Exciting Updates

Hi, everyone!

It's been a while since I've written a blog post, but that's only because life is crazy (but good!). Crazy good! :)

The biggest news I have to share is that CATALYST is now in Barnes and Noble bookstores around the country. I can't begin to tell you how thrilling it is to have people texting and messaging me pics of CATALYST in THEIR local bookstore. Here are some of my most favorite pics I've received so far:

This one was found at a B&N in Denton, TX and is SO cool because CATALYST is surrounded by Sarah Dessen books, and I LOVE Sarah Dessen!! What a dream to see my book on the shelves with her books. LOVE! <3

This is another great one because now I'm shelf buddies with Erin Summerill, author of EVER THE HUNTED. Erin and I will be rooming together at RT Atlanta in May, so super cool that we're shelf buddies too at this B&N in Pennsylvania. :)

My dear friend, Sandy, spotted CATALYST in a Manhattan B&N! Love that it's made its way to the Big Apple!

This one was spotted in Kansas City by fellow CTP author, Shannon Thompson. Poor CATALYST looks teeny tiny compared to THE CROWN'S GAME. Lol.

Love this one! Jacy Merrill and Monica Hoffman—my local author buddies—and I discovered CATALYST at the B&N closest to where I live in NC. Such a surreal experience to see MY book on the shelves next to so many fabulous authors. 

Have you seen CATALYST in a B&N near you? If so, please snap a pic and tag me in it. I love seeing it make its way across the country. :)

In other exciting news, CATALYST has a sequel. The sequel has a title. And this title now has a release date AND an upcoming Cover Reveal. FORGOTTEN, the sequel to CATALYST, will release on August 21st. The cover reveal is scheduled for Friday, March 3rd. Here's where I need YOUR help.

If you'd like to help with the cover reveal for FORGOTTEN (Book 2, The Deception Game series) please sign up using the form below. Thank you!!

One last exciting bit of news: I have my first book tour this weekend, scheduled in my hometown and surrounding areas in Virginia. If you live in the Richmond area, you should come by and see me! Details below:

Friday, February 24th: Hopewell High School (A visit to my Alma Mater)

Friday, February 24th 7-9:00 pm: Book signing at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Short Pump

Saturday, February 25th 10:30 am -12:00 pm: Author event at the Appomattox Regional Library. Kristin will be talking about her book, answering questions, reading an excerpt, and signing books.

**This event is sponsored by the Junior Woman’s Club of Hopewell.**

Saturday, February 25th 2:00 - 4:30 pm: Book signing at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights

Do you have any exciting news to share? Did you sign up for my Cover Reveal? Do you live in the Richmond, VA area?

Have a great week!

January Reads

I wish I could say that I got a ton of writing done in January, but I can't. I did, however, read a lot of books! I 'm finally working through that looming TBR pile, and I'd almost forgotten how much fun reading can be. When I'm working on a project, I become so focused on writing that everything else takes a back burner, including reading. But it feels great to set aside some time for something that I love to do.

Is anyone else taking the Goodreads Reading Challenge? I set a low book goal knowing that I'll have at least one book release this year and will be writing 1-2 books as well. However, I started off the challenge with a bang! Here is an overview of the books I read in January.

THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater  (4 out of 5 stars)

I really liked this book. First of all, I love Stiefvater's writing, especially her descriptions. In The Raven Boys, she's created these complex characters who each have their own issues they're working through—and she does it seamlessly. The story is told from multiple POVs, which I'm typically not a fan of, but she does it so well that being in multiple heads enhances the story, not detracts from it. My only complaint is the lack of romance. It says it's a paranormal romance, but there wasn't enough romance in my opinion to call it that. 

THE HUNDREDTH QUEEN by Emily R. King (5 out of 5 stars)

I received an ARC for this book, and I'm thrilled that I was able to read it months before it releases to the world!

This book is a beautiful, captivating tale of forbidden love, deep courage, and inner strength. Kalinda is a strong-willed character who doesn’t fully realize her potential until faced with an awful future married to a terrible tyrant. She is an extremely likable character who cares for those around her. She’s able to see the good in others, even an enemy who’s hated her since childhood. It is this belief that she can unite with her enemies that helps Kalinda secure her future with Rajah Tarek and ultimately carry out her grand plan to save herself, the one she loves, and the courtesans bound to the rajah.

This book was so unique and different from anything I’ve ever read. It was so layered and well-written that I found myself falling into the story, invested in each character, and longing for Kalinda to end up with her one true love. I love the world and culture King created. I loved that it had a gladiator feel with the wives and courtesans of the rajah battling against each other to maintain or increase their position. But I also loved the forbidden romance between Kalinda and Deven. The world-building was exceptional, the characters well-developed, and the writing exquisite. A must read for fantasy lovers!




HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE by Jennifer Niven (4 out of 5 stars)

Honestly, I loved this book. I do feel like it comes with a bit of a disclaimer, though, because there is A LOT of language. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I'm not a huge fan of the "F" world, and it was used in the book quite a bit. I understand that these are teenagers, but still. I think Niven did an excellent job of making us FEEL for both Libby and Jack. That's what I love about her books—she knows how to bring in ALL THE FEELS! I love her beautiful prose. And yes, she writes about hard topics, but that's the way life is, right? Life isn't all peaches and roses. I applaud Niven for having the guts and courage to write about the tough things that make life completely unpredictable and totally sucky at times.




P.S. I LIKE YOU by Kasie West (5 out of 5 stars)

Such a fun, cute story that goes to show you don't REALLY know someone until you get to know them. This was my first Kasie West story, and I have to say, I'm an immediate fan. I do believe Kasie West is now one of my favorite YA contemporary romance writers. I love that her stories are clean, with no language or sexual content. The romance was swoony, and the story was sweet, entertaining, funny, and completely unputdownable. Loved it!




THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND by Kasie West (5 out of 5 stars)

Loved this book. There were definitely places I laughed out loud, and there were places where my heart broke for the main character, Gia. Another great Kasie West book!



THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith (5 out of 5 stars)

I seriously loved this book. I read it in a day. You wouldn't think it could carry that much depth because it really only takes place in the space of 24 hours, but that's what's so amazing! You come to care so deeply for the main character, Hadley, that your heart breaks over her father leaving her and her mother. Much of the book is done in flashbacks, giving us a glimpse into what it was like when her father left, and why she's so wary about going to his wedding in London. I loved the romance, but I also loved that this book was about so much more than a love story. It's about family, forgiveness, hope, and moving on.

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Have you read any of these books? Any on your TBR list?

Have a great Wednesday! :)