Colleen Houck's Blog, page 10

Dress up your favorite Romantic Scene Contest with a BONUS CONTEST

This is another creative contest.  What we want if for you to take a romantic scene from any of Colleen’s books in either series and create a graphic or picture of it. To get your juices flowing here are a few romantic settings.

 

Remember this scene in The Princess Bride movie?

 

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This reminds me of Kelsey Dancing with Kishan or Ren

 

 

 

I’ll create one for you so you can see how to do it.  You can use any program you want and then pin the picture to Pinterest and paste the link below.  Make sure to tell us what scene you are creating.  There are so many to choose from.  Which is your favorite?  I love the 1st date Ren and Kelsey share at the hotel at the end of Tiger’s Curse.

 

 

 

 

Here’s my first attempt.  I included the orange rolls, the candlelit table, Kelsey’s purple dress and strappy shoes, and even the nut crusted fish.

 

 

 

Your prize will be any ONE of Colleen’s Books,  and a huge box filled with beauty goodies from e.l.f. so you can get ready for your upcoming romantic date.

 

Pick any ONE of these books

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus this huge goodie bag full of date night goodies!

 

 

 

Make sure you list what the scene is on your graphic and when you post it which book you would like to win.

 

Good luck!!!!

 

Both contests run from February 1st – 28th

BONUS CONTEST:

Enter to win an additional book out of the list from above just do one or all (to increase your odds of winning a 2nd book)

Pick a 2nd book to win
Follow Colleen on Twitter
Add Reignited to Good Reads “To Read” list
Add Reunited to Good Reads “To Read”  list
Link a review of any of Colleen’s books on Amazon or Good Reads (just follow the instructions below)  This one is worth 5 x more points

On GoodReads

Find the book
Review the book
hover over “My Review” and right click over it to click on and copy the link
paste the link in the proper area on the Rafflecopter

On Amazon.com

Find the book
Review the book
hover over the “title” of your review and right click over it to click on and copy the link
paste the link in the proper area on the Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Shara

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Reignited Blog Tour!

Announcing the Reignited Blog Tour!

Reignited Prize Pack

For those of you who are ready for my next book, check out these tour stops. There are twelve Reignited prize packs up for grabs so you can get your hands on the book before anyone else.

Note: Each prize pack comes with a book, a heart scarab key chain, and a random assortment of goodies. Goodies may include candy, other books, makeup, Egyptian playing cards, and more! Enter during the blog tour and don’t forget to share the Reignited book trailer for a second chance to win! For more information on the book trailer contest, check out the

 

 

BOOK TRAILER POST!

What’s This Book About?

Preorder Reignited Today!

A sibling rivalry.

A forbidden romance.

A spell that changes everything.

In Heliopolis secrets abound and passions ignite as chaos rises.

From the  New York Times  bestselling author of the Tiger’s Curse series and Reawakened comes a novella full of celestial marvel, passion, betrayal, and evil that will grow to reign over humanity forever.

Before Lily and Amon met, before the cosmos was in chaos and needed three brave brothers to fight off evil, there were four siblings who helped rule the earth.

Each sibling had a special gift. Osiris, the god of agriculture, helped mortals to grow and thrive in their natural environment. Isis, the goddess of creation, fostered health and wellness. Nephthys, the seer, was able to keep the balance between all living beings and the universe. But Seth, the youngest sibling, was left without any special powers. The Waters of Chaos, which granted each god’s talent, were running dry, and Seth was paying the price.

As time passed, however, Seth’s determination and willfulness resulted in a very special gift, one that should have granted him the ability to enact wondrous change. But Seth’s competitive childhood gave him a heart so cold and vacant that instead, his gift brought about great evil.

Seth was now the god of unmaking, the creator of disorder and destruction. And he was ready to seek his revenge, dominating all who got in his way.

Why Should I Read It?

Preorder Reunited Now!

On a personal note, I can tell you that Reignited is a must read. The reason I say that is the final book, Reunited, will make a lot more sense if you have read this one first. Reignited also contains the full length first chapter of Reunited, most of which was edited out of the actual book. But, there is some really good background material in there from the perspective of the villain, Seth. You don’t want to miss it. Trust me. =) You get to see Isis and Osiris fall in love as well, which is pretty epic. And for those of you who want to know more about the Seth animal, it’s all explained here. I’ll see you on the tour and watch out for the final book in the series, Reunited, which will come out August 2017!

