Colleen Houck's Blog, page 46
May 7, 2014
Romantic Times Book Convention in New Orleans & TIGER’S PROMISE Giveaway!
Great news for Colleen Houck fans and book lovers everywhere!
Next week will be the Romantic Times Book Convention held in New Orleans at the Marriott Hotel located in The French Quarter!
Colleen Houck will be attending there for the whole week, arriving on May 13th until the 18th. This event is NOT one to MISS! There are loads of fun and exciting panels, parties, and workshops to attend and tons of FREE books and giveaways!
The Teen YA events are happening Friday and Saturday and it’s a GREAT chance to get tons of FREE stuff and meet authors!
DON’T MISS THIS SPECIAL EVENT!!!
And, for those of you who are not teens anymore, have no fear. There are lots of events for you too! Just click on the RT BOOKLOVERS Convention below for all the details.
Also, if that wasn’t enough great news, there’s more! Colleen Houck will be participated in some of the panels where you can get the chance to meet her in person and talk to her!
She will be giving away free copies of her novella, TIGER’S PROMISE, to any lucky fans who find her and give her the secret prize password, VEIL!
Remember, there are only a limited number of copies available so make sure to find her and give the password! (Sorry, this free offer does not include the book signing event).
~Hope to see you there!
Linda Louise Lotti
May 5, 2014
Tiger’s Voyage Coming to Paperback & Contest!
TIGER’S VOYAGE
The return of TIGER’S VOYAGE has come! Now, for the first time in paperback, Colleen Houck’s third novel in the TIGER’S CURSE series is hitting the bookshelves everywhere.
Finally, we bring you the re-release of the third book in the gripping Tiger’s Curse series!
With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections–leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.
Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIGER’S VOYAGE brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.
“A book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.”- Franz Kalka
It is time, whether it is for the first or the fifth, to step inside Houck’s visionary world rich with adventure, love, loss, and triumphs.
This is an exciting time for fans both old and new and what better way to launch this news than with a contest! Here’s how it works, simly write a review on goodreads, check out Colleen Houck’s facebook page and click on like, and leave a comment below answering the following question, if you could step into the world of Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series, which book would you choose and why? Five lucky winners will receive a signed collector’s edition of Tiger’s Voyage in paperback!
Good luck everyone!
~Till next time, Linda Louise Lotti
May 1, 2014
Colleen Houck Book Club!
I echo the sentiments of the following quotes,
“You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel as though you’ve lost a friend.”
“It’s that moment when you’re reading a book and the whole world around you does not exist anymore.”
Curling up with a good book is one of the best ways to spend free time. I love it so much more than watching a show on the television because I’m in more control of the story as I read it. My imagination, coupled with the words on the page, can make for a more rich story telling experience. Don’t you agree? I mean, just think on some of your favorite stories that turned to film. Didn’t you prefer the characters in your head to the ones on the screen? It’s very rare when films don’t disappoint when compared to the book. So, guess what time it is? That’s right, it’s SUMMER time and that means READING time!
So, What’s Around The Corner. . .
For those of you who are anticipating the Tiger’s Promise novella, I have GREAT news! Colleen will be hosting a LIVE CHAT on May 2nd at 5pm-6 pm (pacific time) on goodreads. You can join her group on goodreads under Colleen Houck Book Club or click here.
May’s Book of the Month for Houck’s Book Club will be, Into the Dark Book#1: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain.
May’s Live Chat on May 29th at 7pm-8pm (pacific time) with authors Colleen Houck and Bree Despain
June’s Book of the Month for Houck’s Book Club will be, After The End by Amy Plum.
June’s Live Chat will be on June 28th at 9am -10am (pacific time) with authors Colleen Houck and Amy Plum.
July’s Book of the Month for Houck’s Book Club will be, The Pledge by Kimberly Derting.
July’s Live Chat will be on July 31st at 7pm-8pm with authors Colleen Houck and Kimberly Derting.
August’s Book of the Month for Houck’s Book Club will be, Oh.My.Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs.
August’s Live Chat will be on August 28th, at 6pm-7pm (pacific time) with authors Colleen Houck and Tera Lynn Childs.
Here’s the details for May’s Book of the Month, featuring Bree Despain’s Into the Dark Book#1: The Shadow Prince
Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.
Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.
Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.
A pulsating romance of epic proportions, Bree Despain’s The Shadow Prince will leave her fans breathless for the next book in the Into The Dark series.
Happy reading everyone! Remember that if you don’t have the time or chance to read the book, still join us in the live chat! The discussion is fun and the topics include anything and everything under the sun! It’s simply a chance to rub shoulders with some great authors and ask anything that’s on your mind. Also feel free to leave a comment and share some of your favorite all time books! I’d love to hear what’s on your night stand!
“A book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.”- Franz Kalka
‘Till next time~
Linda Louise Lotti
TIGER’S PROMISE Coming to the UK!
ATTENTION, ATTENTION, READ ALL ABOUT IT . . .
This is really exciting! So for those of you who have been crossing your fingers and wishing upon a star, your hopes have come true! If you pre-order now and up until May 15th, 2014, you still have the chance to receive the exclusive bonus prologue from TIGER’S DREAM, the 5th and final book to the TIGER’S CURSE SAGA! Just be sure to order the book by May 15th and email a copy of your receipt to tigerspromisepreorder@gmail.com.
Click here to order on amazon.com or click here to order on amazon.co.uk.
Also, for those fans who may have had problems receiving a confirmation when you ordered from iTunes, don’t worry, a representative will contact you shortly to walk you through the process so you can be sure to get your bonus material.
A big shout out for all you fans who spoke up! It’s because of you and everyone’s hard work that this is coming to the UK!
Happy Reading Everyone!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
April 30, 2014
Tiger’s Promise Cover Art
Tiger’s Promise Cover Art Featuring Artist Cliff Nielsen!
Before I get started on this post I just want to say that working with Cliff on this project has been an absolutely wonderful experience, and the fact that he’s taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions and talk about cover art with me, which is a subject that is near and dear to every reader’s heart, including mine, shows what a fantastic guy he really is.
Here’s his bio:
CLIFF NIELSEN
Cliff Nielsen is best known for his work on projects such as Star Wars, The X-Files, Chronicles of Narnia among many projects including advertising camaigns, designs, and magazines. He studied in both traditional and digital illustration and graduated as valedictorian from Art Center College of Design in CA. His illustrations have been recognized for their excellence by the Society of Illustrators, Print, and Spectrum among others. Feature articles focusing on his work appear in design publications and fanzine magazines alike. Cliff has been an international speaker on digital art and has served as a judge for the Society of Illustrators and a variety of professional illustration award programs. He lives and dreams in Los Angeles, California.
