C.J. Duggan's Blog, page 8

An Endless Summer is LIVE and EARLY!

An Endless Summer is officially LIVE!


BUY IT NOW!
 Amazon U.S
 Amazon U.K
 Amazon Canada 

The Boys of Summer is only $0.99!!

To celebrate the SUMMER in many parts of the world, and in the lead up to An Endless Summer's release I have gone mad...C.J HAS GONE MAD!!
So mad I have slashed prices...Well a price.
For a limited time only 'The Boys of Summer' is available from Amazon for only $0.99.

How good is that? 

So by all means please share, help spread the word for as long at this lasts. You can grab this deal right now...

U.S HERE
U.K HERE

Do you wanna be in my gang?

Exciting news fellow friends.

Thanks to the Ah-Mazing Jacinta Brown (Yes she is so amazing I have to accentuate the word) There is now a Facebook  discussion group for the SUMMER Series. A place where you can discuss the novel "The Boys of Summer" and the impending follow up 'An Endless Summer' (RELEASE JULY 17)

A place to share photo's, clips, discussions with fellow friends and fans of the Summer Series.

How cool is that??? Join HERE! A special thanks to my trusty side kicks Jacinta and Natasha, I live through ladies enthusiam.

In other exciting news, thanks to YA Bound 'An Endless Summer' is going on tour from July 15th-20th.

There will be reviews,  interviews, guest psots, and giveaways so make sure you check it out it's going to be epic.


 ***Blog Tour Schedule***
July 15:Chapter by Chapter - http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com - ReviewBook Briefs - http://bookbriefs.blogspot.com - ReviewSome Like It Paranormal - http://somelikeitparanormall.blogspot.com - ReviewChocolate Coated Reviews - http://chocolatecoatedreviews.blogspot.com – ReviewThe LUV'NV - http://www.theluvnv.com – ReviewA Diary Of A Book Addict - http://adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com/ - ReviewThe Readers Den - http://www.thereadersden.blogspot.com – ReviewBook Angel Booktopia - http://www.bookangelbooktopia.com/ - ReviewNever Judge a Book by Its Cover - http://neverjudgeabookbyitscovers.blogspot.co.uk – ReviewYoung Adult Book Reviews - http://www.yafictionbookreviews.blogspot.com – ReviewBook Me! - http://www.bookmereviews.com - Review
July 16:Falling For YA - www.FallingForYA.blogspot.com - ReviewLust For Stories - http://lustforstories.blogspot.ca - ReviewLovin' Los Libros - http://www.lovinloslibros.blogspot.com – ReviewReading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance - http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/ - ReviewMy Pathway to Books - http://tessmw.blogspot.com/ - ReviewMy Neurotic Book Affair - http://myneuroticbookaffair.blogspot.com – ReviewRampant Readers - http://rampant-readers.blogspot.com – ReviewThe Three Bookateers - http://www.thethreebookateers.wordpress.com – ReviewDear, Restless Reader - http://dearrestlessreader.blogspot.com – ReviewEvery Free Chance Book Reviews - http://everyfreechance.com/ - Promo PostBookworm Brandee - http://www.bookwormbrandee.blogspot.com - Review
July 17:Reader Girls - http://www.readergirlsblog.com - ReviewThe Reader's Antidote - http://nicoleyalover.blogspot.com/ - ReviewA Tale of Many Reviews - http://ataleofmanyreviews.com – ReviewReading with ABC - http://readingwithabc.blogspot.com – ReviewLiving Fictitiously - http://living-fictitiously.blogspot.com/ - ReviewMom With A Kindle - http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com - Promo PostSMIBookClub - http://www.SMIBookClub.com – ReviewYA Book Addict - http://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot.com.au/ - ReviewLiving in a Bookworld - http://livinginabookworld.blogspot.gr - Review
July 18:Pinkindle Reads & Reviews - http://pinkindle.net - ReviewAlways YA at Heart - http://www.alwaysyaatheart.com - ReviewThe Girl in a Café - www.thegirlinacafe.blogspot.com.au – ReviewLeisure Reads - http://www.leisurereads.com - Promo PostThe Book Hookup - http://www.thebookhookup.com/ - ReviewSwoony Boys Podcast - http://www.swoonyboyspodcast.com – ReviewBook Nerds Anonymous - http://avasmith.org – ReviewwhYAnot Reviews - http://whyanot.wordpress.com – ReviewBookwhirlwind - Http://bookwhirlwind.blogspot.com – ReviewRealms of an Open Mind - http://realmsofanopenmind.blogspot.com - Review
July 19:New Adult Addiction - http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/ - ReviewMy Crazy Book Obsession - http://mycrazybookobsession.blogspot.com/ - ReviewThe Autumn Review - www.autumnreview.com – ReviewClaire Reads - http://clairelouisereads.blogspot.com.au/ - Reviewi*Heart*BigBooks - http://www.iheartbigbooks.com - Promo PostRamblings of a Daydreamer - http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca – ReviewWilling to See Less - http://willingtoseeless.blogspot.com/ - ReviewThe Readdicts - http://thereaddicts.blogspot.in/ - ReviewSab The Book Eater - http://sabthebookeater.blogspot.com/ - Review
July 20:Stephanie Keyes - www.stephaniekeyes.com/the-blog - Promo PostMichelle Shouts Random - http://michelleshoutsrandom.blogspot.com - ReviewWhat's Beyond Forks? - http://www.whatsbeyondforks.com/ - ReviewPaulette's Papers - http://paulettespapers.com/ - ReviewTiffany Talks Books – www.tiffanytalksbooks.com – ReviewPaperback Princess - http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com - Review

