2016 Wrap-Up

December 28, 2016 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, we’ve made it to the end of 2016.

Maybe not quite in the same shape as when we started the year, but if you’re reading this, you’ve survived.

As we put 2016 to bed, I thought I’d share some of the things that were good in my world this year.

1. I sold a second book! It was a dream come true to see one book become real, but to be given the chance to do it again is overwhelming.
2. I went to Las Vegas for the first time and celebrated 10 years of marriage.
3. I retreated with some inspiring authors in the fall.

4. I gave my first professional (not writing related) conference presentation.
5. I held my words in my hands–it’s almost a real book!

I was also very entertained by the following books:

1. Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
2. My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
3. Great Small Things by Jodi Picoult
4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
5. Exit, Pursued By A Bear by E.K. Johnston
6. Wild Swans by Jessica Spotswood
7. Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally
8. Frannie & Tru by Karen Hattrup
9. Liars And Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath
10. Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell

2017 debuts to look forward to (these are the ones I’ve been privileged to read already):

1. Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
2. It’s Not Like It’s A Secret by Misa Suguira
3. The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5. After The Fall by Kate Hart
6. How To Break A Boy by Laurie Devore
7. In 27 Days by Alison Gervais
8. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
9. The Girl With The Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

I’ll share more 2017 debuts as I make my way through them.

Favorite movies this year: Moana, Ghostbusters, Sing Street, Love & Friendship, The Edge of Seventeen, How To Be Single, and Rogue One.

Things to look forward to in 2017:

1. I feel like this goes without saying, but May 9, 2017 is going to be a pretty momentous day. My debut novel IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE will officially be published and available for public consumption.
2. My launch party will be May 13, 2017 at One More Page in Arlington, VA–I’d love to see you there!
3. I’m signing copies of my ARC at the American Library Association’ Midwinter Conference AND I’m on a panel with some fabulous authors.

4. I’m appearing at YABBAFest in Warrenton, VA in October.
5. I’ve got a few more signings/readings ideas in the works, so stay tuned.

Whether you’re celebrating this time of year or not, I hope you’re ushering in the new year with loved ones and doing something that brings you joy.

Interested in preordering my book? Here’s all the info. AND! There’s a bonus chapter in it for you.

Feel like asking your library to add my book to their collection? Here’s how.

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BEA – what to do in NYC

May 9, 2015February 21, 2017 by Christina June ♥ 1 Comment

Though I’m not going this year, here are some of the things I love to do when visiting New York if you’re in the midst of planning your trip to BEA, otherwise known as book heaven.

Eating!

I’m a food enthusiast. I’ve planned whole vacations around places to eat. NYC is one of the best places to try new and exciting things to eat, both cheap and spendy. My go-to place to find eats? Eater. There’s a list of links on the right side that will take you to the best places for dinner, for drinks, for brunch, etc. and keep you up to date on what’s new and popular. And they have a great app.

My thoughts on where to eat in NYC

Sightseeing!

If you’ve never been to New York, the touristy destinations are a must. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, Central Park, etc. are amazing if you can schedule them in to your visit.

Some of my other favorites:

The Museum of Modern Art – I don’t always understand it but modern art museums are always fun for me. I love trying to figure out what the artist was trying to say. The MOMA is pretty awesome and offers free admission from 4-8 pm on Fridays.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art – a perennial favorite. They have literally something for everyone. I love the Arms & Armor collection.

Tenement Museum – choose a “path” of an immigrant family and learn about how they lived. Completely fascinating. Probably not for small kids or impatient adults.

Walking & Exploring

One of my very favorite things to do in cities is just walk around, take in the sites and architecture, and people watch. NYC is one of the best places to do this. You can go on your own or take part in one of many organized, themed walking tours.

Scott’s Pizza Tours – hubs and I did one several years ago and found Scott to be an epically funny tour guide. And bonus, you get to eat the pizza.

Neighborhoods/Places to Walk – Little Italy, Chinatown, Times’ Square, Chelsea, The Highline, Lower East Side, Central Park

Broadway!

I’m a theater girl, always have been. Seeing a show on Broadway, for me, is a quintessential New York experience. My BEA companions and I have our tickets purchased already and I’m ridiculously excited. You can check out a full listing of what’s on via Playbill and purchase tickets through the links provided there, or try a discount site.

Broadway Box

Theater Mania

You can also visit the TKTS booth in one of their 3 locations to snag some great deals on day-of tickets. Be prepared for lines though.

These are only a very small sampling of things to do when you’re not at BEA – please feel free to add your own favorites in the comments!

Stuff I’ve Been Reading

February 18, 2015 by Christina June ♥ 2 Comments

For the first time in a long time, I’ve been in a reading slump. I’ve put several down. I’ve struggled through others that just didn’t connect. Then last week I was home sick for several days and managed to blow through a handful of really solid books and for that I’m thankful.

1. Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu – inspired by families like the Duggars who follow the Quiverful movement, I found this book to be incredibly powerful and quietly moving. It won’t be for everyone – the religious aspect could be a turn off for some, but if you enjoy character-driven stories with strong voice, this could be a winner. I enjoyed Mathieu’s previous novel but this one blew me away.

2. I Was Here by Gayle Forman – this was a really difficult book to read. It deals with suicide and the characters are never particularly likable, but the writing has such beauty that I couldn’t put it down. Forman knows her way around an inner monologue!

3. No More Confessions by Louise Rozett – the third in the Confessions series was the result of fans like me begging Rozett to write it. I love these characters so much and will carry them with me. I’m grateful for the realistic conclusion! If you haven’t read this series, please give it a try. One of my very favorites.

4. Leaving Amarillo by Caisey Quinn – my first CQ book! This is a smart, steam New Adult novel perfect for fans of Nashville. Really looking forward to the next in the series and following up with these complex characters.

I’ve also been doing some beta/advanced reading for some of my agency sisters and two books you want to add to your list are The Stars Turned Away by Lisa Maxwell and The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis.

What are you reading? What’s blown you away that I need to try?

Cover Reveal: BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US by Rebecca Paula

December 4, 2014 by Christina June ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Friends – today I’m celebrating the reveal of the GORGEOUS cover of my amazing critique partner’s new book. Without further ado, here it is!

Title: Between Everything And Us

Author: Rebecca Paula

Genre: New Adult

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Cover Design: Maggie Hall

Synopsis

Matisse Evans is determined to make her sophomore year of college successful after failing out of a prestigious art school and spending a horribly boring gap year at home. Despite her focus, time isn’t on her side as she struggles to hold down three jobs so she can afford her first apartment while juggling course work. In the chaos of it all, Beau Grady moves in and shakes up her world. A college dropout and tattooed bad boy, the rumors about Beau mean one thing for Matisse—trouble. Paralyzed by the fear that she’s missing out on life, Matisse discovers plans may unravel, but what rises in their wake can be worth the uncertainty.

After spending the summer couch surfing, Beau Grady moves into an empty room at his ex-girlfriend’s Portland bungalow, skipping his senior year of college to spend his days working at a Vietnamese food cart instead. Once a star hockey player and gifted student, he’s put his life on hold after receiving a life-altering diagnosis, complacent to live in the moment. Hiding behind false rumors and bad habits, Beau falls for Matisse, letting her believe the worst until their relationship blooms into something they both can’t ignore. Falling for her means having to face a future he’d rather forget, but loving her just might be worth it.

Excerpt

She grabs my hands and pins them together. I don’t fight off her touch. I let Mati gather them and raise them above my head. “I think it’s so easy to fall into the world when you’re not ready,” she says seriously. Her free hand brushes over my brows, then sweeps down my nose. “It’s such a big place and we’re all very tiny in the scheme of things.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It sucks being an outlier, Beau. I get it. But in spite of everything, we’re always going to feel a bit lost. It’s the part of growing up that no one ever tells you about.”

“You’re very wise today, Miss Mati.”

“I’m lots things, mister. I’m…” Her voice drops off and she nervously glances down at my chest. “I think I’m a little bit in love with you actually.”

At least I’m sitting. That doesn’t help the way my stomach drops though.

I snake my hands out of her grip and brace them around her face. There’s a reason why outliers exist on the outside—they can’t find their way in.

Mati is no outlier to me.

We kiss for what seems like hours. I don’t care if it’s for days. But we kiss until my mouth wipes away the nervousness in that confession of hers, while I still cowardly hide behind mine.

In the wild, in the sun, Mati and I are…well, we’re something I never thought I’d have or find. And that’s everything.

About The Author

It began with a boy who survived a plane crash in the wilderness.

I discovered my love of writing during a fifth grade writing assignment for Hatchet. After that, I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Always the hopeless romantic, I write late Victorian and Edwardian historical romances as well as contemporary New Adult romances.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), as well as the New Hampshire chapter (NHRWA) and the New England chapter (NECRWA). I contribute regularly to the Modern Belles of History blog, a site dedicated to writing, reading, and researching 20th century women’s historical fiction.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or daydreaming about my next travel adventure. I live in New Hampshire with my husband and our cat, Bella.

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