Colleen’s Comments (group member since Apr 21, 2014)

Colleen’s comments from the Colleen Houck Book Club group.

Shaylee wrote: "Is there any truth to the story of two princes named Dhiren and Kishan?"

The original idea came from a story I found where a real prince of India was torn apart by tiger claws so that story that Mr. Kadam first told Kelsey at the circus was based on a true story.

Sharon711 wrote: "I don't know about anyone else.............but I can't wait for the new series to start. Any ideas when that may be?"

First book is heading to bookstores Aug 2015.

Imasha wrote: "Hi Colleen! Remember me? I asked quite a few question earlier. I was just wondering about the amazing new Egyptian series you are currently working. How many books do you think it'll have? Or are y..."

Planning on three and a novella.

Tawney wrote: "Your books are epic and I can't wait for the Egyptian one! Did you get to do any research pertaining to that book? Like maybe a cool trip to Egypt or museums?"

Lots of research but it was boring! Mostly books. The only really cool thing I did was attend the Mummies exhibit at OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). Saw lots of cool things there including real mummies.

Welcome to the group! Beth will be answering questions on Thursday, August 27th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for the author or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Injust Ampora wrote: "Do you know the webcomic Homestuck? if you not you should totally read it (mspadventures.com)"

Never heard of it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Dhiren is di as in dip and ren should be fairly obvious but Kishan is key shawn.

Suman wrote: "Hi Colleen, I'm a little new at this but I would like to nominate my new novel Shifting Faces for your book club. Is this forum only for your books or for other authors as well?"

Hi Suman. This section is for any questions for me so asking here is fine. Thanks for bringing your book to my attention.

Well guys, the hour has flown by. Thank so much to Aprilynne Pike for spending time with us tonight! I love the informal chats with authors. =) So our lucky 6 book winner tonight is...Aricka! I will message you to get your mailing address and ship those books out to you this week. Congratulations!

Aprilynne wrote: "Well, I don't know if it's a secret, really, but a pet peeve of mine is when there's a love "triangle" but one of the guys is clearly a total jerk and you spend the whole book yelling at the girl in your head to stop dating the stupid guy! "

I agree with you. Of course that means heartbreak at some point in the story but I'm happy to console either guy =) I often get asked if I'm Team Guy A or Team Guy B. I end up just saying I'm Team either one. Though I will say I've given great thought to which one is the best kisser. ;)

Shara wrote:"However if we knew the agenda ahead of time I think it would have been a "hair washing night."

Ha ha I love that excuse. I think it was mostly one our moms used. Wish I could get away with that one now. Sorry, can't attend your Scentsy/Tupperware/MaryKay party. Gotta wash my hair! =D

Aprilynne wrote: "So what was your favorite Earthbound moment?

I admit, it's the plane crash at the beginning. And the fact that I wrote it on a plane."

Ooh that's kind of scary. Did it freak you out? Also, I can't write on a plane. Can't write on my laptop in fact. Have to be at home by the computer. Need my stuff around me. Do you have any writing rituals?

Aprilynne wrote: "and Tavia has two incredibly strong, determined guys in her life who—more than anything else—support HER. I know that knowing there’s someone strong behind me helps me move forward when I’m afraid, and I like to think it helps Tavia too. "

And I have to add that both of these boys are absolutely swoonworthy! I liked both the boys in the Wings series too. Such good guys. It's hard not to want one of them to win and then cry for the other one. What's your secret to creating such memorable heroes?

Aprilynne wrote: "When I write a love scene I generally am feeling it as I write it … not so much the action scenes. They’re an Achilles heel of mine. "

I feel ya there. The romance is usually swoony enough I can totally get into it and I emerge several pages later thinking writing is easy. Then a battle scene comes and I slog through it, researching weapons and all kinds of stuff better left to Lord of Rings nerds. Speaking of which there was way too much ork battle and not even close to enough Legolas kissing. Even Aragorn was separated too long from his elf girlfriend.

Aprilynne wrote: "one of the guys turns around and says, “What are you doing!!” and tosses my hand off the knob and proceeds to wipe it off with his sweatshirt. "

Oh man that's scary! I have some regrets like that. There were a few times in my life when I chose the wrong friends and ended up in situations I wouldn't normally put myself in. Thankfully, I'm much wiser now than I was back then.

Aricka wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Aricka wrote: "That is a lot of books! I'm so excited!! :D "

Have you read any of them yet?"

Yes I have! :D Tigers Curse, Tigers Promise, Earthbound, and Earthquake. :)"

Wow! You've read a lot of them then! So what was your favorite Earthbound moment? I think mine is the kissing!

Aprilynne wrote: "Originally I took it into a mystery direction and solving her own murder, but that never fit and when I chilled out about trying to make an exciting plot..."

I was sort of wondering if she might've been murdered. Was thinking the cheerleader had done it. I think I spent half the book trying to figure out how she died. ;)

So laundry or dishes?
Cookies or cake?
A kiss or a shoulder rub?
Flowers or chocolate?
A wink or a smile?
Dogs or cats?

Aricka wrote: "That is a lot of books! I'm so excited!! :D "

Have you read any of them yet?

Aprilynne wrote: "Sadly, if your partner still has like, three lives left . . . they are just destined to lifetimes alone until they use their seventh. Remember, this system is a curse. A punishment. I felt like it ought to be. So, it’s difficult, sad, and unfair. "

Yeah, it kinda is. So if the power goes back into the pool do other Earthbounds get it? Sort of like Highlander? If I recall correctly, they'd kill each other off and absorb the other guy's power.