Cliff Nielsen Interview
Here are the answers to some questions I’ve long been wondering about cover art.
Colleen: How did you get started in the business of doing cover art?
Cliff: I’ve been interested in books and comic books since I was a boy. I got in trouble in 7th grade for reading Edgar Rice Burroughs “John Carter Warlord of Mars” instead of doing my classwork. The story was great, but the covers created by Frank Frazetta are what really captured my imagination. They were a little racy and the puritanical teacher thought I was filling my head with some age inappropriate material. I won’t bore you with the details, but it all got sorted out by the principal, who happened to be a Tarzan fan.
I grew up in Idaho, in a very rural community and didn’t realize you could make a living as an artist until I met my first mentor, Leon Parson at the age of 18. He is an amazing wildlife artist, and he put me on the right path. He started by humbling me up a bit, (I needed it) and then pointed me in the right direction in terms of education. I eventually moved to Los Angeles California and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. That experience help me break into the field of illustration, and I’ve been busy ever since.
Colleen: What other YA authors/covers have you worked on?
Cliff: So, so many. I have been very very lucky. Currently the covers for Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series have been getting a lot of attention.
Colleen: Which book in the tiger series was your favorite to design?
Cliff: Tiger’s Promise has been particularly rewarding, but Tiger’s Curse was also a pleasure, because it was the first.
Colleen: Where did you get the idea for turning Yesubai upside down in Tiger’s Promise?
Cliff: Colleen had made some great suggestions for the cover, and I just extrapolated out on her ideas a little bit. I have always loved John Everett Millais’ “Ophelia,” so that image was certainly an inspiration.
Is Yesubai’s image reflected in the water as she peers down at the lily from above, or is she under the water staring at us through the shallows? Could she be one with the water? When you read the book, the truth of the image reveals itself.
Colleen: How do you choose the elements you will put in your design?
Cliff: Typically I get a synopsis of the story, or even better, a manuscript of the book. I quickly read it and then start searching for the meaning, and what symbols (mentioned in the book or otherwise) can be used to most efficiently communicate that idea. Oftentimes the main character and the setting of the book needs to be portrayed. Creating a good composition is a constant balancing act. I have to give enough information to the reader to hook them into opening the book and suggesting what kind of trip they are about to embark on, but I also have to be careful not to spoil the resolution of the story.
Colleen: If I wanted to be a cover artist, how would I go about getting started? And do you need a college degree?
Cliff: It’s a very rare talent that can skip the training you would get from a great art school and still be a success in this field. Don’t overlook the key words from that statement… “great art school.” Not every university program is the same.
A great art school is like a time machine that crushes 20 years of art creating experience into 4. It provides a safe environment to experiment and test your skills. It also gives you a chance to network and become friends with other like minded individuals, it introduces you to internship possibilities, does career counseling and job placement in the industry. It teaches you how to find the answers to the questions that have not yet been asked.
I know I couldn’t have the career I have without my college degree.
Colleen: Can you talk about the symbols behind the art in Tiger’s Promise?
Cliff: There are many, but one thing that I’d like to touch on briefly is Yesubai’s gaze. When we see her upside down, her eyes look intense and fierce like a wild animal, and the jagged edge of the lily looks like the teeth of a monster. If you flip the image and look at her face to face, the petals of the lily now become the suggestion of a crown, a slight smile appears on her face through the veil, she becomes intelligent confident and beautiful.
Colleen: Does your vision ever conflict with the publisher’s and if so, how do you deal with that as an artist who relies on creativity to do your work?
Cliff: Certainly my ideas about what the cover ought to portray sometimes differ from the creative team at the publishing house. Even the author will have different ideas about what the cover could look like.
I will propose my ideas alongside their own suggestions in the form of a sketch and make the best case for it. But as a professional, I have to abide by their decisions and deliver the very best image possible.
Colleen: What makes a book cover stand out on the shelf?
Cliff: If you have one second to look at the cover and the image sticks in your mind chances are it will stand out on the shelf, but there are so many factors to consider. What if all the books on the shelf are green, and only one of them is red? What if they are all the same size, but just one is taller? Publishers are constantly vying for the reader’s attention, and that is why you see so much variety in the market and why popular books are redesigned every so often.
Colleen: Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” Do you agree?
Cliff: Yes! The deadline rules your life as a freelance illustrator. The double edged sword of the creative process is that there is no singular “correct” way to communicate the idea of your art. You could spend a lifetime chasing the false idea of a perfect solution, and never complete a single piece of art.
Colleen: How much feedback do you usually get from authors and do you get free copies of the book when it’s done?
Cliff: This cover was special to me because I had the pleasure to work with Colleen directly. Not only is she a great author, but she strikes me as a very visual person, and that made it especially fun. That being said, I do not often get feedback from authors. The publishers hire many specialists to market and promote the book, and I typically answer directly to them. Editors, Creative Directors, Art Directors, Marketing Directors Illustrators and sometimes Animators are all focused on bringing as much attention to the authors ideas as possible.
When I first started my career, I had a dream that I would create a bookshelf in my studio that contained at least one of every cover I created. I’m still working on that goal. It’s easier when I get a copy of the book from the publisher, but sometimes the publisher forgets to send one and I have to chase it down in the bookstores. The cashiers sometimes wonder why I’m so interested in YA fiction.
Colleen: Why do publishers redesign book covers from time to time, like the Narnia series you did?
Cliff: It’s simply an issue of marketing. When you change your wardrobe (do you see what I did there) people take notice of you with a fresh eye. That reminds previous readers how much they enjoyed the story, and hopefully visually connects with a new younger audience. I realize that someday many of my titles will become nostalgic and also need to be updated, but that is the nature of pop culture.
Colleen: What work have you done so far that you’d most like to be remembered for?
Cliff: Other than my work with the Tiger’s Curse series I have created nearly 2000 images since I started my career.
Among them are:
The Chronicles of Narnia
X-Files
Wrinkle in Time
Mortal Instruments
Star Wars
Star Trek
but my best work, I hope, is yet to come.
Thanks so much Cliff for answering those questions! I think he has a fascinating job and he’s just so very talented. Thanks for taking the time.
Here are a few of his oh so very pretty covers.
He’s amazing, isn’t he? I feel very honored that he took time to do this with me.
If you’d like to follow Cliff, he has a Facebook page and his portfolio can be found at Shannon Associates.
