Colleen Houck's Blog, page 38

Holiday Beauty Gifts That I Want to Keep for Myself

I love a thoughtful present.  Presents that makes you feel loved and that the giver knows me well.  I love a bargain and high quality.  Those two things don’t normally come together. I will make a list of some great beauty gifts available this season.  Something I would buy again.  Let’s start with the least expensive first.

 

Mabelline Baby Lips in this color of Pink Shock seems scary but is sheer, and a perfect pink color.  These inexpensive ($2.99) little lip glosses are VERY moisturizing and the color stains your lips a little so the color lasts.

 

St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub is one of those useful presents that will get used.  Some days we just need a little pampering and for $3.89 that’s just perfect.

 

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion smells like chocolate and works on my dry itchy winter skin. Smells like chocolate…nuf’ said, right?  I use the lotion every day, and the Petroleum Jelly to soften my feet as night.  I rub it in and put on some thick socks at night, and my feel are soft by morning. Target has a gift pack of 4 items for $10.00.

 

 

Now it’s time to get expensive.

 

Urban Decay Naked On the Run is a brand new make up pallet that has great neutral colors and every thing you need in one small case.  It’s perfect for travel!  Try it out at the store and see how pretty the colors are.  It retails for $54.  The lip gloss alone retails for $20. It’s a pretty little package, and a fun surprise for under the tree.

 

Flowerbomb is my favorite perfume!  It’s warm and sweet at the same time. There are various sizes, and you can try just a small roller ball for $29. 

Clarisonic is my new favorite beauty tool.  They are not cheap, but it makes my skin so soft. Sales on these skin care brush tools are rare.  So if you want one keep you eyes peeled for a deal.  The Mia1 is normally $99. 

There are so many fun little kits and packages for Christmas that normally  you can get at a discount.  I love a good deal so I’m always on the hunt and have coupons in my purse at all times.

Have a wonderful Holiday season and spend lots of times with your loved ones. 

Colleen Houck Book Club

BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF

DECEMBER- VITRO by Jessica Khoury

If you didn’t get a chance to read last month’s pick, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi it’s not too late to check it out. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads with authors Veronica and Colleen Houck, thanks! It was so much fun! For December’s book selection, Colleen has chosen…

 

VITRO

by her friend Jessica Khoury

Here’s a little teaser

“On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings—the Vitros—have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Seventeen-year-old Sophie Crue is determined to get to Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. With the help of Jim Julien, a young charter pilot, she arrives–and discovers a terrifying secret she never imagined: she has a Vitro twin, Lux, who is the culmination of Corpus’s dangerous research.

 Now Sophie is torn between reuniting with the mother who betrayed her and protecting the genetically enhanced twin she never knew existed. But untangling the twisted strands of these relationships will have to wait, for Sophie and Jim are about to find out just what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.”

 Introducing Jessica Khoury

 

Colleen first heard about Jessica when she was asked to do a blurb about her novel, Origin, and she loved it! She’s been a part of the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt for the past few years.  

Here’s a little about Jessica,

“Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff’s Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she’s dreamed of being an author.

 When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and traveling the world in search of stories and inspiration. 

Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of Origin, Vitro, and forthcoming Kalahari.“

Check her out on her website at www.jessicakhoury.com.

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. 

So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book and if you’ve already read it then awesome! You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).

 Join Colleen Houck and Jessica Khoury for a live chat on December 30th from 6-7pm (pacific time) on Goodreads!

For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY with a copy of the novels Origin, Vitro and Tiger’s Curse during the live chat! You won’t want to miss this one!

Stay tuned for the 10th edition of THE MODERN INK SOCIETY featuring guest blogger- Jessica Khoury!

Happy reading everyone!

~Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

Thanksgiving Contest Winner Announced!

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed time spent with loved ones and friends.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I did a writing contest with your happiness in mind.

 

The contest was to write a two to three paragraph essay about what you’re thankful for, write a letter of thanks to someone of your choice, and perform an act of kindness. For those who accepted this challenge, I randomly selected one lucky contestant who will win a special YA book package (includes: An audio book of Tiger’s Curse) and a runner-up will win a small personalized gift from Colleen. Both winners will also win an officially signed copy of Tiger’s Voyage w/ Exclusive Content for a friend new to the Tiger’s Curse Series!

And, the first place prize goes to . . .

Jessica Gussiaas and friend

The runner up prize goes to . . .

Kayla Solis and friend

 

Congratulations to Jessica and Kayla for winning November’s contest! You should expect your gift (and your friend should expect their gift all thanks to you) within two weeks. You’re welcome! 

 

Stay tuned for December’s contest coming up soon!!

~ Linda Louise

Mayday Monday (1)

Welcome to the first edition of Mayday Monday! We wanted to highlight upcoming books like I did on this blog post for September books and the first word that came to my mind was “Mayday! Mayday! So.many.books!” My TBR list is a never ending carousel. I can’t complain too much… I love books!

Today I’m share an upcoming publication that I’m looking forward to reading. I hope you will share yours too!

 

Reality is only an illusion.

Except for those who can control it…

Worst. Birthday. Ever.

My first boyfriend dumped me—happy birthday, Josie!—my dad is who knows where, I have some weird virus that makes me want to hurl, and now my ex is licking another girl’s tonsils. Oh, and I’m officially the same age as my brother was when he died. Yeah, today is about as fun-filled as the swamps of Dagobah. But then weird things start happening…

Like I make something materialize just by thinking about it.

When hottily-hot badass Reid Wentworth shows up on a motorcycle, everything changes. Like, everything. Who I am. My family. What really happened to my brother. Existence. I am Oculi, and I have the ability to change reality with my thoughts. Now Reid, in all his hotness, is charged with guiding and protecting me as I begin learning how to bend reality. And he’s the only thing standing between me and the secret organization that wants me dead…

 

This is Tanya Kuper’s debut novel and it releases…. TOMORROW! (That’s November 25, 2014.) The series title is Schroedinger’s Consortium–how cool does that sound? Click on the picture to be taken to the Goodreads page.

I read through some of the reviews which told me the following: Reid is hot. There are 2 POVs. Reid is to die for. Josie says “I felt like I was wearing Princess Leia’s buns at a Star Trek convention.” Don’t drip on your book while drooling over Reid. And, oh yeah, REID!

Who doesn’t love to read about a hot boy who can save your life? I mean… Josie’s life. Of course.

 

Your turn!

Houston Book Rave

We just returned from the Houston Book Rave and had a blast at Pasadena High School, and Pasadena Memorial High School.  Pasadena Memorial High School is a beautiful school that is so big and modern it looks like a mall with a food court, and I’ll admit I’m a little jealous and wish I went to a school just like it.  The students were so kind and excited, and even helped us load up the car.  Plus they treated us to a lovely lunch. Talk about hospitality.  We loved all the polite and respectful, “yes ma’am’.”  Somehow I feel older though. We enjoyed the southern hospitality and the smiling excited faces of the fans.  Hopefully we made some new friends and fans during our stay.

Just because we are “foodies”  I have to share some pictures of the restaurant we went to that night after the school visits.  We drove out to Perry’s Steak House &Grill and had one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.  

 

  We started off with Applewood-Smoked Bacon Wrapped Scallops.  I’ve never had better prepared scallops than these,  and I’m sure our mom would have been jealous because she LOVES seafood.   Then Colleen and I shared a salt crusted baked potato and each ordered one of Perry’s signature entrées.  My perfectly cooked steak (which I forgot to take pictures of because my fork attacked it… …so I added Perry’s website picture) Colleen and I ended up sharing because it was just that good.

The steaks are cooked in simple kosher salt, black pepper, and topped with garlic butter.  I have never had butter on top of a steak before but it was heavenly. 

Colleen ordered the pork chop with homemade applesauce and I think Fred Flinstone would have brought home a doggie bag. Colleen called it a “pork roast”, and it was literally the same size as a pork roast.  It was insanely huge, and we only nibbled on it because what we really wanted was to have dessert.

 Rocky Road Bread Pudding

(It had a huge homemade marshmallow!)

As soon as I have time I’m going to recreate it at home.

The following morning was the Houston Book Rave.  We woke up early and got all glammed up.  We met many sweet fans and enjoyed their enthusiasm for the Tiger’s Series.   We even met the October Costume Prize Winner, Alana Lopez, and even though she wasn’t in costume at the time, she is just as adorable.  Colleen feel’s so lucky to have such wonderful fans.

Colleen stole away for a few minutes to go chat with her fellow authors.  Look who she ran into.

Jennifer Lynn Armentrout with her Cover Model Pepe Toth whom Colleen’s said smell super yummy!

Mary Lindsey

Angela Corbett

Julie Cross and Rachel Harris

It’s so exciting to tag along with Colleen and meet you all.  I love seeing how excited you are to meet her and talk to her about Ren and Kishan.  Colleen can’t wait to share her new books with you.

Madison Hayes’ Famous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Kelsey’s Favorite)

One of my favorite times of the year is the fall. The cooler weather brings with it the holiday season, cozy sweaters, smoking chimneys, brilliant oranges and reds, and hot soups, baked breads and spicy confections!Loved ones cooking in the kitchen, ah, ’tis food for the soul!

I love the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon filling the home and so does Kelsey Hayes, Colleen Houck’s heroine from New York Times Bestseller Tiger’s Curse.

For those of you die hard fans, here’s a Kelsey quote (appropriate for Thanksgiving) from Tiger’s Curse, “Ren! You scared the stuffing out of me!”

And now without further adieu, I give you, the recipe for this spicy baked confection!

 

Madison Hayes’ Famous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Kelsey’s Favorite)

(Recipe adapted from twopeasinapod.com)

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1-2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Set aside.
Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin and mix until combined. Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop cookies two inches apart using a cookie scooper and bake for 11-13 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.

 

 I’d love feedback with comments/ratings on this recipe! I’m always looking to improve upon my own recipes and hear others ideas!

~Till next time,

Linda Louise

 

 

 

Book Reviews For Kids, By Kids

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 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 eleven year old, Aidan Wesley. He’s always had a love of reading insomuch that he would prefer sitting on a couch reading to running around outside. He’s read several chapter books given to him from his AWESOME auntie, Colleen! Right now he’s reading the How to Train Your Dragon series and he just finished book #8, How to Break a Dragon’s Heart.

First, may I introduce Aidan Wesley. . .

” Hi. I am in fifth grade and I like games. For example, Plants vs. Zombies, Minecraft, and Luigi’s Mansion. I also like building paper crafts and Legos, playing with my brother Lex and baby sister Ashley, and creating animation with my Nintendo 3DS using play dough and action figures. My favorite subjects are science and art. My least favorite is of course math! I have so many favorite treats I can’t list them all. My favorite books I’ve read include; Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels, the How to Train Your Dragon series, Big Nate books and The Quest for the Diamond Sword (Minecraft novel). When I grow up I’d like to be either an engineer or a scientist. Aunt Colleen is special because she loves me so good.”

 

And now, introducing our first middle grade book review for kids, by kids!
Book Review of How to Break a Dragon’s Heart

The Book Setting

The book, How to Break A Dragons Heart, is set on the Island of Berserk and the Island of Berk. The Island of Berserk is lush, filled with green trees and large fortresses hanging from them. The Island of Berserk is a terrifying place where they perform human sacrifices to feed the dragon that lives there and their screams can be heard from other islands. The Island of Berk is also a forest and is home to the Hooligan Tribe.

Main Character Descriptions

Hiccup, Toothless the Dragon, Camicazi, and Fishlegs are the main characters in How to Break a Dragons Heart.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third- is a young teenage boy and the heir to the Hairy Hooligan Tribe. He’s smaller than the other boys with freckles and bright red hair that was out of control. Luckily he covered his hair with a helmet where one side was missing half a horn. He didn’t look like a hero but knew a lot about dragons and is great at sword fighting.

Toothless- A dragon that is clever and sometimes clumsy. He’s small for a dragon, so small he can perch Hiccup’s shoulder and hide in his vest. He’s green and likes practical jokes. He’s a hunting dragon and constant companion to Hiccup.

