Tracy Darlington: Thicker Than Blood

Showing posts with label Thicker Than Blood. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2010

Thicker than Blood Blog Tour

TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:

Thicker than Blood
by C.J. Darlington
Published by Tyndale House

Winner of the
2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest!

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?

With careful attention to detail, emotion, and scene-setting, C.J. Darlington scores with her debut effort. Here is a special writer you won’t want to miss.
--Jerry B. Jenkins, New York Times best selling author

If you love a good read filled with adventure and ultimately redemption, I encourage you to brew the tea, settle into your favorite chair and pick up the page turner that is C.J. Darlington’s imaginative new novel of a modern day sisterhood that triumphs over separation and the raw challenges of life to find the real endurance of both family ties and God’s amazing grace.
--Rebecca St. James, Grammy award winning Christian singer and bestselling author

With Thicker than Blood, C.J. Darlington proves she's a novelist for the long-haul, a strong new voice in Christian fiction. This book speaks to the heart, from the heart, about the heart. Readers will not soon forget it.
--Sibella Giorello, Christy award-winning author of The Rivers Run Dry & The Clouds Roll Away

Watch the book trailer:

About the Author:
C. J. began writing the story that would become Thicker than Blood (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novel before cofounding her own online bookstore. Thicker than Blood was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel.

C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com for more info.

QUICK LINKS:

Monday, January 04, 2010

Thicker than Blood in Christianbook.com Weekly Insider

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Thicker than Blood Book Trailer

Check out the brand new book trailer for my sister's novel Thicker than Blood! Enjoy.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Pre-order Your Copy of Thicker than Blood on Amazon

My sister's novel Thicker than Blood is now available for Pre-Order at Amazon! Be sure to pick up your copy today!

Christy Williams finally has her life on track.

She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit.

With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged, younger sister, May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. May’s Triple Cross ranch could be the safe haven she’s searching for, but will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?

Friday, August 07, 2009

Pre-order Your Copy of Thicker than Blood

Thicker than Blood is now available for pre-order at Christianbook.com!

Summary:

Christy Williams finally has her life on track.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Thicker Than Blood Summary

Those of you who have not read about my twin sister C.J. Darlington's first novel, here's a little bit more about story. Enjoy! The book will be release by Tyndale House in January 2010! Trust me; it's a great book. :)

Here's my working summary of Thicker Than Blood:

Two sisters, estranged for 15 years. Their blood ties weren't enough. Only something stronger could bring them together again.

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. Her career as an antiquarian book buyer at the renowned used bookstore Dawson's Barn of Books is taking off. Hunter Dawson is teaching her the fine points of purchasing collectible books, and so far she's been able to keep her drinking problem from interfering. But when she discovers her ex-boyfriend, who also works at Dawsons, is stealing valuable books right off the store's shelves, she's unable to stop him for fear he'll expose the skeleton's in her closet.

Things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents' untimely deaths. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch, May couldn't possibly want a relationship with her, the big sister who didn't even say goodbye all those years ago. Could she?

Soon Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross ranch be the safe haven she's searching for, or will May's new-found faith give her sister even more reason to reject Christy? Will they realize before it's too late that each possesses what the other desperately needs?

Saturday, March 21, 2009

C.J. Darlington Interview Part 4

Here's the last in my 4 part series interviewing C.J. Darlington.

What is your second novel about?

It’s working title is Innocent Blood, and it’s a sequel to Thicker Than Blood in that some of the main characters of Thicker (Christy, Hunter, May) become minor characters in Innocent. But I also introduce some new people. And I will say this . . . someone you know from Thicker Than Blood dies in this second novel! :)

Is there anything else you’d like to say to my blog readers?

I still can’t believe people actually want to read what I have to say! Ha. Thanks so much for doing this interview, sis. You asked great questions!

FUN FACTS/TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?

I was homeschooled for all of my schooling years, and I know Morse Code. I’m surprised I haven’t forgotten, but back in the day it was a requirement to be a ham radio operator (I still have my license.)

When you’re not writing what do you enjoy doing?

Reading, camping, going to the movies.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

A bowl of Nutty Nuggets, which is basically the store brand version of Grape Nuts. Good stuff!

Three things always found in your refrigerator:

Organic eggs, milk and Romaine heads of lettuce.

You’re next in line at Starbucks. What are you ordering?

A grande triple cappuccino. Sometimes I’ll have them add a flavoring, like sugar-free vanilla or caramel, but I’m trying not to have too much of those chemicals. Can’t resist sometimes though!

What’s currently in your CD player/iPod?

Well, here’s another surprising thing, I guess. I don’t have an iPod! But in my cd player and computer playlist you can find Mute Math’s “Spotlight” EP, Andy Hunter’s “Colour”, Iona’s “Woven Cord”, and Paramore’s “Riot” CD.

Read Part 3
Read Part 2
Read Part 1

Thursday, March 19, 2009

C.J. Darlington Interview Part 3

Tell me how you felt when they brought the cover out for you to see?

I was overjoyed! In one glance I knew the designer really got the story. It’s better than I could’ve dreamed.

When will Thicker than Blood be coming out?

I don’t have an official release date yet, but it should release late 2009 or early 2010. I’ll keep you posted!

Who is your favorite character in your story and why?

