C.C. Hunter's Blog, page 3

Fear!

I’m not talking about the dark.  Or spiders.  I’m talking about the Coronavirus.  I don’t consider myself a person who panics.  I haven’t ordered any masks.  I’m not staying at home yet.  But I have bought a few extra canned food items. 

And sadly, I have had to cancel my trip to ApollyCon, because my hubby, a transplant patient, has such a low immune system. His doctors are advising that he avoid events with large crowds, and traveling, for a while.  Because I live with him, they recommend the same for me.

When I stop and think about the worst-case scenario, and yes, as a writer my mind goes there, it’s scary.  But as my mind creates this scenario, the writer in me starts plotting a book.  Sort of a dystopian world where groups of people barricade themselves off from the rest of world.  Who knows the idea may actually draw a book out of me.

However, because I’m generally a positive person, I haven’t let the fear consume me in my day to day life yet.  Does it worry me? Yes.  And I do watch the news and my heart hurts for the countries where it’s much more serious.  My mom lives in California and I worry that there may be a larger outbreak there. 

A friend of mine reported that two people in the grocery store were wearing masks.  I know someone who has ordered masks and someone else who made a huge grocery store purchase just in case. 

I’m not saying these people are overreacting. I’m just in wait and see mode—cautious, but not completely alarmed yet.  That said, I know everyone reacts differently to the news.  For some people, buying the masks and stocking up on food is a way to deal with the stress.  And I wouldn’t judge them for doing it.

How are you reacting to the news?  Are you nervous?  How are you coping?  I have started a new book, I think reading and slipping into a different world is a great way of coping with the added stress. 

Museum Madness

March 26-29 I’ll be in Washington D.C. for ApollyCon. ApollyCon is annual, multi-day reader event featuring Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult authors, panel programming, and social events, owned by #1 New York Times & Internationally Best-selling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout.

This will be my first time, and I’m really excited. I’m particularly looking forward to the HUGE 3 hour long book signing with so many great authors(check out the lineup HERE). As I’ve said before, I love meeting my fans and I’ll have ample opportunity to hang out with my readers at this conference.

Another reason I’m excited about my trip? Washington D.C. has the Smithsonian Institute with over 11 museums. I particularly love the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. I’d love to visit the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, too. I’ve heard really wonderful things about it. Hopefully, I’ll have time to also see the International Spy Museum. I bet that’s interesting.

I like museums that are a little weird or quirky. Don’t you? Did you know there are two Museums of Death? One in Hollywood and one in New Orleans. I’ve always wanted to visit the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. It’s a museum of medical history is filled with creepy body parts, anatomical specimens, and skulls. Yup, there are a lot of weird museums out there.

There’s even a Museum of Bad Art in Massachusetts, Toilet Seat Museum in San Antonio and Museum of Funeral History right here in Houston (and it’s actually really interesting).

Have you been to any weird museums? What is your favorite museum (weird or otherwise)?

Winter Isn’t Coming, It’s Here!

It’s February, so most of the U.S. is pretty chilly. Even S.E. Texas, where I live is nippy in the morning and evenings. I’ve turned on my little heater under my desk that keeps my feet warm while I write. I bundle up when I walk in the mornings. So, I was thinking about ways to stay warm and beat the cold. So, I did a little research online. If you live in a cold climate, you’ve probably already tried a lot of these already, but I thought I’d share them anyway.

Bundle up, layers are best. It’s easier to regulate body heat than turning up the thermostat.




Turn on your ceiling fan. Warm air rises to the ceiling. Run your fan on its
lowest setting in a clockwise direction to push the warm air
back down to where you can feel it.Switch between hot and
cold in the shower. Hot showers immediately warm you up, but cold showers improve blood circulation between your skin and organs.Replace thin curtains with heavier wool or fleece drapes in the winter. But
be sure to open them on sunny days for free heat.Bake! Using your oven
heats up the whole house. You’ll feel even cozier if you invite friends—and all
their body heat—over to eat four dozen cookies.Use a humidifier. Make your
home feel warmer in the winter by using a humidifier to add
moisture back into the air. It also helps keep winter
skin soft and moisturized all season
long.Curl up with a good book,
a fuzzy throw and a hot cup of tea or coffee.Or you can disregard all of the above if you
cuddle with a smokin’ hot guy.

