This is part two of my 'The Shoe Blog Tour' post for today, September 13! The Shoe is book two of the Believe Series, a Romance and Fairy tale re-telling. You can fine the Shoe located on: Goodreads and Amazon.
The Shoe
Blurb:
Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life...
All Blair Miller has ever really wanted was to study fashion in New York City. But as one door closed for her, another door opened. A bright and beautiful door that led her straight to a job at celebrity frequented, high end fashion boutique, ATTRAYANT, where she has now worked for years. When an invitation arrives for a masked ball that is being thrown to celebrate a world famous rock band’s new album, Blair finds herself being transformed into Cinderella for the night. When Blair not only falls for Prince of Rock, Hunter but also loses a precious $8,000.00 shoe, she finds herself in possibly the biggest mess of her entire life. How can reveal who and what she really is to Prince Charming? How can she afford to replace such an expensive shoe? With the help of her two “Fairy God Fathers” who are pushing for her happily ever after…anything could happen.
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EXCERPT
It’s difficult to feel at ease
here. The guests are all so…expensive? Perhaps that’s not the right word.
They’re…elite. A far cry from the girl who sells them all the goods. I wander
around, taking in each person, their costumes, who they’re talking to. I float
among the guests, a few even taking a moment to say hello, as though they truly
recognize me. Ugh. Why did I let Christian and Anthony talk me into this? What
the hell am I supposed to do here? Really try meet “Prince Charming?” Honestly,
does Prince Charming exist? Is there some man out there ready to sweep me off
my feet, fly me to exotic places and treat me like a queen? I manage to hold
back a laugh and I smile as I work my way passed the masked waiter with the
tray of champagne and wiggle my way to a corner. I look up to immediately
connect my eyes with his. I’m shocked. So shocked that I glance away as quickly
as I can. For some reason though I find it hard not to look at him and instead
of keeping my gaze on the floor, I find myself staring, trying to keep control
and a closed mouth. He finally smiles underneath the simple black mask that
covers only his eyes, but even with part of his face covered, he is a vision of
perfection in his traditional black tuxedo. The same masked waiter passes him
and he gingerly takes two champagne flutes from the silver tray. He begins
working his way through the crowd, moving bit by bit, closer to me. Suddenly
he’s standing right in front of me before I have time to truly make sense of
any of it.
“Hi,”
he says, softly.
I
look at him and force myself to speak, “Hi.”
“Would
you like a drink?” He asks, extending the champagne to me.
“Might
as well, you were sweet enough to bring me a drink. Thank you.” I say, taking
the glass from him.
“What’s
your name, Princess?” He asks.
I
look up and into his deep blue eyes. Even under the mask there’s no mistaking
who he is. His dark, messy styled hair, that sly smile, and hypnotizing eyes.
His tall, well built frame. He is Hunter. He is the man throwing this masked
ball for the release of his band’s album “Hidden.”
I
swallow a gulp of champagne. What the hell have Christian and Anthony gotten me
into? I finally smile, “Just call me Cinderella.”
He
laughs, “Oh really?” He glares around us for a moment, “No Prince Charming?”
I
give my head a shake and have another sip of the rather tasty champagne, “No
Prince Charming. I’m here alone, actually.”
“What
a coincidence, I’m here alone, too.” He beams, his sneaky little smile almost
making me go weak in the knees.
“What?”
I say, “You don’t count your band mates?”
He
grins and gives me a little “you got me” smile. “You can tell me it’s me?”
I
laugh, “Please, anyone in the world would know Hunter, even under a little
mask.”
He
laughs again and has a drink of the champagne, “You got me.”
“I’m
just that good,” I smile.
“Well,
what do you say to a dance?” He asks. “Since, you are the only one in this room
to guess that it’s me.”
I
think for a moment. It’s a dance. What could one dance possibly hurt? I finally
nod. He takes the champagne flute for me and places them both on a table draped
in a silvery cloth and then reaches for my hand. His face meets mine, “Better
go easy on me.”
I
laugh, “I think I can do that.”
“Mind
if we stick with the slow ones?” His hand immediately finds my waist and he
draws my body near his and the song changes to a slow paced ballad.
I
hesitate and then finally nod. He begins to gently sway our bodies in a
circular motion, “Remember, go easy on me.”
I
laugh, “What, they don’t teach you to dance in rock star boot camp?”
This makes him laugh as he gives me
a gentle squeeze. He shakes his head, “I sing and play guitar. That’s the limit
to my abilities.”
“For
some reason I doubt that,” I tell him.
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REVIEW Time!
I give The Shoe five out of five
The Shoe was a classic girl finds guy, girl runs away without leaving her number, guy searches for girl, and when guy finds girl they have to overcome certain obstacles before they can live happily ever after.
In this case, Blair is a young woman working for an evil ice queen, Camilla Hodgkins, with two nasty daughters, Mary Ann and Fay. The role of the Fairy Godmother is played hilariously by Blair’s best friends/saviors at times, Anthony and Christian. And the prince happens to be Derek Hunter, a rock star! After falling head over heels for his Cinderella at a masquerade ball he’ll do whatever it takes to win her heart.
When Derek and Blair slip away to go back to his place the night of the Ball ((Spoiler!!)) nothing happens! Haha They share a wonderful night of talking and just having a great time. He proves to be such a gentlemen and when he wakes up all that is left of his Cinderella is one of her Louboutin. What’s a rock star to do other than go on TV and ask her to step forward, advertise, and even sing? He pulls out all the stops to find her. When he finally finds her -you’ll have to read it to find out- he asks her out on several dates before he has to leave on tour. I loved it.
I found each date fun, innocent, and romantic. Derek was truly a gentleman and somehow was able to find a balance between the difficulties of being famous and still have a girlfriend. Trista has really captured my heart with this one. Though there wasn't any magic or spells being cast, everything about this book was enchanting. This was one of those books that will sweep you off your feet. This is one heck of a Cinderella story that I want to read over and over.
If you are a fan of fairy tales, romance, a good laugh, and happily-ever-after, then The BELIEVE series is a MUST READ for you!
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Author: Trista Jaszczak
Trista Jaszczak is the author of the Believe series, and upcoming relaunches, Loverboy, What Lies Inside, and the Darkness Falls Series. She is an Air Force spouse and mother to two mischievous and rambunctious little girls. She is originally from Hamilton Ohio but calls home where ever the Air force sends her. She currently resides in Anchorage, alaska where she finds endless inspiration inthe pure Alaskan wilderness. when she isn't writing, she spends her time with family in the vast Alaskan outdoors, plucking away at her old guitar or working on self improvement in the gym. She loves the outdoors, the moon, old movies, and music.
