in almost all of the stories, but I imagine it's hard to help in shorter fairy-tale stories like these - and sometimes it can work well (while other times it's more distracting).

So take the time to be Cinderella for a day (or five!) as you live vicariously through these characters; it's an enjoyable experience!

*With thanks to Rooglewood Press for providing me with a PDF copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Wanted: A Face for Zachary Taylor

I'm back with another series-extras post! I was planning on doing a "guess the scene" game to go along with the Bleeding Heart soundtrack, but since I'm currently working on that companion short story I keep mentioning, another idea has revealed itself. Hope you'll still find it fun!

Last week, I began a $10 Amazon.com gift card giveaway with a "guess the title" game. There's still time to enter if you haven't yet done so! Just leave a comment on that post with your guess for the title of Bleeding Heart's sequel. (More details HERE.)

Today you have a chance to get another entry in the drawing for the gift card (so this is not a new drawing, but a continuation of the one started last week)! Here are the rules (with a little background)...

I'm working on my contest entry for the Five Glass Slippers writing contest hosted by author Anne Elisabeth Stengl. I'm doing a Cinderella retelling called Fairy Slippers, set not long about a year after the end of Bleeding Heart in Falk, California in 1887 1888 (*I've already noticed a revision I have to make, LOL*). Rebeka of The Other World inspired me to consider writing a story about Zachary Taylor, one of Bleeding Heart's secondary characters...so, just so you all know, Zach is back!

I think this is a really fun writing prompt and an exciting contest, so I'm happy to give it a shot while telling a little more of Zachary Taylor's story. I hope you'll get to hear more about my entry in 2014 - either because it did all right in the contest (the top 5 entries will be published in a book titled Five Glass Slippers), or because it didn't make it, in which case I'd consider self-publishing it as a $.99 e-book or something. =)

Anywho, back to this contest! I got distracted by Pinterest again (what can I say?), and decided to create a board for this project. I have an actress in mind for the heroine, Margaret Richmond. But I'm having a tough time thinking of an actor who fits Zachary's looks and demeanor well. Here's a brief recap of his character:

~ Tall, dark hair, muscular
~ 42 years old
~ Served in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States (the Civil War)
~ Works as a cook in Falk, a redwood lumber town
~ Kind of gruff and doesn't say much, but a bit of a softy once you get to know him
~ Sings war ballads at the Saturday night dances

I would love your help in putting a face to Zachary Taylor! Gotta find that perfect pin for my Pinterst board, you know? ;)

So, here's how you can get another entry in the $10 Amazon.com gift card drawing:

• Leave a comment with the name of the actor you think fits Zachary's character well. A link to a pic would be even better! Please also include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. (If you know I know it, you don't have to include it, but otherwise please do, so your entry can be counted.)

• I kind of like more old-fashioned movies for actor pics, and I love to make a connection between a specific role the actor played and my character. (You can find examples of this on my Bleeding Heart and Forget Me Not boards.) However, you don't have to suggest the "winning" pic for your entry to be counted!

• The winner of this double-play (two chances to win) giveaway will be announced at the conclusion of the blog tour on Saturday, August 31st.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions! Don't forget that there are more Bleeding Heart blog tour posts this week (you can find all the links HERE) - and please don't hesitate to ask me if you have any questions about this giveaway or the tour.