Cover Reveal: Finding It by Cora Carmack

I'm so excited to share the amazing cover for Finding It by Cora Carmack. This is the third companion novel in the Losing It series. And it's guaranteed to be amazing.

How awesome is that? 

---------------------------

About Finding It: 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.

---------------------------

About Cora Carmack: 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 in retail), fun jobs (like working in a theater), 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 Cora Online: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter

---------------------------

Now let's just take a look at all the covers in the Losing It series together: 

What do you think of the Finding It cover?

June Top 5

July is tomorrow. Which means summer is going way too fast. Also - it means I didn't get a ton of reading in this month. It's been crazy busy, but awesome. I love summer in New York. I've been reading mostly NA lately - they read so quickly and I can't get enough! Which really makes me wonder how I've read so little lately. But oh well, here are my top 5 from June - or my top 4 and Jackie's top read. 

1. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Duh. Of course this is my number one. Crown of Midnight is brilliant. This series is just so incredible and Maas is definitely writing on another level here.

2. Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

I love Jessica Spotswood's world and her take on witches. In the second book in this series, she just brings your emotions out. I was so tense and frustrated (but in a good way) through the whole book. And the end.... Read my review here.

3. Bad Rep by A. Meredith Walters

I think A. Meredith Walters is one of the best NA authors out there right now. Her books are so intense and she really knows how to write relationships. Bad Rep just got me so worked up and it kept surprising me. And Jordan...is just freak-out worthy. It's so good. If you haven't read A. Meredith Walters yet, I suggest you get on that. 

4. Wait for You by J. Lynn

I started this and didn't expect to like it. It seems pretty typical - normal sheltered girl literally runs into the hottest guy on campus and he starts pursuing her... Yeah, I was a little worried. But it was amazing how it swept me away and I cared so much about these characters, I just hope they'll be happy forever. 

5. Falling Kingdoms 

Jackie says: I was in the mood for a good fantasy book when I picked this up, and I was not disappointed. The world in the book was SO great. I absolutely love how the author doesn't hold back--even when I think I want her to. The characters are complex, and the whole story is excellent. Stay tuned for my review on this one. 

What were your top reads this month? 

Team Garrick Giveaway!

Hello friends! We're just a week away from Garrick's first match in the NA Crush Tourney and I have some fun things planned until then that are all about how awesome Garrick is! Join the street team, get everyone you know to vote for Garrick, and win some awesome things while you're at it!

Garrick is up against Kayden from The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden first on July 4th! Here's the whole tournament bracket - Garrick is 7th seed!

You can also grab some graphics below to rep Team Garrick love:

And of course if you're tweeting please be sure to use the #TeamGarrick, #BringOnTheBrit and #NACrushTourney hashtags whenever you can!

Now for the giveaway!

There will be seven (7) winners!

2 will recieve paperback or ebook copies of Losing It

2 will recieve paperback or ebook copies of Faking It

1 will recieve a signed copy of Losing It

1 will recieve a signed copy of Faking It

AND one (1) lucky person will get the whole package:

1 signed copy of Losing It, 1 signed copy of Faking It, and a preorder of Keeping Her and Finding It!

Giveaway is international and will run for as long as Garrick is still in the tourney!

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter and make sure you spread the Team Garrick love!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Colina Brennan

I’m so excited to share this interview with Colina Brennan, author of Addicted to You, a New Adult novel that was just released this week! So see what Colina has to say, then check out her new book!

-------------------------------------

Tell us what your book is about in 140 characters or less.

Addicted to You is about Leah, who has no interest in love because she's convinced everyone eventually lets you down. Then she meets Will. Dun dun dun! :P

Who’s your favorite character to write and why?

Leah, because it was amusing to push her character and see how she’d respond. There were times I actually had to scale her back a bit and soften her up because she already comes off a little harsh.

Where do you write, and what makes it the perfect place to write? What surrounds you?

