FINDING IT BLOG TOUR by CORA CARMACK: SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Finding It Blog Tour!  I have author Cora Carmack here for an interview along with the tour giveaway. This event is hosted by InkSlinger PR.
 

Series: Losing It #3
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: 10/15/13

Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong...

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

Finding It is the fourth book in the Losing It series (including the novella). How do you continue to keep the series fresh?
CC:  Well, I try to challenge myself with each book. I do something I’ve never done before or address an issue that’s unfamiliar to me or something along those lines. With Faking It, I tackled dual POV (among other things), and with Finding It I wrote a heroine who was drastically different from myself. Readers don’t like reading books that feel like the same regurgitated thing, nor do writers like writing those kinds of books. It’s typically the little things that can make a story fresh and stand out from others like it. For me, that usually comes down to the voice of the character. If each of my characters is unique, then I never have to worry about getting bored. It’s like living another life, really.


Do you control your characters, or do they ever surprise you by taking over the story?
CC:  I try my best to write organically. When I try to control my characters, that’s typically when I get stuck or do my worst work. In the beginning, I do a lot of thinking and brainstorming to figure out who my characters are and what they desire most. That desire dictates how they act in whatever situation I throw them into. Sometimes they react how I has suspected they would react. Sometimes they go completely off the map, and make me want to bang my head against various surfaces. But believe it or not… that’s the fun part of writing (once I get past the complaining).


Does Finding It have an overall message? If so, what do you hope readers take away from the story?
CC:  You know, I try to think less about a message and more about my ideal reader. I wrote Finding It for that person that’s trying to cover up fear and uncertainty with a smile. I wrote it for the person who feels broken because they seem to be the only person in the world who doesn’t know what they’re doing with their life. I wrote it for the person who’s ready to give up and lose themselves in the present by whatever means necessary (be it sex, alcohol, drugs, or pain), just so they don’t have to spend another minute thinking about a future that scares the shit out of them. The book is filled with messages, some small and some big. But mostly, I just want that girl or guy that I’ve described above to know that they’re not alone. I don’t like to call it “a message” because that implies that I have answers and actually know what I’m talking about. When truthfully, I’m often as lost and confused and scared as my characters. So rather than treating my book like a prescription for a certain problem, I want my book to play the role of a good friend.


Can you recommend a recent book you've read?
CC:  I’ve recently read and loved the Embrace series by Jessica Shirvington, Bad Things by R.K. Lilley, Isn’t She Lovely by Lauren Layne, and A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers.


Is there a particular book or author who's inspired you?
CC:  So many. Authors are my rockstars. I owe my career, my bookshelf, my personality, my childhood, and quite a few friends to the incomparable J.K. Rowling. I cannot even begin to put into words what effect Harry Potter had on my life. I’m also a massive fan of Libba Bray. When I was graduating high school and entering my own period of “New Adulthood,” I sent her a panic-ridden email disguised as a fan letter. She sent me a heart-felt and epic reply, and she’s pretty much been an idol of mine ever since.


Can you tell us about any current or future projects?
CC:  I would LOVE to. I have a new series releasing next year (the Rusk University series) beginning with All Lined Up. It’s from the POV of the daughter of a college football coach. I grew up as a coach’s daughter, so I know what it’s like to live in a world where guys hit on you just because they want an in with your dad, or on the reverse are terrified to even touch you because their intimidated by your dad.

I’m also tackling something a little different with this book (as I always like to do). So far, my books (and most of the New Adult category) have been focused on characters embracing new freedoms and having a new start. But I’ve known plenty of college students who didn’t get that freedom or new start because they went to college in their hometown. So in this first book, I’m asking, “When you strip away the freedoms and the fresh start, how is college any different from high school?” I think it’s an important question because I think there are a lot of people out there who will be able to identify with Dallas, the main character. How do you become an adult when you’re stuck in the atmosphere of your childhood? I’m really looking forward to sharing her story with the world.

The Losing It Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

 

Andrea's Review of Losing It  |  Andrea's Review of Keeping Her  |  Jessica's Review of Faking It 

 

 

Purchase Keeping Her:

(I receive no compensation for purchases.)

 

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble    

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finding It Blog Tour Schedule

October 13^th

K-Books-Author Interview

October 14^th

A Bookish Escape-Review Only
Reviews by Tammy & Kim-Review Only
Romance Addict-Excerpt

October 15^th

The Book Goddess-Guest Post
Made for You Book Reviews-Review Only

October 16^th

I Heart Big Books-Character Interview (Jackson Hunt)
BookGoonie-Review Only
Rumpled Sheets Blog-Review Only

October 17^th

The Book HookUp-Author Interview
Jenuine Cupcakes-Review Only

October 18^th

Stuck in Books-Excerpt
Putting Pen to Page-Review Only
Book Loving Mom-Review Only

October 19^th

Mean Girls Luv Books-Review Only
WhollyBooks-Review Only
Martini Times-Guest Post

October 20^th

The Story Siren-Author Interview
Live Read and Breathe-Review Only

October 21^st

I Read Indie-Dream Cast
A Book Lover’s Review-Review Only
Stuck in YA Books-Review Only

October 22^nd

Whirlwind Books-This and That
SMI Book Club-Review Only

October 23^rd

Scandalicious Book Reviews-Review Only
The Bookish Babe-Author Interview
Books Over Boys-Excerpt

October 24^th

3 Chicks & Their Books-Guest Post
Holly’s Hot Reads-Review Only

October 25^th

Love Between the Sheets-Review Only
Love N. Books-Review Only

October 26^th

BookNerds Anonymous-Review Only
Read This Hear That-Playlist

October 27^th

Tiffany Talks Books-Review Only
A Life Bound by Books-Excerpt

 

About the author:
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.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  GoodReads

REVIEW: KEEPING HER (LOSING IT #1.5) by CORA CARMACK

Series: Losing It #1.5
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: 8/13/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 100
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating:  4 stars

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.

I adored Bliss and Garrick in Losing It. Her sweetness and awkwardness was endearing. His kindness and charm was sexy. They got their Happy Ending, but it's almost always nice to see how beloved couples are doing a little farther down the road.

Keeping Her was very sweet and very, very amusing. Of course Bliss brings the awkward; as a fellow awkward girl, this made me happy. Another thing that made me happy--well, not happy so much happy as "I feel your pain, girl." --was the terror of meeting the parents. I could completely relate with Bliss, so much so that when she met Garrick's mom, I almost broke out in a cold sweat and suffered flashbacks.

I also enjoyed Garrick's point-of-view, seeing how much he loves Bliss, his doubts about being good enough for her, and the overwhelming pressure of visiting his parents. Again, that's something I can relate too a little too well through my husband. Carmack did such a nice job of expressing the fears and doubts Garrick and Bliss both face.

Keeping Her was very funny. I had forgotten how much I laughed while reading Losing It until I read this. The story was amusing without being too much, and I just genuinely enjoyed it.

Many readers do not enjoy novellas. Some don't like the shorter length or faster pace. Keeping Her managed to cover a meaningful space of time in Garrick and Bliss's life, and did it without forcing the pace or putting "too much" into it. It is a good addition to the series and to Carmack's works.


Favorite Quote:

  I'd always thought love was this complicated, messy, frankly ugly thing. Possibly because, growing up, I'd not had much of an example for what a relationship should be. I didn't know it could be any other way. But Bliss chased away the gray and made everything seem black and white. No matter the question, she was the answer.   ~eARC, 7%

 The Losing It Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

Andrea's Review for Losing It

Jessica's Review of Faking It

Purchase Keeping Her:

(I receive no compensation for purchases.)

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble    

About the author:
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.

Connect with Cora:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

JESSICA REVIEWS: FAKING IT (LOSING IT #2) by CORA CARMACK + GIVEAWAY

Series: Faking It #2
Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: 6/4/13
Source: Received from publisher for review

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

 

"I was doomed to always be attracted to the girls I couldn’t have."

I read LOSING IT’s blurb quickly and said to self, “Sure. What the hell not. Let’s read it for shits and giggles.” I mean, this chick leaves the guy stranded in his bed! Gotta see what happens. I’m usually a little iffy about “virgin” female characters in books. They seem to be sappy and clueless to me, so you can understand my hesitation reading the first book in the series. To my surprise, I loved LOSING IT. I giggled, I snort laughed and I awwed at Bliss and Garrick’s (female/male lead characters) story. It was fantastic to read the ups and downs of these two characters. This is also the book in which we also meet some supporting characters that you just can’t help but connect with as well. Here is where we first meet Cade Winston.

"I’d never dated a girl like her, and she’d never dated a guy like me. But sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until it’s already knocked you flat on your back. And what point is living if I was only going to travel the same roads again and again?"



Oh Cade, poor, poor Cade. Where to even begin with you, poor boy. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He completely falls for Bliss and all her quirkiness. He fell into the ‘best friend wishes she was my girlfriend’ hole and just couldn’t dig himself out of it. Poor guy was knocked in the head and doofus when it came to Bliss. Someone should have given him the updated memo stating that the English Hot Forbidden Teacher trumps Cutie Boy Next Door Best Friend almost 99.9% of the time. *sigh* Clearly, he didn’t have a chance. Let’s move on…or try to at least…

  "Suddenly, the thought of spending days with him didn’t make me nervous. It made me sad. There were many parts of my life that I wanted to leave firmly in the past, but now I was pretty sure he wasn’t one of them…Once again, I was too late.

