Stephanie grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, the oldest of three children. Drawing, writing stories, and harassing her parents for a pony consumed much of her childhood. After graduating from high school in 1995 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the College of Charleston, South Carolina. She returned to Washington, DC, where she followed a long-time fascination with sociopolitical structures and women’s issues to a Master of Arts in Sociology from the American University. She spent several years as a Policy Associate at the International Center for Research on Women, a think-tank focused on women’s health and economic advancement.
Stephanie embraced
full-time motherhood after the birth of the first of her three children in
2003. After six wonderful years buried in diapers and picture books she
returned to her childhood passion and wrote her own fairytale. Her family put
down permanent southern roots in Charleston in 2011. Stephanie is an adjunct
professor of Sociology at the College of Charleston.
The author is now
doing a Virtual Super Book Blast tour with Goddess Fish Promotions, and on this
occasion she is giving away a $ 10
Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour. So don’t
forget to leave your comment!
Blurb
When
Eleanor Brice unexpectedly wins the heart of Gregory Desmarais, Crown Prince of
Cartheigh, she's sure she's found her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Prince
Charming has a loose grip on his temper, a looser grip on his marriage vows,
and a tight grip on the bottle.
Eight
years of mistreatment, isolation and clandestine book learning hardly prepare
Eleanor for life at Eclatant Palace, where women are seen, not heard. According
to Eleanor's eavesdropping parrot, no one at court appreciates her unladylike
tendency to voice her opinion. To make matter worse, her royal fiancé spends
his last night of bachelorhood on a drunken whoring spree. Before the ink dries
on her marriage proclamation Eleanor realizes that she loves her husband's best
friend, former soldier Dorian Finley.
Eleanor
can't resist Dorian's honesty, or his unusual admiration for her intelligence,
and soon both are caught in a dangerous obsession. She drowns her confusion in
charitable endeavors, but the people's love can't protect her from her
feelings. When a magical crime endangers the bond between unicorns, dragons,
and the royal family, a falsely accused Eleanor must clear her own name to save
her life. The road toward vindication will force a choice between hard-won
security and an impossible love.
The
Cracked Slipper is a book club friendly fairytale retelling in the vein of
Gregory Maguire, with a dash of romance. Set in a pseudo-renaissance,
corset-and-petticoats enchanted kingdom, The Cracked Slipper brings a magical
twist to women's fiction.
Excerpt
Their host,
Sir Robert Smithwick, rose and gave a toast to the health of his nephew. Other
speeches followed, each more suggestive than the next. She laughed out loud
when Dorian subtly mocked Brian’s inability to hold his liquor. Gregory spoke
last, and gave a surprisingly thoughtful salute to his cousin. She patted his
arm when he sat, and he gave her a tentative smile.
As everyone
returned to their venison and cliff shrimp Eleanor's stepmother tapped her
goblet. Mother Imogene rose and lifted the cup. “I must ask you to pause for
just one more moment,” she said. “I have another announcement.”
“My
darling,” she said to Sylvia. “We’ve all so enjoyed your hospitality this
summer. But now my daughter must remember herself, and rest, for with the
winter will arrive a future duke! Our dear Sylvia is expecting!”
The guests
applauded, congratulating Imogene and Sylvia. Sylvia gazed demurely in her lap,
as if embarrassed by the association with procreation. As for the expectant
father, he was nowhere to be seen. His wife’s entertaining had proved too much
for him, and the duke returned to Harveston for some peace.
Eleanor glanced down the table. Anne Iris retched into her cup, but it was Dorian’s calm face that inspired her. She stood and the room quieted. “My dear sister,” she said. “Let me extend my good wishes.”
Sylvia’s
simpering went rigid.
“I will say,
Sylvia always had a flair for the dramatic when we were children. Who knew you
would entertain so many with your widely varied talents? While I have recently
been ill, I’ve heard you neglect no one, from the loftiest lord to the most
common stable hand. We are so fortunate there is one among us who gives so
generously of herself to others. It’s no wonder His Grace, your husband, took
his leave. It must be difficult to share you with so many.”
Imogene’s
eyes bulged and her nostrils flared, while Sylvia gave an uncertain twitter.
Eleanor looked at Dorian again. He winked.
“So I salute
you, Your Grace,” she said.“May your child look just like you. Just as lovely.”
The guests
applauded, all the while hiding their smirks and chuckles in their goblets and
napkins. Eleanor sat down. This time Gregory touched her arm. “Well played,” he
said."
Links
blog.thecrackedslipper.com
twitter: @crackedslippe
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