PFS2012 Author Guest Post: Suzanne Selfors + Giveaway

Last year I read and reviewed Suzanne Selfors's MAD LOVE, which is a Cupid and Psyche retelling unlike any you've read. It wasn't an absolute favorite, but I definitely enjoyed it a lot, and so I'm really looking forward to the retelling Suzanne's tackling this year, particularly since it's a reimagining of a classic story I've never actually read. Suzanne is here today to talk to you all some more about her newest book THE SWEETEST SPELL, which released today!

A Chocolate Fairy Tale My first fairytale, The Sweetest Spell, hits bookshelves this month. It was pure joy to write. And while I stuck with some traditional elements, such as a faraway kingdom, an evil queen and a handsome peasant boy, I added in my own twists—the main one being, chocolate. Yep. Chocolate.

When I began to sculpt the story, I knew it would be about a peasant girl named Emmeline who, because of her origins and her appearance, is rejected by most everyone. But she eventually discovers something amazing about herself and her status is elevated. This is the tradition of tales such as The Ugly Duckling and Cinderella—stories in which the hero is physically transformed/reborn, and thus achieves acceptance/love. An ugly duckling is really a swan. A servant is really a princess.

But I wasn’t happy just sticking to a physical transformation. I wanted deeper change to occur, so I began to think about King Midas. Midas touched things and they turned to gold. At first this made Midas very happy. It brought respect, power and wealth. But in the end it brought misery because he couldn’t touch the people he loved. I liked this idea but as I started writing, I realized that I felt no passion about gold. It was kinda boring and I needed something better.

So, after a night of searching my house for chocolate and not finding any, I realized that I had my story. Chocolate evokes all sorts of sensual, passionate, giddy feelings. That’s the power I wanted to give Emmeline. And so, my unwanted ugly duckling peasant girl discovers she has the magical ability to make chocolate in a kingdom that is bereft of the delicious concoction. And she goes from being the most unwanted to being the most wanted, which, like Midas, is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Toss in the handsome peasant boy, the conquering solider, and the charming prince, and you’ve got yourself a fairytale.

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And awesome Suzanne here will be giving away one copy of her THE SWEETEST SPELL to one lucky US winner! Be sure to enter and spread the word, because I have a feeling this is going to be awesome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline.

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

You can find Suzanne on her Goodreads | Website | Facebook!

Make sure to stop by later today for a review of THE SWEETEST SPELL!
Find out what happened the first week of Paranormous Fantastival and enter to win some amazing prize packs!
Find out what happened last week and stay updated!
And, lastly, don't forget to check out this week's schedule!

I'm actually about to start THE SWEETEST SPELL now and I'm so excited! Thank you so much, Suzanne, and I'm sure I'll like this book as well! Comment down below if your touch is gold or if you've been chased by a duckling's mother.