Colleen Houck's Blog, page 23
October 14, 2015
Beautiful in Glasses
Beautiful in Glasses
I’ve worn glasses since Jr. High. I didn’t try contacts until I got married and they felt immovable and abrasive like I was wearing a Captain America shield over each eye. 
As time went on contacts improved and became more comfortable and soft enough that I didn’t even know I was wearing them. Every once in a while it nice to just wear glasses again and give my eyes a little rest. I still want to feel pretty so I learned a few good tricks so I don’t disappear behind the frames.
#1 
Even out your skin. You don’t have to have perfect skin but erasing blemishes and getting rid of dark circles are a must. Dark blemishes can take the focus away from your eyes. Try a CC cream for light coverage or use your favorite foundation for full coverage. Do not forget to brighten under your eyes with concealer. Dark circles under your eyes make it seem like they are deep inside a cave and difficult to find.
#2 You can go with a blush or contour for your cheeks. It all depends on how large your frames are. If you have larger frames that cover the apple of your cheek then contouring might be best. If your frames are smaller you can go either way.
#3 Make your eyes stand out and what better way than a flirty cat eye. Consider a plum or navy eyeliner instead of black. You want to capture as much light as possible. Consider a slight shimmer eye shadow on your lid and use deeper colors in the corner make you eyes seem bigger and create a lift. Colors that are saturated make your eyes pop through the glasses. (Plums & Bronze) If you can bear putting a nude color in your lower water line it can really open up your eyes. Don’t forget a light color shadow right in the inner corner of you eye so your eyes look open and refreshed.
4. Lips can either be dramatic or soft. I say if you have a more dramatic eye make up then a softer lip would be more flattering, and if you have a softer eye go bold with a bright color on your lips. Pick one feature to accentuate and get creative.
5. Eyebrows need to be neat, and well defined. Your eyebrows frame the glasses, and the glasses frame your eye. So brush your eyebrows, fill in the blank spots, and pluck the wayward hairs. Set with a eyebrow gel and head out the door.
Here are some videos to give you additional ideas!
Shara Lane
October 12, 2015
Book Reviews for Kids by Kids- The Tale of Despereaux
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, at least one new book 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!
Introducing the lovely Madelyn,
“Hi, I’m a Seventh Grader and I love to read and write. I also enjoy dancing and acting. I’m in Drama club and Author’s Team at my school. I’m an A+ student and I love my math class. I love to learn and learn and learn. I have a brother and a sister. . Right now I’m reading The Westing Game”.
And now, introducing our next middle grade book review for kids, by kids!
Book review on The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
Book Commercial:
The Tale Of Despereaux is a exciting and fun book. It takes place in old England. It starts in a sewer were the mice live. It starts out where a young mouse is born. Is was the only one to be born and his name was Despereaux.
The plot of this story is about young Despereaux falling in love with a gorgeous human princess. He longed to be with her. Her life does get danger because a rat named Chiaroscuro and a girl named Miggery Sow try to take her down and make Miggery the princess. Despereaux does save her.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a tale of adventure. I would also recommend this book to anyone who loves a little romance and a little comedy. So if any of these match your ideal book, the get to reading.
Here’s a list and link to the other books we’ve reviewed:
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
October 8, 2015
Fall YASH Winners Announced!
A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated in the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt last week. It was a BIG success!
I hope you have a lot of great books on your To Be Read list and had a fun time on the hunt.
Remember to check on the YASH website for announcements of the winners for the different teams!
If you entered the contest on Colleen’s website, thanks! I hope you had fun. So, without further ado, the moment you’ve been waiting for!
Congratulations to 11 lucky participants!
The winners of your very own signed copy of The New York Times Bestseller, TIGER’S CURSE are:
BRANDY MCCOLLUM
MICHAELA KRESS
ASHLEE SAUNDERS
REBECCA ABBIEHL
HANNAH CUCKLER
The winners of your very own signed copy of The New York Times Bestseller, REAWAKENED are:
BHAVNEET KAUR
MOLLYE OZE
FIONA PARDO
MELISSA MARSHALL
DEBI TONKS
And. . . the GRAND PRIZE winner of the New York Times Bestseller Tiger’s Curse Complete Set goes to:
STEPHANIE KAYE
If you wish to claim your prize, you MUST reply to the email that was sent to you within the next seven days or another winner will be chosen.
Again, CONGRATS!!!
