COVER REVEAL: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

Hey all! Shelley here! It's a most exciting day on the blog. Today we get topresent the cover for a sequel I've been VERY anxiously awaiting. Bear with meas I ramble- it will be worth your while.
Rachel Harris blew me away with her YA debut My Super Sweet SixteenthCentury *See the debut of my review below* SO... I am happy to SUPER fangirland share my giddiness over the upcoming release of the second book, A Tale ofTwo Centuries with this COVER REVEAL. Go ahead squee with me. You know you wantto. And don't you just love the title? Rachel is oh so clever. Ok, I'll giveyou a moment of silence to admire the pretty picture...

Alessandra D’Angeli is inneed of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesickfor her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week anddazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hearher plea.

One mystical spell later,Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in thefuture. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalousclothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first centuryteen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer AustinMichaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to aworld filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Lessknows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. Buthow will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holdseverything she’s come to love?

 Glaring sunlight permeates thethin veil of my eyelids. Even though it is noonday, the light is exceptionallybright, at least in comparison to the shelter of the tent. I shield my browwith a curved hand and force my protesting eyes open…then at the sight beforeme, promptly shut them again.

Sounds become crisper in thedarkness. Rumbles, shrieks, wails, and hums. Unfamiliar chirps and impossiblebeeps. Piecing together my tattered, wilting courage, I take another peek andfind nothing is as it should be.

Where my palazzo usually sitsis an enormous structure with golden doors and red columns, a metallic roof,and a massive mounted dragon. A pair of terrifying, sculpted beasts guards theentrance. The ground is no longer one of cracked stone or even the damp earthof my garden, but assorted gray blocks etched with handprints, slipper prints,and a series of strange markings.

I stare at the mysteriousshapes on the stone before me and gasp as they all at once become clear: Harry Potter, 7-9-07. Rupert Grint. DanielRadcliffe. Emma Watson.

While a few of the lettersare different than I am used to, it is as if my mind is faster than I, readilymaking sense of it all. Stooping to see the words closer, I place my hands inthe indentations below the word Emma andmarvel at the fit.

I twist my neck around, handsstill pressed into the cool hollows, wanting to share the astonishing news withReyna. But she and the tent are gone. In their place, an overwhelming crowd invarying degrees of scandalous dress swarms the square, each costume moreshocking than the last.

Exposed ankles, exposed legs,exposed stomachs…

I avert my eyes heavenward,twin flames of heat burning up my throat and into my hairline. Clutching thenote, I press my hands against my knees and prepare to stand. The rough texturebeneath my palms causes me to freeze.

A horrible, unimaginabletruth tries to be acknowledged, and I reluctantly run my hands along my thighs,hoping, praying my fingers will brush against the soft, cool silk of mysurcoat. But when they follow the curve of my lap and meet in the middle,mortification demands a glance down.

Gentleman’s trousers!

 As a teen, RachelHarris threw raging parties that shook her parents’ walls and createdembarrassing fodder for future YA novels. As an adult, she reads andwrites obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characterswho become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.

When she's not typingfuriously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find herhomeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazinghusband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate. A Tale of TwoCenturies is her second novel. 

... and now for my review of the first book AND an awesome GIVEAWAY...

 ***Note: I read My SuperSweet Sixteenth Century back in October. It became one of my Best Of for 2012.Unfortunately as is with life sometimes, I didn't get my review on the bloguntil NOW.***

Where do I begin? Thebeginning? How novel. Ok, here goes... My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century wasjust the type of story I was looking for after a long stream of dark andintense books.
Yes, it's true, I love the macabre, the dark and mysterious. And even the gutwrenching, crying jag inducing emotional stories, but sometimes, a girl needs abreak.

So back to our book at hand.What you don't expect from this book is the eloquence. It is so beautifullywritten that you forget you're dealing with a young teenager full of angst andinsecurities. You quickly become completely caught up in the world and thebeauty of Italy the Rachel paints so perfectly for you.

I was immediately swept awaywith our fearless heroine Cat Crawford and this fantastic, fun and thrillingadventure. Talk about living vicariously.

There is so much to lovehere. From the descriptions of the landscapes and architecture, the artists,the history, the story within the story- so much is  unexpected andcharming. And as much as the atmosphere grabs you, the characters absolutelysteal the scene(s). I can't say enough about them without giving too much away,so I'll just hint at their fabulousness... First, the swoon-worthy Lorenzo. Ohhe is a surprising one. I just loved him. And I ADORED Alessandra. She and hebrother, Cipriano were delightful and captured my heart right away. I soenjoyed their banter. And don't get me started on the "creeptastic"Niccoli. The dialogue throughout is brilliant. Rachel has that perfect blend ofintelligence, sarcasm, and playfulness.

Spanning continents andgenerations- you learn a bit about Cat's family history as well- My Super SweetSixteenth Century was fascinating, fresh and so much fun. Looking for a greatgetaway? Want to travel to Italy but just can't afford it? Rachel Harris takesyou there in a most unique and enchanting way.

I wasn't certain when or ifthe story would continue, so I'm thrilled to see that it is- and beyond elatedto be a part of the reveal for the second book.

So what do you think? Are youready to take the leap with me and Cat? A Tale of Two Centuries promises to beanother epic roller coaster ride of romance and suspense- a bit of mystery andmaybe more history? I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. How about you?

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