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For me as the author, I have some pretty specific ideas about what I want my cover art to look like. I’m a huge fan of an artist named James Christensen. Not only is his art wild and whimsical but there are little hidden gems found in each picture. This piece below is called “Shakespearean Fantasy.”
I like art that tells a story and I especially enjoy pieces that I have to go back and look at time and again and every time I do, I find something new. This is one of the reasons I like Cliff’s work so much. Every cover he’s done has those little nuances, sometimes subtle, that give more insight into the story he’s designing for.
Now let’s talk about
TIGER’S PROMISE
When I write a story the setting is very important to me. I love deep jungles, gorgeous scenic vistas, rich colors, and wild landscapes. This is where my characters live, love, and grow. The backdrop for Yesubai’s story is no less important so I’m very happy that when I look at the cover I feel transported not only to India but to the India of Yesubai’s lifetime.
SYMBOLS:
PURPLE LOTUS FLOWER: In TIGER’S PROMISE, Yesubai is lovely but she hides behind her beauty and sees it as more of a trap than a blessing. One symbol I chose for her is a very special lotus flower with the same color as her eyes. Through it, I wanted to show how unique Yesubai is but also how fragile and how easily she could be crushed beneath her father’s bootheel.
SPARKLING DUST: This is a symbol of Yesubai’s magic, a gift she inherited from her father though he is unaware of it.
KOI FISH: In the book Kishan tells Yesubai a story about koi fish. There is a legend that says that very determined koi who swim up the Yellow River in China and manage to make it to the top of a waterfall are granted a gift of the gods. They become dragons. Yesubai takes this story to heart and it drives her in a way, fueling her courage.
WATER: In the cover image Yesubai is seen as a reflection in the water. Cliff came up with this idea on his own but I think it’s genius. Water is sustaining, cleansing, and fluid. It adapts to its environment. This is what Yesubai has done. She has molded herself into the person her father wishes her to be and yet not even he can contain her. She seeks to cleanse herself of her father’s blood and become someone new.
HER EYES: Since eyes are the window of the soul, Yesubai’s eyes are very important. Looking at her upside down is a bit jarring, but it’s meant to be that way. When you look at her straight on, you can see the alarm and the panic in her eyes but if you turn the image upside down, all you can see is the beautiful girl she shows to the world. In this way you as the reader can actually discern the truth that she so carefully hides.
THE VEIL: I knew when I began writing that veils would be important. Veils are still very prominent in Indian culture. They’re mysterious and beautiful just like Yesubai. Yesubai uses them as a protective barrier. She hides behind them and the times when she is found without them or when they are draped over her arms are the times when she is at her most vulnerable. Lokesh insists that she wear them which is likely a way for him to avoid guilt, for when he looks into the face of his daughter he sees her mother who he strangled on the day of Yesubai’s birth.
DEATH: Yesubai looks as if she’s floating there in the water and the image reminds me of Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Like Ophelia, Yesubai was young, beautiful, and had a potentially full life of happiness to live, but it was not meant to be.
There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke;
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up:
Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes;
William Shakespeare, Hamlet Act IV Scene VII
PINSPIRATION:
Here are some of the pins that inspired the cover.
I think her eyes here are lovely and the pond is perfect. Yesubai has long flowing hair like that as well.
This image inspired her jewelry and her hair.
This image inspired the koi becoming dragons.
This image inspired Yesubai’s lotus flower.
This was my main cover idea. I wanted to show a beautiful mysterious girl wrapped in veils with only her eyes visible. In this image you aren’t sure if she’s alive or dead.
To see the rest of the images that inspired TIGER’S PROMISE, head over to my pinterest board.
THE DESIGN
Once I turned over all these ideas to Cliff, that’s when concept became art. It started out with Cliff sending me some sketches.
Here’s his original description of what the cover would look like.
“Here the beautiful Yesubai is featured in either composition, hair adorned with delicate gold chains and a flowing veil that covers her face except for her alluring violet eyes.
The composition on the left is a reflection of her in a pond with a lotus flower in full bloom floating on the surface. Just below the ripples of the pond we notice koi swimming near the top of the composition. I like this one a little better.
The composition on the right is more straight forward and reads a little quicker. It is a stunning portrait, again of Yesubai, holding delicately a lotus flower.
In terms of color, either composition should incorporate lots of purple and greenish blue hues, and of course I will create a paisley design that will incorporate the graphic shape of the koi fish and blend it into the image as a semi-transparent layer.”
As you can see. Both options were beautiful but I ultimately decided to go with Cliff’s suggestion and chose the image reflected in the pond.
Now as a special prize Cliff has created a beautiful Yesubai 11 x 17 poster that we are both signing for a giveaway. Enter the rafflecopter here for your chance to win this gorgeous poster and a signed copy of Tiger’s Promise!
April 23, 2014
Movie Review: Transcendence
Colleen’s Movie Review
Romance: I love Johnny Depp. I love the characters he plays. I love his charm and his creative genius. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do romance well though. That’s not a terrible thing. There are all kinds of actors and romance is just not his thing. The sad part is, I didn’t even think he liked his wife in this case. There wasn’t enough shown in their relationship to make me believe she would actually risk her career to make all of this happen. A few more scenes of tenderness between them would have made a world of difference. Seriously, do these people look like they’re in love? The distance between them is palpable and the body language screams don’t touch me.
Special Effects: I really liked the nano-tech and the way it rebuilt all sorts of things.
What I Liked: The idea. Though its been done before and done better. Paul Bettany as the best friend.
What I’d Change:
Problem 1: Johnny Depp’s character, Will Caster, wasn’t much different as human than he was post download. He was a stiff and robotic scientist that I couldn’t relate to on any level. If the film makers wanted to elicit an emotional response in viewers, then the character needed to show some emotion about what was happening to him. He was dying, after all. Tears should be flowing and I felt zip in the sadness department.
Problem 2: If what Will was doing post download really was all for his wife then that point needed to be made several times. The Romeo and Juliet themed ending as well as the finding a way to have a body so they could be together and physically touch should have been heart wrenching and instead I just felt confused as to what was motivating them and what was the point of it all.
Problem 3: Morgan Freeman’s character was a throw away role that served no purpose whatsoever except to maybe add some extra star power to the film.
Problem 4: I was hoping the best friend, played by Paul Bettany, had some sort of secret crush on Evelyn. That would have made it much more interesting and it would have increased the drama and the angst tenfold.
