Keeping Her: A Losing It novella by Cora Carmack

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.

My Review
This novella corresponds with "Losing It," and doesn't have any connection to "Faking It" other than it being the same characters.

So this synopsis gives away the fact that Garrick and Bliss are now engaged.  Bliss and Garrick are traveling to London for Bliss to meet Garrick's family. Bliss is utterly terrified of this...but in true Bliss fashion, why wouldn't she be terrified? What she doesn't know is that Garrick is secretly terrified as well.

They get to London and again, in true Bliss fashion, there is mishap after mishap while they are there. Complete with a monster-in-law, London-based job offers, and pregnancy scares that all put Garrick and Bliss' relationship on the rocks.

I'm glad that Cora Carmack wrote this novella. After reading it I felt a greater connection to the relationship between Garrick and Bliss. I feel like "Losing It" had left a lot of irons in the fire that needed to cleaned up. Luckily, this novella took care of a lot of it for me. It was still left open for another possible book in the future, but things were really tied up by the end of it.

Plus, it's only 99 cents, so what's not to lose with it?

A word of warning though. If you a percent reader like me (you continually check to see how far you are in a book....this is one reason why I always loved paperbacks because you have the visual, but now I'm getting used to the percent completed on my Kindle), you'll think there is a ton more book left, and you flip the page and it's over. There is a snippet for the next full novel in the series, "Finding It," and a snippet from both "Losing It" and "Faking It."

If you liked "Losing It' even remotely, you'll enjoy learning a little bit more about Garrick and Bliss and the constant craziness that is their lives.

Purchase Link
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Her-LOSING-Novella-ebook/dp/B00CD36FHE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

Up Next: "Real" by Katy Evans


*PS - "Finding It" by Cora Carmack will be reviewed soon. This is another book in the "Losing It" series that follows Bliss' friend, Kelsey, on here travels all over the world. 

Faking It by Cora Carmack

Let me start by saying that I wasn't planning on reading this book at this time. I had started another novel and was planning on finishing that one first, but once I started reading "Faking It" I had to continue reading until the very end.

If you haven't read my review of "Losing It" yet, go and do that now:
http://www.katies-book-korner.blogspot.com/2013/07/losing-it-by-cora-carmack.html

After you read that review, you'll realize that I wasn't overly excited about continuing this series....but I'm one of those people that if I don't necessarily love the book, but you make it into a series and you have me intrigued, even slightly, I'll probably continue to buy your books to find out what happens and see if I end up eventually falling in love with the characters. Wow....I just gave away my biggest weak spot to authors....bad idea, Katie.

Anyway, but in this review I mentioned that I actually felt a bigger connection towards Cade's character than I did to Bliss and Garrick. I said that I would love to see Cade's story expanded upon because I felt really bad for him when his love for Bliss wasn't returned.

So then I pick up "Faking It" when I was bored one day and didn't have my other novel with me. Mistake #1. IT'S CADE'S STORY! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This was exactly what I was asking for!

Before I get too far, I'll post the synopsis for "Faking It" to give you an idea of where I'm going with this. 

Synopsis
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.

My Review
Seriously, this book was amazing. Pure and simple. The character development of Cade and Max is incredible. Max is really just looking for someone to love her for who she is, but she's absolutely terrified that she'll eventually screw it up like she has everything else in her past, and she really just wants the acceptance of her family. She meets Cade, who had a strong attraction to her right away. But Cade isn't so sure about Max, just because Max is the polar opposite of Bliss. But Cade cares for Max so deeply that he loves her unconditionally, and pushes her to come out of her shell with her family and become her true self with them, and in turn, help Max begin to trust herself with relationships. But Max isn't the only one being helped throughout the book. Max makes Cade a better person. Cade learns that he's lived too safe for too long in his strive to be perfect at everything. He learns that he needs to live a little, and in that growth learns that he never really loved Bliss like he thought he did....he only thought he loved her because he knew that he could have the perfect life with her that he'd been striving for. 

