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

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

Shadé wrote: "I was wondering , is your Egyptian book going to be very similar to Tiger's curse or will it be completely different ?"

There are definitely some similarities. In fact, it really wouldn't be too strange to attempt to bridge the worlds. Having said that, the characters are all very different as is the journey.

so excited for this chat!

Allana wrote: "Hi Mrs. Houck,
I enjoyed your books so much I've read then dozens of times. Do you ever get ideas from your fans that you put into the Tiger Series? Also, how would you think Kelsey would react to..."

I think Kelsey and Lilliana would get along well. Though I think Kells would be a bit intimidated by her but they also have a lot in common. Sometimes I get ideas from fans who send me pictures or ask me certain questions about things I never thought of before.

Imasha wrote: "Dear Mrs Houck
You write about love so expertly you must have a wonderful husband who loves you :) Did he influence your amazing writing on love? And is he as wonderful as Ren? :D"

I get asked this question a lot. My husband is wonderful. This year marks our 20th anniversary, in fact. He inspired the permission to kiss scene and Ren's massages. Sadly, my hubby isn't a romantic and gives horrible gifts but I think I'll keep him anyway. =)

Natalia wrote: "Hi, Colleen! THANK YOU for your books, they are so amazing! And my question is why Kishan didn't ask permission to kiss Kelsey,like Ren. Me and my friends had lively conversation about that =)"

Ah remember that Kishan is a man of action. He goes after what he wants. He teases Ren about being a dreamer and a poet who pines away instead of doing something. They are very different in that way.

If you self-publish you have a lot of say ;) It all depends on the publisher I think. I'm more aware now of how the machine works so I preemptively feed ideas to the publisher when I turn in the book. I use pinterest boards and invite the editors and artists to view the images that inspired the book. Ultimately it lies in their hands but they do want the author to love it as much as they do. My number one request is not to put a girl in a dress on the cover. I think its a bit overdone and it drives away male readers. Not to say those books don't sell because they do. For me the covers I gravitate towards are very artistic. I love pieces of art that say something that you want to stare at for a long time and figure out how the whole thing goes together. I like the US Harry Potter covers for that reason.

I was really hoping Troy would find love with one of Phoebe's friends. Do you think that will happen?

Will Phoebe ever read that book? I need to know what happened!

Have you actually tried any of these Greek baked goods you mention in the book and if so where can I get them?

Did you always plan a second book in the OH.My.Gods series or was it something you came up with when you finished the first book?

Simran wrote: "Hi, I was wondering if you were planning to do any meet ups/signings or book promotions in Oregon in the near future? Also, is the Egyptian series going to mix different types of mythology like you..."

I'm doing one tomorrow night in fact with three other authors at the Book Bin East in Salem, OR at 7 pm!

Montse wrote: "Hi miss houck i was wondering two things i hope you can answer please? Haha so first is tiger's dream in kishan or durga's pov or kelsey's as always or perhaps ren's? Well and also if it's after th..."

Tiger's Dream is top secret so I am saying very little about it at this time including when it takes place and whose perspective it's in. =) Sorry.

Isabelle wrote: "If you read tiger's curse, tiger's quest, tiger's voyage and tiger's destiny you will enjoy the next"

Thank you

Vitória wrote: "Colleen, I think you've probably been asked this many times, but do you have any idea of when is Tiger's Dream coming out?"

Not yet. We still don't have a pub date.

Robin wrote: "I just want to say to you Mrs. Houck that you are amazing and bloody brilliant!

Now onto my question.. How long do you plan to make your Egyptian series? I will buy every book you will ever publis..."

Thank you! I'm thinking three books plus a novella or two.

Jesse wrote: "Hi I was wondering if the Tigers Dream book was planned or if after finishing Tigers Destiny that you felt that there needed to be another book?"

Dream has always been in the plans.

And again my deepest apologies for missing the chat! I will willingly accept whatever punishment Kimberly can devise-line edits, push ups, cooking her dinner for a week, sitting next to a weird dude at a conference so she doesn't have to, a fruit basket, naming a character after her, babysitting her pets while she tours, whatever she likes. Hope you all had fun despite my lameness!

And the winner of the Kimberly Derting prize pack is Heather! I will be reaching out to you on your Goodreads msg board and then send me your address. You win the whole Pledge series. Congrats!

Kimberly wrote: "Angelina stole my heart from the very first time I met her!"

I can see a whole spinoff series for her actually.

Kimberly wrote: "In The Essence I explore a lot more of the world, sending Charlie out to a summit where she meets several of the other queens. I wanted the chance to expand outside the palace--and even the city's--walls. ."

I loved the setting of the Essence. Loved the sheer material and gowns and the northern climate and the ice storms. So do you see this world as a mostly frozen sort of climate or was that unique to the landscape?