Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Cinderella Screwed Me Over








Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Cindi Madsen
Finding the one has never been so fun frustrating.





Blurb: Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.






Excerpt:


I stepped off the treadmill, thinking about all I had to do that day. And came face-to-face
with Jake.
I thought that was you,” he said.
I tugged the earphones out of my ears and blinked, hardly able to believe my eyes. He was wearing long mesh shorts and a T-shirt that stretched tight across his well-defined chest.
Last night after my date, when I’d had trouble falling asleep, I’d thought of all the things I should say to him the next time we ran into each other. But they’d abandoned me somewhere around the time I’d checked out his pecs.
W-what are you doing here?” Smooth, Darby. Real smooth.
Same thing as you,” he said. “Going for a run.”
I really wished I wasn’t so sweaty. My face was probably all red, too. “But… You don’t live here? In this building?”
One corner of Jake’s mouth twisted up. “It would be kind of strange for me to go running here if I didn’t live here.”
Heat filled my cheeks and I took another swig from my water bottle. Time for the apology. Then maybe I could stop feeling so guilty and get this guy off my mind. “Look, I’m sorry about the misunderstanding at the restaurant. I just thought you were one of those guys who tells everyone he owns the restaurant or runs the company or whatever to seem impressive. I thought that since I knew everyone, you were lying to try to impress me.”
There. I’d apologized. Now I could move past this guy and get back to my normal life.
I was trying to impress you, but not with my job.” He tucked his thumbs into the
pockets of his shorts and shrugged. “I guess I need to work on my skills, because obviously my natural rugged charm wasn’t enough.” He flashed me a smile to punctuate his statement and I tried—and failed—not to let it melt me the tiniest bit.
Oh, you were plenty charming. Just not enough to make up for being a liar. Which for all I know, you’re not, so again, sorry.”
Do you always assume the worst in people?”
I crossed my arms. “Yes. That way I’m never disappointed. It saves a lot of time and trouble.”
His eyebrows shot up and his smile faded. It only lasted a moment, then the smile returned. “I guess there’s only one thing to do about that. Let’s go to dinner, and I’ll prove to you I’m not a liar.”
Is he seriously asking me out right now, while I’m all sweaty and makeup free? My gaze accidentally drifted to his toned chest and arms. My pulse quickened and the temperature in the room climbed even higher. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted.
I swallowed, forcing from my mind thoughts of how good he’d look shirtless, and reminding myself of the rules that had kept me heartbreak-free for a year. Guys like Nick, they were safe. The guy standing in front of me was the total opposite. “Sorry, but you’ve got two strikes against you already. You work at my favorite restaurant, and you live in my building. That’s just asking for trouble.”
Jake took a step closer. “Or maybe it’ll be convenient.”
A girl does like to be called convenient.” My voice shook a little, thanks to his proximity. He was tall, too—in my sneakers, I barely came to his shoulder, which meant he’d still have a few inches on me in my highest heels. Forcing as much indifference into my expression as I could manage, I glanced at my watch. “I’ve got to go get some work done.”
Jake reached out and put his hand on my hip, just like he’d done the other night. My skin heated under his touch and my breath caught in my throat. Part of me was screaming, Just go for it, and the other part was yelling, Mayday, mayday, we’re going down!
Just so you know,” he said, leaning close enough his chest bumped my arm, “I’m an expert on baseball, and two strikes isn’t enough to get out. You need three.”
I stared up into those startling blue eyes of his, and worked at keeping my voice steady. “I’m sure the third will come up soon.”
The wattage on his smile kicked up a couple extra notches. “I’ll see you around, Darby.”

 tell me about yourself, and your writing.

I live in Colorado with my hubby and three kids, drink a lot of Mountain Dew, read and write a lot and love music and dancing. 

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I’ve been writing for ten years. I have four YA books out, an urban fantasy, books 1 & 2 in a paranormal series, and a contemporary mystery. (Demons of the Sun, Cipher, Rift, & All the Broken Pieces.) Then I have an adult romance series, Falling for Her FiancĂ©, Act Like You Love Me, an upcoming Christmas Novella & the 3rd book in the series, Resisting the Hero, and then the romantic comedy, Cinderella Screwed Me Over. 

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre? 

Yeah, lots, as the above answer shows. Lol. I like to read different genres, so I like to write them as well. Keeps me from getting bored. 

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

Seat of my pants. Plotting feels like homework to me. 

What is a typical writing day like for you?

I stay up late, so I wake up kind of late. Once I’m as ready as I can be for my day, I answer emails, tweet & such, then get to work. I often get distracted by the internet, but push through. Break for lunch & a little time to relax, then it’s back to writing, usually until it’s time to figure out what to make for dinner. (Or what to burn, as it often goes.)

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

Whatever I’m reading, I like there to be at least some romance. I read most everything, though. Listing my favorite authors & books is always hard, but I’ll say L.M. Montgomery, Myra McEntire, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maggie Stiefvater, Sophie Kinsella, Sarah Dessen. I love Jane Eyre, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Unearthly Series by Cynthia Hand, and Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. 

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

Right now I’m hoping to keep up with all my deadlines, and of course I’d love for people to read my books. I’m always so excited when I get a note about them. Totally makes my day. 

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Flying. My family lives too far and I think that’d help with visiting back and forth. 

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
Ooh, a unicorn of course! 

Tell us a little about your latest release.

Cinderella Screwed Me Over is about a girl who used to be obsessed with fairy tales, but after several failed relationships, decides love is crap. She’s got a list of rules to follow, and has been doing pretty well. Until Jake shows up. There’s something about the guy that makes her want to take a chance, even though she keeps telling herself she knows better. 

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
My phone. I get twitchy without it. 


Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

I’d have a hard time being a co author, because I don’t plan at all. I think the other author would want to throw things at my head. There are several talented authors that I’d love to work with, and the closest thing I’ve done to working with them is to be in an upcoming Christmas anthology. We all wrote novellas about being stranded for the holidays, and I can’t wait to see them all together. 

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

Charlotte Bronte. I’d want to talk to her about Jane Eyre. I think that’d be cool. 

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I like to listen to music, dance, go out to eat, and watch movies. I also love visiting with family and friends. 

What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. Why not?

Sky dive. Because I would’ve done it when I was younger, but now I think things through too much. Someday, maybe. 

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella. That book is hilarious. 

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't? 

Crafts. I really need to put a scrapbook together for my son, because his sisters both have one, but I have no patience for crafts. My friends laugh at me & say they don’t know anyone else who swears so much over making cute holiday items and such. 

             Favorite color? Purple


Weather: Hot or cold? Hot!


Favorite place to read? Beach

Favorite meal? Pizza 

Favorite non-alcoholic drink. Mountain Dew

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

I’d spend a long time at a cottage along the beach, reading and relaxing. 


Authors Bio:
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her FiancĂ©, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.
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