Blog Tour: All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up
Rusk University #1
By:  Cora Carmack
Published:  May 13, 2014
Publisher:  William Morrow
Source:  Publisher 
Mature Content:  18 & Up
Add to Goodreads
Purchase At: Amazon | B & N | Kobo

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights. In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both. Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past. But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again. Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated. Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter. And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

My Thoughts:

I have been really excited and looking forward to All Lined Up, by Cora Carmack, ever since I heard about it!  I love Ms. Cormack's unique writing style.  She has a way of creating beautifully realistic characters that are easy to relate to, and care about.  She always includes humor, and those silly and very human awkward moments between two people that make me giggle and blush.  Thus far, I have read every book Cora Carmack has ever written, and each book is like a special little package that I can't wait to open and savor.

In All Lined Up, we learn about two college students.  Dallas, is a college freshman who's passion is Jazz and contemporary dance.  Her dream has been to attend a prestigious dance school in New York.  Unfortunately, her father wanted her to stay in Texas and she's stuck attending Rusk, a school that has a mediocre dance department.  Dallas is pretty shy, and doesn't have much experience with boys.  She had one serious boyfriend, Levi, who was the high school quarterback.  Things ended badly as Levi changed after he gained popularity and left Dallas, after she gave him her virginity.  Now he is an even bigger jerk, and the star quarterback at Rusk.  Carson is the second string quarterback at Rusk, and is focused on moving in to the number one position.  He worked hard in junior college, and along with his parents saved enough to attend three semesters at Rusk.  He works out a minimum of five hours a day, and has a plan to get a scholarship through football.  That means he can't have any distractions, especially girls.

One night, Dallas', carefree and crazy friend, Stella, drags her to a party.  While there, she has a bad experience with a football player, which reminds her why she has a rule against dating them.  While she's trying to avoid her ex boyfriend and the other guy, she coincidently meets Carson, who is also having a bad time at the party.  The two have a fun and easy conversation that includes laughter and flirting.  Dallas and Carson also share an intense attraction.  Soon these two find themselves spending a lot of time together, developing a strong friendship, and not being able to stay away from one another.  Will this love affair survive when Dallas discovers that cole is a football player, and he discovers that she is his coach's daughter?  Things are about to get very complicated, and you will be rooting for Dallas and Carson to overcome the many obstacles that are about to be put in their path. 

I loved Dallas and Carson!  They were amazing characters.  Dallas was the type of friend that I would want.  She was sweet, kind, intelligent, hard working, and didn't let anyone walk all over her.  Carson was a great book boyfriend.  He had so much spirit!  He worked so hard for what he wanted and never gave up.  I really respected his character and was cheering for him the whole time!  He stood up for Dallas, and was the kind of guy that would always do what was right, even if it wasn't the easiest or most popular decision.  I loved the dynamic between Carson and Dallas.  It was very sexy, but at the same time they laughed a lot together, had fun, and supported each other's dreams!  I loved the way that they developed a friendship first, even though they shared attraction and flirty banter from the very beginning.

The story plot was very fast-paced, and I read this story in one sitting.  It was sexy, romantic, inspirational, and a great beginning to the Rusk University Series!  I am looking forward to continuing this series.  The second installment is going to be about Silas and a mystery lady.  I hope she puts Silas in his place, and he undergoes serious character growth, because as of now, I'm not a fan of his.
  

My Rating:

I give, All Lined Up, by Cora Carmack, 4.5 Inspirational, Romantic, Fun, and Addictive Stars!  Cora Carmack fans will love this new book!  If you're new to Cora Carmack's writing, you will quickly discover that she has a clever writing style, and once you read one of her books, you'll be hooked!

My Favorite Quote:

"You asked me once what fixes me the way dance fixes you.  I'm still not sure I've found that thing that pulls me together, but I've found who pulls me together.  You're the only thing that makes me feel better when I'm tired or frustrated.  You're the thing that quiets all my worries and doubts and fears.  You're it for me.  So run if you'd like, but I'll follow.  You can try to hold me at arm's length, but I'll never stop trying to pull you close."  (eARC, Loc. 4008)

~Carson

About Cora Carmack:

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. 

 Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway