Not Your Average Fairy Tale (AND A GIVEAWAY!!) by Chantele Sedgwick

Release Date: August 1, 2012
Armed with wings and a blue wand, being a fairy godmother should be easy ... unless your name is Ash, and you're a dude.

Ash Summerland has it all–good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. When he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings. A.K.A. the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a "happy ever after". But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father's death, Kendall doesn't want anything to do with him. And worst of all, she doesn't believe in happy endings.

In case you missed it, I interviewed the author of this book, Chantele Sedgwick on Tuesday. You can read what she had to say HERE.

This is such an exciting time for me. I feel like a proud mama, seeing this book in print. Chantele and I have been friends for a few years (she's the one that got me into YA!) and I have read snippets here and there and version after edited version of this story. I love that this is a book that I can read easily over and over again. I am so, so thrilled for Chantele on her VERY FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK. Holy crap, I need to go fan myself so I don't pass out from excitement.

I know what you are thinking. Is she completely biased about this book because she is friends with the author?? Is it really THAT good? No, and yes. First off, it doesn't matter how well I do or do not know you. If your book sucks, I'll tell you. I have reviewed books for different authors (that were also friends) and, while at times I may do it more gently than others, if I hated their book, I'm not going to pretend I didn't. If you don't want the truth, don't ask me to read your story! 

Second, YES, it is that good. I absolutely love the concept of this book, and have from the first time Chantele told me what her newest project (this) was. It's such an original idea. At least, I've never come across another telling of a male fairy godmother. I was hooked from the first chapter when Ash unwillingly starts his apprenticeship, through Ash and Kendall getting to know each other, then Kendall's wishes, and up to the very last page when I exclaimed, "What the freak!?!?!?!? What happens now??" 

This is on my MUST BUY IMMEDIATELY list. In fact, I already have bought it. And then I bought another one. Why, you ask? So Chantele would have one to sign for one of my lovely readers! Yes, you read that right!

I am giving away a SIGNED copy of  Not Your Average Fairy Tale. All you have to do to be entered into the drawing is help get the word out about this awesome book by doing the following....

**SHARE A LINK TO THIS BOOK ON FACEBOOK OR YOUR PUBLIC BLOG. THEN COMMENT ON THIS POST LEAVING A LINK WHERE YOU POSTED IT. IF YOU SHARE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE, THAT'S AN ENTRY PER POST (as long as you leave me the links)! (YAY!!)

P.S. I need to be able to access your shared post(s), or it won't count. Please also leave me your EMAIL so I can contact you when you win.


Also, this is a giveaway for U.S. residents only. For all you international folks, please still support this book by reading it and getting the word out to your friends about it. Thanks!

Giveaway ends Wednesday, August 15th and winner will be announced Thursday, August 16th.

Good Luck

and

Happy Reading!

Author Spotlight: Chantele Sedgwick

Hello all! I have decided that, on occasion, I'm going to spotlight an author on my blog. I am honored to have the opportunity to interview Chantele Sedgwick. Her debut novel, Not Your Average Fairy Tale, will hit store shelves and online retailers tomorrow! I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book which I will review on Thursday (P.S. READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM TO FIND OUT ABOUT A SUPER AWESOME GIVEAWAY!). Here's a sneak peek....

“Close your eyes.” The room began to glow.
I felt a twitch in my toes and grimaced as it traveled up my legs. Soon my whole body was tingling, the strongest near the middle of my back. A rush of warmth spread through me and I suddenly felt lighter.
I opened my eyes and met her amused expression.
“Perfect.” She smiled, admiring what I assumed were my wings.
I looked down and groaned. “I thought you said there wouldn't be any tights,” I said through clenched teeth.
She shrugged. I could tell she was trying not to laugh. “Sorry about that. We've never had anyone quite like you before.”
“Oh really? You mean you've never had a fairy godmother who was a guy?”

I'm so excited for you all to get a chance to read this book! But for now, I want you to meet the talented gal that dreamed it all up. 

