Tuesday, August 10, 2010


Who the heck is C.C. Hunter? And why am I posting her cover on my blog? Well, I could tell you that I think she’s a pretty decent writer. I could tell you how she’s a fairly nice person, and a total babe, but not only would I be stretching the babe part, but I’m southern and was trained not to say nice things about myself. Yup, C.C. Hunter is the name I’m using for my paranormal young adult series Shadow Falls. The first book, Born at Midnight, is scheduled to release in April 2011.

So what is Born at Midnight about? Glad you asked. It’s about a teenage girl who has spent sixteen years trying to figure out her destiny, attempting to discover who she is, only to realize she doesn’t even know what she is. Below is my short blurb.
* * *

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn’t put out. Her grandmother died and now Kylie’s acquired a stalker. Unfortunately, she’s the only one who seems to be able to see the stalker. And that gets her sent to a psychologist’s sofa.

The kooky psychologist gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it’s a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

It’s a camp of supernaturals: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape shifters. And if she believes the camp leader, Kylie is one of them, too.

Just because she’s seeing ghosts, just because she was born at midnight, does that really mean she’s not human? And if so, what is she? Not even the other supernaturals can tell her.

As Kylie attempts to cope with the realization that these creatures actually exist, and that she might even be one of them, the ever present stalker/ghost appears to have secrets that could unravel the mystery of Kylie’s identity and her destiny.

But getting a ghost to open up is as hard as getting a guy to talk about his feelings.

As Kylie struggles to find answers, two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vie for her attention. However, Kylie’s determined that before she lets her heart discover a new love, she needs to solve her indentify crisis and unearth the truth of her destiny.

* * *

I just finished the second book in the series and I’m having a blast with these characters. The plot is a tad darker than my adult romances, but as you might imagine, it still has my humor. I just can’t stop the wisecracks from appearing on the page.

While Kylie is young, she’s dealing with something I think most of us deal with throughout our lives. Self discovery: Who are we? How do we fit in? And are we fulfilling our destinies? Are we on the right path?

When St. Martin’s Press came to me and asked if I would write a young adult series, I came so close to saying no. I was afraid to try something new, to take a chance on a new genre, a new publisher, and a new editor. Now I can’t even begin to tell you how thrilled I am that I didn’t allow my fears to stop me from traveling down this new path.

Don’t worry, I’m still writing my crazy humorous romantic suspense novels, but by taking a chance I’m now writing crazy paranormal young adult novels. And yes, I do believe it was part of my destiny.

So here’s what I’d like to hear from you guys today. How are you doing on the road to your own self discovery? Do you know what you wanna be when you grow up? Even more important, are you still growing, learning, opening yourself up to all life has to offer? And I don’t care how old you are, you know what I mean. Are you doing what makes you happy, or are you holding off waiting for something to change before you take a chance on yourself? When opportunity knocks, are you answering the door? Or are you running to the bathroom, claiming you ate bad chicken, and not answering that knock?

41 comments:

krisgils33 said...

I'm pretty much where I want to be. I've got a wonderful husband and daughter, we're settled in a neighborhood we like (after moving around a bit for about 6 years) and made some great friends. I enjoy the work I do for my job, get to work from home a couple of days a week (bonus for the DC commutes), make a good salary, have a great boss, and get to travel to all sorts of far-away places.

Christie Craig said...

Okay...Kris....

I almost want your job. LOL. No, actually, I'm living my dream job. I want to be able to work/write faster but I love what I do. I think the things I'd still like to tweak in my life are being more organized and fitting in things better. Like exercise. But with that thought, I'm about to go for a walk.

Colleen Thompson said...

Congratulations on opening up a whole new world! Love the new cover and wish you all the best!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you and can not wait to get my very own copy. Love the cover. The colors, the font, the spindly tree branches, the girl, it's all so perfect.

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

You are a braver woman than I am, but look what it got you! Beautiful cover and I'm sure the books will be great. This is a good reminder to those of us that don't like to step outside the box that there's a whole other world out there. :)

Actually, beautiful cover is an understatement.

Congratulations on seeing your hard work pay off!

Edie Ramer said...

Congratulations! I read some YA, and this sounds really interesting.

I'm going to go indie. I'm putting my book CATTITUDE on Kindle and Smashwords soon, something I never thought I'd do. So that's my stretch right now.

