@CoraCarmack Interview & Giveaway Hop

I have a special treat for you today! I'm very excited about this post because I met Cora Carmack in July at the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Librarian Day in Atlanta. She was on a panel that explained the rise of the new genre, New Adult. You can read more about that experience here.

Since then I have been following Cora as she has released several more books. Let me tell you, this girls rocks at social media. From the cover reveals to the contests, she is working tirelessly to promote her work and this fabulous genre. She did a wonderful contests where she autographed hundreds, if not thousands of copies of her book Finding It, but only a few had special inscriptions. If you found one of those inscriptions and messaged her about it, then she would feature your name as a character in a book. How neat! This prompted me to go to 4 Targets! Sadly, I didn't find one, but it was a wonderful experience. See? It is going that extra mile with your fans that will create life long fans. She graciously agreed to one of my silly interviews, where the questions are light-hearted and ridiculous. I also have a copy of Losing It to giveaway to one lucky winner. Enjoy and Good Luck!

Silly Author Interview Questions for Cora Carmack

(Because these are way more fun than regular questions)

1          What song always gets stuck in your head?

Oh man, there are so many. I usually find myself singing anything and everything by the Lumineers or Ed Sheeran. Or some completely off the wall older song like I Will Survive or I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Left Handed or Right Handed? Right handed

What is the inspiration behind Bliss’ name? (This isn’t silly, but I am very intrigued by the thought process behind how authors name their characters) I wish I knew! I get this question all the time. I remember searching baby name websites for Garrick’s name, but Bliss was just Bliss from the moment I knew her.

If I were to give you a cookie, what kind of cookie would it be?

Chocolate Chip. I like the classics. J

Which book have you read over and over again?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix holds the record for my most re-reads of all time. But I’m a BIG re-reader, so I’ve re-read most of my favorites at least a handful of times.

Guiltiest pleasure TV show?

 At the moment… Bitten. It’s based on a book by Kelley Armstrong and is about werewolves. It’s in its first season, and while there are some definite cringe worthy moments, I’m still enjoying it. Also… Reign. They’ve pretty much abandoned all sense of historical accuracy, but my addiction doesn’t seem to care.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

 You know… I’ve never had an absolutely unbearable job, but in college I worked the fitting room at Target, and boy do I have some retail horror stories.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

 Margarita with LOTS of salt. J

What three things do you never leave home without?

 My phone, headphones, and my wallet. I *try* to never leave home without chapstick, but I frequently forget and HATE that.

What song would you sing to at karaoke?

Oh, that’s easy. My go-to karaoke song is Ice, Ice Baby. I memorized all the words when I was in middle school, and still know them to this day. 

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Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop

Last month I wrote a review on the Heather Wells Mysteries by Meg Cabot. I raved and raved about the series and now I am giving you a chance to win your very own copy of Size 12 is Not Fat, the first in the Heather Wells Mysteries. You might be thinking, isn't this a romantic giveaway? Yes it is! I love Heather's relationship with Cooper. Though you only get the foundation of that relationship in Size 12, I think you will also find yourself falling for this couple. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did. It is laugh out loud funny sprinkled with some heartfelt moments. Plus, who doesn't love a dashing private investigator? 

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Jennifer Hayward Interview

     A few months ago I requested a ARC of  The Divorce Party by Jennifer Hayward from NetGalley. Most of you know my love of Harlequin Presents, but if you don't know, let me tell you how much I love them! Though they are short (usually 180 or so pages) I find myself absolutely addicted to them. They are my brain candy and guilty pleasure all rolled into. Anyway, let me get back on track. I was approved for The Divorce Party and I tore through it. Usually I can read a HP and move right on, but I was struck with the magnitude of emotions that were in The Divorce Party. I knew right off the bat that The Divorce Party was definitely above the grade.


     I did some research on Jennifer Hayward and found that not only was this her debut novel, but she was the winner of So You Think You Can Write, an online Harlequin writing contest. How cool is that? Here is a little more about Jennifer (kindly provided by the author herself!):  Jennifer penned her first romance at nineteen. When it was rejected, she bristled at her mother’s suggestion that she needed more life experience. She went on to complete a journalism degree and intern as a sports broadcaster before settling into a career in public relations. Years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and traveling the world provided perfect fodder for the arrogant alpha males she loves to write, and free research on the some of the world’s most glamorous locales.

       A suitable amount of life experience under her belt, she sat down and conjured up the sexiest, most delicious Italian wine magnate she could imagine, had him make his biggest mistake and gave him a wife on the run. That story, The Divorce Party, won her Harlequin’s 2012 So You Think You Can Write contest and a book contract. Turns out, Mother knew best. The second book of Jennifer's De Campo trilogy, An Exquisite Challenge, will be published with Harlequin Presents in Feb 2014 and the third instalment in May 2014 with The Truth about De Campo.
 
   I read The Divorce Party back in July and even after all this time the story is still with me. I own very very very few HP (it is less than 5) because I have only loved a few of them. I definitely own The Divorce Party. I decided to ask Jennifer is she would subject herself to one of my zany author interviews. She immediately responded! I am still awestruck with how the powers of social media can connect us with our favorite authors! Without further ado, her is my interview with Jennifer Hayward!

Silly Author Interview Questions for Jennifer Hayward

(Because these are way more fun than regular questions)

1. What song always gets stuck in your head?

 It’s always different depending on what I’ve been listening to… I always go on a power walk after I finish writing for the day… tonight it’s Rihanna’s ‘Stay’. Such a beautiful song.

2. Left Handed or Right Handed?

Right J Although I know a lot of Rhodes Scholars are left handed…

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

 The winter in Barbados because I just love the beach and the island that much and the winter in Canada is ugh. Sunset on the beach with a cocktail in your hand, dreaming up juicy stories, who can beat that? Summer at home in Canada cause it’s an amazing country I’m proud to be from.

4. Which book have you read over and over again?

Pride and Prejudice – why wouldn’t you?

5. What is the worst job you have ever had?

Working at a hotel reception desk. They thought I was far too friendly rather than efficient. Go figure!

6. What was the last movie you went to see?

Superman Man of Steel with my two boys. LOVED it. The opening is so magical and dramatic.

7. Favorite alcoholic beverage? I’m a huge wine fan, but someone served me the most delicious gin and tonic the other night with just a hint of lime. Yumm.

8. If I gave you a kitten, what would you name it?

Ooh. I’m really a dog person. But kittens are pretty cute. Jake if it was a boy and something fun like Esmerelda if it was a female…

9. One food you refuse to eat? 

Liver. Ugh.

10. Did The Divorce Party have an alternate title?

 Funny enough it never did. I popped it in there on a rough draft, used it when I entered the book into Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write Contest and when I won the contest with it, Harlequin kept it. Cue happy face J I can’t imagine it called anything else.

A BIG THANK YOU TO JENNIFER HAYWARD