Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, Book 2) [Library Binding]

Shanna Swendson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

Click your heels three times and say,
“There’s no place like Bloomies!”

Katie Chandler’s life is pure magic–literally. As an executive assistant at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., she’s seen more than her share of fantastical occurrences. A mere Manhattan mortal, Katie is no wizard, but she’s a wiz at exposing “hokum” pocus, cloaked lies, and deceptive enchantments. And she’s fallen under the all-too-human spell of attraction to Owen, a hunky wizard and coworker. Owen, however, is preoccupied. Someone has broken into his office and disrupted top-secret files, and it reeks of an inside job. CEO Merlin (yes, the Merlin) and taps Katie and her special ability to uncover the magical mole.

Keeping her feelings in check while sleuthing alongside Owen, Katie is shocked to discover that her immunity to magic is waning, putting her in grave danger. Soon she’s surrendering to the charms and enchantments of everyone and everything around her, including a killer pair of red stilettos. Katie must now conjure up her natural instincts to get to the bottom of the break-in, regain her power, and win the wizard of her dreams.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The winning follow-up to Enchanted, Inc. (2005) finds Katie Chandler, a young woman immune to magic, working at the epicenter of New York City's magic community as Merlin's personal assistant. When Owen Palmer, the sexy wizard Katie's been secretly swooning over, reports that a spy has been in his office, Merlin puts Katie on the case to discover the identity of the traitor. It's no small task, and Katie is distracted by the arrival of her parents, who have flown up from Texas to see how their daughter is faring in the big city. Katie is upset to learn that her mother is also immune to magic, and can see all the strange goings-on in the Big Apple. To make matters worse, Katie is shocked to find that she's losing her own magical immunity, which she fears will jeopardize her position and hamper her ability to identify the spy. Swendson's smart, snappy novel will delight fans that loved the first installment, and win over new readers, too. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

“Bridget Jones, move over. . . . Fantasy for the Buffy, Sabrina and Bewitched crowd.”
–armchairinterviews.com

“Once Upon Stilettos is not to be missed if you’re in the mood for a fast and funny read, where chick-lit meets urban fantasy.”
–Mary Jo Putney, author of A Kiss of Fate

“A delightful urban fairy tale . . . what more could a girl ask for?”
–Patricia Rice, author of Small Town Girl --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417693169
• ISBN-13: 978-1417693160
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,049,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shanna Swendson writes humorous contemporary fantasy for Ballantine Books and pop culture essays for BenBella Books. She's the author of Enchanted, Inc., Once Upon Stilettos, and Damsel Under Stress, and has contributed to Flirting With Pride and Prejudice, Welcome to Wisteria Lane, So Say We All and Serenity Found. When she's not writing, she's usually discussing books and television on the Internet. She's a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. Visit her web site at www.shannaswendson.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun and witty read., May 1, 2006

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, Book 2) (Paperback)

Katie Chandler is an executive assistant at Magic, Spells, & Illusions, Inc. "MSI" in Manhattan. Even though she is mortal, she works for some very important beings, such as Merlin the Magician. Merlin is the CEO of the company. Katie is one of the few people that magic cannot work on. She is an Immune. Now that she has worked with the company for awhile, she has seen all sorts of magical creatures and almost nothing bothers her anymore. Merlin has Katie read over contracts before he signs, just in case the contract has an enchantment on it to cloak some sections. Being an Immune, Katie can see the real words and let her boss know if a scam is being pulled.

Recently someone has broken into Owen's office and disrupted some very top secret files. Katie is assigned the task of finding out who the company spy is. This gives her a great reason to be around Owen. However, considering that Owen does not seem to be as interested in Katie as she is in him, it can be frustrating at times. In addition, Katie's parents are coming to town for a week. Katie must keep them from finding out what MSI really does and keep them entertained so they won't try to make her leave New York with them. NOT so easy since Katie's mother seems to be Immune too. How will Katie convince her mother that she is not really seeing fairies, gnomes, and gargoyles?

Katie soon discovers that her immunity to magic is waning! The spy has magical beings attacking Katie and she can no longer see what is coming. Even with backup, Katie may not live to see Christmas.

**** The first book "Enchanted, Inc." set up the whole magical and human environment. This book continues where it left off. If you have not read the first book, you will not find yourself lost in this story. However, if you read this one and expect to read the previous book at a later date, you may find yourself disappointed with the first. Author Shanna Swendson has done a terrific job combining fantasy and modern contemporary, and a touch of humor. I found myself giggling like a small child at parts, even as I tried to figure out who the spy within the company was. A fun and witty read! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanted shoes, enchanting book, April 28, 2006

By 

Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, Book 2) (Paperback)

Hyped as Bridget Jones meets Harry Potter, this book delivers as a "chick lit" book with lots of magic set in New York. Allusions to fairy tales--from enchanted frogs to Cinderella spells--abound. The main character Katie searches for love in the strange, big city while dealing with her immunity to magic, a trait that has landed her a cushy job with MSI, a company that produces magic spells for mass consumption to the magical world. The mystery focuses on corporate espionage and Katie's mysterious loss of her immunity when she needs it the most. While many threats abound, none are overly frightening or graphic. As Katie herself says, there's more mustache twirling from the villain than any truly scary threats. The sexual tension is just as lighthearted and Katie achieves nothing more than a few good kisses in the book; there's no graphic sex for teen readers. This novel makes great summer reading when anything more serious might ruin your day.

While this book is a sequel to Swendson's "Enchanted, Inc.", it can be read alone without much confusion, although I recommend reading both books in order to get the full effect of the world Swendson has created. Swendson's working on a third book in the series, so expect more adventures from Katie, Owen, Merlin and the rest.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another I-can't-put-it-down installment, May 9, 2007

By 

A Busy Reader - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, Book 2) (Paperback)

I'm glad that this series from Shanna Swendson is proving to be solid. I was very pleased to have another book I couldn't put down. Katie Chandler is deep into her work as MSI. Unfortunatly, company secrets at leaking out, leading to the assumption that a spy has either infiltrated the company, or one of their own loyal employees has turned against them. Katie's special talents will help to solve the puzzle, unless that traitor can get to her first.