Oh, my. What a tough question. I think I would have to say Christy Williams, the main character, just because I spent so much time with her during the writing. But there’s a secondary character named Beth, the local veterinarian, who I really like. She adds some of the lighter moments to the book. I wish she was my friend! Hey . . . I guess in a way she is . . .

If your book were made into a movie, who would you have in it and make it?

Another tough question! I’ve thought long and hard on this one. As far as movie companies, I would pick either Worldwide Pictures (the movie arm of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) because I think they would really get what I was trying to say with the book. Or Jenkins Entertainment run by Dallas & Jerry Jenkins. They are making films that are gritty in their portrayal of reality yet don’t stray from sharing hope and truth. Exactly what I’m trying to do with my books.

Actors is another ball of wax that deserves more thinking time . . . okay. Tracey Gold, who’s been in a lot of tv movies would make a great Christy, I think. May could be played by an unknown, up and coming actress because I can’t think of anyone else who fits!

Read Part 4
Read Part 2
Read Part 1

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

C.J. Darlington Interview Part 2

Here's part 2 of my interview with my sister C.J. Read Part 1 here.

Why did you enter the Operation First Novel contest?

I entered out of desperation, really. I was getting so discouraged. I’d been submitting my novel to publishers and receiving nothing but rejection. I was days away from putting it in a drawer and focusing on other projects. But I was prompted to enter the contest late one night. I was hoping to place as a semi-finalist just to give my confidence a much-needed boost. I never expected to win!

How did you find out about the contest?

I first heard about it in Writer’s Digest magazine. The Christian Writers Guild had an ad for their very first Operation First Novel contest. That put it on my radar, and I’ve been following the Guild ever since.

How many entries were there?

I believe this year there were 132 entries.

How long did it take you to write Thicker than Blood?

From initial idea to contracted book? Almost fifteen years. But I didn’t work on it every day by any means. However, the characters were always with me. I made a commitment to get serious with my writing when I was eighteen. I finished Thicker Than Blood when I was 24. So really the majority of the work happened during that time.

What did the judging process look like?

You know, I’m really not sure. I know they selected nine semi-finalists and four finalists. I don’t know for sure who all was involved in that selection. But I do know the four finalists were sent to the Tyndale fiction acquisition team who made the final decision on the winner.

Read Part 4
Read Part 3
Read Part 1

Saturday, March 14, 2009

C.J. Darlington Interview Part 1

C.J. Darlington is my twin sister, and her novel Thicker Than Blood will soon be published by Tyndale House. She started writing the novel fifteen years ago. I remember her saying, "Someday you'll see my novel on the shelves." I also remember she'd lay in bed at night and ask me things like, "What do you think of this character name?" or "What should my main character do next?" or "How can I get this character into more trouble?"

I've interviewed Rebecca St. James, Delirious, Newsboys, and so many other musicians . . . it's rather weird to be interviewing my own sister! But it's also fun to make her think!

Here's the first installment:

Tracy: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

C.J.: I have written stories ever since I was a little kid. My most ambitious was called “The Horse’s Story”. I remember starting it when I was eight or nine on my Dad’s old word processor. It was about a horse named Loopter who would become Joshua of the Bible’s horse. He was going to be a witness of the walls of Jericho falling down, but . . . I never finished it.

Then there was my epic (started when I was twelve) called “Moby”, about a Labrador Retriever trying to find his place in this world. He tried being a lap dog (with some humorous consequences!), a fire dog, a police dog, a sheep dog . . . he never did find out what he was meant to be ‘cause I never finished that story either! Around this time was when I started dreaming of having a book published. I knew nothing of how it worked, but the seed was planted.

When I was fifteen I started a story that would change the way I thought about writing. It was about two sisters who hadn’t seen each other for years but eventually met again. That story became my first novel, Thicker Than Blood, which just won the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest and will be published soon by Tyndale.

Were books a big part of your life growing up? If so, what books would you say influenced you most as a child? (Photo pictures Karen Watson, C.J., and Jerry B. Jenkins)

I loved to read! One of my favorite activities was going to the library. My sister (you!) and I would come home with bags and bags full of books. I didn’t read every single one, but what a luxury to have so many available at my fingertips.

I’m trying to think of what book influenced me most . . . interestingly, I loved reading fictionalized accounts of historical figures. I loved the Childhood of Famous Americans series (Will Scout, Boy in Buckskins was a favorite), the Landmark series (I re-read The Swamp Fox of the Revolution several times), the We Were There series, and of course Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr. and the like filled my bags, too. And then there were the animal stories like 101 Dalmations, the Dr. Doolittle series, and a book called Brimm’s Boat. And Narnia. I LOVED Narnia. Man . . . I could go on and on and on.

I guess they all influenced me without me even realizing it. But later, when I was an early teen I picked up Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti. Nothing was ever the same after that!

What inspired you to write Thicker than Blood?

It wasn’t like there was a huge inspirational moment, but that initial spark when I was fifteen came from some games my sister (you again!) and our dear friend Erica played as kids. We would pretend we were different characters, and basically role play stories we made up as we went along. One of the characters we used was named Christy and she had a sister named May who lived on a farm. All I knew when I started the story was that I wanted to write about these two sisters, one of them lived on a ranch/farm, and I wanted to have a Christian faith element.
That basic idea is still there in Thicker Than Blood.

Read Part 4
Read Part 3
Read Part 2