Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Utterly Charming by Kristine Grayson

This is quite a fun and “charming” read.

Utterly Charming

by Kristine Grayson

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402248512
• ISBN-13: 978-1402248511

Genre: Fantasy Romance
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2011

Bestselling author Kristine Grayson's fairy tale romances bring the classic stories into the present day, where fairy tale characters must grapple with the complexities of modern life as well as their own destinies.

This time when Sleeping Beauty wakes up, she wants nothing to do with the man who kissed her. Consoling Alex Blackstone, the rejected suitor who is a brilliant magician but inept when it comes to women, falls to modern career woman and lawyer, Nora Barr. Nora now has to deal with Beauty's evil stepmother, and the discovery that Alex just might be her own personal Prince Charming...

Review:  This is a light, fun read.

Nora is a young, struggling attorney when she accidently meets Alex Blackstone and his friend, a dwarf named Sancho. There is something decidedly strange about the two who seemed to appear out of nowhere in her office garage. Alex is stunning and charming even with a hissing snake peeking out of his sleeve. The next thing Nora knows she is called by Sancho to come and defend Blackstone who has been in some wild neighborhood fight. Blackstone, the would be soul mate, and Ealhswith, the not quite stepmother,  have been fighting over the glass case containing Sleeping Beauty for almost a 1000 years.

Nora gets dragged into the situation, being engaged by Sancho to shelter a minibus, keeping its location secret, even from Blackstone and Sancho. At the end of ten years, Nora’s nightmares bring her to open the bus and discover Sleeping Beauty, Emma, just as she wakes up.  Now Nora needs to help Emma cope with a strange new world while protecting her from the manipulations of the two who put Emma in this situation: her mentor witch, Ealhswith, and her "boyfriend", Blackstone.

Blackstone thinks that an early prophesy declared Emma would be his soul mate. Although he has fought over Emma for a thousand years, he is drawn to Nora’s vibrant strength and integrity. His admiration for her helps change his own arrogant behavior.

Nora is a strong character.  I could relate to some of her ethical dilemma’s and appreciated her efforts to always do the right thing for her clients. Blackstone is easy to like as the charmer he is. The supporting cast, Sancho, Ealhswith, Nora's mother and mom's boyfriend, all have quirky traits that make them fun characters. There are a number of different, if not completely surprising, hops and twists in the story. The story is not deep although there are some nice comments on integrity and abuse of power, (even) magic. I liked the concept that 'there is a little bit of truth in all fairy tales.'  Take a fairy tale, update the magic, add the sweet HEA and what's not to like?

I have to say that I was surprised to visit the author’s website and discover that she writes The Retrieval Artist Series as Kristine Katherine Rusch. I have listened to two of those and like the humor and sci fi combination in those too. I'd say this is an author who provides a reliably entertaining read.

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Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 18, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 19. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.