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Character Intervew & ARC Review of Some Like It Royal by Heather Long

SomeLikeItRoyal

 

Going Royal

Some Like it Royal

by HEATHER LONG

Quick Facts:

 

Some Like it Royal

Going Royal

Release Date: January 13, 2014

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Blurb:

 

It’s the role of a lifetime…

 

Living out of a car and waiting tables to make ends meet is hardly the stuff of fairy tales. So when a gorgeous man approaches Alyx Dagmar with a wild story about her royal lineage and an even wilder proposition, the aspiring actress is sure he’s got the wrong woman.

 

Self-made billionaire Daniel Voldakov needs connections before he can expand his software business into Europe. A blue-blooded fiancée would open all the right doors—and Daniel’s certain he can tempt the pretty but penniless Princess Alyxandretta to accept the part she was born to play.

 

Alyx can’t resist Daniel’s offer, and throws herself into the role. But as the paparazzi fall in love with their “storybook romance,” Alyx finds herself drawn to Daniel in ways she’d never imagined. Are his returned affections true, or all just part of the plan? He’ll do anything it takes to prove his love, and to make her see that the only happily ever after he wants is with her…the real her.

 

 

CHARACTER INTERVIEW:

We’re sitting down with Daniel Voldakov and his fiancée Alyx Dagmar, better known as Her Royal Highness, Alyxandretta. First and foremost, I wanted to thank you both for taking the time to chat with me today. And let’s get right to it. Speculation about the two of you is running rampant, and our viewers submitted a number of questions. First up, Daniel…

Cotton or Silk?

 

Alyx bursts out laughing and Daniel clears his throat. “I prefer Alyx in silk, though I have no complaints about cotton.”

 

The interviewer grins. “Our next question is for both of you.”

 

Champagne/beer/wine?

 

Alyx and Daniel glance at each other and then to the interviewer. “Wine,” they agree. “Though, I don’t mind a beer now and then,” Daniel adds.

 

Describe Alyx to me, Daniel?

 

Tipping his head toward the interviewer in a brief nod, Daniel turns to face Alyx and smiles. “Stubborn, smart, and sassy. Life didn’t hand her an easy road, but she meets every challenge with determination and grace that never fails to take my breath away.”

 

Describe Daniel for me, Alyx?

 

Alyx dabbed at the corner of her eyes and gave Daniel a watery smile, before clearing her throat. “Not sure I can top that. Crazy. Generous. Clever. Oh my God, he’s clever. And if I’m stubborn, he’s even more so—his optimism is a work of art. It doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous on top of all of that. Practically perfect, in every way.”

 

The interviewer takes a moment. “Wow. Oh…yes, where were we? Um, this is for both of you.”

 

Favorite food?

“Ice cream sundaes,” Daniel answers and lifts Alyx’s hand to his lips. “With lots of whipped cream.” A telling blush lights up Alyx’s cheeks.

 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

 

Alyx looks at a loss for an answer, but Daniel shrugs. “Wherever Alyx is.”

 

“Oh, that’s a good answer.” She grins and adds, “Wherever I am.”

 

Their laughter is mutual and warm.
What’s next for you? 

 

“The Morning Shows,” Daniel responds without missing a beat. “Then lunch.”

 

What traits in Alyx/Daniel do you find desirable? 

 

“He makes a great ice cream sundae.” Alyx nods soberly.
“But she steals the nuts,” Daniel teases.

 

 

If you could change one thing about each other, what would it be?

 

“Nothing.” Their simultaneous answer is so swift, both actually look hesitant and then smile.

 

Is your story finished or should we expect more?

 

The pair share another long look, but it’s Daniel who answers. “Let’s just say love is a work in progress and leave it at that.”

 

“Oh, I like that!” It’s Alyx’s turn to give him a kiss and it seems as though they’ve completely forgotten the interviewer and the interview.

 

 

“Well, you heard it here, folks. And while I know my audience will agree with me, some may like it royal, but we really love Alyx and Daniel and their work in progress…”

Harlie here…Daniel still makes me swoon.  🙂

 

Enjoy the following excerpt for Some Like It Royal:

 

Three days later, he leaned back in the auditorium of the theater he’d rented for the day. His secretary’d placed an advertisement in all the papers for a casting call. They’d listed very specific qualities and appearance. He’d gone through every resume and photograph that arrived until he found Alyx Dagmar’s.

She was the only one he wanted, and she was the only one who made the cut.

He wrote the script himself. It was a bastardized version of My Fair Lady, but he didn’t care. The names and the places were all that mattered—well, and the princess in question.