Thank you for participating and if you’d like more chances to win FREE stuff, visit ColleenHouck.com where she has a Contest of the Month every month!
~ Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
Upcoming Events!
REAWAKENED TOUR STOPS
LISLE, ILLINOIS
When: Saturday, October 10th at the Anderson’s YA Literature Conference!
Where: Hilton Lisle/Naperville
3003 Corporate West Drive
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Time: 8:15am-4pm (doors open at 7:15am)
What: Join our 12th annual gathering of authors and educators interested in the best and newest in young adult literature. . . Meet featured authors, attend breakout sessions on fascinating topics, book talks on the best in new YA, enjoy a continental breakfast, a full luncheon and shop the conference bookstore. Booksigning opportunities and CPDU credits offered. Keynote authors listed below. Additional authors include Adam Silvera, Alexandra Sirowy, Ally Carter, Ann Bausum, Antony John, Bethany Hagen, Bill Konigsberg, Carrie Ryan, Cassie Beasley, Cherie Priest, Danielle Vega, David Arnold, David Baldacci, Ellen Airgood, David Levithan, Dawn Kurtagich, Emma Mills, Josephine Angelini, Leigh Bardugo, Leila Sales, Gary D. Schmidt, Heather Petty, Huntley Fitzpatrick, James Dashner, Jennifer Niven, Katherine Howe, Marie Lu, Morgan Rhodes, Nicola Yoon, Peter Kujawinski, Renee Ahdieh, Shaun David Hutchinson, Todd Hasak-Lowy, Una LaMarche and Colleen Houck.
The cost for the entire day is $109. This includes all meals, conference packet and giveaways. We are offering a special discount fee of $80 for full-time students (with proof of current school registration). The cost of the Fandom Frenzy Day is $49. We are also offering a discounted ticket for both days for $138. Registration Required.” For more information, go to abcfairs.com
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
When: Saturday, November 7th at 4:00 PM
What: Author appearance and book signing!
Where: Towne Center Books
555 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Contact Phone: 925-846-8826
September Poetry Contest Winner Announced
“let your imagination bud forth and give form of things unknown, the poet’s pen, and turn them to shapes which gives to airy nothing a local habitation and a name”
~ William Shakespeare.
Many of you have a shared interest in reading and writing with Colleen and so for last month’s contest we wanted to reward our top two favorite poems written by YOU with a Writer’s Prize Package!
First let me say that it was difficult to choose as there were many beautifully written poems. Great job everyone! Before I announce the two winners, I’d like to feature five poems submitted for the contest. I hope you all enjoy!
KHLORIS
By Allana Lopez
The maiden dances,
weaving among the golden stalks of the earth.
Fingers brushing the delicate petals of
ruby roses and
billowing poppies.
Lilting and turning, she swings
arms wide
like a bird caught in the lethargic drafts
of warm, summer breezes.
Her head tips back.
She breathes the field
of wildflowers,
hyacinth
narcissus
and crocus,
the nectar of their bloom
Sweet. Palpable.
Her hair swings, she hums.
Lost. In perpetual, endless bliss.
The maiden circles upon
delicate, little feet.
Daisies
eagerly spring from the cool dirt
greeting their lady.
She is spinning, twirling to
the melody of her own design.
Mellifluous notes dance
from coral lips.
Eyes gleam, liquid emeralds.
She moves dreamily,
supine. Blissfully unaware.
She breathes bright, enlivened tranquility.
The maiden always
tending her flowers, her fields
Flawlessly.
For she is
Khloris.
A goddess, a mother
of flowers.
Untitled
By Mariana Perez
With bleary eyes I sat awake
And felt around my empty bed
Maybe a dream would help me through
But nightly sounds just called me too.
Without a thought I ran outside
Looking at the starry night
Never look down, away from me
Begged the moon, a sight to see.
The grass was wet between my toes
And crickets sang, as did the frogs
But nothing could compare to you
The shiny stars and the full moon
I floated slowly to the sky
As playful birds helped me get by
The air got thin and so did i
There’s nothing left of me in the sky
Yet I am here, I’m far and wide
And I have nothing left to hide
Now I’m nothing, I am all
I have nothing, and I’m whole.
Mother Nature
By Mariana Costova
She watches silently, unflinchingly
Hidden in the shadows,
In the haze between reality and dream,
A spectator to our lives.
You’re a child running across the grass,
Chasing butterflies that cannot be caught,
Toasting marshmallows on a summer night.
