Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: The Secret Lives of Royals by Shalini Dua @ShaliniDua126 @GoddessFish

The Secret Lives of Royals

by Shalini Dua

GENRE: New Adult, YA, Fantasy

BLURB:

Olivia can’t take it anymore. She’s had enough of the big city and it’s lack of fulfilling her dreams. Then, just when she’s about to give up and move home, out of the blue, she is offered her dream job. Olivia is suspicious but that could just be the New York in her. She decides not to pull at threads. Despite her best efforts to remain blissfully oblivious, the secret to her life upgrade is soon uncovered when she finds herself invited to be part of a secret society.

Olivia learns that there is a thin curtain separating our world from theirs. Just beneath the surface, an entirely different one exists. One that is controlled by those of Royal lineage. The chosen ones, the Royals, hold the fate of the world in their hands. Will Olivia be able to bear the weight of the crown?

Confessions of a Shopaholic meets The Adjustment Bureau, this contemporary fairytale is both relatable and aspirational. Taking a look at the current balance of media and power with a healthy dose of humor, fashion, food and wanderlust.

Excerpt:

Connor cleans up nicely in dark jeans, a black blazer paired with a white shirt and, shockingly for him, no tie. He’s shaved for the occasion to reveal perfect skin that appears baby smooth. I want to reach out and touch it to see if it’s as soft as it seems, but I resist. Actually, Connor is hot. If you like that smolderingly handsome type. It’s so annoying because he is such a difficult person. I try to ignore the attractiveness because I find his personality extremely abrasive, but I’m being nice because I need to follow his lead and learn as much as I can about what it is exactly that we do.

“Shall we?” asks Connor, offering me his arm in an annoyingly chivalrous move, one he will soon live to regret. I begrudgingly take it, discomfited by the fact that he can be equally charming and exasperating and that I never quite know which to expect.

…

“A host shows us to our seats and we meet our dining companions. One I recognize as Gloria, the daytime TV talk show host with the ability to change anyone’s life with a wave of her hand, and an army of assistants; and the other is some sort of political big-wig whom I don’t recognize at all. Gloria air kisses all of us and promptly decides Connor and I are a couple.

“Young love is soooooo sweet. I just love it! Don’t you just love it? I could eat you both up,” she exclaims until Connor can’t take it anymore and cuts her off.”

“We’re not together,” he informs her brusquely. There’s a beat of silence as Connor’s tone kills the conversation.

“We’re colleagues,” I helpfully add to try to soften the atmosphere, “at Le Salon.” Gloria seems shocked, and not just a little offended, momentarily silenced in what I’m sure is a very rare occurrence for her. Although, whether it’s because no one has ever cut her off before or by the way Connor seems so hostile about the fact that we are not together is not clear. I, too, do not care for Connor’s tone. To ease the tension and to bug Connor, I give her a women-in-cahoots smile and tell her, “We’re on a break,” and add in hushed tones, “Connor isn’t taking it well but since we work together, we both got roped into attending this event.” That explanation seems to satisfactorily explain Connor’s behavior and Gloria moves on to more pressing matters.

“Oh men! Who makes your dress, darling? It’s to die for!” Sophia has not briefed me on my outfit. I must remind her about that next time. I’m not clear if she works for me or vice versa and what, if any, authority I have over her, so I decide I’ll just be super nice about it but firm. My new strategy is fake it till you make it because, well, I’m not exactly sure what else to do.

“I was styled by Sophia Garcia,” I respond and leave it at that.

Gloria and Senator Broughton, as I learn, know each other from various events. They exchange pleasantries about their families, lives and pets before Gloria gets bored and turns her attention back to Connor and me.

“Tell me about your story, honey.” She seems really fascinated by ‘our story,’ which I suppose makes sense as that is what she does for a living and it’s probably hard to turn off. And I, encouraged by my first glass of wine on a relatively empty stomach, get a bit carried away and keep fabricating details.

“Well, we met in a Starbucks when we both ordered the same obscure secret menu drink.” I look fondly over at Connor. “When our fingers touched and our eyes met for the first time, I just knew.” I put my hand on his arm. Connor squirms uncomfortably and goes a bit red. I can’t tell if it’s from anger or embarrassment.

