Keeping Her Release Day Launch

YAY Keeping Her (Losing It #1.5) is officially out today! *Throws confetti* As a huge lover of Garrick and Bliss I'm so excited to be part of the release day launch!

Goodies you'll find in this post:

• The first chapter of Keeping Her
• Some Garrick POV from Losing It
• My review of Keeping Her
• A giveaway!

Synopsis:

"Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it."

First Chapter of Keeping Her & Losing It Garrick POVs

Preview Package: Cora Carmack's KEEPING HER by AvonBooks

Review

Firstly, thanks to William Morrow Books/HarperCollins Publishers for this eARC <3

Date Read: August 7th 2013
Release Date: August 13th 2013
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins Publishers)
Source: ARC (via Edelweiss)
Genre: Contemporary
My rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

“You make me happy.” 

Keeping Her definitely is at the top of my list for being one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. As a huge fan of Carmack’s debut, Losing It, this follow-up novella to Bliss and Garrick’s story is one I’d been pining for since the end of Losing It really… And when Carmack announced that she’d be writing this novella to give us a glimpse into their “happily-ever-after” I was jumping for joy. After finishing this, all I can say is: ALL THE FEELS AND I NEED MORE!

More than a year after Bliss and Garrick’s meeting, it’s time for Bliss to meet the parents and be introduced to Garrick’s life before he arrived in the States. Which means Keeping Her is set in London, England and I just imagined everybody speaking with an English accent which was incredibly hot and I just really want to go to London more than ever now. To say that Garrick’s life prior to moving to the US was different is an understatement.

Bliss Edwards is one of the funniest, most relatable MCs I’ve ever read and I just love the voice Carmack’s created for her. I adore her clumsiness and the way she thinks – her freak-outs are hilarious and very relevant in the light of events. Her insecurities were something I could really relate to and portrayed realistically. She’s definitely matured since Losing It, allowing herself to feel a lot more rather than analysing everything – all thanks to Garrick. I loved how she’s still got that little streak of over-analysis in her though as it’s what makes Bliss who she is.

“Wait… did they have stairs? I should have made him detail it all for me. Maybe I should wake him up and ask him now about the stairs. And for a description of the entire house.” 

*Swoons* Garrick Taylor omg being in his head is AWESOME! Seeing and FEELING his love for Bliss just moved me so much. Oh oh oh and he talks dirty and it’s insanely hot. Most other books I read, guys talking dirty sometimes gets a cringe from me but from Garrick it was so sexy. I think the beauty of that is because he doesn’t do it all the time, Carmack doesn’t exploit it so when he does say those things, it’s a shock and very exciting to see this other side to him. And going on from that I’m bowing down to Carmack for not using any swearing to make her point that it’s a guy POV. I get so annoyed when books (especially “new adult”) with male POVs have excessive swearing or crude/vulgar language like they have to make a point that guys need to swear to appear masculine/manly. NO JUST NO. There are heaps of great guys out there that don’t swear every 5 seconds. So thank you Cora Carmack for not doing that with Garrick’s POV. I’ll admit I wondered what his thoughts would be like and although there is some profanity it’s not excessive and I really felt like I was in Garrick’s head.

“I never would have thought I could feel such peace while my heart hammered and my skin burned, but that’s what she brought me.” 

Despite Keeping Her only being a novella, I thought Carmack delivered the plot perfectly. The challenges of meeting the future in-laws, the difference in lifestyles, the worries of whether Garrick’s family/friends would accept Bliss, problems that Garrick and Bliss would face themselves in the future. They all fit comfortably in the 100 pages. But left me wanting for more *sigh* I was also happy to see Carmack’s writing had improved. While Losing It had great writing style, there were some inconsistencies with flow, but I think those got smoothed out in Keeping Her. Also, any author that manages to incorporate multiple Harry Potter references and use them as snark is a winner in my eyes.

“You’re right. Realistically, I’m a Ravenclaw.” 

Now all I have to say is… WHY COULDN’T THIS BE A WHOLE BOOK? Oh wait Carmack would probably have to put them through some angst/turmoil which my feels probably wouldn’t have been able to handle BUT STILL I want more Garrick *sobs*

“I could imagine each one of them wrapped up in their thoughts, contemplating their dreams, falling in love, getting news that changed their entire world.”

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Buy Keeping Her

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Her-LOSING-Novella-ebook/dp/B00CD36FHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376267729&sr=8-1&keywords=keeping+her+cora+carmack

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/keeping-her-cora-carmack/1115290735?ean=9780062299260&itm=1&usri=keeping+her+cora+carmack

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About Cora

 Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Find her at the following places:
Blog: http://coracarmack.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CoraCarmack
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoraCarmackBooks



Publisher Links:
William Morrow Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WmMorrowbks
William Morrow Twitter: https://twitter.com/WmMorrowBks

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Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Tale of Two Centuries Release Day Launch

YAY today is the release day for A Tale of Two Centuries, book 2 in Rachel Harris' My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century series :D I can't wait for y'all to meet Less and Austin. And of course there are cameos from a few lovable characters (;

*Throw confetti* HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY RACHEL <3

A Tale of Two Centuries

Synopsis:
"Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?"

