Goodreads Giveaway #2 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of my second Goodreads Book Giveaway. 

You girls are awesome!  A signed copy of Stay will be shipped out to you shortly.

And the winner is....

Sarah Silva from San Jacinto, California

Veronica Amundson from Anchorage, Alaska

Roseanne Wilkins from Tooele, Utah

Mindy Anderson from Killeen, Texas

Wendy Chenoweth from Bansalem, Pennsylvania 

Matched by Ally Condie- Review

Synopsis

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Review

I truly thought this book was amazing and I am in awe of the author's brilliance. Ally Condie depicted this dystopian society down to the tiniest detail. It's a world that is completely controlled by the government, even down to what is eaten and who we marry.

Cassia is a seventeen year old girl who has just learned who has been chosen to be her mate. She is happy to learn that it is a long time childhood friend until she sees a flash of another face she knows on the screen. 

As hard as she tries to abide by the ways of the society, Cassia can't help but wonder which guy she was really supposed to be with. She soon founds herself drawn to someone else and despite everything she begins to fall in love. 

As her society begins to fall apart and life as she knows it gets turned on it's side, Cassia has to learn to fight for what she wants.

I fell in love with this book and it's characters and found it difficult to do anything else but read until it was finished. 

I can't wait to read Crossed to find out what happens to Cassia and her family.

I gave it 5 stars.

* * * * * 

Zombie Prom

This is a great cause being put on by some awesome people close to where I grew up in Harford County, Maryland. If you know or are a High School aged person in the area, this event looks like it is one not to be missed. The best part is ALL proceeds go to Scares That Care and that means 100% of the money donated goes to help kids in need.

There is a new website in the works... 2011 Zombie Prom and a Facebook Page Harford County Zombie Prom

Please check it out!! There is also a link on the website if you would like to donate. They can use all the help that they can get to make this event a success. 

I am contributing a C.C. Jackson swag pack to be given away as a door prize. I'm sure that they would love something like that from other writer's too. 

Here is a some info from their website...

Zombies from all over Harford County will gather together for prom.  Come out and join your fellow undead as they dance the night away for a good cause.  There will be a DJ spinning all of the tunes Zombies love to hear as well as some awesome food to munch on.  That should help save a few people from the Zombie invasion on their brains!  Don't forget to vote for our Zombie Prom King and Queen! Circle the calendar;Saturday, November 5th!! Tickets are just $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Unfortunately there will only be a limited number of tickets at the door, so get 'em quick! Proceeds from this event will go to Scares That Care.  A great non-profit that gives 100% of it's funds to sick kids.  How awesome is that?!

Stay Giveaway

My last giveaway was so successful that I decided to do it again!

I am giving away 5 signed copies of Stay in anticipation of the upcoming sequel, Rose By Another Name.

Don't forget to watch for brand new covers for both books. The cover artist is the amazing Meghann Pardee of What a Kurios Girl. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Stay

by C.C. Jackson

Giveaway ends October 01, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Writers for Kidd's Kids

Writers for Kidd's Kids

I have been a long time listener of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio show and every year Kidd hosts a trip to Disney World for terminally and chronically ill children from all across the country. If you have ever listened to the show, then you know what a special program Kidd's Kids really is. If you haven't had the pleasure, I assure you that the joy those children experience during their time in Disney is amazing. 

The majority of the kids that participate in the trip spend most of their time in hospitals or hooked up to medical equipment. The emotional and financial hardship that these children and their families have to endure is heart wrenching. To see the smiles on those little faces during their little week of reprieve will bring tears to your eyes. 

Kidd's Kids is a charity that I am very passionate about and I hope that you will help me in my endeavor to help them keep this cause going year after year. I ask that you only donate what you can afford. I know that times are tough but every penny that we can give will make a difference in a child's life.

Every donation made through the C.C. Jackson website will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of Stay, a C.C. Jackson T-Shirt, and a Kidd's Kids T-Shirt.

I would love it if other writers would like to contribute swag to the drawing as well.

Thanks so much for your support!

Please visit the Kidd's Kids website for more information, stories, pictures, and videos of past trips.

A Message From Kidd Kraddick-

I founded Kidd's Kids in 1991 with the hope of making a difference in the lives of terminally and chronically ill children. Each year, Kidd's Kids offers five amazing days of suspended reality to
children whose lives have been ravaged by disease. Kidd's Kids children and their families are given the chance to experience the exuberance of being "normal." That is the gift that you and I can
offer by supporting the Kidd's Kids organization. Signed,

Kidd's Kids Mission and History-

Our Mission - SERIOUS FUN

At Kidd’s Kids, our primary goal is to provide chronically ill and/or physically challenged children (ages 5 to 12) with an unforgettable adventure! Throughout the year, we work hard to raise the funds necessary to send these special kids on an all-expenses paid, fun-filled, vacation to Walt Disney World ® in Florida. Most of our funding comes from donations made by listeners to the Kidd Kraddick In The Morning radio show, corporate sponsors, and various fundraising events.

