New Adult DNF Review: THE ACCIDENTAL SOCIALITE by Stephanie Wahlstrom

THE ACCIDENTAL SOCIALITE
Author: Stephanie Wahlstrom
Standalone
Publication date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Number of pages: 330
Date read: DNF - April
Genre: New Adult
Source: Review copy provided by YA Bound Blog Tours
Format: Ebook
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(Description source: Goodreads)

Quirky and clumsy twenty-two-year-old Paige Crawford arrives in London on a cold Saturday in January. Just when Paige starts to think that moving thousands of miles away from home with no real plan was a bad idea, Jason Frost appears. Confident and classy, Jason is the complete opposite of Paige and just what she needs in her life, or so she thinks. 

But before their romance has time to blossom, Paige trips and falls into the arms of a mysterious man on a drunken night out. She’s snapped by paparazzi, and newspaper headlines the next day suggest that she’s having an affair with a married footballer. 

Paige finds herself instantly elevated to tabloid celebrity status which isn’t exactly a picnic, particularly when trying to juggle her new job at Fashionista magazine, a catalog of dating disasters and a nagging doubt that she maybe she can’t conquer London after all. 

When a trip back to Canada for Christmas reminds Paige why she left her old life behind, she returns to London with renewed vigor realizing that while jobs, flats and men may come and go, friends in London are forever.

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Paige Crawford is twenty-two and has just up and moved from Canada to England, and is hoping to build up an amazing new life.

Things don't exactly go to plan, however, when she trips out of a club and is saved by a famous soccer player. Photos of this incident inspire rumours that Paige is having an affair with the married footballer, and propel her into the limelight...

Paige is not very lucky, especially when it comes to guys, she really doesn't have the greatest taste - Jason, for example, is an arrogant user who you somewhat would like to punch.

Paige was funny to begin with, though the pacing of her thoughts is at almost break-neck speed. Some cultural misunderstandings (Paige doesn't always understand European meanings) missed the mark for me.

The pace is too fast, Paige asks her self too many questions (constantly), and there is no real emotion shown.

This story was also told in a way that did not make for an enjoyable reading experience for me, with some parts of the narration being somewhat disturbing, and explained.

The best part of the novel (of what I read) is Paige's friendship with Lucinda, Lucinda is sweet to her from the get-go and treats her as a real friend would.

I liked the very beginning of The Accidental Socialite, but the reading experience for me quickly spiraled downwards - I won't be finishing this novel.

Did Not Finish!

Blog Tour: The Accidental Socialite by Stephanie Wahlstrom - Spotlight

THE ACCIDENTAL SOCIALITE

Author: Stephanie Wahlstrom
Standalone
Publication date: April 15th, 2014
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Number of pages: 330
Add on Goodreads








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(Description source: Goodreads)

Quirky and clumsy twenty-two-year-old Paige Crawford arrives in London on a cold Saturday in January. Just when Paige starts to think that moving thousands of miles away from home with no real plan was a bad idea, Jason Frost appears. Confident and classy, Jason is the complete opposite of Paige and just what she needs in her life, or so she thinks. 

But before their romance has time to blossom, Paige trips and falls into the arms of a mysterious man on a drunken night out. She’s snapped by paparazzi, and newspaper headlines the next day suggest that she’s having an affair with a married footballer. 

Paige finds herself instantly elevated to tabloid celebrity status which isn’t exactly a picnic, particularly when trying to juggle her new job at Fashionista magazine, a catalog of dating disasters and a nagging doubt that she maybe she can’t conquer London after all. 

When a trip back to Canada for Christmas reminds Paige why she left her old life behind, she returns to London with renewed vigor realizing that while jobs, flats and men may come and go, friends in London are forever.

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Buy The Accidental Socialite on Amazon

About the Author

Growing up in Edmonton, Canada, a significant amount of Stephanie’s time was spent making up and acting out stories. She was studying to be an actress when she realized there weren’t any parts for women being written. So, Stephanie wrote herself a short screenplay just to be in it, and quickly realized that writing was her true passion. She graduated from the University of Alberta with an English and Sociology degree and she also has a Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts from Red Deer College. After a fateful trip to Mexico in 2006, Stephanie decided to move to New York City to work in film development. A year later she went back home to write My Green House, a factual TV series. Stephanie moved to London in 2008 and aside from being obsessed with eggs benedict, fruit roll- ups and travelling, she also works in children’s television. The Accidental Socialite is her first novel.

