Like a Charm by Candace Havens ISBN: 9780425219263
Kira Smythe never thought she'd end up back in her hometown of Sweet, Texas. But now that her high-powered job, along with her five-year plan, have gone right out the window, she's back where she started, staying with her hippie, tofu- obsessed parents-except that somehow she's inherited the local library. At least there's a gorgeous guy in town who seems quite smitten with her. So what if he's got a few secrets up his sleeve? After all, Kira's got her own secrets. Like the dead people who won't stop talking to her. Or the magical books on the shelves. Or the fact that someone who's very much alive seems determined to push her over to the other side.
Welcome to the preview of my book, LIKE A CHARM. I hope you enjoy reading it each day. At the end of the week I will be giving away an ARC of my upcoming book, "The Demon King and I", and a copy of "Charmed & Ready". I look forward to any comments or questions you may have this week about LIKE A CHARM. -- Candy
When I saw your book was chosen for this week's read I just HAD to pop in and say hello to you!
Haven't seen you in a while at the book clubs and such between your busy schedule and mine but I hope all is well. Looking forward to you emceeing at the Richardson Literacy Tea again this year. Don't forget the tiara!
Kelley!
Woot! It's great to see you here! Every time you guys have book club I'm out of town. :-) That happens a lot lately. I'm looking forward to the Buns and Roses tea too. I need someone to remind me about my tiara. I forgot last time.
Wow! I've been trying these sample reads for a while and this one really caught my eye. I read this romance stuff sometimes because I just want to have fun with a book. Need a break from all the serious stuff that I'm required to read. Seems like a really creative premise and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here. Do your other books have this element of magic in them? You are a new author to me and I will have to look for more of your work. Look forward to the rest of the week.
I'm dying to read Like a Charm and am not reading the excerpts here because I want to read it in one fell swoop. You know how much I loved Charmed and Ready and have been waiting for this book for what feels like forever.
I'm glad we get a chance to preview your book this week. I've had your name pop up in those "if you like this author you should read. . ." etc. and your books all sound good and exactly the kind I like to read but as of yet I haven't had a chance to read any. I am really looking forward to reading this weeks excerpt!!! Thanks for being a part of the book club.
Candace -
I can't wait to read the installments of your book this week. I live in a small town in Texas, so I can't wait to read about Sweet, TX.
:-)
Racheal
Thanks so much for hanging out with me this week. I'm here if you have any questions about LIKE A CHARM. I will tell you it's a prequel to my Charmed & Dangerous, Charmed & Ready and Charmed & Deadly, which are about a powerful witch who protects the British Prime Minister. The witch is Bronwyn and when she's not traveling the world, she has a home in the magical, small town of Sweet Texas. That's where she met Kira, who is the star of Like A Charm. She's a lawyer who becomes a psychic librarian. I have to tell you that I love writing about this world. I mean LOVE IT. I want to live in Sweet. :-)
Anyhoo. I'm here and you can ask me anything about books or writing.
I just got done reading the preview to your book. Normally I'm not a big fan of romance and the supernatural mixing, but so far so good. I can't wait to read the rest of the chapters this week. When will she meet the guy? Can't wait!!!
Jessica,
I don't know if it will make a difference to you, but I don't know if my books are considered so much romance as books that have romantic elements. Though I admit Like A Charm is probably a little more romantic than the rest. I hope you'll check them out! :-)
So far the excerpts have been very good. I am looking forward to finishing this book and reading your future ones Candace. I love this type of genre and seems I have found a new author.
I can usually tell if I am going to like a book by reading the first few pages. After reading it these past few days it is a good start! I think I will enjoy reading this book.
It's tough for me not to write about magic. I like the idea of mystical forces at work. With Bronwyn, I wanted to write a really powerful woman, who had together, except in the love department. She can do all these wild things with her magic, but she can't figure out men.
I don't know about you guys, but I'd love to have super powers. :-) Though, I have a tough time deciding which ones. I think maybe I'd like to fly. How about you?
