Christi Snow's Blog, page 40
May 19, 2013
A dream…
My husband and I have been married for 21 years. For the first 18 years of that, I was following him around the world in the Air Force. When you are a military family, you move every 2-3 years and the Air Force pays for that move…as long as you stay within a certain weight limits on your household goods. As a result, for the first 18 years of our marriage, I kept my paperback/romance collection to a single box. That’s like 30 books.
Torture.
I mean seriously…30 books?!?!
So when we moved to Texas and our forever house, I made NO SECRET that I planned to buy as many books as I wanted to build up my library. hehe….
Here’s a view of two of my READ series drawers….
Things may have gotten just a little out of control over the last three years. Here’s part of my current print TBR….
and some more of my current TBR pile….
These last two photos are READ books at least, but I think you can see my problem. I’m a disorganized mess and there’s nothing I want more than to be able to go to my bookcase and know in an instant if I have a book or not.
So today, I went out and spent a minor fortune on bookcases.
Honestly, this is the first splurge (besides my super-duper really nifty cell phone) that I’ve spent on me since I started making money as a writer. It seems somehow appropriate that I do so buying bookcases.
So I bought a whole slew of new bookcases and plan to turn a corner of our bedroom (yes, my bedroom is MASSIVE) into a huge reading corner. I have big plans and think that it’s going to turn out gorgeous and cozy. That’s the way it looks in my head anyway and things ALWAYS turn out the way that they look in my head…lol…NOT!
I also made this huge plan without consulting hubby. Yeah, I know…technically, he lives in the bedroom too, but he would just rain on my parade if I asked, so…. Yeah, say a little prayer for me because I’m probably in trouble. hehe. Maybe I can ease the pain when I buy him the huge new flatscreen he’s been wanting to put in there.
Furniture delivery comes on the 28th so I will share after photos. I hope that they are epic! Well, as epic as you can get in a bedroom stuck in the 80′s with teal carpet and a wallpaper border. Yeah, I know…see that’s what dh would have said too, but I’m sorry….bookcases are just way more fun (to me) than replacing the flooring which is what he would have done. ;o)
If y’all keep buying my books, maybe someday I can do that part of it too. Hehe. Love you all!! Thank you for all the support so I could purchase my dream bookcases!!!
smiles….
May 7, 2013
Announcing my next project: The Shadow of Mudflap
This is a project that started several months ago and I’m so excited about it.
Mudflap is a radio personality on KLLL (96.3) out of Lubbock, TX. We’re second cousins and truly only know each other off of Facebook. I’ve never met him in person. A few months ago, he came to me with a project idea and things progressed from there. Here’s a letter from Mudflap in his own words to let you know how this project began…
Each January, when starting out the year on my morning show with Jeff, Kelli, & Mudflap ( JKM), I come up with a crazy bit, for on air purposes, that is entertaining, interesting and unique to our listening audience.
Example of past Morning Show Bits:
**Another year it was the Mudflap Bobble head.
**One Year I came up with a perfume that was called O’duMudflap .
**Another year it was My Own Mudflap T-Shirt Line
**Another year I wanted to touch all 50 States via Planes, Trains, Buses, & Automobiles
This year I wanted something different and shocking. I wanted to try and write a Romance Novels. And thus my journey begins.
When I first come up with an idea, I do my homework and come up with a plan on how I will accomplish this adventure. Upon trying to figure out how a book is written and produced I realized I was way over my head and I needed help.
In this modern era of Social Media, staying in touch with family & friends as become a little easier. I had been following a family member, my cousin, of whom I had never met before, but I knew she was a Romance writer. I took a chance and messaged her, via Facebook, and it was then that we begin to talk & discuss with her about this book I wanted to write for the morning show and what was the process I needed to take on this project.
The journey still has a long ways to go, but I have thoroughly enjoyed helping and tagging along the way! Not only is this going to be a fantastic book & series to read, I have gotten to know a cousin who is extremely talented and pleasure to work with. I feel like I have hit a home run, not only for my morning show, but I really feel like this will be a great book people will enjoy reading.
I’m extremely excited about where this project and anxious to see where this journey goes.
Mudflap
So, that’s how the project began and it’s definitely evolved along the way. Now, we’re writing the book together. I do the bulk of the writing, Mudflap came up with the initial character list and we developed the story together. Every day when I write, I send the pages to MF and he sends me back feedback about what works and what doesn’t, along with additional ideas about where the story can go.