I May Live To Regret This...

Maybe it's the sickness?

The fact that I am drugged up to the eye balls and I am blogging at 1.25am midweek should be a giant red flag to question my sanity.

In times like this when I have been given doctors orders to stay bed ridden for the week because I need to prevent my chest infection potentially morphing into pneumonia - Yeah not so great for a chronic asthmatic, still inspiration strikes in the least likely moments.

What am I blabbering on about?

Yep! Another light bulb moment, remember the last time I had one of those? The Boys of Summer became a three book series, which I might add was one of the best decisions I have made. So I am hoping that this next moment of 'Ah ha!' *snaps fingers* Will be just as satisfying.

I guess it's really all about how far I can push myself, how big a challenge I can set myself and above all how much I am willing to sacrifice? I had set myself a mini goal in my mind and the scary thing is when I take those goals from my mind and 'blog' about them it opens up a potential can of worms, I am opening up myself to pressure to achieve my pipe dreams. Announcing it makes it real, makes me accountable. WHAT AM I DOING???

So I will announce my thoughts but with a huge disclaimer (these concepts are so fresh and need to be unpacked and set out so I can go forth and make magic)

So why bother unleashing it at all C.J?

Well, because Gosh darn it! I AM EXCITED!!!!

I have been lying in bed for three days spending the first two watching mindless television, too immersed in my own misery to care about anything than the struggles to breath (literally) but as the fog lifted and the drugs set in, as did boredom I had a moment. An exciting moment when something manifests from and idea and quickly forms into a NEW PROJECT!!!

Life after the Summer Series!

Now lets look at the now, An Endless Summer is due for release July 17th, it is my intention (at BEST) to churn out book three by December/January - Yep dream goal!

Then I plan - May lightning strike me down. To release a new stand alone New Adult title, plus the beginning of a new trilogy. New world, new characters new settings. It will be smart, sassy, sexy and I am so very excited about it.

What I can tell you is that my impending 2014 New Adult Stand Alone release is titled 'Someone Like You.' A new adult romance set in Melbourne, Australia.

Now I don't want to get too ahead of myself but I guess I just wanted you to know that when I talk about sacrifice, about challenges, what I knew (in my head) is that I had a personal goal, a determination to work solidly for two years to finish my Summer Series Trilogy and start a new project. My aim was to publish five books by 2014's end. And this will be my ultimate drive. I will either look back on this blog post and go..."Hells year C.J you nailed it!" Or "Pfft what were you thinking?? Five books? FOOL!"

*Shrugs* Who knows? All I know is I have to try, I have to ride the waves of enthusiasm and and write while inspiration is at the forefront of my existence. The sacrifice will be not to break, but to write through solidly to achieve these releases. I am so very passionate about the direction I am headed. It's going to be a massive amount of work but I feel I'm ready and willing to go the distance.

Now I just have to break the news to my long suffering husband and poor neglected friends and family.

A mud map of things to come and of course you will all be kept in the loop as time comes for new cover reveals and synopsis releases...But trust me when I say, there is LOTS to look forward to.

