Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

April 10th 2012, St. Martin's Press
400 pages, Paperback
Received from Publisher
Third in Shadow Falls series
Young Adult Fiction

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers. Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.


Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

Cover Review:
To tell the truth, I’m not sure I get any of the covers for this series. I get that it’s supposed to be portraying the time of day that the title does, but they have nothing to do with the story. I do love it though. Very serene.

Opinion:

What is up with third’s being the best in series? Ascend? Dark Frost? And not Taken at Dusk? I mean seriously thirds have been EPIC!!! I do mean EPIC!!! It seems that the first book is setting the stage, seconds are often filler and then thirds are where these series are really hitting their strides!

Kylie has grown as a character tremendously since the first book. She was constantly in other peoples issues, whining about everything, and clueless about so much. Now she really gets to the bottom of an issue before she makes a judgment about the situation. She’s still a peacekeeper, but in a way that isn’t as obtrusive. Her powers are growing as well and it’s so interesting to watch as she learns to use them.

Other characters seem to be growing as well. From Della and Miranda not fighting at every turn to developments between Holiday and Burnett. Lucas and Derek are as steamy as ever!

The ghostly presence is such an intriguing case in this one. An unknown spirit that seems to carry messages and be incredibly protective of Kylie. At times I was a bit scared of the ghost, but mainly I just wanted to get to the bottom of her story. The other ghosts in this book seem to be really getting that she can’t deal with all of them at once and she’s getting better at handling them in general.

Kylie learns so much in this book and I cannot wait to see her use that knowledge in order to protect her friends and herself in the upcoming book!

Rating:

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

October 11th 2011, St. Martin's Griffin
400 pages, Paperback
ARC Received from Publisher
Second in the Shadow Falls series
Young Adult Fiction



Other In Series: Born at Midnight

Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities.  But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold.  To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away.  When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point.  Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie—and it'll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive...

 
Opinion:

I adore this series. It has similarities with the Hex Hall series, but I think I might like this series a bit more. Kylie is spunky, but always has her friends best interests at heart and is the peacemaker of the bunch. Her two best friends are quite the dramatic duo, but she is constantly keeping them from killing one another.

I wish Kylie would have figured out what she was in this book, but alas it was not to be. She has gotten better at communicating with the spirits and letting her guard down so others can sense her.

Some of this book made me truly sad and other had me laughing aloud.

One of the best lines of Kylie’s spunkiness is  “And telling the difference is like math—it’s hard. You think you understand it and then you get the answer wrong."

This isn’t a book where I can chose a team sadly. I’m team both, which can’t happen, but both guys are equally amazing. Lucas is all deep and loving, but Derrick is understanding, powerful and can erase any negative feelings.

Again I adore this series and can’t wait for the next one!

Rating:

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Giveaway and Interview with C.C. Hunter

I recently read and reviewed Born at Midnight, which was beyond amazing and today I have a interview with the wonderful author, C.C. Hunter.





Can you tell me about your book in 20 words or less?



C.C.:  Twenty words or less?  I guess now would be a good time to tell you that I’m from the South.  We’re naturally long-winded people, so describing Born at Midnight in only 20 words is hard but I’ll give it a try.  How about . . .

For 16 years, Kylie tried to figure out who she is, only to discover she doesn’t know what she is. 

Which of the supernaturals would you chose to be? A vampire, witch, fae, god, etc?

C.C.:  Oh, boy.  This is probably one of the questions I get asked most, but no matter how many times I’m asked it, it’s still hard for me to answer.   I’ve made some changes to the mythology for many of my supernaturals in the Shadow Falls series.  Some of them, like vampires, shape-shifters, and werewolves, can be scary but once you get to know them as characters, you’ll realize they all have some good qualities.   I think that’s what makes it so hard for me to choose—I don’t want to be unfaithful to any of my characters.  LOL.  But if I had to choose, I’d probably go with either a witch or a fae.  I think these characters offer the most options . . . although I think it would be totally cool to be able to fly like a vampire does.  LOL.

At the core of this book it's about friendship. How has friendship influenced your life?

C.C.:  Great question!  For me, my friends are the family I got to pick.  LOL.  I have so many really good friends.  Girls that I know would be here for me in a snap.  Friends who care about me, who laugh with me through the good times and cry with me through the bad.  Girls who help me see the positive side of life.  We all support each other and we’re as close as sisters.  Having those kind of friendships have definitely influenced my life and my writing.

What is your current WIP (Work in Progress)? Can you tell me a little about it? 

C.C.:  Right now, I’m polishing Taken at Dusk, book 3 of my Shadow Falls series, which should be released in the spring of 2012.  Now, every time I finish a book, I think it’s my favorite and Taken at Dusk is no exception.  But I really do love this book. Kylie is learning more about herself, about how she fits in the supernatural world of Shadow Falls.  While she does get some answers, she also gets more questions.  Taken at Dusk was a very emotional book for me to write, and I think it will be an emotional read. 

Do you have a favorite place to sit and write? Where is your favorite place to read? 

C.C.:  If I’m traveling, I take my laptop and will write in hotel rooms, a coffee shop or any place where I can carve out a few minutes to myself.  When I’m home, I always write in the same place.  I have an office, which is really more of a study.  In addition to my desk and chair, I have floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with my favorite books and a comfy sofa and a couple of arm chairs that my cats all think were put there for their exclusive use.  I have these beautiful French doors that lead outside to the patio and backyard, so when I find myself at a loss for inspiration, I can usually find it by taking a peak out those doors.


As for reading, I do most of that in bed.  Just ask my hubby about the huge TBR stack of books in my bedroom.  LOL.  Seriously, though, I like to end my day by reading because it helps me to “shut down” my over-active imagination.



If your house was on fire (everyone was safe), what one book would you rescue? 

C.C.:  This is too hard.  I have so many keeper books that I couldn’t decide upon just one.  Can I just say my arms would be extra full? 

As a reader do you read in the same genre as you write? What is your current paranormal obsession? 

C.C.:  Good question.  I read across a wide array of fiction genres, as well as non-fiction.  Actually, I will read almost anything if it captures my attention.  And I do that because I actually write fiction and non-fiction.  In addition to writing my YA paranormal series Shadow Falls as C.C. Hunter, I also write humorous romantic suspense novels for adults as Christie Craig, as well as non-fiction books and freelance non-fiction articles on a variety of topics.  One thing about my job, I never get bored!  LOL.

As for my current paranormal obsession?  Hmm, I just read Unearthly and fell in love with the idea of angels.    But I have to admit I’ve always been fond of ghost and ghost stories.  That’s why I had to work in ghosts in my series. 

Anything you’d like to add?


C.C.:  Yes.  First, I’d like to thank you for having me visit Mission to Read today.  I’ve had a great time.  If your readers are interested in learning more about my Shadow Falls series, they can visit my website. Make sure you check out Della’s story, Turned at Dark, which is available for free download at all major online retailers, as well as my publisher.    I can also be found on Facebook at and at Twitter at @CCHunterBooks.   Awake a Dawn, Book 2 of my Shadow Falls series, will release in October, so mark your calendars!

C.C. Hunter is also offering a copy of Born at Midnight to one lucky winner. 

U.S. only, ends June 4th.

How to enter:
Fill out the form!
Extra Points:
+1 Follow @CCHunterBooks
+1 Follow CC Hunter’s Facebook
+1 Follow @missiontoread
+1 Follow Mission to Read through GFC
+1 Tweet (just click and the tweet is ready!)

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Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

 

  March 29th 2011, St. Martin's Griffin
416 pages, Paperback
Won from Seeing Night Reviews
First in the Shadow Falls Series
Young Adult

From Goodreads:

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. 

 As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Opinion:

The blurb does not do this book justice. This is a book about family, friends, facing your fears, and accepting yourself.

When we meet Kylie she is going through a ton of problems that fell onto her in a short amount of time. Her boyfriend breaks up with her because she won’t put out, her grandmother dies, and then her parents announce that they are getting a divorce and the father that she so loves is moving out. Not to mention the fact that she has to see a shrink after seeing things that her mother can’t and having nightmares that wake up the entire house to her screams.

The real action begins when she is sent to camp. There is no shortage of supernaturals at this camp.

Kylie is the peacemaker of her group, which consists of a vampire and witch. This book is not about romance it’s about friendship and it’s something I find lacking in YA. Kylie is devoted to her friends and her friends to her. Holiday the camp advisor is also one of her close friends as she is the only one that is like Kylie. The only annoying thing about this book is the fact that we don’t find out what Kylie is, but I’m assuming we will soon.

I could go on and on about this book as it is simply one of my favorite reads. I definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Rating: 

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