 

 

THE REIGNITED OFFICIAL BLOG TOUR!

To see it larger, simply click on the image below or you can check out the tour announcement on JeanBookNerd.com.

Need more?

Check out the Reignited book trailer. Share it all month long for a chance to get your hands on an advanced reading copy!

 

Thanks so much for reading!

Colleen

Reignited book trailer reveal plus a contest!

The long awaited moment is finally here! Colleen Houck has teamed with Crush Creative again for a book trailer, REIGNITED. After much collaboration and creative genius, we are excited to bring you the new trailer,

From New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck comes a novella full of celestial marvel, passion, betrayal, and evil that will grow to reign over humanity forever.

In celebration of this book trailer reveal, we’d like to host a contest!

 One lucky person will win a REIGNITED PRIZE PACKAGE (includes an advanced reader copy of REIGNITED and lots, lots more)!

Here’s how the contest works,

SHARE THE BOOK TRAILER via some social media platform  (facebook, twitter, email, youtube, twitter, or pinterest) and ENTER the Rafflecopter below.

How? You simply share the book trailer, copy the link (the url address) and paste it in the rafflecopter below.

There is no limit to how many times you enter this contest. You can even share every day if you’d like! Hey, it might annoy your friends but it’ll increase your chances to win right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone!!

Linda Louise Lotti

The Top Twenty YA Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2017!

You all know I love reading. I especially love checking out what’s coming up in the new year. Though not everything is up and ready yet for 2017, here’s what I’m looking forward to so far.

 Wonder Woman: Warbringer

by Leigh Bardugo

She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. . . .

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.

Vanguard

by Ann Aguirre

The Razorland saga continues. Since the war ended, Tegan has dreamed of an epic journey, so when she has the opportunity to sign on as ship’s doctor, she can’t wait. It’s past time to chart her course. Millie Faraday, the kindest girl in the free territories, also yearns to outrun her reputation, and warrior-poet James Morrow would follow Tegan to the ends of the earth.

Their company seems set, but fate brings one more to their number. Tegan will battle incredible odds while aiding Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, who has ventured forth to save his people. Szarok is strange and beautiful, like a flower that blooms only in the dark. She shouldn’t allow him close, as such a relationship is both alien and forbidden. But through stormy seas and strange lands, she will become stronger than she ever knew.

The Last Magician

by Lisa Maxwell

From Unhooked author Lisa Maxwell comes a captivating new world filled with magic and deception, about a girl who must travel back in time to find a mysterious book that could save her future.

Stop the Magician.

Steal the book.

Save the future.

In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.

Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1901 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.

But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.

Dark Goddess

by Amalie Howard

After an epic struggle that unseated the Asura Lord of Death and placed Serjana Caelum’s best friend, Kyle, on his throne, the Mortal Realm is peaceful and the balance between good and evil—which Sera is sworn to protect—has been restored.

But signs of a new threat to the world of men quickly begin to appear: A scourge of demons descends on the Mortal Realm, and Sera is beside herself trying to locate their source. She sends word to the gods for help, and their answer comes in the form of Kira, the living incarnation of Kali, goddess of destruction.

Stunning and dangerous, Kira plans to protect the heavens at all cost, even if it means destroying the entire Mortal Realm. Soon Sera and Kyle find themselves fighting not just the demon plague, but Kira and her twin. But when an even more sinister threat arises—putting not just the human world but all planes of existence in jeopardy—they must all learn to work together or lose everything they sacrificed so much to save.

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. The light looks brighter, the air is sharper, and the energy she can draw when fighting feels almost limitless.

But while her mother, the queen, remains busy at the war front, in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn into the throne much sooner than she expected.

In order to defeat Bain and his sons, Evelayn will quickly have to come into her ability to shapeshift, and rely on the alluring Lord Tanvir. But not everyone is what they seem, and the balance between the Light and Dark comes at a steep price.

In the first book of a remarkable duology, Sara B. Larson sets the stage for her reimagining of Swan Lake — a lush romance packed with betrayal, intrigue, magic, and adventure.

Flame in the Mist

by Renee Ahdieh

The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor’s favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.

Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she’s quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru, and his second-in-command, his best friend Okami. Still believing her to be a boy, Ranmaru and Okami eventually warm to Mariko, impressed by her intellect and ingenuity. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets, of betrayal and murder, which will force her to question everything she’s ever known.

 Legion by Julie Kagawa

The legions will be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragonslayer can stand against the coming horde.

Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all—dragons do not suffer human emotions—let alone with a human, and a former dragonslayer at that. With ex-soldier of St. George Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she’s capable of doing and feeling.

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against St. George and her own twin brother, Dante—the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known. Talon is poised to take over the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who will not yield.

 A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes – a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.

Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels.

Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

 Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around–and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries–including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? and if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

In this sweeping and breathtaking new novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

 The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there’s anything I’ve learned from him in the years since, it’s that the dead hide truths as well as the living.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha―one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles…and make a powerful choice.

 Long May She Reign by Rhiannon Thomas

Freya was never meant to be queen. Twenty-third in line to the throne, she never dreamed of a life in the palace, and would much rather research in her laboratory than participate in the intrigues of the court. However, when an extravagant banquet turns deadly and the king and those closest to him are poisoned, Freya suddenly finds herself on the throne.

She may have escaped the massacre, but she is far from safe. The nobles don’t respect her, her councillors want to control her, and with the mystery of who killed the king still unsolved, she knows that a single mistake could cost her the kingdom—and her life.

Freya is determined to survive, and that means uncovering the murderers herself. Until then, she can’t trust anyone. Not her advisers. Not the king’s dashing and enigmatic illegitimate son. Not even her own father, who always wanted the best for her but also wanted more power for himself.

As Freya’s enemies close in and her loyalties are tested, she must decide if she is ready to rule and, if so, how far she is willing to go to keep the crown.

 The Wish Granter by C. J. Redwine

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.

But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds―and the mysterious man who rules it―she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.

Rich with music and magic, S. Jae-Jones’s Wintersong will sweep you away into a world you won’t soon forget.

Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Luna and Fowler have escaped the kingdom of Relhok, but they haven’t escaped the darkness. When a battle against the dark dwellers mortally injures Fowler, Luna is faced with a choice: put their fate in the hands of mysterious strangers or risk losing Fowler forever.

Desperate to keep the one bright part of her life alive, Luna accepts the help of soldiers from a nearby kingdom. Lagonia’s castle offers reprieve from the dangerous outside world—until the King discovers both Fowler and Luna’s true ties to Relhok and their influence over the throne.

Now pawns in each kingdom’s political game, Luna and Fowler are more determined than ever to escape and build the life they’ve been dreaming of. But their own pasts have a tight hold on their hearts and their destinies. Luna must embrace the darkness and fire within her before she loses not only Fowler but the power she was destined to inherit.

 Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Poison’s Kiss by Breeana Shields

Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It’s a miserable life, but being a visha kanya—a poison maiden—is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.

Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she’s really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.

This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

 Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

 Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner

Thick as Thieves is the eagerly anticipated new stand-alone novel set in the world of the Queen’s Thief. New York Times-bestselling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics and feature one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin.

Kamet, a secretary and slave to his Mede master, has the ambition and the means to become one of the most powerful people in the Empire. But with a whispered warning the future he envisioned is wrenched away, and he is forced onto a very different path. Set in the world of the Queen’s Thief, this epic adventure sees an ordinary hero take on an extraordinary mission. The Queen’s Thief novels have been praised by writers, critics, reviewers, and fans, and have been honored with glowing reviews, “best of” citations, and numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Newbery Honor, the Andre Norton Award shortlist, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Discover and rediscover the stand-alone companion stories The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and A Conspiracy of Kings, all epic novels set in the world of the Queen’s Thief. Thick as Thieves includes two maps, a map of the world of the Queen’s Thief, and a map of Kamet’s journey.

 The Book Jumper by Metchthild Glaser

Amy Lennox doesn’t know quite what to expect when she and her mother pick up and leave Germany for Scotland, heading to her mother’s childhood home of Lennox House on the island of Stormsay.

