One Prince Finds True Love … And Risks It All
Elle Cynder has fallen hard for Alec, the ‘prince’ of Le Charme Jewelers. Time for some happily in their ever after, right?
Not so much.
While the new couple shares joyful moments–and sizzling kisses–serious trouble is brewing. Elle’s evil stepmother, Marchesa, schemes with none other than Alec’s twisted father, Legend. Their plan? Destroy Elle and Alec, along with everything the young lovers hold dear, including Bry, Knox, and Wilhelm.
Another Royal Freezes His Heart … But For How Long?
As a prince of the dark fae, Jacoby focuses on one goal: avoid assassination. Marrying Elle would certainly aid in that cause, considering how she’s both a Cinderella life template and a powerful fae warden. Even better, Jacoby doesn’t truly love Elle. In court life, deep romantic attachments only mean certain death.
Then Jacoby notices Elle’s youngest stepsister, Agatha.
For the first time in his life, Jacoby’s cold heart warms with true affection. The elven prince struggles to ignore his feelings, but it might be a losing battle. And what would the prince’s newfound emotions mean for Elle and Alec? Could Jacoby really stand by and watch another’s true love be destroyed?
Buckle up for a wild ride as Cinderella’s time-honored story gets some all-new twists.
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Add It To Your Bookshelf!
Goodreads | BookBub
KEEP READING TO SEE AN EXCERPT AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
About the Book
Bandits and Ballgowns
by Christina Bauer
Series
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
Genre
Young Adult
Paranormal Romance
Publisher
Monster House Books
Publication Date
November 10, 2020
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Add It To Your Bookshelf!
Goodreads | BookBub
Excerpt
BANDITS AND BALL GOWNS
A Fairy Tales of the Magicorum Novel
© 2020 Christina Bauer
Alec Le Charme
7:26 AM
Elle is safely at school and I stand in the board room of the famous Le Charme Building.
As the CEO.
It still doesn’t seem real.
How did I end up running the world’s largest jewelry chain at eighteen years old? My parents magically tortured me. In punishment, Colonel Mallory the Magnificent exiled them to the Faerie Lands. (The Colonel also offered to chomp them down whole, but I passed on that one.)
Now I’m running the company. It’s not your typical fairy tale.
Around me, the board room is a mixture of new and old. One entire wall is formed from windows. That’s the new part. But the rest of the space looks like it fell out of a vampire castle. A long wooden table dominates the space. Dark Persian rugs cover the floor. Paintings of unhappy-looking old dudes stare down from the walls. It’s enough to make my skin crawl.
It’s also why I stand at the end of the table while the rest of the board sits. That way, I can speed for door if I get really creeped out.
A bunch of old white guys sit encircle the table. Humans, every last one. And they’re all glaring at me like I need a binky and a nap.
I get it, folks. You aren’t happy that I’m eighteen and run the company. Time to move on.
I glance at the clock. 7:29AM
The old guys keep staring. It’s an art form to hold all their gazes at once, but I manage to do it. This is my way of saying, I’m not just any magic user, boys. I’m the warden of all witch and warlock power. One by one, they all look away.
I call that a win.
7:30 AM
The Chairman of the Board, Duchismo El Grande, turns to me. He’s the most wrinkly guy in the room, which might be why everyone calls him the Duke. “It is time.”
“Thank you.” I slip off my suit coat and set it onto the back of my chair. This’ll be a long day; best to get comfortable.
As I make this movement, a low chorus of gasps sound around the room. Of course, they’re all still buttoned up. Clearly, they aren’t used to the idea of business casual. Still, based on the shocked gazes, you’d think I just stripped down to a mankini or something.
Oh, well. They’ll adjust.
I rub my palms together. “Let’s start with the new WebWorld contract.” I hold up my phone. “I’ve been coming to this building since I was a toddler, and I have yet to get consistent phone or internet. Some things must be fixed before I sign a renewal with WebWorld.”
The Duke clears his throat. “Excuse me. Your parents always started off board meetings by leading us all in a round of So This Is Love.”
I do a double-take. This is my first annual board meeting, so the Duke could be telling the truth here.
Then again, singing a song? Really?
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
The Duke lifts his chin. “No.”
“Let me get this straight. You want to sing, So This is Love, as in a song from the cartoon Cinderella?”
“It’s an animated film, not a cartoon,” corrects the Duke. “And the answer is yes. Obviously it would be that song.”
“Official decree number 347.” By the way, I’m a boss at this aspect of CEO life. Official decrees are my thing. “We no longer start annual board meetings with music.”
Duke gestures to a side door. “But we have musicians who come in and perform while we sing along. They’re waiting to enter.”
I raise my hand. “Official decree number 348. No more second guessing my official decrees.”
There, that told them.
The Duke clears his throat. “With all due respect, my Prince, there’s another topic that we need to discuss. It is most urgent.”
“My name is Alec.” So far, I’ve done six official decrees for folks to stop calling me their prince. Hasn’t stuck so far.
“We’ll try, my prin—”
“Alec.”
The Duke clears his throat. “Yes, Alec. We need your approval on something far more critical than that interwebs contract.”
“It’s called the internet. And what’s more important, in your opinion?”
“The new Glass Slipper Ball.”
“The what? There’s only one Glass Slipper Ball, and it happened when I turned eighteen. If I get married and have a son and he turns eighteen, then we can talk about another ball. But until then? It’s on hold. Back to internet access, people.”
CONTINUE READING…
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Add It To Your Bookshelf!
Goodreads | BookBub
Tour Wide Giveaway
About the Author
CHRISTINA BAUER thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon
This event was organized by Xpresso Book Tours.
Thanks for being on the tour! 🙂