PFS2012 Author Guest Post: Jessie Harrell + Giveaway

Some of my favorite kinds of retellings are Greek myth retellings. I love pinpointing nods to the original myths and discovering just how the authors have changed up the elements of the story to suit their own.

I love the surprises and the familiarity. One of the books I've been most anticipating to read this year is DESTINED by Jessie Harrell, as it retells one of my favorite myths—that of Cupid and Psyche. I'm really eager to explore Jessie's interpretation, and to get everyone else's appetites' stirring, Jessie has given us an awesome deleted/reworked scene!

Aphrodite Wins Golden Apple in First-Ever Mount Olympus Beauty Pageant

Late Saturday night, following a wedding reception for some lesser gods, the goddess Discord arrived. The goddess apparently never received an invitation, but waited to crash the party until everyone else was drunk on ambrosia. She tossed a golden apple into the middle of the party, where it rolled to a stop at the feet of Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. The golden apple proclaimed itself to belong to the “most beautiful.” Chaos ensued.

Amidst the squabble and reported pulling of hair, Zeus declared that Paris of Troy should judge which of the goddess deserved the apple. No one is certain exactly why Paris was chosen as judge. Some speculate that he was particularly pious, others just think his daddy got him the favored job.

Reports say that Mercury fetched Paris from his bed and the first ever Mount Olympus Beauty Pageant commenced immediately upon his arrival. Iris (goddess of the rainbow), who was at the wedding, said Hera got to talk first since she’s Queen. Apparently, Hera offered to make Paris the ruler of all Asia in exchange for judging her the most beautiful. Iris reported that Paris initially seemed impressed with the offer. Iris also said though that Hera’s Max Medea gown was not as colorful as she would have expected for a pageant winner.

Then it was Athena’s turn on the stage. Dressed in a Delta & Gamma ensemble, Athena promised Paris that if he selected her as the most beautiful, she too would have him rule Asia, but she’d give him the military prowess to conquer the land on his own. Ares, who was interviewed for this article, reported that “military victory is one of the most tempting rewards a god can offer.” He was surprised that Paris passed on such a prize. However, no one seriously contended that Athena could win an apple destined for the most beautiful unless only inner beauty were being judged.

Finally, Aphrodite, stunning in her Vasilis couture and Sarpedon Ferragamo shoes, made Paris the offer he finally accepted and won herself the golden apple. Aphrodite offered Paris the love of the most beautiful woman alive. Paris’ brother, Hector, reportedly commented that Paris always thought with anatomy other than his head.

While speculation still abounds as to which mortal will win the title of “most beautiful,” Aphrodite is currently the reigning goddess of beauty. In an informal poll, most Greeks believed that Queen Helen of Sparta is currently the most beautiful woman alive. The obvious problem with Queen Helen is that she is already married to King Menalaus, leaving us to wonder whether Aphrodite will force Helen to break her marriage vows or if there is someone else out there whose looks have eclipsed the beloved queen.

A source close to Aphrodite reported that she never had any doubt she would win the apple. “Aphrodite is very confident in her powers and her looks,” said the source, who wished to remain anonymous. “She never really doubted that she would win, but was pretty offended she even had to offer Paris a prize for him to state the obvious.”

According to the Mount Olympus press secretary, the gods have no plans to stage another pageant any time in the future.

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Want to win some really cool swag? Well, then, all of you US + Canada + Mexico residents have found yourself with a chance to win. Jessie is giving away 2 autographed bookmarks, a Destined bumper sticker and a Destined pin.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, did you know that you can get DESTINED for only $2.99 as an e-book on Amazon?

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When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

You can find Jessie on her Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | Facebook !

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Thank you so much, Jessie, this is amazing and so much fun! Comment down below if you have a golden apple fetish or if you think you're prettier than the goddess of beauty, love, and desire.