Kristi Chestnutt's Blog, page 11

Another signing, another giveaway!

Guess who I get to see this weekend???
I'll give you a hint...it has to do with THIS BOOK that I cannot WAIT to read: Love, love, love this cover! And that's right....the amazing Lauren Oliver! Her book, Delirium, had me thinking for days. I loved the whole concept behind the book and how she creatively twisted things we knew, tweaked them just slightly, so that you weren't always sure exactly the way it was supposed to be. She showed us through Lena's world just how easy it was to change a word and thus the meaning. And a whole lot more.

BUT clearly, I ramble.

Just know that a shiny new copy of Pandemonium will be available for a giveaway next Wednesday, so be sure to check back. Whatever I come up with will be super MEGA EASY. And trust me, I want to send this book to you. Though I may make you discuss it with me in length when you're done.

You've been warned. :P

My house has been plagued with the Triple-P!

Somehow it seems fitting that the illnesses (yes, plural) that descended upon my household last week all started with the letter "P". The MC in my new work in progress is Piper and my two amazeballs critique partners also have MCs with P's.

Still...I really prefer the fictitional "P's" to the real life ones. What real life P's am I referring too?
Pink EyePneumoniaParental PanicOkay, so the third one is pushing it a bit, but really, the Double-P doesn't nearly sound as cool as the Triple-P, and trust me, there was legit parental panic involved.
So, yeah, I woke up on Sunday morning last week with my left eye swollen completely shut. Trust me when I tell you, it was not attractive. I didn't even realize adults could get pink eye, but apparently they can. And it's just as fun as it sounds. One week later and I'm still on antibiotic eye drops.
The weirdest part? No one I know has pink eye. Not even my toddler. *weird*
Speaking of the tot, at the exact same time, he comes down with a bad cough and a temp of 102. A trip to the DR on Monday resulted in antibiotics for Pneumonia. More fun. And this whole time? Hubs is perfectly fine, which is not helping in my war against his germaphobeness. :)
Three days later and tot is still at 102 and on fire, with us giving him fever reducer every few hours. Enter Parental Panic here. We've never had more than a day of a bad cold and temp.
Good news is that we're both currently on the mend. Both of us STILL on antibiotics, dude still has a cough, but I'm going to be BRAVE and wear my contacts tomorrow AND eye makeup. I know, I know. I live on the edge.
Here's to hoping all you bloggy friends out there are happy and healthy and avoiding the Triple-P and all those other germy things that seem to be going around right now.
 

In which I pledge my undying love to Cassie Clare!

Okay, WOW.

Is blogger right? Has it really been two months since my last post?

*blushes and throws distraction at readers*


What? You're not distracted by this book?
Clearly you haven't read it yet. Go on. I'll wait. Trust me, it's ADDICTIVE.
So....I hereby claim 2012 as the year in which I consumed almost all of Cassandra Clare's beautifully written books. In 2011, I officially started with the Infernal Devices Series (the prequel to The Mortal Instruments), Book 1 - Clockwork Angel.
It was good, but because I'd never read The Mortal Instruments and didn't fully grasp the world she created, I wasn't consumed by it. Enjoyed it sure, it was very cool and a definite favorite, but not all-consuming-my-favorite-want-to-shout-it-from-the-rooftops-awesome, like I would describe my love for The Mortal Instruments.
Then 2012 came along and for Christmas my sister bought me the 2nd book in the prequel series, Clockwork Prince.
It was (and is) amazing! The characters are endearing, all of them so different and well done that by the end of this book, they felt like family. I don't have just one favorite person. I have several, and not just from the leading cast of Jem, Will, and Tessa either. Secondary characters are just as lovable and quite a few get some major face time in this book. So, knowing Book #3 wouldn't be out until later, I decided to give this whole Mortal Instruments series a try.

Yeah, that's pretty much the MOMENT I went from loving Cassie Clare's writing to believing her to be one of my top favorite YA authors of all time. That's right. I said it. She's up there with Harry Potter and J.K Rowling, people.

That's a pretty high pedastal. But you know what? It's well earned.

I started Book #1 in The Mortal Instruments series (City of Bones) in January 2012, finished Book #2 (City of Ashes) in February 2012, and am almost done with City of Glass (Book #3).



And these books are fairly big. And I have a full time job and a son who is a toddler. And I write in my free time. So, yeah, I'm in love. The best thing about books is when they sweep you away, you get lost in them, and you care about all the characters as if they're real. Cassie Clare does this effortlessly. Needless to say, I'm a fan.

And now I'm savoring those last few chapters, knowing that while there's still one book left in this series, the end is near. And the real waiting begins. Book #5 is slated for May 2012.



So, I know I'm late to the Cassie Clare party and all, but please tell me there are some fellow fans out there! (but DON'T TELL ME how it ends...LOL)

Hope you all are doing well. I've missed you.

Just a note...

WOW...what a busy few weeks it's been!

How are you? What have I missed? Any exciting news to share?

Not much new here on my end...just the typical December anxiety and rush! Much like mothers and childbirth, I tend to forget every year how hard it is to be insanely busy at work (our busiest season is December, which entails 55-60 hour work weeks).

The work itself isn't bad, I enjoy it honestly...being busy and having too much to do is MY kind of thing. It's the holiday on top of it that makes it harder. All those little things that you don't just need to do outside of work, but WANT to do...fitting those in takes work and lots and lots of patience and planning. I like to think I'm pretty good at it.

