C.C. Hunter's Blog, page 37

Interview With Mary Beth Bass

As promised, I have a special treat for you today. YA author Mary Beth Bass answered a few of my questions about her exciting new book everything you know, which will be released this Thursday, October 18.  In eveything you know, images of a dark forest, a screaming woman and blood haunt Emma Mathews from the moment she meets Joe Castlellaw, and everything she thought she knew about life, her family, and herself is about to change forever.

1. How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 1995. I published my first book in 2005. Looking at that 10 year gap kind of shocks and slightly terrifies me now, but then I take a step back and remember that that’s what not giving up looks like. But, whew. No wonder so many writers need chocolate!

2. What made you want to write YA?

I wish I could say it was part of a grand, well-thought-out plan, but Emma, the heroine of everything you know just came to me, upset and confused, and looking to tell me her story. I was sitting at my desk in the sunny living room of our house and she just showed up. I hadn’t read much YA at that point (Twilight hadn’t been published yet, I know, a long time ago). I was teaching acting and stage adaptation at a performing arts high school, so maybe I was especially aware of how simultaneously amazing and painful it is to be a teenager. Not that any of us really forget what that felt like. I know I haven’t.

3. Your book everything you know comes out this week. Can you tell me a bit about Emma, the main character?

Emma is the second oldest in a family of five kids. At the beginning of the story she’s unsure about her place in the world and who she’s supposed to be. Her older brother Turner is incredibly smart, accomplished and perfect (or so it seems to her); her sister Maude is beautiful; her sister Elizabeth is super popular; and her little brother Sandy is adorable. Emma’s long-time best friend Izzy lost interest in her and found a new best friend. When Emma meets and falls for Joe, everything she thought she knew about her family and herself falls away. Her parents have been lying about who and what they are, and where they really come from. And inside the experience of the awesomeness of kissing and the beautiful terrors of falling in love, Emma has to find the strength to fight against an evil she didn’t even know existed, and to make difficult choices and then act on those decisions.

4. I saw on your Website that you are having a book trailer contest. What a great idea! How did it come about?

Thanks for asking!  I’m always interested in and awed by people who can do things I can’t do. I don’t know how to create something visually beautiful or compelling. And because I started in the performing arts I also love interdependent creative endeavors. I thought hosting a contest for people to create a trailer for my book, everything you know, would be a fun way to promote my book and give other creative people a chance to promote themselves, too. And I love books and book trailers!

Here’s the link for anyone interested in entering: www.everythingyouknowtrailers.com.

5. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hmm, I know I’m not the only writer who struggles with this question and how to answer it. What to put in, what to leave out… Anyway, here goes. I’m a vegetarian, happily married to my first (and only!) boyfriend, we have three awesome kids. (

I’m thrilled to be publishing everything you know with Boroughs Publishing Group.

And, thanks so much to the fabulous C. C Hunter for the opportunity to guest blog here!

 everything you know

NO ONE KNOWS EVERYTHING FOREVER

Emma Mathews never believed she was like everyone else, but neither did she think herself crazy. Meeting Joe Castlellaw, Henry Dearborn High’s newest student, was like waking on a cold rock in a strange place, the world bathed in liquid moonlight. Everything is different now…and fraught. Visions of a dark forest, a screaming woman and blood haunt Emma’s dreams, and not only at night. But Joe’s lonely beauty makes her float on air, and she would follow him anywhere: out of high school and through the great tree, to a world of poetry and political savagery, of magic and murder, to a life that is entirely theirs and yet unlike anything they have ever known.

Giveaway!!! 

This week I’m giving away two ecopies of Mary Beth’s book  everything you know to two people who leave comments. Note: these will be ebooks only. (Sorry, but this giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Also, if you are reading this on Goodreads, you must leave your comment on my Website blog for a chance to win.)