I never imagined that I could write a book with someone else, but I think we’ve both been pleasantly surprised about how fabulous the process has been. We’re both having a great time doing it…and driving our spouses crazy with all the texting back and forth.
So, do you want to hear more about the actual book???
Here’s the Story Description:
To us, first responders are heroes. But for them, risking their lives is a normal, everyday thing.
Mudflap:
Born the baby of the family, Mudflap has always had something to prove to emerge out of the shadows of his older siblings. He spent eight years as a Special Ops elite sniper and is now a firefighter. But at his heart, he’s just a normal West Texas good old boy who loves his beer, women and football, until the Department of Defense calls him up to say they need his skills again.
Shanae:
Shanae is a first responder of a different sort. She’s a trauma nurse who works on a medical evacuation helicopter team. But while she lives a life full of adrenaline every day, it’s just a cover for her real life, where she hides in the shadows and is secret agent, Shadowfox for the Lubbock Foxtrot Team (LiFT). She’s living the kind of life that most people think exists only in movies and books.
Working for two different branches of the government, Mudflap and Shanae are in a race against time and the terrorists who threaten the very heart of West Texas life, football. They’re working toward the same goal, but find themselves in a confrontation against each other and the lies they’ve each had to hide behind. Can love win out in the end or will the cost be each other and their very lives?
First responders are heroes every day, but this story tells the tale of when they become even more and find love along the way. The key is for them to stay alive so that they can complete their mission and just maybe live happily ever after.
On an ordinary day, they save lives. On an extraordinary day, they save the country.
Like I said, we are both really excited about where this project is going. So far, I’m loving writing the book (it’s about 2/3 of the way done and I plan to have the first draft complete next week).
Even more exciting for both of us though is that…
ALL THE PROCEEDS from the sale of this book will be going to
the Lubbock Red Cross.
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Details about the book and series:
Projected Release Date: mid-August, 2013
The series: if this first book goes well, we plan to release at least three more within the series (one a year). Those first three books will all follow Mudflap and Shanae, although side stories will develop with other characters. Although they are romantic suspense, the goal with these books is to focus on the adventure, suspense, and fun. They are supposed to be flat-out fun to read books. (approx word count= 50,000 words)
May 2, 2013
Had an amazing day yesterday!!
I don’t tend to do too many personal posts on here, but I had to share today because I am feeling so incredibly blessed. Yesterday was an amazing day. Actually, the whole week has been incredible.
As you all know, the final full-length book in When the Mission Ends trilogy released this week, Operation: Endurance. Most of you know I’ve been incredibly nervous about the release of this book. The book is super-emotional and it took a LOT of work to get it to the point that it had the right balance. (HUGE kudos to my editors: Mia Downing and Sarah Negovetich who worked tirelessly with me to make sure I had it done right!!!) Well, so far the early reviews are amazing and it’s such a huge relief. I love Chris & Julie and ALL of these characters. I needed this last book to be really good, but as an author, you hit a point where you can’t tell anymore.
Not only have you all embraced the story, but the sales of it this week have surpassed even my hopes for it. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! You have been so supportive and excited about these characters and books. It’s overwhelming to me. THANK YOU!!
When I started out on this writing journey a year and a half ago, I was so lucky to find a group of local writing friends. I have learned so much through them and I’ve had so much fun out our Wednesday meetings. Well, last night they threw me a surprise book launch party. OMG!!! San Angelo Writers (SAW) are the BEST!!!
Like I said, it’s been a phenomenal week. I’m very lucky!!
And just a tiny little hint….NEXT week, I will be officially announcing the details on my next writing project. It’s huge and I’m so excited to share it with you. That will probably be next Monday, so keep watching this space.
I’m also going to be doing some updating on the blog here with details about the upcoming series (yes, that’s plural) that I have coming out. I have BIG PLANS for the next year and beyond and want you all to be aware of where all the projects are going. I love my job!!!
April 30, 2013
Operation: Endurance Release Day!
It’s out!!! The final book in the trilogy…
Operation: Endurance
is available in for Kindle and your bookshelf!
They had a single night of passion before he deployed on a risky mission.
18 hours on a mission gone very wrong was all it took to shatter all their hopes and dreams.
