Monday, December 15, 2014

Blog Tour: Mini-Reviews & Giveaway!! Otherworld Realms, by Isabelle Saint-Michael




Welcome to this stop in the Isabelle Saint-Michael Blog Tour,
sponsored by 
Bewitching Book Tours!!

There are mini-reviews and excerpts 
of both books,
as well as a giveaway!!





Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears
(Otherworld Realms, #1)
Isabelle Saint-Michael
Trade Paperback, 378 pages
Otherworld Romance, Sept. 26, 2014
Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Cover Artist: C.L. Smith


Book Synopsis: Lillian Chambers was just an ordinary high school teacher, until she fell through a Fairy Circle. When she came to on the other side, she was surprised to find herself in the company of an Elven prince she thought only existed in her dreams. Now she’s slaying monsters and rescuing Prince Tallyn, instead of playing the part of the damsel in distress.

Tallyn had been the protector of his kingdom for over one hundred years. He knows that the world is filled with danger around every corner, but these days he’s finding himself babysitting the annoyingly fearless Lady Lillian.

When their worlds collide sparks fly, humorous situations ensue and the only thing for sure is that neither will ever be the same. Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears takes readers on an adventure into a modern fairytale where we explore what it really means to fall for Prince Not-so-Charming.





First of all, the title of this novel is totally hilarious! It's obvious that the prince in question is an elf. I wonder what those 'practical uses' could be.....
The excerpt below is a very intriguing one. The female narrator seems to be dreaming, yet everything is very vivid and detailed. All these details lead to some interesting speculations. Is this nameless narrator in some alternate dimension, in which she can see, hear, and feel everything going on in the real world, but cannot be perceived herself? Or is it the men who are in this alternate world, to which she has access, although she's not sure how? The author, Isabelle Saint-Michael, has certainly set up the scene beautifully.  The tension intensifies when the narrator senses the approach of danger, yet is unable to warn the men.  This author has quickly captured my interest in these few short paragraphs, and I definitely want to know more!
I really need to get this book!!






My dreams were more vivid than usual. It was like I was standing there with my favorite imaginary hunk. He and several others were packing up horses. There was a great deal of laughter and teasing among the men. They poked at each other until finally he had to step in and tell them to calm down. Even as he reprimanded them his smile shone brightly. I had never seen him smile with such a youthful presence.
Moments later another man appeared, just as handsome as my dream guy. “Tallyn!” he called, and my heart skipped a beat as I watched the man of my dreams turn to wave.
“Tallyn,” I could feel myself whispering. He turned and looked in my direction, as if he had heard me. His face fell a little when he couldn’t see me standing there.
“What’s wrong?” the taller man asked him.
I watched as Tallyn shrugged. “I was just thinking about how I was going to have to see your face every morning for the next few days and it quashed all the fun out of our camping trip.”
The taller man laughed, only to turn when someone called, "Maerryn!" which I guessed was his name.
I could feel the cool breeze on my skin, causing the hair on my arms to stand up. I watched with interest as the men finished packing up and began to ride away. I followed them through the forest I had seen a hundred times in my dreams. After a few hours they crossed the river in a shallow area then headed up a steep cliff, guiding their horses one at a time along the narrow ledge.
By midday the group reached the top of the cliff and stopped for lunch. The food smelled amazing cooked over the open fire. I felt my stomach rumble. When it did, Tallyn placed a hand on his stomach and looked around with confusion.
He was beautiful to look at, even with uncertainty creasing his brow. His green eyes deepened in color and his breath stilled. It was like he was looking right at me but couldn’t see me. With a shake of his head, he rejoined the conversation around him.
They packed up and left, heading across a path at the top of the cliff that led into another forest. The group seemed more hesitant when they entered the new area. They rode close together for hours, and when darkness finally threatened, they found flat ground and made camp. The horses were tied up, dinner was caught and prepared, and then the wine came out.
Boys will be boys, I thought to myself as they laughed, sang and passed around the bottles.
Behind me I heard the crack of twigs underfoot. Suddenly, I sensed someone else was there. I turned, looking in the direction of the sound, and I saw shadows moving through the woods towards the encampment. Panic filled me and I tried to scream, but I was just a watcher without a voice.




Purchase Links

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Ebook Edition 
$1.99 ON AMAZON US 
FROM DEC. 21st to DEC. 27TH!!




(Otherworld Realms, #2)
Isabelle Saint-Michael
Trade Paperback, 208 pages
Otherworld Romance, Nov. 14, 2014
Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Cover Artist: C.L. Smith


Book Synopsis:
When life handed half-werewolf Grace MacGregor a pink slip four weeks before Christmas, she was determined to get back to work as soon as possible. She just didn’t expect it to be the very next day – or at the North Pole. She now has four weeks to make other people’s holiday wishes come true, but will she be able to grant her own while she is at it?
Justin Kringle is the nephew of Santa Claus and his job is to keep operations of the Pole on point. When Grace is dropped bed and all into his work shop, he can’t decide if it’s love or hate at first sight. First impression: she’s a total mess. Can he keep her on track and remember to not mix business and pleasure?