Problem 5: The whole science/computer aspect of the film didn’t make sense and I’m willing to go in almost any science direction Star Trek will take me. They needed a few more actual science/computer people to explain to them how all this would work because there were big enough holes in the tech aspect of it that I had time to jump through them and look around at the mess they made.
Problem 6: None of the actors responsible for “fixing” the problem were believable as either computer geniuses or science guys. In fact, most of them appeared to me as if they needed an assistant to show them how to access their email.
The Tagline:
There were three actually.
1) What if a new intelligence was born?
2) Yesterday Dr. Will Caster was only human
3) Dr. Will Caster is dying to keep a secret
None of these really did the movie any favors. First of all, a new intelligence wasn’t born. Though that would be an interesting twist. Not that these guys would have come up with that. The yesterday quote is just a fact. The third is the best, though the so called secret wasn’t clearly identified. Was it just research that not everyone knew about or was it actually clandestine? They never said. Also his death had nothing to do with his secret if indeed you can call it that.
Hunky Hero: Though I love Johnny Depp, this movie had no hunky heroes in my opinion.
The Villain: Kate Mara as Bree was about the lamest villain ever. I rolled my eyes in nearly every scene she was in. First, she’s about as scary as a Barbie doll. Second, no way do I believe she’s any kind of computer genius or science nerd let alone the leader of some huge, extremely organized anti-tech terrorist group. No way. Completely unbelievable. Also don’t think I overlooked the fact that we “hate technology” and yet we rely on it completely to terrorize those who use it. This whole angle needed desperate cleaning up and focus. You can’t just be anti-tech, they needed to be more specific, target Will’s research only, and have a purpose behind what they were doing, not just hit every lab in the country or maybe the world. They weren’t clear on that either.
Best Line: Predictable but also creepy.
: Where are you going?
: Everywhere.
Best Scene: The nano tech healing a plant.
Recommended for YA fans: Eh. Up to you. Just don’t go in expecting a lot.
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Trailer
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Grandma’s Review
Grandma’s Bio: My name is Kathleen and I’m Colleen’s mom. I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of seventeen with one bun in the oven (not my oven). They’re all great. None of my kids are duds-you know, like the popcorn kernels that don’t pop. My father taught me to love science fiction and mysteries. I’m a dreamer whose secret wish was to be an actress and sing and dance on stage. I have lots of things I still want to do. A few of my favorite things include-discovering new restaurants, going to movies, traveling, seeing plays, children, my dogs, Elvis, reading books, The Beach Boys, and Rhett Butler because he doesn’t give a damn AND he can carry Scarlett up the stairs.
Definition of Kicky-providing a kick or thrill, exciting
Review: I love science fiction movies and this one was right up my alley. I was never bored. I was fascinated the whole way through. At the end of the movie I had to think and think about the meaning of the story. It wasn’t a simple conclusion. I had to figure out what the whole thing was about. Was the world really better off without him? Basically the computer became human. He wasn’t just sentient. He was human because he could still sacrifice. I would have liked to see an alternate ending to see what the world would have been like had he been able to achieve his vision. I give this movie 9 out of 10 kicks.
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A Guy’s Perspective
Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.
Review:
“Transcendence is Anything But”
This techno sci-fi film had some good ideas, but they came across like half-baked potatoes. Even Johnny Depp did not seem fully invested in his character, Will, who was strangely normal to Depp’s usual quirky recklessness. The antagonists weren’t villainous enough and many long scenes suffered from lack of engaging, smart dialogue. Everything else–the script, the other characters, the plot, the drama–also felt like half-baked elements. There was that underlying tone throughout that something was missing, and while there was a mild build-up toward a conflict, I never got the feeling that a climax had been reached, so the let-down wasn’t major–it simply just never got off the ground. I give it 2 Hulk Smash Fists out of 10.
Brad
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April 21, 2014
Blog Tour- AFTER THE END by Amy Plum Truth or Dare and Giveaway!
We are so excited to be a part of the blog tour for AFTER THE END by Amy Plum!
This 3 week tour kicks off on April 15th and wraps up on May 9th. The tour will include a variety of posts from both authors and bloggers. To see all of the tour stops, visit one of my most favorite bloggers ever, Mundie Moms!
In addition to the blog tour, I’d like to tell you a little about the award winning author Amy Plum. She has a great book series called To Die For and has a new book coming out in early May entitled After The End which I’m very excited to tell you about!
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Amy Plum is not only a talented and witty author, but a personal friend of Colleen’s. They met a few years back at a Romantic Times Book Convention. Colleen recalls her first impressions and says that Amy is not only gorgeous but is the kind of girl you instantly know you would be good friends with. Amy has a thing for Christmas Captain Crunch cereal and somehow manages to meet a bunch of Hollywood Stars and get pictures with them. Admittedly, Colleen would be lying if she wasn’t a wee bit jealous of that perk and has been trying to figure out her secret ever since. 
Here’s just one example,
Lucky!! Amy also grew up in Birmingham, Alabama before venturing further afield to Chicago, Paris, London and New York. An art historian by training, she can be found on most days either daydreaming or writing (or both) in a Parisian café.”
Here’s her book series, TO DIE FOR
Here’s a little glimpse into this series,
“In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant–an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.”
Click here to order your own copy of Die For Me. Click here to learn more about this series. Click here for book trailer.
Now, for the first book in her new book series
AFTER THE END
to be released
May 6th 2014 by Harper Teen.
A brief description,
“World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness.
They′e survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.
At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.
When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact.
Everything was a lie.
Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she’s trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.”
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Click here to pre-order and as a bonus, the first 300 people who pre-order AFTER THE END and show proof of their pre-order will receive one of these limited edition After The End water bottles. *see below*
So be sure to to send your mailing address and receipt to katieloumercier@gmail.com. * Water bottle offer is for those residing in US and Canada and is hosted by Harper Teen. This is NOT part of the blog tour, but something special we wanted to let you know about.
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Amy: The Truth-or-Dare theme is particularly relevant to AFTER THE END, since Juneau’s oracle has said she has to tell the truth or she won’t find her clan.
Colleen: Opting for “Truth” Amy, has answered 26 vital questions—some of which she’s never answered before! So let’s get started.
Colleen: What is your full name?
Amy: My pen name is Amy Plum. You can make up any title or middle name for me that you want.
Colleen: When and where were you born?
Amy: I was born in Portland, Oregon when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Colleen: Do you have any siblings and If so, how many?
Amy: I have a brother and a sister. (I’m the eldest.)
Colleen: What’s your favorite childhood story?