“Oh My God. What happened? You sound perfect for each other!” I wonder if Gloria always thinks she’s being filmed, presenting to a live audience. I sigh.

“We’re on a break. I got hired at Le Salon and Connor couldn’t put his professional life aside for our love.” I dab at my eyes with my napkin for effect. This is fun. Maybe I should try acting, but it’s getting to be a little too much for Connor.

He finally interjects and sort of quietly yells, “We are not together.” At this point, and I’m not sure what prompted this, I burst into full-fledged tears and then, get this, he grows redder still and tries to comfort me, probably because I’m making a scene.

Gloria eats this up, and by the time the first course, a delightful butternut squash and lobster soup spiced just right with hints of cinnamon and red pepper, is served she has become my best girlfriend and protector for the evening, giving me lots of helpful, if generic, relationship advice, like,

“You don’t need a man, darling.” Though, it’s unclear why not. And “You’ll find yourself a better man.” Although, I am pretty convinced I don’t need one at this point, and now I’m confused.”

Interview with Shalini Dua

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Secret Lives of Royals?

Olivia

In The Secret Lives of Royals, Olivia is a recent grad trying, but failing, to make it in the New York City publishing world. Until one day, out of the blue, she is offered her dream job. She soon learns the secret behind her sudden change in circumstances.

Olivia is a strong independent female who is instrumental in shaping her own future, to the extent that anyone can. She is not waiting for anyone to save her and takes charge, fighting for what she believes in. Olivia is your average food and pop-culture loving millennial.

Connor

Connor is Olivia’s boss. It’s hard to ignore how hot Connor is but you kind of want to because he is incredibly serious and slightly abrasive in his manner. He is good at his job as an Editor of the magazine, Le Salon, where they both work. Olivia wishes he’d chill out, just a tad.

Alex

Alex Windsor is Olivia’s ex-boyfriend. As arrogant as he is charming,

Alex is a bit of a playboy. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he doesn’t take things too seriously.

Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?

I am working on a follow up to this novel. I’m also working on an entirely different novel about a circus. I’m playing with the idea for a tv series and I’m compiling a collection of my poetry.

How long would you say it takes you to write a book?

It took about a year to write and a second year to edit.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Alice in Wonderland

If you could spend the day with one of the characters from The Secret Lives of Royals who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.

I’d spend the day with Collette. Olivia’s maternal aunt is fabulous, fashionable and has really lived life. I’d love to hear stories of spending her days amongst the royals, go shopping with her so that I can emulate the amazing way she dresses, learn more about her life and pick up tips on how to be more like her.

What was the hardest scene from The Secret Lives of Royals to write?

I enjoyed writing this book. It was fun to imagine what royal parties must be like and where royals hang out when they are with their friends. I loved writing about the royal ball and watching Olivia discover this world as we discover it along with her. I also had fun letting Olivia’s romance blossom and I was equally conflicted between the two men in her life. Choosing who she would end up with was the hardest part for me.

What made you want to become a writer?

I actually didn’t want to be a writer. I was more interested in visual mediums as I come from a long line of artists. My Dad is great at sketching and painting so, naturally, I thought I’d inherited the talent, but when I tried my hand at painting, it turned out that particular skill had skipped a generation. I’ve always written so I started to develop that muscle as a creative outlet and once I started I couldn’t stop pouring out the ideas rattling around in my head.

Just for fun

(a Favorite song: Thick as Thieves by Dashboard Confessional

(b Favorite book: Wuthering Heights and Alice in Wonderland

(c Favorite movie: La La Land and Two Weeks Notice

(d Favorite tv show: Gilmore Girls

(e Favorite Food: Mac and cheese or tacos

(f Favorite drink: Prosecco

(g Favorite website: Astro Twins horoscopes

Thanks so much for visiting with us today! 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

An international upbringing and a love of stories laid the foundation for wanderlust. Shalini aspires to spend her time country-hopping and consuming pop-culture, comedy and good food but the reality is often frantically downing coffee, meeting deadlines at exactly the last second and working her unglamorous corporate job to fund all of the other pursuits.

The Secret Lives of Royals is Shalini’s debut novel. Her other work includes published poetry and scripts only she has read.

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BUY LINKS:

Amazon ~ iBooks

Giveaway:

$50 Amazon/BN GC

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