 

 

 

 

 

Friends and Spend the Night Parties

I remember when I was young, about twice a year, I would have a spend-the-night party. Three or four friends would come over and we’d either blow up an air mattress or sometimes we’d even camp out in my dad’s garage on sleep bags.  We’d stay up late giggling and talking.  Sort of like Kylie, Miranda and Della do.  We’d talk about boys, about life, about our dreams.  And we’d talk about our problems.  Those get-togethers  were essential in dealing with teen-life issues.

As a grown up, I don’t really have spend-the-night parties anymore, but I have something almost as good.  Conferences.  Writer’s conferences.  This last weekend, I went to North West Houston’s Romance Writers of America annual conference.  I roomed with Alison Atwater, a friend who flew in from Arizona.  And Alison and I were escorted to the conference by Susan Muller, another writer and dear friend.  (See the picture.)  We hung out with several other friends and even went to a late night chocolate and wine party.  So I got to visit and just have fun with lots of friends.  I didn’t go to bed until almost midnight on both nights.  We chatted and giggled and heck, we might have even talked about boys.  It was fun and cathartic.  You see, those get-togethers are essential in dealing with adult-life issues, too.  We never outgrow the importance of have our girlfriends.

As Della, Kylie and Miranda know, girlfriends are important. In Reborn, they still sit at the kitchen table, drink diet sodas and share the joys and struggles of their lives.

I hope you guys always make time for some girl time.  I hope you have friends with which you can laugh, commiserate, plot, and share the ups and downs of life.

Do you have a special girlfriend?  Someone who gets you?  Tell me a bit about your girlfriends. Tell me what makes her special to you.

NEW STREET TEAM!!

Have you heard I’m forming a new street team for Della’s Shadow Falls: After Dark series? Are you an avid fan of my books? Do you tell everyone you know about them? Then you should be on my street team. For details, scroll down to my October 1st blog for directions on how to apply. Hurry, you only have till October 22 to get your application in!

 Sign Up for My Workshop

The Montgomery County Book Festival is hosting The Craft & Business of Writing: Everything You Wanted to Know About Writing, a writers’ workshop taught by me, Miranda James, Lori Wilde and other talented, published authors.  It will cover topics ranging from self-publishing to crafting excellent first chapters. Plus there will be a book signing and auction!

Date: November 16, 2013

Time: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Location:  Lone Star College – Montgomery Campus

Building A – The Commons

3200 College Park Drive

Conroe, TX 77384

Cost: $100 including a boxed lunch (Registration deadline is November 10, 2013)

Registration: www.montgomerycountybookfestival.com

 

New Street Team!!!

The Street Team for new spin off series, Shadow Falls: After Dark is now taking applicants.   Some of you may wonder what a street team is?  Well, a street team member is someone who is an avid fan of my books.  I want fans for my street team who have read and loved the first Shadow Falls series.  Fans who are willing to help me get the word out about my books.

How does a street team member do that?  First, is by word of mouth.  I know, personally, I am much more likely to buy a book by a new author if someone I know tells me they’ve read the book and liked it.  So a street team member talks up the books.  If your local library doesn’t carry the series, you ask them to get it.  If you find your bookstore is out of my books, ask them to order more.   If you belong to a book club, suggest they read one of my books.  Second, is promoting my books through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and all the social media outlets.  Also a street team member keeps up with the new happenings by reading my blog and then retweeting or reposting any of my social media posts.   If I’m holding a contest, send it out there to your social media group.  Oh, and I love it when street team members stop in for my local book signings and events.

What does a street team member get for being my loyal helper?  Well, they get an advanced copy of my book Reborn, to read and help get a buzz going.  They get free swag.  In the past I’ve done everything from free t-shirts to pads, pens, tote bags and such.  This time I’ve got some really neat things to mail out.