Amy: My mom used to tell us The Twelve Dancing Princesses on long car rides. (This was before the day of portable video players. Or even cell phones, for that matter.) She would always add on bits and make it really long so that we would fall asleep. That story is still magical for me.
Colleen: What’s your favorite color?
Amy: Blue
Colleen: What’s your favorite food?
Amy: ice cream
Colleen: Do you have a nickname and if so, how’d you get it?
Amy: I have never had a nickname. Always wanted one, though. So I give all of my characters lots of them.
Colleen: What kind of kid were you growing up?
Amy: I was a nerd. A book fanatic. And pretty socially awkward.
Colleen: Were you a good student?
Amy: Yes.
Colleen: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Amy: An astronaut or a librarian.
Colleen: What inspired you to write (or how did you start writing)?
Amy: I always loved reading, so for me it was a natural step to start making up my own stories and putting them on paper.
Colleen: How long did it take to get published?
Amy: I wrote my first book (a comic memoir), and with it was able to get my agent. However, that book was never published, so it was a good year after signing that my book (DIE FOR ME) was bought by HarperTeen, and another year and ½ after that that it finally came out in print. Being published definitely necessitates a LOT of patience!
Colleen: What sparked the idea for you to write AFTER THE END?
You: I liked the idea of this girl living off the land—a survivor. But I also wanted to base the story in the here and now. So I had to come up with a device to allow her to be totally isolated from the modern world—which is why I came up with the idea that her parents had chosen to hide from society. In the beginning I thought of them as anti-capitalist, but that seemed to lack depth—it was harder to build subplots off of it. In the end, I decided that they had discovered something that they felt they had to hide from the world. And that is how Juneau and her clan came to live in the wilderness of Denali, Alaska.
Colleen: What was the hardest part to write in the book?
Amy: I figure out the plot as I go along, and this one was particularly difficult to piece together. I never have a problem with my characters. They come with their baggage packed—I just have to listen to them to figure out who they are. But the framework behind the story was very hard to decipher and translate.
Colleen: What are some of your favorite books?
Amy My favorite book is Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale. I heard they made a movie of it recently, and am afraid to see it in case it ruins the magic for me. Otherwise, I love Neil Gaiman, especially Neverwhere.
Colleen: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Amy: My mom. She died when I was 32. I wish I could tell her what I’ve made of myself since then, show her her grandchildren and ask her the million questions that I never did.
Colleen: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Amy: Absolutely. Although, I’m not sure how much it should be trusted for finding The Right Person.
Colleen: If you could hold on to only one memory, what memory would you choose and why?
Amy: I have one memory from my teenage years that is so strong. I was in Birmingham, Alabama, and it was Easter morning—I remember because I was driving to the Easter sunrise service. I was singing along to some ‘80s hair rock anthem with the windows down, the early morning cold blowing in my hair, and I passed someone who was mowing the lawn. The smell of freshly cut grass was so strong, the song so wild and perfect, the air so chilly, and the feeling inside me was as big as the city itself. It was the feeling of freedom. Of power. Of independence. I think that one memory has driven the rest of my life.
Colleen: What do you like to do for fun?
Amy: Read
Colleen: What was your life like before becoming an author?
Amy: It always felt like something was missing. At all other jobs I’ve had, I felt I was faking it. I was made for this.
Colleen: How personal is your writing?
Amy: Very. There is an element of autobiography in my stories, even if I don’t realize it.
Colleen: Do you outline?
Amy: No. I’m a pantser. I don’t even know what I’m going to write until I sit down at my computer each morning.
Colleen: What is your writing routine?
Amy: With first draft, I try to write 1500 words a day and send them to a friend of mine at the end of each day. If I don’t do that, I get lost in the words.
Colleen: Which comes first, the story or the character?
Amy: It has been different for each book idea.
Colleen: What advice would you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Amy: Read a lot. Write a lot. And read Stephen King’s ON WRITING.
Colleen: Who has inspired you and influenced your work?
Amy: Madeleine l’Engle was one of my big influences. I read her books and heard her talk about being a writer, and was hooked. I also met her in New York City where she was writing in the library of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. She was married to an actor and lived a bohemian lifestyle, while still being grounded. I wanted to be her.
If you’d like to follow Amy Plum, check out her website at www.amyplumbooks.com
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It’s time for the giveaway! Here’s a list of items you could win:
- 13 SIGNED After The End books
- 6 iPhone After the End shells.
To enter, click on the link below and be sure to fill out the form featured on each stop along the tour.
*This is open Internationally*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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So that’s it, happy trails for now and hope you enjoy reading Amy Plum’s books as much as I have! Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion and until next time~
April 17, 2014
Tiger’s Promise Gets a Printed Version!
TIGER’S PROMISE is going to print! The preorder link is now live on Amazon. I can’t tell you all how exited I am to be able to see this happen for my long time fans. You all have been so active in tweeting, blogging, and messaging about your hope that this might be a possibility and you all made it work! That’s the power of social media right there. If you are ready to preorder right now, you can click on the picture and it will take you directly to the link. I know there might be a few questions about the printed version so keep reading to find your answers.
Q: What does this version include?
A: This printed version of TIGER’S PROMISE will include the actual book itself plus four additional pieces of bonus content. There is a chapter entitled Origin which is written in Yuvakshi’s perspective which shows how she ended up with Lokesh. Another chapter called Intended which is written in Ren’s perspective. There is the sneak peek prologue from TIGER’S DREAM, and the fourth piece is a study guide based on TIGER’S PROMISE. Those bonus pieces will also be available during the blog tour as well, but all these extras really makes the printed version a collector’s item for all of you tiger fans out there.
Q: Does the printed version come in a hardback edition?
A: No. TIGER’S PROMISE is only available as an e-book and in paperback.
Q: Can I get the printed version in my country?
A: Right now, the printed version in English is only available through Amazon.com. It is not available through other Amazon sites but if that is something you’re interested in please make your voices heard. As you can see, anything is possible.
Q: Will I be able to find the book in a bookstore or on other websites?
A: No. Amazon is the only retailer selling the book at this time.
Q: I ordered the e-book. Can I still get the prologue from TIGER’S DREAM?
A: Yes. Readers who pre-order before May 1 and send their receipt to tigerspromisepreorder@gmail.com can still receive the sample chapter from TIGER’S DREAM before publication on June 1.
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Those are all the questions we anticipated. Do you have any more? If so, leave a comment on the bottom of the page and I’ll try to update the post with your questions. This is a very exciting development and I’m so happy we’re getting a printed book!
Don’t forget to join me for all the fun events happening in the next few weeks before publication!
