My November Author of the Month really needs no introduction. A free spirit, she walks to the beat of her own drum. A beautiful southern woman, inside and out that is strong, bold, and drinks wine from a mason jar. Here’s an inside look at International bestselling Author, Cora Kenborn
Author Bio
International bestselling author Cora Kenborn writes twisted romances about damaged bad boys and feisty heroines. From her sexy dark romances to her laugh out loud romcoms, Cora promises her readers a happily ever after, although she’ll take them on an emotional roller coaster before handing it over.
A Southern girl from North Carolina, Cora says “y’all” way too much and has a lifelong addiction to sweet tea. She refuses to “adult” without coffee, thinks pajamas are acceptable daywear, and considers note-taking during true crime shows to be perfectly normal. Cora spends any free time she has avoiding laundry and convincing her family that microwaving Hot Pockets counts as cooking dinner.
Oh, and autocorrect thinks she’s obsessed with ducks.
The Interview
When did you know you wanted to be an Author?
I was that kid who was inside my room writing character profiles and plot lines while my friends were outside playing and socializing. Ever since I can remember I’ve been writing. I’m an only child (yeah, I know that explains a lot…lmao) so not having any siblings forced me to have a very active imagination. By eight years old I’d written my first “novel,” but I never considered actually making a career out of it. To me, writing was as normal as breathing, and I found it shocking that not everyone was as obsessed with it as I was. When I was in 7th grade, my teacher confiscated a story I wrote in class when I was supposed to be working. I thought I’d get in trouble, but to my surprise, she arranged a class trip to UNC-Chapel Hill to meet a well-known author. I found out a few years later that she’d called my mother and told her how much raw talent I had, and she’d arranged the trip for me because she believed it was my calling. I guess she was right.
Why did you choose Erotic Fiction?
I don’t think I chose it as much as it chose me. I’ve always gravitated toward a good romance novel. Even when writing a mystery, I would always weave a love story into the plotline somewhere. I’ve always loved a happily ever after and after trying my hand at multiple genres, I eventually gravitated toward writing romance full time. However, as my style developed, I realized I preferred the darker side of love, and dark romance and erotic fiction just go hand in hand. I think for me as well as the reader, erotic fiction isn’t only an escape, it’s the best part of all styles of writing rolled into one. I love being unpredictable. Some of my novels will just push the envelope toward erotic while others will dive into it full force.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Wait, what is this non-writing time you speak of? I’m not familiar with it. Haha. Just kidding. (kind of) Obviously, I am an avid reader, but I also fully admit to being a cheesy reality TV junkie, so I’m usually glued to the television when a new season of one of my favs are on. You’ll also find me glued to The Food Network, which is hilarious since my idea of cooking is microwaving a cup of Kraft Mac and Cheese. Seriously, I’m horrible at it. My poor kids got screwed in that department. Other than vegging while watching TV, I spend time avoiding exercise like the plague and feeding my online shopping addiction. I’m a sucker for those damn Instagram infomercial ads. They get me every time.
I love your “Lives”, how does it feel to freely connect with your readers and have them respond so positively?
That is the BEST part about being an author. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the 5 star reviews and good ratings are thrilling, but for me, the most rewarding part of this whole journey has been the relationships I’ve formed with my readers. With social media, the author and reader can have this instant and personal connection that’s amazing. The feeling of having someone read your book and personally message you to tell you how much your words impacted them is indescribable. It makes all the stress, tears, sleepless nights, missed meals, missed time with family members, and worry all worth it. I openly call my reader group my “family.” I’m not joking because they truly are. They’re a support system who are vital and irreplaceable.
Wine or Liquor?
That’s like picking my favorite child. Do I really have to? I have an intense dedication to box wine and Fireball. It’s like peanut butter and jelly…they just go together. Okay, not really because that would be seriously gross, but let’s just say I have enough love to go around.
What would the title of your life story be?
“Here, hold my beer.” Haha! It encompasses so much with me. Life has handed me some curveballs that would knock most people down for the count, but I refuse to accept defeat. Tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll prove you wrong. Tell me I’ll never make it in an industry, and I’ll release 14 books in one year. Tell me I won’t make it to see my next birthday, and I’ll continue to thrive six years later. Have I mentioned that I’m slightly stubborn? 😉
Who are some of your favorite Authors?
How much time do you have? That list is long. I admire all kinds of authors from NYT bestsellers to indie authors like myself, but, of course, I have my favorites. Most of them are in my dark romance genre, but right off the top of my head, I’d say, A. Zavarelli, Clarissa Wild, Natasha Knight, Anna Zaires, Katy Evans, Dani Rene, and Jane Anthony.
Are any of your books based on personal experience?
Yes. One is loosely based on real life experiences, and a certain character in it has a lot of my personality traits, but that’s all I’m going to say. Have fun figuring out which book it is, though. I should probably make that some kind of game—figure it out and win a prize. Wait, never mind. Let’s keep it a mystery, lmao. Some things are just better left unsaid to protect the innocent and the guilty as hell.
Which famous person, past or present, would you love to spend time with?
Is this a trick question? Because I have an unhealthy obsession with Shemar Moore and Stephen James. Oh, you said person and not people? Oops, well, my love can’t be split, so there you go. I should probably say some famous author or some humanitarian, but I’m all about the eye candy. You put it out there, so let’s make that happen. K,thanks.
Which character from any of your books do you most relate to?
Oh, sneaky, sneaky! I can’t answer this question due to the risk of incriminating myself from question #8. Nice try though. I give you an A for effort.
Dream Vacation spot?
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We just went there on vacation this past February, and I’ve decided I want to retire there permanently. Although, I’m going to have to figure out a way to be one of those people on House Hunters who are all, “My husband picks daisies for a living, I weave bamboo baskets, and our budget is just under 800k.” Seriously, where do they find those people, and more importantly, will they adopt me?
Are you currently working on any book projects?
YES! I’m actually working on three projects at once, which is more than hysterical considering I constantly have a massive case of “squirrel brain.” Obviously, one is the final book in my Carrera Cartel series, called Drawn Blue Lines. The other two are top secret. All of them will be released in 2019, so get ready for a book explosion from me next year!
What motto do you live by?
Work hard in silence, let your success be the noise.
Netflix and chill or a night on the town?
Now? Probably Netflix and chill. I find as I get older I can still party like a rock star, but I wake up and feel like I’ve been hit by a truck….or four. Besides, most dance clubs consider my Supergirl pajamas against “dress code.” Pffft, apparently, there’s no accounting for taste.
Finally, what personal message do you have for your readers?
Just, thank you! Thank you for letting me be my weird self. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. Thank you for embracing my characters and my stories and loving them as much as I do. Thank you for the shares, the reviews, the time you spend with me, and all the love. Most of all, thank you for being a part of my small corner of this community and supporting me. Writing the words is just the first part of this journey. It takes all of you reading them to complete it. I’m totally ripping Jerry MacGuire off here, but…yeah, y’all complete me. (Sorry, Tom Cruise…I’m a Southern girl. The correct term is, y’all.)
– You Can Find Cora Here –
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