Throughout the book I found myself really rooting for Cade and Max to make it. I found that both the characters really brought out the best in each other and helped each other grow through their on problems to create a strong relationship between the two of them. 

I felt like this was exactly the book I was looking for in this series. I felt a strong connection to both characters and found that they were written perfectly to each other. Though they both had their issues, in the end they both loved each other unconditionally.

And for those of you who loved "Losing It," you get a little bit into the relationship of Garrick and Bliss and where that is headed.

I honestly would love to see Cora Carmack create a side series following Cade and Max. I would buy the crap out of that series for sure!


So in the end, I would give this book a solid 5 stars. Though I wasn't a huge fan of "Losing It," it would probably be easier to understand Cade's point of view on some things if you had read it, though I wouldn't say it's completely required. Definitely a must read though. 

Purchase Links
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Faking-It-Losing-ebook/dp/B00AV6HX6W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-3&qid=1377567837

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Faking-It-Losing-Cora-Carmack/dp/0062273264/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377567837&sr=8-3&keywords=cora+carmack 


Up Next: Keeping Her: A Losing It novella by Cora Carmack

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Losing It is the first book in a series by Cora Carmack. The second book, Faking It, is already released. A companion novella, Keeping Her, is due out August 13th and the third book in the series, Finding It, is due out October 1st. 

Warning: This review contains some slight spoilers.

Book Synopsis

The Runaway New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!
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 that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theater professor.
She'd left him naked in her bed about eight hours earlier. . . .

My Review
Bliss is a theater major who is in her last year of college and still has her virginity. She can't think of anything worse than graduating while still being a virgin. Her biggest problem though, she's absolutely terrified of intimacy. Bliss meets Garrick in a bar one night and almost has a one night stand with him, until she chickens out and runs out of her own apartment naked. Come to find out, Garrick is her new theater professor.

The story continues to follow Bliss through her trials and tribulations of juggling an illegal relationship with her professor and dealing with her best friend, Cade, professing his love to her.

Cora Carmack sure knows how to write a hot and spicy book. Garrick is extremely loveable, and you just want him to leave Bliss and ask you out on a date. Bliss and Garrick's chemistry is amazing. They completely understand each other the entire step of the way, and are both willing to try and make the relationship work. Though with Cade being a genuine, good-hearted guy, you feel absolutely horrible for him being in love with someone who is in love with someone else. I felt that he had deeper feelings for Bliss than he let on, but when he told Bliss that he's loved her for years, and Bliss didn't reciprocate his feelings, I felt horrible for him.

After reading this book, you'll feel extremely connected to Bliss and Garrick's relationship and a strong hope for Cade to find someone to pull him out of his slump after his failed attempts of starting his own relationship with Bliss.

I can't wait to continue reading this series. Cora Carmack is a truly talented individual, and I look forward to more from her in the future.

Purchase Links
Losing It: http://www.amazon.com/Losing-It-ebook/dp/B00AHCRQPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374713825&sr=1-1&keywords=losing+it

Faking It: http://www.amazon.com/Faking-It-Losing-ebook/dp/B00AV6HX6W/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

Keeping It: http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Her-LOSING-Novella-ebook/dp/B00CD36FHE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

Finding It: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-It-ebook/dp/B00C4TK29E/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1


Up Next: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 

Connected by Kim Karr

I want to start out this review with a photo.

This is a photo of Josiah Hawley that was on The Voice 2013. The reason I'm posting this photo is because this is exactly how I picture River, the main character of this book. So if this photo alone doesn't make you want to read this book, you might want to read my review, but if this photo makes you excited by itself...don't even read this review, just go order it or download it and get reading it now! I suggest downloading it to your e-reader so you can get reading it within the next 30 seconds.

What are you waiting for? Get downloading now!!!!


Book Synopsis
What if a “Once in a Lifetime” could happen twice?

In Dahlia London’s world, happily ever after is a far cry from reality. Her soul has been left completely shattered by tragedy. But a surprising reunion with someone from her past is about to give her a reason to love again…

When rock star River Wilde comes back into Dahlia’s life, their super-charged connection runs deeper than either of them ever expected. The more time they spend together, the more intense their relationship becomes, and Dahlia believes at last she has found her soul mate.

