All Played Out (Rusk University #3)
    by: Cora Carmack

Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

 

 

You guys. This was my favorite of the Rusk U books thus far! I absolutely adored Mateo and Nell... and their chemistry? Off the charts HOT! Whew! I loved being back with the gang and I'm really looking forward to Stella's book, even though I know it's going to hurt something fierce. I really liked seeing her and Nell interact though. It definitely gave me hope for Stella that she will get through everything that has happened, because she has some amazing people on her side.

 

Mateo and Nell are opposites in every way. Mateo is the more flirtatious, outgoing, happy go lucky kind of guy who really can't be taken too seriously, where Nell is all about serious. She's extremely driven, studious, and has a very specific plan for her future. She's also on the shyer, quieter side. Lately, however, Nell has been feeling a bit caged in and finds herself wanting to be a bit on the wilder side. She has been so dedicated to her studies for so long, that she feels like she's missing out on a lot of really great experiences. With her graduating after only two years, (there's a reason Mateo calls her girl genius!) she's really feeling her time is limited before she starts looking into graduate schools. I think part of this has to do with seeing her roommate Dylan and her new boyfriend, Silas. Nell is fascinated by them as a couple and how effortlessly the two complement one another.

 

Dylan warns Mateo away from her friend, but he's always liked more quiet, shy girls. Nell reminds him of the first girl he really loved, so he's naturally drawn to her. As he gets to know her however, he starts to see her for her and the great person she is. I loved seeing him bring her out of her shell and good Lord, can that boy dirty talk like a champ. I loved how unashamed he was when it came to being sexual and I think his attitude really helped her because he didn't skirt around what he wanted.

Their scenes were so incredible together and I really needed a fan after it was all said and done!

 

I do feel the storyline wasn't overly original, with Nell checking items off her college bucket list, as I've read a few other NA's like that, but that is really a moot point. Carmack's writing is all her own and I was so engaged in the story, that it didn't even matter. It was fun, sexy, and had it's tender, more serious moments. I loved seeing the gang and how tight knit of a group they are. I really feel that is going to be a huge factor in the next book.

 

So. In conclusion- you need this book. It's so much fun watching Nell come out of her shell, especially with Mateo- who is just a goofy, loveable guy. I love that she is a bit nerdy with her scientific brain and how she looks at things so differently. It made for a great reading experience and I will definitely be keeping this book close when I'm in need of some sexy times and fun banter!

 

Holy smokes are we excited to bring you the cover for Cora Carmack's ALL PLAYED OUT! ALL PLAYED OUT is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is the 3rd book in the Rusk University Series, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. It is due to be released on May 12, 2015!! If you haven't had a chance to read this sexy, fun series yet, be sure to grab ALL LINED UP and ALL BROKE DOWN!

   

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

 

Add ALL PLAYED OUT on Goodreads!

 

About ALL PLAYED OUT: First person in her family to go to college? CHECK. Straight A’s? CHECK. On track to graduate early? CHECK. Social life? …..yeah, about that…. With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience). So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities. Item #1? Hook up with a jock. Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it. Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game. Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.  

 

And don’t miss the first two books in the Rusk University Series…

 

 

ALL LINED UP, Book 1

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

 

 

ALL BROKE DOWN, Book 2

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

 

 

 

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 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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.      

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads

Welcome to my stop on the Inspire blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!

Today I am excited to share my review, as well as a giveaway with you all!

Inspire (The Muse #1)
    by: Cora Carmack

Publication Date: Dec. 15, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Paranormal
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by InkSlingerPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 284 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

 

 

 

 

When I first heard Cora Carmack was writing a NA Paranormal, I knew it would be a must read for me. For her to incorporate Greek mythology was the icing on the cake, as I am obsessed with all things mythology! I should also mention, this is Cora's sexiest book yet!

My heart broke for Kalli. She has spent eternity seeking out creative minds and acting as their muse, but she never truly connects to any of them. She is unable to, knowing that if she stays too long, it could lead to disastrous results. It is a very lonely, sad life to live. She must be extremely careful not to draw attention to herself, which would risk exposure for all the lesser gods who walk the earth. Finding balance must be incredibly tiring for her, as she has to watch how much energy she expends with humans. Expending too much could lead to madness and chaos, and her life isn't so valuable and precious that she is above being dealt with to eliminate unnecessary attention to their kind.