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Wow, Edie--that's a move I've been considering with a couple of my short stories.

Sandy said...

I'm pretty much where I want to be too. My hubby and I are retired so we do what we want to do. He may do more of what he wants to do than me. lol I just want to write, but he drags me away frequently. lol

Right now, I'm out of my comfort zone because I'm writing a short comedic story, and I'm being way too serious. What do you expect from an author who writes mystery romance about serious issues? I'm trying to lighten up though.

Unknown said...

I am very happy with where I am write now. Everyday continues to be a new discovery and adventure. I'm a proud new mommy to an almost one month old little girl and a special needs dog with epilepsy. I'm working from home as a freelance writer and an aspiring fiction author. My YA is close to being sent off and I'm loving the characters in my Middle Grade. life, as you can imagine is never dull but I'm loving the journey of juggling it all. I'm also lucky to have a very supportive husband! I'm looking forward to reading your YA Christie!

Christie Craig said...

Hi Colleen,

Thanks! I do like the cover. And good luck to you, too on your new career path. May we both travel well!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Jbrayweber,

Thanks girl. I love the spookiness of the cover, too. It fits the book.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Stacey!!

Thanks so much, girl. You are so right, we all have to step outside the box and color outside the lines sometimes. It's hard to do because we do love our comfort zones.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Edie,

Congrats, girl!!! Girl, with your list of successes in this business, I'm sure you will do well on whatever path you travel. I'm cheering you on, girl. And let me know when things are up and running.

Good luck! With all your hard work you deserve success!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Sandy,

Okay...dig deep and you'll find your funny bone. It's in there. LOL. Enjoy your time at writing and with your hubby. My hubby pulls me away from writing, too, but I enjoy that time as well.

Thanks so much for popping in.

CC

Shana said...

Still working on what I want to be when I grow up :-) Love the cover and the blurb, Christie!

Christie Craig said...

Natalie,

Congrats on the little girl. Oh, those little guys are sooo sweet. And my heart sank at the special needs doggie. Give him a good tummy rubbing from me.

I wish you luck selling that YA. What's really funny is that I'm finding that in many ways, it's not that much different from writing for adults. The internal conflicts are very much the same. We all want to be accepted, loved, and we all want to fit in. I don't care what age we are.

Thanks for stopping by.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Shana!!

Thanks so much for stopping in. And I love your book, girl!!! Shana is an awesome historical writer guys.

CC

Nancy Kay Bowden said...

Christie, I love the idea about a person being born at midnight! Can't wait to read the book! Beautiful cover, too!

Hopefully winding up at the hotel-of-published-authors,I believe I'm on the bumpy, really long, winding-up-and-over-the-mountains-wading-through-the-streams road to publishing--and I'm barefoot. :) But I love being barefoot--and I'm pretty happy most of the time on this LONG journey, learning every day and finally understanding this is NOT a race!

Christie Craig said...

Nancy,

I couldn't have said it better. This isn't a race. It's a journey. I hope you enjoy every moment of it, too, because I think those who enjoy the journey will cross the finish line. Go, girl, go!!!

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Teri Thackston said...

Great cover for a great book...how do I know it's a great book? Because I have the privilege of being one of Christie's critique partners. Congrats, girl...you deserve this success.

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Christie, your new YA series sounds amazing! In fact, I just pre-ordered Born At Midnight. :-) I truly can't wait to read it.

Few people have inspired me as much as you have, and I couldn't be more thrilled for you with all your successes.

I'm happy to take a risk, that's why I want to try writing in many different genres. Besides my usual small town contemporaries, I've written a very short historical (okay, it's erotic, so I didn't need to do much research...LOL), contemporary western, I'm writing a paranormal right now, and I've started to plot out a full-length historical (so I'll have to do that research ;-).

I'd like to think I'll continue to grow and learn until the day I die. Though I've realized my ultimate dream of becoming a published author, I'd next like to break into NY. And my dream of all dreams? To make the NYT bestseller list...sigh...LOL

KerrelynSparks said...

Hi Christie!
Great cover for what promises to be a great series! Congratulations and wishing you great success!

Suzan Harden said...

I can vouch with Teri that the first two books are awesome!