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Excerpt 

(Yes you guys get another one in addition to the one from the cover reveal because Rachel is so awesome :3)

Without stopping or even slowing his stride, he grabs a map from a vendor and flips it open. “So Lethal Xperience is at the back of the park. We’ll hit that first and then make our way up to the front.” 

He seems unaware that the length of his legs far exceeds my own. As I frantically attempt to match his stride, I must pant or wheeze because he finally looks down at me, no doubt pink-faced and wide-eyed both from the sensory overload surrounding us and my huffing at a near jog to stay beside him. He grins. “Try to keep up, Short Stuff.” 

I grit my teeth with determination and somehow keep myself from muttering, Yes, Master. But the thought still makes me smile. Cat must be rubbing off. 

We pass a circular ride filled with fake horses going up and down. Giggling and drooling children clap their adorable hands from their belted saddles while a spirited tune blares overhead. Just past that is a miniature roller coaster made to look like a giant, happy centipede. The child in the front seat waves to his mother as the cart dips, and his squeal of joy tails behind him. It’s too bad that not all roller coasters can be five feet tall. 

Then I get a wicked idea. 

Austin believes I am a child, naive and boring, and, it would seem, without any humor. This second challenge is supposed to be about fun, and nothing—not even the lead role in a prestigious play with a crowd of a thousand—will give me more joy than turning the tables on him, even if only for a moment. 

Looking back at the children’s ride, I grab Austin’s elbow and say innocently, “Is this not the roller coaster you are looking for?” 

He stops rather abruptly and peers at me through squinted eyes. “You know, it’s like you look normal…” He trails off and shakes his head. He points a long tan finger at the centipede ride and in a tone dripping with condescension explains, “Less, Arthropod Picnic is a kiddie ride. It’s made for pint-size ankle-biters ages three and under.” 

I try my best to look disappointed. I do everything I can to contain my mounting delight. But after no more than a few brief moments, I let forth a victorious giggle. 

Realization dawns on his face. “You think you’re funny, huh?” 

When I nod, he chuckles. He leans back on his heels and lets his gaze travel over my body. Humor dissipates as my skin prickles to life. On Austin’s slow ascent back up, he pauses to look me in the eye and an emotion crosses his face. It’s so fleeting—gone and there in an instant—that I cannot catch it. 

“So, you think you’re ready to play at the big girl table now.” The left side of his mouth kicks up in a grin. “We’ll just have to see about that.” 

The apparent taunt and Austin’s added wink spur me on. 

This is my chance to prove to him that I’m not the timid girl I once was. To prove to myself that I’m no longer the child of my youth but a woman ready for the future. 

I sashay toward a person dressed as a shiny nugget of gold posing for pictures with children, feeling Austin watching me, his gaze on my every step like a physical touch. My legs feel wobbly under my skirt, but an energizing spark ignites in my blood. I glance over my shoulder, confirming I have his complete attention, and then with an outward shrug (and an inner dance), I reply with every ounce of confidence I can muster, “Yes. We will.” 

Austin’s smile widens. The sounds and patrons of the park fade away, and it is as if we are the only two around. I don’t know what is happening…I scarcely even recognize myself in this moment. Being with Austin does that. It turns me into someone else. 

And I like who I become. 

I watch his slow saunter, my body poised with tension. I don’t know what is going to happen next, but I wouldn’t trade the delicious expectation for anything. Austin doesn’t stop until he is right in front of me, close enough that I have to look up to meet his demanding blue gaze, and so close that warmth fans across my face as he says in a low voice, “Careful, girl. You’re playing with fire.” 

“I’ve been careful my whole life,” I tell him, surprising myself with the resentment ringing in my tone. But it’s the truth. “And you know, I think it’s about time for me to be a little…” I bite the corner of my bottom lip, searching for exactly the right word to describe the emotions and thoughts that have surfaced the last few days. When I find it, I smile and wiggle my eyebrows suggestively “Wild.” 

Austin sucks in a breath. He searches my eyes and I boldly stare back, praying that he cannot see my knees shaking. Then, obviously concluding that I meant every word, he flashes his devilish grin. “I can work with that.”

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A Tale of Two Centuries is OUT NOW! (:

Add A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15714722-a-tale-of-two-centuries?ac=1

Buy A Tale of Two Centuries from The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Tale-Two-Centuries-Rachel-Harris/9781622660124

About Rachel Harris

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She’s the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. She loves hearing from readers!

Find her at the following places:

Website: www.RachelHarrisWrites.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RachelHarrisYA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RachelHarrisYA
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5347676.Rachel_Harris
Entangled Website: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/
Entangled Teen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Entangled-Teen/327149817363761
Entangled Twitter: http://twitter.com/entangledpub

Giveaway

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