Meeting Wilder Bell changes everything for Kalli. He is not the artistic kind, so she is surprised she's drawn to him in the first place. (I'm not- seeing a hot guy act adorable with a little girl are enough to make ovaries explode) For the first time in a long while, Kalli wonders what it would be like to be with someone who is not in danger of being destroyed by her power. Wilder is a good guy through and through, as his family has been dealt a difficult hand in life. Gone are the days of reckless, wild abandon- he must embrace his responsibilities and be the man the women in his life desperately need. He has sacrificed a lot for his family, thus making him that much more incredible in my eyes. He is also drawn to Kalli and finds himself wanting to know the beautiful woman who has so effortlessly captured his attentions.

I was not expecting the book to change POVs, but I have to admit, it was nice to be inside Wilders's head as well and I really felt we got to know him a lot better this way. His dedication to his family is what won me over instantaneously. There's also the bonus of him having tattoos and wearing glasses at times. As much as Kalli pulls away and runs from him, he is an incredibly patient guy. He has no idea that she is trying to protect him from herself and I am surprised he didn't run from this seemingly emotionally unstable, crazy girl.

As I said earlier, this is Carmack's sexiest book to date. Kalli and Wilder have some very sexy times and some of the wicked things Wilder says will leave you fanning yourself and craving more. Their relationship does progress a bit faster than I normally like, but I didn't let it bother me too much. Instead, I focused on the fact that both Kalli and Wilder NEED this. They are both so deserving of love and passion after everything they've both sacrificed in their lives. My heart shattered for them when more obstacles would get thrown their way and force them apart. Some people are just stronger together and this is absolutely true for them.

Carmack has completely killed me with this cliffhanger and I am desperate to get my hands on the next book. I liked that this one read as more of a contemporary with paranormal elements, but with the mythological aspect really ramping up at the end of this book, I am beyond excited to see where Carmack will go in the next novel.

 

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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website  Twitter  Facebook  Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All Broke Down (Rusk University #2)
    by: Cora Carmack

Publication Date: Oct. 28, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a  fair and honest review.
Page Count: 368 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can't only fight for what you believe in... sometimes you have to fight for what you love.

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians you name it, she's probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He's in for a different kind of fighting. And though he's arrogant and infuriating, she can't help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it's trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He's met girls like her before fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn't think he's broken, and he definitely doesn't need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about: his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

 

 

After being introduced to Silas Moore in Cora's first book, All Lined Up, I have to admit I couldn't wait for him to get his own. He was definitely not up for character of the year in the previous novel, having really pissed off Dallas, the Coach's daughter. While he has made amends for his actions, there is still a bit of a tension there that we see in this novel.

 

I completely fell for Silas. Life has dealt him a rather difficult hand and he feels football is all he really has going for him. If he loses that, life might as well be over in his mind. He is a bit of a hot-head and is fueled by his anger, adopting the act first, think later attitude. He does not let people get to know the real Silas Moore and wants to keep it that way. He never expected to meet a girl who would breach those defenses sitting in a jail cell.

 

I loved Dylan's character. She is fiercely passionate about her beliefs and has a sweetness about her that's hard to ignore. The best part about her is that she's still finding herself. I love that Carmack addresses this because very few college students know exactly who they are and have found their place in this world. Having been adopted at a young age, Dylan has always done what is expected of her and played the role of the dutiful daughter. Now that she is in college, she is finally starting to think for herself and question what she wants. Silas is the one to bring all these feelings to the surface for her and he ends up helping her as much as she does him.

 

Silas and Dylan ooze sexual tension. I thought I was going to internally combust while reading this one. They have some seriously hot scenes together. I really like the vulnerability they show one another though. Silas needs someone to believe in him. He doesn't want to lose everything because of his inability to control himself. It breaks my heart to see him so beaten down and feel like he isn't worth a lick.

 

Dylan and Silas are far from perfect. They both make some mistakes with one another, but they are learning together and I think that's what really counts in the end. Both of them are trying to become better versions of themselves and want to live their lives in a way that is right for them and no one else is going to tell them otherwise.

 

We do have a situation that occurs at the end of the book that I never saw coming and completely broke my heart. I am nervous about how Carmack is going to proceed with this, as it is something that will ultimately play a huge role in this character's future.

 

I am looking forward to continuing this series by Carmack, because college football, hot guys, and steamy romances are my weakness!

 

We are thrilled to bring you the cover for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE!

INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and is due to be released on December 15, 2014!

 

The cover was designed by VLC Productions.

Add INSPIRE on Goodreads

About INSPIRE:

Kalliope lives with one purpose. To inspire. As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real. Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal. Her presence may inspire genius. But it breeds madness, too.  