Each year, we sponsor approximately 40-50 children and their families (including siblings between the ages of 5 and 16) for the trip, or as many as the Kidd’s Kids Board may deem appropriate under the circumstances. The Board will work with such sources as it deems appropriate to select children based upon the nature and severity of their illnesses, their ages, and the status of their financial needs.

All aspects of the trip are coordinated by Kidd’s Kids. All funds raised go directly to cover the cost of sending the children and their families to Walt Disney World®, administrative expenses of Kidd’s Kids, and to sustain an endowment fund for the purpose of providing long-term growth and stability for the charitable programs of the Kraddick Foundation dba Kidd’s Kids.Kidd’s Kids is a 501 (c)(3) organization, founded by nationally syndicated morning show personality Kidd Kraddick. Kidd’s Kids was founded on the premise of making a difference in the lives of children with special medical needs. Kraddick Foundation dba Kidd’s Kids is certified by the state of Texas and registered with the appropriate state departments of each syndicated affiliate market.

Our History

Over 15 years ago, due to a story on the news, Kidd Kraddick realized the power of radio. On TV, a woman was being interviewed about her car being stolen. It became clear that she didn’t care about the car nearly as much as what was inside, her 7-year-old daughter’s wheelchair. The little girl had cerebral palsy and that wheelchair was her only form of mobility. The next morning, Kidd shared the story with his on-air audience. He talked to the little girl’s mom and by the end of the show he not only raised enough money to replace the wheelchair, but had also found someone that could deliver it to the family in two days. That story, plus a few personal experiences, is what lead Kidd to start Kidd’s Kids. Kidd’s dream was to gather families together going through the enormous struggle of having a child with special medical needs and treat them to a fantasy-filled vacation.

The first Kidd’s Kids trip was to Sea World® in San Antonio and benefited five families. Due to the generosity of Kidd’s listeners and corporate donations, we now take between 40 and 50 families to Walt Disney World® in Florida each year. Many of the children selected for the trip have “fallen through the cracks” of other organizations that grant wishes or provide trips. During this five-day trip, which takes place every November, these kids and their families enjoy all the excitement that a Walt Disney World ® / Kidd’s Kids vacation can offer.

For many families with terminally ill or physically challenged children, this is a very rare opportunity to leave behind hospital and treatment centers to share laughter and fun in a magical environment. It’s the goal of Kidd’s Kids to make this a trip of a lifetime. With that in mind, Kidd’s Kids covers all expenses including airfare to/from their local market to DFW, chartered jet to/from DFW to Orlando, hotel, park passes, all meals, transportation while in Florida, souvenirs, special private character visits and so much more!

Children selected for the Kidd’s Kids trip are between the ages of 5 and 12, suffer from a chronic or terminal illness, and/or are physically challenged or have a catastrophic impairment due to an accident/birth defect. The child must also reside in one of the Kidd Kraddick In The Morning radio show listening areas and demonstrate a financial need. Each child selected attends the trip along with their family members who reside in the same household (this includes parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and any siblings that are between 5 and 16 years of age).

Kidd Kraddick In The Morning is nationally syndicated. Kidd’s show originates in Dallas, Texas and can be heard in over 80 markets across the country.

The Kidd Kraddick Morning Crew

Review of Forever Mine By Elizabeth Reyes

Forever Mine

(A Moreno Brothers Novel)

by

Elizabeth Reyes

Synopsis

Forever Mine is for Mature Young Adult Readers

Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno.

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl.

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home? 

Review

Forever Mine is a story of first love. It delves into all of the trials and tribulations that the  young heart goes through at such a tender age. Sarah is a seventeen year old girl who finds herself in a new school after some unfortunate circumstances in her life. She meets Angel who is a dreamy but a bit over possessive boyfriend. They fall head over heals in love but soon learn that sometimes it takes a little more to make a relationship last, like trust and honesty.

I have to say that I loved this book. It was written with such description and emotion that I felt as if I were in the story and falling in love for the first time all over again.  I felt that the writer portrayed an accurate depiction of a whirlwind high school romance. All of the characters that are introduced are dynamic and easy to fall in love with. Forever Mine was heated and exciting. I literally could not got to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about this book. The best part, No werewolves or vampires anywhere! Finally an awesome book about real people with real circumstances.

I gave it 5 stars and would give it six if I could!

************   

Let's Go Fishing In A Crawfish Hole...