I write at my kitchen table. It definitely is NOT the perfect place to write. There’s noise from the TV in the living room and people coming and going and so many distractions. I can rarely get anything done until after hours when everyone is asleep. I really need my own dedicated space!

What would you be doing if you couldn’t be a writer?

I have no idea. Writing is my passion. I don’t think I’d be happy doing anything else.

What first drew you to New Adult?

I didn’t get to experience a lot of what the typical college-aged person goes through because I got married my freshman year and then had a child the beginning of my sophomore year. So I love reading about this time in people’s lives and being able to enjoy those experiences safely through the pages instead.

What New Adult book is on top of your TBR pile?

Subject to Change by Alessandra Thomas. If only my To Do list wasn’t a mile long!

What writers inspire you?

Gayle Foreman, Katie McGarry, Lauren Oliver, and Jessica Park. I also enjoy Colleen Hoover and Cora Carmack.

Are there any authors you’d love to see do a New Adult book?

John Green. I think he’d rock it.

Leave us with a teaser/quote from your book?

“Will would show her that he was an addiction worth keeping.”

Find Colina Online: Blog ::  Facebook :: Twitter :: Tumblr :: Goodreads

-------------------------------------

About the Book: 

When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.

At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict - blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.

As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick.

True - Erin McCarthy

Synopsis: When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.
Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…
Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

I wouldn't say this book is amazing, but it was definitely an enjoyable read. It very much brought me into the moment, but occasionally I'd shake my head and ultimately left it feeling no different than usual. Rory and Tyler are pretty typical NA main characters, But, while I was reading I defintely found myself wrapped up in their lives and their drama. I had some issues that would pull me out of the story briefly, and in the end it's not my favorite - but it's definitely one of those books where you're like - this makes no sense but I'm totally digging it.

I'm going to start with my negative nancy comment first. My biggest issue is the way Rory handles conflict. I mean, her roommates pay a dude to take Rory's virginity, so naturally I expect a lot of fall out from this when she finds out. Yeah...I don't want to spoil, I just want to say that her actual reaction really frustrated me. She's also stupid nice to a guy who sexually assaults her. And I just want to shake her and tell her to get angry. Those are pretty much the two things that drove me crazy. I get that part of Rory's character is that she's cool and logical - where most heroines tend to act rashly, she thinks things out thoroughly. This may have been the first time I got upset because a character wasn't getting upset. Maybe I'm weird.

But on to what I liked, because the majority of this book is very enjoyable. Despite the way Tyler comes into Rory's life, he's kind of great. He's dealing with a rough home life, but I think the sacrifices he makes are admirable. I was also really happy with the way Rory handles herself around his family and how she becomes kind of a beam of strength for them.

The emotions in this book run very high and are very much at the surface. Rory and Tyler's chemistry is incredible and you can feel everything they do. When they're happy it's incredible, but when they're unhappy it hurts. I was definitelly affected by them while I was reading the book.

Ultimately I definitely had mixed feelings about this one. I had some major issues with it, but I loved the relationships and the feelings that came with it. If you're looking for something quick and in the moment, this is a good choice.

Book Blast: Addicted to You

Out today is Addicted to You by Colina Brennan!

About the Book: 
When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.

At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict - blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.

As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick.

---------------------------------

Excerpt:

Leah hated Thursdays. Specifically, she hated what she was forced to do on Thursdays—a program called ‘Heal the Heart, Save the Body,’ which was a convoluted way of saying ‘therapy for sex addicts.’

Despite her roommate’s insistence, Leah did not have a ‘sex problem.’ So she liked the occasional one night stand. So what? She was twenty-one and single. There was nothing wrong with wanting to make the most of it.

Yet here she was, preparing for another session where she’d have to listen to some old guy attempt to teach a room full of so-called sexual deviants the skills to function in a civilized world.

Because left to their own devices, they wouldn’t be able to resist the primal urge to hump everything that moved. Obviously.