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 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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

We are so excited to get to share the cover for Cora Carmack's ALL BROKE DOWN today! A New Adult Contemporary Romance, and published by William Morrow-an imprint of HarperCollins, this is the second book in her Rusk University Series, and it is set to be released on October 28, 2014! But you can pre-order it NOW! Check out what it's about and then fall in love with this gorgeous cover!

 

ABOUT ALL BROKE DOWN: In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack’s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can’t only fight for what you believe in . . . sometimes you have to fight for what you love Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one. Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and infuriating, she can’t help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause. Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it’s trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He’s met girls like her before—fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn’t think he’s broken, and he definitely doesn’t need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about, his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help. Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

 

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

 

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

 

 

And don’t forget to grab your copy of ALL LINED UP Today!

 

 

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

  

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 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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook

Author Goodreads ** ALL BROKE DOWN Goodreads

 

 

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1)
    by: Cora Carmack

Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

 

 

Now this is what I love in New Adult! Cora Carmack done such a great job of creating relatable, realistic characters as well as issues that any college student could potentially encounter. The college atmosphere is one of my favorite settings and I loved seeing the interaction on and off campus, at the stadium, etc. I knew NOTHING about football upon reaching the University of Tennessee. Which is a big no-no in the land of orange and white. Unlike Dallas, I didn't abhor it, but I didn't care much for it either. Yet, there is something so indescribable about walking into the stadium and just being apart of the hype. I will never forget what it was like to beat Florida back in.... 2004? I can't remember. It still gives me chills to this day. At these southern schools, football is LIFE. Being a huge football fan now and a sports fan in general, I really liked how Carmack centered this around football. While football is a central focus, the relationship between Dallas and Carson weaves its way in and sets up a beautiful romance.

 

Pacing: I felt like this was well-paced. Carson and Dallas may have jumped in full steam ahead in the beginning, but Carmack slows it back down and pulls them back. Carson is focused on football and Dallas won't let herself date another football player, as the first time ended badly. It makes sense why their relationship progressed slowly even though the sexual tension nearly killed me.

 

Storyline: I liked the storyline a lot. Having been raised by her football coach dad, Dallas knows all there is to know about football. However, Dallas has always felt she has come second to football, so she's actually grown to abhor it. Rusk University was not her first choice of schools as it is Dallas's dream to dance. She would rather be in New York, but her father is on the overprotective side. They may not have the greatest of relationships, but in that regard he is very diligent. Dallas has been burned by love before with her first real love, Levi, who happens to be Rusk's QB. She is pretty against dating football players, as most are only interested in her to suck up to her dad. However, Carson McClain is different. He's not like the others and that's what sets him apart as much as Dallas tries to deny it. Upon initially meeting, Dallas doesn't know Carson plays football and Carson has no idea she's the coach's daughter. Their chemistry is instantaneous and Dallas definitely steps out of her comfort zone for once and really embraces being a little bit wild and reckless. (Hence why Carson calls her Daredevil.) However, once their worlds collide, the two don't know if they can be something more. Carson is on scholarship and works hard as second string QB and doesn't need the distraction. Dallas wants to protect her heart from getting hurt again and that's why it's probably better if her and Carson are just friends. It's only a matter of time that Dallas and Carson can fight the insane attraction between them, but with so much on the line is that a risk they're willing to take?

 

Characters: Dallas was a really fun character. I loved that she was a say what you mean kind of girl, even when it could be awkward. That is definitely one of the things that draws Carson to her. She's not really a reckless, wild girl so it's kind of funny he dubs her Daredevil. Her best friend Stella, is the more outgoing one, trying to get Dallas to live on the wild side and to stop over-thinking everything. I felt bad for Dallas, as she has a reputation with the football team thanks to her ex Levi being on it. The running joke is that she is an ice queen and getting in her pants is like getting into Fort Knox. I love how defensive Carson gets of her and how he will literally throw down if they disrespect her.

 

Carson is a new favorite. He's just a good guy looking to play football. He isn't like his teammates- partying, sleeping around. He works himself to the bone physically and works even harder to keep his grades up. He wants to keep his scholarship and play football, so girls are a distraction he doesn't need. Until he meets Dallas. All bets are off once he lays eyes on the fiery red-head screaming her frustrations out on a balcony.

 

As I said, their romance is a slower building one. Once they decide not to fight their attraction, they begin a relationship in secret, as Dallas isn't quite ready to face the music with her dad. I did enjoy them together and I liked that they tried to be friends, but the pull between them was just too strong. Both of them are so passionate about what they love, so watching them support and encourage one another was just precious. 