  I pulled her into my arms, and she cried until the events of the morning disappeared, until the present took a backseat to the past. And until I knew I couldn’t live without her."



In enters Max. This whirlwind of a girl breezes into the coffee shop and Cade’s life is completely turned upside down. She isn’t like his typical type of girl that he gets hot and bothered for. She is tatted up, funky hair, feisty, outspoken and a hefty chip on her shoulder that just won’t go away. She is everything he never thought he would want in a girl. Angry Girl meet Golden Boy. Golden Boy meet Angry Girl. Commence with the trip to CrazyTown. Oh and on the way, don’t forget to impress Max’s parents. They are some tough characters to crack.


 “I know how different we are. I know that I’m not your normal type. But I also know that you’re attracted to me. I know that you make me laugh, and that I love hearing your voice, especially when you sing. I know that I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day you sat down beside me at the coffee shop. And I know that I hate seeing you in pain, more than anything else in the world.”


Max and Cade were great for each other. Both have felt an overwhelming loss in their lives. Both are searching for that something that will reconnect them to the real world. Although both seem to live of life of okays, they are both looking for that something that is great. Cade has his acting and Max her music. However, it’s not enough for them. What do you do when you need that one thing-or that one person-that will help your love of your craft to mesh with real life? You look for that one person that will be your rock, your shoulder, your friend, your everything. The one that will have your back no matter the circumstances.


 “We both have baggage, Max, but I’m done letting it control me. You said you came to here for closure, and I think that’s what we both need. We’ve had too much death and disappointment, so we don’t know how to accept the good things when they happen to us. I’m done with that. I’m done with letting people go.”

 “You don’t understand. Yes, I have feelings for you. It was one of the hardest things I ever done, leaving you. But I know myself. I know how I work, and that’s why I don’t trust myself to be with you. My heart is fickle and inconstant, and I’m terrified I’ll wake up one day and feel differently.”

 “I think you’re terrified that you won’t. And if you do wake up one day and don’t want to be with me, I will fight for you like I am now. I’ll remind you every day how amazing it feels when your body touches mine. I’ll remind you of the good times, and help you forget the bad. I’ll remind you who you are when life has beaten you down and made you doubt it. I’ll bust down your door in the middle of the night and kiss you until you remember that your fears are just that, and they can’t control you. I’ll take my chances against your fickle heart of it means it’s mine.”


I liked this book a lot. I really liked that the story was told in dual POVs. We got to see what was in both their heads. I think the author is wonderful at meshing humor with real life situations. I, myself, connected with Max in the sense that I felt like she was me a decade ago (and sometimes even now in mid 30s I have my moments). I was young, tatted up, scared my parents would disapprove of every situation I made in life and this is how Max was portrayed in the book. Don’t get me wrong. There were moments where I wanted to physically shake Max through the book and tell her to grow up. But then I would take a moment and realize that the character is very young, and that I went through the same events and situations just as she did. You are learning from mistakes and growing in life. And in this growth comes the good, the bad and the ugly.

I would definitely recommend this book. If you need that little bit of humor or quick read in between heftier books, definitely pick this one up.



Favorite quotes/sexy times:

  “Please…I thought you weren’t able to say no to me?”
  “I’m not done exploring this part of you.”
  “Explore that part of me later.
  “I like the sound of that, but I also like hearing you beg.”
  “I like when you’re a little less golden."
  “I want you. How many times are you going to make me say please?”
  “I think that one did the trick.”

  “You’re mad.”
  “Hell yes, I’m mad.”
  “I told you that I would tell them, Cade. I was planning to do it in the morning, in fact. It’s all I’ve been thinking about.”
  “That’s not what I’m mad about.”
  “Then what?”
  “I’m angry that you keep pushing me away when I know you don’t want to…I’m angry that you left me after the best sex of my life…More than anything, I’m angry that I had to wait so long to kiss you again.”

 The Losing It Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

Andrea's Review for Losing It

Purchase Faking It at:

(I receive no compensation for purchases.)

        

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to William Morrow Books, I received an extra copy of Faking It in my volunteer bag at Book Bash! I am passing this on to a lucky winner.

Open to US residents only. Must be 18 years of age to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:
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.

Connect with Cora:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

{BLOG TOUR} LOSING IT by CORA CARMACK

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Losing It Blog Tour! The tour is being hosted by the lovely girls over at YA Sisterhood. You can find the complete tour schedule here. My stop includes my review and the tour giveaway!


Series: N/A
Publisher: Cora Carmack
Publication Date: Oct. 16, 2012
Format: eARC
Pages:
Source: Received from author for review.

