Kristi Chestnutt's Blog, page 16

A very special annnouncement...

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe. It feels kind of special...
Really, I just wanted to pop by and say Hi
::waves at computer screen::
How are you this week?
I've been thinking about you.
Hope everything in your part of the world is double rainbows and puppy dog kisses.
And if not, well,hugs all around.
The thing about going on a hiatus and unplugging is that, while you may get more done, italso feels a bit lonely.
It's true, I've missed you guys.
If you have a chance, pop on over to booKrushed today, we're announcing our pre-launch winner!And I can be found there this Wednesday if you want to stop by and say hi.
For now, off to the Monday grind.
Stay happy.

booKrushed Launch~Superbowl~AND a brief hiatus!

Well, we all know what's happening today, right?
I'll give you a little hint...
But, do you know what's happening tomorrow?
I'll give you another hint...
It's booKrushed Launch Day!(winner of the pre-launch giveaway to be announced on Valentine's Day...so only one week left to enter!)
In celebration of our official launch week, and because I'm in the process of making the final edits on my latest WIP (squee!),I'm taking a brief 2 week hiatus from my personal blog.
Have no fear, I will (for sure) still be visiting and lurking around all my favorite bloggy places, but with everything going on, in order to focus my efforts, something has to give. ;)
SO, with that in mind,
GO PACKERS!
Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm excited about the most: the family bonding, the good food, the commercials,OR the game. 
Yeah, you're right. Probably the food.(followed closely by the family bonding, which we all know makes the food taste even better.)
It's basically the one time a year I eat wings. And I can already smell the brownies baking. Don't even get me started on the spinach artichoke dip and bread bowl.Yumm.
How about you?  Any big plans today?

Feature & Follow Friday #32

Happy Follow Friday everyone! Let me tell you a little bit about this HOP. Every friday or really Thursday evening we all get together and say HI! But, we need to know how to find you, so if you want to participate, head on over to Parajunkee's blog and put your link in the Mr. Linky gadget below her Follow Friday post.

Also on Follow Friday we have a Feature...because alliteration is the way we roll. Each week is a different feature from the book blogging community.


Our feature this week is...
Katy of Vision Quest Fail
A little about Katy: Hi, my name is Katy and I've been blogging since 2009, but I wasn't into book blogging at first, I saw Angieville and Tynga's blogs, and decided I'd try out book blogging, and here I am. I'm really into Urban Fantasy and YA Fantasy, but occasionally I'll read a YA. I also recap The Vampire Diaries every week, I'm Team Damon! I really like interviewing authors I love, and I sometimes do giveaways. I have two going on right now, and an upcoming interview/giveaway with Erin Kellison author of Shadowman.

When I'm not reading, I'm a huge hockey fan. I love the Pittsburgh Penguins and The Washington Capitols even though they're rivals. I'm also an aspiring business student, I want to go into Real-Estate one day. I'm a notorious book pusher when it comes to people I know in person, I've relentlessly pushed The Hunger Games and The Black Dagger Brotherhood on several people. I just hope I can inspire someone to read a book I loved, that's kind of why I blog.

Which leads us to our Follow Friday Question:
What is the book you are currently 'pushing'? (Pushing mean trying to get people to read it)
I'm currently in LOVE with the Iron King series by Julie KagawaANDThe Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting

The Wednesday Review

Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was my first Katie MacAlister book, or actually, bookS, since this is really two stories in one.

The first story (Fangs) was good, but I was hesitant and unsure what to think. For whatever reason, I wasn't drawn enough into the story and never really "lost myself" in the pages.

BUT, having said that, by the end of book two (Circus of the Darned), she HAD me.

The chemistry between Dark One, Ben, and GothFaire 16 year old, Fran, is DEFINITELY what keeps you reading through the pages. Their banter is fun and flirty, their arguments hilarious, but realistic.

The wit and humor spread throughout is spot on and her cast of characters (although sometimes stereotypical) is colorful and just plain fun. They're all quite lovable and by the end, feel like family.

All in all, I'd classify this as one of those easy reads that just makes you smile. I will definitely be continuing Ben and Fran's story!