Join me May 2nd for a live chat on Goodreads. You can join the group and reserve your spot now to ask me all of your burning questions about TIGER’S PROMISE and the tiger series.
I am attending the Romantic Times Convention in New Orleans from May 13th through the 18th.
May 18-31 is the TIGER’S PROMISE blog tour led by my good friend Jean Vallesteros at JeanBookNerd. Tons of fun interviews and facts on the pages of some of my favorite YA bloggers. You can start the blog tour on my Facebook page or check out my twitter for links to the various sites during that time.
June 1st is the official launch of TIGER’S PROMISE! Watch for contests, informative blogs, and surprises around every corner.
Hugs to all of you!
Colleen
April 14, 2014
Movie Review Double Feature: Noah & Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Colleen’s Movie Review
Romance: Not too much going on in the way of romance between Noah and his wife and the angst felt between Ila and Shem was more heartfelt when they were kids holding hands. As adults or, I guess, young adults they were already committed to each other so we didn’t get to see any of that relationship develop.
Special Effects: The animals loading into the ark was pretty cool though it was obvious all the animals were CGI. Even the dove. The rain was a torrential flood of epic proportions that happened so quickly the ark actually ended up beneath the waves for a while and yet it was also somehow slow enough that the screams of dying humans could be heard for several minutes while Noah agonized over his choice to leave them behind. I would have really liked to see what happened on a more global scale and I would have liked them to use special effect to make me feel like I was in the flood. Maybe show the landscape changing or show the ocean rising or maybe a whale or two…something.
What I Liked: The idea that the animals slept or went into a sort of hibernation while on the ark. I really liked Anthony Hopkins as Noah’s grandfather, Methuselah. I liked when Noah had a vision of being under the water and I liked them showing the creation of the world.
What I’d Change: Pretty much everything. I honestly don’t even know where to begin. I think they might have been able to pull it off if they had made it Sci-Fi. If this version of Noah had happened on another planet then maybe I’d be a little more open minded about the changes. I’ve been told that they purposely left out any religious overtones which would have worked in a Sci-Fi. The thing is they went about as far away from the source material as they could. Other people have said that the writers used flood myths from other cultures as well. I’m fine with that. I do that myself. But those other flood myths don’t usually have two by two animals or a guy called Noah. They don’t end up on Mt. Ararat. If it was going to be changed then it needed to be completely changed or, here’s an idea, don’t call it Noah. Call it, THE FLOOD or THE WATCHERS or something.
Problem Number 1: Noah and his family are vegetarians. Fine. Then where are the farms? The orchards? The so-called berries? How do they get protein?
Problem Number 2: The costumes and hair. Why did Noah’s hair change every other scene? Was there a time vortex or something? He went from bald to shaggy white in a few months? Also some of his clothes had giant mismatched black stitching on the seams while other clothing was so finely made as to be impossible to do without a machine. Where did they get the material anyway? They didn’t have sheep or goats to make thread. Were they wearing woven plants? If so, where were the plants? All I saw was moss and ground cover even on their grandfather’s mountain until the Garden of Eden seed made things happen.
Problem Number 3: Disappointed son who doesn’t get his dad’s help in saving the 14 year old girl he just met and wanted to carry off to be his wife, teams up with the bad guy to MURDER his father. Not likely.
Problem Number 4: The watchers. They looked like a stone version of Ents. The backstory on them is confusing. So they fell to earth because they wanted to help the sons of Adam and then backed the wrong horse in Cain who used up all the resources and destroyed the planet and then because a seed grew into a forest showing that the Creator favored Noah, they did a complete turnaround and now they’re on the Creator’s/Noah’s side. I don’t get it. Where did their third arms come from? Also the symbol of these creatures who were covered with the slime of the earth and then were redeemed and rose into heaven in angelic form once more was completely lost on Noah. He should have looked at what happened to them as a sign that no matter how badly a person screws up, they can change. That there is beauty in every soul.
Problem Number 5: Noah’s character. Noah’s character is inconsistent. We do not harm flowers but those people over there, including my newborn twin granddaughters that were a miracle unto themselves, I’m totally fine with killing. The character arc almost seemed to align with Abraham’s story when he was asked to sacrifice his son as a test of obedience. I’ve seen this done well before. The complex emotions that go along with something like that are very hard to comprehend let alone explain through dialogue or text. If Noah was meant to be showing that he was obedient no matter the cost, it didn’t feel like a right thing or a good thing or even a zealous thing in this case. It felt dark. Murderous. And if you’re only going to keep one thing from the Bible story, the perplexing scene of Noah being naked and drunk on the beach was not the one thing to keep. The result of how they wrote Noah’s character made him not only less than a prophet, but less than a father, less than a husband, and, at the core, less than human. There was nothing inspiring about him. I not only disliked him. I wanted to turn away from him and find someone else in the flood worth saving.
The Tagline: There were two.
1) Rediscover the epic story of one man and the most remarkable event in our history.
2) The end of the world…is just the beginning.
The fact that they are saying the event is a part of our history is a bit ironic since they purposely chose to make the movie in a way that would upset all the people who actually believe the flood occurred.
The second tagline is more appropriate. The end of the world that led to the beginning…of the rise of the planet of the apes.
Hunky Hero: I liked Douglas Booth as Shem but he didn’t have any good lines.
The Villain: Ray Winstone as Tubal-cain was a decent enough bad guy I suppose, but when he was able to sneak on board the ark, nothing he did advanced the plot. Eating a snake at all, let alone raw freaks me out. I guess the writers wanted to show just how bad us meat eaters can be. There’s nothing like snake blood dripping down your chin to get you in a murderous mood.
Best Line:
: I have men at my back, you stand alone and defy me?
: I am not alone.
I was kind of hoping this would be the time when the Creator did something awesome but instead the watchers stood up like rock transformers.
Best Scene: The animals boarding the ark.
Recommended for YA fans: No. If you’re curious. Rent the movie.
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Trailer
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Grandma’s Review
Grandma’s Bio: My name is Kathleen and I’m Colleen’s mom. I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of seventeen with one bun in the oven (not my oven). They’re all great. None of my kids are duds-you know, like the popcorn kernels that don’t pop. My father taught me to love science fiction and mysteries. I’m a dreamer whose secret wish was to be an actress and sing and dance on stage. I have lots of things I still want to do. A few of my favorite things include-discovering new restaurants, going to movies, traveling, seeing plays, children, my dogs, Elvis, reading books, The Beach Boys, and Rhett Butler because he doesn’t give a damn AND he can carry Scarlett up the stairs.
