Friday, May 4, 2012

Colleen Houck Author Interview


Photo Credit: Gabriel Boone

New York Times Bestselling author Colleen Houck is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, paranormal, science fiction, and romance. When she’s not busy writing, she likes to spend time chatting on the phone with one of her six siblings, watching plays, and shopping online. Colleen has lived in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, California, and North Carolina and is now permanently settled in Salem, Oregon with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.
        



What makes the paperback release different from the hardcover? 
The paperback release will bring in a whole other group of readers. I have several friends who prefer reading paperbacks over carrying around the heavier hardcovers and they're very excited to get their hands on this new version. There is also the chance to update the book and add bonus material which all my fans know I love to write. 

What are you most excited about with the paperback? 
I'm very excited to share Kelsey's recipes! I'm a foodie as most of you can tell from my books and I can say from experience that there's nothing better than sitting down with a new paperback and a hot batch of Ren's cookies. Light a sandalwood candle too and it's like you're in the story. 

Is there something you can tell us about Tiger’s Curse that no one else knows? 
Yes! Pay close attention to Kelsey's dreams because they are foreshadows of things to come later on in the series. 

Ren or Kishan?
I honestly love both brothers and want both of them to get their happy endings. I didn't think I'd love Kishan as much as I do but he has solidly wedged himself into my heart. 

Kelsey can be sassy! Why did you choose to make her character so empowered? 
I wanted a heroine who could do all the cool things I'd like to do. I was a big fan of Wonder Woman. She was beautiful and could do amazing things. That's what I wanted for Kelsey. My hope is that my female readers will see that ordinary girls can do extraordinary things. 

Has your day-to-day changed since becoming a NYT bestselling author?!? What does your husband think about it? 
My day to day just gets busier and more hectic every week that passes. My favorite time is when I can just sit down at my computer and get lost in my story. My husband is proud and amazed. He likes to brag about his author wife to perfect strangers and hands out book marks to everyone he meets.

Last question—do you plan on visiting India? You’ve already done so much research about it!
I have no immediate plans but I would LOVE to go. I think it would be amazing to see all the locations I've written about. I made a real effort as I wrote to layer my fantasy world on top of real world places because I like the idea of feeling like you could actually step through a doorway into another world.


The first book in the nationally bestselling Tiger's Curse series is now available in paperback!

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.
But that's exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.
Packed with magic, action-adventure, and romance, the epic Tiger's Curse series will keep you breathless and yearning for more.


Praise for TIGER'S CURSE

“…a sweet romance and heart-pounding adventure. I found myself cheering, squealing and biting my nails-all within a few pages. In short, Tiger's Curse is magical!” ―Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush

"High adventure ensues. As in Tiger's Curse and Tiger's Quest, this story is part action-adventure and part romance…The novel will satisfy the saga's fans, who will be delighted by the prospect of a fourth volume.” ―Booklist

“Houck cranks the love-o-stat up another notch…Hypersteamy romance...'hot, melty, smoldering' (but still chaste) make-out sessions…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Forget vampires and werewolves, tigers are the new hottest thing…a guaranteed page turner with a huge twist at the end that will leave you breathless.” ―RT Book Reviews


Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck encompasses all of the elements for a successful book – a witty plot, engaging characters, and a perplexity of an ending that just feeds your desire to want more. The progression of the plot will have readers entirely attracted to Kelsey’s remarkable story and her pursuit to end Dhiren and Kishan’s curse of being turned into tigers. The story of their curse is truly intriguing. Colleen has done extensive research of the Indian culture which is evident from her rich descriptions that leaves readers feeling like they are in that environment.

Colleen’s presentation of these wonderful characters is simply amazing. She has crafted some of the most unforgettable characters I have ever encountered in a book. The emotional turmoil they go through is heart-wrenching and Colleen’s writing style solidifies its tangibility. It is also apparent that she has put in a lot of research to support this unique plot. Her careful thought and consideration in each word helped entwine a story that is easy to envision. It is as if she picks you up and places you in the center front row seats to soak up all the glory of this amazing story.

The book possesses a magical feel through its descriptive action, adventure, and mystery. The romance is spectacular and readers will have no problem revisiting it several times. Everything about Tiger’s Curse is gripping. From the beautifully and highly-detailed cover and the unique storyline, it is nothing short of magnificent. It offers everything that will satisfy any reader’s desire and leaves them yearning for more. Truly addictive and the story just keeps going to new heights with the other installments. 


You can purchase Tiger's Curse at the following Retailers:
    


And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you COLLEEN HOUCK for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive one Signed Copy of Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck.
jbnpastinterviews

57 comments:

  1. I would be Alice of Twilight so I could see in the future

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  2. Hmmm, I must think... there are too many! :O
    In the current book I'm reading (The Last Echo), I would love to be Krystal because she's so daring and doesn't care what anyone thinks of her which I admire!

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  3. there are way too many but since im reading the night huntress series right now ill just say id be Cat and the main reason would have to be Bones :)

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  4. I'd want to be Eon/Eona, being able to harness the magical powers of a dragon is just awesome

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  5. i would love to be scout from to kill a mockingbird. she is so innocent but goes through these tough times.

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  6. Riley Jenson! Everything about her is awesome!

