Karina Bliss contacted me to tell me that Sandra Hyatt's posthumous last novel for Harlequin Desire will be published this week, and that she and other authors were trying to promote it for her in her memory, and to bring forth the royalty fairy for her family. I'd read Hyatt's previous book and liked it a good bit so I grabbed a copy and read it this week.
OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS. SERIOUSLY.
This book is. So. Adorable.
Remember the scenes in Some Kind of Wonderful where Watts is driving Eric Stoltz and Lea Thompson around as their chauffeur for their date, knowing the whole time that while she coaches her friend to get this girl he likes, she's costing herself her closest friend?
It's LIKE THAT.
The heroine, Danni, is the daughter of one of the palace drivers for the royal family of San Philippe, and has driven the royal family herself, since she's nuts about cars. She's been friends with the crown prince, Adam, since they were children, since she spent much of her childhood living on the palace grounds with her dad. Though Danni and Adam have grown apart as their lives have changed so much as adults, she decides to drive Adam and his date one evening when her father is not feeling up to it. Adam's looking for a wife – someone who will be princess when he takes over the throne – and the women he's set up with are just not right for him. So he asks Danni, who he knows will always be honest with him despite royal protocol, to help him out. He's got a list of requirements for his future wife, which drives Danni nuts:
“Your requirements?” Wasn't that just like him.
“For pity's sake, Adam. You do need help.”
“Not with my list or what's on it. That's nonnegotiable. I just need help with being a better me and a much better date.”
She shook her head. “You don't need help being a better you. You just have to let people see the real you, not the you you think you have to be.”
A wry smile touched his lips. “So you'll help me?”
Even if this weren't Sandra Hyatt's last book, I would want to share this with you. But knowing this is the last book of hers that we can enjoy is a sad thing indeed, because I love the characters and the wit and the story. I hope you enjoy it, too.
As usual, if you use SBTBARE at checkout, you will get a 50% eBook Bucks Rebate at AllRomance, the official sponsor of the Sizzling Book Club. The 50% rebate at AllRomance will be valid from December 1-15, 2011. You can also buy a paperback copy at Amazon, or wherever you like to go book shopping.
I'm giving away 5 print or paper copies (winner's choice) – just leave a comment. Standard disclaimers apply: I'm not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Winners must be over 18 and standing on a bucket. No shirt, no shoes, no surplus.
And, so you'll have a goal date in mind while reading: I've scheduled the book club chat for Thursday, December 22 at 9:00 pm ET.
Have a handy button to add to your calendar:
In lieu of an author Q&A, I'll be ending the chat early, but during the chat, there will be merriment and mayhem. I hope you'll pick up a copy of the book and join us for the chat. I can't wait to talk about this book with you.
I love Some Kind of Wonderful! The whole saving the friendship versus maybe ruining it. I’ll have to check this out!
if we are not standing on a bucket but over 18 can we still win?
sounds like a lovely book will be definitely checking it out.
AH HA! Hello, Kitty. I just figured out how to get my Gravatar to come up. And I did it ALL BY MYSELF. TA freakin DA already. It’s only took a week of failed attempts at it. I will celebrate by buying this book AND a copy of Some Kind of Wonderful, because that movie is awesome (Top 10 Movie Kisses of All Time Awesome). And I might get a copy of He’s Just Not That Into You (the movie), too, because I love the part where Jennifer Hudson is watching Some Kind of Wonderful and reciting all the dialog. Merry Christmas to me.
Ooh, sounds like I have to check this one out~
This does sound really sweet! I think I need to give this one a go!
This sounds like such a fun novel. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Never seen Some Kind of Wonderful (I have a huge gap in my 80s movie viewing), but the book sounds sweet. 😀
I love Some Kind of Wonderful. And it’s great that these other authors are stepping up to the plate to help bring the royalty fairy this family’s way.
I love the friends to lovers trope. I want!
I will be going out to get this book… sounds delightful…
Just got this for my Kindle and looking forward to the chat on the 22nd. See you then!
I would love to read this!
Awww, sounds like a good read.
It sounds like a good book and I’ll buy it for I like her as an author and like her books.
This sounds similar to the book reviewed here earlier – the one with the female race car driver who only has one eye or something? – but better! So, yeah, I’m in. I’d love to win a copy rather than buy one though 😉
Awww, this sounds cute! I love that movie, too!
I’m so sorry for the author’s family and friends. They’re in my thoughts.
Okay, now I want to read that one also! I really loved that scene in the movie, curious as to see how it’s similar. Good luck ladies.
This sounds like something I would enjoy. So sad to hear about this author passing away.
I’d love to try this out. Some Kind of Wonderful is one of my all-time favorite movies!
It sounds really cute. I finally got around to buying and starting Courtney Milan’s Unclaimed, just a bit too late for the chat. Maybe I’ll do better this month (though 9 pm EST is 4 am my time, so the chances that I actually take part are slim to none. At least reading it over later will be fun 🙂 )
What a great choice for the December SBTB book club. It sounds like a fun read, and knowing that I’m helping out her family by buying a copy? Even better.
You had me at Some Kind of Wonderful. OMG how I loved that movie. It made me want to learn to play drums (which I did) but I never did start wearing men’s boxer shorts.
Thanks for honoring Sandra’s book. She will be missed. (No need to enter me…I ‘ll buy a copy for sure!)
P.S. and what a lovely review!
I loved Sandra’s books and was heartbroken when I read that she passed away. Whether I win a copy or not I will be picking one up. RIP Sandra and thanks to everybody for publishing her last book
Sounds like an interesting book—-will watch out for the chat!
Ooo! This sounds awesome, and my book-buying budget is currently not so great, so a free copy would be amazing.
This looks like something I’d love to read!
I want to read this and think it’s great what you’re doing.
This looks promising. *adds to the list*
I never saw the movie but I will pick up the book to support the family and enjoy a good read.
This sounds like an awesome book!
sounds like a book I need … I love the go from friends to lovers.
Always happy to win a book here 🙂
Sounds like a really great read.
DUDE. I *love* Some Kind Of Wonderful (kissing practice/lessons! pixie-cut hair! fringed gloves! …can you tell I’m a child of the 80s?). You sold me on this book with that comparison, alone. 😀
This book sounds like great fun. Winning a copy would be a great way to celebrate that I finished my Ph.D. this semester!
Having more guy friends than girlfriends, I really love books with this kind of theme. You’ve sold me- I’ve got to read this book now. 🙂
also seems similar to the movie Sabrina (but without the champagne glass in the butt?). And Some Kind of Wonderful was so great i wanted Watt’s haircut but did you know chinese black hair is really difficult to bleach blond? it is.
Loved Some Kind of Wonderful! And the book sounds great. I’ll tweet the post, as well.
I haven’t read any of these, but would love to begin….