Thankful

 


THE TOP TEN THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR




10)  I got to go to the Romantic Times convention and giggle a lot

9)  I have been welcomed to the writing world by a fabulous group of colleagues

8)  I live in the most wonderful, inspirational place, Oregon

7)  I got to meet a lot of amazing fans this year

6)  I toured all over the country, ate at fancy restaurants, and was invited to DC by the Library of Congress

5)  I was able to meet two authors I've idolized for years-Orson Scott Card & Christopher Paolini

4)  I hit the NYT Bestseller's list with all three of my books

3)  I have a job doing what I love

2)  I've spent a lot of time with my parents and have enjoyed becoming good friends with my mom

1)  My family and friends are all healthy and happy

Leave a comment on this blog and tell me what you are most thankful for!



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INSPIRATION CORNER


Fighting Tigers





When I decided to have a rival for Kelsey's affection, I knew I needed the rival to be on equal footing with my hero.  I like the idea of circling the plot, giving second chances, and taking the reader back to the beginning again.  I wanted to show a tragedy from the past and see if my heroes would handle it differently if they had to do it all over again.  



Ren was engaged to Yesubai and his brother fell in love with her too.  This led to betrayal and a tragic end for the girl.  Centuries go by and again both brothers are in love with the same girl.  How would they behave differently?  What would change and what would remain the same?  I think that both Ren and Kishan were affected  by the death of Yesubai but Kishan even more than Ren.  As he's put into the underdog role a second time around, it's interested to explore his feelings and his reactions.  



Not only is it fun to watch the brothers fight as men but we also have an amazing tiger fight.  At the time, Kelsey is unaware that they can heal so in her mind the fight is taking a tragic turn with both brothers seriously injured.  She believes they are fighting over the woman in their past, Yesubai, but this fight is actually much more complicated.  



Ren fights for Kelsey, yes, but more importantly, he fights because the brother he trusted and loved betrayed him and endangered their people and their home.



Kishan fights because he is deeply disappointed in himself and in some way blames his brother for his own shortcomings.  He is jealous of all his brother has and feels as if Ren is handed everything while Kishan has to struggle.  As Kishan challenges his brother, he also challenges himself.  Secretly, he feels he is less worthy and less able than Ren.  He is desperate to prove himself as a man and a prince.



Both men have pent up these feelings for years and the best way to have it out once and for all is a big tiger fight.  Though they remain rivals through the series, there is a big change in how they relate to one another after this fight.  It is a turning point for both of them.



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For those of you who participated in the last Scavenger Hunt you are in for a treat!  This winter season hunt is bigger and better than the first one!  For those of you who are new this online Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to learn about what's new and exciting in the world of YA books.  I've assembled a group of amazing authors to join me in providing you with bonus material, puzzle challenges, and will be offering fantastic prizes individual prizes as well as a chance at the grand prize which is a huge collection of  signed books that these authors are going to be sending to just one grand prize winner!  All you have to do is come visit my website sometime between Dec 1 and Dec 4.  Give yourself an hour or two so you'll have time to explore the pages of free material offered by all these amazing authors.



Here is a list of  the outstanding authors who will be a part of the hunt next week.



Rashelle Workman







P.J. Hoover







Gregg Olsen



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Laura A.H. Elliott







Stacey Wallace Benefiel







Lani Woodland







Beth Revis







Karen Amanda Hooper







Lisa Bergren







Ali Cross









Elana Johnson







Abbi Glines









Myra McEntire









Amy Plum







Inara Scott









Lisa Nowak









Gina Damico









Amber Argyle









C.K. Bryant



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Cynthia Hand









Erica O'Rourke







Brodi Ashton







Kimberly Derting







Leah Bobet







Jocelyn Davies







Angela Corbett







Jessica Shirvington



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Gretchen McNeil









Bree Despain







Josephine Angelini







Tera Lynn Childs



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Leigh Fallon









Marley Gibson









Claudia Gray







Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie







Alexandra Monir









Jeri-Smith Ready



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Heather Davis









Tara Hudson







Colleen Houck



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We are still attempting to add some more authors but this is a very promising group already!  I hope you all are as excited about this as I am.  As for me I will be writing some bonus material available only during the Scavenger Hunt.  I'm thinking of a Christmas story that I want to write so I'd better hurry and get it done.  



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!



I'm so thankful for all of you!



Colleen Houck