What a delightful excerpt the following one is! This time, the female narrator has a name -- Grace McGregor.  She is currently unemployed, and receives an email from the Otherworld Alignment Council, requesting that she send them her resume as well as a completed application, as her help is needed at the North Pole. Next thing Grace knows, she wakes up to find her bedroom swarming with Gnomes busily working on toys..... I absolutely love this! Saint-Michael has made me eager to discover how the heck Grace has seemingly, and quite suddenly, been transported to the North Pole, and what will transpire there.  Furthermore, the whole concept is whimsical, as well as comical. This one sure sounds like a fun-filled, very magical, holiday read!  And  I can't wait to find out just WHO the guy with the red  braid is..... I've just GOT to get this book, which I will promptly devour!






I settled into bed with my favorite boyfriend, my laptop. Before long I had updated my resume, applied for a half dozen jobs, checked flights home, and Facebooked with all of my friends to see if anyone had any leads. I was about to shut down when the pop from my email caught my attention.
     I closed the other tabs and stared at my inbox. It was from the OAC. The Otherworld Alignment Council was a group of magical beings, things that go bump in the night, and people that made sure that there were universal laws and regulations used across all the realms.  They made sure there was a common language, rules about magic, and laws that kept peace between the different races.  Why they were emailing me I didn’t know.

To: Grace MacGregor
From: OAC
Subject:  The North Pole Needs You

Dear Ms. MacGregor,

It has been brought to the attention of the OAC that you are no longer employed during this busy time of the year.  Every Holiday season we rely on the help we get from the Otherworld community to make the season bright.  Your talents could be used now through the end of the year helping deliver joyful winter holidays across all the realms.

Please see the attached application. Applicants will be considered for a paid position.  Please send a resume, two letters of recommendation and magical aptitude test scores to the email listed below.  If chosen we will need you to report immediately for work.

Thank you and Happy Holidays,
Otherworld Alignment Council

     I looked at the email again and shrugged.  “Why not?”  I asked myself.  I attached my resume, two recommendation letters and a quick note explaining my father was a Scottish Werewolf Clansman and that I was half human.  I figured my lack of magical abilities would keep me out of the fray.  My father told me to always answer the OAC right when they contacted you because they made the IRS look patient.
     With a giggle to myself I closed the windows on my laptop and shut it down.  Snuggling deep into my pillows I closed my eyes, giggling about what use I could possibly be to the Great Holiday Front up North.  Strangely enough I fell asleep with thoughts of sugar plums dancing in my head

      I awoke the next morning to the sounds of clinking, clicking and power tools.  I opened my eyes involuntarily when a particularly loud noise sounded right over my head.  It was then I noticed my bedroom was swarming with Gnomes and they seemed too busy to care I was sleeping.
     “Excuse me!” I yelled.  “Why are you in my bedroom?”
     A few of them stopped, exchanged looks with shrugs, and returned to work.  I wasn’t answered until a man with a heavy red braid down his back appeared.
     “You are in their workshop, and it’s about time you got up.”  I climbed out of bed angrily, prepared to demand that they leave.  “Nice pajamas,” he said with a grin as he looked me over.  “If you follow me we will get you assigned duties, uniforms and the rest of your paperwork filled out.”
     I looked around what should have been my room.  I was on a toy factory floor.  Only it looked like FAO Schwarz met Ikea.  Bright colors with industrial-grade shelves mixed with the old world charm of hand-carved wooden trim.  All around me Gnomes were hustling to complete toys.  I looked in the direction the redheaded man had gone and chased after him, abandoning my bed to the factory.  




Purchase Links

Paperback Edition


Ebook Edition 
$.99 ON AMAZON US 
FROM DEC. 21st to DEC. 27TH!!






  
Isabelle Saint-Michael is a cupcake enthusiast,shoe addict, and globetrotter. She is known for her sense of adventure and geeky hobbies. She is frequently seen haunting coffee shops and pubs into the wee hours of the morning. No matter where she goes, shenanigans  and mirth are never far behind.




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You can check out the list of participating blogs by
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4 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the amazing giveaway ! Holiday Spirit For Fire sounds quite interesting. I really like that cover lol it's unique :D

    Benish | Feminist Reflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Benish!

      You're very welcome!! Yes, I LOVE the cover of that book, too, and have never seen anything like it before. And the plot sure sounds like fun! I'm so glad you like it!

      Thanks for commenting!! : )

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the giveaway! Crossing my fingers that I win this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Josy!

      Yes, both of these novels sure sound like a LOT of fun, but I'm especially interested in "Holiday Spirit for Hire".

      You're very welcome for the giveaway! Good Luck, and thanks for participating! HAPPY NEW YEAR, too!!! : )

      Delete

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