Stephanie Wahlstrom on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7374749.Stephanie_Wahlstrom
Stephanie Wahlstrom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bacon_N_Legs 
Stephanie Wahlstrom’s blog: http://www.stephaniewahlstrom.com/#!blog/c1gwa 
Stephanie Wahlstrom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStephanieWahlstrom
Stephanie Wahlstrom’s publisher author page: http://www.myswoonromance.com/#!stephanie-wahlstrom/c5r4



PUBLISHER LINKS
www.myswoonromance.com
@swoonromance
Facebook.com/SwoonRomance

***GIVEAWAY***

1 ebook of The Accidental Socialite & $10 Amazon gift card (INT)


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Blog Tour Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour: FOR REAL by Chelsea M. Cameron

FOR REAL
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron
Series: Rules of Love (#1)
Publication date: November 14th, 2013
Publisher:  - 
Number of pages: 
Date read: November 15th, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: ARC from InkSlinger
Format: Ebook
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(Description source: Goodreads)

Two people. One fake relationship. What could go wrong?

When virgin Shannon Travers gets fed up with her friends demanding that she find a boyfriend, she enlists the help of tattooed, mohawk-rocking graphic design student Jett. He’s more than happy to play along with their Fake Relationship, including the Ten Rules of Fake Dating that control-freak Shannon comes up with. Even if he likes to violate them. Repeatedly.

But what happens when Fake Dating starts to feel… not fake anymore? Will Shannon be willing to let go and embrace the first thing in her life that’s ever felt REAL?

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I loved the sound of the novel, from the synopsis it appears cute, sexy and totally romantic - which it completely is.

Shannon Travers is twenty-one and still a virgin, a fact that doesn't really bother her much but that her friends obsess over - Shannon has just never met a guy she really seemed to click with.

One night her friends push her too far, and to finally get them off of her back about it, she makes a deal with Jett, a guy covered in tattoos who doesn't conform to the rules - especially the ones Shannon sets out for their fake relationship. 

Both are happy playing at their fake relationship which they agree will end after a month, but what happens if things start to feel real, for the first time ever, as their fake relationship's deadline draws nearer...?

Shannon does seem a little cold and quite the control freak at the beginning of For Real, however this sense soon dissipates as we get to see more of her character and learn the way she think and see how she handles situations. Her character is cautious, but still open to new things, she's smart, a little snarky and very determined.

Jett, at first, seems like he might be a nicer version of the typical tattooed bad boy with a mow-hawk to complete the look, however he is an amazing example of how looks can be deceiving - he's sweet, chivalrous and unique. Some  of the ways Jett behaves and the things he does are so completely adorable.

I actually LOVED how Shannon and Jett fell into their fake relationship and accepted each other so much, the rules and some of the things they do to make their relationship appear authentic are absolutely hilarious.

Shannon's friends really didn't look out for her and the way they treated her was deplorable at times, I really liked how Chelsea got her characters to confront this, showing readers that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and should not be put up with.

Javi was one of my favourite characters, he knew what was right and wrong, he listened to people and did what he could to help.

For Real explores different family and friendship situations - some incredibly unconventional, but all intriguing and adding to the story, explaining and, at least somewhat, justifying why some characters behave the way they do.

I recommend this novel for anyone who likes a light, easy and gorgeously romantic read - it embodies all of this, while also keeping original and dealing with different hurdles in a way that isn't too over the top dramatic.

Such a cute and adorable read, totally swoony and sweet read, For Real left a smile on my face and I am so looking forward to book two in this series.

I rate For Real Four and a Half out of Five!!!

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Author Information



Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman). She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

Her New Adult Contemporary Romance titles include My Favorite Mistake, which has been bought by Harlequin along with a sequel, Deeper We Fall and Faster We Burn (April 20, 2013)

Her Young Adult books include Nocturnal, Nightmare and Neither, the first three books in The Noctalis Chronicles. The fourth and final book, Neverend will be out in 2013. Whisper, the first in The Whisper Trilogy is also available, with the second book in the series, Silence and the final book, LIsten coming out in 2014.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

Grand prize winner receives a $100 Amazon Gift Card and Crane bracelet. 5 Runners up receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card and Crane bracelet. US Only! 