 

Camicazi- is a teenage girl who is the heir to the Bogburglar Tribe. She has wild long hair is known for the phrase, “you can’t keep a Bogburglar under lock and key!” She’s great at burglary and a friend to Hiccup and Fishlegs.

 

Fishlegs- is a normal boy who is brave at times and a friend to Hiccup and Camicazi. He wears glasses and a lobster claw necklace which he never takes off. He’s puny and terrified all the time. He hates adventure but is a true friend to Hiccup and helps him on all his quests.

 

Plot Timeline

 

 

Personal Review

What I liked about the book, How to Break a Dragon’s Heart, was that it was exciting and full of danger. My favorite part was when Alvin and Hiccup were battling furiously on a flaming bridge! The story was so great that I wouldn’t change a thing. This book has dragons, fighting, adventure, maniacs, heroes, and love. I would recommend this book to all my friends who love adventure and don’t mind a little romance.

 And there you have it, my review of How to Break a Dragon’s Heart. I hope you enjoyed reading it! ~ Aidan W.C.

 

Lithuania

Information on my books in Lithuanian. We just sold the rights to the Tiger Series in November 2014 to a Lithuanian publisher! The publisher is Aukso Pieva and the books will be produced both in hardback and digitally.

Tiger’s Curse-Tentative pub date spring of 2016

Tiger’s Quest-Tentative pub date fall of 2016

Tiger’s Voyage-Tentative pub date spring of 2017

Tiger’s Destiny-Tentative pub date fall of 2017

Tiger’s Promise-No immediate plans to publish

Egypt Book-No immediate plans to publish

Egypt Book 2-No immediate plans to publish

Cozy Perfumes for Fall and Winter *Prize*

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Hot cocoa beacons to me each morning, and a large fragrant pot of soup at night served with a crusty roll warms my hands.

  There are bright orange pumpkins and candy corn in every store, and did you see all the pretty comfy sweaters to choose from? 

 

 As the temperatures change so should your perfume.  During fall it’s time to put away our flowery fruity fragrances and reach for something warm and spicy.  Something that draws a loved one in for a longer inhale as you greet each other with a warm embrace or a quick kiss, or maybe a lingering one.   It’s time to pull out a new warmer scent that feels like your favorite man’s comfy worn flannel shirt or a sweet soft cream colored cashmere sweater.  Something that inspires sitting by a fire snuggling under a blanket, or roasting marshmallows with your best friends at a bonfire.

There are so many scents to choose from and you should test perfume before you buy it.  Perfume can smell different on each person.  For example I test cologne on my boys and see how I like it on them before I ever buy it for my husband.  Everyone has a different body chemistry and that changes how a fragrance smells.  For example diet, medication, hormones, and stress are some of those things that can alter a fragrance. Also, fragrances won’t last as long on a person with dry skin vs. someone with oil skin who holds the fragrance longer.  So companies will make the same fragrance in a oil so you can layer the scent and make it last longer. Which is true of my most favorite scent and number one fall choice. 

#1

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

It’s warm and sweet and I receive compliments when I wear it. It’s expensive so I use it sparingly or on special occasions.  It brightens my mood. Try out a spritz next time you go to the mall or Sephora and see what you think.  I love it!

#2

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

This perfume is new to me and I just have the little rollerball.  It’s warm and spicy and feels like a bonfire in the woods.  Apparently and unknowingly when the Ashley twins created this fragrance and the White one (which is more floral) they had no idea that when both fragrances were mixed it created a 3rd scent that is pretty wonderful. It reminds me of when my husband kisses me and hugs me goodbye in the morning and how his cologne mixes with my perfume.  It’s romantic. Try it first because even though it’s popular some feel it’s a bit masculine of a scent. I admit I think it starts a little too spicy but it lasts on my skin for a long time and it warms and sweetens up.

#3

Si by Giogio Armani

This perfume is light, warm and sweet.  I do wish it had more lasting power. 

Don’t forget to try out other fragrances that are more budget friendly.  Normally it just means you have to apply more frequently, but I don’t mind that because then I get to smell them again. Here are some fun options!

