Okay, so I don't normally do this, what with Rajaa and I pretty occupied with Uni assessments. But I just had to come on here to shout a big
Happy Release Day to Rachel Harris!
Her third published novel A Tale Of Two Centuries is being officially released into the world today!
If you lovely people haven't bought your copy, here's a reason why you should...
About the Novel
Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.
One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.
With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?
A little about Austin!
A Special Deleted Scene Teaser from Rachel!
“Anything with you is exciting,
Princess.” He moves his hand beneath my thick hair and plays with the wisps at
the nape of my neck. Brushing his lips against mine, just a tease, he then
lifts his head and grins. “And, it just so happens I like pizza”—another light
brush—“and movies.” His mouth presses more firmly this time for a prolonged,
lingering touch, and then he shrugs. “And I guess the company is decent
enough.”
“Oh, is that right?” I ask, trying
to feign insult, but mostly succeeding in sounding breathless. “Only decent?”
He glides the tip of his nose
against mine. “Mmm hmm.”
I pinch the taut skin at his waist
and he chuckles. The sound does glorious things to my insides. Then, finally, Austin strengthens his hold
around me, crushing me to his chest, and tilts his head, capturing my lips in a
long, searing kiss that has me clinging to his shoulders.
“Oh yuck,” a disgusted voice says a
little later. “No offense, Alessandra, but I really don’t want to see my brother doing that.”
With an abrupt laugh of
embarrassment, I pull away and bury my head in the crook between Austin’s neck
and shoulder.
He sighs. “Jamie, your timing is
excellent as always.”
“Hey, it’s a gift.” At the spirited
tone in her voice, I look up. Jamie scrunches her nose. “But seriously, it
should be illegal for big brothers to make out in public. It’s traumatizing.”
A ghost of a smile plays on
Austin’s slightly kiss-swollen lips. “Well, you know, next time you could just
walk away and not interrupt.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” she
asks with a mock-frown. Then she grabs my hand and tugs me away from Austin’s
arms and into her own—the enthusiasm of her hug nearly knocking me over. “And
dude, why didn’t you tell me the two of you were hooking up? You do realize
we’re practically sisters now. Sisters spill the deets.”
“Uh,” I say intelligently, more
than a little confused on how to proceed. I lean back and look at Austin.
“Well—”
“Because maybe some people have
class?” Austin softens his words by rubbing the top of his sister’s head. Jamie
rolls her eyes and slaps his hand away, but the apparent affection between them
makes me smile despite my previous mortification.
“Whatever,” she says. “For real,
I’m just glad you finally wised up. You’re lucky my girl put up with you until
you did. Are you done with rehearsal?” This last part she directs at me,
swinging her eyes back to me as swiftly as the topic change.
“Just finished,” I confirm. Though
my head still spins from her chaotic way of speaking, I can’t help feeling
proud of my ability to keep up. If I can navigate the muddy waters of Jamie’s
conversation with ease, there’s no doubt I’ve become fully acclimated to this
world. “And my driver is waiting outside, or else I’d stay for yours. I am sure
you’ll be wonderful.”
She licks her finger and makes a
sizzling noise as she touches her shoulder. “You know it.” She laughs again and
gently shoves my shoulder toward Austin. “I’m gonna let you two say your mushy
good-byes in private, ’cause seeing that once in a lifetime is more than
enough.” Wiggling her fingers in a wave she says, “Laters, bro.”
I watch Jamie walk away and turn to
find Austin doing the same with a tender smile on his face. Something in my
chest squeezes and I fall for him all the more.
When the stage door closes shut
behind her, he turns and locks his hands around my waist. “My sister’s nuts,
but she was right about one thing.”
“And what is that?”
His forehead dips down to mine. “I am lucky you hung around until I wised
up.”
“Well, it certainly took you long
enough.”
I loop my arms around his neck with
a grin, and Austin laughs. “What can I say? Guys aren’t exactly known for being
quick on the uptake.” On the stage behind us, the shuffling sounds of the crew
laying out another scene hints at the busyness to come and I exhale a
frustrated breath, knowing it’s time to go. Austin rubs his hands up and down
my arms, almost as if he’s hesitant to let me. “I have to stay and bring Jamie
home after her scene, but I’ll come by your house after.” His eyes grow
serious. “And you better save me some pizza, woman.”
I shrug. “I shall try. But I am feeling awfully hungry. Rehearsals
take a lot out of a girl.”
He gives me one of his devilish
grins and kisses me again, and a minute later I walk away with my own wide
smile, backside tingling from the playful swat he gave it for daring to tease
him about something as important as food. As my driver closes the door behind
me and takes off for home, I watch the theatre grow smaller through my back
window and decide that Jamie was wrong. I
am the one who is lucky. Thanks to Signore and a little gypsy magic, I’m
experiencing an opportunity of a lifetime. I have a cousin who is more like a
sister to share it with, a handful of caring friends, and a boy who makes me
feel more special and loved than I ever have before.
Regardless of what the future holds
for me, Fate has been unbelievably kind.
AND
Whoever orders a copy of A Tale of Two Centuries this week and forwards a receipt to Rachelharris1 at gmail dot com will receive exclusive swag including an Austin trading card, a ticket to Alessandra's play, and a signed bookplate. And yes, ebook orders count!
So what are you guys waiting for?! If that's not enough incentives, then I don't know what is! LOL So go get your copy today and fall in love with Austin! <3