The bad thing is that I have to limit the number of people on my street team.  I only have space for 100 street team members.  And the old street team members who have done wonderful jobs are getting special consideration.  So the space is limited.  And because my publishing company is involved, other than two or three International members, I have to limit it to U.S. residents.  Believe me when I say I wish I had space for everyone who applies.  But this is also defined by my publisher and a lot of the final decisions are being overseen by them.  But, hopefully to sweeten the deal, I am going to hold contests and give away fifteen gift prizes of Shadow Falls promo items, some t-shirts, bookmarks, pens, pads, and other really neat stuff, to those who apply but don’t get in.  So what you need to do to apply?

Answer the questions below and email them to cc@cchunterbooks.com by October 22, 2013. DO NOT ANSWER THEM IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS BLOG.

How many Shadow Falls books have you read?
How have you promoted my books?
Do you have a Facebook page? If so, how many followers do you have?
Do you have a blog? If so, what is the address and how many followers do you have?
Do you have a Twitter account? If so, how many followers do you have?
What was the name of Kylie’s mortal boyfriend who broke up with her in Born at Midnight?
What was the name of the vampire in charge of Campmate Hour in Awake at Dawn that Kylie has to ask for a favor?
In Taken at Dusk, what did Red do because he wanted to impress Kylie?
In Whispers at Moonrise, someone tells Kylie, “A shame that you are not one of us.” Who?
 What is your favorite scene from Chosen at Nightfall?

Don’t worry if you don’t get all the questions about my books right. The object is to find out if you have actually read them. And again, email your answers to cc@cchunterbooks.com, don’t answer them in the comment section of this blog. You’ll give all the answers away!

Good luck!

 

Della: Take 3

This time I had to track Della down to ask her some more of your questions. I found her hiding out in the new Shadow Falls library, added since they are now a real school.  I think she thought it would be the last place I would look for her, but she forgets how well I know her.

CC: Catching up on your reading?  Or are you hiding from me?

Della: She looks up from the book on the table before her. I may have had a few things I wanted to check out.

CC: I see the book is on vampire diseases. I know what’s happening in Reborn right now, I know what she’s trying to figure out.  It breaks my heart.  But it’s not time for her to know the truth yet.  That will happen toward the end of Reborn.

Della: And…  She snorts. I wasn’t hiding? I heard you when you entered the building. If I really didn’t want to be found, you wouldn’t be talking to me now.

CC: Good point. I smile and sit down across from her.

Della: You’ve got more questions, don’t you? She frowns. Can’t they just wait for Reborn? She slams the book shut.

CC: Not everything about you will be in your books.  Besides the fans just want to know more.

Della: She seems to consider this a moment. Why me?  Kylie’s the kind one. Miranda, too.  Why do they care about me, I’m just …?

CC: A really cool, kick-ass vampire?

Della: Is that how they see me?

CC: A lot of them do, yes.  Though, I think a few might think you’re a smart a$$.

Della: She tries to hide a smile. What are the questions?

CC: Jaia wanted to know if you are mad at Kylie for giving Steve advice about you.

Della: She crosses her arms over her chest and leans back in the chair. Well, DUH! When I first found out Kylie had talked to Steve about me I was really pissed. Who wouldn’t be? I mean, she went behind my back and told Steve some private stuff about me. I don’t like anyone knowing anything about me unless I choose to tell them. Her eyes briefly flash red. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. But once I had time to think about it, I know she was just trying to help. That’s Kylie, isn’t it? It’s what she does. And, yeah, maybe it did help a little. But next time, she needs to let me handle it. I’ll tell Steve what I want him to know, and I told Kylie that, too.

CC: That’s kind of funny.  I mean, in the scene I just wrote, Steve was upset because you didn’t tell him something. 

Della: I’m dealing with that.

CC: Moving on…Sandra wants to know what you thought about Steve having to rescue you.

Della: What? She stands up, tipping the chair over behind her. First of all, Steve did NOT have to rescue me. I had it under control. I could have gotten that knife away from the were.  But Steve just jumped in before I had time.

CC: He was worried about you.

Della: Yeah, I know that. I think we’ve established that he’s a sweet guy.  And I was hurt, so I wasn’t fighting at hundred percent. She places both her hands on the table and looks me straight in the eye. But make sure you tell your readers Steve didn’t HAVE to rescue me. It was more like I let him.