BUT admittedly, there are things I'm terrible at keeping up with.
*cough* this blog *cough*

So what I'm really trying to say is...I've been thinking about you and I miss you, but I may be absent a while longer. Just know I'll be back at it in January and that I'm spending what free time I have decorating Christmas cookies, snuggling my family, and spending time with people I don't get to see often enough during the regular year.

All good things.

Here's wishing you all a very Happy Holiday and the best of everything the season brings...especially those not purchased at a store.


One last thing: if there's anyone out there who is feeling a bit down this season, who may not have family close by, or does and is just plain lonely...feel free to email me at kristi(dot)chestnutt(at)gmail.com. I'll find time for you.
Otherwise, I'll see you all around the corner...in the new year!

Close to my heart...

As many of you may (or may not) know, my sister Sandy was a Make-A-Wish kid.

Think I've mentioned it a time or two on the blog, but it's definitely one of those personal things that is so close to my heart I have to be in the right mood to share. You know what I mean? And right now, well, it's the absolute PERFECT time.

I have a chance to give back. When I think about those words, the thought of attempting to repay the extreme kindness that was bestowed upon us during such a dark time in our lives, I can't help but tear up.
The Make-A-Wish family of NC did so much for us during one of the most difficult times in our lives and they will forever hold a special place in my entire family's heart.

We were fortunate (understatement) and after many, many heartbreaking months of chemo treatment after chemo treatment, our story had a happy ending. My sister, who was diagnosed with two forms of Cancer at the age of 17 (shown here):


Just recently got married (check out her photo below from August 2011...isn't she gorgeous?) and is in full remission and our scare from so long ago is a long forgotten thing of the past.

It's times like these that I like to think back and remind myself that others just like us are going through what is likely the worst times in their lives. And they need our help to make their children's wishes come true.
Being able to help raise money and support the organization so that the gift they gave us so long ago can live on for another child is a true blessing. It means so much to myself, my family and to a truly terrific organization who makes dreams come true each and every day.

If you have any extra to give (even if it's just $1), or if you are in the NC area and want to join our team in the Walk for Wishes this Saturday, please just click the link below.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=490131&supId=337080018

Thanks in advance for being such a great community of friends and bloggers!

Release Day: Crossed by Ally Condie

Another book I've been anxiously awaiting!

(This is book 2 in the Matched series, book 1 can be found here!)

Buy Crossed here!


 

Book Description:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.


Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Happy NaNoWriMo to those of you participating!!!

I'll admit it. I'm a coward and a NaNo virgin.

It's too much pressure for me, and with a full time job and a toddler, I doubt I would even have time to sleep if I tried. And yes, I realize those are all pathetic excuses.

SO I'm curious. Who out there is attempting the insanity this year?

Are you prepared? Are you even online to read this? How's the first day going?

(On a side note, I'm always curious whether writers get on the internet more or less during NaNo because I can see it both ways. You may not get online and post as frequently but I'm sure when you're stuck or need a break, you're surfing like crazy.)

For those of you brave souls that ARE taking the plunge this year,if you leave me a comment I promise to stop by regularly this month to encourage you along your way!

Now stop reading this and get to writing that novel!!!

Release Day: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

It's true, it's FINALLY, FINALLY HERE!

*squee*

Just so you all know, I usually catch up on my TBR pile before purchasing new releases, because, well, I always have stacks and stacks of books around waiting to be read, but this one?

Not so much.

Must. Purchase.Now.

This series has become one of my favorites and addictions like this just don't wait.

You know what I mean?

Book Description:


My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

Ok, so the book description is pretty short and sweet. But honestly, who DOESN'T know what this book is going to be about after reading the last one? (And if you haven't read this series and you like young adult books, well, what are you waiting for?!?)

What about you? I know I'm not alone in being ecstatic about this release...do I have any fellow fangirls/fanboys?

Release Day: Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Happy Book Birthday to Beautiful Chaos, Book 3 in this series!

Buy it here!

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Book Description:

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?


For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Wednesday Book Recommendation!

The Role of a Lifetime by Jennifer Shirk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Description:


There's more to life than playing make believe.

Sandra Moyer has a good reason to distrust actors. She was once married to one who left her and her child. However, she's desperate for publicity to help her struggling preschool. Hollywood playboy Ben Capshaw's request to access her classes to prepare for a role is an offer she can't refuse.

Sandra second guesses herself on that decision until she sees Ben in action with the children. Her apprehension turns to wonder, and then to feelings she'd thought were closed off forever. Yet how can she trust that what she's seeing is real?

As a boy, Ben learned that acting was the answer to everything. The role he's up for now will enhance his career and, he's sure, secure his happiness. But spending time with Sandra and her daughter stirs up emotions that—for once—aren't pretend.

Ben's ready for a lifetime role as husband and father—if he can convince Sandra not to typecast him.

 

My thoughts:

This book was like being wrapped in a warm hug...I couldn't quit smiling while reading it.

The romance that blooms between divorced mom Sandra and visiting actor Ben feels very natural and believable. Their witty banter (which I loved) and strong voices carry much of the story. I wasn't sure, even right up till the end, which way Jennifer would go with the plot, but I wasn't disappointed.

All in all, a very fun, easy read and a great story.

View all my reviews

Buy the book HERE.