Who decided sex was an addiction anyway? Or that someone should need therapy to “fix” it? Sex was good for you. It was a de-stresser. If it wasn’t, then you were doing it wrong.

She made a face at the platter of cookies set on an uneven seat a few feet away. She had tried one of them a few meetings ago, and it had nearly broken her tooth. They were sturdy enough to survive a nuclear apocalypse. They were cockroach cookies.

Maybe that was the key to these therapy sessions—to knock everyone out with stale confections so they were incapable of having sex.

---------------------------------

About the Author: 
Colina Brennan grew up in a small city, which gave her plenty of time to read and stretch her imagination. By day, she's attached to her kids, and by night, to her laptop. She writes about the fantastical and the romantic, and everything in between. Addicted to You is her first novel.

Find Colina Online: Facebook :: Twitter :: Goodreads
---------------------------------

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Addicted to New Adult: How I Fell for New Adult

The amazing New Leaf Literary is running the Addicted to New Adult event and I'm so happy to be a part of it. You can read the kick-off post here. So here's why/how I fell for New Adult and make sure you check out the killer giveaway at the end.
-------------------------------------

I fell for New Adult the same way I fell for YA. I read something a little different than what I was used to reading and it consumed me. Everything I read was an attempt to get back to that feeling of something new, exciting and encompassing. For New Adult, it was Beautiful Disaster that sucked me in. I’ve had the ebook version with the colorful tongue cover on my computer for ages, but it wasn’t until it was picked up, repackaged, and people were raving about it that I decided to finally read it. You know how readers always say, “I devoured that book.” Well, this book devoured me. I was so caught up in the story and the intensity, it crawled under my skin and left me wanting more. So I picked up Easy and Flat-Out Love and everything else that bore the NA label, if only because I associated that with Beautiful Disaster.

That’s how it happened. Why it happened is a realization that has come to me more slowly. New adult is reason vs. passion (Losing It reference…) after all and we can love things without ever knowing why, but passion burns and if you have reason left over it’s a love that can last a long time. I’ve actually spent a lot of time figuring out this field and what it is that draws me to it, what it is that makes me territorial and defensive.

The first is the romance aspect. I will (figuratively) slay people who lump NA in with erotica or call it sexed up YA.  However, romance is an important part of NA, the same way romance has a tendency to be a big part of YA – or literary fiction for that matter. Relationships are integral to a human life – whether you have them or not. I don’t know about you, but my life is has a tendency to revolve around other people. And I often think back on my life in terms of what boy I liked during that time. So, the best way I connect with a character is through his/her relationships with friends, family, and, yeah, the romantic interest. And with NA, that romantic interest is generally such a prominent part of the story that I feel strongly connected to both the main character and the dude she’s falling for.

The other thing I’ve begun to notice the more I read is how nostalgic it makes me. It’s weird, because I’ve read so many YA novels and never pined for my high school days. NA never fails to make me miss college – at least the novels where the characters are in college. I miss the freedom and the excitement of feeling grown up but still really pretty naïve. I miss parties and only having class Monday – Thursday for a few hours a day. I miss working a minimum wage job with very little pressure. I learned who I was in college. I mean, I’m still figuring it out, but I learned a lot about trust, friendship, responsibility, boys, and balance when I was given that huge amount of independence. The most important thing was, I figured out how to take care of myself. I think a lot of YA is figuring out who you are, and NA is about figuring out with to do with your life. And that still resonates across many age groups.

I love YA because everything feels urgent and like the end of the world. The stakes are always high and the relationships are intense and exciting. In NA, you do get a lot of the same angst that comes with YA, but you also get the nervous energy of being (seemingly) alone in the world for the first time, you get a person colored by their high school past, and often that includes romantic experience, bringing relationships to a much more passionate level. Long story short, I fell for NA because I connect with these characters so intensely - they are simultaniously reminders of who I was and who I am now.

------------------------------------------ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway