Laura Kenyon is an award-winning journalist and the author of three novels, Desperately Ever After (reviewed here), Damsels in Distress (reviewed here), and Skipping Midnight (coming November 16th). Her stories and articles have appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, and online publications. The Boston College graduate does not live in a castle, but has been blessed with a heroic Prince Charming, a beautiful princess, and a noble steed.
To learn more about Laura, visit her website and sign up for exclusive updates. She also loves connecting with readers on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook. And for a peek at how she envisions Marestam, check out her "Desperately Ever After" board on Pinterest. You can also find her at Amazon and Goodreads.
One part Sex and the City. Two parts Desperate Housewives. Three parts Brothers Grimm.
For the women of Marestam, “happily ever after" has always come with a grain of salt. Be it infidelity or aging, deferred dreams or lost love, or even the pressures of raising a family, they have always seen each other through life’s trials with laughter, wine, and a brand new take on old-fashioned chivalry. But when rage and treachery take over, everything they hold dear comes under attack.
Suddenly, the monarchies are crumbling, Cinderella is missing, Belle is harboring the secret of all secrets, Rapunzel is facing the one dilemma she spent her whole life trying to avoid, and Dawn could lose everything she’s finally learned to love. In order to save everyone and unmask the wolf in their midst, this iconic group of friends must follow a dogmatic fairy no one trusts, invoke a magic no one understands, and face a past they thought they had buried long ago.
Rapunzel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the rest of Marestam’s favorite females return in this third and final novel in Laura Kenyon's Desperately Ever After series, which takes a whimsical look at our most beloved fairy tale princesses several years after true love’s kiss.
At heart, it’s a tale of ordinary women coming to terms with how their lives have turned out. They just happen to live in castles.
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The final chapter in the Amazon #1 bestselling "Desperately Ever After" series (women’s fiction fantasy, women’s fiction humor, and paranormal fantasy). Says New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Evanovich: "Laura Kenyon makes happily ever after desperately delicious!"
A few of my favorite things
(about the ’80s and ’90s)
(about the ’80s and ’90s)
by Laura Kenyon
When Melissa first invited me to take part in this, I was excited but worried I wouldn’t be able to recall five great things about either decade. After all, I wasn’t even born until the very end of 1982, and everyone likes to roll their eyes at the ’90s. But once I started reminiscing, it was surprisingly difficult to narrow them down! Thanks again for letting me contribute. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did writing it!
The Eighties
- “The Little Mermaid” (1989): According to my mother, I saw this at least a dozen times in theatres, and I know I spent countless summers flipping through the water with my ankles pinned together, watching my red hair fan out around me as the sunlight filtered through it. To this day, I wonder whether that movie would have had such a lasting impact on me had Ariel been blonde!
- Cabbage Patch Kids: While I was too young to remember or understand what my parents were going through during the “Cabbage Patch craze” of Christmas 1983 (I was only a year old), I do remember growing up with the doll. And now, as a mother myself, I truly appreciate all of the heartache and trouble they went through to do it—even scoring me one with red hair! Now that’s love :)
- Oregon Trail: In a way, this game prepared my entire generation for the dawn of reality television. Plug in the names of your best friends and family members and see who dies of cholera, who falls ill with dysentery, and who makes it across the river!
- Nintendo: Nothing, I repeat, nothing, is better than the original Super Mario Bros. game on the original Nintendo. I’m not ashamed to admit that when my husband found a way to play it on the Wii a few years back, we morphed into eight-year-old boys, glued to the television set and the controllers for five days straight. The only thing missing was the Hi-C and Pop Tarts.
- Life before the Internet: In the 80s, no one had smart phones and “social media” meant hanging out at the library with friends. Families watched shows like “The Wonder Years” together and schoolyard bullies could only reach inside your home if you invited them over for a play date. I’m not saying scary things didn’t exist, but those scary things didn’t bombard you 24/7. And in that way, times were simpler. I miss that.
The Nineties
- AOL Instant Messenger: I realize this is in direct contrast to what I just said about the Internet in the ’80s … but that’s pretty much what technology is these days, isn’t it? We love it and we hate it. We want to get away from it, but we also can’t live without it. When AIM first appeared, it made passing notes in class look like writing with a feather and a pot of ink. But you know what they say about fun and games...
- The Olympics: Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. The 1996 “Magnificent Seven” gymnastics team. Kerri Strug’s ankle and Béla Károlyi. The basketball “Dream Team.” Need I say more?
- TGIF on ABC: Particularly the “Family Matters,” “Boy Meets World,” “Step by Step” years. I think my bedtime must have started at 9:30 because I have no recollection of what brought up the rear!
- Alternative rock: Maybe everyone thinks this about the decade in which they became a teenager, but IMHO music in the ’90s is second only … maybe … to music in the ‘60s. The ’90s had some killer females like Alanis Morissette, Lisa Loeb, and Gwen Stefani, and a heck of a lot of great bands like Weezer, Pearl Jam, Counting Crows (my one-cd-on-a-desert-island band), Third Eye Blind, Matchbox Twenty, and the Foo Fighters.
- Movies: Yes, the ’90s brought us “Titanic.” And yes, I watched it far more times than I want to admit. But they also brought three amazing things called “Clueless,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Newsies.” Chances are you're more than familiar with the first two, but if you aren't familiar with the third, please see below. It's my duty as a “Newsies” disciple to spread the word ;)
Pre-order Giveaway!
Pre-order a copy of Skipping Midnight between now and November 15th, and you could win one of two enchanting prize packages inspired by the "Desperately Ever After" series!
Prize Pack 1 (US only):
A signed paperback copy of all three novels in the series: Desperately Ever After (Book One), Damsels in Distress (Book Two), and Skipping Midnight (Book Three)
A stunning “Live like there’s no midnight” charm bracelet, custom made by My Initial Charm and inspired by the Desperately Ever After series
An assortment of treats for your next girls' night in (sorry, rampion not included!)
A snazzy memory box to ship it all in ;)
Prize Pack 2 (Worldwide!):
This fantastic set of six wine charms, handcrafted by Etsy artist Sarah VandenBrink (specifically for this giveaway!) and representing each of the six main characters: Belle, Rapunzel, Dawn, Penelopea, Snow White, and Cinderella
To enter, please e-mail your proof of purchase (a screenshot will do) to laura (at) laurakenyon (dot) com by midnight November 15, 2016. Be sure to include your mailing address so you’re entered into the right contest(s). One winner will be selected via random drawing for each giveaway on November 16. Good luck!
Thanks to Laura for visiting us and for sharing her prizes with our readers.
I often miss life before the internet. Of course I would be very lonely without the friends I have made through the internet. But I could do without so much of the drama, hatred and bragging that takes places on places like Facebook.
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