The hero:
He survived 6 months of captivity and torture, kept alive by dreams of her.
The heroine:
She thought he was dead and moved on only to have her world fall apart once again.
Two people who have been hurt more than any two people should ever have to suffer. Can they find redemption and healing with each other or will another threat shatter what’s left of them?
A tortured hero.
A grieving heroine.
A serial rapist who won’t give up.
Warning: This book features graphic sexual violence which some readers could find disturbing.
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print
April 20, 2013
Sneak Peek Sunday…
Mia Downing told me about this new (to me) meme, Sneak Peek Sunday, and I thought I’d play along because it’s fun. The point is…to share 6 paragraphs from either a WIP, a sneak peek, or a published work.
My six paragraphs are from Operation: Endurance ….releasing in just 9 days on April 30th. Here, you get a sneak peek of a new character in this book, Toni (I love her sass)….
When she finished, Officer Pete Larson lay moaning in fake pain on the mats. She turned to grin at the class. “Any questions?”
“I think I need another instructor.” Of course it was Toni who piped up first. The attractive brunette was full of sass and she wasn’t afraid to show it. This was the girl’s second week in the self-defense class and they’d already learned she held nothing back. Her turquoise eyes sparkled.
Oh, this should be good. “And exactly why would that be, Toni?”
“I need some big ugly dude to beat up.” She gestured to Pete slowly levering himself up off the floor. “If he’s going to be the one attacking me,” she gave him a full-body perusal, “then damn, I’m going to let him.” The entire class giggled, obviously in agreement. Toni definitely kept the class entertained.
Pete flushed red and Julie worked to hide her smile as she glanced back over at him. The guy was a sweetheart and with that hot body and those dimples, he definitely kept their Krav Maga self-defense classes swooning.
“Yes, he’s pretty, but keep in mind that seventy-three percent of rapes are perpetrated by men the victims already knew. Pretty or not, they are physically stronger than you and you need to know how to even the odds against them. That’s why you’re here. So now it’s time to beat him up for a while, and luckily for us, he brought a few of his fellow friends from the police force. And, yes, they’re pretty too.”
They had a single night of passion before he deployed on a risky mission.
18 hours on a mission gone very wrong was all it took to shatter all their hopes and dreams.
The hero:
He survived 6 months of captivity and torture, kept alive by dreams of her.
The heroine:
She thought he was dead and moved on only to have her world fall apart once again.
Two people who have been hurt more than any two people should ever have to suffer. Can they find redemption and healing with each other or will another threat shatter what’s left of them?
A tortured hero.
A grieving heroine.
A serial rapist who won’t give up.
April 19, 2013
Final Stages…
It’s almost here. Believe me, I’m as relieved as you all are. I’ve heard your pleas for Julie and Chris’s story. Right now, Operation: Endurance with my e-book formatter and I am on the final stages of approving the print copy. So, we are on track for the April 30th release…knock on wood. *eeks*
This is when I start getting nervous about making sure that it goes up on-time. I’m one of those people that annoyingly shows up for a party 10 minutes before it starts.
BUT as soon as it’s uploaded onto Amazon, I will send out a newsletter letting you know that it’s officially available. Note: the newsletter goes out when the e-book format is available…not print. They are two separate processes so it’s virtually impossible to have them timed together and most people buy the e-book.
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Now that I can see the finish line on Operation: Endurance, my focus is beginning to shift to other projects and I have SEVERAL in the works. I’ll be making some official announcements after Op: Endurance releases, but to whet your appetite, I’ll give you a few hints here.
Next Up:
The Shadow of Mudflap- super-spy heroine, firefighter hero, with a backdrop of West Texas football, danger, and adventure. All proceeds from this book will benefit The Red Cross. Releasing: August, 2013
Unnamed Novella- There is one more novella coming from the When the Mission Ends series. You get a glimpse of the featured couple at the end of Operation: Endurance. I’m excited although I’m not really sure where their story is going yet. I just know there’s a story there to be told. Releasing: Fall or Winter, 2013
Through the Veil- This is a paranormal dystopian series that I started last year. This is the first release from the series with plans to write 5-8 books total in the series. I’m really excited about this world and will share more soon. Tentative release date: October, 2013
The Christmas Top- My first official contracted publication releasing through Decadent. This is an m/m novella set on Christmas Eve through their 1NS series. I think the release date for it is November, 2013
Snowcroft Lost- A full-length m/m romantic suspense novel that’s been brewing in my head for a few months. I’m excited about this project, but haven’t even started on it yet, although I know exactly what happens for the first few scenes. Tentative Release date: February, 2014
Martin Ranch Trilogy- You met the Martin boys in Operation: Endeavor. Andrew is a Texas Ranger, Scott is a paramedic, Matthew, the baby of the family, works on the family ranch. All three will be getting a full-length romantic suspense novels. First up is Scott and his heroine, Skye, who’s a country/western star. These two have been pushing on my creative muse all week so their story is already forming big-time. Tentative release date: April, 2014.
