Christi Snow's Blog, page 34
May 14, 2015
Things happen for a reason...
Hello, everyone. This is just going to be a small rambling post today.
For most of us in the romance world, we are either in DFW for the RT Convention or watching the posts from there wishing we were.
I'm the latter of that group.
What makes that harder is that DFW is practically in my backyard...only 4 hours away from me. Seriously, I do that as a day trip every once in a while. But I'm not there.
And there are very good reasons for that fact:
1. My daughter's 8th birthday is tomorrow
2. In January, my parents moved/retired to New Mexico so I lost my backup babysitters for hubby when I'm out of town.
3. Honestly, I couldn't afford it.
Well, now that the week is here and I'm watching the posts from RT and feeling sad that I'm not there, I have to admit...it worked out the way it was supposed to.
This would have been the worst possible week for me to be out of town:
1. I started out the week really sick. That would have been when I would have been driving to DFW. I probably would have wrecked if I had tried it because I was functioning so poorly.
2. My husband's work schedule this week has been CRAZY. There hasn't been a single night when he's been home before 8. Last night it was after 9. (Note: he goes to work at 6:00 AM...so those are crazy long days.)
So even if I'd planned to go, I wouldn't have been able to.
And let me tell you. The only thing worse than missing the RT Convention when it's in your backyard would have been missing it, but having paid for it first.
See, things happen for a reason.
So, I'm sitting at home this week watching the posts from RT, wishing I was there, but so thankful that I have friends who I can live vicariously through... Have fun, everyone, who got to go!!
May 2, 2015
Deleted Scene featuring Law...Snowcroft Safehouse
If you didn't hear, my latest book from the Men of Snowcroft series, Snowcroft Safehouse, released last week. I've been overwhelmed with the positive response from you all.Thank you so much!!
If you haven't picked it up yet, here are the buy links...
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iBooks
If you have picked it up, I'm hearing one thing...you all kind of love Law. (sigh...I know, I do, too.)
Originally when I wrote the book there were a few scenes in there from Law's POV. They all either got cut or rewritten. But there was one scene that got cut from early in the book that I thought you all might enjoy getting to read now.
(And for those of you that haven't read the book, don't worry, this doesn't hold any spoilers.)
One Year LaterLaw Wyman twirled in his chair and lifted his eyebrows in question to the man standing in the doorway to his office. “Hey, Mr. Hendricks. What can I do for you today? Need me to wipe someone’s ass, now?”Ernie Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI office, clenched his jaw and shut the door as he stepped into the room. “We had a meeting twenty minutes ago. Why didn’t you show up?”Law clicked a few buttons on his computer. “Hmm,” he said. “It looks like my calendar reminder program isn’t working. I’ll get the tech guys right on that.” The nerves began tingling in his hands. To hide it, he grabbed a ball off his desk, threw it into the air and then leaned back in his chair and caught it. “So, did I miss anything important?” He threw the ball up again, but his boss snatched the ball out of the air.Ernie leaned heavily on Law’s desk and scowled at Law. “You will be in my office in five minutes. You will have your shirt tucked in, your tie and jacket on, and your attitude reined in or you will be out of a job tomorrow. I don’t care how good of an agent you used to be. Do I make myself clear?” he practically spat the words at Law.“Yes, sir,” he said. After his boss exited the office, he slumped back down into his chair and examined his trembling fingers. What was he doing? He looked at the clock. It was two-fifteen. Where had the last three hours gone? The last time he’d checked, he had fifteen more minutes before lunch. Had he eaten? His stomach said no. Jesus Christ. Why wouldn’t his brain work right anymore? He buried his fingers into his hair pressing at his skull, trying to make that organ inside function correctly again. The pressure did nothing to stem the quaking of his fingers, his stomach, or his mental state. Shit. He stood, straightened his appearance, and took several deep breaths before he opened his office door. Outside the safety of his office, the lingering gazes of his fellow agents watched him with a mix of pity and scorn. After a year, they should be over this shit. He should be over this shit. He could feel their thoughts. Look at the poor broken gay boy. Can’t even do his job anymore.He wanted, no needed, to prove them all wrong. But he couldn’t do it if he continued to screw up. When he arrived at Mr. Hendricks office, the door was shut tight and Craig manned the reception desk. As Ernie’s personal assistant, Craig knew everything that went on in the office. His lips were pressed into a narrow line now, but his voice was kind when he spoke. “He told me to tell you to wait for a bit.”Law nodded. Of course he did. This was punishment for his tardiness. Just like getting sent to the principal’s office in elementary school. He sat in one of the hard plastic chairs and tried not to fidget and not to zone out. If he wanted to stay an agent, he needed to stay present in the here and now. Finally, after what felt like hours, but had really only been fifteen minutes, the office door opened and Mr. Hendricks waved him in. He didn’t watch to see if Law followed, just told him to close the door and have a seat while he sat behind the desk, shuffling a few folders.