Definition of Kicky-providing a kick or thrill, exciting
Review:
I have been trying very hard to like the 2014 cinematic version of NOAH. I always look for the best in all things related to movie making but I just can’t get past the blatant destruction of this beloved Bible story. The whole reason I wanted to see this movie was to make the story come alive visually as I remembered it. I could not quite wrap my head around the fallen angel rock creatures helping to build the ark, Tubal-Cain eating raw snake meat to show he’s a real man and so easily corrupting Noah’s son Ham who was willing to kill his Father. Or Noah’s changing into a mad man willing to kill his twin grand -daughters so mankind could not propagate then going on a drunken alcoholic binge because he had disappointed God, Noah’s family being vegetarians and blending the Bible creation story with Darwinian evolution, etc. I understand the director wanting to take creative license to make the story interesting and fresh but what it ended up being was simply unbelievable, and to one who considers herself opened minded, it was undeniably offensive. If there was anything I liked about the movie it was the special effects: the ark, the animals/birds/& insects coming to the ark, and the water scenes. Goodness, I thought the whole point of Noah and the Ark was saving the few righteous people left in the world and the animals that they would need to sustain themselves. I give this movie 1 out of 10 kicks, all for the visual effects.
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A Guy’s Perspective
Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.
Review:
“Great? No, uh… Lame!”
Let’s get one thing straight. A movie claiming to be based on a biblical narrative should be judged not only on its own cinematic merits but by its adherence to the story. I mean, right? My understanding is that many biblical scholars were sought out to give direction and feedback, since Hollywood knew the backlash it would receive, but unfortunately the overall result is not only less than stellar, it’s downright lame. If fans can demand near-precisional movie adaptations of their beloved fictional works (Twilight, Harry Potter, LOTR come to mind) then why should Bible believers expect any less treatment?
There is Noah, his wife, his three sons–check; an ark and swarms of animals (never mind if they were two by two or even by sevens)–check; a flood–check; a raven and a dove–check; and…oh, yes, let’s not forget a stark naked, drunk Noah–check. (I want to check off the rainbow but even that looked like an abnormal wormhole pulsing through the sky.) I’m no Bible scholar but these seemed to be the only historical elements the movie got right. Everything else was popcorn… Yes, I consumed lots of it and almost threw up afterwards.
A couple examples of what I mean: The record narrative states that Noah was “a just man and perfect in his generations…and he walked with God “(Genesis 6:9). Transforming Noah into an irrational, tormented soul, hell-bent on ensuring that humanity would not survive to the point of nearly committing infanticide was a huge stretch for me. Again, the narrative relates that a family of four couples were on board the ark, and Noah understood that because of wickedness “the Creator” intended to start all over again through their posterity. At the time of the flood, Noah was 600 years old (Gen. 7:6) and his sons at least a hundred years of age. By this time, they would already have wives, and were not the young kids the movie would have us believe. But I get it, the director needed conflict–both internal and external–so historical accuracy was thrown out the window despite calling on panels of scholars for vigorous debate. So much for that.
On the positive side, as artistic cinema goes, this had some impressive shots. The CGI for the animals and the ark were impressive enough. Yet the CGI called attention to itself though the so-called ”Rock Giants,” which were preposterous so as to provide not even a sliver of believability. If the director, a self-avowed atheist, had just changed the names, and thrown in some fantasy and sci-fi elements, the film likely wouldn’t have been given the amount of attention it clearly doesn’t deserve. It was masterful exploitation of a story that was guaranteed to bring in millions of moo-lah. Check! Even movie lovers who could care less about accuracy might enjoy the film despite its many story-telling flaws. I give this film 3 Rock Giant Smash Fists out of 10.
Brad
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Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Colleen’s Movie Review
Romance: Huh. I’m not certain there was technically a romance in this movie. There was a boy. There was a girl. There was a kiss. Maybe two. But no romance to speak of. Though there was a tender scene that added nothing really to the story between Steve and his former girl, Peggy, now an old lady with a memory problem. It was very sweet. Can’t find a picture of it anywhere.
Special Effects: Whew. There was a lot of special effect. Too much actually. The movie felt a bit too long to me and I usually only feel that way in blow-em-up scenes that never seem to end. We watched the movie in 3-D and it didn’t feel any different than if we had seen it in 2-D.
What I Liked: Robert Redford. The flying man. Cap. The shield. Stan Lee. Bucky.
The absolute best thing about Captain America is Captain America. He is the kind of guy Superman used to be before the CW went and tainted him. He’s kind. Old fashioned. The type of hero who would never, ever be tempted by a woman like Natasha. Cap is the swoonworthy, sweet superhero I could fangirl over. I was never a Captain America fan until these movies. His shield is pretty awesome. I really don’t think it would fly back to him but he did some cool things with it in this movie. I liked that better than blowing up the spaceship things.
I’ll talk about Robert Redford and Bucky in the villain portion. I really liked Falcon, the vet with special tech wings. His character made me overlook the silly wings on his back. I like him a lot and hope he comes back. He makes a good sidekick. He’s trustworthy, unlike Natasha.
Stan Lee had the best line of the movie. Will talk about it further down.
What I’d Change: The flying man (I’ll explain), Natasha, the old senator woman, Bucky (I’ll explain), Nick Fury, the scientist living on in a computer.
I’m not a Nick Fury fan. He’s too…something. Why do superheroes even listen to him? He’s just a guy. Nothing special. Maybe if I read the comics I’d feel differently. I have the same reaction to S.H.I.E.L.D though. Not a fan. Natasha drives me crazy. Getting tired of seeing her curvy body on every superhero poster there is. Once in a while I’d like to see more of a real woman. Not saying she can’t be pretty, but change it up every once in a while and quit with the skin tight cat suits. Believe it or not, boys aren’t the only people who watch superhero movies. When the old senator woman started kicking Robert Redford’s butt in the office, I was like, YEAH! YOU GO GIRL! FINALLY! Here’s a cool woman who isn’t every guy’s fantasy. That’s right! Why can’t older women kick butts? And then she changed into Natasha. Sigh. I really liked Bucky, Steve’s old friend turned bad guy. I just wish they would have spent less time blowing stuff up and more time exploring his character. He’s interesting. I wanted to know what his arm does. How did he get it? What’s it made of? Why did they experiment on him? Who found him? How did he survive? See where I’m going with this? I disliked the wings on Falcon, Captain America’s sidekick. They were cool and all but why feathers? The stuff he was able to do didn’t really seem possible and in a 3-D movie I was hoping to be wowed by the flight stuff. Oh and the scientist whose mind was preserved in an old school computer…what? What was the point of that? Too far beyond the realm of believability and it did nothing to further the plot.
