I regret nothing...

I recently saw a picture on Pinterest "I'm a Bookaholic and I regret nothing" and I thought to myself,  this is just for me.
My book obsession is just as bad as my obsession with writing books. I try very hard to dedicate as much time as I can to my work, but some nights it's just not as planned. You all know how crazy nights can go when you have kids, right?
In this post I'm going to explain how I regret nothing that I've done as a writer. Here we go:

1. I signed with a publisher in the very beginning that took my royalties. Yep, you heard that right. In the very beginning of my writing career I signed with a pub co. that was small press. They made all these promises and then failed to deliver. Not only did they leave me high and dry, but they took my royalties that I made and never paid me.
So what did we just learn? Do your research before you sign with anyone for anything!! Because, dude, that sucked.

2. The Many Lives of Avery Snow is my very first book. It's not the best writing I can do, but I regret nothing. It was my first book! Ever! Not everyone can bang out this phenomenal book and I do not regret Avery Snow in any way. She is not the most exciting character but she's not supposed to be.
She's having a tough time in her life, darn it! How would you be if your mom died and your father left you when you were young? Probably pretty sad, right?
Book two, The Unraveling of Avery Snow is my favorite book in that series and I'll tell you why; Avery grows so strong and I grew as a writer. Yup, even writers have to grow.


3. Having bad book signings, I don't regret that. Let me explain further. I've had signings where I sell nothing. Yep, not one book. But I've learned experience and I've met authors who have given me advice that was worth more than money.

4. Ending The Visitors Series. A lot of fans actually aren't  too happy that there isn't a fourth book in the series. They're not too happy that I left Brylee the way I did but I don't regret it. She will be back!!!! Yes, I did just say that. Brylee will be getting another spin-off series called The Shadow's Trilogy. She will be more grown up, think New Adult instead of Young Adult.
Where we left off with Brylee in The White Door, she is just starting her freshman year of college. When we see her again she will be a senior and about to graduate college. Will Ephraim be there with her? You'll have to wait and see.

5. Ending my books with cliffhangers. I don't regret that. I have read reviews of people claiming that it's annoying and that I did it for money. Umm, let me explain that I make no money in this career, not yet anyway. I'm not in this for money anyway. I do it because I love writing and it's a passion that I have. I like cliffhangers because I want it to be suspenseful. And yes, I want you to read book two. I want you to be hooked. I want you to wait in anticipation for the next book to come out. Heck, I don't want you to forget about me.

6. I don't regret how being a writer means making no money. I'll be honest with you, I'm not living in a mansion and driving a BMW because I write books. I drive a Honda and live in a two bedroom house. Hey, my  house may be small but it's mine and it's home.
Being an author doesn't mean you become instantly rich. So if you're an aspiring author don't get into it for the money, do it for the love of spreading your work and because you enjoy this. Yeah, sure I hope someday to find an agent and publishing with a big publishing house. But Anchor Group has given me a huge stepping stone into this industry and I'm thankful for them everyday.

7. Reading books constantly. I regret nothing about that. I love reading! I don't care what people think about the topics that read either. I read mostly YA and a lot of people don't understand that. Listen, I read what I enjoy and I enjoy YA. If they don't understand why I write and read YA, then that's they're problem, right? At least I can say that I have a happy life and that's all that matters.

I, like many authors, am not perfect. I've made mistakes in this career and I do not regret any of them. I may not like some of my choices at first but I have looked back and realized, 'Hey, I learned something!'
I can honestly say that I have been enjoying this career and I hope to be able to continue down this path. I love my readers and I hope they stick with me through it all.
Bye for now!

The Past Lives Series**Free Book One**

Free

Get the first book in The Past Lives Series for Free! This is a complete series so no waiting on new releases. 

Avery Snow leads a boring, no thrills life. She enjoys her job at Sunrise Estates, a retirement home, as it’s the one place where she doesn’t feel left out. Everything in Avery’s life is just as she wanted it, lackluster and bland. At least up until she receives a haunting message that a man is looking for her… from a past life. 

Landon has spent his life searching for his other half, as he has so many times before. His soul needs her’s to survive, and he is determined to make Avery his once more, even if it means breaking all of the rules.

Dallas has had his eye on the gentle beauty that frequents the bar where he works for quite some time. He sees something in her that touches a chord within, and he, in turn, lights a fire in Avery that she has never felt before, at least not that she can remember. With the help of her spirit guide and protector, Ianni, Avery recalls her past lives and the man she shared them with. But now Avery must make a choice she never dreamed possible. Will she choose Landon, the man from her past, or Dallas, the man who promises her a different future? Do you believe in love that can last lifetimes?

Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780985266394

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Many-Lives-Avery-Series-ebook/dp/B007HI2NWQ/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1#

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-many-lives-of-avery-snow-christy-sloat/1108565727?ean=2940033268337

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Many-Lives-Avery-Snow/book-FsOyjn7skE-jkSBrFN72pg/page1.html?s=ssI2LYXgAkeP3npTnyU5-g&r=2

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=christy+sloat

If you loved book one get book two and the novella as well:

3.99

Kindle;http://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Avery-Lives-Series-ebook/dp/B00BEPNIAO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

Nook; http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unraveling-of-avery-snow-a-past-lives-series-novel-christy-sloat/1114973586?ean=9780988847644

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=christy+sloat

.99

Smashwords;http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=christy+sloat

Kindle;http://www.amazon.com/Ianni-Past-Lives-Novella-ebook/dp/B00940SGNU/ref=la_B0071MMCU6_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1366652668&sr=1-4

Nook; http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ianni-christy-sloat/1112922445?ean=2940015690170

The name of the next trilogy announced

I left it up to my awesome Street Team to name my next book trilogy. The trilogy would be a spin-off of The Visitors Series. I will include many characters from the series and maybe one or two or three from my Past Lives Series.
I knew I wanted to leave it up to there very capable hands because they have read all of my books. They know my writing and they know Brylee, best. She is a vital part of the book. The Streat Teamers love her as much as I do. So here is the announcement of the name of the Trilogy and the name of all three of the books.