Amy’s grandmother, Lady Mairead, insists that Amy must read while she resides at Lennox House―but not in the usual way. It turns out that Amy is a book jumper, able to leap into a story and interact with the world inside. As thrilling as Amy’s new power is, it also brings danger: someone is stealing from the books she visits, and that person may be after her life. Teaming up with fellow book jumper Will, Amy vows to get to the bottom of the thefts―at whatever cost.

 Thirteen Rising by Romina Russell

The master has been unmasked. Rho’s world has been turned upside down. With her loved ones in peril and all the stars set against her, can the young Guardian from House Cancer muster the strength to keep fighting? Or has she finally found her match in a master whose ambition to rule knows no limits?

And there you have it, my top twenty YA picks for 2017! Happy New Year to us!

 

Colleen

Reignited A to Z

Here is my A to Z list of things you will see in REIGNITED!

 

 

 

A-ANUBIS, AMUN-RA, AFTERLIFE

B-BENU BIRD, BANITI, BLOODSTONE, BREATH OF LIFE

C-COUNCIL, CAPTURE

D-DREAMS, DEATH, DANCING, DECEPTION

E-EMBRACE, EYE OF PROPHECY

F-FEAST, FEATHERS

G- GIFT, GODS, GODDESSES, GARDEN, GAZEBO, GEB

H-HEART, HEART SCARAB, HELIOPOLIS, HORUS

I- ISIS, IMMORTALS, ISIS KNOT

J-JUDGING, JOINING, JEWELS

K-KISS, KITE

L- LOST, LOVE

M-MA’AT,  MATCH, MERGE, MAGIC, MUSIC, MOUNT BABEL

N-NEPHTHYS, NUT, NILE

O-OSIRIS, OATH, 

P-PROTECTION, PAIN, POWER

Q-QUESTIONS, QUEEN

R-RARE, RISK

S-SECRETS, SETH, STARS, SACRIFICE, SENET, SPELLS, SYZYGY, SAND

T-TREES, TYPHON, TEARS

U-UNIVERSE, USURP, UNMAKING, UNBREAKABLE

V-VOW, VICTORY, VINES

W- WOUND, WINGS, WATERS OF CHAOS, WEAVING, WEDDING

X-EXPERIENCE, EXPLORE

Y-YEARNING, YESTERDAY

Z-ZOOM

My Top Ten 2017 New Year’s Resolutions

Good morning and HELLO 2017 and hello to all of you reading this blog!

Each and every January comes with it a sense of new beginnings, second chances, self reflection and fresh opportunities to make those changes for the better and to finally tackle that bucket list.

It seems that all too often, however, that I pile up mounds of New Year’s resolutions only to see that big pile of “yes I cans” come tumbling down in the following weeks. So this year, I decided to not overwhelm myself with trying to tackle everything all at once and instead pick a few big goals and a few smaller goals.

One of the keys to successfully reach those goals is to have accountability. So, by letting someone know what those goals are (or better yet, have them do it with you), the higher the probability of success.

Another keys is to not just say you will do something but to make a plan. Get organized with the end result in mind and prepare every needful thing to make success within reach. They say a dream written down with a date becomes a goal, a goal broken down into steps becomes a plan, a plan backed by action makes your dreams comes true!

It is always important to be realistic when setting goals. Don’t set too high a standard only to be disappointed and de-motivated as a result.

Decide before you begin that you will be committed. Our intentions are almost always perfect but the execution falls short of those lofty goals. Why? Because we lack pure will and determination. We allow excuses to speak louder than our will in a moment of weakness and that’s when we start to slip.

Now that I’ve shared some ways to set us up on the path to success, I thought I’d take the fist step of being accountable and share what my New Years resolutions are with you! Here we go,

Resolution #1: Cleaner, Healthier, and leaner!

As a health and fitness instructor, it’s important to lead by example but when life gets busy and when I get lazy, my standards of healthy living slip. As part of the New Year I have committed to start the year off strong with a 3 day cleanse and 12 week clean eating challenge.

I shared my plans with family and friends (and now you) and even have a group who are joining me on this challenge. So, now I’m accountable! I’ve made a plan and have recipes printed, groceries bought and ready to prepare.

Today is my day one of the cleanse and if any of you would like to join me, click here for the three day cleanse I’m doing (disclaimer: this cleanse is based off my personal research and I am not a licensed dietician or a doctor).