View all my reviews

SO, anyone else out there read this one??? Thoughts???

Writerly Revelation #2

Writerly Revelation #2:
You are not ALONE.
We all know writing can be a very isolated activity. Most of the action and work happens in our own heads, right?Long hours spent typing away in front of a monitor or maybe spent scribbling away on a worn out notepad?
It can get lonely if you let it.You can feel like no one will ever read what you write,or understand the need for words that you have somewhere deep inside of you.
But then you stumble across something that makes you think.Something that gives you hope.Someone who understands.Maybe it's a Critique group of other writers.Maybe it's the wonderful word of book blogging.Maybe it's a friend of family member who is supportive.Maybe you don't know yet.
Rest assured, us writers, are never truly alone.Anytime you're down, or anytime you feel hopeless,I encourage you to take a look around.
You'll find others here and there, in the most suprising of places, who would love nothing more than to encourage you and share their own similar stories.
You never have to feel alone on this literary journey.Unless you want to, of course. ;)And then, well, we'll all understand that too. That's what friends do.

The Wednesday Review

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. Apparently I am on a roll in 2011 and everything I pick up is fabulous!!!

I literally read this book in 4 days because I couldn't put it down. Just to give you some insight into my life: I work full time, have a toddler, and write in my free time, so 4 days to finish a book is pretty much UNHEARD of. Yes, it was THAT good.

Derting is amazing and has done a fabulous job of making these characters all seem very real and relatable, but in my opinion, the best thing she does in this book is balance out the totally creepy, heart pounding scenes, with sweet, heart melting ones.

I'll admit it kept me on the edge of my seat and a few times I was actually terrified of turning the page, torn between wanting to know what happens and at the very same time, terrified to find out!

The relationship between Jay and Violet is also so, so sweet, and feels very real.

All in all, just a really great read. I can't wait for the second book!

View all my reviews


SO, what about you? DID you read it?  What are your thoughts? 

Have you seen this?

It's the Goodreads Reading Challenge!
http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/2-2011-reading-challenge
I'm well on my way to meeting mine!  Woo hoo!
I may have to up my number if it's too easily reached, because, seriously, what's the fun in that?
Give me drama and stress that I MAY not make it!LOL!
If you're on Goodreads, check it out!
The more reading challenges the better, I say! :-)

Writerly Revelation #1

Writing Revelation #1:
Your first draft is only the BEGINNING.
Sure, it sounds simple.  We all know that, right?  Writing 101.
BUT, if you're like me, this becomes your mantra, something to repeat to yourself whenever doubt sets in or you want to do something you already know is insane.
A few things I've learned along the way that I constantly remind myself of:
DO: Send your work to trusted Critique Partners and Beta Readers.DON'T: Do this just once and consider your manuscript "clean".
DO: Take a break after that first draft.DON'T: Proceed to query the entire literary world just to "see if there's interest".
DO: Start to research literary agents and where your work will fit.DON'T: Find the perfect agent and query because you KNOW he/she is perfect and will love you and your manuscript regardless of where it is in the process of revision.
DO: Print out pages when you edit. Things often look different on paper than on a computer screen and it gives you a fresh perspective.DON'T: Be too hard on yourself. We've all had "those" moments. You know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones where you swear what you just wrote is total gold and is revised to the extent of perfection, only to find out days later, it sucks more than anything else you've ever written and you have no idea what you were thinking.  It's okay, I'm pretty sure this is normal. It's normal, right?  Right?
DO: Enjoy taking the time making it right.Revisions and edits take time and it's easy to see them as a burden. Perspective is key. Enjoy making your work the best you can and have fun with it. It will show in your work.DON'T: Constantly tell the world how much you hate revising/editing.Okay, really, I just needed a don't to list.  I have to be honest, some of the blog posts people write on how miserable editing is are some of my favorites.  We have a bond and we need to share our trials and tribulations. Or, so I think.  Just don't overdo it, you never know who else may be reading.
AND LASTLY, I think this bears repeating.
DO: Wait until you've beaten your ENTIRE manuscript into sparkly gloriousness BEFORE querying.This one is hard.  REALLY hard. Trust me.DON'T: Query anyway and give up when you get rejections.I'm pretty sure most authors have queried a project too early. (Um, guilty!)The difference is how you handle it.  Beleive in your work, don't give up, and just take it as a sign that it's time to get down to business.  NEVER give up. Did you hear that?  Never. Ever.
Sidenote: We're each on a different timeline as to the lessons we've learned, what we've written, and what we've come away with. So why not share?  Writing Revelations is my new Monday installment that chronicles my journey up to this point with writing. I've learned SO MUCH since starting to take it more sersoiusly.  Bloggers and this community of writers has been invaluable.  Yet, I still learn something new each and every day. It's one of the magical things about life. There's always something new around the corner. Embrace the lessons that come.