THE SUMMER SERIESBook One (AVAILABLE NOW)
BUY HERE

BOOK TWO (July 17th, 2013)

BOOK Three 'That One Summer'TBA

2014 NEW ADULT RELEASE'SOMEONE LIKE YOU.'TBA
 
2014 NEW CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE TRILOGY
'THE ANITA BOWMAN DIARIES'
Book One
'Friends Of Mine'
TBA

Book Two
'Here With Me'
TBA

Book Three
'Love My Way'
TBA

Touching Bruce Springsteen.

March 26th 2013, from that moment on nothing would ever be the same...Ever!

I have been waiting for Bruce Springsteen to come out to Australia for years. There were whisperings and lots of here say to when that would be, and finally in 2013 would see The Boss return after a 10year hiatus from our shores.

It would also see many a Bruce Springsteen fan come out of the wood work, sporting thread bare t'shirts and bandanna's. I knew it would be something to behold and I almost contemplated going into some form of pre mosh pit fitness training (Oh how I wished I had) Because as far as performance based shows, it was the best I had ever seen. I fear now I have witnessed Bruce and the E street band that nothing else can possibly compare. If having heard the hype of the Australian tour you will know that Springsteen's presence at 63 is nothing short of spectacular, his energy, endurance puts most performer's to shame. His non stop enthusiasm for 3 non stop hour stints is incredible. His  generosity towards his fans is what had me lining up for 12hr stretch to get pole position in the pit. As I slouched next to a tree basking in the shadow of a warm Melbourne day at Rod Laver Arena I yawned and turned to my sister in law Lulla.

"There is only one person in this world who could make me wait in a line for 12hours."


And that was the general consensus, I thought I was a pretty obsessive fan but I soon learned I was no where near the level of the big guns. Some having lined up for every single Australian performance and others coming as far from following Brucey around the States. I was truly a novice and my little line up seemed like nothing compared to some fans in Europe who would camp out for 5 days at the chance to be within Bruce Springsteen sweat.

For two weeks I had joked with family and friends that I didn't need to be dragged up on stage to dance in the dark circa Courtney Cox (Although how freakin amazing would that be??) But I was not greedy if I was within sweating distance I would be a happy girl. AND I was! My hours of dedication paid off as I pegged myself second row in the pit, not too shabby considering I was number 69 in line.



The build up was intense and there were even some mosh pit bickering over positions which could be expected as we were all tired and excited for 8o'clock to roll around. But on the whole it was a well behaved gathering of hardcore fans in close quarters.


(Me! On the far left nestled in the armpit of a stranger)

A verteran in the front row, a sliver haired lady turned to me and my sister in law offering words of wisdom (We obviously reeked of being Bruce Springsteen newbies)

"Hold your ground girls! Spread your legs!." She cried as if we were about to depart for war. Maybe we were?

My sister in law and I looked at each other wide eyed in horror. What had I done? I suddenly felt claustrophobic, thirsty, hot. I had made a terrible decision.

"There going to push forward, so be prepared to hold your ground." Chanted the silver haired veteran.

Oh my God! We were going to be killed. I looked over my shoulder to spot a seven foot giant of a man. Surely he wouldn't need to push forward, we were only little, they had it made.

Still we spread our legs into war stance bracing ourselves against what was to come. As I tried not to think about how we were all squished together like sardines, I was momentarily distracted to search for my brother and sister in law who were also General Admission for tonight. I connected with them several rows back and managed to offer a small wave when they saw me. I felt my phone vibrate in my thatchel, a message presenting from my sister in law Leanne.

"Your within sweating distance!" It read.

Yes. Yes I was.

the half hour that followed waiting rather anxiously, rather uncomfortably was probably the longest all day. It was only when the house lights went up momentarily blinding us did opening song speculation mutterings seep through the hard core fans did things start to really, really become real.

Before we knew it ban members one by one filtered up from below raging from the least known to the the main players as a way of building even more excitement (if that was possible) finally as we all knew the very last player was to hit the stage and once Bruce Springsteen trotted up the staircase and onto the stage, I was filled with an immense feeling of awe from seeing him in the flesh, standing right in front of me. I had wondered if such hype over the last two weeks would ultimately fill me with disappointment. Not a chance, he looked amazing.



And as Bruce chanted "Melbourne Bums of seats." the crowd who had by this point completely lost all sanity by merely being in his presence. Hands lifted to fist pump and as Bruce unapologeticlly began to belt out Badlands. With unified passion the pit jumped and fist pumped the sky, it was an ecstatic rush that had all memories of line waiting or claustrophobia melt away as our eyes locked on the man before us.