Resolution #2: Read books that will help me grow as a person.

I have a few that I have had on my to be read list for a while and it’s about time I start getting to them. Some of these books include the scriptures daily, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Peace giver, and others. I love reading for pleasure but it’s important to learn and mix in some self-help type books and non-fiction.

Resolution #3: Be a better mother to my three children.

This one is vague so I made a few specific plans to support this endeavor. First, to spend 5 minutes of undivided attention to each child at some point before the days end. This can be anything from reading a book, going for a walk and talk, playing tag, etc. If I set it small, like 5 minutes then it doesn’t feel impossible even on the busiest of days and if I get started then the 5 minutes could easily be increased. Another plan is to have devotionals where we read or watch or discuss a value that we can try to work on for that day. Over the Christmas season we followed the 25 days of #Lighttheworld challenge and it made such a positive impact in my life and hopefully my children’s lives that I want to continue that challenge through 2017.

Resolution #4: Be a better wife to my husband.

With work commitments and his new responsibilities, I want to be more helpful and supportive as his stress levels may increase. Some of my ideas include having meals prepared. This is one of those things that many wives may already do in their home but my husband and I have kind of shared this responsibility in our years of marriage. I think we’d both agree he’s the better cook but if he’s away more, I’m sure he would appreciate healthy meals to enjoy. Another idea is to express love in his love language. This can be hard when I get tired and become more selfish with my needs by the days end but I need to remember that he is feeling the same way when he gets home.

Resolution #5: Paint the remaining rooms of our home.

This boils down to money and time. So for this resolution and the others below, my hubby and I have made a list, will prioritize them in order of importance and budget them for the year. This brings me to resolution #6-9.

Resolution #6: Re-do pantry shelves in kitchen.

Resolution #7: Put in a new kitchen sink.

Resolution #8:  Learn how to re-stain wood furniture.

I have many furniture pieces I’d like to re-stain so this is a big to do item for me.

Resolution #9: Potty train my two year old.

I’m not rushing this one but I know it’s gonna have to happen this year so I’m officially putting it on my to do list.

Resolution #10: Be more kind, defend others.

This is one I’ve been working on over the last few months. Where I work, people can get chatty and gossip about others. I find it’s hard to not get sucked into the discussion so I’ve been working hard to not contribute. Now that I’ve gotten a little better at this, my next step is to not only refrain from adding comments but to defend those in need of defending rather than remaining silent.

There ya have it, my 10 New Years Resolutions! Hey, you can take the first step of being accountable by sharing some of your resolutions in the comments section below. Once it’s out there, you’ve decided!

May all of you have a happy and successful 2017!

Healthy living, here’s to you!

Today is the first step towards the new, healthier, stronger, and happier you! The hardest step is quite often deciding and committing to taking that first step. So, congrats!

In addition to exercise, it is vital to include a healthy diet. One of the most successful ways to improve your health is to feed it wholesome and healthy foods. In order to prime your body for receiving those nutrients it is important to cleanse and rid your body of toxins (not everyone should/can cleanse so be sure to check with your doctor before doing).

How does a detox cleanse work?

Basically, detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and the body is adversely affected. A detox program can help the body’s natural cleansing process by:

Resting the organs through fasting.
Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body.
Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys, and skin.
Improving circulation of the blood.
Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.

Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.

There are numerous ways to detox and many recipes you can choose from. I have provided you with some of my go-to’s and a couple new ones I’m excited to try.  There are also varying number of days that you can choose to cleanse (seven days being the maximum). I will be doing a three day cleanse but you can choose what works best for you.

Day 1: Fasting. This will be a purely liquid diet for 24 hours. No sodas, no coffee, no sugar, no alcohol. I recommend doing this cleanse on your off workout days.

Drinks to have- chlorophyll water (my own recipe), fruit/vegetable infused water, chicken bone broth (this one has amazing healing benefits for your gut), herbal teas (dandelion root is a great detox tea and lemon is a natural de-toxin), and diluted cranberry juice.

Day 2 and 3: Continue with liquid diet drinks as mentioned above but now include raw vegetables and fruits, soup (recipes included), and smoothies (recipes included).

Recipes

Chlorophyll Water Recipe (enjoy this any and every day)

Bag of Spinach, ½ cup water, fresh mint leaves,

1 cup fresh brewed mint tea and then iced.

Place spinach, water and mint leaves in blender and blend. Strain liquid through cheese cloth into pitcher. Add 2 cups ice, iced mint tea and fill remaining space in pitcher with water. Mix well and refrigerate.  This is concentrated. When ready to pour a glass. Fill glass 2/3 with ice water and then add the concentrated chlorophyll water to top of glass. Mix and enjoy! Be sure to mix well before pouring as chlorophyll will settle at bottom. For video tutorial go to, https://www.facebook.com/linda.lotticlinard.

*Benefits of chlorophyll- helps control cravings and hunger, encourages healing, promotes cleansing by binding to toxins to hamper absorption, protects DNA against fried foods, super potent antioxidant action (protects cells from oxidative damage by eliminating free radicals), effective again Candida albicans (candida albicans can lead to depression, fatigue, digestive problems just to name a few), promotes healthy iron levels and more!

Lemonade Cleanse

2 Tbs fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbs pure maple syrup, 1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper in 8 ounces water. Mix and enjoy!

Green Detox Drink (no natural sugar so be prepared for this one)

This vegetable detox drink is made up primarily of green vegetables, providing an effective natural body cleanse of the digestive system.

3 carrots,3 kale leaves, 2 celery stalks, 2 beets, 1 turnip, ½ bunch of spinach, ½ cabbage, ½ bunch of parsley, ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves

Mix all ingredients with water and puree in a blender.

Fruit Detox Drink-  Because fruit is high in fiber and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it’s a wonderful natural detox for the body. This recipe incorporates fruit, along with flax oil and lecithin, to provide essential fatty acids while you detox. In your blender, combine:

8 oz. of orange juice, 4 oz. of purified water, ½ cup banana, ½ cup strawberries, ½ cup yogurt, ½-inch slice of ginger, 1 small garlic clove, 1 Tbs. flax oil, 1 Tbs. lecithin granules, 1 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice, if desired, 1 Tbs. of protein powder.

Cleansing Detox Soup (6 servings) -found on theglowingfridge.com

Ingredients

1/4 cup water (or vegetable broth)
1/2 of a red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 medium carrots, diced
1 small head of broccoli, florets
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon turmeric (I used powdered)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
fine-grain sea salt and black pepper, to taste
6 cups water (or 4 cups vegetable broth + 2 cups water)
2 cups kale, de-stemmed and torn in pieces
1 cup purple cabbage, chopped
juice from 1/2 of a small lemon (or a whole lemon, depending how much lemon flavor you prefer)

Instructions

In a large pot, add the water and turn on the heat to medium-high. After it’s hot, add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the celery, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and fresh ginger. Stir and cook for 3 minutes, adding in extra water or broth as needed (another 1/4 cup). Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper plus salt and pepper to taste.
Add in the water or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add in the kale, cabbage and lemon juice near the last 2-3 minutes of simmering. Enjoy!

 

Skin Loving Green Juice-found on the glowingfridge.com

Combine ingredients in blender.

curly kale
carrot
celery
cucumber
lemon
apple
turmeric
ginger

 

Here’s to your health!

 

Book Reviews for Kids by Kids- Kingdom Keepers:Disney After Dark and Midnight for Charlie Bone

 For those of you who are looking for new books appropriate for middle grade that both boys and girls might enjoy, this is the place to look!

Every month, a new book (or two) will be added for review right here and they will be reviewed by the best critics, KIDS! That’s right, the one’s who read them will be the judge!

This blog is written by my quirky and adorable niece, Madelyn. She’s super sweet and quite ambitious in everything she sets her mind to. She’s quick to help and give hugs, two of my favoritist things!

 First, for those just tuning in, may I introduce Madelyn . .

“I’m a freshman who recently started high school. I have a HUGE love of books. My entire family are book nerds. I have a sister named Madison and a brother named Michael. It’s hard for me to find boring books. I read all the TIME!”

And now, introducing our 22nd middle grade book review for kids, by kids!
                  Book Review of the Kingdom Keepers:
                   Disney After Dark
                   By Ridley Pearson

Book Commercial

 The setting of this book takes place in Disney World after the park closes. Strange things happen after everyone has left The Magic Kingdom. The main characters are Finn, Willa, Charlene, Maybeck, and Philby. They all get the wonderful opportunity to become Disney Hosts (DHI) and lead guests around the parks.
 At night in the Magic Kingdom, These five kids come into the park and find it a mess. Some of Disney’s most evilest villains have come together to take over the parks. There plan was going to work until they were stopped by the DHI’s.
 This book is a wonderful book. It takes everyone’s childhood of Disney and changes it from good to evil. It is full of adventure and action as you experience Disney in a whole new way.

          Book Review of Midnight for Charlie Bone

                      By Jenny Nimmo

Book Commercial

The story takes place in a town where special children are housed. These Children have special powers that are all unique and different. They are all descended of a magical and powerful person named The Red King. He had many children that all inherited different powers and passed it down through their descendants.

    Charlie Bone is a descendant of the Red King with the power to have a glimpse of what happens while a picture is taken. He is sent to a special academy called Bloor’s Academy where he is and “Endowed” student, a descendant of the Red King. He joins all the other endowed students.    Charlie is tasked to find a girl named Emma who is under hypnosis. He has to find her and figure why she is that why. Will he succeed in his task?

    I love this book. This was one of the first books I read when I got into Middle Grade Books. I love the fantasy of it. I recommend this to anyone who loves magic and fantasy.

Here’s a list and links to the other books we’ve reviewed:

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

The Blackthorn Key By Kevin Sands

A Map to Everywhere By Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis

Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

The Tale of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe

A to Z Mysteries: White House White Out by Ron Roy

The Sisters Grimm: The Problem Child by Michael Buckley

Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (In full color) by Dav Pilkey

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Invasion of the Overworld by Mark Cheverton

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony Di’Terlizzi and Holly Black

Artemis Fowl, book 1 by Eoin Colfer

The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) by Roald Dahl

How to Train Your Dragon: How to Break a Dragon’s Heart, Book # 8 by Cressida Cowell

~ Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

Year End Ultimate Prize Contest -All 2016 Winners Need Apply-Winner Announced

Allana Lopez

is

2016 Grand Prize Winner of the Year

Look how brave and cute you are!

(you are so brave with that snake and your make-up is awesome)

WINNERS OF 2016

 

At the end of every year we want to celebrate YOU the fans!  Many of you have received a prize from Colleen this year either at a signing or a contest on her blog.  All “winners” need to do to enter this final contest and win the HUGE year end prize is tweet a picture of yourself with your prize to Colleen.

 

Rules:

1. You had to win a Colleen Houck prize in 2016. Mention what you won and when you won it.  (This also includes school visits, contests, and events if you received a copy of one of Colleen’s books.)

2. You have to submit a picture of yourself and your prize in the photo

3. You have to submit that photo to @ColleenHouck on Twitter using the hash tag #HouckContestWinner

You have to submit the photo by 12/31/16

Remember if you are under 18 get parental permission first.

Below is a list of what you will win in 2016

Blue Turban Hair Towel

1 oz. of Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck

Official 2016 Teen Day Tote (empty)

e.l.f. Beauty Bundle filled with a bag of beauty goodies

10 Books

 

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December Contest of the Month “Favorite Quotes”-Winner Announced

 

 

The WINNER is…

Anne Consolacion

Our 2 favorite quotes and pictures are by Anne.

 

We love the pictures, the font and sizing of the quotes, and including which book it was from.  Great job!

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.  This month’s contest is simple and evokes memories of times past when you went on a special journey with Colleen and her characters.

 

When I read a book sometimes there is such a memorable line that it stays etched in my mind for years to come.  Here are a few favorites of mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This month we are looking to hear from you.  What is your favorite quote? You can choose any of Colleen’s books from either series. Include a pretty picture pasted behind the woven words and Pin it to your Pinterest page.  Then share with us the link in the comments below.

 

 

 

Here are some ideas to getting you going.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an easy one and you can do one for each book for additional entries. 

 

 

Please have all submissions done by 12/29/2016

 

 

Books are a journey waiting to happen.  Where will you go this Christmas season?

 

 

Shara

 

PS-Did you want to know what the prize is?  I’ll give you a hint.  Oh no wait, that would be spoiling the surprise.  Rest assured it will be a heavy box!

 

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