“I understand you were cleared by Dr. Anderson last week.”Law nodded. “Yes, sir.” Dr. Anderson was his FBI-specialized psychotherapist, who had taken him on last year when he had his incident. And that’s what the FBI liked to call his complete and total nervous breakdown after that horrendous failed mission. It had taken a year for him to convince the doctor that he was fine, even if that wasn’t true. No one needed to know the real truth except Law, because he could fix this. Somehow.But then he looked up from his lap to his boss’s entirely too knowing eyes. Christ. Had he zoned out again?Instead of the anger when he usually lost track of the conversation, his boss appeared concerned. “I’m not sure I agree with her diagnosis, but I’m required to put you back on the job. Luckily, I had a call this morning that I think will fit your particular skill set right now and may actually help.”Shit, they were going to put him on desk duty again weren’t they? Law couldn’t handle not having something to occupy his mind, engage him, and pull him out of this strange atrophy. He just couldn’t... Goddammit, focus. Mr. Hendricks was still talking.“...happened last year around the same time as your incident, so you probably never knew about it. No one knows he’s alive and we need to keep it that way so he can testify against the Barton family.”“Wait.” Law stopped him. “Barton, the mob crime boss out of Jersey?” The FBI had been trying to take that family down for the last ten years. Mr. Hendricks nodded. “But the witness has issues and the Marshal’s Service can’t seem to handle him, so they called me this morning to see if I had an agent to take him on. I think you’re one of the few who could understand him and keep him safe. I want you to read through his file and let me know if you think you’re up to the job.”He may have missed half the conversation, but it sounded like this was a real mission. A chance to recover his career. A chance to make Andrew’s sacrifice worth it. Yes, whatever it was, he could do it. He would make sure of it.
{
So, I know that you all are dying for Law's book, but I have a special little something coming up first in the Snowcroft world. This idea actually came from one of my beta readers, Lee Murphy. So, here's your hint...
I'm excited about this project. I'm planning it to be a novella and will feature an m/m/f menage story line (you've already met two of the characters who will feature in the m/m/f story in this book). We'll see though if the novella plan actually works out for me, because there's going to be a lot of conflict in this one...but that's what makes books so good. *sigh*
As well as a new baby for Jamie and Trevor, so you know those two guys are going to play heavily into this book.
There will also be a better introduction of Law's hero in the story since he's related to Trevor. Can anyone guess who he is?
This novella will completely stand on it's own because I know all my m/m readers don't necessarily want to read m/m/f, but it really is setting up to be an amazing story.
This novella is UNNAMED right now...any ideas for me?
Then, SNOWCROFT RESTORATION (Law's book) will be the next full-length release in the series.
And no, I'm not sure when all this will happen.******
My release schedule right now:*Lance (Male Model Chronicles #2) is done and in editing- releasing late May/early June*Right By Your Side (Martin Ranch #1) am writing right now - hoping for Aug/Sept release*Allied In Flight(Through the Veil #2) not written yet - hoping for Oct release*Found at the Library(stand alone m/m Christmas romance) written- needs to go through edits - Oct release*Joshua(Male Model Chronicles #3) not written - Nov release
So already, the release schedule is pretty tight and I have several other projects in various stages of writing that aren't on there that I really want to work on, too. But I'm hoping to get the m/m/f novella slid somewhere in there around the Dec timeframe...maybe.
If you haven't picked it up yet, here are the buy links...
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iBooks
If you have picked it up, I'm hearing one thing...you all kind of love Law. (sigh...I know, I do, too.)
Originally when I wrote the book there were a few scenes in there from Law's POV. They all either got cut or rewritten. But there was one scene that got cut from early in the book that I thought you all might enjoy getting to read now.
(And for those of you that haven't read the book, don't worry, this doesn't hold any spoilers.)