Wow, it’s going to be a busy, crazy year, but I am so excited about ALL of these books! Like I said, I’ll be giving you more details after the release of Operation: Endurance….Especially about The Shadow of Mudflap….it’s been such a fun project to work on so far (about 1/3 of the way written).
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Attention Reviewers: I should have my e-book copies of Operation: Endurance next week. Email me (snowchris_01@yahoo.com) if you’d like to read and review it! Thank you all!!!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
smiles….
March 22, 2013
I’ll admit it…
Spring at Texas Tech University (2011)
…I’m a bad blogger. Why? I’m a writer. Blogging should be natural for me, right?? Not so much…LOL.
I admit…I need to figure out a new plan for the blog. Coming on and constantly talking about my upcoming book just seems wrong (I’m not a heavy-handed seller), but my life isn’t real exciting.
I take care of my family and I write and eat skittles. The big drama for the day usually involves whether my skittles addiction is under control (single serving size eaten) or whether I’ve inhaled the huge bag in one writing session. The good news is that on those days when I inhale an entire bag, I do tend to have HUGE word counts. It’s definitely related. Unfortunately, those days result in a HUGE ass too. *le sigh* It’s a conundrum.
Hehe…see, this is the exciting life of a writer. I know…I can tell you’re riveted through my screen.
So that brings to mind…what would you like to see on my blog? Tell me….I’m DEFINITELY open to options.
But now, I will tell you what’s been going on around here.
1. Operation: Endurance is with my editor right now. The release date set on it is April 30th. That’s coming super-quick.
They shared a single night of passion.
18 hours on a mission-gone-wrong was all it took to shatter everything they barely hoped to dream.
He survived 6 months of captivity and torture, kept alive by dreams of her.
She thought he was dead and moved on, only to have her world fall apart all over again.
Two people who have been hurt more than any two people ever should have to suffer. Can they find redemption and healing with each other or will another threat shatter what’s left?
A tortured and scarred hero.
A grieving heroine.
A serial rapist who won’t give up.
*********************
I’ll admit, I’m super-nervous about this book. The good news is…you all love the characters and are clamoring for this book. The bad news is…you all love the characters and are clamoring for this book. *eeks* There’s a LOT of pressure to make sure this one lives up to your expectations.
But, I’ll warn you right now….this book is NOT going to be for everyone. I know going into it that this is probably my most controversial book. The suspense story line deals with a serial rapist…that isn’t easy. Julie’s issues are anchored on an attack that happened to her at age eleven…that isn’t easy. You all already know Chris’s history…that isn’t easy.
There’s a lot of emotion in this book and I hope that I’ve done Julie and Chris justice in how I’ve delivered it to you, but I absolutely am biting my nails over it. I will tell you that those of you that have issues with rape, you can skip those parts of the book and just read Chris and Julie’s romance. For the most part, until the end…they are separate in the book. When reading, just skip the prologue and the short chapters which are told from the serial rapists point of view.
Are you as scared as me now? That wasn’t my intent. I just don’t want someone going into this book without full knowledge of the possible emotional impact.
So how about something fun from the book….want a sneak peek??
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…but Jake obviously wasn’t ready to let Cassie go yet. “So where are you girls headed tonight?” He nuzzled along the back of her neck while he waited for her answer.
Penelope, seeing that Cassie was distracted, answered for her. “Oh, we have the same kind of game plan that you all do.”
Jake’s head snapped up. “What do you mean?”
Colton had his own frown marring his forehead.
Penelope flipped her hair. Uh oh, that was never a good sign. She started to speak very slowly like you would talk to a small child. “Well, it’s the night before the wedding. If I understand it correctly, you all are going to a strip club.” She met eyes with Julie and Cassie, before turning back to the men who had all frozen.