Ironically, I've realized I'm very, VERY glad to be where I am on my publishing journey after the schedule you had in July! *VBG*

Ruth said...

Great cover! And I really like the blurb, story sounds great. As to the journey- well the road is bumpy, and has many twists and turns-- and I have a serious case of "Christie envy". But success couldn't happen to a nicer person and I'm glad to be in the peanut gallery watching it come your way. May much happiness and success come your way.
Ruth

Christie Craig said...

Hi Teri,

Thanks so much for stopping in. You are the greatest!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Donna,

Thanks, girl. And you just keep going down the path. Good things await you. I feel it in my gut. And I pretty sure it's not salad I had for lunch. LOL.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Kerri!

Thanks so much for stopping in. Your praise means more to me than you could ever know.

I'm excited about the series.

Thanks again,

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Suzan!

Thanks a mil! Girl, you Teri, Jody and Faye are my angels. And knowing you guys have my back is such a relief.

Here's to us all hitting the big lists!!!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Ruth,

You are so sweet. Thanks so much for stopping in and thanks a mil for throwing an awesome party in Orlando.

Here's to NY next year!

CC

Loretta Wheeler said...

Christie,

I loved the blog. All of it. Every smidgeon:)...I'm so glad you opened the door to opportunity and didn't hide in the bathroom. I made that decision several years ago...I didn't want to be regretting choices when I was older, so I stepped out and took chances in several area's of my life. Still do. I am scared "sh*tless" half the time, but I still answer the door when I hear the knock!:)

The new path you're on sounds fantastic! Ain't adventure grand?

Lo

Terri Osburn said...

I could have sworn I left a comment over there this morning. It's just been that kind of day. *sigh*

Love the sound of these new books and very happy to hear you'll still be putting out he CC books I know and love. I don't know how NOT to go after things at this point, but at times, I wish I did. LOL!

Right now there's the day job and the writing and house buying, which is the LEAST fun right now. I'm not necessarily right where I want to be, but I'm on the journey to get there, and that should count for something. I hope. :)

Laurie Smith said...

Hey Christie!
I think my biggest self discovery was last year was when I started to make jewelry.
It is really fun learning how express myself creatively.
I can't wait to read your new paranormal series.
I never read paranormal genre books until I met Angie Fox last year and I started to read her Demon Slayer series. BTW... I saw Angie at a book signing at the book store I work at right before the RW conferance in Fla.
I explained to Angie how I became your Bookstore Pimp, I told her I have and will be continuing to pimp her books as well. LOL,
I hope you don't mind me sharing my book pimping skills. HA HA :)

Christie Craig said...

Loretta,

Girl, we are sisters in the feel sh**tless club. But you know what, most of the time when I feel this kind of fear, it works out for the best. I tell you what, I'll hold your hand, if you'll hold mine.

Thanks for posting.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Terri,

Most of us are always on the journey. Even after you achieve certain things, buy the house, sell the book, marry the guy, there is always the next chapter, the next hurdle and the next challenge. Just being on the path and feeling you are heading in the right direction is a wonderful feeling. Enjoy it, girl. Savor it.

I'm still proud of you for your request as nationals. Have you sent it yet?

CC

Christie Craig said...

Laurie, Laurie!

If you think you can handle being pimps to both me and Angie, I say go for it. LOL. Get out the purple hat and start working double time. :-)

Angie is a sweetheart and I've done my share of pimping her books as well.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Terri Osburn said...

Ha! Not even close. Still revising. I thought I'd get a partial request, and that much was ready. Thankfully, the agent is taking this month off, so I have a little time. Not that I'm using it well...

Ciara Gold said...

I'm so excited for you. This series sounds like something right up your alley. And I loved the basic idea behind the stories. Congrats big time. I also love your willingness to branch out and try this new genre. You rock.

Christie Craig said...

Terri,

Don't make me have to come work you over to get that done. LOL.

Seriously, get it done. I'm cheering you on.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Ciara,

Thanks so much for stopping in. I'm having a blast with the YA series. I think in the publishing business, you have to be able to bend or you just might break.

Thanks again for stopping by.

CC

Kimberly Frost said...

Congratulations, Christie! I love the cover and can't wait to read it. :)

Christie Craig said...

Thanks Kimberly!!!

I just chomping at the bit for the book to come out now.

CC