You’re a teenager kissing under the old oak tree,
Young and alive,
The leaves a halo in the light.
You’re an adult,
Your face is wiser, older,
Not quite as unlined as before.
Flower are thrown,
Catching in your hair.
Something old, new, borrowed and blue.
Tears of joy in everyone’s eyes.
“Until death do us part.”
“I do.”
You look back,
The memories distant,
But that happened almost yesterday.
You’re floating in between this world and the next,
Your feet not yet touching the ground,
Until she has decided,
That it is time.
She sees everything,
Your first day and your last,
The good times and the bad.
She watches from afar and nearby,
She sees, she see it all.
(The Nature of) Life
by Maggie Change
You cry as you are torn away,
from everything that you’ve known.
Before, you were one half of two,
and now you are all alone.
The nature of life,
is that you’re thrown into it.
To learn and to grow,
and to find where you fit.
With time you shed your childhood innocence,
and are thrown into the midst
of hardship and joy, excitement, and fear
The beautiful chaos it is to exist.
The nature of life,
is that it can be,
as if you are lost,
in a forest of trees;
a forest of scary and prickly things,
that just might cut you,
and the harm that brings,
can make you feel broken,
alone and so small…
That you wonder what it is,
to exist at all.
But the nature of life,
is that it’s a journey.
To find who, and where it is,
you are meant to be.
And the nature of life,
is that we must all die.
But the nature of life,
is that to be alive,
means so much more,
than to only survive.
The nature of life,
is we all want more,
to do something, mean something,
make it better than before.
snowflake
By Isabel Niforatos
I am born on his hot skin
a tear dripping like his wax feathers-Icarus
falling because he dreamt
because he dared to dream
i am tossed through the steel-crystal clouds
burning into ice and symmetry
so so cold as i
tumble down the rabbit hole
of grey-white checkerboard skies
splintering with his promise to be free
breaking with the life he never meant to give me
confused because i live from his sorrow
am alive with his death
a fallen angel retreating into myself
as the wind strokes me with harsh glass fingers
making me bleed my life force and go numb
with the sensation of my icy wings breathing in the coldness
the pain of existence as a reflection
reflecting my companions sifted like me through a sea of air
emptiness, ashes dreaming of fire
snowflakes dreaming of impact
asphalt burning through my lungs
leaking through me seeping into me until i
end the way i began
a tear streaked from sadness into death
and i die like my creator
wishing for more and remembering
the beautiful lonely stained-glass agony
of being alive
Untitled
By Samantha Norton
It is in the dappled sunlight of the leaves
A child’s first smile
The first time a newborn breathes
A moment of beauty you strive to keep
It’s in the mountains haunting song
The whispering between the trees
Shadows cast by them on hours long
The remnant of petrichor after rain leaves
In all, time is quintessential
It urges all to keep moving forward
As well as it is inevitable
To the end of this journey we are all reaching toward
It isn’t just life or death
There must be both to complete the cycle
Like sunlight and shadow
There will be end, there will be incipience
It is the equipoise of everything in our world
Visual treasures, hidden secrets
Everything, not always as we see it,
But feel it, inside our beating hearts.
What do you think? I see some great writing potential! A big thank you to each of you that participated, each writing experience is a step toward the artist that you are becoming.
Without further delay, it is time to announce the two winners.
Isabel Niforatos
and
Mariana Perez
Please respond to the email sent you within seven days or another runner up will be selected. Congrats!
Reach high, dream deep, and dare to write from the heart!
~ Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
October 7, 2015
Colleen Houck Book Club- October
Last month’s pick was Fairest by Marissa Meyer. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads thanks! For the next reading selection Colleen has selected…
Sisters of Blood and Spirit
by Kady Cross
Here’s a little teaser
“Wren Noble is dead—she was born that way. Vibrant, unlike other dead things, she craves those rare moments when her twin sister allows her to step inside her body and experience the world of the living.
Lark Noble is alive but often feels she belongs in the muted Shadow Lands—the realm of the dead. Known as the crazy girl who talks to her dead sister, she doesn’t exactly fit in with the living, though a recent suicide attempt and time in a psych ward have proved to her she’s not ready to join her sister in the afterlife.
Now the guy who saved Lark’s life needs her to repay the favor. He and his friends have been marked for death by the malevolent spirit of a vicious and long-dead serial killer, and the twins—who should know better than to mess with the dead—may be their only hope of staying alive.”