CC: I think you just told them for me.

Della: Good.  She nods and starts walking away, then stops but doesn’t turn around. And for the record, I could have taken on the weres in the ally, too. Then she is gone. Della has left the building!

CC:  I look down at the book and I sigh.  Della has some tough times ahead.  Thank goodness she is a kick-a$$ vampire.

 Winner!!

The winner of the Shadow Falls t-shirt from last week is Katie Bloom. Congratulations, Katie! Please send your mailing address and t-shirt size to cc@cchunterbooks.com.

 Meet Me in Wisconsin!

I’ll be at Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation luncheon in Wisconsin April 26, 2014, and am I ever excited! The luncheon will be filled with fun, gift bags and door prizes. There will also be a raffle of many baskets filled with books and other items. There will be 40+ authors attending (of which I’ll be one!), and NYT Best-selling author Debbie Macomber will be the key note speaker. Now my luncheon table is sold out, but there are still spots available at some of the other tables. So you’ll still be able to meet me.

If you arrive Friday, you’ll be able to attend a Q & A session with a chance to ask authors questions. Afterward, there will be a Harlequin sponsored meet and greet with the authors.

Hurry, there’s only enough room for 500, and it’s filling up fast! You can find all the details at Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Luncheon.

Della’s History or HERstory

Are you looking forward to the release of Reborn, Della’s first book in her series? Well, get ready because it comes out on April 15, 2014, and that will be here before you know it.  I can’t believe all the Christmas stuff already in the stores! It’s not even Thanksgiving, yet. Not to mention Halloween! Let’s take one holiday at a time, pleeezzee!

But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about today. I wanted to talk about Saved at Sunrise, that’s the novella about Della and Steve’s FRU mission and what happens between them. Not to mention Della’s encounter with her ex, Lee, the guy that broke her heart. Have you read it? You probably want to before you read Reborn. It gives you a little more insight into Della and her world. You can find it at Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Amazon.  It is available only as an ebook, but if you don’t have an ereader, you can read it on your computer. Just download it to your laptop or PC and read it there. And in case you missed the video for Saved at Sunrise, here it is again.

I’m giving away another Shadow Falls t-shirt this week, so be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win. Good luck! (Sorry, but I have to limit this giveaway to US residents only. And as usual, if you are reading this on Goodreads, you have to leave your comment on my website blog page.)

Della’s Back

Della pops her head through the doorway of my study and glances around. She frowns at the mess.

Della: You wanted to see me?

I swivel my desk chair in her direction.

CC: I do. Have a seat. I motion toward the little love seat by my desk occupied by my dog, Lady. Della gives me a “what now look” as she wedges herself in next to Lady.  I smile to put her at ease. Della crosses her arms over her chest. Okay, if that’s how she wants it.

CC:  It’s no big deal. I just promised my readers you’d answer a few more of their questions.

Della: She snorts. You sure have some nosey readers. Why are you letting them poke around in my business anyway?  Then she absently starts petting lady.   And Lady like her, too.  Lady only likes good people.

CC: Now don’t be like that. They only want to know more about you because they like you.

Della: Then make them like me less. She gives me a wide, phony grin.

CC: I’m afraid it’s too late for that, so let’s just get to it. I’ll start with an easy one. Julia wants to know what type of blood is your favorite.

Della: She looks relieved. Okay, I guess I can answer that one. I would have to say O neg. There’s something about the aroma that makes my mouth water. Steve even made the effort to get me O neg on our FRU mission when I needed blood to heal. I didn’t even think he knew my favorite blood type.  So, that was kinda sweet of him. She clears her throat and looks towards the door like she’s afraid someone might over hear.

CC: Now see, that wasn’t so hard was it? Della starts to get up. Hold on, I said questions—plural. So, the next question comes from Brittany, Deena and Ashley. They all wanted to know if you could see yourself continuing to work for the FRU. And Ashley wanted to know if you thought working with the FRU would make your relationships better with people.

