I’m a Tower Tithe with a Rapunzel problem. That’s not as weird as it sounds.
Ever wonder how Rapunzel survives without leaving her home? After all, someone must stock groceries, buy hair products and fix the plumbing. Witches don’t wield toilet brushes, so “Rapunzel care” becomes the job of Tower Tithes like me. Not that we choose this gig. We’re just unlucky elves who get magically chucked into servitude. Since our kind live for ages, being a Tower Tithe can drag on for thousands of years… and I’m eighteen. Yipes.
That said, it wouldn’t be too awful if I had a cool Rapunzel. No such luck.
I serve none other than Lady R, the social media sensation and sadist who lives in Manhattan’s famous Apex Towers. With the help of her manager—a witch named Jocasta—Lady R releases daily gossip videos while assigning me “torture chores.” Many tasks are designed to remind me how Lady R is the gorgeous variety of elf, while I’m beyond plain. I spend a lot of time scheming my escape.
My work pays off when an eccentric billionaire offers to magically set me free. The catch? I must move to Arizona and become his personal assistant. Needless to say, I rush for the door. Turns out, my new employer is none other than Lady R’s ex-boyfriend, Dex, a guy who was blinded in a strange accident and has since become a recluse.
In other words, I ran from my fairy tale life, but it found me again anyway.
At this point, I should head for the hills, yet I simply can’t leave Dex. For the first time, I truly feel comfortable around someone. In all honesty, it’s probably because I have self-esteem issues and Dex can’t see my bland face. Even so, it’s all good until Lady R discovers where I am. And that leads to my Rapunzel problem.
With Lady R back in the picture, can I still find my happily ever after? The truth will emerge soon enough.
Because my name is Grayson Eyre, and this is my story.
Ideal for readers who crave a mash-up between Rapunzel and Jane Eyre.
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
2. Moonlight And Midtown
3. Slippers And Thieves
4. Shifters And Glyphs
5. Bandits And Ball Gowns
6. Fire And Cinder
7. Fairies And Frosting
8. Towers and Tithes
Grab a copy HERE!
On Jane Eyre and Rapunzel
As part of the launch tour for my new book, Towers and Tithes the lovely folks at Candlelight Reading asked me to share what inspired me to combine Jane Eyre and Rapunzel in this story. So, without further ado, here’s the behind the scenes on mashing up these two tales!
It all starts with Rapunzel. I wondered how she gets groceries. Honestly, these are the kind of things that bother me. And I ponder. Mostly aloud. In my car.
In my mind, the top person who might drop off milk to a Rapunzel is her evil witch. Then I picture a witch acting as a supernatural delivery service. I don’t see that working. Plus, if shopping is off the table, then stuff like washing sheets and scrubbing toilets are impossible.
Who is helping Rapunzel? She’s locked in a freaking tower!
In the end, I decide that Rapunzel support had to be some shlub’s job. Probably an elf. I decided to call her (I don’t know why, it was always a her) a tower tithe. And since this isn’t super-glamorous work, this tithe isn’t too high up on the power ladder. Who could that be? Elves worship beauty, so maybe the tithe gets this gig because she’s plain.
At this point, a classic ‘plain chick’ story comes to mind. Jane Eyre.
Now, I’m excited. Jane Eyre is a long-time favorite novel of mine. Much like Rapunzel, I have things I love and question about the book. Jane’s inner strength is awesome. The hero, Mr. Rochester, is arguably a major turd in some key ways. And there are women in Mr. R’s history who, let’s just say, aren’t the most empowered characters in the world. To find out what I changed, you’ll have to read the book. Spoilers!
In any case, I hope that gives you an idea of how my wack-a-doo mind comes up with book ideas in general, and TOWERS AND TITHES in particular. I hope to see you on a future book tour!
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
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