Chris wasn’t sure if they were in trouble or not, but this sure didn’t feel right. Suddenly he had ice flowing through his veins.
Penelope continued like she wasn’t about to drop a bombshell on the little party. “We’re doing the same. There’s an all-male review club that I’ve heard great things about down by the Depot. We have reservations there.”
“Oh, hell no!” Chris was as surprised as everyone else at his outburst, but seriously, this was their plan for the evening? Why weren’t they going to that nice girly wine bar they all liked so much? They surely couldn’t want to go watch guys strip, could they? He looked at Colton and Jake and could see they felt exactly the same way.
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2. Spring Break…we just got back from a week-long retreat to the beach of Galveston, TX. You know, I’ve spent almost my entire life in Texas, but that was my first time to the coast. It was nice. Spring Break was perfect for me (i.e. the girl who doesn’t wear shorts or a swimsuit) because it was cool and crisp and honestly was just a perfect little getaway.
Our rental house…gorgeous 100 year old bungalow with an orange tree on the left.
M
y kidlets….Jacob and Kat
Sunrise photo by Jacob (yes, he’s majoring in photography next year at Texas Tech)
Kat & Sea Turtle at the aquarium
Jacob, Kat, and Ben on top of a submarine
Jacob swinging through one the hatches in the sub
3. Upcoming Secret Project… I’ve started writing a little secret project. I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to share about it, but I’m so excited. It’s set right now to come out in August. And I’m telling you….it’s so fun! Spies and firefighters and West Texas football….all good things. I’ll be sharing more….hopefully soon!
February 11, 2013
It’s Available…just in time for Valentine’s Day!
There was a little secret hinted at in Book #2, Operation: Endurance, that no one knew…before now. Before the Mission Begins reveals that secret. This little novella reveals events that happened before ANY of the books in the trilogy, but is recommended to actually be read between Books #2 and #3 within the series.
STORY OVERVIEW:
Before his mission began, he went home. 24 hours to say goodbye to his twin sister.
Instead he found her. A girl that was nothing like the one he thought he knew.
They have 24 hours. 24 hours before he deploys on an extremely dangerous mission. 24 hours together in a freak West Texas snowstorm. 24 hours that will have to get them both through the awful next year.
When the resident good-girl decides to take on the visiting bad-boy, 24 hours is all it takes to change their lives forever.
This is the story of the 24 hours that no one knew ever occurred…until now.
The timeline of this novella is set before the When the Mission Ends trilogy occurs, but this book is actually meant to be read between Book #2, Operation: Endeavor, and Book #3, Operation: Endurance.
Amazon Buy Link…Only $.99
January 27, 2013
Sign up for my newsletter…
If you’ve been hanging out here for very long, then you realize that I am not very good at updating. I know…that’s an understatement. But between writing, reading, kids, husband, and house (oh, who are we kidding….I neglect the house more than you all…hehe), my time is tight!
But one thing I am going to start trying to do (with the help of my wonderful assistant, Mia…everyone wave ‘hi’ to Mia) is try to put out a semi-regular newsletter. It may just go out when I have a book releasing, but I’m hoping to keep that pretty regular and it will be a good excuse to catch up with you all. So what I need you to do now is…SIGN UP!!
There is a new handy dandy little email sign-up box (thank you, Mia) on the homepage of my author website… http://Christi-Snow.com
It’s at the top of the right hand column on the homepage.
Just head over there and you will stay up to date on what is coming out, what I’m working on, and what’s already released.
Thanks everyone!!!
smiles….
January 2, 2013
RELEASED!
Story Overview:
Colton Robertson left his career in the Air Force to come home and help his family heal. Unfortunately, his reception was not quite what he’d hoped for and he ended up as roommate to hippy dippy yoga instructor Penelope Pruitt. Penelope has spent her life under the restrictive thumb of her parents and she doesn’t want to do the same with the straight-laced, serious Colton. But when it becomes apparent that Penelope’s life is in danger, Colton won’t settle for anyone else protecting Penelope besides him. Opposites attract and that’s definitely the case with Colton and Penelope. On the surface, they don’t have anything in common, but as the sparks fly and the danger ramps up, their passion is inevitable.