Della: She rolls her eyes. First of all, why what do I care about relating better to people. I have friends, and they like me for who I am. I’m not going to change myself to be more acceptable, or to make more friends. You like me or you don’t, and I don’t give a monkey butt one way or the other.

CC: Fine. And the rest of the question?  Do you see yourself continuing to work for the FRU?

Della: Why do you ask me questions you already know the answer to?

CC:  I roll my eyes at her.  I didn’t ask it, your fans did.

Della: Do you think they really like me?

CC:  Of course they do.

Della:  She lets out a big frustrated huff.  It’s the one thing I want. I’d always sort of thought about going into law enforcement, CIA or FBI, before I was turned.   How many jobs are there where you can get paid to kick butt? It was kinda fun being on a mission, except for the getting stabbed. She absentmindedly rubs the spot where she was stabbed, then shakes it off. At least I feel like I accomplished something, and I really thought I’d earned respect from Burnett.  But now he’s acting like he’s not sure I got what it takes.  She turns and stares me right in the eye.  You can change his mind. You can make him see that I’m just as good as Derek and Lucas.  Besides, I want to catch the creep who killed that couple. I saw them.  I saw what he did to them.  I need to get them justice.  Sometimes it’s all I can think about.

CC:  I think it’s you that needs to change his mind.

Della:  Bullcrappy!  She storms out.

CC: Wait, I wanted…

Before I can finish, she’s out the door, the papers of my desk fluttering to the floor in her wake. I didn’t point out how that last statement totally contradicts her previous one about not caring what anyone thinks or about just wanting to be in FRU to kick butt.  Sometimes it think the problem with Della isn’t that she doesn’t care, but that she cares too much. . But then Della’s a complicated young woman. Maybe that’s why you like her so much.

 Winners!

The winners of Shadow Falls t-shirts I gave away last week are Vanessa Schmidgall from Germany and Brittany Green from the USA. Email your addresses and t-shirt sizes to me at cc@cchunterbooks.com. Congratulations!

 

 

Della Answers Your Questions

Okay, in my last blog I asked you guys to leave questions for Della. And the most asked was whether Della would give Steve a chance.  I can tell you right now, this question is gonna tick Della off.  Let me channel up Della and see what she says.  But just let me warn you guys, get ready for some attitude.

 

C.C.:  Della, my readers have posted some questions and I told them you would answer a few.  So the first question is about why you’re afraid to give Steve a chance and what’s the probability of you maybe changing your mind?  Or kissing him again?  They just want to know what’s going to happen with you and the hot shape-shifter you say has a cute backside.

Della: Who asked me this?

C.C.:  Well, actually a lot of readers asked this one.  So could you please at least attempt to answer?

Della:  Fine, but just because they are readers doesn’t mean they can poke around—

C.C.:  Stop right there.  You are a fictional character and you need to behave like one.

Della: Fine.  Do they want the truth?

C.C.:  I’m sure they want the truth.

Della:  Then the truth is I don’t have a clue if I’ll end up with Steve.  Do I like Steve?  Duh!  Do bears poop in the woods?  Seriously, if I didn’t like him, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in now.  Well, that and if he wasn’t such a good kisser.  And if he didn’t make me laugh.   Just to make your readers happy I’ll admit that yes, I’ve sampled a few more of his kisses.   He’s so irresistible.  But will I agree to sign on the dotted line that I’m his girlfriend?  No. And here’s where the truth comes out.  I have no idea how things are going to end up.

Right now I’m dealing with so much in Reborn.  I know you don’t want me to give anything away, but can I just tell your readers that there’s a heck of a lot of crap going down?   It’s raining crap.  And Steve is there, trying to help me, but in a way, he’s also part of the problem.  If I let myself care about him too much, what’s going to happen later?   What if he decides he wants someone nicer, someone warmer, or someone with bigger boobs, or someone who looks more Asian.  Yeah, that’s what happened with Lee.  And losing him was so darn hard.  I know I’ve heard that old adage, “It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.”  Right now, I can’t say I agree with that.