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Blog Tour: UNDERTOW by K.R. Conway

UNDERTOW
Author: K.R. Conway
Series: Undertow (#1)
Publication date: October 11th, 2013
Publisher: Conway
Number of pages: 398
Date read: November , 2013
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Source: ARC from YA Bound
Format: Ebook
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(Description source: Goodreads)

Eila Walker knows luck is not a friend, so she is downright shocked to inherit a million-dollar Cape Cod home. And yeah, her new town isn't perfect: the cheerleaders are heinous clones, the local undertow can kill ya, and her Great Grams was supposedly fried by lightning in the harbor square. Still, Eila is hopeful her luckless days are in the past . . . until history decides to repeat itself.

When drool-worthy Raef O’Reilly becomes her friendly, yet weirdly protective shadow, Eila thinks life is pretty darn perfect – until she is hauled beneath the waves by an unnatural undertow. Revealing coal-black eyes and iron-like strength as he rescues her, Raef can no longer hide what he is . . . or what she can do. Eila, last of her kind, can supposedly channel the power of human souls, while Raef is more adept at stealing them. Even worse, the legend about her ancestor isn't such a myth, since Eila’s grandmother was one kick-butt warrior until her lightning-like power backfired. A power that is written all over Eila's DNA.

Determined to stay one step ahead of a dangerous clan that is hunting her, Raef, along with three unlikely allies, will do all they can to protect her. But as hidden pieces of their brutal histories unravel, Eila begins to understand just what went down in the harbor square. 

She soon realizes that following in her grandmother’s fearless footsteps may be the only way to save those she loves . . . including Raef.

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Eila is new to Cape Cod, having mysteriously inherited a mansion that once belonged to her ancestors. She makes fast friends with some people and definitely notice how good the new guy Raef looks. But things aren't exactly as they seem - Eila's luck could never allow that...

At first, aside from dealing with a mean girl, Eila's life in the Cape is pretty good, apart from a few strange happenings, until the undertow almost claims her as a soul-less being drags her down. Raef saves her life and then proceeds to turn it upside-down by revealing an old truth about her heritage.

Eila and Raef, yeah they're supposed to be natural enemy - her channeling souls and him stealing them, instead, though, he and a few of her new friends are protecting her and helping her figure out exactly what happened to her powerful great, great (etc) grandmother back in 1850.

Eila soon learn that to save everyone, she may have to figure out how to harness her powers and follow grandma's example.

Eila was a character who I both liked and disliked. It was cool the way she would stand up to Nikki and how she was quick with a come-back. However she did seem a little melodramatic to me, accepting things rather quickly as the undeniable truth without giving herself any substantial time to think it through, her thoughts would leap from thing to thing and she would be laughing like hell while thinking really negative thought. 

She also fell into things quickly, her feelings for Raef were very insta-love-esque while she didn't seem to really learn anything much about his personality and his likes and dislike aside what what she observed.

Raef is friendly and incredibly good-looking whilst seeming to be unreadable, Kian is sarcastic and arrogant, Ana keeps everything close to her chest and M.J. is sweet, goofy and optimistic (M.J. was probably my favourite character).

Each character has secrets and mystical truths that are revealed throughout the duration of the novel. I do wish there had been a little bit deeper character development.

Shock factor was my favourite aspect of this novel, when something would suddenly happen that you don't expect and will open the doorway to the next part of the novel in a memorable way.

The paranormal in this novel was different to what I have read before, though with similar elements. There is mystery, intrigue, strange happenings and a smattering of clues to be pieced together. Danger is rife for these characters and events conspire to set the characters against a time to learn everything they can about what happened back in the 1850's, which we learn from Elizabeth's perspective in the prologue.

Each character had a unique and different back story that very much lends to the plot and is fascinating to learn.

I rate Undertow Three and a Half out of Five!!!

Buy: 

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What readers are saying:
WOrkS of FiCTioN – “All in all Undertow is a great book that not only keeps you guessing, but doesn’t let you set it down. I loved the characters and their interactions and definitely hoping for a continuation of their story.”


Reading Diva – “This series takes paranormal somewhere I haven’t been as a reader and I can’t wait to spend more time at the Cape or wherever Eila’s journey takes her. Do I recommend this book? Yes, Yes, Yes, and YES!” (TOP PICK winner)


Book Talks by the Library Lady – “I could not put this one down! Even when I needed to put it down, I had to almost immediately pick it back up. It took mere hours for me to read this entire book and I am truly ticked that Eila's next story won't be published until
July 2014. I don't want to wait for this story to continue! This is an addictive read.”