 

Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Mist

Don’t forget something for your guy.  Giorgio Armani Code is a new favorite.  It might have something to do with the fact that Chris Pine was the model for the fragrance, but it also smells really good.  It almost has a warm powdery scent.

 

If you would like to win this Twisted Peppermint Spray from Bath and Body Works please add a review on Amazon.com for one of Colleen’s Books or on GoodReads.com for one of here books.  You can do one review per book on both websites and earn more chances for the prize each day.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shara

Modern Ink Society

 FEATURING GUEST Veronica Rossi

Working Through Writer’s Block

Welcome to the ninth session of

THE MODERN INK SOCIETY!

 

“What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come.’”
— Maya Angelou

Introducing Veronica Rossi!

 

“First of all, thank you Colleen for inviting me to the blog today! It’s lovely to be here. One of topics writers discuss fairly commonly is working through writing blocks. I had to do this a number of times while I was writing the UNDER THE NEVER SKY series, to varying degrees. At first, it worried me but I learned that being “stuck” is just a normal part of the writing process.

Here are some tips I developed to work through those roadblocks. I hope they help those of you who are writers out there:

Throw it in reverse – Usually when the writing is slow (or stagnant) for me, it’s because I’ve 1) made a misstep somewhere along the process and landed in a plot dead-end, or 2) haven’t done enough research or planning ahead of time and have fallen into a rut.

To get out of the first situation, I return to earlier chapters and back the story up to the point where things began to feel wobbly. One of the benefits of having had to rewrite my novels over and over, and having thrown out hundreds of pages in the revision process, is that I’m not afraid of tossing material. Really, I’m pretty fearless about it most of the time. All I need is a plan of action–and identifying that wrong turn is the first step in moving in the right direction again.

To deal with the second instance, the story rut, which is different than the dead-end because it’s motivational, not executional, I look at early sources of inspiration, which can be reinvigorating and give me just the boost I need in order to keep pushing ahead.

For me, this can be reading, looking at photos, listening to music. Anything that stokes my imagination. Sometimes you have to go backward before you can go forward.

Throw it in neutral – There are times that a story will stall because I’m just plain burned out. When that happens, it’s time to fill up the creative tank by getting away from the computer and doing something fun. Going to movie, having lunch with a friend—you name it. As long as it’s a diversion, it’s good. The idea here being that sometimes writing is the worst thing you can do for your writing. Makes sense, right? Trust me, there are times it’s the truth.

That said, stepping away from the work shouldn’t be an avoidance tactic. Writing is hard work and there’s no getting around that. But, if you spend many hours a day at the computer like I do, a personal health outing here and there is beneficial and necessary.

Throw it in 4WD – My favorite gear. The one I use most often, too. This is just good old fashioned grit, my friends. How do you push through? Well, you tuck your chin and you push through.

Writing is hard work—that deserves stating twice. If you want to become a published writer, it’s not only about maximum effort, it’s about stamina. Tenacity. Passion. It’s about wanting it so badly that all the crazy setbacks and highs and lows in the journey won’t stop you.

For specific tools to help motivate you, check out www.yamuses.blogspot.com. We have a tab over there just for inspiration.

In closing, do whatever you need to do to push through, yes, but more importantly, remember to enjoy the journey! Writing is its own reward.”

A huge thanks to Veronica and for her GREAT advice on working through writer’s block. For all of you who are aspiring authors, a great source of inspiration can be those writers who have paved the path for us. Their experiences bring great insight and wisdom and can help us along on our journey of writing.

If you haven’t checked Veronica out, you can visit her website at www.veronicarossi.com. 

Also, for anyone who wants to join us, you can participate in Colleen Houck’s Online Book Club! Simply go and get your hands on this book and if you’ve already read it then awesome! You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).

 Join Colleen Houck and Veronica Rossi for a live chat on November 24th from 6-7pm (pacific time) on Goodreads!

For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat! Colleen will be choosing one lucky participant on the live chat to win at least one (but up to all three) of Veronica’s UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy!! You won’t want to miss this one!

 

~ Till Next time,

Linda Louise Lotti