How to Summon a Fairy Godmother - (Fairies and Familiars) by Laura J Mayo (Paperback)

About the Book

"Lady Theodosia Balfour has certainly gotten the short end of the stick-her stepsister, the newly crowned Princess Beatrice, is telling everyone in polite society that Theo, her sister, and their mother are evil, wicked, and horrid people who treated her like a slave. Though Theo knows this isn't exactly true, it seems her life is thoroughly ruined by the rumor. With the Balfour family estate on the verge of bankruptcy, Theo's only path forward is a forced betrothal to the Duke of Snowbell, a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare for spare heirs. Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother, one that supposedly helped her stepsister secure a prince. After discovering a way to summon a fairy in Beatrice's old room, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn't at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous, incredibly cunning, and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in gathering powerful favors and smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic for humans in a bind. Before she receives magical assistance, Cecily sets Theo to three tasks, seemingly to prove that Theo is a selfless and kind person. Helping her along the way are Cecily's familiars, the flirty human-turned-mockingbird Phineas and the aloof Kasra, a fox shapeshifter who should not be as handsome as he is for someone with such cutting remarks. As Theo works on her tasks, she shockingly finds kinship with the magical creatures she's helping, and starts to wonder if a continued life among her human peers is what she really wants after all"--

Book Synopsis

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy...

Lady Theodosia Balfour is screwed--with the Balfour estate on the verge of bankruptcy, and Theo's royal stepsister spreading wicked rumors about her, Theo's only path forward seems to be a forced betrothal to a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare.

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother. And after discovering a way to summon one, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn't at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic to humans. Now, Theo must prove she's good to gain Cecily's trust (and magic), but proving goodness doesn't seem to be all that easy. In fact, it all seems to be rather ridiculous...

"This was an absolutely refreshing spin on the Cinderella mythos and one of the best debut novels I have read in years!!!!" - David Redbird, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I can't remember the last time I was so in love with a story and all its characters. Do yourself a favor and read this book!" - Jamie Brandenburg, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Such a fun book! I ate this up in less than 24 hours." - Hannah Rowan, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I need the next one already!" - Karina Toldedo, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I couldn't put this book down! I loved this story of what happened after Cinderella's happily ever after, to her "evil" stepsister, Theo. I can't wait to read the next installment!" - Leesa Tarter, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I think this book will be making my list of top 5 reads of the year! This was such a funny, heartwarming story, so clever and inventive, and perfect for all lovers of fairytale retellings! This is Laura J. Mayo's debut and I am so impressed!" - Sarah Asnaashari, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the Author

In addition to being a two-time winner of her town's annual pie contest, Laura J. Mayo is also a fantasy writer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, their two children, a dog named Birch, and a ball python named Smoky. Unsurprisingly, many of Laura's other interests are solitary, including reading, sewing, cooking, baking, admiring her air plants, and getting figuratively lost in deep, dark woods. How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is her debut novel.