 A LITTLE ABOUT CHANTELE:

Chantele Sedgwick grew up playing the harp and singing. Little did anyone know, she always had stories floating around in her head. After she had her second baby, she finally realized she should probably write them down. Pursuing publication was something she only dreamed about, but now her dream is coming true.

The discovery of a first love, first kisses, and the many emotions teens go through, pushed Chantele to find her niche in writing teen fiction. Some of her stories share a few of her own experiences, but most of them are just fantasies she wished happened to her as a teen. She's a sucker for a great love story and always enjoys a happy ending. She tends to have a thing for the "bad boys" in books, unless they're total jerks. Then she'll root for the good guy.

When she's not writing, Chantele can be found spending time with her husband and three beautiful kids, or driving her sisters crazy with random story ideas. NOT YOUR AVERAGE FAIRY TALE is her first book.

Now on to the Q and A portion of today's event (ha!):

 Q: I’m pretty sure everyone is thinking the same thing I am right now after reading that book teaser…. How did you dream up a MALE fairy godmother??

A: Honestly, I’m not quite sure. I wanted to do a spin on a fairy tale and had a crazy idea. What if the girl didn’t end up with the prince? And thus, Ash was born!

Q: Are your characters based on anyone?

A:  Kendall is loosely based on  my younger sister. Messy room and all. ;)  Ash just popped in my head one day, so he’s a character all his own.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration for your stories?

A: Out of nowhere really. Sometimes I get ideas when I’m driving, or in the shower. Other times I’ll see a story on the news or something and an idea hits me.

Q: Who is your favorite literary character? Why?

A: Oh, man! I hate this question! Lol  In terms of complicated characters, I’d have to say Snape from Harry Potter. I loved how he was written. One of my favorite lead characters is Isi from The Goose Girl. I loved her growth throughout the book and adored her personality.

Q: Is there a book that you can read over and over?  What one and why?

A: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I just love the world she created and the love story is so cute!

Since I am a big fan of random questions, here are a few. 

Q: If you could throw a pie in anyone’s face (dead or alive), who would it be?

A: My sister, Chaleese. HA HA HA HA!!! :D

Q: Which Disney princess are you most like?

A: Probably Belle. She loves to read like me! 

Q: What is your favorite word?

A: Seriously? I have no idea! I tend to use the word “just” in my writing a lot. Not a good thing …

Q: What is your most embarrassing guilty pleasure? (Mine is Phineas and Ferb!I pretend to only want to watch it with my kids, but I watch it even after they go to bed. LOL)

A: I LOVE Phineas and Ferb! I also love video games. Shhh… Don’t tell anyone….

Q: What books are you anxiously awaiting this year?

A: I’m really excited to read REACHED by Ally Condie! And The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima! Pivet Point by Kasie West as well.  (That actually comes out at the beginning of next year…)

And finally:

Q: Tell us why we should read your debut novel, Not Your Average Fairy Tale, in 20 words or less.

A:  There’s magic, mystery, a love story and a hot fairy. What more do you need? ;)

I completely agree! What more do you need? 


Now I'm wondering, are you thoroughly intrigued about this book yet? If so...

Come back to Reading for Refuge this Thursday, August 2nd, to find out how you can win a SIGNED copy of this book!

I'd like to thank Chantele for taking time out of her busy schedule to let me interview her. And I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say congratulations on becoming a real, live, official author! :)

Happy Reading!

Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick

Unfortunately, this is not a book you will be able to find for a while. This was a manuscript of a book my friend wrote that she gave me to read. In the past few months, I've been able to read some chapters from it and see how the story has developed. I am so glad that I was able to read the finished product! This book has been getting quite a bit of attention from publishers these past few weeks, so it's likely you'll be seeing this on the shelves in the coming year or two. I'm not going to say anything about it other than it was one of the most original stories I've ever read and I absolutely loved it. One of my favorite reads this year by far. :) A big thank you (again!) to Chantele Sedgwick for the immese honor of having a sneak peek at this fantastic book!

Happy Reading!