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  7. Sephrenia from David Edding's Elenium and Tamuli series. She is such a great character and who wouldn't want to be a high priestess who trains knights in the ways of magic

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  8. I'd be Rose from The Vampire Academy because she is all I want to be.. She's not afraid to fight for the things she wants and she's a vampire and I love vampires :)

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  9. I would love to be a vamp from the argeneau series by lynsay sands. :)

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  10. I would like to be Clary Fray from the Mortal Instruments series. I would love to have mad drawing skills, and I have always wanted red hair... LOL! Thanks for the great giveaway! :D

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  11. I would love to be one of the native, talking, Narnia animals. I'm not sure which kind though. maybe a Centaur? Or a faun.

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  12. I would want to be Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy series. She is kickass and she gets Dimitri <3

    Thanks for the giveaway

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  13. Claire from Morganville vampires. She is smart, capable and she has Shane. And Myrnin is always somewhere nearby.

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  14. I think I would be Tris from Divergent. She's smart, courageous and is brave in the face of danger.

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  15. I would like to be Rose Hathaway, that way I can kick some Strigoi butts! I love strong female character! (ileana - rafflecopter)

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  16. I want to be Hermione! Obviously, I want to be a part of the Hogwarts. :)

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  17. I would be Maximum Ride because she seriously kicks butt and can fly.

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  18. I'd be Kaylee from the Soul Screamers series :D
    She kicks some serious a** :D

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  19. I would like to be Rose from Vampire Academy, because not only is she completely bad-ass, but she ends up with the absolutely gorgeous Dimitri!

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  20. I'd like to be cat from the night huntress series just because I love bones so much!

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  21. Wow! Tough question...
    I'd like to be Hermione. She's smart, brave, has great friends and she's a witch!

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  22. It would have to be Zoey Redbird, her powers are great and so is Stark! yummy!!

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  23. Kelsey! I'm so jealous..
    I want go to India and other places to break a curse for a couple of gorgeous brothers who turn into tigers...

    Admittedly, I wouldn't break the curse completely since I'm selfish and would want them to be tigers some of the time.. xD

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  24. I would be Jennifer Adams from The Grey Wolves series because she is so funny and she does what she wants and doesn't let anyone boss her around.

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  25. I would be Sabine from Immortals after dark. I love how strong she is and i would love to have her power of illusions!

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  26. I would want to be Tris from Divergent. Because she is kick ass and I could NEVER do the things she does being me! LOL

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  27. mia,

    wanna feel how it's like to be a princess
    =)

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  28. i would love to be Elizabeth of Pride and prejudice because i love her character her love for her sister Jane... :)

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  29. Thank you so much for the giveaway!

    Truthfully, I LOVE this series! When I read Tiger's Curse I wished I could be Kelsey, to travel to India and deal with magic and cute princes and eat exotic food and try great fashion and meet legendary Goddesses, I LOVE this series!

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  30. I would be Paks from the Deed of Paksenarrion. She is SO strong and can handle everything that comes her way. I think it is that quality that attracts me to Colleen Houck's and Lisa Bergren's protagonists. :)

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  31. Zoey Redbird from the House of Night Series!! Because having powers is awesome!!

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  32. Harry Potter...hes AWESOME! so brave...even though i wudnt bear his pain(losing everyone) i still would be

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  33. Clary from The Mortal Instruments!

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  34. One of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream, then I could play tricks with Puck!

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  35. I would have to say Kelsey from Tiger's Curse. That's all I really need to say lol.

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  36. Thank you for such an amazing giveaway! I pray I win this book! Colleen Houck is such a huge inspiration to my writing.

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  37. It changes all the time, but I think Kelsey would be who I would like to be right now. I love wonder woman too like Colleen and used to wish I could be her.

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  38. I would like to be Hermione from Harry Potter :D

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  39. So many I would want to be but one for sure would be Xhex from BDB because she can kick butt and has John.

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  40. I wouldn't mind being Cat from Night Huntress. :)

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  41. There are so many! But probably Elizabeth Bennet, because of Mr Darcy! :)

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  42. So many! But I would love to be Katy from Obsidian. Two words...Daemon Black ;)

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  43. Triss from Divergent so then i could make out with four!!!!
    And she kicks butties.

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  44. Rose from Vampire Academy. Why? Have you seen Dimitri?

    Penny Pe

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  45. Rose from Vampire Academy she is just so kick ass.

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  46. I'd love to be Hermione Granger. Her courage, loyalty, and intelligence are very admirable. :)

    - Noely Jeleen

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  47. Tabitha at Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon Book...

    Coz I want to be the Woman who made Valerius Magnus fall in Love with.. ihiiyy.. xD

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  48. I would love to be Cat from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. She always is involved in some adventure, can kick butt & has BONES!!!! :)

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  49. I'd love to be Katsa from Graceling and have the Graceling of survival!

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  50. I would love to be Bella from Twilight!

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  51. I would fe any female character of the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I have to give a reason? I think it's pretty obvious for anyone who has read the books :)

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  52. Katniss, just to be with Peeta in the cave <3
    she's so strong, I love her

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  54. i wana be Kaitlin from the Descended by Blood :) because she's the coolest best friend ever! :)

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  55. Anna from Anna and the French Kiss. She has great friends, lives in France and has a sweet boyfriend. She has the perfect life :)
    Thanks a lot for the giveaway!

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  56. MacKayla Lane, from the fever series by karen marie moning, and the obvious answer is because i would then get to partake in the wonderfully delicious barrons ;0)

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  57. Hermione, from the Harry Potter series. She's everything every girl would want to be.

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