Let It Snow Books: Interview with Rachel Astor + Giveaway

Welcome to Day 13 of Let it Snow Books 2012, where for the next week you have the chance to read some really fun holiday posts from some of your favorite authors, both here and at Ex Libris.

Today, we welcome author Rachel Astor here at Books to Brighten your Mood with a festive post and you will have the chance to win a copy of Sugar Rush, one of the sweetest, literally, books I have read in a long time! It's not only that Rachel's story is so sweet and romantic you won't be able to put the book down, but it also made my mouth water with all those amazing sweets and cupcakes!
Here's my review of Sugar Rush:

Sugar Rush is one of the sweetest and cutest stories I read this year! I mean this book is so sweet that I dreamt of cupcakes the whole time while reading it! Well ,the fact that cupcakes and other various candies were mentioned the whole time didn't ...Read the rest of the review here.

-Since this whole event is about the Best Books we read in 2012, could you share with us some of your favorite titles you read this year?
Rachel: Lately I’ve been drawn to books that tend to mix genres… a little romance, a little mystery, and a lot of amazing writing. The two books that really stood out that I read this year were Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Diviners by Libba Bray.

-Christmas/the holidays wouldn't be the real deal without...
Rachel: …family and amazing food.

-Do you have any favorite holiday themed stories (movies or books)?
Rachel: Christmas Vacation was always a staple at home. Sad, I know, but true. :o)

-Could you share with us your favorite holiday meal/dessert/candy?
Rachel: My mom always made Candy Cane Cookies that were white and red dough weaved together and formed into a candy cane shape. Christmas just isn’t the same if they’re missing.

-What’s one of the best gifts you ever received/gave for Christmas?
Rachel: My engagement ring.

-You’re holiday shopping, name a few things you’ll buy this year.
Rachel: Lots of sweets and goodies, clothes, bath oils, and with two pre-teen/teen kids, there will certainly be games and electronics.

-Could you tell us which is Nick's favorite cupcake for Christmas?
Rachel: Hmmm… Nick would probably come up with the Naughty or Nice cupcake, a dark spiced gingerbread cupcake with a whipped cream cheese icing and a sprinkle of decorator’s sugar for a snowy sparkle.

-What will Candy Land Confections serve for Christmas this year?
Rachel: Dulcie would probably serve up lots of fun stuff for Christmas including a White Chocolate Candy Cane Bark, an Eggnog Fudge, and of course, one of the stars of Sugar Rush, The Snowstorm.

-Do you prefer an angel or a star on top of your tree?
Rachel: Definitely a star.

-What would you ask Santa to bring you this year?
Rachel: Christmas is really all about spending time with family and friends, and making sure the kids have a magical day, so I guess I’d ask for safe weather, lots of laughs, and of course not to gain five pounds (though this is pretty doubtful)!

Thank you Rachel for being here today and Happy Holidays!

About the author

Rachel grew up on a little farm outside a tiny town in the middle of the wide open Canadian prairie, which is good, since when she travels, she gets a little claustrophobic when there’s too much landscape looming over her. She lived with her parents and three sisters; an older, a younger, and a twin, in a house with only one bathroom.

She still lives on the prairie, but now it’s with her husband and two stepsons (and thankfully, two bathrooms), and has constant girl stuff withdrawal.

Rachel has had a lot of jobs, but none quite as interesting as when she waitressed at a bar named after a dog.

She writes light, fun books that she hopes put smiles on reader’s faces.

Visit Rachel

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

About the Book:
Title: Sugar Rush
Author: Rachel Astor
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Bliss)
Length: 158 pages
Release Date: August 25th 2012
Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads

There’s nothing quite like your first bite.

Dulcie Carter has been running her family’s homemade sweet shop, Candy Land Confections, on her own since her mom passed away. But business is slow and rent is high, so Dulcie knows if she wants to keep her mom’s dream alive, she’ll need a miracle. Winning the annual Assembly of Chocolatiers competition will change everything, if only she can overcome her fears and bring herself to create something new for the first time in a long time.

Then she meets Nick, a molten-hot guy with a sexy smirk and chocolate brown eyes. The attraction is stronger than any sugar rush—until she discovers he’s set to inherit his family’s big-box candy shop in town, which is her strongest competitor for first prize. Nick’s got his own reasons for needing the win, but then being around Dulcie is proving addictive.

As the competition heats up, so do the sparks between them. Can they keep their sights on winning, when love might be the sweetest prize of all?

~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rachel has generously offered an e-book of Sugar Rush to one lucky commenter. (Open Internationally.)All giveaways end on January 5th.

~Fill the form below to enter ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Sugar Rush by Rachel Astor

Sugar Rush by Rachel Astor

Publication Date:August 25th 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Bliss)

ebook, 158 pages

Useful Info: Goodreads, Author's Website

There’s nothing quite like your first bite.

Dulcie Carter has been running her family’s homemade sweet shop, Candy Land Confections, on her own since her mom passed away. But business is slow and rent is high, so Dulcie knows if she wants to keep her mom’s dream alive, she’ll need a miracle. Winning the annual Assembly of Chocolatiers competition will change everything, if only she can overcome her fears and bring herself to create something new for the first time in a long time.

Then she meets Nick, a molten-hot guy with a sexy smirk and chocolate brown eyes. The attraction is stronger than any sugar rush—until she discovers he’s set to inherit his family’s big-box candy shop in town, which is her strongest competitor for first prize. Nick’s got his own reasons for needing the win, but then being around Dulcie is proving addictive.

As the competition heats up, so do the sparks between them. Can they keep their sights on winning, when love might be the sweetest prize of all?

Sugar Rush is one of the sweetest and cutest stories I read this year! I mean this book is so sweet that I dreamt of cupcakes the whole time while reading it! Well ,the fact that cupcakes and other various candies were mentioned the whole time didn't help me with my diet, that's for sure :)

But, even if candies weren't mentioned every now and then, still, Sugar Rush would be a super sweet and cute read. Hands down!

First of all, it was refreshing amidst the erotica chaos, were every single romantic title has its protagonists having some sex from the very first chapters, to finally read one that the sex is only implied. I didn't realise how accustomed I had become to sex scenes until I read this book. It kind of reminded me that if the author is up to the task, there's no need for a book to be sexy to be bombarded by sex scenes. And granted, Sugar Rush may not have any descriptions of steamy hot scenes, but still, it's sexy in it's own way. And for that, I loved it all the more.

The other thing I really loved about this one is the fact that plot is surrounded by soooo much chocolate! I'm a chocolate addict myself and this book combined two of my loves in one single package: chocolate and romance. I mean is there any other more perfect setting for a romantic story than that of a candy store? I was a goner before I even started reading this story!

I really loved Dulcie and Nick, the two protagonists, how they interacted and how their romance unfolded. Granted, the actual plot of the book might not be that original but the setting definitely makes up for it! On the other hand, Dulcie's grandmother and Nick's father weren't my most favorite characters of the book, but even so, I think that they added to the whole narration. The character development is pretty good, although I would have loved for Nick to be a little bit more explored. I kind of feel that I don't know him as good as Dulcie and I definitely needed some more background. But even so, Sugar Rush was one of those books that as soon as I started reading it I just couldn't put it down.!

All in all, Sugar Rush is a super sweet and cute read you shouldn't miss the opportunity reading. Even if it is for the creativity of some of the candies described :) You'd be pleasantly surprised, believe me!

 

* This title was provided for review via NetGalley