The theater crew admitted her, gave her access to a dressing room and the pages she would cold read for the part. Right on schedule she walked out on the stage. He knew she couldn’t see him in the darkened theater.

Clasping his hands together, he sat back and watched as she took her spot. “Whenever you’re ready.” He called quietly, certain it would carry.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” She lifted her hand as though holding a glass up to make a toast. Dressed in the simple green strapless gown, with her glorious russet hair pinned up, she seemed as glamorous as any model. “It is time for us to remove our masks, to reveal ourselves to each other in the fine tradition of the old-world masquerade. Have you danced with a duke? Did you dine with a princess? Did you discover your true love?”

She flowed three steps toward the lip of the stage, the single spotlight highlighting the magnificent column of her throat. He held his breath. She was better than he imagined. With all the gesture of flourish she mimed the removal of a mask. Her smile lit up her face and he leaned forward.

An air of expectancy hung around her, cloaking her as her smile turned coy, secretive. The notes said she was to react to surprise with a hint of delight. But the riot of emotion she let play over her face captivated him.

With a graceful curtsy, she dipped toward the stage and her gaze roved over the audience. He could almost imagine she hunted for him in the shadows and when she paused to straighten, her chin came up. “Yes,” she said in a clear, true voice. “My name is Princess D’tente.”

It was a stupid name, he grimaced at it, but he’d wanted her to take the message in it.

“And at long last, I am reunited with my family.” She paused again, but this wasn’t in the script. Her smile faltered and fell away.

Her gaze arrowed straight at him, where he sat, arms braced on the back of the seat in front of him.

“You son of a bitch.”

Yep. That definitely wasn’t in the script.

 

bookreview

Wow, just wow!  An intelligently written book about a tried and true trope:  The forgotten royal.  I love this trope for many reasons and Ms. Long nails every reason why I do.  The heroine is smart, sexy and doesn’t have a clue about her heritage at all.  The hero isn’t a douche; yes, he has a reason why he wants her to be a true royal but he is honest from the beginning.  I know…smart thing that Ms. Long did.  Plus, the heroine agrees but makes the hero jump throw hoops in the beginning but too bad.  This is a story about how a forgotten princess and her billionaire pseudo fiancée fall in love.  Sorry but there’s no deception, no one trying to break them up or do anything stupid.

Now, I could say that I felt some similarities with the move Pretty Woman and the character of Victor but Ms. Long gave it a different spin.  Alyx, our heroine, had a presence about her; a familiarity about being a princess.  Of course, our hero, Daniel, stepped in a couple of times to remind Victor that Alyx was tired and needed a break.  *swoon*  Victor has got to be the best secondary character that I have read in a long time.  He wasn’t intrusive, mean or treated Alyx like an idiot.  When she needed someone, he was there for her; not as a teacher but as a friend.

What really drew me the characters was that actually got to know each other as people.  They got to be friends before the sex started.  As I told Ms. Long, I appreciate the fact that I was more than half way through the book before they even had sex.  Sure there is tension and build up but Ms. Long puts Daniel and Alyx in a situation that just perfect for them to finally give themselves to each other.  Trust me, when you read it, you will swoon, fist pump and wish that a lot of other authors would follow Ms. Long on this.  🙂

If you are wondering where the conflict is, trust me its there but its not what you think.  Again, Ms. Long doesn’t dumb her characters down or her readers.  Another thing about Daniel and Alyx is that in the end, these two really cared about each other and wanted it to work.

If I had one thing to gripe about…I really need to know if Alyx’s boxes will ever show up.  I felt like, for me, I needed that closure.  The picture was great that Daniel gave her but I wanted more.  Again, its just me.  I don’t know what I would do without “my stuff” like that.

Overall, buy this book.  Give it to your mother, grandmother, aunt, niece really anyone.  Its funny, sweet, sexy when needed, and Ms. Long nails a trope that many authors miss and brings heart, heat and a sense of belonging that anyone can identify with.

 

recommend-harlies- new

5harlies

 

About the Author:

National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.

 

Contact Details:

 

Website: http://www.heatherlong.net

Email: heather@heatherlong.net

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HVLong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor

Going Royal Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GoingRoyal

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18490213-some-like-it-royal

 

keep calm we are going royal

2 thoughts on “Character Intervew & ARC Review of Some Like It Royal by Heather Long

  1. I can’t wait to start reading it! As a fan (of the crazed stalker variety) of Heather Long’s Marines, I’m excited for this new series. The character interview just clinched it!

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