C.C.:  Yeah, but sometimes when it’s raining crap, you learn a lot of lessons.  I haven’t finished your series, so I can’t say for sure if your path is going to lead you to Steve, but I’m thinking it’s going to lead you to a better place.  Life is about changes and those changes and the lessons we learn guide us to the right path.

Now, let’s move to question #2 that was asked by Alana: If you were never turned into a vampire, what do you think your life would be like, you would never go to Shadow Falls, would you and Lee be together, what would happen?

Della:  This almost feels like a trick question.  Part of me wants to say if I’d never been turned, I’d be so much happier.  I’d still be the apple of my daddy’s eye. I’d be on the honor roll at school.  Who knows, I might have given into what my parents wanted and decided to go to school to be a doctor.  And yes, I’d probably still be with Lee.  Then again, maybe he would have tossed me aside anyway.  I’m beginning to wonder if he was just a mistake.  And I hate thinking that because it means I gave so much of myself to someone who I shouldn’t have.  Anyway, about me being happier if I hadn’t been turned.  You see, I’ve stopped to think about what I have in my life now.  If I hadn’t been turned I wouldn’t know Kylie and Miranda, Holiday and Burnett.   Even Steve.  I wouldn’t give these people up.  In a way, I think C.C.’s right.  Don’t tell her I said this, she already thinks she knows everything.  But I think when we face challenges, we grow and what would have been right for us at one point in our lives, may not be right for us later.  What would have made the old Della happy, probably wouldn’t make the new Della happy.   So I don’t know if I can regret being turned into a vampire.  I really like my life, especially being able to kick butt like I can, but I just wish I could still have parts of my old one.  Like my family and my daddy’s love.  I miss that.

C.C.: Hmm, Della, my heart hurts for you. On another thought, do you not know I’m gonna read this?  And I really don’t think I know everything.  I sometimes think you guys, my fictional characters, actually teach me a thing or two.  Anyway, thank you, Della, for the answers, I know how hard that was for you.

And now I’m going to give away another T-shirt.  Actually, I’m going to give away two. One to an international reader and one to someone in the US.  So make sure all of you leave a comment, and if you are NOT in the US, make sure you tell me what country you are from. (As always, if you are reading this on Goodreads, you have to leave our comment on my blog at http://cchunterbooks.com/blog/ for a chance to win.)

Winner!

Last week’s winner of a Shadow Falls t-shirt is Lori Meyer. Please email your mailing address and t-shirt size to cc@cchunterbooks.com.

BookRave

Did you know one of the biggest book signing events is going to happen in Houston, Texas? That’s right, it’s the Houston BookRave and it is coming up fast! I’m looking forward to being there. Mark your calendars!! This event will be held Saturday, November 2, 2013 and will offer a unique experience where readers from everywhere can meet with their favorite authors in person. There will also be entertainment, exclusive giveaways, exclusive early book releases and delicious food.

Part of the proceeds will benefit GPISD’s Education Foundation which provides students and teachers with grants. So, it helps a good cause. Anyone in the Houston area should come out, meet me and many other authors, and have a great time. Don’t miss out!

Watch Out World, I’m Channeling Della!

I’m in the middle of Reborn, the first book in Shadow Falls: After Dark.  These books will be from Della’s point of view.  And I have to tell you, Della is so sassy.  And since I’m so deep into the story, I’m sort of channeling her.  Which means, I’m being a bit mouthy and I’m in the “I’m-not-taking-crap-off nobody” mood.  Poor hubby is getting an earful of Della..isms.  Thank goodness, he kind of likes Della.