How are you staying warm this winter?

Romance is in the Air

This is Valentine’s week, and Valentine’s Day is thought of as the most romantic day of the year. Now romance means different things to different people. Some find roses and chocolates romantic. Others enjoy a romantic getaway to a B & B. If you have young children, you may prefer an evening away from the kids. But based on books and movies, I think we can agree on a few generalities.

I write about romance. In my Christie Craig romantic suspense books, I put in a lot of romance. In my C.C. Hunter YA books, I tone it down a bit, but it’s definitely always there.

This is one of my favorite romantic moments from Three Heartbeats Away, the third book in my Mortician’s Daughter series.

I worry he did too much
today. “Hand me your keys and I’ll unlock your door.”

He hands them to me, and
I move with him up the walkway.

We get to the porch, and
I unlock the door and hand him his key.

Our hands touch, and the
brief contact is almost painful. “Riley, I’m sorry you’re having to go through
this.”

“I know.”

Before I realize his
intention, he pushes his walker aside and hugs me.

I close my eyes and let
my head rest on his chest. I know this spot. I can smell his skin, feel his
chest rise and fall. Alive. The boy I was so afraid of losing is alive and
walking. And he cares. About me. Emotion stings my eyes.

His cheek comes down to
the side of my temple. I savor the closeness, relish the feel of his arms
around me. I memorize his whispered breath against my cheek. Counting the
seconds, I pray for twenty. Or more than twenty. I get to thirty before Hayden
says, “I’ll be thinking about you.”

His arms fall from
around me. I step back. Our eyes meet, hold, and I feel it, the connection I’ve
never felt with anyone else.

“Call me,” he says. “If
only to say you survived. I’ll worry if you don’t.”

Nodding, I walk back to my car. I get inside. The warmth of his embrace lingers. I look out the window. He’s still there watching me. Part of me wants to run back and hug him again.

Every time I read that scene I sigh and get a lump in my throat. It takes me right back to being a teen and falling in love for the first time.

So this Valentine’s Day, don’t worry if you don’t have plans. Just find yourself a good, romantic book—and fall in love.

What’s your idea of a romantic evening?

Happy Chinese New Year!

Yes, according to the Chinese Zodiac, 2020 is a year of the Rat, starting from January 25th 2020 and ending on February 11th 2021. What does that mean? The Year of the Rat is the first zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle.

According to the Chinese zodiac story, in the competition held by the Jade Emperor to decide the zodiac animals, the quick-witted rat asked the diligent ox to take him on a ride to cross the river and jumped down before the ox crossed the finish line, so the rat won the race and became the first of the zodiac animals.

The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit,
Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. A Rat year occurs
every 12 years. And like the astrological zodiac signs (Libra,
Cancer, Leo, etc.), there are attributes associated with each animal, traits you
would supposedly have if you were born that year.

Rats are quick-witted, resourceful, and smart, but lack courage.
With rich imaginations and sharp observations, they can take advantage of
various opportunities well. In Chinese culture, rats represent working
diligently and thriftiness, so people born in a Rat year are thought to be
wealthy and prosperous.

And guess what? I’m a rat. Yup, but I like to think of myself as
courageous. And I will say, I am observant and use those observations in my
writing. I don’t really believe in all that, but it’s fun.

What are you in the Chinese Zodiac? You can find out HERE.

What is Lady?

Last week I asked you to guess what Lady’s DNA results were. Thank to everyone that guessed. You came close. Lady is actually:

19.8% American Pit Bull Terrier

18.6% Beagle

17.6% Chow Chow

10.5% Australian Cattle Dog

7.6% Border Collie

5.7% Rottweiler

5.0% American Eskimo

15.2% Supermutt

Winner!!

The winner of my giveaway is HorseGirl15. Congratulations! You have won a C.C. Hunter t-shirt and a dog toy. Please email me at cc@cchunterbooks.com and give me your mailing address and your t-shirt size.

What is Jenny?