I agree. Flying would come in handy. I hate flying on airplanes. Being able to fly myself would be fabulous.
But the super power I'd really like to have is the one that allowed me to make food vanish (calories and all) somewhere between the moment I swallow it and the moment it appears on my hips.
Love the Bronwyn books. I can't wait for The Demon King and I.
I bought this book eons ago (well when it first came out) and have now gone to read it twice to discover it missing. Apparently my MIL needs her own copy of Candy's books. So future note to self - double buys.
As a fellow DARA member, you know you've got my support. I've read and loved all your books thus far, and can't wait for the Demon King and I. I highly recommend all your books to everyone I know. They are a great read; you can't go wrong with one of Candy's books. They are FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
You know, I bought this book eons ago and have now gone to read it twice to discover it missing. Apparently I'm going to have to start buying two of all of your books so my MIL has her own copy. ;-)
I hope you have a blast hanging out today. I'm actually playing hooky from school, so don't tell anyone, okay?? *grin* For anyone still interested in reading and/or buying Like A Charm I have to say, it was a wonderful read! You always deliver in the excitement department and this book is no exception. Hope you have fun today and I look forward to seeing you again soon!
I'm eager to read more about your new book, I'm already intrigued. BUT, my question, since I live in Texas, is: where can I get the food from the Charmed series? I can't read one of your books without needed to eat something juicy or fried afterward! So, where's your favorite place to eat Chicken Fried Steak?
First of all, thank you Dru, Nikki, Kathy, Mary and Cyndi for all the kind comments. You guys know how to make a girl's day.
Now on to Barbara's question about the food.
Good chicken fried steak is easy to find where I live in North Texas. Two of my favorite places are Up in Smoke, which is well known for it's bbq, but can cook a pretty mean cfs, but the best cfs I've ever had in my life was at Reatta in downtown Fort Wort their cracked pepper cream gravy and that huge cfs, is just to die-for. (I'm also in lust with their Jalapeno and Cheddar Grits. I'm going to have workout just because I thought about them.) :-)
You know, in the Bronwyn books, she's always eating. Those glazed sugar cookies, well, I can't be within a mile of them or I'll eat the box.
Is there a food that does that for you guys? Something you can stay away from no matter how hard you try?
Just wanted to say, again, how much I love the covers of your books -- especially the new mass market editions of your Charmed Series.
Now about cfs's...I attended a wedding reception at Riatta. No, we didn't have chicken fried steak, but the food and the ambience were to die for. I have tried several cfs's and I always wish the gravy had a little more kick. Have you tried the one at The Smokestack Restaurant? It's out in the middle of nowhere, somewhere over there West of you. The gravy is sweet. Odd, but interesting.
The other items on my list, alas, are not easy to find in Texas -- perhaps that's why I love them so.
Keep up the good work! Much success on your latest release!
Loved Like a Charm, and now your new release looks really good, Candy. When does it come out? You'll have to come to our book club again, and we can talk about it, ok?
Juliet
Thanks so much for asking about the new book. The Demon King and I is a new series that begins Nov. 4, 2008. It's about four very wealthy sisters who protect our world from other worlds. They are called Guardian Keys and they have incredible powers to fight Demons, Dragons, Fae and other creatures that want to take over Earth. Most of the world believes these are party girls who live their life in the limelight, but if they only knew. :-)
Have been reading the installments from your book this week. Have already went on line to look for it in my library.
I will go to the bookstore this afternoon to pick it up. Thought you were new but after reading the messages I've decided to look for all your books. I really like romantic comedy and the magic thrown in also is perfect for me. We all wish we had magical powers and I am looking forward to finding mine with your books.
I don't know about you guys, but I've been engrossed in the hurricane coverage. I have a lot of family and friends in Houston. Think good thoughts for them. My husband is also headed south with this job and I'm worried about him too.
I wanted to thank all of you for hanging out with me this week. I had a wonderful time. I give away books on both of my blogs which you can get to through my website www.candacehavens. Sometimes my books, sometimes other authors. I also teach free writing classes, also available through the website.