He was so close I could touch him, and I DID! From that moment on I could die happy I had touched Bruce Springsteen! It didn't matter if I wasn't the chosen one to be dragged up on stage and dance Courtney Cox style, believe me after 3 hours in the mosh pit I couldn't help but be relieved. Sweaty, frizzy hair, panda eyes being dragged up on stage infront of thousands of people, highlighted by the bug screen, it would not have been a good look. I know this as a fact as I stumbelled back to my hotel room after the concert, taking in my reflection in the elevators mirrors I turned to Lulla.

"Jesus! No wonder he didn't pick me."

I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards, run over with a steam roller and marched over by marching band...which was not too far from the truth, the E Street band were phenomenal.



Highlights:

The moment he walked out onto the stage, so surreal.


The opening number of Badlands lifted the roof off, I will never forget it.
Bruce crowd surfing.
Bruce wearing a hat from the audience singing 'Spirit in the Night.'


'Beacuase the night.'
The E Street band with special addition of Tom Morello magic.
The Ghost of Tom Joad and incredible performance by  Tom Morello.


Being within sweating distance, quite literally! I drop of Springsteen sweat landed in my eyeball and although it burned like mad it was SO worth it.


Bruce had a wet sponge he would wipe his face with to keep cool, towards the end he dipped he showered the audience to cool us down.






Low lights:

12 hours worth of roll calls made for a long expensive day with Taxi fairs combined BUT it could have been worse as we did get 3 hour reprieves in between and once you saw Bruce the poll position in the pit made it all worth while.

Mosh pit politics. By the time you're in the mosh pit everyone is anxious and tired from a full day of roll calls, the last half hour before showtime has people plotting and scheming to get just that little bit closer, there were a few mosh pit arguments.

Water, or actually lack there of. We weren't allowed to keep the lids on our drink bottles at a guess that we wouldn't use them a missiles, although I would think you could do more damage with an empty drink container, but hey. As if anyone would dare do that to the Boss? Because of that I decided to ditch my water before I went in. I didn't think jumping up and down with a full bottle of water without a lid would be a good idea. BIG mistake, HUGE! By the second song in it was as if all the moisture had been sucked out of the room and I had serious cotton mouth, it made for a very uncomfortable 3 hours and I actually think I suffered dehydration because of it. Imagine my relief when Bruce rung his wet sponge on top of me, it was as if I had been blessed by Bruce himself. Lesson learned!!

Aftermath. I was broken, I had my ass handed to me in a hand basket by 63year old rocker. Lulla and I were in so much pain and dying of thirst we clawed our way into a 7/11 to grab a drink. I thought I might burst into tears seeing the line up at the cab rank my legs were on fire. I had no voice, I was deaf and could hardly walk it took me a week to recover from the aches and pains and even a month after I am still sick with a cough I picked up and can't seem to shake. I even passed on my sickness to my husband so Bruce Springsteen's name is mud in our house at the moment, but more so from my endless gushing and playing his music over and over again while we cook dinner.

Regret. In hindsight I wished I had of gone to more than one show (even though I would most certainly of been killed) But no two Bruce Springsteen shows are alike and having had a taste I fear all other concerts will never live up to the likes of Bruce and the E Street band.

Overall an experience I will never forget. I would even go as far as to plan any future holiday destination based solely on wherever Bruce Springsteen is performing just like the die hard fans do, I get it I really do because seriously, he is just that bloody good.

COVER REVEAL: An Endless Summer.

The day has come! And I am so excited to finally unveil Book Two in my 'Summer Series.'
Following on from 'The Boys of Summer' I bring you 'An Endless Summer.' Set several years later, the characters of Onslow face new challenges, new friendships, new loves and did I mention the spotlight shines on SEAN MURPHY? So yes, there will be swooning.
For those yet to discover the world of 'Onslow' and the infamous 'Onslow' boys, in a nutshell it's an Australian story about Australian characters set in a mythical Lake side town in the 90's.

So without any further delay I give you...
An Endless Summer

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”
After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:
Boarding School.
Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.
How had her dad let it come to this?
With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.
In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.


AND WHY WE'RE ALL HERE....
*Drum roll* for the cover....


Expected Publication: July 17th, 2013.
ADD ME!

Book One (Summer Series)The Boys of Summer


 It seemed only natural to nickname them the “Onslow Boys". Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week's work; their laughter loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition; a flimsy divider between my world and theirs.  I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him…. Toby Morrison.

Quiet, 17-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a Summer time job.She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before dreaded Year 12 begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fire works at the Onslow show, and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.
How did she let her friends talk her into working?
After first shift disasters, rude wealthy tourists, and a taunting ex boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come from working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer, and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working  expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love, and heartbreaking chaos.
All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

    It will be a summer she will always remember.



       Warning: Sexual references and occasional course language


BUY ME!
ADD ME!
Once again I would like to thank my dear friend and the amazingly talented Keary Taylor for bringing my visions to life with my gorgeous book covers.
And also a MASSIVE thank you to each and every blogger, reader, reviewer who have read and rated 'The Boys of Summer.' Reviews are the life force to out work, so I am immensely grateful for you all taking your time to help spread the word, whether it be signing up for a blitz or a tour, tweeting, Facebooking...SHARING this Cover Reveal!! Let it be known I am utterly humbled and in awe of your kindness....THANK YOU!!

And just for fun and to give you a bit of insight on what inspired me when I was writing 'An Endless Summer.' Check out the beautiful version on Endless Summer (The Jezabels) sung by Josh Pyke. Music is so inspirational during the writing process and this song really got me into the right head space. Enjoy!

*I do not own the rights to this music*

I think I'm in trouble.

Sitting at my desk rolling a cool mint across the table top with my pen, I do this for about 5 minutes.

Oooh let's see what's happening on Facebook...Aww a picture of a kitten.

I'm going to play that new Pink song I love on You Tube...Aww a clip of a kitten.

I know! I'll check out Pinterest! I haven't don't that in ages...Hours and hours pass as does many kittens that I have re pinned.

I click on my GMail account and seriously consider filing for email bankruptcy.

All the while gulping and looking at the calendar on my wall, I look at it because it haunts me...

My deadline looms.

By the 1st of March I have to submit my MS for An Endless Summer to my editor and needless to say I feel a bit sick about it. Unlike what people might think being an Author is not all sunglasses and autographs...I know right? Shocking! I was expecting sponsorships and endorsing coffee on T.V adds with George Clooney, but I digress.

Now it's not to say book two is not coming along, it is leaps and bounds and I am really happy with how it is unravelling, I am just on a tight deadline and although I long for some much needed R&R in March I also dread it. *Breaths into a brown into a paper bag*

I guess I just wanted to give everyone a mini update for the things that you may not know.The Official Release date for 'An Endless Summer' is July 17th 2013...Yaaaay! ADD TO GOODREADS! The cover and synopsis reveal is happening on a mass scale on March 4th! ... Woohoo!
And as for The Boys of Summer you have no doubt seen it around the traps touring like a rock star. It's on tour at the moment and receiving some amazing attention that feeds into giving me the warm and fuzzies (very important we love warm and fuzzies) I seriously love hearing from you AMACCING readers!

Purchase The Boys of Summer
Now here is a picture of a kitten!
But more appropriately here is George Clooney holding a kitten (Any day now I am expecting his call)

Gah! Enough with the distractions already that deadline looms!

Win a Signed Paperback of 'The Boys of Summer.'

What better way is there to celebrate Australia Day than with a giveaway?
What's up for grabs?
1 Signed paperback of 'The Boys of Summer'

10 digital copies for 10 lucky winners.

10 signed bookmarks for 10 winners.

(Fluffy dog not included)
Be in it to win it!

>>>>>HERE<<<<<

GOOD LUCK!!

A Barnes and Noble Bargain!

Finally!The 'Boys of Summer' is available on Barnes and Noble for only $3.99.




>>> BUY IT NOW<<<

Also jump on board and sign up for 'The Boys of Sumer' book blitz! coming in February, the first of two book blitz's for the month so by all means sign up and help spread the word.

Hosted by the lovely Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours.



"The blitz runs from February 1st to February 11th, you may post anytime during this window. There will be excerpts and/or guest posts available for your post, and all participants will be able to host a giveaway if you so wish." - Giselle 
If you're interested in participating in this book blitz, head on over the Xpresso Book Tours and sign up HERE!

The Boys of Summer hits Number One!

I am typing now because in this business things can change in a heartbeat!
But...in this very moment, RIGHT now I am over joyed to tell you that 'The Boys of Summer' has reached NUMBER ONE! In the Aussie iBook charts.

It could all change by tomorrow, heck even in the next 5 minutes, but there will never be any taking away of that feeling of seeing this for the first time. Call me patriotic but it feels extra special as an Australian author, writing about Australian places and people and having your work ranked as Number One on an Aussie site.
Thanks to everyone who took a chance and clicked that button.
For now I will continue to enjoy the moment. x