Last week, I posted a photo of my daughter’s dog, Jenny, and asked you to guess what kind of dog she was.  We had her DNA tested and this is the result.

Jenny is:

25% Beagle

25% Boston Terrier

12.5% American Staffordshire
Terrier (Which is pit bull)

37.5% Breed Group of Sporting and
Hound dog

I was a little shocked, but I will tell you that I was really shocked when I got my dog Lady’s DNA back.  Here’s a picture of Lady. 

Hubby met Lady at a junkyard when she came up and rolled over at his feet. The junkyard owner asked hubby if he wanted a dog and said something along the lines of, “If not, I’ve got to do something with her.”  He said she was a stray and it sounded like he might hurt her.  So hubby came home with a dog and an old Ranchero. 

She’s very smart.  She is meek and sweet to friends we have over
to the house.  But if a stranger, like a
contractor comes in, she’s not so sweet. She can be very protective. If a
stranger comes in and gets too close to me, she will get behind them and nip at
their ankles or calves. She’s not too keen on other dogs.  She has lots of dog friends, but strange
dogs, may get nipped at if they come and try to smell her backside.  I don’t blame her. If someone tried to smell
mine…

So…what is she?  They also included pictures of other dogs with similar DNA for us to see—dogs that looked so much like Lady that we were stunned.

So what type of dog do you think Lady and these other similar dogs are?

Giveaway!!

Leave a comment and I will send one person a C.C. Hunter T-shirt and a dog toy.  (Sorry, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. If you’re reading this on Goodreads, you must post on my blog page to enter.)

Winner!!

Thanks to everyone who ventured a guess at what Jenny is. This winner of my giveaway is Taylor Thompson. Congratulations! You have won a signed copy of One Foot in the Grave and a dog toy. Please email your postal address to cc@cchunterbooks.com, and I will send you your prize.

What Am I?

Well many of you know that I had my DNA checked a couple of
years back and what a trip it was discovering what I am.  Most of us have this curiosity, a need to
know, a need to understand what makes us who we are and where we came from. 

Can I say that the same goes for our pets?  I get stopped and asked what kind of dog Lady is all the time.  And when I learned that they have a DNA test for dogs, well, I was all over that. I hinted at possibly getting this for a Christmas gift. My daughter, who also wanted one for her dog, put it on her wish list as well.  So, my son and his girlfriend got me one for Christmas.  I haven’t gotten the results yet, but I can’t wait! My daughter’s husband and her daughter also bought one for my daughter, and she already got hers back.  So today, I want to introduce you to Jenny.

A shelter rescue, they got her when she was eight weeks old.  I’ve always thought Jenny, was part whippet, mainly because of her body shape and spindly legs. The shelter claimed she was part Beagle and part Boxer.  I never saw any beagle in the animal.  Boxer, maybe.

She’s almost two years old now.  She stands about twenty inches at the
shoulders and weighs forty pounds.  Now
personality wise—because I believe certain breads do have personality
tendencies—that dog is a bit neurotic.  Okay, I’m lying, she’s really neurotic.  Like don’t
ever leave me alone neurotic.  Like if
you do leave me, something is gonna get chewed up neurotic.  Like if you are sitting, she’s in your lap
neurotic. It doesn’t matter if she’s too big because she’ll find a way to fit—and
granted she can curl up into a tiny ball. Not that she really fits, but that’s
beside the point.  She sees herself as a
small lap dog, and don’t you try to tell her otherwise. In fact, she’s the kind
of dog that can’t get too close.  Have
you ever met a dog who tries to crawl into your armpit? Well, that’s Jenny. And
can you tell she’s a boney little canine. 
That girl has sharp bones.  Try
sleeping with her, ouch!  Yes, she comes
and stays at my house once or twice a year.

But did I tell you she’s also sweet?  Yup, she’s a lover.  She has a tongue like a lizard and loves to
French kiss.

So my daughter got Jenny’s DNA back.  What do you think she is?

Try to guess what she is and one person who leaves a post
will get a doggie toy and a signed print copy of One Foot in the Grave. 

Next week, I hope to have Lady’s DNA back and I’ll blog
about her.  What can I say, I love those
puppies!