Writing Revelations #1

Writing Revelation #1:
Your first draft is only the BEGINNING.
Sure, it sounds simple.  We all know that, right?  Writing 101.
BUT, if you're like me, this becomes your mantra, something to repeat to yourself whenever doubt sets in or you want to do something you already know is insane.
A few things I've learned along the way that I constantly remind myself of:
DO: Send your work to trusted Critique Partners and Beta Readers.DON'T: Do this just once and consider your manuscript "clean".
DO: Take a break after that first draft.DON'T: Proceed to query the entire literary world just to "see if there's interest".
DO: Start to research literary agents and where your work will fit.DON'T: Find the perfect agent and query because you KNOW he/she is perfect and will love you and your manuscript regardless of where it is in the process of revision.
DO: Print out pages when you edit. Things often look different on paper than on a computer screen and it gives you a fresh perspective.DON'T: Be too hard on yourself. We've all had "those" moments. You know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones where you swear what you just wrote is total gold and is revised to the extent of perfection, only to find out days later, it sucks more than anything else you've ever written and you have no idea what you were thinking.  It's okay, I'm pretty sure this is normal. It's normal, right?  Right?
DO: Enjoy taking the time making it right.Revisions and edits take time and it's easy to see them as a burden. Perspective is key. Enjoy making your work the best you can and have fun with it. It will show in your work.DON'T: Constantly tell the world how much you hate revising/editing.Okay, really, I just needed a don't to list.  I have to be honest, some of the blog posts people write on how miserable editing is are some of my favorites.  We have a bond and we need to share our trials and tribulations. Or, so I think.  Just don't overdo it, you never know who else may be reading.
AND LASTLY, I think this bears repeating.
DO: Wait until you've beaten your ENTIRE manuscript into sparkly gloriousness BEFORE querying.This one is hard.  REALLY hard. Trust me.DON'T: Query anyway and give up when you get rejections.I'm pretty sure most authors have queried a project too early. (Um, guilty!)The difference is how you handle it.  Beleive in your work, don't give up, and just take it as a sign that it's time to get down to business.  NEVER give up. Did you hear that?  Never. Ever.
Sidenote: We're each on a different timeline as to the lessons we've learned, what we've written, and what we've come away with. So why not share?  Writing Revelations is my new Monday installment that chronicles my journey up to this point with writing. I've learned SO MUCH since starting to take it more sersoiusly.  Bloggers and this community of writers has been invaluable.  Yet, I still learn something new each and every day. It's one of the magical things about life. There's always something new around the corner. Embrace the lessons that come.

For the love of Steven Tyler!

Please tell me someone else watched American Idol last night!
Jennifer, where are you????  Did you watch?
Hubs and I absolutelyLOVEDthe new look and feel of it. 
Our all time favorite scenes?Those with Steven Tyler.
Love him, love his charisma, love the way the new judges all seem to jive together. 
Always been a big J-Lo fan too, so love her energy as well. (How absolutely stunning is she?  And sweet!)
And I'm also a big fan of how well balanced everything seemed to be. As a crier, I appreciated the heart breaking stories that were told, but not dwelled upon. Yes, I teared up, but I didn't feel as though they were trying to kill me with the sadness of it all.  Just the right amount of emotion for me.
And I may already have a favorite too.
I know it's still early, but I'm already on board.
What about you?