One Year LaterLaw Wyman twirled in his chair and lifted his eyebrows in question to the man standing in the doorway to his office. “Hey, Mr. Hendricks. What can I do for you today? Need me to wipe someone’s ass, now?”Ernie Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI office, clenched his jaw and shut the door as he stepped into the room. “We had a meeting twenty minutes ago. Why didn’t you show up?”Law clicked a few buttons on his computer. “Hmm,” he said. “It looks like my calendar reminder program isn’t working. I’ll get the tech guys right on that.” The nerves began tingling in his hands. To hide it, he grabbed a ball off his desk, threw it into the air and then leaned back in his chair and caught it. “So, did I miss anything important?” He threw the ball up again, but his boss snatched the ball out of the air.Ernie leaned heavily on Law’s desk and scowled at Law. “You will be in my office in five minutes. You will have your shirt tucked in, your tie and jacket on, and your attitude reined in or you will be out of a job tomorrow. I don’t care how good of an agent you used to be. Do I make myself clear?” he practically spat the words at Law.“Yes, sir,” he said. After his boss exited the office, he slumped back down into his chair and examined his trembling fingers. What was he doing? He looked at the clock. It was two-fifteen. Where had the last three hours gone? The last time he’d checked, he had fifteen more minutes before lunch. Had he eaten? His stomach said no. Jesus Christ. Why wouldn’t his brain work right anymore? He buried his fingers into his hair pressing at his skull, trying to make that organ inside function correctly again. The pressure did nothing to stem the quaking of his fingers, his stomach, or his mental state. Shit. He stood, straightened his appearance, and took several deep breaths before he opened his office door. Outside the safety of his office, the lingering gazes of his fellow agents watched him with a mix of pity and scorn. After a year, they should be over this shit. He should be over this shit. He could feel their thoughts. Look at the poor broken gay boy. Can’t even do his job anymore.He wanted, no needed, to prove them all wrong. But he couldn’t do it if he continued to screw up. When he arrived at Mr. Hendricks office, the door was shut tight and Craig manned the reception desk. As Ernie’s personal assistant, Craig knew everything that went on in the office. His lips were pressed into a narrow line now, but his voice was kind when he spoke. “He told me to tell you to wait for a bit.”Law nodded. Of course he did. This was punishment for his tardiness. Just like getting sent to the principal’s office in elementary school. He sat in one of the hard plastic chairs and tried not to fidget and not to zone out. If he wanted to stay an agent, he needed to stay present in the here and now. Finally, after what felt like hours, but had really only been fifteen minutes, the office door opened and Mr. Hendricks waved him in. He didn’t watch to see if Law followed, just told him to close the door and have a seat while he sat behind the desk, shuffling a few folders.“I understand you were cleared by Dr. Anderson last week.”Law nodded. “Yes, sir.” Dr. Anderson was his FBI-specialized psychotherapist, who had taken him on last year when he had his incident. And that’s what the FBI liked to call his complete and total nervous breakdown after that horrendous failed mission. It had taken a year for him to convince the doctor that he was fine, even if that wasn’t true. No one needed to know the real truth except Law, because he could fix this. Somehow.But then he looked up from his lap to his boss’s entirely too knowing eyes. Christ. Had he zoned out again?Instead of the anger when he usually lost track of the conversation, his boss appeared concerned. “I’m not sure I agree with her diagnosis, but I’m required to put you back on the job. Luckily, I had a call this morning that I think will fit your particular skill set right now and may actually help.”Shit, they were going to put him on desk duty again weren’t they? Law couldn’t handle not having something to occupy his mind, engage him, and pull him out of this strange atrophy. He just couldn’t... Goddammit, focus. Mr. Hendricks was still talking.“...happened last year around the same time as your incident, so you probably never knew about it. No one knows he’s alive and we need to keep it that way so he can testify against the Barton family.”“Wait.” Law stopped him. “Barton, the mob crime boss out of Jersey?” The FBI had been trying to take that family down for the last ten years. Mr. Hendricks nodded. “But the witness has issues and the Marshal’s Service can’t seem to handle him, so they called me this morning to see if I had an agent to take him on. I think you’re one of the few who could understand him and keep him safe. I want you to read through his file and let me know if you think you’re up to the job.”He may have missed half the conversation, but it sounded like this was a real mission. A chance to recover his career. A chance to make Andrew’s sacrifice worth it. Yes, whatever it was, he could do it. He would make sure of it.
{
So, I know that you all are dying for Law's book, but I have a special little something coming up first in the Snowcroft world. This idea actually came from one of my beta readers, Lee Murphy. So, here's your hint...
I'm excited about this project. I'm planning it to be a novella and will feature an m/m/f menage story line (you've already met two of the characters who will feature in the m/m/f story in this book). We'll see though if the novella plan actually works out for me, because there's going to be a lot of conflict in this one...but that's what makes books so good. *sigh*
As well as a new baby for Jamie and Trevor, so you know those two guys are going to play heavily into this book.