But as old bonds fade and Dahlia’s grief begins to lift, her guilt and confusion remain. River desperately wants to be the one who mends what’s been broken—but with a past that refuses to stay buried, is it possible for their future to begin?

My Review
I will be honest with this review. This book was suggested by another book blog I follow. I enjoy most of what this blog suggests, so I went and downloaded this e-book one day but I really wasn't excited about it. I hadn't heard of the author what-so-ever and I knew absolutely nothing about the book. So it sat on my Kindle app for quite a while until I finally decided to breakdown and read it. After I started the book, I could not put it down.

The story follows Dahlia (or Dahl) around her relationships. The book starts out with a flashback talking about her relationship with her parents and how important music and love are to her. Then gives another flashback to a time when she was still in college and dating Ben (who then becomes her fiancee). In this flashback Dahl goes to a bar and has a strong connection with a guy at a bar, River. Dahl ends up leaving the bar and going back to Ben. The story then comes up to present day and continues through her story with her fiancee, Ben, until he is suddenly killed in a car jacking while Dahl was in the car with him. This affected Dahl's life significantly. She then ends up reconnecting with River from her past. The story continues through the relationship with River.

The the end of the story there is a HUGE twist that you don't see coming AT ALL! And it makes me not want to have to wait for Torn (Connections #2) to come out.

The story is so easy to connect to. Kim Karr has a true talent in writing character development and making you feel like you are right there with the characters through everything. The story gives you major hope for true love. It shows that love at first sight can really happen, and if you are meant to be with someone, you will end up being with the.

I will honestly say that I disliked Ben right from the start. Even in the flashback portion of the book, I was thinking the whole time that Dahl needed to get out of that relationship. And then River comes into the picture and I felt a major connection to him and I've continued to root for the final relationship between River and Dahl.

This book is a MUST READ! I guarantee that you will enjoy every minute of it!

Five star book for sure! Kim Karr did an amazing job with this book and I can't wait to see what she comes up with in the future. Torn (Connections #2) is scheduled to be released on October 1st, 2013 and I'm ecstatic!

Purchase Links:
Connected (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Connected-The-Connections-Series-ebook/dp/B00COAFVBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1373849852&sr=1-1&keywords=connected

Torn (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Torn-The-Connections-Series-ebook/dp/B00DGZKTR0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1373850993&sr=1-1&keywords=torn+kim+karr


Next Up: Losing It by Cora Carmack
Torn 

Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day

I was going to write a separate review for each of the Crossfire novels, but then I decided I would just do the first three together and then add to the review as new Crossfire novels are released. I felt like if I reviewed each book individually that I'd end up give a horrible review for most of this series, and this series doesn't deserve that.

The first book in the series is Bared To You. The story starts out following Eva, a fresh college grad that moved from San Diego to New York City to start a new life with her best friend, Cary. Eva and Cary both have very colorful pasts that they are trying to get away from. Eva ends up meeting the dark and dangerous mega-mogul Gideon Cross. The story builds based on their relationship that gets fired up very quickly. Gideon has a dark past of his own, and neither Eva or Gideon want to bring their pasts into their new relationship....but their past keeps coming back to haunt them.

The second book in the series is Reflected In You. Eva and Gideon's story continues building on their relationship and working through some of their past. Eva's past comes back to haunt her in a big way towards the end of the book, which is left in a major cliffhanger.

The third book, Entwined With You, picks up from that cliffhanger. And continues with the story of Eva and Gideon working through their issues and trying to strengthen their relationship together. There is a change in events in this book that focuses more on Gideon's dark past and less of Eva's.

