14 Things I LOVED About 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(For real though...where has the time gone?! It feels like only yesterday we were freaking out about the possibility of our computers not working on January 1st.)

(#Y2K #neverforget)

As we turn towards 2015, I can't help but reminisce on all the amazing things that happened in 2014. Here are some of my favorites: 

1. Introducing the world to Rusk University.

Like Dallas, I have a love/hate relationship with football. As such I never would have anticipated how much I would grow to love this series and these characters. Is it weird that they feel like old friends? Like... I just want to hang out with them. All the time. 

2. On a related note, creating Silas Moore.

He was my first attempt at writing a bad boy, and I love him so much. He's still actually a pretty decent guy, because I am apparently incapable of writing true jerks. But I definitely caught the #SilasVirus when I was writing All Broke Down. Hopefully you did too. 

3. Taylor Swift giving us the glory that is "Shake It Off."

THIS SONG IS MY JAM AND I'M NOT SORRY.
ALSO HOW AWKWARD AND BRILLIANT IS SHE?
AWKWARD PEOPLE NEED LOVE TOOOOOOO. 

4. Reading some AMAZING BOOKS.

2014 was the year I became addicted to audiobooks, and as such, the year I was able to find a better balance between reading and writing/working. I started the year obsessed with paranormal romance. First I fell for Jeaniene Frost and the Night Huntress series, then Larissa Ione and the Demonica series, then the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill, the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, and everything by Nalini Singh. Then I moved on to historical. My first time ever reading historical romance and it was AMAZING. I devoured everything Lisa Kleypas has ever written. Sarah Maclean too. Also Tessa Dare and Sabrina Jeffries. I also took the time to get back to my YA roots. The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas blew my mind this year. As did the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. And I said goodbye to several favorite series including The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout and the Embrace series by Jessica Shirvington. And of course... I read some fantastic NA books this year. This is the year I became even more obsessed with Samantha Young (seriously, she can do no wrong). I fangirled all over Christina Lauren. I read more from the consistently fabulous KA Tucker, Jay Crownover, Monica Murphy, and J. Lynn. And discovered some new favorites like Deeper by Robin York, Boomerang by Noelle August, When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill,  and Chase me by Tessa Bailey (I'm totally obsessed with her too. She's the only author this year that I badgered to give me books early because I JUST COULDN'T WAIT). And now I'm ending the year with an AMAZING read by Caisey Quinn called Leaving Amarillo that just might end up being my favorite of the entire year (if I finish it before midnight). 

5. Meeting so many amazing people in so many amazing places.

I got to go to some fabulous places in 2014.
San Diego. Las Vegas. Baltimore. New York. San Antonio. New Orleans. Edinburgh. Dublin. Orlando. Des Moines. Miami. Nashville. Denver. And probably even more that I'm forgetting. I went so many places it's hard to keep track of when they all happened. I got to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones. I met readers who loved my characters as much as I do, who talked Harry Potter/Dr. Who/All the nerdy things with me, who continually reminded me of how blessed I am to do what I love. I met some authors that I've admired for a long time. Sarah J. Maas? Totally fangirled all over her. Nalini Singh? Her too. Maria V. Snyder? I was very nearly speechless. Certainly quite awkward. I'm just gonna declare 2014's official hashtag as #whatislife because I asked myself that on numerous occasions. I've always wanted to travel. And I can vividly remember my junior year in college when I decided to study abroad. I threw all my money and effort into making that trip happen because I was convinced it was my only shot. I'd prepared myself for a life as a starving artist, and I told myself that if I could just have that one adventure that maybe it would sustain me through all the rest of my years when my wanderlust would be stifled. It still blows my mind that I now get to travel for my job. That I travel so much I recognize flight attendants and TSA agents. 