 

Final Thoughts: I really did like this one. The setting and atmosphere really did it for me, and I liked how relatable Dallas and Carson were. Carmack ends their story realistically too and I felt it was quite fitting.

 

We're extremely excited to bring you the cover for ALL LINED UP, the first book in Cora Carmack's highly anticipated Rusk University Series! ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!

 

 

 

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1)

by: Cora Carmack

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected Release: May 13th

 

 

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel. 

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.”

—Monica Murphy

 

Pre-Order Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes  

 

 

 

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 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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads

 

 

 

Happy release day to Cora Carmack and Seeking Her!

Today I am excited to share my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway with you all!

Seeking Her (Losing It #3.5)
   by: Cora Carmack

Publication Date: Jan. 28, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 160 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.

 

 

I am a huge fan of Cora's Losing It series and I have to say it's rather bittersweet seeing the series come to its conclusion. However, I am certainly excited for Cora's upcoming new adult series! I absolutely adored Finding It, so when I learned there would be a novella from Jackson's POV I was ecstatic. He really was a mystery in Finding It and I wanted to see what made him tick. While we get to know him on a bit more personal level in this novella, I found the storyline to be a bit lacking. I knew going in it would be a novella and a retelling so that wasn't a shocker, but I just felt a bit bored at times.

 

Don't get me wrong, I do love me some Jackson Hunt. And getting inside that man's head was definitely a treat! I absolutely love seeing Kelsey through his eyes because he is able to see her vibrant, free spirit and her beauty just by observing her. Everyone takes notice of her and wants to be around her- they really are the moths and Kelsey is the flame burning brightly and out of control. However, as he watches and observes her, he realizes that she isn't just a spoiled, rich girl running around Europe to party. In fact, he is almost shocked to see his former self in her. She's stuck in an endless cycle of self destruction and it reminds him of an all too familiar road he has once traveled.

 

"It's just... I look at you, and I see a beautiful woman in the prime of her life, traveling to exotic places, with the world at her fingertips. But I think that's what you want people to see. And maybe I love a mystery too, because I can't stop thinking about what's underneath all that, what you don't let people see."

 

Jackson is definitely tempted by Kelsey. She's beautiful and sexy and he is envious by how freely she is living her life traipsing around, drinking and having fun. But his envy soon turns to anger as he realizes this is a pattern for her. He is risking his own sobriety to follow her to bar after bar while she gets drunk and that is really difficult for him. He knows he can't be tempted by her, as he has a job to do. However, Jackson is definitely fighting a losing battle because there is so much more to Kelsey than meets the eye. And Jackson is the only one who can see past the façade she's put up and see how she longs for more.

 

I enjoyed reading Jackson's first impressions of Kelsey and how he has fought his desire for her from the very beginning. Although it didn't quite pack the punch I was hoping for, I still found this novella to be a nice addition to the Losing It series.

 

 

I was going to have to find some way to cope with this. If not, I was better off calling Mr. Summers and suggesting he find someone else to take over his daughter-watch.

I felt a pang of something at that thought. It was a general kind of discomfort, and I wasn’t sure whether it was the thought of returning home or something else that made that thought so unappealing.

After the cooling walk earlier, and now standing under the cool, calming rush of water, it was easier to think that I could control myself, but I knew better. It always seemed easier in my head than it really was.

I wiped the water from my eyes, and tried to think of some other way to deal. There was always the hope that Kelsey would get bored. That she would mellow out. If she only partied a couple nights a week, I should be able to resist. But that seemed unlikely.

All that restless energy; the way she’d soaked up the attention from the people around her. I couldn’t see her giving that up. And it was working for her. She was still in the phase where partying made her feel good. That was the one thing that helped me stay clean. The few times I’d slipped up since I started the program had left me miserable and angry, and even more frustrated than when I started. I’d found new ways to chase the high. And maybe that wasn’t any healthier, not when one way involved being in the midst of flying bullets.

It wasn’t the same kind of rush, but it did the trick. I pictured Kelsey again, laughing with her head thrown back, her shirt falling off her shoulder and displaying the gentle curve of her neck. It reminded me of the way she’d tossed her head back that first day out in the woods.

The memory of that caused a different kind of rush in me, and I groaned, pressing my forehead into the tile. Before I could help myself, I pictured her long legs straddling that guy in the gardens. The bright green material of her bra, and the way it conformed to her perfect chest. She leaned back, her fingertips trailing from the bark of the tree to his shoulders.

In an instant, the memory shifted into fantasy, and those were my shoulders she clung to, not his.That was my undoing. There was only so much resisting I could do in one night.

 

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, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website  Twitter  Facebook Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway