Corn, Cows, and the Apocalypse (Book 1)

Lenore is not the obvious choice for a protagonist, but reluctant heroine is still an understatement. She runs at the first signs of trouble. Mistaking her natural instincts for cowardice, her mentor, August, recruits her brother to train Lenore. With enthusiasm that is no less than abusive, Garrett forces Lenore to face the real world of guns, fists, and pointy things. Meanwhile the rest of her team August, Devin, and Haden, disappear to let him.
When the lessons become too real, Lenore takes refuge at Matthew’s church. Pre-apocalypse he was a priest, but post-apocalypse he is a lecherous drug addict with a chip on his shoulder called “God.” Though this fallen, broken man isn’t the ideal candidate to rescue her, he helps mitigate the situation, and Lenore voluntary returns to her training.
After her training is over, Lenore is troubled by her feelings for Garrett. He was an integral part of her life for three months, but he leaves her life as quickly as he came into it.
August and the others return with tales of the Big O and the monthly tournaments they are hosting. The competitions use grim as live targets for various weaponry and defensive skills. With Devin’s win under his belt, he is eager to get Lenore on board for the archer competition.
The tournaments turn out to be the highlight of Lenore’s year. The energy of the event is contagious and exhilarating. Haden’s win in the firearm competition brings attention from the mayor and his lackeys. Adrian Dorn—head lackey, immediately puts August in defensive mode, but Lenore finds herself drawn to the man.
Disappointed with Lenore’s opposition, August challenges her to look beyond her outward intuition and to her deeper instincts. Primal instincts that may save her life, and the lives of others if she can interpret them. Lenore does her best to further transform into this superhero that August wants, but in the end it isn’t enough. Sometimes the bad guys just win.