Book Review: Cursed by Jennifer Chance

When the prince she was supposed to marry falls for someone else, Edeena Saleri is done with Garronia's courts, crowns, and family curses. She grabs her sisters and escapes to the nobility-free coast of South Carolina, USA.

Refuge isn't anything like it's supposed to be, however. The family's island vacation home now borders a singles' retreat, which Edeena's sisters embrace all too eagerly. Worse, the private protection firm Edeena hires is run by the most infuriating man she's ever met--a rough-hewn, dark-eyed, charismatic charmer named, of course, Prince. He's not a royal and he's nowhere near noble, so there's no way he can break the family curse. And yet...

Vincent "Prince" Rallis has spent his whole life justifying his name. The son of hardworking immigrant parents, he's hustled for every dime, finally building a personal security firm with the muscle and grit to live up to its promises. He's used to keeping his cool, but when the high-strung, high-class Edeena shuts him down despite her obvious interest, pride demands he fight for her--even if he has to track her back to her glittering court to prove his point. Only once Prince arrives in the seaside kingdom of Garronia, he finds his troubles are just beginning.

Sometimes love in Garronia can be magic. And sometimes you're just Cursed.

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This book is the fifth book in the Gowns and Crowns series, but I have read the first book, Courted. I have yet to read books two through four, but this book felt more like a standalone. This book did have a slow start. A good portion of the book was to set up the infamous Saleri "curse." The leading lady, Edeena Saleri, and her sisters are in America for a suppose vacation, while Edeena tries to figure out what to do about the family curse. Then, there's Vincent "Prince" Rallis. A hardworker and owner of a security company with the best rep in the States. The pair of them are mismatched couple, but despite the difference in their backgrounds, they somehow work together as a couple. They grew on me as a couple and I'm okay with that. I am interested to find out what happily ever afters Jennifer Chance has in store for the other Saleri girls

3.5 STARS

About Jennifer Chance

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series as well as the contemporary romance modern royals Gowns & Crowns series. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. In addition to her work in romance, she is also Jenn Stark, urban fantasy author of the Immortal Vegas series, and Jennifer McGowan, YA author of the Elizabethan spy series The Maids of Honor. She is truly NOT trying to become 27 Jennifers, but it's getting a little dicey. 

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Blog Tour Promo Post + Giveaway: Captured by Jennifer Chance (Gowns & Crowns #2)

Fans of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries will enjoy CAPTURED, a New Adult Contemporary Romance with a modern royals flair by award winning author Jennifer Chance. Lauren Grant is a hard-partying celebutante dedicated to avoiding anything that might tie her down, but Dimitri Korba, the gorgeous and arrogant captain of the Garronia National Security Force and her unwanted bodyguard just might change her mind in this new installment in Chance's Gowns & Crowns series.

Title: Captured

Author: Jennifer Chance

Publisher: Elewyn Publishing

Release Date: January 19, 2016

Series: Gowns & Crowns #2

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Length: 207 Pages

ISBN: 9781943768066

For beautiful, pampered Lauren Grant, the idea of love without strings is a fairy tale and a trap. Though she’s skillfully maintained her image as the carefree celebutante, for years she’s been systematically stalked by the richest—and most ruthless—golden boy of the Jet Set. To stay one step ahead, she’s used every resource at her disposal. But now, stuck in Garronia with the whole world watching, she’s finally cornered by her nemesis, with no way out.

Well, no way out but one: the stubborn, forceful, impossibly gorgeous captain of the Garronia National Security Force, Dimitri Korba. The first man she’s ever trusted… which makes him the most dangerous man of all.

Dimitri Korba’s greatest duty is to keep those in his care safe. Since losing his closest friend, he's vowed that he will not fail another. Not even the haughty, foolhardy American blonde whom he can’t get out of his mind. And once Dimitri glimpses the terror Lauren hides behind her icily perfect façade, protecting her becomes his only goal.
Dimitri has no idea how far his commitment will take him, however, nor how powerful his need for Lauren will flare when she’s not only in his care, but in his arms. With each stolen moment, the danger around them intensifies, burning away every doubt…until all that remains is their fierce, unexpected passion. But will that be enough to save them?