Drum Roll please................................................................................................................................................................................

The Shadows Trilogy
Book One- Shadows
Book Two-Secrets
Book Three-Silence

Thanks to the amazing Lynn Shaw we have a name!
The book will be due out next year. In the meantime I'm working on a new standalone novel, Who We Were.
That's all for now!
xoxo

Review of Catch A Falling Star

Catch A Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Publication date April 29th 2014
GOODREADS LINK

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the book prior to it's release. I can tell you that this book is heartwarming and at times funny. The MC, Carter, loves her town. She loves everything about her life and the way it's going and then Hollywood invades.
I don't want to give too much away in my review since the book hasn't yet released. The storyline is flawless and clean. I was attached to Carter all the way through the book. She's a very positive character that doesn't house a lot of drama, if you know what I mean. She meets Adam and it's not fireworks love at first site. I loved that about the book. I also liked her solid friends and her parents.
Basically, if you're looking for a good heartwarming tale with a happy ending, this is your book. 

Review of Fire and Flood

Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

My review-


I needed to take the evening and review this book the morning after finishing it. Now that my thoughts are collected this is my review of this fabulous new book by one of my favorite authors, Victoria Scott
Holy smack! This book is awesome. Not only was this book filled with intense drama but it also made me laugh out loud several times.
I've seen many people compare this book to Hunger Games like it's a bad thing. I do see some similarities but not many. This book is all it's own.
The characters are complex and original. Tella started off this weak girly-girly and ended strong and vibrant.
Now lets talk Pandoras. Victoria Scott brought us a completely original idea of these animals that hatch from eggs and are there to help the contenders. Wow! That's all I will say to that.
I'm eager to read the next book in this series. Victoria Scott is a fantastic writer that came into the writing world and handed us a book that makes us scream, laugh and cry. Great job!




GOODREADS

FREE BOOK ALERT

My awesome publisher, Anchor Group, has been kind enough to make my first book FREE. Links at the bottom

Avery Snow led a boring, no thrills life. After her father left the family when she was young, Avery's mother died when she was only twelve, leaving her all alone except for her Aunt Paulina. Now, at twenty-six, Avery is very used to being lonely. She enjoys her job at Sunrise Estates, it's the one place where she doesn't feel left out. Her boss, Kerri, is her best friend and Lucy O'Shea, a resident at the home, is a good friend to her as well. The night Lucy dies in Avery's arms she delivers a haunting message to Avery. She tells her that there is a man looking for her from a past life. And he will stop at nothing to have her. Now Avery is unable sleep for more than a few hours, her dreams are keeping her awake. She is too terrified to sleep for the dreams are too vivid and too real. The only catch? She cannot remember what they are about. Until her Spirit Guide, Ianni, comes to help. Ianni shows Avery her past lives and tells her about the man who is stalking her soul. Now Avery remembers every life she has ever lived and she remembers the man she shared them with. He will not give up until she falls in love with him. The problem is Avery is in love with someone else. Ianni must help keep Avery from making the wrong choice. One her soul doesn't want. She also must keep her safe from the Dark Guides who are after Avery. Now Avery must make choices she never has before. This once lonely girl is now surrounded by Spirit Guides, psychics, Demonic Angels and two men fighting for her love. Do you believe in reincarnation and a love that can last lifetimes?

I'm extremely proud of my first book! If you're wanting more then get the book for free while it lasts. I'm not sure how long it will be at this price.

Thanks everyone!

Kindle

Barnes and Noble Nook

Kobo 

Smashwords

Divergent Friday

Many of us have read the Divergent series. We've all put the book down and had that thought; " If this were about me which faction would I choose?"
I've recently been asked by The YA Storytellers to make my own choice. I'm blogging today about which faction I would pick for myself. But before we begin take a look at my review for Divergent here:

Well written.Now one of my fave dystopian novels. Tris is a character that you love and hate. She is not WEAK. She is strong and powerful but her indecision with whom she belongs to frustrated me. In the end it all fell into place. This is a must read for all readers.

Abnegation-The selfless who's actions serve others.
Candor-The brutally honest.
Amity-The peaceful people who wish for a shared purpose
Erudite-Extremely intelligent
Dauntless-The brave. The strong. 

Who would you pick?

I try my hardest to be selfless in life. But sometimes that can be hard. As humans we tend to be a little selfish. 
Candor is right up there with Abnegation. I try to be honest but when it comes to hurting someones feelings with the truth, I'd rather lie. The Candor are brutally honest and I have to admit I can't be that honest all the time. 
Amity is a group of peace loving people. I could see myself fitting in there. Hey, I'm all for keeping the peace. Yet, when its time to fight for something you believe in I'd have to fight.
Let's be honest, I'm not super intelligent. I only like books for entertainment purposes so I'll pass on Erudite.
The Dauntless are some bad ass mothers man! Could I fist fight a guy? Could I jump off a building into a net below? Umm, no. I can be tough when I need to be but the Dauntless are crazy.
So when it comes to putting my choice in one faction, I just can't do it. I'd rather be all of the things above. I'd rather be factionless than belong to just one.