6.  Writing stuff like this:

7.  Literally everything that Benedict Cumberbatch did.
 But especially his quadruple Ice Bucket Challenge. *drools*

And that time he talked about how Sherlock Holmes would be in bed. *blinks* *faints*

8. Getting to spend another year with Kitty Katniss. 

ISN'T SHE PRECIOUS? #crazycatlady

9.  Making my return to fantasy with INSPIRE.

Most people don't know this... but Losing It was the first time I ever wrote a contemporary story. Ever. Before that, I'd only written fantasy. For five years I wrote fantasy, and Losing It was just an itch I needed to scratch. It was a wonderful surprise and adventure when that book did as well as it did, and it set my life on a course I never could have imagined. I've loved each and every book I've written since then, but I spent a great deal of time missing fantasy. I love writing romance. I love writing about characters figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their life. But I also love that extra something special and unique that comes with writing a story that's not quite realistic. I got to return to my first love with INSPIRE, melding the supernatural and mythology with the story of two people falling in love. And I cherished every moment. Thank you so much to those who took that leap with me and gave that new book a chance. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate it. Publishing that book fulfilled a dream I've had for many, many years. 

10. Crossing this rope bridge in Northern Ireland (and not dying!)

11.  Binge-watching Orphan Black (and subsequently forcing everyone I know to do the same.)

SEASON THREE STARTS APRIL 18TH! GET YOUR DVRs READY!!

12. Getting to discuss my very favorite chapter of Order of the Phoenix on Alohomora, the Harry Potter podcast from Mugglenet!
 Seriously... *pinch me* I can't believe that actually happened. 

13. Writing stuff like this:

14.  The final thing I loved about 2014 was the way time flew by.

Seriously, this year passed so quickly that I kept getting confused between what was 2014 and what was 2013 when I wrote this post. And time only flies like that when you're having fun. And while a career as an author means working crazy hours and traveling a lot and promoting until you feel like one of those inflatable flailing arm dudes just crying out in desperation, "BUY MY BOOK! PLEASE BUY MY BOOK!", it is also the most fun I've ever had. It's insane that I get to tell stories for a living. Because I spent so long just telling them for myself. And I still cannot believe that I get paid to do this.  And I'm just grateful to have had another year. Especially at a time when sales numbers are down and authors across the board are struggling, I'm thankful for all 365 days that I got to do what I loved. And I have my fingers crossed for 365 more. 

And now... a 15th thing to look forward to for 2015! 

I am so excited for so many of the projects I have coming in 2015! I've got several things in the works that I'm really excited about, but here's a couple things I can tell you about now! 

There's book 2 in the Muse series (sequel to INSPIRE):

Release date TBA, but mostly likely in the first half of the year. 

There's also ALL PLAYED OUT coming in May! And I'm sooo excited for everyone to spend a little more time with Torres and Nell. I am obsessed with them. So here's a little teaser from APO: 

“What is that?” I ask.

“A bad decision.”

“Then why are you making it for me?”

He shoots me a lopsided smile, and I’m forced to acknowledge that maybe the warmth creeping up my neck has far less to do with alcohol than I wish it did. “No, sweetheart. It’s called a bad decision. The drink. It’s my own special invention.”  

He hands me the cup, and I stare at it warily. He moves closer to me, nudging the cup closer to my mouth with his finger.

“Why should I trust you?”

He seems to enjoy my suspicion.

“Always gotta fight me. Just try it. It’s sweet. I guarantee you’ll like it much better than the beer.”

I take a deep breath, think of my list, and then lift it to my mouth. The flavor curls over my tongue, tangy and sweet. “I can’t even taste the alcohol,” I say.

He smiles. “That’s why it’s called bad decision. Because too many of those will sneak up on you.”

I take another drink, simultaneously watching him lift a beer, my old beer, to his lips. If you’d described the scene to me two weeks ago, my first thought would have been ew, germs. Now… it makes my mouth go dry, and I find myself watching his mouth long after he lowers the bottle. I clear my throat and take another sip to wet my inexplicably parched throat. I don’t know why anyone would choose beer over something like this. I tell him, “It’s really good. Thank you.”

He’s looking away from me and out at the party as he says, “For you, Nell, I’ll make as many bad decisions as you want.”

Then his gaze tracks back to mine, and he winks, and I know if I touched my skin now, it would be burning. 

(You can pre-order All Played Out on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks, and you can add it on Goodreads too!) 

Thanks for another fabulous year! And may 2015 be just as awesome. May we all be a little happier, a little kinder, more understanding, more daring, and more true to ourselves. 

In Awkward Love <3,
Cora

The One Where INSPIRE IS ALMOST HERE OMG!!!!!

So this post is a last minute compilation of EVERYTHING you need to know about Inspire. Plus, there MIGHT be a chance to win an e-arc at the end. Just saying. :)

THREE DAYS, YOU GUYS. THAT'S 72 HOURS!!!!

And we're having a PARTY! 

That you can attend from anywhere in the world! It's on Facebook, and will be going on throughout the day on Monday (release day). I'll be talking about the book, giving away goodies, playing games, and dragging a few awesome author friends into the mix. So, yeah. You should totally come. 

INSPIRE by Cora Carmack
Coming Monday December 15th, 2014

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.

You can add it on Goodreads, and you can pre-order now exclusively through iBooks! It's currently on for a special introductory price of $2.99! If you pre-order or buy within the first few days of release, you'll get it for that price. But after that, it will go up to it's full price of $3.99. 

  (Inspire will be available from all retailers on release day). Please note: INSPIRE is independently published and in e-book only at the moment. So if you normally buy my books at your local bookstore, you won't find this one there. If you prefer to read paperbacks, we're planning to release a paperback edition of Inspire in January that you can order from online retailers.
Click HERE for the answers to more frequently asked questions about Inspire. 

You can also read the first SIX chapter of Inspire now! That adds up to over 60 pages! 

And now... do you want to win an e-ARC of Inspire so that you can start reading it early?

Sure you do! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The One with the First Two Chapters of INSPIRE!!!

YOU GUYSSSSSS. THIS IS REAL LIFE. 2 WEEKS UNTIL INSPIRE AND I'M FREAKING OUT.

*breathes into a paper bag* If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, it's because I have a new series starting in TWO WEEKS!!

INSPIRE by Cora Carmack
Coming December 15th, 2014

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.

EEEEEEP!! Now, you guys have been asking me a lot of questions about Inspire, so I thought this would be a good time to address some of them. 

 How can I make sure I don't miss out on Inspire?
You can add it on Goodreads, and you can pre-order now exclusively through iBooks! 

But what if I have a Kindle/Nook/e-reader that doesn't support iBooks? Can I still pre-order?
Inspire will be available across all e-book retailers on release day! So if you search "inspire cora carmack" on Amazon or BN.com right now, nothing will show up - but don't worry! It will be there on December 15!

Will there ever be a paperback version? I like being able to smell the pages while I read. 
Much like my first book, Losing It, Inspire will start out as e-book only. But I'm hoping to have a paperback available sometime in first few months of 2015.  (And trust me, I love new book smell just as much as the next girl!)

Can I get Inspire in [insert country here]?
Dec 15th is the worldwide publishing date for the e-book in English.  Currently, there are no foreign language releases to announce.

What made you choose to write NA Paranormal?
 For ages, I’ve been talking about wanting more New Adult paranormal and fantasy books. And like a good little author, I continued working on my contracted books, waiting patiently for that big breakout paranormal book that would get the tide rolling and start the paranormal boom that I so desperately wanted.

I waited and waited and waited, and then I got tired of waiting.

I've been lucky the past few years to be able to chase my dreams, and this is the next big dream for me. Most of the books that have shaped me as a person are fantasy. Most of the authors I idolize write fantasy. It's those kinds of stories that first kindled my love for writing, and I'm so eager to finally be able to share this side of myself with you all. 
 
But is there still kissing??
Oh yes, my friends. Don't fret. There is PLENTY of kissing and sexy-time. And, because it's me, plenty of awkwardly hilarious situations as well. ;)


So what made you decide to return to self-publishing?
 I’m choosing to go indie because it feels like the best choice for this particular book. I’ve been eager to branch out into speculative fiction for a while now, but the problem was always figuring out the when. There’s been this strange dichotomy where some readers are ready and willing for NA to branch out into other subgenres, whereas other readers are still predominantly interested in the contemporary romance that began the NA boom. This makes NA fantasy still a pretty big risk for publishers (especially considering shelf space for NA in bookstores is still fluid and unpredictable). So for Inspire, it was the perfect choice to go indie. It’s risky to jump into a new subgenre, but also SUPER exciting!!

How many books will be in the series?
As of now, I'm planning on this being a two-book series...but as some of you may know, my characters tend to have minds of their own, so there's a chance there could be more. ;)

I want to help spread the word! What can I do?
Tell your friends! Tweet about Inspire, post on Facebook, tell random people on the street - every single bit of buzz helps! You can also join Cora's Crew, which is a Facebook group for all things Inspire-related. 


Do you have a time machine to make December 15 get here sooner?
I wish!! 

But while I don't have a TARDIS or the ability to make time move faster, I DO have.....THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS OF INSPIRE!!!

INSPIRE: Ch. 1 &amp; 2

Eeeep! Hope you enjoyed that sneak peek! Want to read more?

Go to KimberlyFayeReads for Chapter Three! 

And then you can read even MORE at these blogs as we approach release day!

December 8 – Chapter 4

Love Between theSheets

December 9 – Chapter 5

The Irish BananaReview

December 11 – Chapter 6

Paranormal Book Club

Football Friday: the whole Rusk University Gang + A Giveaway!

ALL BROKE DOWN has been out in the wild for about four days....and for those four days, all I've wanted to do is tacklehug each and every one of you. 

All Broke Down is book #2 in the Rusk University series, and you can order it on Amazon , Barnes & Noble , or iBooks! Or find it in your local bookstore! You can also add it on Goodreads! You've already met Silas Moore and Dylan Brenner, and now that the book is out, I thought we could just reminisce about the people we've met so far. 

I've loved writing all of my books, but in the Losing It series, everyone graduated and went their separate ways. Though they still made small appearances in each other's books, they mostly led their own lives. The Rusk series in entirely different. The secondary characters are a huge part of these books.  Each story relates in some way to the football team and the community that surrounds it. So not only do you get to know the characters BEFORE their books, you also get to see them frequently after their stories have been told. 

First there was Dallas and Carson, who you got to know in All Lined Up. Dallas in honest and spunky, and spent her life in the shadow of football thanks to her father, Coach Cole. As a couple, they fit together so well and are good friends (not just boyfriend and girlfriend). I sort of see them as the nucleus of the group. They keep everyone else grounded (and in control... mostly). 

That's Carson's job on the team too as quarterback. He's the leader, and he sort of brings everyone together. And it's a big job. He's got Silas, who is supposed to be a leader too, but has a knack for causing as much trouble as he diffuses. Then there's Torres (who might possibly be my favorite character ever). He's wild and funny and completely shameless. It's a different sort of confidence than the typical romantic hero has. Because he's willing (and quite able) to make a fool of himself on a regular basis. And there's a strange sort of charm in that. Luckily, Carson has some help keeping those two in line. His friend Ryan is a manager on the team, and though he can be a tad silly like Torres, he's usually pretty good for some straight talk. Brookes rounds out the football guys. He's quieter, his personality isn't as out there as those of his friends. But he's thoughtful, and he has a knack for reading people (I also love him). I JUST LOVE THEM ALL, OKAY? 

And then there's the coaches too! I've already mentioned Coach Cole, but I think he deserves another mention. He's this great mix of gruff hard-ass and loving supporter. He's not so good with the emotions. He's better at yelling and ordering people around, but that makes it all the more meaningful when he does show emotion. In writing All Broke Down, I also found myself falling in love with another Coach on the Staff-- Coach Oscar (or Oz). He's the strength and conditioning Coach, and he's the youngest guy on staff. As such, he feels the need to be particularly tough so the guys take him seriously. You can probably expect to see more of him as the series carries on. 

Then there are the non-football people in this cast of characters. And I love them just as much as I do my athletes and coaches. First, there's Stella. She was Dallas's best friend in All Lined Up, and she quickly won over my heart. She's just got that extra something about her. She gets along with everyone. She always knows what to say. She's pretty much the coolest chick ever. 

Dylan and Nell and Matt are three brand new additions in All Broke Down. Dylan is a student activist, and she finds herself drawn to Silas (who is her total opposite). Nell (or Antonella) is her roommate. We just get brief glimpses of her in All Broke Down, but she's the incredibly serious and studious type. Matt... ah, he's another favorite. He's this vibrant guy that knows Dylan through her activism work. As Dylan describes him, he's basically a "Disney prince. If Disney made bearded, bisexual princes." He's hilarious and spontaneous, and has some of my favorite moments in All Broke Down. 

So that's my cast of characters. But I know what you're all really wondering is... 

Who is going to get their own book? 

At this moment in time, I can promise you very few things. I signed a three book deal with my publisher, but hopefully we'll be continuing on the series for a few more books at least. But a lot of that just depends. Publishing is a business first, and the better the current books sell, the more likely the publisher is to be excited to continue the Rusk series. So if you love the books, recommend them to your friends! 

Here are a few things I can tell you: 

• Book Three is called ALL PLAYED OUT! It's set to be out a little over six months from now in May. You can already add it on goodreads here. It's about Torres and Nell. And guys... it was SUCH a blast to write (like I expected anything less of Torres). She's straight-laced and focused, and he's wild and spontaneous. And when she creates a bucket list to attempt to loosen up during her last few months before she graduates, he's the perfect person to help her step out of her normal boundaries (or you know... just blow them to smithereens). It's funny and sexy, and I can't wait for you guys to read it. 
• And just for you guys... here's a sneak peek at the VERY FIRST lines of the book (in Nell's POV): 
• "There’s a half-naked man in my kitchen. Well, honestly, he’s more like 90% naked with just a pair of black boxer briefs that fit very snugly. So, snugly in fact, that I’m going to round up to 95% naked."
  
  
  Teeheehee. You can also pre-order All Played Out now. 

• If you were paying attention, you might remember that once upon a time, I said book three was going to be about Ryan. GUILTY. I totally said that. Because it's what I thought. From the very beginning I envisioned this series having at least four books-- Dallas, then Silas, then Ryan, and then Stella. I had clear ideas for each book from the outset. Then my sister read All Lined Up as my first reader and said, "Are Ryan and Stella going to get together?" I told her no. I loved Ryan and Stella both, but I thought they were too much alike. They were just better off as friends (who okay... flirted a lot). I went back in during copy edits, and even made a few adjustment to the book to hopefully make it more apparent that that's all they would ever be. And yet, when the book hit the shelves, one of the first questions I started getting was-- "Are Ryan and Stella going to get a book?" I sort of cagily answered yes, but didn't really tell people that I had every intention of giving them separate books. I was determined. I had a vision, and I was going to stick to it! Then I wrote All Broke Down, and I started to waver. Stella ended up forcing her way into that storyline in a way I hadn't originally intended, but once the idea had come to me, I couldn't get it out of my head. And as I wrote the book, I could feel that vision I had shifting. My characters had become so large in my head, so real that they were acting independently of me. So one day I emailed my editor and said, "Okay. I was wrong. Ryan and Stella are supposed to be together." And that left me scrambling to re-imagine the rest of the series in my head. Conveniently, I had become rather enamored with Torres (as he has a tendency to steal the show a bit in ABD), so he was the perfect replacement for the Bucket List book that I had originally intended to be Ryan's. 

• So now you're probably wondering-- will Ryan and Stella get their book? And the answer is yes.  Whatever I have to do to make that book happen, I will. I promise. Ideally, it will still come through my publisher and they'll want to continue the series as I said. But whatever happens, I will make sure their story is told. Speaking of Stella... if you've read All Broke Down... you might have some questions for me. But those questions are definitely of a spoiler-y nature. So, I'm going to answer them as vaguely as I can here (highlight below to see ONLY IF YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK. WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW):                       
• SERIOUSLY DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ALL BROKE DOWN. So... like I mentioned above... I didn't originally plan for Stella's to have such a big role in All Broke Down. But I loved her so much that she just kept showing up. I don't typically plot my books. I know the beginning and a general direction, but then I let my characters lead me. But one thing that's important to me with this series is to give a truthful portrayal of Texas football... the good and the bad. And unfortunately, you only have to have kept up with the news to know that far too often athletes get away with behavior that normal people never would. And having grown up in the heart of football country, I've seen first hand the way athletes can get special treatment or the way people are willing to sweep things under the rug in the name of their "greater good" ie- the team. In particular, there's a long history of athletes getting into trouble (or more correctly, not getting into trouble) for the kind of thing that happens at the end of All Broke Down. I was writing this book while one such event was prominent in the news. And once the idea of working it into ABD occurred to me, I could think of nothing else. It gripped me. Refused to let me see the story any other way. And the moment I began to seriously consider it... I remember, I was sitting on my couch, and I just started bawling. Because I knew how and to whom it was going to occur. I tried to resist at first because I hated myself for it. Knew some of you would hate me for it too. But like I said... sometimes characters become bigger and more real in your head. Sometimes they tell me what their story is going to be. And that's what happened with Stella. The end of All Broke Down was just the beginning of what will be a long journey for her. I know that her story is left unresolved. I know that. But I couldn't pretty that up with a happy ending. I refused to, actually. I know that ending was jarring and upsetting. It was meant to be. Far too many stories like Stella's are forever left unresolved and without justice, a staggering percentage in fact. And that's the story she wanted me to tell. Not just the physical and emotional impact of the occurrence itself, but the impact of everything that happens (and doesn't happen) afterward. So if I broke your heart at the end of ABD, I'm sorry. Know that I broke my own heart first. But I hope you'll trust me to take care of this character that we all love. Trust that I don't tell her story lightly. 
• Okie dokie. Sorry. That spoiler-y thing ended up taking longer to say than I thought. STILL DON'T READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED ABD! So yeah, that's all I can promise you for the moment. Do I have ideas for other characters in the Rusk series? Yes. Can I say for certain that those ideas will become books? No. But I hope. :) 

(P.S. If you're bummed that you have to wait until May for the next Rusk University book, make sure you check out the brand new series I have starting with INSPIRE on Dec 15th! That's MUCH sooner! :) You can read all about it here).

So there you have it! Those are all the major players in the Rusk University series, and everything I can tell you about the future of these books. I hope you're all enjoying catching the #SilasVirus, and thank you so much for all your kind tweets and messages! The response to this book so far has been so overwhelming and so heart-warming, and I can never thank you enough. <3

BUT I SHALL TRY WITH THIS FINAL EPIC GIVEAWAY!!! 

Win a signed set of the entire Losing It series (including the novellas) and All Lined up! 

Open internationally. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The One with ALL BROKE DOWN!!! YAAAAAAY!!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! ALL BROKE DOWN IS OUT IN THE WORLD FOR EVERYONE TO READ! I've spent all morning doing my own variations of a touchdown celebration....it's looked kind of like this:

 ...and this...

 ...and this...

 ....and this....

 ...but mostly this:

(I FEEL YOU, NUMBER 63!!)

If this is your first time visiting my blog and you're wondering what all the fuss is about, ALL BROKE DOWN is the second novel in my Rusk University series, and it released today! You can check it out on Goodreads, or keep reading below for more information. :D

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

Environmental issues, civil rights, education—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail for a few hours, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and not at all her type, 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.

 Amazon  

Barnes & Noble 

 iBooks

Releasing a new book is always thrilling, but I feel extra eager for All Broke Down. A good girl meets bad boy story-- it's the longest book I've ever written (beating out Faking It by about 15k words) and by far the steamiest. As always, you can expect some awkward interaction, flirty dialogue, and realistic characters. Though darker than All Lined Up, you can still expect the same Friday Night Lights feel (but with more kissing). And if you haven't read All Lined Up, that's okay! Just as with all my books, they can stand alone and be read out of order.  

If you have some time today, I'd love for you to stop by the Rusk University Pep Rally on Facebook! The party started last night and we've had such a blast so far! We've got giveaways planned-- signed books, gift cards, swag and more! And we've got some awesome Guest Authors who will be popping in for visits. People like Jay Crownover, Christina Lauren, K.A. Tucker, Melody Grace, Laura Kaye, Lauren Blakely, Sophie Jordan, Monica Murphy, Tessa Bailey, Chelsea Fine, Caisey Quinn, and Alyssa Rose Ivy. (I adore all of these peeps and hope you're as excited as I am to hang out with them).  Check out this master post for links to all of the active giveaways, as well as any bonus content, deleted scenes, or teasers that have been posted in the event so far!

Thanks as always for reading! I'd love to hear from you guys today and over the next few days as you get to know Silas and Dylan! If you spot All Broke Down out in the wild, feel free to take a picture. Talk to me on Facebook and Twitter - y'all know I'm going to be glued there all day. ;)  If you're looking for ways to help support me and the Rusk University series, consider telling your friends about the book and buying your copy during release week (if you don't pre-order that is)! And if you're willing to leave a review on Amazon, iBooks, B&N, or another retailer, that can go a long way to helping a book succeed! 

Here's another little snippet of All Broke Down to help get you excited for Silas Moore!
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“You might think you need to stay away from me because I’m not your usual relationship material, but I think that’s exactly why you need me. You need to just have some fun. Be young for a little while before it’s too late.”

She sighs, flipping on her blinker with a little too much aggression, and turning onto another residential street.

“Okay.”

For a moment I think I’m just hearing what I want to hear.

“Okay what?”

“Okay, I’ll stop thinking so much.”

I wait for her to pause at a stop sign, and then I lean over and kiss her. She makes a surprised sound in my mouth, but then she hums when I drag my lips over her once, then again.

Someone honks behind us, but this time they can fucking wait. I throw my middle finger up to the douche behind us and press her back against her seat just long enough to make sure she knows she’s made a good decision.

I hear the car peel out around us, still honking, but I’m not about to let her run on me again.

When she’s making those little breathy noises again, and her hands have left the steering wheel to clutch at my hair, I slowly pull back.

“I think we’re already making tremendous advances in your therapy, Pickle.”

The dazed look on her face lasts only a few seconds before she pushes me back over into my seat and says, “God, you’re so arrogant.”

I laugh and don’t deny it.

She smooths her hair down and pulls away from the stop sign. She glances at me out of the corner of her eye every few seconds for the rest of the drive. Each look is like a shot of adrenaline and by the time she says, “We’re here,” it’s all I can do not to pin her to the seat again.

She slows to a stop behind a truck parked on the side of the road. The street is lined with cars for several hundred yards ahead of us, and a group of people is gathered in a yard a couple of houses down.

“We’re doing something with other people?” I sound like a whining kid because I’d thought I would have her to myself, that I could continue whittling down those walls of hers.

“Come on. We’re running a little late, and we still have to check in.”

I sigh and push open the door. As we get closer, I see tools and paint and hardware, and the picture begins to come together.

I loop an arm around her neck, and though she tenses, she doesn’t push me away. I lower my mouth to her ear and say, “You’re putting me to work.”

“You want to be a better leader for your team. First step to being a leader is learning to put others before yourself. Besides . . . sometimes a little work is good for you.”

“I can think of another way you could have put me to work that’s much more enjoyable.”

She does push me off then, but she’s smiling.

“I’m not talking about you and your . . . You know. This kind of work is positive. We’re helping people.”

“My way is just another kind of helping. And I promise it would be a very positive experience for all involved.”

“Just when I think I’ve got a handle on your ego, it gets even bigger.”

I grin. “I thought we weren’t talking about me and my you-know.”

She shoves at my arm, barely moving me an inch. “Oh my God. You’re terrible.”
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If you're waiting on the UPS guy to deliver your book, you can pass the time by reading the first two chapters of All Broke Down, as well as all the other teasers I've released so far, HERE!

I love you all so much! Like seriously...you guys don't understand HOW much I love you.

<3 Cora