Introducing Kady Cross
“I love Kady’s Steampunk Chronicles. She’s awesome! One of these days I want to learn how to make my own steampunk boots just like her!”
– Colleen Houck
“Kate began her career as Kathryn Smith, writing best-selling, award-winning historical and paranormal romances. Then, needing a bit of a break from straight historicals, she became Kady Cross, author of The Steampunk Chronicles from Harlequin Teen.
Regardless of what name she goes by, Kate loves stories that put character first, and enjoys exploring ever side of the people she creates — even if it makes them less likeable.
An up-rooted Canadian, Kate lives in Connecticut with her husband, Steve and their pride of cats. When not writing, she enjoys reading, movies, makeup and poking around abandoned asylums.”
You can find out more about her and her books at her website, at www.alterkate.com/kady-cross/
I’m very excited to check out her novel and I look forward to discussing it at the end of the month with all of you on Goodreads for the live chat on October 29th at 6pm (PST).
So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book. You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).
Also, remember that you don’t need to read the book to participate in the live chat. It’s a GREAT opportunity to get to know the authors and ask any questions you’d like!
For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat!
Happy reading everyone!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
October 1, 2015
Fall 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt!
Hello! I am Colleen Houck,
your hostess for this leg of the hunt.
About Me
My favorite holiday is Halloween.
I have eleven Koi fish.
My favorite flowers are lilies.
I always decorate my home for the holidays.
I have a secret crush on Derek Hough.
You are currently hunting on
Looking for my exclusive bonus content? You’ll have to keep searching.
Somewhere on this blog hop, I’ve hidden a sneak peak, cover picture reveal and the book description for RECREATED, the sequel to REAWAKENED! Shocking reveals are just around the corner. Before you go looking for it, check out the amazing author I’m hosting.
But, first, a few rules.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE RULES
DIRECTIONS: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM BLUE, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)
HINT: THE SECRET NUMBER IS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE !
ENTRY FORM: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
RULES: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, October 4th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating YA author, you also get a secret number. Add up the numbers, and enter it for a chance to win a major prize–one lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team in the hunt! But play fast. This contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until noon PST on Sunday, October 4th!
There are EIGHT contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the BLUE TEAM, but there is also a RED TEAM, GOLD TEAM, ORANGE TEAM, PINK TEAM, PURPLE TEAM, TEAL TEAM, & GREEN TEAM! Check out each team for a chance to win eight different sets of signed books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.
Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll introduce the author I am hosting on this hunt.
I am super excited to be hosting…
Shonna Slayton!
BIO: SHONNA SLAYTON is the author of the YA novels Cinderella’s Dress, (Summer 2014) and Cinderella’s Shoes (Fall 2015) published by Entangled Teen. She finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.
Colleen here-Random fact, I like the Jackson 5 song, that goes “ABC, it’s easy as 123.”
The book Shonna is showcasing in the YA Scavenger Hunt this season is the sequel to Cinderella’s Dress,
Cinderella’s Shoes
Colleen here-Love the title and the cover.
In case you’re curious about the story as I am, you’re in luck!
ABOUT THE BOOK
The war may be over, but Kate Allen’s life is still in upheaval. Not only has she discovered that Cinderella was real, but now she’s been made Keeper of the Wardrobe, her sole responsibility to protect Cinderella’s magical dresses from the greed of the evil stepsisters’ modern descendants. But Cinderella’s dresses are just the beginning.
It turns out that the priceless glass slippers might actually exist, too, and they could hold the power to reunite lost loved ones like her father—missing in action since World War II ended. As Kate and her boyfriend, Johnny, embark on an adventure from New York to Italy and Poland in search of the mysterious slippers, they will be tested in ways they never imagined.
Because when you harness Cinderella’s magic, danger and evil are sure to follow…
TOP SECRET BONUS MATERIAL STRAIGHT AHEAD!
Here’s a Sneak Peek into the mind of the mastermind behind Cinderella’s Shoes,
Glitter
by Shonna Slayton
Growing up, I watched my mom go through many craft phases. At one point she had these tempting little containers filled with glitter. I have no recollection of what she used them for, but I remember wanting to play with them. So. Badly. And then glitter went everywhere. Oh, glitter is messy.
Fast forward to a few months ago on Pinterest where I found fashion-design artist Katie Rodgers. She reminded me about my love of glitter. She paints these gorgeous images of runway clothes and adds glitter and sequins, and the results are stunning. So I took her Skillshare classes to learn how to do it myself. Here is my re-creation of her design from one of the classes.
Then I went rogue and tried to recreate my book cover images. (It’s harder going rogue; I need more practice.) I’d like to get good enough at this that I can paint inside my novels to make extra-special giveaways.
In the mean-time. My book launch party is coming up on Oct 6 and I plan to glitter the shoe inside the front cover of Cinderella’s Shoes. Ah, glitter. It’s so pretty.(Colleen here. I wish I was that artistic!)
You can now add Cinderella’s Shoes to your TBR list on Goodreads!
Are you as interested in this book?
Here’s how you can your hands on it!
You can buy her book HERE!
Check out more on her Website, Twitter, Pinterest, or Facebook pages
and sign up for her Newsletter so you’ll never miss out
o n any important book news or updates.
And don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Shonna, and many more! Just check out all these books on team blue,
To enter, you need to write down my favorite number, find all the other numbers on TEAM BLUE add them up, and you’ll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!
Thank you so much for visiting my website! While you’re here don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter bonus contest I am running exclusively during the YA Scavenger Hunt. Ten lucky winners will receive either the first book in my series, TIGER’S CURSE or the first book in my new series, REAWAKENED! One lucky winner will be getting my entire Tiger series! Good luck everyone!
Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win,
Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author Dorothy Dreyer’s page.
LINK TO NEXT BLOG
YASH Fall 2015-Hosting Cat Winters
Hello! I am Colleen Houck (standing in for Jessica Burkhart)
your hostess for this leg of the hunt.
You are currently hunting on
Check out the amazing author I’m hosting.
But, first, a few rules.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE RULES
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM ORANGE, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)
HINT: THE SECRET NUMBER IS HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE !
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, October 4th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating YA author, you also get a secret number. Add up the numbers, and enter it for a chance to win a major prize–one lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team in the hunt! But play fast. This contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until noon PST on Sunday, October 4th!
There are EIGHT contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! BLUE TEAM, RED TEAM, GOLD TEAM, ORANGE TEAM, PINK TEAM, PURPLE TEAM, TEAL TEAM, & GREEN TEAM! Check out each team for a chance to win eight different sets of signed books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.
Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll introduce the author I am hosting on this hunt.
I am super excited to be hosting…
Cat Winters!
BIO: Cat Winters is the award-winning author of paranormal, historical fiction for teens and adults. Her YA works include IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, THE CURE FOR DREAMING, and the upcoming HAMLET-inspired 1920s novel, THE STEEP AND THORNY WAY (March 2016). Her debut adult novel, THE UNINVITED, released in 2015, and her second book for adults, YESTERNIGHT, is scheduled for 2016.
Winters was born and raised in Southern California, just a short drive down the freeway from Disneyland. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.
Jessica’s secret number for the hunt is 3!
The book Cat is showcasing in the YA Scavenger Hunt this season is
The Cure for Dreaming
Here’s a teaser,
Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls to be docile. It’s 1900 in Oregon, and Olivia’s father, concerned that she’s headed for trouble, convinces a stage mesmerist to try to hypnotize the rebellion out of her. But the hypnotist, an intriguing young man named Henri Reverie, gives her a terrible gift instead: she’s able to see people’s true natures, manifesting as visions of darkness and goodness, while also unable to speak her true thoughts out loud. Winters breathes new life into history once again with an atmospheric, vividly real story, including archival photos and art from the period throughout.
You can now add The Cure for Dreaming to your TBR list on Goodreads!
Are you as interested in this book?
Here’s how you can your hands on it!
You can buy her book HERE!
NEVER BEFORE SEEN TRAILER STRAIGHT AHEAD!
My second YA novel, THE CURE FOR DREAMING, involves hypnotism, DRACULA, and a young suffragist named Olivia Mead in 1900 America. Originally, I created a Gothic, theatrical book trailer for the novel that features the gorgeous song “Blood Waltz,” composed and performed by the highly talented Kristen Lawrence (www.HalloweenCarols.com). My publisher felt the trailer was a bit much, however, so we opted for a simpler trailer in which I read a short excerpt from the book.
I spent a great deal of time creating the original book trailer, but it’s just been sitting on my computer, unseen, lonely. Now, for the first time ever, I present to you the full, original trailer with its sumptuous musical accompaniment that’s perfect for the Halloween season.
Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me and many more!
Thank you so much for visiting my website!
Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author Erica Cameron.
LINK TO NEXT BLOG
YASH Fall 2015-Hosting Julie Reece
Hello! I am Colleen Houck (standing in for Michael Gibney)
your hostess for this leg of the hunt.
You are currently hunting on
Check out the amazing author I’m hosting.
But, first, a few rules.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE RULES
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM GOLD, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)
HINT: THE SECRET NUMBER IS HIGHLIGHTED IN GOLD !
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, October 4th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating YA author, you also get a secret number. Add up the numbers, and enter it for a chance to win a major prize–one lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team in the hunt! But play fast. This contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until noon PST on Sunday, October 4th!
There are EIGHT contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! BLUE TEAM, RED TEAM, GOLD TEAM, ORANGE TEAM, PINK TEAM, PURPLE TEAM, TEAL TEAM, & GREEN TEAM! Check out each team for a chance to win eight different sets of signed books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.
Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll introduce the author I am hosting on this hunt.
I am super excited to be hosting…
JULIE REECE!
BIO: Julie Reece writes YA stories. Most are inspired by the southeastern states where she grew up. She’s passionate about family, friends, animals, underdogs, and writing, but bubble baths and dark chocolate make the list, too.
The secret number for the hunt is 7!
The book Julie is showcasing in the YA Scavenger Hunt this season is
The Artisans
About The Book
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.
To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.
Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad’s drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.
But Raven’s stepdad’s drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she’s ever known out of jail, or worse.
Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries’ clothing line, signing over her creative rights.
Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can’t imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.
But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?
BONUS CONTENT!
Exclusive Content
Deleted First Chapter
Chapter One
The doorbell to Harry’s Shoe and Leather Repair Shop chimes with an anemic clang. I’ve never met anyone named Harry. My stepfather leases from a slumlord named Lou who owns the joint. I ignore the bell, despite the fact it’s my job to cheerfully greet every customer. Cheerful isn’t in my vocabulary. Few visit the dilapidated strip mall anymore, and half of those aren’t here for anything printed on the sign above the door. I continue wrestling with a buttonhole in my new corset when I hear someone’s throat clear.
“Excuse me.”
My fingers stop moving over the fabric. The voice is deep, with a silky, distinctive tone that demands attention. When I glance up, a boy stands at the counter. Boy? Guy. He’s six feet, at least. Curly blond hair falls in an appealing way over his brow obscuring one eye. The other is blue. He’s wearing tan leather pants, a white cotton tunic, and a green, duck canvas overcoat that hangs to his knees, complete with faux fur collar. A little much for September in the south, but those who visit me often sacrifice comfort for style. His clothes are good, not as good as mine, but custom, and quite nice. I make my observations in seconds, ticking off the particulars. Noticing aesthetic details is part of my other job.
“Can I help you?” I say, and though there are three pairs of shoes in the back, waiting to be picked up by clients, I’m pretty sure that’s not why the square-jawed G.Q. model is here.
Blondie lifts his hand. His oversized cuff falls away as he snaps two fingers, producing a single playing card. It’s my business card. The queen of hearts, Steampunk edition, Bicycle brand, thank you very much.
“Neat trick,” I say. Slowly extracting the card from his fingertips, I flip it, finding the initials R.R.W. in the corner. Raven (Rae) Weathersby in red sharpie marker. That’s me all right. “Where did you get this?”
“Dane.” His chin lifts ever so slightly, giving the impression he is unused to being questioned. “He made a delivery to my house yesterday. I admired his clothes, and asked where he bought them—which led me to you.”
His speech is prep-school snark, or tutored, home-school formal. He might be a rich social type from Atlanta or Savannah, but no, if Dane delivers to his house, he must be local. “That’s interesting. Dane has never referred anyone to me before.”
His lips curl to a half smile that in no way affects the wary look in his eyes. “I can be very persuasive.”
Or threatening. I don’t even try to hide my suspicions; they protect me. When he shifts his weight, I notice his cane for the first time. I’d kill to own one like it. Well, maybe not kill, but maim? Definitely. The dark wood and gold, lion-head grip makes it the most beautiful walking stick I have ever seen.
There’s something unsettling about my visitor, but money is tight this week and our monetary needs make my decision for me. “Wait here.”
He nods curtly, lips press together in a stoic line. I guess he’s not used to waiting, either. My butt slides off the stool, and I head for our storage room. I lean over the sleeping bags rolled up on the floor and grab a black binder from the shelf. Edgar, my cat, grumbles from his spot on the bookshelf, as if taking my portfolio without his permission is a crime. Less than thirty seconds later, I’m back at the glass display counter out front.
My new design for a corset hangs from the blond guy’s long fingers. He turns it over, examining the construction. I reach out, pluck the garment from his hands, and offer my binder in exchange. “I don’t think burgundy is your color.”
His eyebrows twitch. “You never know.” While he’s busy thumbing through the pages of my workbook, I study him. He’s around seventeen, same as me, maybe a bit older. His brow creases as he studies my sketches which combine Goth and Steampunk fashion trends. “I’m intrigued. Your work is so unusual.” A ghost of a smile threatens as he glances up. “What is your name?”
“Queen of hearts, for now, and you are …”
He sets the book on the counter. With another flick of his wrist, a new card materializes—Jack of spades. That might be cheesy on someone else. Not him. The guy oozes more electrical sex appeal than a leaky power plant.
“A jack huh, why not the king?”
“Gives me something to aspire to.”
“That’s very clever, Jack.” The guy is stunning from a physical standpoint. It’s hard not to stare, but he’s cocky and evasive. In my book, arrogance plus evasive equals dangerous, and off limits. Edgar saunters out from the storage room and leaps to the countertop. My thirty-pound, black Maine Coon looks more panther than cat. His purr saws in and out of his chest as he inspects our visitor.
Another half-smile escapes as Jack glances from my cat to me. His grin is crooked, as though the muscles are stiff from disuse. “So, will you make something for me?”
“I don’t know you. I’ll talk to Dane, and if you check out, I’ll be in touch.” I already know I want to create for him. Despite his cagy attitude, he is tall and lean. He would wear my clothes like a runway god. “Leave your measurements, just in case.” He stands there, staring me down, making no move to comply. In fact, we eye each other like Cobra and Mongoose.
His head tilts. “My address is on the card. Contact me when you decide.” As he glances around our shabby little store, he shakes the honeyed curls from his face. “Looks are deceiving, are they not? I’m surprised someone with your … talent is still working out of a dive like this. I hope I haven’t been misled.” He pulls a large, gold coin from his pocket and rolls it with practiced grace between his nimble fingers.
There are two kinds of arrogance in boys. The first is when a kid is all bluff and brag without the skill to back it up. The second is a guy who knows he can deliver, there’s a quiet confidence in his eyes, a deadly grace to his movements. Jack belongs in group two. I’m not sure it’s wise to bait him, but I don’t want him thinking I’m afraid. My reputation depends on it.
My gaze roams up and down his frame with purpose. “Do you know what the definition of spoiled is, Jack? Permanent damage—due to excess. From the looks of you, I guess you’d be used to disappointment by now.”
His grin is hard as granite. “I just might have to make you pay for that one.”
It’s time for him to go. I lift my portfolio from the counter, but drop it. Damn, so not cool. The guy is getting to me. I kneel, retrieving my book, and in the time it takes to stand, Jack is gone. I didn’t hear his fading footsteps, no door chime, nothing.
The clock on the wall starts with an annoying second hand counting off time. When did it stop? The face reads eight forty five. My thumb brushes the screen on my cell phone where the numbers glow two minutes after nine. I glance around the store again. Weird. I lift Jack’s card, noting his address.
And a chill ticks down my spine.
Want to get your hands on this book? You can get it at B&N, on Kobo, & on Amazon.
You can also check out her book on Goodreads, her Pinterest page, her website, her blog, and follow her on Twitter.
Check out the other authors on the Gold Team!
Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me and many more!
Thank you so much for visiting my website!
Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author Laurie Stolarz.
LINK TO NEXT BLOG
*Contest of the Month * Tiger’s Destiny in Paperback
Tiger’s Destiny is now in paperback and is flying off the bookshelves and out of the warehouses. If you haven’t read the conclusion to this romantic adventure series now is your chance to win a copy. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll add some pictures to tease you and share some some hints. Enter the contest at the bottom to win your own copy. Four books will be given away.
To win a copy of Tiger’s Destiny enter the contest below and answer the questions. Test your knowledge of the Tiger’s series and share the contest with your friends daily to increase your chances to win one of four books.