The Tagline: In heroes we trust.
Perfect.
Hunky Hero: Steve Rogers is a hero whether he’s wearing dog-tags, a jogging suit, a plain white tee, a Captain America costume, or camouflage. He was charming as a scrawny guy too. And now that he’s gorgeous, he comes off as completely unaware of just how attractive he is. That’s a rare thing for a guy like him to pull off. The only thing that bothers me about his costume is that head piece. The helmet is not pretty. Why on earth would you cover up that face?
The Villain: There were two-Robert Redford and The Winter Soldier himself, AKA Bucky. I really wanted to know a lot more about Bucky. He’s an interesting villain who ended up being thrown under the bus a bit. Robert Redford commands the attention of anyone around him. He’s still a very vital actor. I’ve seen him in a lot of movies and the first thing I said to my mom after the movie was, “He should do a romance again.” Apparently I still have a thing for him.
Best Line:
The best line was delivered by Stan Lee who played a guard at the museum housing the Captain America memorabilia.
[Smithsonian Guard discovers that Captain America's World War II uniform has been stolen]
: Oh, man! I am so fired!
Best Scene: For me it was the one between Cap and his best girl Peggy. It really shows who he is in his heart.
Recommended for YA fans: Yes! Captain America is swoonworthy, though make sure you bring lots of snacks. It’s a looonngg movie. Oh and don’t bother seeing it in 3-D.
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Trailer
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Grandma’s Review
Grandma’s Bio: My name is Kathleen and I’m Colleen’s mom. I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of seventeen with one bun in the oven (not my oven). They’re all great. None of my kids are duds-you know, like the popcorn kernels that don’t pop. My father taught me to love science fiction and mysteries. I’m a dreamer whose secret wish was to be an actress and sing and dance on stage. I have lots of things I still want to do. A few of my favorite things include-discovering new restaurants, going to movies, traveling, seeing plays, children, my dogs, Elvis, reading books, The Beach Boys, and Rhett Butler because he doesn’t give a damn AND he can carry Scarlett up the stairs.
Definition of Kicky-providing a kick or thrill, exciting
Review:
In “Captain America the Winter Soldier” I believe super hero fans will not be disappointed. There are lots of special effects and stunts. The story is full of non-stop action, perhaps a little too much action, the movie seemed long. The acting was good, characters compelling. I enjoyed Captain America’s side kick, “the Falcon” and his flying machine. There appeared to be some goof ups in the filming like no blood on Captain America when there should have been after he was injured. I was definitely not bored, entertained throughout. I give this movie 6 out of 10 kicks. It’s a good action film.
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A Guy’s Perspective
Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.
Review:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Better the Second Time Around
Now this was a movie worth both my money and my time! The first Captain America movie (2010) was mildly interesting with its throwback into the WWII era but it didn’t quite measure up to its potential as this one did. The star of the movie for me was not Chris Evans, Samuel Jackson, or even Scarlett Johannson though each of them were studs in their own right (yes, even the girl), but the well developed story that paced the film made for intriguing whodunit espionage and plot twists. The humor was spaced out well, though I thought there wasn’t enough. I barely even noticed that I was viewing the film through 3D lens, so I’m not sure if that was a good or a bad thing. At one point I jumped when a missile whizzed right past me, and at other times there was flying and fighting amid panoramic vistas so I could clearly see the depth of images in that backdrop.
The Winter Soldier was such a formidable villain that it required a team of superheroes (enter the Falcon) to prevent a total victory for his boss, who will go unnamed here, seeking a new world order. It’s my understanding that the hand-to-hand/weapon fight scenes were done without CGI and they were done with such fluid intensity that it was impossible to look away (as if I would want to). Other than the fact the movie felt a tidbit long, the film was superbly satisfying in almost every way.
I give this film 8 Hulk Smash Fists out of 10.
Brad
What Movie Should We See Next?
Rio 2
Heaven Is For Real
Draft Day
Transcendence
Non-Stop
Need For Speed
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April 9, 2014
Winners of YASH bonus giveaways!!
The wait is over! Here are the winners from Houck’s bonus giveaways.
The winners of the paperback versions of TIGER’S CURSE are….
Stephanie Ziegle
Kelli Griffin
Demitra Giote
Cassidy Singleton
Merisha Abbott
Erin PreFontaine
Kirstyn
Autumn Miller
Meagan Paramore
Taylor Randall
The winner of the TIGER’S PROMISE prize pack is…
Janna Gilbertson
Here are the questions that had to be answered for that prize pack.
What is the color of Kishan’s eyes?
a- cobalt blue
b- fire red
c- gold
d- black
His eyes were gold with specks of copper. I tried to identify the color. I’d never seen anything like it before. They were like pirate gold–the color of gold doubloons. (CURSE, pg 194)
Who is Fanindra?
a- Durga’s orange tiger
b- Ren and Kishan’s mother
c- Queen of the snakes
d- Goddess Durga
The goddess spoke, “She is called Fanindra, the Queen of the Serpents. She is a guide and will help you to find what you seek. She can conduct you on safe paths and will light your way through darkness. Do not be afraid of her, for she wishes you no harm.” (CURSE, pg 264)
What is Anamika’s other name or persona?
a- Queen of the Snakes
b- Goddess Durga
c- Lady Silk Worm
d- Kaeliora
She puzzled over this for a moment before nodding and stepping to the tent flap. As she parted it to go, she turned her head. “Our guests are beginning to believe that we are being helped by a goddess, and a few of them have the notion that the goddess is personified in me.” (DESTINY pg 317)
What item does Kelsey use to remember her mother?
a- Quilt
b-Hair ribbons
c- Journal
d- Bracelet with the lotus flower
Still, I was flattered. “Okay, Prince Charming, you can keep your memento.” I hesitated, and then said softly, “I wear those ribbons in memory of my mom. She used to brush out my hair and braid ribbons through it while we talked.” (CURSE pg 128)
What is the name of Ren and Kishan’s first love?
a- Yesubai
b- Deschen
c- Nilima
d-Anamika
Okay, okay, I just have to say that it wasn’t meant for this to be a trick question. We intended the correct answer to be Yesubai. If you said Deschen, we allowed that too because every boy’s first love is his mom, right? 
Many other winners are announced over on the YASH page. Congratulations!! I have sent you all an email but if you haven’t received it, please email me at contests@colleenhouck.com so we can get your prizes sent out!