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About the Author
I have been a journalist for 15 years and serve on the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center. I also drive a 16-ton school bus because I am ENTIRELY NUTS.
In addition to working jobs that should come with a warning label , I hold a BA in Psychos (Forensic Psych), torment the tourists about Jaws, and occasionally jump from the Town Neck bridge in an attempt to reclaim my youth.
I live on Cape Cod with two smallish humans who apparently are my kids, my fishing- obsessed husband, two canines (adept at both flatulence and snoring), and a cage-defiant lovebird that sleeps in a miniature tent. Nope - that's not a type-o. The bird is quite the indoor camper.

http://capecodscribe.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212275.K_R_Conway
http://www.twitter.com/sharkprose
http://www.facebook.com/pages/KR-Conway/510814265666213

***GIVEAWAY***

2 – Signed print copies of Undertow (US only)

1 – ebook of Undertow (INT)

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Blog Tour: AZURE by Chrystalla Thoma

AZURE: Drowning In You
Author: Chrystalla Thoma
Standalone
Publicaton date: September 2nd, 2013
Publisher: - 
Number of pages: 220
Date read: November , 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Source: ARC from Itching For Books Tours
Format: Ebook
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(Description source: Goodreads)

A terrible mistake haunts college student Olivia Spencer. To escape the past, she travels to the Mediterranean island of Crete, hoping for the courage to start anew.

By the sea, she meets sexy and enigmatic Kai. But there’s more to Kai than meets the eye — and nobody wants to talk about it. The locals shun him, accusing him of magic. Kai, apparently, belongs to the sea, no matter how crazy that sounds. 

Kai isn’t free to be with her or live his own life, and this is how he will stay, unless Olivia can break his curse and save him — in doing so atoning for those she failed in the past.

NEW ADULT ROMANCE. Contains mature content. Ages 17+

AZURE (Drowning In You) is a stand-alone novel. No cliffhanger.

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The only New Adult novels I have read have been solely contemporary reads, so Azure was a very different New Adult experience, and the best I could have had branching into paranormal New Adult!

Olivia is vacationing in Crete with her friends Kirsten and Markus, and basically trying to forget her past for a while. Crete seems like an amazing escape: sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and an even more gorgeous boy, Kai.

Kai is different and gorgeous but feared and and prejudiced against by the locals, who accuse him of something that seems impossible to Olivia - magic.

Olivia is determined to learn the truth about Kai, what happened in his past to make him the way he is, why he is accused of magic and who he really is.

One answer she receives is that Kai belongs to the sea, he is cursed, and he can never be free so long as the curse is in place - Kai needs saving and Olivia has her mind set on being the one to do it, but will she be able to make up for a tragic mistake from her past?

Olivia is low on self-confidence, but full of determination, she is flawed and scared, however she doesn't let her fears or her flaws determine how she will act. Despite taking a long while to accept somethings - especially about herself - she does her best to accept others for how they really are and do what she can to make them happy.

Kai is mysterious and has so much going on, he is hot and cold at times in behaviour, but constantly smoldering in the looks department. Mystery, tragedy and seemingly magical binding surround him. He really is adorable in the way he treats Olivia when he's being himself - seriously, I want one of him for myself - he will have a smile stuck on your face as you swoon.

The magic in Azure straddles the line between being crazy superstition and real magic, written in a way that  keeps you wondering and curious. The characters have, each, a lot of hurdles in their paths, both magical and real. This novel contains tragedy, secrets, revelations, love and acceptance.

Olivia and Kai's relationship is full of overcoming obstacles, learning hard truths and accepting another person's flaws, their past and their true self.

Readers will be very happy indeed with the level of sexiness to be found in Azure, scorching hot but always tempered realistically with character reactions and conversations.

Chrystalla Thoma en-captures the magic that the ocean can hold as well as the magic of love, while writing in all different kinds of relationships people may have. I really admired the way Kirsten treated Olivia.

I love, love, love, LOVED the ending, it was seriously the most perfect way this novel could have ended.

Such an interesting novel, full of intrigue, mystery and magic, Azure is captivating - completely and utterly!

I rate Azure Five out of Five!!!