Now to give a review on this series. It's difficult for me to review it. I read Bared because it came highly recommended for people who enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey. Most people had said they loved Gideon & Eva's story immensely more than Christian & Ana's story. So I rushed out and bought Bared To You. It took me forever to get through that book. I couldn't connect with the story, the characters or the timeline like I could with Fifty Shades. But, I felt like I needed to continue the series when Reflected In You came out. I felt like Sylvia Day deserved my continued effort in trying to enjoy something she probably spent a lot of time and effort on. So I bought Reflected In You. I can honestly say that I enjoyed that book more than Bared. I felt like the character development was a lot more complete in that novel. But I still felt like something was missing for me connecting to the characters.

Don't get me wrong, Sylvia Day has an amazing writing talent, but just something about the characters wasn't for me. It wasn't until Entwined With You that I truly fell in love with Gideon Cross. I liked being able to learn more about him and what his dark past was all about. You got to see that every moment that he was a huge (pardon my French) dick in the previous two books was all to protect Eva. Everything he did had Eva in mind and he never stopped thinking about her. Entwined really shows how much he really does love Eva, though he's not able to say it.

But then we get to the ending. For me, the whole time I'm reading Entwined I'm thinking, "This is the best book in the series." I felt like their relationship grew a lot and both characters came to terms with their pasts and are starting to look towards the future. But the ending just left me something to be desired. In the last chapter, Eva sees someone she thinks she recognizes from Gideon's past running off with Cary. It then ends with Cary not knowing who the woman was and Gideon, Eva and Cary all driving away in a limo to their apartment.

The ending was just a very blah ending for me. I needed some sort of major cliffhanger or more resolve in the book. Considering that Sylvia Day has signed for another 2 books in this series, I felt like she could have done something else with the ending to try and not leave you so put off by the ending going into the next book. I realize what she was doing. She wanted to try and bring something in as a little cliffhanger to try into some sort of drama to start the next book with....my issue with that is that is seemed like an after thought. It almost seemed like the book was written completely and then she signed for two more books in the series, so she added the last chapter to try and tie it in, but it was poorly executed.

Again, I don't want anyone to not get the wrong idea of Sylvia Day or the Crossfire series. I can't say that it is my favorite series I've ever read, but I'm sure it isn't the worst. There is something to be said for me continuing to read the series. If I would have absolutely hated it, I wouldn't continue to spend money on the books and continue spending my time reading the books. Also, my opinion is one of many. I know a lot people who read the Crossfire series after Fifty Shades and loved Crossfire a million times more. I guess I'm still just stuck in the boat of Christian being my man. Whatever the reason, I still recommend people taking the time to read the series and give it a shot. Sylvia Day is an amazing writer and she deserves your time to at least try it out. I'm excited to read the following books in the series, and maybe Sylvia will change my mind someday, but I still wish I wouldn't have read the last chapter of Entwined......

Purchase Links:
Bared To You (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Bared-You-A-Crossfire-Novel/dp/0425263908/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373743906&sr=8-2&keywords=crossfire+series

Reflected In You (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Reflected-You-A-Crossfire-Novel/dp/0425263916/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373743916&sr=8-3&keywords=crossfire+series

Entwined With You (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Entwined-You-Crossfire-Book-3/dp/0425263924/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373743963&sr=8-1&keywords=crossfire+series


Up Next: "Connected" by Kim Karr

Hopeless & Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

First, I'm reviewing both of these books together because they are companion novels. Hopeless is the story from Sky's perspective that should be read first, Losing Hope is from Holder's perspective and should be read after Hopeless, especially while the events of Hopeless are still fresh in your mind.

Second, I want to mention that Colleen Hoover is an amazing gift from God in the writing world. Hopeless was the first Colleen Hoover book I read, and I fell in love immediately with it. She has an amazing talent of building characters so you feel so completely connected to them by the end of the book. Her writing style makes you feel like you never want to leave the story and you can't wait to see what happens to the characters.

Third, I want to post the synopsis from both books, just so you have an idea what I'm talking about and so I don't accidentally post a spoiler.

Hopeless synopsis
Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies?

Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring.

Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth.

Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.

Losing Hope synopsis
Sometimes in life, in order to move forward you must face the past…

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover held readers spellbound with her novel Hopeless, the story of what happened when a troubled girl named Sky encountered a long-lost childhood friend, Dean Holder. With Holder’s help, Sky uncovered shocking family secrets and came to terms with memories and emotions that had left deep scars.

Hopeless was Sky’s story. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn the truth about Dean Holder.

Haunted by the little girl he couldn’t save from imminent danger, Holder’s life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnect.

In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky’s youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself.


Now, for my review.
Starting with Hopeless, I was completely pulled right into the story. A story of a girl setting foot into a new school and having to deal with the hatred and bullying of today's school system. I completely sold. I love the relationship that forms between Sky and Breckin in the story. But then Holder steps in. I immediately love him. He's the type of guy every high school girl falls for. But Sky is so stubborn and guarded that she plays it off like she's not affected by him. As the story progresses, you fall more in love with the relationship with Sky and Holder. Colleen Hoover has a seriously amazing ability to make you feel every emotion the relationship is enduring. I cried, I laughed and I was devastated. I promise you, there is a huge twist in events towards the end of the book that will have you seriously crying and screaming "WHAT?!" And I'm not talking you will only do this once, it will happen at least twice at the end of the book. 

Then going into Losing Hope. The story is the same story as Hopeless by told from Holder's perspective. Sometimes when author's do this I get really guarded about the book. I feel like I'll be reading the same story all over again and it won't be any different. But Colleen Hoover seriously making Losing Hope a true companion novel. Losing Hope starts off giving a little back story about Holder and his life and then goes into his meeting of Sky. Then the story of Hopeless really comes in....but let me assure you, the story is not the same. You get so much more information from Holder's perspective that really helps you tie everything together so it completes the relationship. But because of this, you will feel a million times more emotion from Losing Hope. You already know what happens, but reading and feeling all of it from Holder's perspective, it's intense. You feel every emotion Holder is feeling.....and let me tell you, Holder is a very emotional person.

The end of Losing Hope is a slightly different ending that digs a little further into the relationship and story. Losing Hope really rounds out and completes the story....but again, you will be crying your eyes out at the end.....I know I was. You really don't want the story and the relationship between Sky and Holder to end.

Overall, both books are extremely amazing, and I definitely give both 5 stars. They are great books for people who love a love story with a twist. You'll learn a lot about how the people in your life may not always be the people you think or want them to be. You'll learn that sometimes love can conquer all. You'll learn that you can't ever lose faith in yourself. And you'll learn that those you think you know, you might not really know at all.

I can't wait to get into Colleen's "Slammed" series soon. I can't even imagine how wonderful that series will be.

To purchase Hopeless & Losing Hope, please see the links below.
Hopeless (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Hopeless-Colleen-Hoover/dp/147674355X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373222805&sr=1-1&keywords=colleen+hoover

Losing Hope (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Losing-Hope-Novel-Colleen-Hoover/dp/1476746559/ref=pd_sim_b_3
*Losing Hope will be released on Kindle at midnight tonight (7/7/13). 



 Up Next:
The next review will be of the first 3 books of the Crossfire series (Bared To You, Reflected In You and Entwined With You) by Sylvia Day.

Welcome

Welcome to Katie's Book Korner.

This blog has been something I've been wanting to start for some time now. It has been suggested to me by numerous people in my life because they are always coming to me looking for recommendations on a great book to sit down and read.

In the coming weeks I'll be putting together some reviews on some of my favorite books I've read recently. I'm still in college finishing my Bachelors at this point, and won't be finished with my courses until the end of July, so my leisure reading is limited. After July my hope is that my reading time, and thus my number of reviews, will increase significantly.

I read just about everything imaginable. My favorite genre would be contemporary romance and young adult novels, so a lot of my reviews will center around that. But I also have a liking of fiction, non-fiction, biography, paranormal romance, and just about everything else in between.

So follow this blog, follow me on Twitter at @katiebookkorner and like my page on Facebook (Katie's Book Korner) to keep up-to-date on all of my reviews and book release happenings. Enjoy, and read on!