Buy Links

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Excerpt

Attitude

Dimitri’s lips twitched as Lauren trotted up the steps, and he wasn’t able to wipe his expression fully clean before she saw him. “You’re looking satisfied.”
He leaned forward with his elbows on the railing and gestured to the sun. “It’s almost sunset. There is much to be satisfied about.”
“Hmm.” She swiveled to take in the sun as well, her face half-hidden by giant sunglasses. “You do this every day? Just, you know, stand here and watch the sun go down?”
“No. We only do it on the days when we wish to be good to ourselves. The rest of the time, we make do with a lesser life.” He held out his hands. “Let me take your things and put them inside. I will get us both a beer so we can celebrate the sunset appropriately.”
She willingly handed him her shopping bag, then hesitated with her purse, keeping it close to her body. “I’m good with this. But thank you.” He had no choice but to take her bag and retreat. Dropping it inside the door, he fetched the beers quickly enough as his mind clicked through the possibilities. He needed to see the phone, before they were to meet others. And that would be after sunset, so he didn’t have a lot of time.
How could he get Lauren worked up enough that she demanded a shower before she saw anyone else?
The solution was, of course, obvious. He’d always been known for his excellent ideas in the field. It was good to know that his instincts did not fail him while he was on leave.
He pulled the tops off the beers and headed back outside.
Lauren was sitting on one of the sling chairs, angled toward the sun. A thin crawl of clouds had surfaced on the horizon, running purple against the water. It looked more beautiful than any photograph he’d ever seen, and he’d watched tourists try to capture the magnificence a thousand times over. Some things, you had to experience in person.
He handed her a beer. “Good, yes?”
“It’s pretty, I guess.” Her smile softened her sarcastic words, and when he held his beer out to her, she clinked hers against it. “What are we toasting to?”
“To a perfect sunset. It’s enough.” Instead of taking a seat beside her in the matching swing chair, though, Dimitri folded his body to the porch, his head level with Lauren’s knees as he lounged back on one elbow. He was close enough to her body to feel her heat, sense her sudden tension. But it wasn’t the tension of a frightened woman, he thought. Simply one who was uniquely, subtly aware of him.
He took a long pull on his beer. He could work with that.

Be sure to check out COURTED, book #1 in the Gowns & Crowns series by award winning author Jennifer Chance!

Title: Courted

Author: Jennifer Chance

Publisher: Elewyn Publishing

Release Date: October 6, 2015

Series: Gowns & Crowns #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Aspiring concert violist Emmaline Aurora Grace Andrews is torn between her love of family and her love of music. A year ago, she deferred entering a prestigious graduate program to help her parents recover from a devastating accident. Now the deferment is expiring, but her parents still need her. Worse, every time she plays her audition piece, she mangles it. Is it too late to be the musician she'd always dreamed of? Should she even try?

Determined to get clarity, Emmaline accepts a friend's offer for a whirlwind European vacation. First Stop: a real live fantasy kingdom—the perfect place to sort wishes from reality.

Prince Kristos Andris was a respected captain in his nation’s military… Was. In the wake of the tragic death of his elder brother, he's managed to avoid his duties as the new Crown Prince of Garronia for months. But now he must accept his responsibilities and leave his troops behind. Outraged at the restrictions of his new royal position, he'll do anything for one last adventure. So when opportunity suddenly lands in his arms in the form of a dreamy-eyed American girl, he embraces it (and her) for all he's worth. What's the harm in a quick fling, after all? It won’t change what he knows he must do…

Only this is Garronia in the summertime, where passion has a way of ruining even the most sensible of plans.

Buy Links

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

About Jennifer Chance

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series as well as the modern royals Gowns & Crowns series. You can find her online at JenniferChance.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/authorJenniferChance and on Twitter at @Jenn_Chance.

Connect with Jennifer:  Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Giveaway

Jennifer is offering up some fabulous prizes during her Captured Virtual Blitz event. One (1) lucky grand prize winner will receive a $25 Gift Card for Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice) and two (2) runner-ups will win an eBook copy of Courted, book #1 in Jennifer’s Gowns & Crowns series! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Book Review: Courted by Jennifer Chance

Fans of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries will enjoy COURTED, a New Adult Contemporary Romance with a modern royals flair, about a young woman about to give up on her dreams … and the prince whose dreams she could help make come true.

Aspiring concert violist Emmaline Aurora Grace Andrews is torn between her love of family and her love of music. A year ago, she deferred entering a prestigious graduate program to help her parents recover from a devastating accident. Now the deferment is expiring, but her parents still need her. Worse, every time she plays her audition piece, she mangles it. Is it too late to be the musician she'd always dreamed of? Should she even try?

Determined to get clarity, Emmaline accepts a friend's offer for a whirlwind European vacation. First Stop: a real live fantasy kingdom—the perfect place to sort wishes from reality.

Prince Kristos Andris was a respected captain in his nation’s military… Was. In the wake of the tragic death of his elder brother, he's managed to avoid his duties as the new Crown Prince of Garronia for months. But now he must accept his responsibilities and leave his troops behind. Outraged at the restrictions of his new royal position, he'll do anything for one last adventure. So when opportunity suddenly lands in his arms in the form of a dreamy-eyed American girl, he embraces it (and her) for all he's worth. What's the harm in a quick fling, after all? It won’t change what he knows he must do…

Only this is Garronia in the summertime, where passion has a way of ruining even the most sensible of plans.

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

My Review

I'm a major fan of Jennifer Chance! I was so happy to hear that she was writing a modern, contemporary romance that features a royal family. This story features a young violinist named Emmaline, who's stuck at a crossroads in her life. After a car accident mentally and emotionally cripples her parents, Em postpones her life to take care of her parents. Em's friends take her on a mini vacation to unwind and finally have some room to breathe. It's a chance meeting on the beaches of Garronia that sends Em and His Royal Highness, Prince Kristos, into a tailspin. After the death of his older brother, Prince Kristos must take up the mantle as heir to the kingdom of Garronia. It's too bad that his heart belongs to the military. After rescuing Em from the rough tides, they are mistaken as a couple and the paparazzi blow it way out of proportion. Although our main leads have a mutual attraction to each other, I felt that Kristos liked the novelty of having an American girl to hang out with and pursue intimately, but as the story went on, you see more to his character as a person. I did become frustrated with Em's emotional struggles with enjoying herself on vacation while her parents are at home with a nurse. I would understand a little guilt at leaving them alone for a few weeks, but the constant cycle of self-doubt and guilt really bugged me. As cold and callous as this sounds, her parents are not going anywhere any time soon, so why not enjoy yourself? Em took on responsibility for her parents' well-being for a lot of reasons, but mostly out of obligation, guilt and fear. 

Before her parents were messed up in a car accident, Em was pursuing a position as a violinist. Her parents' current state and her own feelings of guilt, became a crutch for her to hold onto, to be used as an excuse to postpone her life. The same could be said for Prince Kristos. He's been training for a position in the military since birth and then his brother dies and leaves the throne for him to occupy. Kristos doesn't want to be King and would rather be a soldier. Em and Kristos are both trapped into a position that is slowly sucking the life out of them. Their chance meeting had an impact of each others' lives and it sparked a greater scandal. I loved this book and I am totally waiting for the sequel.

4 stars!

About Jennifer Chance

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series as well as the modern royals Gowns & Crowns series. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. In addition to her work in romance, she is also Jenn Stark, urban fantasy author of the Immortal Vegas series, and Jennifer McGowan, YA author of the Elizabethan spy series The Maids of Honor. She is truly NOT trying to become 27 Jennifers, but it’s getting a little dicey.

You can find her online at JenniferChance.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/authorJenniferChance and on Twitter at @Jenn_Chance.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Giveaway

Jennifer is offering up some fabulous prizes during her Courted Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky grand prize winner will receive a $25 Gift Card for Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice) and two (2) runner-ups will win an eBook copy of Rock It, book #1 in Jennifer’s Rule Breakers series! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

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Cover Spotlight with Teaser: Fake It by Jennifer Chance

Jennifer Chance and Loveswept are thrilled to share the hot cover and first-look teaser of FAKE IT, the second book in the Rule Breakers series published by Loveswept!

From Jenn: “This cover is perfect for Jake--right down to the biker-inspired smoky blue flame background behind the title. It really shows that Jake and Anna's adventure will be quite a ride!”

Read on for more about FAKE IT and a super sexy teaser!

FAKE IT

Jennifer Chance

Published by Loveswept

July 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-553-39228-9

Goodreads

As her sizzling new series continues, Jennifer Chance sparks some serious combustion between a sexy biker and a corporate go-getter who’s ready to let her hair down.

New grad Anna Richardson works hard—so hard that she’s given up having a romantic life. Anna has even convinced her friends that she’s dating an amazing guy—who they’ve simply never met. But now Anna has a wedding to attend and needs to produce the hottie she’s been lying about for the past six months. Enter Jake Flynn, her infuriating, motorcycle-riding, jaw-droppingly gorgeous neighbor, who’s more than willing to fake it for a weekend. In fact, Jake won’t be satisfied until things get real.

Though Jake is only playing the role of adoring boyfriend, he’s starting to feel the heat, and judging by Anna’s sweet blush, so is she. Letting chemistry this intense go to waste would be a real shame. Soon, though, the thin line between fantasy and reality fades. Jake may not be what every buttoned-up fast-tracker wants, but he’s sure as hell what Anna needs. And if she takes a ride with him, their adventure never has to end.

TEASER REVEAL!

“Jake, the wedding would completely suck for you,” Anna protested. “My ex is a nightmare and you would hate all of my friends. You would think the whole thing is ridiculous—because it is.” He just watched her, maddeningly, his smile curving as she tried to sputter out her refusals. “You don’t want to do this. Trust me.”

“I just said I did.”

“But . . . you can’t . . . you wouldn’t . . .” Anna stopped, flustered. What was happening here? Was she actually turning down a viable date? “There’s so much you would have to memorize about Dave. There’s no way you’re going to want to do that.”

Jake just lifted his brows. “You know, for someone who’s just met me, you seem to know a lot about what I would and wouldn’t want to do.”

“I don’t! I mean, I can guess. But I just . . . can’t.” Anna swallowed. “Look, I appreciate it. If I strike out tonight, I’ll call you. How about that?”

“That sounds good.” Jake signaled to the bartender. “So I guess I should make sure you have my number, then.”

“Oh, well yes. I guess. Or, you know, I could just—” Before Anna could complete the sentence, Jake had a pen in his fingers. They were both leaning on the bar, their faces inches apart. He tipped the pen to its side, sliding its base alongside her jaw. The cool metal on her flushed skin startled her, and Anna’s gaze jumped to his. The challenge in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Hold out your hand, Anna,” he said, as if they weren’t in the middle of a crowded bar, in front of everyone.

“That’s not necessary,” she said quickly. “I have other people’s cards—you can just use—just write on one of those.”

His gaze grew hotter, more intense. “That’s no good,” he said. “You might lose it.”

Anna hesitated, then something was triggered deep inside her, and she felt a dangerous flicker of pleasure. She knew that flicker, remembered it from somewhere, even as life and work and responsibility had taught her to keep it doused, out of commission. It had been a long time since she’d let that fire burn.

But now Jake Flynn was positioned in front of her with gasoline and a blowtorch.

Someone cleared his throat beside them, and a disgruntled voice rang out. “Excuse me, I’m Gary, and your friend Lacey—”

“Take off, Gary,” Jake said without turning around. His gaze held hers. “Anna?”

Anna held out her hand, and Jake held her arm steady, cradling it with his fingers. Sensation rocketed through her at the intimate touch, intensifying sharply as she felt the smooth slide of ink on her skin. He wrote slowly, sensually, the pen tracing wickedly silken lines on the hypersensitive skin on the inside of her wrist, all the way down until he reached her palm. By the time he was finished, Anna was amazed she was still conscious. Then he glanced at her.

“Think it’s dry? Or should I blow on it?”

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF FAKE IT – Want more of the Rule Breakers? ROCK IT, the first book in the series, is on sale now!

ABOUT JENNIFER:

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the New Adult series Rule Breakers. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. Visit her website and find her on Twitter.

Connect with Jennifer Chance

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Book Review/Blog Tour Post: ROCK IT by Jennifer Chance

For gals who love bad boys and musicians, Jennifer Chance brings ROCK IT,

the first novel in Rule Breakers, a sizzling New Adult series published by Random House’s LoveSwept imprint.

Want to learn more about ROCK IT? Be sure to check out this exclusive interview with Jennifer Chance!

Follow the tour and win some awesome prizes!

Jennifer Chance unleashes her hot new series with the tale of a smoldering rock star and the fangirl who catches his eye—and finds herself living out her wildest dreams.
 
Lacey Dawes is a total pro at the talent agency where she works, and it doesn’t hurt that IMO Worldwide Media represents Dante Falcone. The rock god has starred in her fantasies since she was sixteen—and remains her secret crush to this day. So when Dante picks her to be the interim manager on his Dream It tour, Lacey can’t believe her luck. Handling Dante is sure to be the most exquisite, spine-tingling, nerve-wracking mix of business and pleasure ever.
 
Although Dante is grateful for the adoring fans who scream for one more of his full-throttle, soul-searing songs, being surrounded by a cadre of corporate types backstage is wearing thin. Then Lacey shows up. Yeah, she’s organized, smart, quick to get him what he wants before he knows he wants it—but Dante senses there’s something else going on with sweet, sexy Lacey. One kiss tells him what that “something” might be . . . and makes him hungry for more.

On Sale: March 04, 2014

 Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | BooksOnBoard | eBooks.com 

| Google Play | Diesel eBook Store | iBooks | Kobo| Powells| Sony

I was a little hesitant to read a book where the heroine was a longtime fan of the hero of the story and acts like a dope trying to attract his attention. Lacey was a nice surprise. Despite the fact that she is the typically groupie, she can still separate her personal feelings from her professional dealings. Dante, a tired rockstar, is intrigued by little Lacey and immediately gets her to be his liaison with the talent agency. Good thing too because I hate her bosslady.  Oh Lacey, puts up a professional veneer around Dante to keep things, well... professional, but he chips away at her with seductive smiles and his oh so hot! body. :D There are of course bumps in the road for the pair. For one thing, Lacey's boss Brenda does not like being passed over for the job and had her eyes on Dante's new tour from the start. Being ambitious is one thing, but being a b**** just because the client wants someone else to handle his account, is a whole other story. I thought Lacey and Dante's relationship progressed nicely despite the hiccups in the beginning and down the line. Definitely worth a read if you love rockers with hard pecs and a strong/smart heroine! :D

4 stars

Giveaway & Prizes

An iPod Shuffle (open to US entrants only, if international entrant is chosen they'll receive a $50 gift card to the eTailer of their choice). Additionally, Random House is sponsoring the tour with a $50 e-giftcard, and swag including a Loveswept mug and tote (open to US entrants only).

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About Jennifer Chance

I come by romance honestly, having spent several years writing adult romance and entering romance contests through Romance Writers of America–including finaling twice in the prestigious Golden Heart contest and winning once. But despite these and other contest wins, my first published novel came not in adult romance, but as a writer of YA historical fiction (you can read all about my Elizabethan spy girls stories, the Maids of Honor, here.)

Still, despite my love of Elizabethan spies, I could never quite give up those super Alpha contemporary romance heroes. So, in the summer of 2013, I decided to see if perhaps I might still have a romance or two up my sleeve.

I wrote a tale about a girl whose biggest high-school and college crush–a rock star–suddenly becomes her biggest client, only now she has to be professional and not betray the fact that she’s completely in love with the guy. It was a fun, sexy, romantic fantasy, and I suggested the idea to my agent… who asked what other ideas I had in addition to this story. Shortly after, the Rule Breakers series was born.

To separate these books from my historical work, I adopted the name Jennifer Chance. I am now pursuing my dreams (pretty much round the clock as it turns out) and am THRILLED to be able to have four e-books coming out in 2014 and early 2015, all with Random House LoveSwept’s New Adult romance line.

As to what will happen from here, who knows? But as long as there is a story to be written and an HEA to be had, I’ll be the one over in the corner, tapping away on my keyboard.

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