Don't you just love this picture. It's my son playing in a crawfish hole when he was about four years old. It started out as dipping a little butterfly net into the puddle in an attempt to catch a crawfish. This is how it ended up. I can't help but laugh every time I come across this photo. Just thought I'd share it with you.

I have three sons actually. My oldest is nineteen, my second and the one in the picture is twelve, and my youngest is about to be eleven. Sometimes I just can't believe how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I watched my middle son edge closer and closer to that mud.

I guess that's part of the reason that I write Young-Adult books. Maybe I'm trying to hang on to that carefree part of youth. Although, I think that I would have gotten the switch if I had ended up in the mud like that. :) 

Website and Other News

Alligator in The Florida Everglades

Just wanted to mention that I was having a lot of trouble with my website/host. It was freezing up and causing a lot of people's browsers to crash. Not to mention that it is so hard to keep up with so many websites/social networks. My solution as of right now is to redirect my web address to my blog. That way I can share everything that I need to in one spot. Hopefully, this move will work well for all. 

The URL may go down briefly next week as I move everything over from one host to another. Just an FYI, but hopefully it will go smoothly. 

Other than that, I have been working hard on the sequel to Stay. I am hoping to have it out by the middle of September. I even came up with the title- Rose, By Another Name. I am playing around with the cover design, as soon as I have one worthy I will post it here.

I hope that everyone is staying cool. This has been one hot summer. My kids started back to school today. It seems to get earlier and earlier every year. At least I'll be able to get more work done. :)

Review of Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon

by

Meg Cabot

Synopsis

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Review

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Abandoned. I loved how the story fed from Dante's Inferno and Divine Comedy. The story line kept me enthralled. They book was full of mystery and suspense, not to mention just the right amount of romance. I found myself rooting for John and Pierce to fall in love. I would like to have read more on John's history and gotten to know him a little better. The cliffhangers at the end have left me anxious for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait!

I give it 5 stars.

Goodreads Giveaway Winners

Congrats to my Goodreads Giveaway winners! 

Brittany Gale from Ontario, Canada

Heather Ottenschot from Syracuse, New York

Rebekka Weissbach from Cambridge, Great Britain

Karin Tobing from Arcadia, California

Megan M. from Wilson, North Carolina

A signed copy of Stay is being sent out to you!

   I would also like to thank all of the awesome Goodreads members who took the time to check out my book and to enter my contest. Stay made it to #9 under Goodreads Most Requested Giveaways. I am truly humbled. You guys are awesome!

R&R

   I just have a couple of nights of work left and then we are beach bound! I can't wait! I have been craving the surf and sand for months. I am hoping that the clear blue water will be a big inspiration and that I can sneak out on the balcony before everyone wakes up and get in a good bit of writing. 

   I don't know what it is about the beach, but I always seem to be a bit more productive when I'm there. I want to eat better, and get outside and move my body. I can relax more. Maybe it's the calming waters or the laid back lifestyle. I don't really know for sure, but I like it.

Stay

   

   My first blog!

   I am C.C. Jackson, I am an Indie Writer and the author of Stay, a paranormal romance novel for young adults.

   In case you were wondering, I have been married to an awesome guy for almost 13 years. I have three not so little boys. They range in age from 10 to 18. They have been my biggest inspiration in my writing. From watching the three of them and their friends grow up, I have been able to dream up all sorts of wonderful things.

   I love reading. I would spend my entire life with my nose in a book if I could. I am partial to romance and suspense, but I will read almost anything. 

   I hate to clean, especially the dishes. My husband is a way better cook than me. I am a recovering Coca Cola addict. I crave it ALL the time, but I am trying to avoid it. 

   I love yoga and I love to do anything outdoors. We do a lot of fishing, hiking, and camping. Of course every time that we go camping I say never gain. We haven't had much luck with camping but we keep trying.

   I like all types of music, but I am usually the last one to discover new stuff. Maybe you guys can help me out with that. I love Boys Like Girls, Fall Out Boy, Greenday, anything like that really.

   I rarely watch TV, but I make an exception for True Blood and sometimes for American Idol. It's not that I don't approve of watching TV, it's because I can never get on one. There is usually a game being played or a football game being watched on them. Maybe that's why I read so much.

  

   I am so excited to be able to say that Stay will be out in e-book format soon. I have been working so hard lately to have it ready. My house and my husband have truly suffered, but he is such a trooper.

 

   I am so thankful for everyone's support in this, especially my sister Shannon for being my biggest critic and  standby editor. She doesn't miss a thing.

  Stay is my first book to be published online, or anywhere else for that matter. I am so proud of it. I hope that you all like it too.

   Callie is the main character and the book is about all that she goes through to discover her true identity and then to live up to the person that she was always meant to become. I don't want to give to much away, but it is magical, and full of action and romance.

   I better get back to my writing, but feel free to comment or send me an email. I would love to hear from you!