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

 

Why I Chose to Read Losing It: I admit, the cover totally caught my eye. Also, when I saw the girls over at YA Sisterhood talking about Losing It, I was intrigued. Add in the fantastic blurb and there ya go. I was hooked!


Charming. I found Losing It to be such a charming, light-hearted, yet thoughtful story that left me smiling from beginning to end.

Bliss is a college senior who's decided that it's time to give up her V-Card. It's not that she's saving herself for marriage, it's just something that hasn't happened. When her friend drags her to a bar to find a one-night hook-up, Bliss is resigned to go along with the plan. When she meets Garrick, though, it seems that Bliss just might accomplish her mission, with someone she could easily fall for. With the end in sight, Bliss panics and leaves the poor guy all alone, in her apartment. And try as she may, Garrick can't be avoided because he's her new professor. In an awkward, sweet dance of attraction and friendship, Bliss must determine whether she wants to pursue a relationship with Garrick despite the rules; and whether she's up for losing her virginity at all.

So, Bliss and Garrick. I don't even know where to start with these two impossibly sweet, endearing characters. Bliss is someone most of us can relate to. She enjoys college life, her friends, learning. She is awkward when she's nervous, and it always leads to hilarious situations. I love that she wasn't a simplistic, one-dimensional girl and I will admit, I was a little worried that she would be written as a young woman who is swept along by a guy, convinced by him that she needs to give it up. Yes, she is innocent in a way, but she's not some naive girl who is clueless and needs a "big experienced hottie" to show her what she's been missing. Bliss knows herself and is fully aware of what she wants and needs. She is passionate, reckless when it comes to Garrick. And best of all, she isn't satisfied with anything less than what she needs emotionally. And good gosh, this girl truly knows how to "awkward up" any situation. Loved. Her.

As for Garrick....*deep breath* Whoa. Not only is he a truly handsome guy, describe much as he's portrayed on the cover, but...HE'S BRITISH. I know, right? Give me a truly nice, handsome guy and I'm hooked; throw in a sexy accent and I'm a Goner. Now I know that some may be worried about Garrick because he is technically Bliss' professor, but believe me, there's nothing sketchy about him. Remember the very first episode of Grey's Anatomy, when Meredith finds out she slept with her new boss, Derek? This is kind of the same situation we're dealing with, and look who well that worked out for Meredith and McDreamy. Losing It is not the story of Bliss running away from Garrick and him spending the entire time chasing her, trying to convince her to give it up. Garrick is a supportive friend, advisor, he cares about what she wants and needs. He is a boy, willing to wait for a girl, and I loved him for it.

I would like to take a moment to talk about the cover of Losing It. As I said above, I like it. A lot. To me, it looks like two beautiful people, lost in a moment. But I have come across a remarks, one here at my own blog, in which people talk about the "male domination". I don't see that, at all. In fact, the cover doesn't even look like one whole picture, but actually two separate ones. I guess my point is, don't look for something that's not there, folks.

In terms of Contemporary New Adult Romance, Losing It is about as good as it gets. It delivers smart, funny, and engaging characters, a story that will make you laugh and cry and swoon, and provides for some very thoughtful moments. I couldn't put it down until I reached the happy ending (gah, no pun intended). Losing It is Bliss' story of a girl Finding Herself.



Favorite Quote:

"I was acutely aware of the fact that he was kissing me in the middle of a bar, until he nipped at my bottom lip. Then I forgot about everything but him. My whole body shuddered, and my heart dropped toward my stomach like the force of gravity had doubled. My head was swimming, but I didn't care. I opened my mouth, and immediately his tongue swept in, taking control. My hands clutched at his back, and in response, he pulled me closer. His hand slid up the back of my shirt- hot fingers pressed into my already heated flesh." (eARC, pg 17)

You can purchase Losing It at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{TEASER TUESDAY} LOSING IT by CORA CARMACK

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab your current read
·Open to a random page
·Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
·Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary NA
Publisher: Cora Carmack
Publication Date: Oct. 16, 2012

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

 

 

My Teaser ~

 

  "An accent. HE HAS A BRITISH ACCENT. Dear God, I'm dying.

   Breathe. I needed to breathe.

   Don't lose it, Bliss."  (eARC, pg. 10)

 

 

 

This girl is awesomely hilarious! I loved Losing It.

 

Today is my stop on the Losing It Blog Tour. Check it out!

 

 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY {LOSING IT}

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

 

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Expected Publication Date: October 16, 2012

Yep. Every single thing about this book appeals to me. I'm dying to read Losing It. Luckily, I have an eARC for the blog tour and won't have to wait long!

So what are you waiting on this week?