There will also be a better introduction of Law's hero in the story since he's related to Trevor. Can anyone guess who he is?
This novella will completely stand on it's own because I know all my m/m readers don't necessarily want to read m/m/f, but it really is setting up to be an amazing story.
This novella is UNNAMED right now...any ideas for me?
Then, SNOWCROFT RESTORATION (Law's book) will be the next full-length release in the series.
And no, I'm not sure when all this will happen.******
My release schedule right now:*Lance (Male Model Chronicles #2) is done and in editing- releasing late May/early June*Right By Your Side (Martin Ranch #1) am writing right now - hoping for Aug/Sept release*Allied In Flight(Through the Veil #2) not written yet - hoping for Oct release*Found at the Library(stand alone m/m Christmas romance) written- needs to go through edits - Oct release*Joshua(Male Model Chronicles #3) not written - Nov release
So already, the release schedule is pretty tight and I have several other projects in various stages of writing that aren't on there that I really want to work on, too. But I'm hoping to get the m/m/f novella slid somewhere in there around the Dec timeframe...maybe.
April 24, 2015
Snowcroft Safehouse is OUT!
Here are the basics:Title: Snowcroft SafehouseAuthor: Christi SnowRelease Date: April 24, 2015
Genre: Contemporary male/male Romantic SuspenseSeries: Book #2 of the Men of Snowcroft SeriesWordcount: approximately 75,000 wordsPrice: $2.99 ebook/ $11.99 print
Story Overview:A year ago Declan Jasper was entertaining sold-out arena crowds as the lead singer of Black Rainbows. But that came to an explosive end when the band got caught up in a criminal cover-up, one that ended with the entire band dead. At least that’s what everyone is supposed to think.
Now, Dex is hiding in plain sight, working as the school band director in a sleepy little mountain resort town while under the protection of a hard-nosed FBI agent. Instead of eyeliner and black leather, he now wears glasses and corduroy. Instead of having sexy coeds—both male and female—throw themselves into his bed, he’s dealing with teenage angst and grumpy parents.
At the top of his troubles list is Kelsey Walker, a junior high bundle of rare musical talent in the form of one confused, messed-up adolescent. Dex figures the problem comes from her broken home and wants to help. But when he meets her father, sexy bar-owner, Jack Walker, he realizes that instead of helping he’s probably just bringing more trouble and danger to their door.
Dex has to stay alive until the trial to bring his bandmates’ murderers to justice, but can he do that if it means sacrificing his own happily ever after?
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iBooks
A note from the author...
Finn Alexander was inspired by a substitute teacher at my daughter's school. He only sub'ed once, but he was gorgeous and dressed just so perfectly with his fitted pants and vest over a button down shirt. He was gorgeous and stood out because of it. I sat in the parking lot that morning when I dropped off my daughter and wondered where he came from...because he did not look like the normal substitute teacher...in any way, shape, or manner. Hell, he didn't look like any other teacher in the entire school. He was just so put together...and a guy. Not normal in my West Texas town elementary school experience.
And my writer's mind started spinning. Within an hour of school drop-off, I knew who was Jack's perfect mate. A gorgeous band teacher turned hard rocker who then had to transition back to band teacher to hide out from the mob.
I hope you fall in love with Finn as much as I did. I love this reformed bad-boy.
*****
And don't forget book #1, Snowcroft Lost, is on sale for ONLY $.99(for just a couple more days)Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iBooks
April 15, 2015
More Snowcroft is coming....
***Preorder now for the
April 24th release***
A year ago Declan Jasper was entertaining sold-out arena crowds as the lead singer of Black Rainbows. But that came to an explosive end when the band got caught up in a criminal cover-up, one that ended with the entire band dead. At least that’s what everyone is supposed to think.
Now, Dex is hiding in plain sight, working as the school band director in a sleepy little mountain resort town while under the protection of a hard-nosed FBI agent. Instead of eyeliner and black leather, he now wears glasses and corduroy. Instead of having sexy coeds—both male and female—throw themselves into his bed, he’s dealing with teenage angst and grumpy parents.
At the top of his troubles list is Kelsey Walker, a junior high bundle of rare musical talent in the form of one confused, messed-up adolescent. Dex figures the problem comes from her broken home and wants to help. But when he meets her father, sexy bar-owner, Jack Walker, he realizes that instead of helping he’s probably just bringing more trouble and danger to their door.
Dex has to stay alive until the trial to bring his bandmates’ murderers to justice, but can he do that if it means sacrificing his own happily ever after?
Amazon Pre-order
B&N Pre-order
Kobo Pre-orderiBooks Pre-order
***Only $.99 for a limited time!***Secrets and Lies…Everyone has them. Big ones. Little ones.
For Trevor Mayne and Jamie Vaughn, secrets and lies are how they’ve made their fourteen year friendship work. Don’t talk about it. Ignore it and it won’t be real. Pretend like everything’s fine between the two of them.
Jamie can’t live like this anymore. He’s in love with Trevor, his best friend who just happens to be straight. Tired of hiding his feelings, he decides to walk away. From their friendship. From his hometown. From his business.
But before Jamie gets a chance to leave, a freak accident leaves Trevor with amnesia. A new blank perspective leaves him confused about the inconsistencies of what he’s told his life should be vs. the feelings that he knows he has. Now those secrets and lies, that should be safer than ever, are suddenly front and center and changing everything between them.
Their world is at risk because their secrets and lies aren’t the only ones at play here. There’s a bigger lie out there and it could just destroy everything as they get closer and closer to the secret hidden in depths of the Snowcroft forest.
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
iBooks
Don't miss a single release...
2015 is going to be a great year.
I'm working on a ton of new books and series.
Coming Soon...
*More Male Model Chronicles
*First Installment of the Martin Ranch series
*A new Erotic Romance novel
*The continuation of Through the Veil with Grif's story
*And maybe a few other surprises, too.
Christi Snow website ~ Facebook Page ~ Instagram ~
Smitten with Reading ~ Amazon
March 25, 2015
Writing is like prostitution...
I've had this quote on the sidebar of my
Smitten with Reading
review blog for years (like before I even started writing.) It seemed like something I should put on my author blog, don't you think?? Hehe...
March 18, 2015
Where am I??
Hi, everyone. Despite all appearances, I am still here.
The good news is...I'm getting TONS of writing done.
The bad news is...that means I'm doing a really BAD job blogging.
I'm sorry about that! I always promise that I'll try to do better and then it never happens. But I do think about it...along with the hundreds of characters that are spinning in my brain. And I'm sorry, but the voices in my head always win out over ALL other obligations. hehe.
If anyone can forgive me for that, I think it would be you all. :o)
So, what have I been working on?
In January, I finished the first draft of...
Lance (Male Model Chronicles #2)
Right now that book is with my editor. It's planned for a May release so it will start hitting the final stages soon.
In February, I finished the first draft of....
Snowcroft Safehouse (Men of Snowcroft #2)
It's also with my editor and is fast-tracking for it's April release date. I'm shooting for April 23rd, but we'll see. This one is running on a tight schedule to get it all turned around and absolutely complete.
Right now, I'm writing on...
hmm, I'm not sure I want to leak details yet
But I can tell you that this little book I'm writing right now is another male/male romance (not associated with Snowcroft). It's a contemporary holiday story and I plan to release it in October or November. I'm excited because I really love these two guys and they are perfect for one another. They just don't quite believe me yet.
In April, I will finish the first draft of...
Right By Your Side (Martin Ranch #1)
This is a project that's gotten shuffled with other releases, but it's 40% done. I plan to finish it with CampNaNoWriMo in April so it will be scheduled for a summer release. You all are going to LOVE Scott and Skye.
And that's just where I'm at right now. As you can see, I have a ton of projects in the works and so many more still to come this year.
Also tentatively planned for 2015 releases are:
*Allied in Flight (Through the Veil #2)...Fall
*Joshua (Male Model Chronicles #3)...October
*Broken Control...Spring/Summer (erotic romance)
*Photo Op Serendipity...Winter, 2015 (romantic suspense)
*Artistic Desires...August (New Adult)
The good news is...I'm getting TONS of writing done.
The bad news is...that means I'm doing a really BAD job blogging.
I'm sorry about that! I always promise that I'll try to do better and then it never happens. But I do think about it...along with the hundreds of characters that are spinning in my brain. And I'm sorry, but the voices in my head always win out over ALL other obligations. hehe.
If anyone can forgive me for that, I think it would be you all. :o)
So, what have I been working on?
In January, I finished the first draft of...
Lance (Male Model Chronicles #2)
Right now that book is with my editor. It's planned for a May release so it will start hitting the final stages soon.
In February, I finished the first draft of....
Snowcroft Safehouse (Men of Snowcroft #2)
It's also with my editor and is fast-tracking for it's April release date. I'm shooting for April 23rd, but we'll see. This one is running on a tight schedule to get it all turned around and absolutely complete.
Right now, I'm writing on...
hmm, I'm not sure I want to leak details yet
But I can tell you that this little book I'm writing right now is another male/male romance (not associated with Snowcroft). It's a contemporary holiday story and I plan to release it in October or November. I'm excited because I really love these two guys and they are perfect for one another. They just don't quite believe me yet.
In April, I will finish the first draft of...
Right By Your Side (Martin Ranch #1)
This is a project that's gotten shuffled with other releases, but it's 40% done. I plan to finish it with CampNaNoWriMo in April so it will be scheduled for a summer release. You all are going to LOVE Scott and Skye.
And that's just where I'm at right now. As you can see, I have a ton of projects in the works and so many more still to come this year.
Also tentatively planned for 2015 releases are:
*Allied in Flight (Through the Veil #2)...Fall
*Joshua (Male Model Chronicles #3)...October
*Broken Control...Spring/Summer (erotic romance)
*Photo Op Serendipity...Winter, 2015 (romantic suspense)
*Artistic Desires...August (New Adult)
January 26, 2015
First lines...
When I was in the middle of writing my first book, Operation: Endgame, I attended a reader/writer conference and in one of the roundtable discussions, they got to talking about what hooks you to read a book. There was a person there who said she chooses her books on the first line.
WHAT?!?
OMG, I swear I was hyperventilating from then on out at that forum. Talk about pressure to get it right, immediately.
Well, that came to mind this morning as I sat here in front of my computer (ahem...procrastinating) with my WIP, Snowcroft Safehouse, open on the first page.
My first line...(right now...because this book is nowhere close to done yet) and it occurred to me that this may not be the first best line.
“Four more hours and we’ll be out of fucking Jersey.”
Because let's face it...if you are a fan of New Jersey (and I am...I lived there for 4 years and loved it), that's kind of offensive. BUT it has nothing to do with the state and so much to do with the circumstances that the characters are dealing with.
So, I kind of thought it might be fun to have a discussion about first lines in books.
First, do you put a lot of emphasis on a good first line? And if so, share the first line out from one of your favorite books with us.
And just for fun, here are all the other first lines from my other books...
Jake could feel the bark of the limb cutting into his palm, but he refused to give away his position by changing the way he clung there.
Ten year old Colton stumbled down the hall of the chapel and worked to keep a tight rein over his emotions.
Lights flashed through the darkened night as another rugged, sexy fireman rushed across Julie's yard in front of her townhouse.
Julie panicked as the rough hand ripped the thin fabric of her bikini top.
"Detective, are you okay?"
Mudflap Davidson gazed at the wall of fire in front of him, focusing the spray of the water at the base of the curls of orange, yellow, and blue flames.
"I think it's time to move away from Snowcroft."
"Ms. Renshaw, there's a Detective Rob Morris from the ESIA here to see you."
"Molly, what am I doing here?"
How the hell could she be in the suburbs of Seattle without a single coffee shop in sight?
So, sound off...what do you think about first lines? I'll be honest, I thought I was pretty good at having decent hooks, but looking at these, I'm not so sure. Hmm, maybe I need to do a post with the other first lines from my WIP's and let you all see what you think....
WHAT?!?
OMG, I swear I was hyperventilating from then on out at that forum. Talk about pressure to get it right, immediately.
Well, that came to mind this morning as I sat here in front of my computer (ahem...procrastinating) with my WIP, Snowcroft Safehouse, open on the first page.
My first line...(right now...because this book is nowhere close to done yet) and it occurred to me that this may not be the first best line.
“Four more hours and we’ll be out of fucking Jersey.”
Because let's face it...if you are a fan of New Jersey (and I am...I lived there for 4 years and loved it), that's kind of offensive. BUT it has nothing to do with the state and so much to do with the circumstances that the characters are dealing with.
So, I kind of thought it might be fun to have a discussion about first lines in books.
First, do you put a lot of emphasis on a good first line? And if so, share the first line out from one of your favorite books with us.
And just for fun, here are all the other first lines from my other books...
Jake could feel the bark of the limb cutting into his palm, but he refused to give away his position by changing the way he clung there.
Ten year old Colton stumbled down the hall of the chapel and worked to keep a tight rein over his emotions.
Lights flashed through the darkened night as another rugged, sexy fireman rushed across Julie's yard in front of her townhouse.
Julie panicked as the rough hand ripped the thin fabric of her bikini top.
"Detective, are you okay?"
Mudflap Davidson gazed at the wall of fire in front of him, focusing the spray of the water at the base of the curls of orange, yellow, and blue flames.
"I think it's time to move away from Snowcroft."
"Ms. Renshaw, there's a Detective Rob Morris from the ESIA here to see you."
"Molly, what am I doing here?"
How the hell could she be in the suburbs of Seattle without a single coffee shop in sight?
So, sound off...what do you think about first lines? I'll be honest, I thought I was pretty good at having decent hooks, but looking at these, I'm not so sure. Hmm, maybe I need to do a post with the other first lines from my WIP's and let you all see what you think....
January 20, 2015
Release day for Justin...
Justin releases today!!
Cover Design by JSB DesignsCover Photo by Kruse Images & PhotographyCover Model: Justin James Cadwell
Justin is my 10th book release and I'm so thrilled that this is the 10th.
Because...simply put...this book just makes me happy. I love this story. This is the first book I've written which is simply straight, stand-alone, contemporary romance. And I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I hope you all like it, too. So far, the reviews have been great so I'm happy that the story is resonating with others, too.
******
Here are the buy links:
Amazon ebook
Amazon print book
Barnes and Noble ebook
KOBO ebook
iBooks ebook
******
And now a little bit about the book.
Justin… Tara Malone is having one of those lives. Born to Oscar award-winning actor, Anthony Malone, and model-famous beauty, Veronica Scott, she should have it made. But her curvy figure and out-of-control frizzy red hair are just the start of her many, many issues. Now to make matters worse, she’s started out her week by running over model, Justin James, with her car. She had a lot of fantasies about the cover model, but never did any of them include vehicular assault.
Justin James doesn’t have time for two broken wrists, but neither does his over-achieving family. He can’t open up his fridge or unzip his fly without excruciating pain and no one else has the time to help him. Tara already shot him down at the accident scene, but maybe he can work this so that the curvy bombshell has a reason to hang around for a bit. He’s not above using guilt if it means he gets to know her better.
The first in a new series of novellas inspired by Shauna Kruse’s photography and her beautiful male models.
The Male Model Chronicles.
Disclaimer: The Male Model Chronicles, a new fictional series, is built around the real-life world of Kruse Images & Photography and the gorgeous male models that Shauna Kruse gets to immortalize in her photos. The heroes are real people who also happen to be male models, but every single other thing about the series is fiction.
This is the first in the Male Models Chronicles series. This series is tied together by theme, but none of the stories are tied together, although Shauna, of Kruse Images & Photography, is a re-occurring character throughout the series (and yes, she'll eventually get her own book, too, even though she's not a male model).
The series:
1. Justin
2. Lance (releasing May/June)
3. Joshua (releasing Oct)
4. Brendon (2016)
Also, if you go sign up for the Christi Snow newsletter, I will send you a set of 4 of these gorgeous Male Model Chronicles bookmarks.
(newsletter sign-up is in the right column).Note: I only send out emails every couple of months announcing new releases, so I promise not to flood your inbox.
Connect with me on the Web! Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
B&N Author Page
Instagram
Cover Design by JSB DesignsCover Photo by Kruse Images & PhotographyCover Model: Justin James CadwellJustin is my 10th book release and I'm so thrilled that this is the 10th.
Because...simply put...this book just makes me happy. I love this story. This is the first book I've written which is simply straight, stand-alone, contemporary romance. And I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I hope you all like it, too. So far, the reviews have been great so I'm happy that the story is resonating with others, too.
******
Here are the buy links:
Amazon ebook
Amazon print book
Barnes and Noble ebook
KOBO ebook
iBooks ebook
******
And now a little bit about the book.
Justin… Tara Malone is having one of those lives. Born to Oscar award-winning actor, Anthony Malone, and model-famous beauty, Veronica Scott, she should have it made. But her curvy figure and out-of-control frizzy red hair are just the start of her many, many issues. Now to make matters worse, she’s started out her week by running over model, Justin James, with her car. She had a lot of fantasies about the cover model, but never did any of them include vehicular assault.
Justin James doesn’t have time for two broken wrists, but neither does his over-achieving family. He can’t open up his fridge or unzip his fly without excruciating pain and no one else has the time to help him. Tara already shot him down at the accident scene, but maybe he can work this so that the curvy bombshell has a reason to hang around for a bit. He’s not above using guilt if it means he gets to know her better.
The first in a new series of novellas inspired by Shauna Kruse’s photography and her beautiful male models.
The Male Model Chronicles.
Disclaimer: The Male Model Chronicles, a new fictional series, is built around the real-life world of Kruse Images & Photography and the gorgeous male models that Shauna Kruse gets to immortalize in her photos. The heroes are real people who also happen to be male models, but every single other thing about the series is fiction.
