Author Archives: Linda

About Linda

I’m Linda Louise, one of the bloggers on this website and Colleen’s little sister. I’m just a girl in her mid-thirties who feels thirteen when I play outside with my boys, fifteen when I sing my heart out listening to tunes while driving by myself, and sixty five when I go out past ten at night. I have a thing for junior mints, Mt. Dew, shrimp and kale (though not all at once) and I have a crush on Superman. I still get girlish butterflies when I read Twilight, cry when I read These is My Words, and smile from ear to ear when I read Anne of Green Gables. I have nightmares about aliens on a regular basis and I have a bad habit of midnight snacking. I love everything sports, except golf (although can that honestly be considered a sport??), and I hate anything that slithers, hisses, or stings. I have a problem with giggling at inappropriate moments and I sometimes wish life was a musical. I love science, hate math, love Dr. Seuss, and hate olives. My family is my world and my joys come from their happiness. I’ve learned I don’t know much about anything and I live for a good adventure, naps, cuddles, stories, exceptional food and The Shire.

Thanksgiving Contest Winner Announced!

Posted on December 3 2014 by Linda

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 …

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

Posted on November 19 2014 by Linda

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 …

Book Reviews For Kids, By Kids- How to Train Your Dragon- How to Break a Dragon’s Heart

Posted on November 18 2014 by Linda

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 …

Modern Ink Society

Posted on November 12 2014 by Linda

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 …

Colleen Houck Book Club

Posted on November 7 2014 by Linda

BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER- UNDER THE NEVER SKY TRILOGY If you didn’t get a chance to read last month’s pick, Defiance Series by C.J. Redwine it’s not too late to check it out. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads with authors C.J. and Colleen Houck, thanks! It was so much fun! For November’s book selection, Colleen has selected… UNDER THE NEVER SKY TRILOGY by her friend Veronica Rossi Here’s a little teaser of book #1, “Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in …

Thanksgiving Writing Contest & October Contest Winner!

Posted on November 5 2014 by Linda

Just days ago, the whole town was alive with music and laughter. Parades, carnivals, and parties; dancing, eating, and singing. Yes, it was Halloween. The adults danced and danced in costumes both scary and silly while the trick-or-treaters paraded the streets, feasting on skittles, sour pops and all sorts of sweets. The air was filled with excitement and magic that night but now, the streets and sidewalks have gone quiet. Costumes and candy wrappers litter the floor of the children’s rooms and the jack-o-lantern’s light has long since gone out. For those of you who participated in October’s Contest …

“Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble”, A Closer Look at Witches

Posted on October 30 2014 by Linda

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worms sting, Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.” – William Shakespeare The witch, the sorceress, the devil’s consort, the enchantress flying across the moonlight, what do we know of their mysterious origins? Who is the woman behind the myth of the witch with extraordinary supernatural powers? Why were they tortured and burned at stakes and how did the belief start that witches could fly? Let us discover the …

“Brains”, a Closer Look at Zombies

Posted on October 29 2014 by Linda

ZOMBIES Have you ever wondered why zombies? Who came up with that idea? Today and Thursday I will be featuring gruesome Halloween creatures and sharing their dark history with you! So, grab some popcorn and red vines, sit back and just try to relax while I take you on a little stroll down zombie lane. Let’s take a closer look at Zombies What is a zombie? A zombie is raised by a disease and it has a single biological imperative, which is to spread the virus by biting human beings. The Zombie is spread just like a plague. History …

A Day in the Life of a Literary Agent

Posted on October 28 2014 by Linda

Out there lies talent, it just has to be found! “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Émile Zola Hi Everyone, I’d talked with Alex a few months ago about writing a blog post for my website and he not only agreed but wrote an outstanding and informative piece. I hope you enjoy! (Can you see the Tiger’s Curse books on his shelf?) Colleen Introducing. . . Alex Glass A Day in the Life of a Literary Agent “Most literary agents—most people who work in book publishing, for that matter—got …

MODERN INK SOCIETY

Posted on October 23 2014 by Linda

FEATURING GUEST CJ Redwine A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Being Published Welcome to the eighth session of THE MODERN INK SOCIETY! Introducing CJ Redwine! A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO BEING PUBLISHED. “I failed. You heard me. I failed. Multiple times. I failed so often on the road to publication that I started cringing when people asked me lovely things like “What have you sold?” or “When is your book coming out?” or “Do you really think you can make a living writing stories?” Side note: If you know an aspiring writer, stop asking …

Colleen Houck

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