Giving Back

I know how fortunate I am.  I have a loving family, a nice house, and I job I adore.  Yea, we’ve had some health challenges with hubby’s kidney transplant, but I think it’s when something like that happens, it makes you grateful for what you do have, what’s going well.

So, why not give back? There are a few charities that I like to support, charities that help children and animals. I always give to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Founded by actor Danny Thomas, St. Jude’s  mission “is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.” And no child is turned away, even if they can’t pay. So, that’s a charity that’s close to my heart.

As I’ve talked about over the years, I love animals and have had numerous dogs and cats in my household. This is my wonderful dog Lady, who hubby rescued from a junkyard. She’s one of the lucky ones, but so many animals are abused and neglected.  So animal charities are another passion of mine and another place where I choose to put my money.

It’s been so sad to watch the news of the wildfires in Australia.
They said over a billion animals have died. There are charities helping out
with the care of injured animals in Australia, like the World Wildlife Fund.
They all need our help.

So as we go forward into 2020, please keep those (people and
animals) less fortunate in mind.

Do you have a favorite charity or organization you like to give
to? Do you volunteer anywhere?

Exciting News!

Well, 2020 is shaping up to be a very busy year for me, and I’ve got some great news for you. You can expect the release of a brand new, exciting C.C. Hunter book in the next 5-6 months. Till then, I’ll be hold up, writing away in my study, except for book signings.

Speaking of book signings… On Jan. 11th Lark Brennan, Leslie Marshman and I will be at Murder By the Book in Houston, TX at 1:00 PM. I’ll be signing Don’t Breathe a Word and my C.C. Hunter YA Three Heartbeats Away, Lark will be signing Shadows of the Past, and Leslie will be signing Good Over Evil. Come join the fun!  For more details check their Events page.

Then, I’ll be at Teen Bookfest by the Bay 2020 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX on Jan. 25th, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Join me for book signings, writers’ workshops, Manga Mania and more! Admission is FREE! Check out the amazing line up of authors at Bookfest By the Bay.

I realize not everyone can make it to my signings and events. But if you always wanted a signed copy of one of my books, that’s not a problem. You can order signed copies through Apolly Con until Jan. 10th.  So you better hurry! ApollyCon is annual, multi-day reader event featuring Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult authors, panel programming, and social events, owned by NYT bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. But you don’t have to attend their conference to order your signed copies from ApollyCon.

Wishing you health and happiness in 2020!

Winner!

The winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is Deborah Elkins. Congratulations, Deborah! Please email me at cc@cchunterbooks.com to claim your prize. And in case you were wondering…I have done number 15 fifty-two times. Yup, I have written fifty-two books!

Bucket List

Because it’s New Years, I started thinking about resolutions and goals, and just about those things I want to do. You know, bucket list items.  So I decided to Google the top bucket list items to see how far off my own list is from that of other people. Below is the list.

Here’s how I added up. I’ve done
seven of these twenty items.   One, I’ve
done twice.  Another, I’ve done three
times.  And one, I’ve done fifty-two times.   I’ll bet you can guess the one I’ve done that
many times.

There are eight of these I’d
never do—nope, not me.  One on my “never-will-do”
list wasn’t always on that list. I tried to do it three times, and it got
canceled all three times.  So now I
figure that God was telling me to get a grip and grow a brain.

There are four I would like to do.  And one, just doesn’t interest me. 

What about you?  How many of these have you done?  How many would you never do?  How many would you want to do?  And do any not interest you at all? 

Can you guess the ones I’ve done?  Ones I would never do? Ones that I want to do? 

Giveaway!

One person who leaves a comment will win a $20 Amazon gift card. (Sorry, but this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. And If you’re reading this on Goodreads, you need to go to my actual blog to enter.)  

Google’s Bucket List

See
the Northern LightsSky
diveGet
a tattooSleep
under the starsGo
on a cruiseSwim
with dolphinsGet
marriedGo
scuba divingRun
a marathonGo zip-LiningBuy
a houseRide
an elephantLearn
to surfTake
a trip to ItalyWrite
a bookGo hot
air ballooningGo skinny
dippingLearn
to play the guitarGo
to ParisVisit
Ireland