This is the first in the Male Models Chronicles series. This series is tied together by theme, but none of the stories are tied together, although Shauna, of Kruse Images & Photography, is a re-occurring character throughout the series (and yes, she'll eventually get her own book, too, even though she's not a male model).
The series:
1. Justin
2. Lance (releasing May/June)
3. Joshua (releasing Oct)
4. Brendon (2016)
Also, if you go sign up for the Christi Snow newsletter, I will send you a set of 4 of these gorgeous Male Model Chronicles bookmarks.
(newsletter sign-up is in the right column).Note: I only send out emails every couple of months announcing new releases, so I promise not to flood your inbox.
Connect with me on the Web! Website
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
B&N Author Page
January 19, 2015
Bookmarks and Newsletters...And JUSTIN is coming!!
Does anyone still read print books and use bookmarks??I know I do and I adore giving away bookmarks as swag.So, who wants me to send you a set of four of the Male Model Chronicles bookmarks?(no charge...this is my gift to you!)
All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter. You can do that right over on the sidebar column of my website.It will ask you for your mailing address and email. I have to have those so that I can send you the bookmarks.
(also, it will send you an email to make sure you aren't a spammer. If you don't do the email back, it drops you off the list.)
If you don't want to receive bookmarks and cards from me, just ignore the mailing address part and sign up for the email notifications for when I have news or new releases.
I promise I will not overload either your email inbox or personal mailbox with stuff.I'm not that organized...LOL.My mailings of any sort only go out about once every 3-4 months.
Also, note: if you signed up for a newsletter on my old website, I lost that entire mailing list when I set up my new website. Please, please, please sign up again.
And did you all know??JUSTIN releases in TWO DAYS!!!
Here are the pre-order links:
Amazon ebook
Amazon print book
Barnes and Noble ebook
KOBO ebook
iBooks ebook
All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter. You can do that right over on the sidebar column of my website.It will ask you for your mailing address and email. I have to have those so that I can send you the bookmarks.(also, it will send you an email to make sure you aren't a spammer. If you don't do the email back, it drops you off the list.)
If you don't want to receive bookmarks and cards from me, just ignore the mailing address part and sign up for the email notifications for when I have news or new releases.
I promise I will not overload either your email inbox or personal mailbox with stuff.I'm not that organized...LOL.My mailings of any sort only go out about once every 3-4 months.
Also, note: if you signed up for a newsletter on my old website, I lost that entire mailing list when I set up my new website. Please, please, please sign up again.
And did you all know??JUSTIN releases in TWO DAYS!!!
Here are the pre-order links:
Amazon ebook
Amazon print book
Barnes and Noble ebook
KOBO ebook
iBooks ebook
December 30, 2014
Ringing in the New Year with Goals
Happy New Year, everyone!It's a time when we look back at the last year and look forward to the new year. So I thought this might be a good time to update my writing projects on here.
I have big plans for 2015!
I'll be the first to admit that I slacked off a bit in 2014.I plan to fix that this year with a huge release schedule.
I'm kicking off 2 New Series this year:
1. Male Model Chronicles (contemp romance)*Justin...releasing Jan*Lance...releasing May*Joshua...releasing Oct(with at least 3 more books to come later)
2. The Broken Series (erotic romance)*Broken Control...releasing Spring(with 2 more books to come later)
3. The Martin Ranch Series (romantic suspense)*Right By Your Side...releasing summer(with 3 more books to come later)
I'm continuing 2 other series this year:
1. Men of Snowcroft (romantic suspense)*Snowcroft Safehouse...releasing April(with 3 more books to come later)
2. Through the Veil (paranormal dystopian romantic suspense)*Allied in Flight...Fall(with 6 more books to come later)
And then I have 2 stand-alones planned for release this year:
*Photo Op Serendipity (romantic suspense)...late summer/early fall*Found at the Library (m/m holiday novella)...Oct/Nov
That's a lot of writing, editing, proofing, and re-writing. But I am determined this year to do better (i.e. not spend quite so much time reading...LOL)
And to kick the year off right, Amanda Shofner is going to host a January writing camp on her Writing Sidekick site. It will be a relaxed place for us to go, vent, and find support from other writers and kick the new year off right with writerly goals.
If you're like me and looking for a kick in the ass to get your yearly writing off to the right start, come join us!!Writing Sidekick
(I will be hostessing writing sprints on Twitter every Wednesday at noon CST throughout the month.)@ChristiSnow#wsidekick