Now, I will agree that sometimes Della gets a bit carried away.  Like when she told Miranda she was going to kill her and sell her blood on E-Bay.  Ahh, but there are times I know we all need to speak up for ourselves a little more.  We shouldn’t say yes when we really mean no.  We shouldn’t agree to do something just because someone is pressuring us.  We need to know our opinions count and matter.  And we need to voice those opinions.   I think we could all use a little Della spunk in our lives.  I’m not saying we should be ugly or mean, but I remember clearly being young and never speaking up for myself.

So today, I hope all you guys will channel a little of Della.  And since I’m deep into Della’s character I thought it might be fun to take a few questions from you guys for Della.  I can’t answer them all, but I’ll try to answer two or three a week.

And I’ll give away another Shadow Falls T-shirt to one person who leaves a question. (Sorry, I have to limit this giveaway to those living in the U.S.  Also, if you are reading this on Goodreads, you have to leave your question for Della on my CC Hunter Books website in order to enter to win.)

Oh, I had a signing this last Saturday with Joy Preble and Mary Lindsey at the Barnes & Noble in Pasadena, Texas.  I just want to say thank you to everyone who showed up with books in hand for me to sign.  I love meeting you guys. So, I thought I’d share some photos of the event.

Winner!

The winner of a Shadow Falls t-shirt from last week’s blog is Tara McFadden. Please email your mailing address and t-shirt size to cc@cchunterbooks.com. Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

Change Can Be Good

I admit it, I don’t like change.  When I was in school, I didn’t really like summer because everything changed and I didn’t like September because again, I had to change my schedule because of school.  Ahh, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the one consistent thing in life is change.  Life is about change.  I know some of you are dreading having to wake up early, having to fit time for  homework into your day.  And some of you participate in sports or are in band and that requires practice sessions.  It may have been awhile, but I remember how it was when I was in school.

However, even when you’re older and out of school, life still changes.  There are new jobs, or new bosses, or new houses. New boyfriends, and life altering changes like moving to a new town.  I’m buying a new house now and that means a lot of change. I’ll have to find a new grocery store, a new dry cleaners, a new path on which to take my walks.  I’ll be writing in a new study.  Oh, goodness, what if I find it hard to write in a new place?   I admit it, I really love my new house, but I dread all the changes, I dread having to adapt.  I know I’ll adjust, just like you guys will get accustomed to new teachers, new classmates and new routines.  Let’s hang in there together.  And let’s all try to remember change is good.  Change bring about growth.  We will make it.  This week, I’ll give a t-shirt to one person who leaves a comment.  (Sorry, but this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. And again, if you are reading this on Goodreads, you have to leave a comment on my CC Hunter Books website in order to win.)

Meet Me

This Saturday, August 24th, I’ll be at the Barnes and Noble in Pasadena, TX at 2:00 PM. And I won’t be alone! I’ll be joined by my good friends and talented authors Mary Lindsey (author of the Soul series) and Joy Preble (author of the Dreaming Anastasia series and The Sweet Dead Life series. So, if you live in the Houston or Pasedena area, stop on by. I’d love to meet you!

 

Cover Reveal!!

If you follow me on Facebook at CC Hunter Books or Shadow Falls Series, you may have already seen my post revealing the cover to Della’s first book, Reborn. If you don’t follow me on Facebook, you should! I post a lot of my news there, especially if it can’t wait until my blog. But for those of you that missed it, here is the cover. I love the feel of it. The colors are dark, and that fits since the series is Shadow Falls After Dark. And Della, she just looks strong, like she won’t put up with anything from anyone.

 

Appearance in Texas!

Do you live in the Houston, Texas area? Well, I was asked to participate in a Girl Scout Silver Award Project. It’s a program called “Reading Rocks!” for children, ages 5-13, to show them the benefits of reading. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, from 3:00 PM-4:30 PM, at the Henington-Alief Library, 7979 South Kirkwood St., Houston, TX 77072. I’ll be giving a talk about writing and my books.

Winner!

Last week’s  winner of a Shadow Falls t-shirt is Erin Paine. Congratulations, Erin! Please email your mailing address and t-shirt size to cc@cchunterbooks.com.