Title: Cherry Lips
Author: Lacey Dearie
Genre: Chicklit/Fairytale
Synopsis ~
Cerise is not a witch. She's an apprentice herbalist whose father is a wannabe warlock and fairy godmother is a madame. But Cerise has a closely guarded secret - the cherry lip-stain she manufactures and sells to the richest and most powerful women in the land is a potent aphrodisiac that makes the wearer irresistible. Of course, with such power comes responsibility, something Cerise did not consider while she was testing each batch of the product on the men of her home town.
Soon, word of the magical make-up reaches the childless Queen Merewald, and she becomes determined to uncover the secrets of the lip-stain herself and use them to seduce her ageing, impotent husband, King Palen. Her best chance is to send her feline brother-in-law, Blaxton, to befriend Cerise and spy on her. What the Queen didn't count on was her nephew falling for Cerise without the use of magic or her niece using their jester as bait to uncover the secrets before she did.
Cherry Lips is a chick-lit fairytale about a medieval amateur cosmetologist, a nymphomaniac witch, a kinky jester, an unconventionally handsome prince, a wizard with magical healing powers, a castle made of sand and crystals, magical lip-stain that makes the wearer irresistible and cats. Lots and lots of cats.
Soon, word of the magical make-up reaches the childless Queen Merewald, and she becomes determined to uncover the secrets of the lip-stain herself and use them to seduce her ageing, impotent husband, King Palen. Her best chance is to send her feline brother-in-law, Blaxton, to befriend Cerise and spy on her. What the Queen didn't count on was her nephew falling for Cerise without the use of magic or her niece using their jester as bait to uncover the secrets before she did.
Cherry Lips is a chick-lit fairytale about a medieval amateur cosmetologist, a nymphomaniac witch, a kinky jester, an unconventionally handsome prince, a wizard with magical healing powers, a castle made of sand and crystals, magical lip-stain that makes the wearer irresistible and cats. Lots and lots of cats.
Buy the Book ~
Excerpt ~
‘Shh! Fendral’s coming. Don’t tell him how I got the bread. He’ll think I’m a whore,’ Cerise said, hushing her friend, even though she knew she would probably tell Fendral everything the next day when she visited him for her next reading lesson.
‘You are,’ Shelle snorted.
‘Good morrow, ladies,’ Fendral greeted them, clasping his hands behind his back and smiling.
‘Good morrow, Fendral,’ they chorused.
‘Ah, that bread looks delicious. You’re very fortunate to live in a bakery, Shelle. You must have your pick of the different loaves your father makes.’
‘Not really. He mostly gives me the burnt ones,’ Shelle sighed. ‘I have to go hungry quite often.’
‘Oh,’ Fendral frowned, his face showing an appropriate level of concern.
‘It’s fine though because it keeps my figure nice and trim,’ Shelle winked, puffing out her tiny chest.
Cerise grimaced, seeing Fendral’s completely puzzled expression. He clearly didn’t know what to make of Shelle’s flirting.
‘Would you like to share some of our bread, Fendral?’ Cerise asked, holding out the loaf for him.
‘No, thank you. I’ve eaten already this afternoon. You ladies look like you’re enjoying it anyway,’ he smiled.
‘Don’t think we’re too hungry to share,’ Shelle blurted. ‘We’re planning on having a hearty meal tonight.’
‘Really? What’s happening tonight?’ Fendral asked.
Cerise shot Shelle a warning stare. The details of their plan for that evening were not to be divulged under any circumstances. They had agreed it was to remain a secret.
‘We’re going to The Silver Knave Inn. Heloise has hired someone to put on a show for the patrons and we’re being permitted to watch from the attic for free,’ Shelle smiled.
Cerise watched Fendral’s eyes darken and knew there was a lecture coming. She groaned inwardly, anticipating judgement and moral guidance ahead.
‘It’s not an establishment for upright Christian women,’ Fendral advised.
‘Correct,’ Shelle said, throwing another chunk of bread into her mouth while Cerise snorted accidentally while trying not to laugh.
‘Would you like me to chaperone you?’ he asked, looking directly at Cerise.
‘Thank you for the kind offer, but we’ll be fine. My godmother owns the place, so we should be safe enough,’ Cerise said.
He took a step forward and glanced over each shoulder, checking nobody could hear. The two women looked at each other, quite amused at his reaction, and leaned down to listen to what he was about to say.
‘There are things happening at The Silver Knave Inn. Things that virtuous women, naïve of the darker side of this world, could find upsetting,’ he said, in a hushed tone that made Cerise want to whoop with laughter.
‘We know!’ Shelle squealed, clearly delighted to have her hopes about the tavern confirmed by someone else.
About the Author ~
Lacey Dearie is the creator of the best-selling Leger - Cat Sleuth Mysteries Series about a talking Glaswegian cat detective. She loves observing cats and their idiosyncrasies and has a particular fondness for black cats with amber eyes or pretty calicos. She would own a house full of pets if her allergies allowed it.
She is also the author of chick-lit novel and Amazon UK Top 100 best-seller, The Tangled Web (currently available only on Createspace), chick-lit fairytale Cherry Lips, two nonsensical short stories about amorous foods and the soon to be released Candlelight Lane Mysteries which blend culinary cozies and magical realism.
In her spare time she loves to travel and is a regular visitor to Cyprus - a place that has influenced almost every story she writes as much as her home country, Scotland. She has a personal blog dedicated to lingerie and fragrances, studies perfumery and is a tiny bit obsessed with cute stationery and ska.
Lacey loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted on Twitter as @laceydearie (please be aware of adult content) or on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/laceydearie (family friendly).
Author Links:
Giveaway ~
The cover is cute.
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