Colleen Houck Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Alexandra will be answering questions during the month of January 2016 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.

A big shout out Alexandra

Do you now or have you lived in New York? I noticed Suspicion is partially set there and I know your other series is too.

Was researching the Dukes and Earls difficult? Historical fiction scares me. I'm not sure I could wrap my head around all the titles.

Hi Colleen! I did live in New York City part-time while writing and researching my first series, TIMELESS. I moved back to LA full-time since, but I still visit NY frequently- it's my favorite place!

Actually, the research was my favorite part! I'm a total history nerd and loved poring over all the books about dukes and duchesses, earls and countesses of the past. I often choose story topics based on things I'm interested in and know I'll enjoy researching, like the historical time periods in TIMELESS, and the British aristocracy in SUSPICION.

Hi Alexandra! I am a huge fan of your books and I was wondering if the next time you visit NY, you could maybe stop by a B&N on Long Island? If you haven't been to Long Island yet, we have really good food and a lot of book fans!

Thank you so much, Sandra! I would love to come to Long Island for the next book- I will definitely try to make that happen!

Hi Alexandra! I really loved this book. The suspense of the mystery was killing me. Imogen was a strong character and I sure as heck was trying to solve the mystery with her. Where did you get your idea for the story?

What's next for you?

When you had trouble with writer's block what was your go to method to help bring back the words?

Alexandra wrote: "Hi Colleen! I did live in New York City part-time while writing and researching my first series, TIMELESS. I moved back to LA full-time since, but I still visit NY frequently- it's my favorite place!"

I've loved the few times I've been there. Do you have some favorite restaurants there?

I love the setting in Suspicion! At the end of the book you talk about it in the notes. Have you been there? Love the idea of doing an onsite research trip.

Do you gravitate more towards Happily Ever After books? I have to admit, I do.

Thank you so much Tawney, and great questions! I got the idea for the story from my love of the classic suspense novel REBECCA- I wanted to come up with a unique retelling of this gothic novel, for a contemporary audience. My next book is The Girl in the Picture and I am SO excited about it! :)

My go-to method for writers block usually involves music and exercise- I need to be moving and listening to a song that gets me in the mood of my story, while daydreaming about the plot and characters, and that almost always gets the inspiration going!

Hi Colleen! Oh my goodness, I have so many favorite NYC restaurants. :) Definitely L'Artusi in the West Village, a delicious Italian spot that has a sentimental significance too, since it's where my husband and I went to celebrate the night he proposed! I also love Blue Smoke for bbq, Shake Shack for burgers, Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, and The Palm Court at the Plaza for afternoon tea. :)

And yes, I took a research trip to England for SUSPICION and absolutely loved it! I spent about a week in London soaking up the British culture and atmosphere, and then I went to Oxford for 5 days, the setting of SUSPICION, and spent a full day at Blenheim Palace, which was my model for Rockford Manor. Such a fairy-tale!

I think I do gravitate more towards Happily Ever After books, but at the same time, I do love a dark and twisty tale too. Overall, I just want to end the novel with a satisfied feeling. :)

Alexandra wrote: "I think I do gravitate more towards Happily Ever After books, but at the same time, I do love a dark and twisty tale too. Overall, I just want to end the novel with a satisfied feeling. :)"

I'm the same. I don't mind having sad things happen but I want it to feel like that's the way it should have been.

Hi! I'm a big fan of both Alexandra and Colleen. When did you first know you wanted to write? When did you start writing? What inspired you?

Sarah wrote: "Hi! I'm a big fan of both Alexandra and Colleen. When did you first know you wanted to write? When did you start writing? What inspired you?"

For me there are two incidents that contributed to my writing. The first was around 2003 or so. I found out I couldn't have kids and started writing to channel my emotions. At that time I wrote a few children's books about my dog and a family recipe book, but I wasn't really serious about it. Then in 2008 I read Twilight and discovered YA. I immediately wanted to read another book like that and couldn't find anything else like it. I read about the author and figured out she was a lot like me. That's when I decided to give writing some serious thought and six months later Tiger's Curse was born.

Wow, that's really inspirational! Do you think the Reawakened series will be the last thing you'll write?

Alexandra wrote: "Thank you so much Tawney, and great questions! I got the idea for the story from my love of the classic suspense novel REBECCA- I wanted to come up with a unique retelling of this gothic novel, for..."

How did you add a hyperlink to your answer? I can't figure out how to do it.

Colleen, that is beautiful. What a powerful story of something amazing coming out of something difficult. I <3 you!

My journey to writing began when I was really little- reading was my favorite pastime from age 2, so as soon as I knew how to write, I was jotting down stories. However, I started my professional life is a recording artist first--I was a teen pop singer a decade ago!--so being in LA for that gave me opportunities to meet people at production companies and pitch my story ideas for film/TV. Then I came up with the idea for TIMELESS and realized it was a book- and the rest is history!

Colleen wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "Thank you so much Tawney, and great questions! I got the idea for the story from my love of the classic suspense novel REBECCA- I wanted to come up with a unique retelling of this..."

There is a place right above this reply box (on the right side of where it says "Comment") and it says "add book/author." That's how I got the link!

Can you tell us anything about Girl in the Picture? And is the Timeless series over now?

The TIMELESS series is currently just two books- but there is always the possibility for more down the line!

Here is the official synopsis for GIRL IN THE PICTURE- I'm so excited about this one! :)

"Nicole Morgan has been labeled many things — the geeky music girl, the shy sidekick to Miss Popularity, and the girl with the scar. Now only one name haunts her through the halls of Oyster Bay Prep.

The Girl in the Picture.

After high school heartthrob Chace Porter is found dead in the woods near the school, the police are in search of the girl whose picture with Chace is the only clue found amongst his personal belongings. A girl who no one knew was even close to Chace–and whose dormmate, Lana Rivera, was Chace's girlfriend.

Nicole is that girl and now she's the primary suspect in his murder.

But what really happened that night? Were Nicole and Chace dating behind Lana’s back; were he and Lana over? Could either of them have killed him?

Told in alternating points of view, that of our suspect, Nicole Morgan, and her former best friend and roommate, Lana Rivera, readers will piece together the story of a starcrossed love, a fractured friendship–and what really happened the night Chace was killed."

Hannah wrote: "Wow, that's really inspirational! Do you think the Reawakened series will be the last thing you'll write?"

Alexandra wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "Thank you so much Tawney, and great questions! I got the idea for the story from my love of the classic suspense novel REBECCA- I wanted to come up with a unique r..."

No, not at all. I have lots and lots of books planned. I'll probably write until my brain doesn't work anymore. =)

Alexandra wrote: "Colleen, that is beautiful. What a powerful story of something amazing coming out of something difficult. I <3 you!

My journey to writing began when I was really little- reading was my favorite pa..."

That is so amazing. I've always wanted to sing but my voice is almost a Tenor I think. (The only reason I know that is because I sing comfortably with Josh Groban and Journey). I'm at least an Alto but I can only hear Soprano so that's what I attempt and its pretty sad.

And the winner of the Alexandra Monir prize pack is Sandra! Congrats! I've msgd you on Goodreads so get back to me asap and I'll send out your prize. Don't forget to join me next month where my featured author is April Genevieve Tucholke! This time the chat will be on my blog. See you there!