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Tour Schedule

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Greek Cypriot with a penchant for dark myths and good food. Chrystalla Thoma has proven her tendency to settle down anywhere but at home by having lived and studied in France, England, Germany and Costa Rica, before returning to Cyprus two years ago.

Chrystalla likes to write about fantastical creatures, crazy adventures, and family bonds. She lives in Cyprus with her husband and her vast herds of books. She's currently working on a few novels, including a vampire novel set in Cyprus, an epic fantasy trilogy, and a YA science fiction series.

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Blog Tour: WICKED THING by Angeline Kace

Publication date: September 26th, 2013
Publisher: Accendo Press LLC
Number of pages: 182
Date read: September 5th, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Source: ARC from InkSlinger
Format: Ebook
Add on Goodreads





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(Description source: Goodreads)

Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother's affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she's planned. She's planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity. 

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn't do relationships, he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn't live up to anyone's expectations but his own. 

When Carmyn's fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can't seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she'd planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders. 

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.

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Wicked Thing begins with a little insight into Dallas's past, before moving to present day. 
Carmyn hates not knowing what will happen, she has to have everything all planned out, but her plans go up in smoke the second she catches her boyfriend cheating on her - a thing that hurts her more than anything because she had to deal with the aftermath of her mother's infidelty to her father when she was young.

As a way to get Carmyn's mind off of her ex, Carmyn's best friend Ava convinces her to let loose and just go with it for one night as they attend a party. Carmyn does exactly that, attracting the attention of campus bad boy/ notorious womanizer, Dallas Brown.
Dallas finds Carmyn to be beyond sexy and is determined to get her to want him. They end up having a one-night stand that begins something neither of them ever expected... but will they take a chance and accept it?

Dallas... oh my god, there aren't enough words to express how amazing he is, when it comes to him, all I can think is: I want one! And I want him now!

Dallas is tall, muscular and tattooed with slightly long honey-coloured hair. He is strong, sexy and utterly sweet - he is the most gorgeous guy (and happens to secretly be quite the romantic), plus he rides a motorcycle (plus, he also happens to be very talented).
Carmyn is really quite insecure, has various hang-up, though not without reason, and is more than slightly OCD, but she is smart, kind and cares about her friends, never wanting them to hurt.

Ava can only be described as a true best friend, she tries to cheer up Carmyn whenever she's upset, but also lets her know that she's acting silly. Ava is hilarious, she spurted out some of my favourite dialogue! The characters are very well written, I'll happily admit that Dallas and Ava were my favourite. I will say that I did find some of Carmyn's actions and decision quite annoying, but she does redeem herself and there are reasons to forgive most of her actions, the rest is character development. Dallas is the most surprising character! Anyone who picks up Wicked Thing will fall for him, I'm pretty sure it's inevitable.

The plot was interesting and all the different elements really surprised me.
This story is funny, sweet, sad, romantic and totally amazing! Some twists and turns in the story-line were ones that I easily saw coming, while others took me completely by surprise, but there is nothing I would change about this novel, especially not the ending.

The last few chapters really made this novel perfect... well, the last few chapters and all the Dirty Dancing references (Dirty Dancing is totally my weakness) which so had me swooning! I'm really excited for the spin-off novel that is centered around a character named Denton, whom you will meet in Wicked Thing. After finishing Wicked Thing, I am most definitely an Angeline Kace fan! 

Ava's been trying to cheer me up all morning. She's probably getting sick of seeing me like this. "I know it hurts. But, girl, right now you need to see how much better you can do than Becker with a small pecker."

I crack and can't hold back the tiny smile. "He does have a small wiener."

"See? And you would’ve been stuck with that for the rest of your life! There are so many better guys out there. Guys who come packing." 

I rate Wicked Thing Five out of Five!

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About the Author: 

 Angeline is a Scorpio living in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and dogs. She loves all things paranormal, believes ghosts are real, werewolves aren't, and vampires? Definitely real! At least in the Vampire Born world they are. She is currently at work on her first New Adult Romance, Wicked Thing, which releases September 2013. 

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If you would like to check out the rest of this blog tour (which I highly recommend you do), you can find the other stops HERE!

GIVEAWAY: 

One lucky winner will receive a WICKED THING charm bracelet with 6 charms. They will also receive a Dirty Dancing blu-ray and some candy. This contest is international. 

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