Latest / Cait & Court's Cozy Corner: Romance Readers / Let's Talk About: Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter with the author duo!
Transcript
- Katie: You Caitlin Stryker: Executive producers and hosts, Caitlin Stryker and Courtney Richter, producers, Canasia Ngo and Hollie Lobosky Original music, Cassie De Silva. I know. This is a podcast for lovers of romance and romantasy novels who want to go on a deep dive into their favorite genre. Honest discussions and salacious details giving romance books the respect they deserve. We are two friends, actors, moms and romance readers who like a bit of spice and everything nice in their books. Courtney Richter: Hi. Hi. The countdown makes you feel so silly. You're like, it's about to start. I always have a moment of like. Becky: Yeah. Katie: We've just been talking! I love it. Caitlin Stryker: I know. We all get so quiet and serious and we've been having like a little pre chat and then it's like and five, four, three, two, ⁓ my God, panic, one and everybody goes, now what? Court actually usually likes to like forget something as I hit record and then be like, ⁓ wait, I've got to fix my, and I'm like, we're going, we're alive. All right. You know the drill. Be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to our podcast. You know the drill. Be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to our podcast. Courtney Richter: Go. Becky: sorry. Courtney: Thanks for tuning in to Cait and Court's Cozy Corner Romance Readers. Becky: You Katie: Click. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: you Caitlin Stryker: Welcome back to Cait and Court's Cozy Corner. Today we have Becky and Katie, who are part of the writing duo team named Ellis Hunter, here to talk with us about their book, Bloodbound. And we are so excited to talk with them today. You guys are, you gals are our first author duo that we are having on. Hi, I'm Cait Courtney Richter: Yeah! Courtney: And I'm Court. Welcome to Cait and Court's Cozy Corner Romance Readers. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: which is really, really exciting. We really want to dig into that because Courtney and are currently writing a book together. We wrote a pilot, a show together, because it came out before, just before we hit record. They were like, great, how did you two meet? And it was like, we'll talk about it on the podcast. Courtney and met on set. We're both actors and we were both living in Vancouver at the time and we met on set on a movie and became like, yeah. Katie: Yes. Courtney: As we like to say, you don't need spice for a book to be good. Well, you don't need running shoes to run, but they sure do help. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Becky: Hahaha Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: soon Katie: ⁓ my god! Courtney Richter: Just gonna be game instant... That's friends and partners. Yeah, similar to like how YouTube met and got attached. Yes. Katie: I love this! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. like, yeah, so we bonded over like, we were both moms, little ones, our little ones were like sub two toddlers at the time. And one of the hair and makeup team was like, I think asked court like, ⁓ do you miss your daughter right now? And she was like, no, not at all. And I overheard her. Becky: Hahaha! Katie: ⁓ I get a break! Yes! Certainly get it! Caitlin Stryker: best friend. Becky: You Courtney Richter: This is my me time. Caitlin Stryker: together. ⁓ Becky: We're good. Katie: What was the movie you guys were on? What were you doing? Caitlin Stryker: We were on a lifetime Christmas movie. Yeah, four Christmases and a Yeah. And a wedding. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Hallmark movie or Lifetime movie called Four Christmases? Like the Reese Witherspoon one, but not. Yeah, but it was called Four Christmases, I think. ⁓ yeah, we were two with Ariel Kevill. Yes. It was super fun. Yeah. It was like August in super hot and being dressed as like Christmas and skating and all of the good stuff. Katie: Like I love it. love Christmas movies. Caitlin Stryker: Right, they're so fun. We love them too. They're really fun to Becky: So now you have Hahaha! ⁓ Katie: It's good. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ So now we know how we met. How did the two of you meet? Becky: Thank you. And now you guys are writing a book together. Courtney Richter: Yeah! Yes. Katie: Well, so we were both working at Headline Publishing Group, which is a publishers in the UK. I don't know if you guys have it in the US, but the part of like, know, Hachette Book Group. But I was like, I was the publicist for Aowyn Ivy and Sarah Winman, Mary Berry of Great British Bake Off fame. And I got a job in editorial to move over and Becky came in to take over my job. So we literally had a two week handover. And that is how we met about. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Okay. Courtney Richter: Okay. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh. ⁓ my gosh. What? Katie: It must be nine, is it nine or ten years ago, Becky? Courtney Richter: Amazing! Becky: Yeah, yeah, we should learn the answer to this. Katie: I think it's, we keep saying it, we think it's 10 years ago. We think 10 years ago. Courtney Richter: This is your prep. Becky: Yeah, eight to ten probably. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Because you said that I have no idea how many years ago we met either. I can guess from our child's age. Eight to nine years ago, I'm going to say. Katie: Let's go 8 to 10 views. Caitlin Stryker: I know. I have to say... Yeah. Yeah. It's like your turn. It does. Katie: Yes! Becky: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, so yes, we met like really briefly and then, you know, and then stayed in touch in the same friendship group. And we were like going out for drinks and kind of in London living like living near each other. And in this we worked in the same building. And then and we were always friends and then we didn't kind of get close until I moved to Cornwall where Katie was living at the time. Like coincidentally, and like Katie: I lose all sense of perspective. Becky: messaged her and neither of us had any friends down there. So we went and I used to spend a lot of time around Katie's and we were drinking wine and so Katie's daughter Teddy was what like young. Courtney Richter: I that. Katie: You Teddy, we started writing this book when Teddy was nine months old. So Teddy was nine months old and me and Becky were kind of like, we're chatting. That's when we went to each other. Should we write a book together? Should we write a dragon book together? And it's one of those things where you're like, you know, we actually did it. To this day, we're like, how did we do it? Courtney Richter: ⁓ my gosh. I love that. It's amazing. It's just the best thing about it. It's amazing. Becky: Yeah, we're always baffled. Everyone's like, so how did it come about? I was like, it kind of feels like it was a joke. then somehow, somehow we ended up losing. Katie: Yes, yeah. And the joke went too far. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: it's just totally changed our lives. It's so crazy. Courtney Richter: ⁓ it's so wonderful. So blood bound to your dragon book. This is your first book under Alessandra, correct? That's what I thought when I was okay. I want to make sure I got that right. But yes, so this has been your baby. And so how old is your daughter now? Caitlin Stryker: I love that! That is so cool! Becky: Yes. Katie: So Teddy is three and a half. Courtney Richter: ⁓ wow. ⁓ so you're in it. ⁓ wow. Way to go. You managed to do this through that. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: You are in it three and a half. Katie: She is... This is why I'm constantly sick, obviously, because you know at that age where they're toddlers, they bring everything home. So I'm just like, right, another cold, another flu. Caitlin Stryker: Yes, it is. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Once there. ⁓ I remember that time. you think like you go through a moment where you're like, is it me? Is it my immune system? No, it's not you. It's the little germ bomb. Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: haha Ha ha! Katie: I honestly was like to Becky's like this obviously something inherently wrong with me like Becky: We were talking about it earlier. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: No, no, I tell you once your child Courtney Richter: Yeah. Becky: We started watching right after, so was like, yeah, probably. Caitlin Stryker: Once your child turns six, suddenly you barely get sick anymore and it's still like a little bit but it's easier to dodge them when they're older, you know when they're little they just are Yeah Katie: okay. Becky: It's me as... Courtney Richter: to build up. Yeah, it's more about the dodge than anything else. It's because no one shares germs like your children like the amount of things on your body from them of their bodily fluids. You can't avoid it. ⁓ my gosh. Grabbing it. Katie: Okay. The Dutch, great. ⁓ my God, just coughing directly onto my face. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: No, the hand. Yeah, or the hand, the hand on your face or in your mouth. you can basically count back. The day you get sick, you can count back like 24 to 36 hours to like a small sticky hand getting in your mouth or a cough in the face. And that's what happened. Becky: Hahaha! Katie: Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: become visceral. Like you feel you feel the germs hit you're like, ⁓ no, this is the one. Yeah, you're like this one got me. Yeah, I'm going down. going down. 24 hours to get everything done. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Katie: ⁓ my god, you do though. They come and aim at you. Becky: See Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: I'm going down. Katie: I tell you what, it's a good job she's cute. They're just too cute. Caitlin Stryker: That's why. They're so, they really are so cute. I look, go back now and I look at toddler pictures like a lot because they're so cute. And it's easier for me to appreciate it now that I'm not in it, you know? Yeah. ⁓ my gosh, I love. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Right? That's how they get you. They stay cute and you're like, okay, fine. You can stay. Yeah. Yeah. Katie: Yes! Yeah, totally get that. ⁓ she's so cherubic. Courtney Richter: ⁓ my gosh, but you've been doing this all with the baby. And then Becky, if you do have any kids or is it you and your, that's helpful. That's helpful. If you were both doing this while having babies and toddlers, it would be, be of your dog. Becky: I don't have a baby. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: ⁓ no, no, no, wait, Courtney. Becky has three horses, like two ponies and a horse. She honestly has them vet out every week because these horses, there's always something wrong with them. They're all like rescues and Becky is such an animal lover that she's like takes it all. So the little dog was a rescue too. So you say this about Becky having kids, Becky basically does have kids because she has all these animals. Courtney Richter: ⁓ my gosh. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh. Right. you Courtney Richter: She has goods. You know, I'm not surprised to hear that. The love of animals comes through in your book. And so I'm not totally surprised to hear that you have this like, merm of adopted animals. Living with you, so can feel it. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. It does. Yeah. Also animals are like, animals are like permanent toddlers. ⁓ amazing. Becky: Yeah, but with rats we have what? With tree rats we have three horses, two cats and a dog between the two of us. Courtney Richter: ⁓ my gosh. That's incredible. Katie: Yes, but you had, there was one point where Becky had a goat. I swear you had a goat. Two goats. Yep. Yeah, rescue goats. Becky: You guys, yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Cool. Courtney Richter: into the mix. Caitlin Stryker: This is fun. This is fun. Becky: Yeah, over the weekend, so we like sent an email to our publicist or a bookshop actually yesterday and we're like, sorry we can't reply right now, we've got poorly kids and poorly horses. We'll be in touch on Monday. Katie: trying to work it all round with that. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh, I love that. That's so cute. Okay, all right, so we know where it started. Now can you give us a synopsis of your book, Blood Found? Courtney Richter: It's so real. I love it. Becky: Do you want to start, Katie? Katie: Do you want me to go? Then I'll forget something and you can carry on and it's always great that way. Okay, so Bloodbound, top line, is about a kingdom of witches and a kingdom of dragon riders who every generation are forced into a duel to the death for the source of all magic. But the reason this matters is the land is dying and the magic is waning. Courtney Richter: You Caitlin Stryker: Perfect. Courtney Richter: you Katie: they need to win the source of all magic so they can essentially save the world. To put it, make it really reductive but super high stakes. And then the book follows two POVs. So I'll hand over to Becky. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Becky: ⁓ we saw an asterisk. Are gonna make me do an asterisk? You do an asterisk. Katie: Should I go into Astrid? Okay. So what we do is I write Astrid and Becky writes Skylar. ⁓ And that's how we write the book. So we have a POV each. Yes, which it makes it a bit easy. Caitlin Stryker: Okay. Becky: I thought you- Courtney Richter: hear that very often, like that it's you both took a POV. I think that's so cool. Katie: Yeah, I think it really helps. I think maybe that's why the voices can feel so distinct. But we'd worked a lot then making the of the cohesion of the book. remember when like our agents... So I've got off a tangent here, but when our agents first read it, they were like, actually, you can't tell that there's two different people writing two different POVs. So because we really wanted to make sure it felt seamless. But back to the question. So... Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: Hahaha Courtney Richter: Not at all. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: You can't. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yes, back to the synopsis. Katie: Astrid is our heir of Arturia, our witch princess. You know what's really bad is I almost keep saying things about book two because I'm so in book two writing. So I'm like, oh wait, no, yeah, okay. So Astrid is the witch princess of Arturia and she is always known, she is destined to die because she is the first born heir and Courtney Richter: ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Is durian not right? Katie: She is the one who has to duel the heir of Vatra, which is the kingdom of dragon riders, to the death. And all she has are her wits, her familiar and her potious aida, but her opposition, sexy Prince Ryan, has a big old dragon. So she's like, obviously I'm going to lose. There's no way I'm going to win this. So Astrid is kind of heading off to Vatra to this duel thinking, how do I save my queendom before I die? Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: So she's like, I know I'm gonna die. And you know she's gonna die. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: You do, yeah. Becky: And then meanwhile, we've got Skylar who is ⁓ a blade juggler in a traveling troop. ⁓ And she is desperate to find her best friend Cam, she thinks has been forcibly conscripted ⁓ as part of the King's kind of, I'm trying to think of another word for conscription and I can't. The King's conscription. Courtney Richter: description works. Katie: Thank Becky: of blooded people who are people with with the of power like superhero type powers. So she's desperate to find him, she's going to burn the whole world down if she has to. But her search to find him is going to take her a bit closer to the witches and the dragon riding royals than she would like. She hates the royals and everything they stand for. Her mum was murdered by one of them when she was 10 years old, which she's kind of got a vendetta against them. Yeah. That's about as spoiled a three as I can get on Skylark. Courtney Richter: Yes, spoiler free wise, it's these two women, these powerful female main characters, and they're both on a different journey and end up thrown together that we will go into because we're going to go into the spoilers because this book is way too good not to but that's if you haven't read it, you want to read it before continuing to listen, go read it and come back. This is where we'll leave you because it's definitely worth the read. So you want to read this one before listening for sure. So go read and come back. Caitlin Stryker: Right? Mm-hmm. We are, yeah. Becky: Thank you. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Yes. It's so good. Becky: Thank Katie: I'm glad you said that because honestly I feel like anyone who just listened to me and Becky Pitchett would be like, what is this? What is this? Courtney Richter: I love you like he's got he's got a dragon so she's gonna lose like and he's like built like a god and super muscular and has been training to fight his entire life and it's like Training Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yeah, also that. Caitlin Stryker: And she's having trouble having some of her powers come in. Like she hasn't got her her sort of extra magical gift is not showing up. Her familiar didn't show up. And then I do really love when her familiar shows up. She's like, oh God, this is gonna be so embarrassing. I'm just gonna be, you know, the whole, she's spiraling and she's like, I don't want anybody seeing that it's a black cat. you're like. Katie: Hey. Courtney Richter: you She hasn't discovered her power. Yes. She's hidden her familiar, the cat. Katie: know Paul Bastet who's like, I know you're embarrassed by me. We do not have to pretend here. I'm embarrassed by myself. Like she doesn't stand a ho. Courtney Richter: Yeah Becky: you Caitlin Stryker: No, no, she is dead like she is going to die the way you've written it I'm like she something really has to come through for her or she's there's absolutely no way because this guy like Quartzette is jacked and has a dragon ⁓ Katie: She is so dead. Courtney Richter: Yes. And train his whole life. You did a very good job describing. That's why I'm like, I want more scheme when we get into book two, because the appetizer was set. Becky: It's like, ⁓ my god. Katie: I love that you describe it as Jax. It makes me so happy. Caitlin Stryker: You love. Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Yes. Katie: those thighs I will I will get more of his thighs in Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh. Mmm. Yeah. ⁓ my gosh. Courtney Richter: the jaw ticking and hand curling of this. Katie: ⁓ we love all of that obviously. Courtney Richter: It's so good. Honestly. Okay. So off the top when she had that guy attack her in the forest right away, Astrid gets attacked and it kind of sets up like the kingdom is trying to kill her before the duel forever because one air can only succeed. Even though in reality when we get there, we're like, why'd they bother trying to kill her? He was always going to kill her. She was never going to win, but they were still doing it. And then we get to the can story. I thought cam was going to be that guy from the forest at first. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Katie: Yeah. Becky: No way! I haven't heard that scary little... Courtney Richter: what the setup was when I was first reading it. I was like, Oh, she's looking for him is missing because he got killed when he went to attack Astrid. It took me a bit to like catch I'm like, Oh, no, okay. He's in another but I totally thought he's when he was sent to kill her. That's what I thought it was gonna be. Yeah, that was my theory at first. And then it obviously I was wrong. But Caitlin Stryker: Are you serious? ⁓ yeah, no, I didn't go there. ⁓ my gosh, I didn't go there. That's fun though. Katie: I'm obsessed with that theory. I love that. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: is gonna become a contention between them that she got her best friend killed. Yes, I thought that was gonna become, yes, the big reveal. Becky: They're gonna be like proper enemies. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ Katie: ⁓ but then obviously it's basically Axel and Skylar stabs Axel in the neck. It's great. Caitlin Stryker: Okay. Courtney Richter: Exactly, which was also a mid, yes. Oh, Axel. Oh, I hate him so much. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. ⁓ yeah, that was good. I mean, it was good. But then I also like really felt bad for Skylar because I was like, ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: Yeah, we will think about this later. Courtney Richter: kept getting burned. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: She did, but then I was like really happy that she resisted Axel kind of the whole time, you know, like that she was like maybe sort of feeling for him, but like didn't do anything. Cause I was like, that might've been too much. That might've just been like too devastating for her if she had like, you know, yeah, like to be betrayed by Axel when, you know, Cam is missing and then, you know, no more. Courtney Richter: Yes, to leave him. mean, she was betrayed by him, but to be betrayed by him and her heart had she like fully gone that way. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah, like had she like really gotten like totally attached, totally attached to him. Becky: Well, we had a lot of discussion about this when we were writing, in terms of how far to go with Axel. Yeah, so there's quite a few deleted scenes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: AAAA- Katie: Yeah. Courtney Richter: yet because it could have done either it really walked that line which you did a great job of wanting them together and then and then even when he starts revealing his evil side it's not like total yet so you're still like maybe maybe maybe and they're like ⁓ no he's actually the worst Caitlin Stryker: You did. Mm-hmm. Maybe... Yeah. Yeah, then you're like, no, you really, you really, really suck. Yeah. Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Hahaha! Katie: I shouldn't leave them with it. But you know what is funny because we talked about that because we've had some people who said they actually wish it had gone there to then see Skyler killing him and be like how much that would impact her after that. I mean to be fair she still has like an emotional attachment to him whereas Skyler could be quite a physical person where she's quite like she can detach herself from like physical connection if that makes sense. And I think the other thing... Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah, she does! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Courtney Richter: And she doesn't let people in easily either. like she, still got under her, like he still got in there even without that next step. Like you could tell it's, he still affected her and man. Becky: No. Yeah. Katie: No, yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah. Like she's, she's still she's still going to be questioning herself a little more going forward, you know, when like guys come into her. Totally. Yeah. Katie: Exactly. Becky: Yeah. She's got some trauma to deal with in book two. In terms of the fact that she went, I mean, for her, like, because she's such a black and white person, she would have gone like, like, that was definitely the black and that helps her go there and then she can make those decisions. He obviously in the moment before he, so weird, you're talking about it with so much spoilers. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Ha ha! ⁓ Katie: It's so fun, I love it! Becky: ⁓ In the moment before he kills her, he gives her emotions back and that's the like, he's kind of being like, you feel what you feel for me and are you going to do it anyway? And she has to feel it and still go through with what she was going to do all along. And so, yeah, she was kind of starting to let him in, as you said, and then still went ahead and killed him. I mean, she would do it, you know, it's obviously it was Astrid or him. So there's like kind of no choice. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: It would happen either way, but I think you found that balance. don't think it needed to be that they'd gone further, because you knew how deeply things affect her. She was still coming off the trauma of Cam and seeing the cocoon kind of thing. There was a lot happening. Just Kyla, she was feeling a lot. And the beauty that you guys put, how early on did you decide their powers? Because him being the emotional dampener and then Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Becky: Hahaha! Katie: So much happening. Caitlin Stryker: We're... so much. Courtney Richter: exploiting that completely. It was so beautiful. Like the twist of that was so well done. But how did you outline that first before you kind of went in to the story? Becky: Thank you. powers we had we had a lot of their powers we had some of their powers way earlier than others Axel's was really early right he was actually called something else for the first like half of the time that we wrote the books we changed his name was the thing that changed more than his power of a name is what we learned but his power was super early on because of that reason i think because we knew we wanted him to be like ⁓ able to influence and manipulate and for Skyler like Katie: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mmm. Becky: somebody manipulating her emotions is like way harder than something fit. Like she could deal with somebody being physical or strong or anything like that much easier. And it's gonna so much affect her arc and her love story in book two because she now doesn't, because of this lack of trust with her emotions. But some of the other powers came later, right? Like even Zryon we didn't figure out right away. That took a bit, I mean, he was still before we started the book, right? But it took a little bit longer to figure out. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yeah. Becky: his power, for instance. Katie: Because you know what, kind of you think about things very much in a plot respect, obviously, but then also like also their personality. But when it comes to an M.M.C., like we really like we want them to be badass. So like, what is it that's like cool enough and if we can make it be like only this one power in a generation, you know, whatever it is. And that's why. we were trying to think what it could be that like kind of separated him from the pack as like a Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: I'm sorry. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: sort of a single indicator in terms of the level of his power as a Prime and a Prime teleporter in like the Porter group as well. But again, like what is useful, like I say, in terms of plot and what suits him and the kind of person he is and his personality. So obviously when it's revealed that kind of he's such an empathetic guy, he is a massive green flag. He like started up the rebels. Like it's this idea of Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: what he needs to do is he needs to be able to get somewhere quick and he needs to be there to help people. It's like he needs to be able to make himself available. And it's like, you the assassination attempt in Astrid's bedroom, him being able to be in there because that's the kind of personality he is. He's such a helper. He's such a, like, yeah, such a good guy. You can hear that I'm so biased towards Ryan. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: No Caitlin Stryker: The end. Becky: The other thing was Ryan, the power that we, we also wanted to play around with Astrid and Ryan with the power. So the fact that like he can, even though we find out it's actually her power that's doing it, but the fact that he can teleport and he's never done it with anyone else and then he does it with only us. So we were kind of also, I think, I mean, that came a bit later, doesn't it? But like thinking about the romance of it and like what can, what... Caitlin Stryker: We all are. He's great. Yeah. Courtney Richter: We all love him. He is right from the get-go from that dance. Katie: Sorry. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yes. That's a really good point actually. Becky: Can there be a connection between the powers somehow in of like to link the two of them in a way? Katie: Yes. Courtney Richter: Yes. Katie: the fact only they can teleport together, we just really like that for that connection for them. ⁓ Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, that's sexy also cuz that gives them the ability like escape together, know, mean like only do that which is like ⁓ Katie: Yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly. We love it. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Becky: ⁓ Courtney Richter: set it up like that moment was one of the moments that stayed in my mind when they teleport the first time and that's going to just like don't ever do that again and he's like freaking out internally like yeah it's stuck with me Becky: Yeah, ⁓ that's seriously our number. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. And I love how she's like, that felt awful. what? ⁓ Katie: Yet! Because it would feel awful, wouldn't it? Like, you imagine? Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh, it's kind of I never put it in my imagination is like what it was always like my son and I always talk like what supercard you want to think I want to just be like and I'm there, you know, and I like and then like yeah me too and then I was reading this book and I was like, there's a good point that like you'd have to get used to that feeling of sort of like Courtney Richter: Yes. Katie: Yeah? Becky: NNNN ⁓ Katie: You Courtney Richter: you Katie: Yes! Caitlin Stryker: Your atoms would be like squishing and then like reappearing and like it was so well described and I love how she was just like Like I don't feel good. It's like don't worry. I'll get used to it. She's like I don't want to It was really it does and also I loved that she Courtney Richter: you Becky: What? Katie: ⁓ my god, yeah. ⁓ I'm so pleased! Aww. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Katie: But then she learns to love it. Courtney Richter: Yes, it becomes their thing. Caitlin Stryker: you know, it was really great because it's really like Skylar and Astrid, you're going between the two, right? And so it works really well that she doesn't know her powers because at Scott, wait, ⁓ my gosh, I'm getting mixed up. But that, you know, doesn't know the powers and then doesn't know that they're a royal, right? So like, there's like, Katie: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: everybody is figuring something out. And so then when she figures out her power, you know, it takes a long time. So along the way, and we're getting other people's powers and the things I'm like, wait, what is her power? And like, is it just a little kitten? You know? And then suddenly she has like the power to kind of like absorb everybody's power and do all the things and she's got a giant winged Jaguar and I was like, there we go. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Becky: Thank Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: Yes! Becky: No! Courtney Richter: Yes. Katie: Yes, the big power moment. And again, like with Astrid's power, we wanted it to be something that reflected her and her personality. And she's someone who wants to help people. to be this amplifier who actually, know, she gives so much of herself to others, she's going to give her own life for her queendom. It makes sense that the gift that manifests is a gift that is actually her, like making others better. Caitlin Stryker: Hey. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Right. Katie: And you know she has that moment of like, she's vaguely disappointed. She's like, wait, but how is this going to help me? I'm just going to make everyone else more powerful. And how she learns how like that can also be a power in itself. Like we love to have the powers reflect back into like circumstances as well as like the personalities as well. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, no, I love that. I love that for both of them. They're actually like they're empathic and caring qualities are what make them strong because I think we don't celebrate that enough in our world right now. You know, it's too much kind of like dominant just like hard punch down power and it's like, no, can it be more like this actual strength behind soft power and like that that is not a weakness but a strength. I think that's really cool. Katie: Yes. Absolutely, and like uplifting others in a way. It's like the literal manifestation of how can I uplift others to make them better or feel good or feel better, if you will. And that is very Astrid. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. what I loved. What you guys went Okay, so I will say this, but the point of this is because you two did what hasn't been done what I have not read in the 100 fantasy that I've read the twist on the mates with these two women was just so fantastic and wonderful and needed and I'm so glad someone did it and it still surprised me and like that is the stamp on this book that everyone's going to take away and talk about is that you made them mates and you still gave that like Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yes. Yes. of it. Courtney Richter: like famous fantasy mate bond without the sexual part of it because that is at its core. It's that soul connection. And it was just so satisfying because not only did you do it and you did it from the friendship, which you talked about how you two were friends and it made sense, but you had built these two female main characters that really were two archetypes. You had the empathic, the supportive, the lifting up friend. And then you have the strong friend, the one that like. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: Yeah. Katie: Yes. Courtney Richter: stands up to the people for you and does that and how that works together in female friendship in real life. And one is not weaker than the other. You can say on paper Skylar was going to win, but Asha still had her potions are still at her. And you never know because situationally both are great strengths and it's actually more even match than people think. And then it actually became it was perfectly even match because they are mates and it was just, ⁓ thank you for writing that. It's so, so well done and so beautiful. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Katie: Yes. Yes. Becky: Yeah. Katie: ⁓ we're so happy. ⁓ I tell you, I think for me and Becky, that, it was a really early thing for us, wasn't it, Becky, in terms of it. always want to, me and Becky, like we're romance obsessed, honestly, but this book, is more kind of, it is more of a fantasy, you know, that there's lots of fantasy plot. And I think the thing that everyone says they've been taken away from it is the friendship, like the female friendship and the fan family. Caitlin Stryker: Yes, thank you. Mmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: now. Courtney Richter: Yes. Katie: And that for us was like what we love most is what we did with Skylar and Astrid, with the mates. Becky: Yeah, I think we had that idea before we had like really the whole plot. We had the twist of Skylar being the heir really early on and then the mates having like the two things that we then had to like build around. Courtney Richter: Yes. Yeah, that would be that. Katie: Yeah, it was so central. Caitlin Stryker: Hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Becky: was hard, right? Wasn't it, Katie? So Katie obviously wrote the majority of the romance because, Zoraya, she's Astrid's point of view. And we were both trying to kind of make space for the romance because we both love it so much and we would be obsessing over it and making sense. And even now, Katie's just wrote a romance scene in book two and was like, WhatsApping me as she goes. And all I was saying, yes, I love it. We were both like, okay, we're basic, but we love it. ⁓ Courtney Richter: Yeah. Yes, this is what we need. Yes. Katie: We love it so much. Becky: We're all very excited. I haven't read it yet. I'm very excited. But so we were trying to make space for that. But equally, we were like, so aware that actually the main relationship is between these two women, right? And especially for Skylar, like, you know, we've talked a bit about Axel and yes, like the kind of almost will they, won't they that's happening with him. But really her like main relationship. So Astrid's got to Ryan and Skylar. But Skylar's main relationship is Astrid. And that ends up being the person that she will And that continued, you she is the person that she will do anything for. she's again, like, because she doesn't open up easily, and because we're on opposite sides, we had to give enough space to the friendship to develop for that twist to feel satisfying. So it was kind of a balancing act, right, that we had to work. Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yep. Katie: Yeah, and I think the other thing we were doing is, and I suppose it was like how it became to write the book and I don't know, I mean I really get this impression with you Courtney, is it Caitlin or Catlin? Caitlin. Caitlin. It's like how in life, know, like our most important relationships are our friendships, they're platonic ones, not romantic ones. I mean don't get me wrong, like you know, I love my husband and it's fantastic, but... Caitlin Stryker: Caitlin. Yeah. Becky: Yeah Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: I just got one. Katie: give me a commune of women to live with when I'm like 50 onwards. Like, that'll be great. And we really, like, we wanted to bring that into the book about how the most important, you know, you can have romance and love, but you can have like this deep soul bond with someone without there being any kind of sexual relationship there. It purely is like just this completely, I don't know, like this. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Right? Mm-hmm. Katie: you do anything for that person, they're your soul mate, but they're your literal mate. So that's why... Yeah, like soul friends, you know? Becky: We have soul friends, like the soul friends. And like, yeah, they're the person for us and they're the person that like understands you. and, and I mean, I feel really strongly about it because I'm 37 and I'm not in a relationship and it can feel quite like isolating at times in terms of the, again, don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with the romance in the books. And like, that's why I like, and I love to read it and I always love to read it and I, and I love to write it as well. But, Courtney Richter: Yeah. you Becky: But I think it's so important to celebrate those female friendships as well. to have that, you're not lesser if you don't have that part of your life. You can find a with somebody else that's not necessarily a romantic relationship. And that doesn't make it any less than if it were a romantic relationship. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: you Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah, or it could even be like, you know, like Katie was saying, could even be more, you know, or, and more empowering, like, as you as you grow and everything. Katie: Yeah. It would be more, yeah. Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Katie: I agree. think, because I think when you think about your life, say, and again, it's like, you know, it's not that I'm not a romantic, I'm quite a practical person. You think about your friends, like their partners might come and go. But there's those core friendships that so many of us, and there might only be one or two, but we have them throughout our entire lives. And like they're, I don't know, they're just so important. And it also gave us the opportunity, as well as on the flip side, when we had this mate. Caitlin Stryker: Thank Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Katie: bond between Skylar and Astrid is kind of how Zryan reacts and then what the basically the importance of choice and choice and fate is a huge part of all three books in different areas and one area is obviously the mating because you find out basically that people are mates for a reason this is not a spoiler but this is something we explore as we go on in the trilogy but also the choices we make and obviously Astrid Caitlin Stryker: Mm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: and her being able to choose, because she didn't get to choose Bastet, she didn't get to choose to be heir to the queendom, she didn't get to choose Skylar, and even though she wouldn't change any of this, she gets to choose Ryan for herself, and we felt it was really important that she gets to choose him. And there's like something we're exploring in the next book where you're a bit like how when you make a choice, you're allowed to, you have to keep making that choice if you want to maintain it, do you know what I mean? You get to keep turning up every day, keep trying, keep fighting for it. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yes. Yes. Katie: So this is something else we want to explore throughout the trilogy. Yeah. Becky: ⁓ no, thanks for the... Courtney Richter: ⁓ I love that. It reminds me of this. Like you're right when Zion sees the mate bond and has the moment who is it like it was so like, ⁓ it was done so well and her choosing it's so important. You're right. That's something I have reminded myself or said to my husband many times of like, you're the only family I've chosen, like my family that I bought like they are there and then my husband and my friends are my chosen family. And and it's it's Caitlin Stryker: That's so cool. Yes! Katie: Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Katie: Yes! Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Katie: Exactly. Courtney Richter: That ability to choose is so special and the timing like Astrid and Skyler meeting at this time that they were both going to duel to death is what fun like Kate and I meeting at that time being new moms and figure out acting and going trauma bonded as you guys both transitioning jobs and do it like there's just a timing and that's what can build these deep soul friendships because it's just someone that's like, ⁓ I see you I see what's happening and I get it. We can just go through this and it's so valid. Katie: Yes! Yes. Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Absolutely. One of my friends has like, one of my friends has a thing that she says, she says about friendships and like kind of moving friendships throughout your life. And she says, you have friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for all time. And it could be so true. It's like, you know, I've had, people who have been like NCT moms who are friends in that NCT time. I don't know if you have NCT in the States, is it called the same thing? It's the kind of baby groups. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Courtney Richter: ⁓ my God, love that. Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah. Katie: where you might need those baby groups and then you might like drift apart. The friends who you're friends for a reason because you live, like you're in the same neighborhood. But then there's those friends who transcend everything no matter where you move to, no matter whether you have kids or don't have relationships or don't, what job you do or not, those friends who it doesn't matter. And I like, doesn't matter, like, and it's not necessarily placing more value or less value. Courtney Richter: Yes, okay. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. you Katie: on any, because all have this value depending on what time you're at in your life. But it's those friends, so like with Astrid and Skylar, that thing that will transcend everything, like no matter what happens, these two are bonded and they are soulmates, they're soul friends. And hopefully, they'll be able to overcome everything that's thrown their way. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah. right? Well, I also think it's I think it's really cool too as well because you know, we see that we obviously we know the mate scenario from you know, the ⁓ heterosexual couple that gets together and their and their mates and so they're small mates and then they're together forever and that's great. And the idea of soulmates is wonderful, you know, in a romantic sense and everything. But it can also be very detrimental. Courtney Richter: Keep the fire! Caitlin Stryker: Because it can be like everybody's looking for their soulmate and then like, you know, it's like your romantic partner then is your soulmate and they fulfill absolutely everything all the time and it's like that's too much pressure for any relationship and I and then you know, you can like, know when you're young especially when you're like younger like say like in your 20s and you're like kind of figuring out all the dating stuff and then it's like I know I really like but I don't know if he's my soulmate. It's like Courtney Richter: Yeah. ⁓ Katie: Yes! Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: That's kind of a crock of shit, you know, like Your your soulmate might be like your soul friend, you know And then like your husband who is your partner for like and then I don't know You don't know that that's gonna so he's your soulmate today and then you wind up divorced and you know 20 years is he still your soulmate? It's not it's no longer romantically convenient, you know, I mean I don't Katie: Yes. That's so, so true. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: I... Caitlin Stryker: There's something about the whole like romantic soulmate thing that is fun. I love romance books. I love romantic. It's really fun. But in real life practicality, I think it can do more damage than good clinging to that. Katie: awesome. Becky: Yeah, my sister's ⁓ younger sister has become like a big reader and like got really into fantasy and romance and like, well more fancy because she's not like a huge romance thing but she does read them and then is like, she's like now I just have so much pressure if anyone I'm gonna meet like they're never gonna live up to like my deal of someone that understands everything about you and all of this. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Thank Becky: And like it is so fun, right? get like it's so so escapist to like believe like read this stuff. Yeah, so like we'll continue to love it but like yeah, the kind of real life and a lot of what we're doing in book two and three, you know, one of the really interesting things will be the kind of non-traditional love triangle between Astrid and Skylar and Zryan because now Astrid and Zryan have got to figure out their relationship a now when they're not like Courtney Richter: you That's it, it's the escape. And knowing it is that. Yes! Katie: Yeah. Becky: know, enemies and be like Skyler in the mix and she's not like the easiest person at the time anyway. And now they've got to like navigate her and like your kind of point that Katie earlier when you make a choice and you keep making it and they've got a we've got a we've got all of that kind of to explore which feels kind of I mean I know it's obviously nothing like in real life but yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. You Katie: Yeah. Courtney Richter: It's true. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: No, but there is that there is the best friends and one gets a boyfriend or dating and that can change that dynamic. And sorting that out. And I do love that you gave nine and Skyler that brother sister like they said it tongue in cheek like sister or brother, but if there was something special there, so it's not like a far stretch that they'll, they'll bristle but that something beautiful will also come of that because they had a connection. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. That is such a thing. Yeah. Katie: Yes. Yeah. 100%. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: Yeah. Katie: Yes. Courtney Richter: Separate even it felt like separate from Astrid between the two of them like an understanding of our parents are fucked So here there was a bond there between them That I can't wait to see Becky: Aww that song's so good that you felt like... Yeah... Katie: That's one, like we're really excited for that one, aren't we? Like we're really excited to explore that kind of, like it's a literal family in that respect. But we would say, you that's the point, you know, we've got Astrid, who's gonna kind of find herself in the middle of not only she's got Zryan, Skylar, but also Bastet, who obviously is like literally so linked to her, we were like, how do you, like who do you prioritize? How do you prioritize? ⁓ Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Guess. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Right. But isn't that life? Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: And there's some moments like this is going to be explored in book two especially and book three, but how you navigate these dynamics. And like you say, it's not as high stakes as being fated mates, but in real life. You were saying Courtney. I I remember I met my husband and my best friend Jess, who Jessa is named after in the book. So Jessa and Quincy are named after Jessa, my best friend and her RIP dog. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, you're on the- Katie: So they're named after them. But I met Jess and my husband within two weeks of each other in a ski season. And I remember I became best friends with Jess and then was forming a relationship with my husband and there was this weird friction initially with like, ⁓ my God, am I going to go spend tonight with Jess or shall I spend it with this? Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: the guy I really fancy and want to go spend time with, you know what I mean? It's like nothing, like it sounds so silly, but like, who do you go to, like, who do you spend time with? Courtney Richter: It is! Caitlin Stryker: No, that is a classic dynamic of like, you know, when you meet a guy and you're really into him and everything and then your friends are like pissed because you suddenly just ditch them because you're always hanging out with the guy and they're like, oh really? You know, and like dudes out there like, you know, girls before hoes and girls are always trying to come up with their thing that's like that. But it's obviously a real thing. Yeah, she's pretty, but it's obviously a real thing on both sides. Thank you. I'm like, what was it again? Katie: Yes. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Chicks before dicks. That's... We did come up with it. That is it. Yeah. Katie: Yes. it's true! It is chicks before dicks! Caitlin Stryker: Yes, but you're always like, want it. Right? And then you Courtney Richter: need the orgasm too or they're like fun makeup so like sometimes you do need to say sorry and I'm gonna go do this and then come back messy Katie: Yeah. You Caitlin Stryker: know, but it's a real thing that people deal with. So it's fun to have it follow us into the romantic world. Yeah. Katie: Exactly! like, know, Skyler, we've been like, again, we won't go into it too much, but there's like a moment where Skyler finds herself in this like awkward situation, like, I don't really know what to do. I'm just gonna stand here and just sort of watch it play out for a moment. So it's like, it is fun to play. It's fun to play around with it. But there's also gonna be the less, like with what we've got coming, it's Becky: Thank Courtney Richter: Yeah, feel for her. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh. Katie: there's gonna be quite a lot of turmoil in terms of relationships and how you navigate that and who you are and who that person is to you. So we've got all of that to come as well, obviously. Becky: Mm. Courtney Richter: Right. Caitlin Stryker: in. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yay! I can't wait! Caitlin Stryker: And you have I'm also thinking of like how how strong like all the different female characters are in this so we've got Ashford and Skyler but then we have Astrid's mom and then even though she's you know, totally total baddie we have Zryan's mom, you know who like is Becky: Thank Courtney Richter: Yes. Buenos. Yeah, dilly. Katie: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: You know, she's the big baddie in the end. and I kept you guys, kept being worried. I kept being worried about Astrid's mom. was like, what is like, I'm like, did she do something sketchy? Like, is she, is she, she kept taking off and I was like, is she helping the blight situation? Is she causing the blight situation? Is she in on like, what is going on here? I was just like, ⁓ I'm like on my toes. was like, ⁓ Katie: Yep. Courtney Richter: Thanks, spoiler. Yes. Becky: Thank Katie: Do people do that? Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: I love this. Caitlin Stryker: freaking out the whole time as I'm reading I'm like, am I gonna be okay if she's not a good person? ⁓ Katie: I love this so much. Courtney Richter: you Becky: I'm sorry. Katie: good. I love hearing like, I love hearing the different theories from people because we've had a couple of people who said I was so worried about Gwen, I was expecting her to just turn around. But when we specifically said we didn't, we didn't want her to be about like, we wanted her to be just doing her best. And there's some things again, they're going to come into question because you sort of think if you know, Courtney Richter: Yes. Mm-hmm. Katie: For the past 400 years, witches have always lost, right? If you knew that, would you have a child? And this is something, now I've got my daughter, would I, knowing that my child would have to due to the death and would likely die, would I even have a child? And so something that's always been in our mind is like, when is this person who still wanted to do that? Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Katie: thinking about the setting they're in and the doing things for the Queendom and the continuation of the Queendom. I think what I'm trying to say is like there's a lot of nuance and we never wanted anyone to be sort of just straight like black and white in terms of the choices they make or the people that they are. I mean even with when you look at say Otterly or Axel and how they try to kind of explain things the way you know. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Katie: But with Gwen especially, she still made that decision. Well, she wanted to have a child as she tried to have a child. In the end, she had her miracle child Astrid after seven years of trying, but ultimately doomed Astrid to die. And again, like that's something in book two and book three that we're gonna be looking at as well in terms of what that means, you know, to make that decision. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. And I mean, I think you hold on to hope to like the hope that you can figure something out some way of that miracle that did happen. Right. And that, I mean, it got worse and worse when Asher didn't have power and in her mind didn't have a familiar and didn't like it kept snacking and stacking. But it is that thought that like, it could be the change. It could be the tide. It could be the thing that saves. did. Yes. That way. Yeah, like the how she figured that out and did like the Katie: Yes, and that's what she was doing. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And luckily Gwen found Skyler juggling blades. Becky: ⁓ I like that. Caitlin Stryker: Thanks. ⁓ my gosh, I loved when that twist dropped in. Cause I remember we know we meet and I'm like, how is it going to be about Skylar? Cause it seems like it's about this Ryan guy. Courtney Richter: So, that's why I thought Cam had to be the guard, because I couldn't figure out how Skylar came into it. Becky: Yeah We've got a lot of people reading it and being like, who is this chick? Why are we reading for her? Caitlin Stryker: Yeah! Katie: Yeah, what? Why are we in a POV? Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: But that's what's so great about it because you're like, this isn't how it usually goes. You know, you read a bunch of romance, you're like, I know how this sets up. I know how this goes. And then you're like, wait a minute. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Becky: Thank Thank you. Katie: ⁓ it's so nice to hear. So nice to hear you say. We loved writing that. was like Becky's idea to put the kind of the forced dance scene in first to get that, you know, the proper classic romance moment, which we both love, but then drop that big twist right at the end of it. It's like a what? You know, after you've had this right, Astrid, me. ⁓ It's one of our favourite moments at end of Chapter Nine. Courtney Richter: ⁓ which I loved. Yes. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah! Courtney Richter: It's so great. And you need it because you needed to see Zions already struggling like in the dance. You could tell that he was already like kind of down bad for Astrid and like already fighting that from that force. And then when this solution to a degree gets dropped in, it was like you did it so well. And also going back and forth through your romance. think that was really smart to you, Becky, to put that in there because honestly, I am a big romance and a big romance-y reader, but I'm Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Yeah. Katie: Yes. Courtney Richter: Mostly, I'm here a lot more for the spice than world building generally when I read. And if things get too into the fantasy world, I kind of skim back into romance. But I didn't do that with this one. Like I literally, you wrote that friendship, these two women so well and so interesting. Like I was in I never had a moment of like, when are we getting back to this, which does happen in these books a lot. And so that is kudos to you because keeping my attention is hard to do. Katie: OOF Becky: I'm actually sometimes, I mean I am like pure as fancy to some degree but sometimes I'm with you when I'm like okay fine when are they gonna have sex? Courtney Richter: Yeah, like let's let's get so if you know, that's where it going like I read like 130 of these a year 140 so i'm like Yeah, but you did it you you did that Becky: I'm not gonna lie. I'm to argue my understanding of what you're getting from. Katie: Yeah, I need to tell you what Becky was saying earlier. So we have this scene planned out for book two and no spoilers, but it's basically it's like this decapitation scene and it's like this really big scene, right? And then I just spoke to Becca and I like, Becca, I've managed to turn the decapitation scene into like a spice scene. And Becky's like, thank God, I was hoping you'd do that. And I was like, yes, my goodness. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ Becky: Hahahaha Courtney Richter: it. Katie: And honestly, this is the one I was sending her blow by blow account. going, he's just done this and then he's gonna do this. She's like, great. Courtney Richter: Ugh. I love so much. And I think it's the fun of having the writing partner. Caitlin Stryker: So much fun. ⁓ Katie: Should tell you what? difference... It was... The difference as well. I don't know about you guys or I need to ask you guys about what you're writing next but something... When we were first writing together, like writing Spice, I was so nervous about writing the sex scene and I wrote that sex scene so much but so nervous about having Becky read it or anyone else read it and now I'm like literally VN-ing her going, and then he sticks his fingers inside her and blah blah blah blah blah. And I'm like, what hap... Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: Hahaha! Katie: to the person who was like really nervous. It's amazing how you become, like you lose that self-consciousness in writing these spy scenes. Courtney Richter: Yes, you live in it. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, you get emboldened, you know? You do, which is a good thing. Katie: Yeah? and that you just feel more confident. Courtney Richter: for us talking about it, because we talk about romance and we dive into the spice all the time. So we're like here talking about the different descriptors. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ yeah. Yeah. Katie: Have you guys got romance in your book? Have you guys got space in your book? Courtney Richter: There is, it's teen spice first, so kind of similar to like how yours is, and then it will go spicier later. But that's the part for me, like I am a Scorpio, I have no problem, I can just talk about the use of a daddy and say it's all day. Caitlin Stryker: this. Yeah. Katie: Okay. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Katie: Nice. Caitlin Stryker: It was the first... It was the Katie: You're half deaf. Caitlin Stryker: to because I kept saying in court as like I know but it's got it like come on let's just go on she's like I know I know but we need to and she's like you need to learn about like the slow burn and the thing and I'm like ⁓ fuck the slow burn she's like no they can't man like okay cuz I'm like they're just gonna be having sex the whole time right and she's like no and I'm like what Katie: You Courtney Richter: No Kate, can't. They can't have sex yet. Becky: you I'm sorry. Courtney Richter: The way this started for us in terms of we were writing and doing this and I've always been reading romance and romanticie but Kate was much more of just like a fiction reader and nonfiction and then I finally pulled her in I'm like no just trust me come in the water's fine try to get that and then she's like oh my god this is amazing you talk about this so then our podcast kind of came of like me being the romance expert and her learning the way and so what part of the things she has learned is she does not like slow burns Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yes. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: She likes, she's busy and just wants spice and out, especially in romances and going. Becky: ⁓ my god! Katie: I love that. Caitlin Stryker: But then I, you know, I do, I do to a point, but I'm just like, you can't like, I'm like, okay, well, how long is this gonna, you know, I do like to hit it and quit it pretty quickly. But then I love when this slow burn like pays off, you know, like when I'm like pulled in and pulled through and then I'm like, okay, it was worth it. Courtney Richter: Hahaha! Katie: Yes. Becky: Yeah, you got a picture, you got that. Courtney Richter: Yes! Katie: You know, the book that does it both so well is obviously heated rivalry. The fact that you go straight in to the sex, but for me, but then how the love story develops later, I was like, okay, banging, banging, banging. And I was like, ⁓ my God, the love story. It was just so perfect. ⁓ yes. Courtney Richter: Yes! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yes. Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Exactly, it was a reversal! Caitlin Stryker: I know. Yeah, and it's like still between the two of them as well because sometimes you get heat right away But then it turns out that's not the person, you know, and then it's like later I know Courtney Richter: Yeah Becky: Yeah, which maybe when the heavens... Katie: Yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: But that one is like spicy all the way through and then the love story builds toward the end and then you're like crying and I'm like Courtney Richter: Thanks Katie: Yes? ⁓ stop it! Courtney Richter: I know. ⁓ my gosh. We did an episode on heated rivalry. You'll have to go and listen to that. We get into all the spice and heat and love of it. Becky: Tom, love so much crying. Katie: ⁓ I will absolutely. Becky: god, I he's got me into it after like months of self-care. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: I like just thought, I was like, Becky, you've got to watch it, you've got to read it. Cause I like, I watched it all and then I was literally like, who do I know that I'll just force to my house and make them watch it? I was like, come on. Oh, it's just so good. Courtney Richter: Caitlin was too s- she watched the first- she read the first book but hadn't watched and I'm like, I need you to get on this. Becky: I'm out. Caitlin Stryker: I was like, I know, I read the book, we talked about it, she's like, I know about the show, and I'm like, well, I'm gonna get there, but I'm not there, I hadn't watched it. Katie: Ugh. Courtney Richter: And then long game and like I need you to read both books and I need you to read both. Yeah. It's so good. Becky: Enjoy your lunch. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. It is. Katie: It's just so phenomenal. But that book does it so, I feel just both so well, like the sex and the emotional connection and the kind of, it's like slow burn while banging. Do you know what I mean? Like it's amazing. Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Done. Courtney Richter: Yes, exactly. It is. That's exactly it. It's a slow burn well. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah! Totally! Becky: Maybe we should try and hit Katie: I have a very random question to go on a segue. Have we got a good word for vagina yet when we're talking romance? Because I never know what to say. I can't. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Okay. Courtney Richter: know. I know you're right. Vagina is the hardest one. They cut. That's why cut has become a big word again, in a sexy hot way because it's like almost nicer to be like this is my cut that this is my vagina. Like from a guy. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: No, we haven't. Vagina's hard. Katie: It is the hardest one. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: I agree, think, I think, because I'm happy with saying cunt, I say cunt a lot, but a lot of people here find it so offensive. I think also in my accent, because it's like cunt, it's a bit like harder. So I'm like what? Becky: Hahaha! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. But I also feel like the British, the British have used kind of like a lot more than we have over in Canada and the US. Yeah. Yeah. A lot more. But I've always, I've always liked it. I like that word. Becky: Yeah, as an insult even. Yeah. Katie: Yeah. It's just so hard to think. I just need a good one. just, can't imagine Astrid saying cunt. That was the other thing. It's about, I can imagine. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Becky: Now I thought... Caitlin Stryker: No, yeah. Courtney Richter: No, I don't. I don't think she would call it cut. I don't think most girls call it cut themselves. The guys tend to call it cut in like a hot aggressive way. Yes, the females pov like I do think I would just if I think about even sex or I think about being fingered or any of that I'm still thinking of it in my vagina like it just is still the word we use. We're not like pussy like I'm not like it's not like it. It's just Becky: No. Katie: No. Yeah, so that's it makes it easier if you're the guy's POV, right? Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Katie: Yeah! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: Yeah, you don't, yeah. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: You're right. We haven't figured out the JJ was like the Grey's Anatomy version of it. You can't even do that. You're right. We kind of got stuck with the Becky: No! Caitlin Stryker: I know, but then that was like... Katie: The Tay Tay. Caitlin Stryker: It's. Katie: We just need to invent a whole new kind of romance specific word. Or how to make vagina sex say somehow. I don't know. I don't know. It's hard. Caitlin Stryker: We do. Courtney Richter: You're right, we do. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, it doesn't. It's like the it's the it's the actual sort of linguistic cadence of the word that doesn't work. You know, it just like it's the it's the I know part it goes like up in this like. Yeah, yeah. ⁓ Becky: you Katie: Yes! Yes! It is! That is exactly it! Courtney Richter: Yes. Yeah, well that's why VADGE has been like the shortened version, like my VADGE, but it's still like... Katie: Yeah. Yeah, but vag. I don't know. Vag. Becky: So I did. Caitlin Stryker: Like sort of falls flat. Yeah. Courtney Richter: think we don't, like in true sex life, I don't even think I say it all, just like, you gonna touch me? I'm not like, I think we just say. Becky: Is someone writing this? No, I avoid anything. I avoid having work here. Katie: No. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. And when you read it, it's like, ⁓ and like the bundle of nerves are like her slick or her what or, know, click. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Becky: Yeah, yeah. Courtney Richter: The clit is fine, like the clit I would say and think. Yeah, but I don't even think I think of it as the same way a penis because it's like penetrative and like very, you know, it's a shape. It's like coming out. It's a thing you picture and think about as a separate body part, like an arm. My vagina I just think of as me. He's in me, not in my vagina. In case you didn't know what a penis look like. That's why. Katie: We use clip. I use clip. Becky: Yeah Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Katie: Yes! Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's so true! Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Katie: You were like this? I was like wow! Good for you! Courtney Richter: when they're like this coming at you. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: I'm basically a bat. Courtney Richter: heated rivalry had that the shower with Ilya's like jerking off looking over at him like he's really extending quite far. Katie: Totally noticed that. But you would if you acted it right. ⁓ my god. Courtney Richter: Yeah, you'd be, cause you're in like a two, like a sock. you're not actually. Caitlin Stryker: I Becky: No! Caitlin Stryker: love that segue. That was a great question. That's a real no, it's a good question. It's a good one. Yeah, I see. Right. I want to put that out there to the listeners like type in a lot of snow. What's the best word for vagina? How do we how do we make it sound great? Katie: Sorry, I just, as I'm writing at the moment, I need all the tips guys for these, yeah, for various body parts, apparently. Courtney Richter: No, it's great. No, you're right. Yeah. Katie: ⁓ please, give us, give us some good ones. Courtney Richter: I don't think there is one. But I think that's what it is. I think from the female point of view, we don't call it that. We just think of it as ours in us, as ourselves, as part of us. Like. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: Here we go. Katie: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Becky: Well, Katie's desperate for to write from the male point of view, so. Katie: I love, ⁓ my God, I'm gonna, so I've written two chapters from as Ryan's point of view, two bonus chapters, had the time of my absolute life. Like one of them, yeah, for Bloodbath, so two of them, one of them's in like a subscription box and one of them is like, we've got sort of in the ether, basically it was so good that I refused to give it to the subscription box. I was like, it's too good. So me and Becky, we need to save this because we can't use it anywhere else. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: Ha ha ha ha ha. Courtney Richter: Ugh. for blood bound? Love it. Mm-hmm. Becky: I'm sorry. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: But I just had so much, I was like saying to Becky, this is the most fun I've had. Like was just so fun writing. I think because you know in a male POV, how you can just go super yearning. Like look at her there, bathed in the moonlight, ⁓ my god. I I loved getting that yearning of, was writing for Astrid in there. I just love yearning. Courtney Richter: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. ⁓ my gosh, I love. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: when I had to think, probably shouldn't say this, but that's okay. Male point of view and I'm broken down my husband. like, tell me where you feel this first. Where's this like, where in your body is the sensation tipping you off that you're about to have? I said it like before, I'm like, when we do this, just let me know after, like, where do you feel this like? Becky: ⁓ my god, that's amazing. Katie: is genius. ⁓ my god. Courtney Richter: Because I don't know! Becky: I think we're gonna need to some research. Caitlin Stryker: Thanks. Katie: I can't wait to like... Courtney Richter: for come, you get some research, you're like, okay, cool, let's go. Becky: Yeah Katie: I mean I remember my husband is the kind of guy he's probably here listening to me but when I said to him once like what are we having for dinner and he messaged back the same Sam, Patat, Brock and he meant salmon, potatoes, broccoli so I can't imagine me saying when I do this can you please describe it to me because I'll just get like I'll just get Sam, Patat, Brock yeah good hot ⁓ my god he's gonna totally kill me ⁓ well Courtney Richter: you Becky: haha Caitlin Stryker: Ha! Courtney Richter: Hips! Cuck! Becky: Hahaha! Thank Courtney Richter: They would never listen this far. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ my gosh, that is so funny. Becky: I'm not sure what. Courtney Richter: ⁓ Well, I can't wait to see what you end up coming up with to describe ⁓ my ⁓ gosh You can when you guys have it when you have in your arc sent to us. I'll read ⁓ Katie: I'm like, is he listening through the doors? Becky: you Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ I love it. That is so funny. ⁓ Amazing. This book is. Yeah. Yeah. Katie: no pressure. I'll just be avoiding it altogether, a whole. Caitlin Stryker: Right? Becky: Hahaha! Katie: Yeah, we are not gatekeepers. We will pass on all the words, all the words for vagina. Courtney Richter: my gosh Caitlin Stryker: Amazing. Yes, please. ⁓ my gosh, I love it. Okay, I'm excited about these Ryan chapters because I I mean He is so hot. I love when we got like bonus male POV chapters and you just get to get in there on that their angle So I look forward to reading those Courtney Richter: I love a male POV drop-in. Katie: I love that too. think you, you sometimes love it don't you? Like you're a bit more like nerve. Yeah. Becky: always. And then Katie did it super well. we're, is this a spoiler? We're deciding how to write. We haven't got to book three yet. I mean, we are barely got into book two yet, despite the amount of words we've done. But we're deciding what to do with book three in terms of point of view. So stuff to come on that. But I don't always, I don't know about the bonus. Sometimes I feel like it's not done super well. So you you slip into the male point of view, the like romantic lead, and it's not what you want it to be. So then it can feel. Caitlin Stryker: Mm. Hmm. Courtney Richter: Yes, that's true. Becky: So I think like, mainly I think it's just risky as in like, if it's done well, great, but like, otherwise I don't always love it. Yeah. I don't know. Because I think, it can like, and I guess it depends on the time at which you do it as in like the stage of your love story you're at, right? Because it doesn't work. Cause you take away some of the mystery sometimes or like the water that you know, like you've got to know they're already totally in it for it to work. Otherwise it doesn't, it doesn't. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Right. Katie: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Hmm. Becky: totally worked for me sometimes. But I think that's to do with how it's done rather than not liking the male. Katie: Yeah, but I think it's how like, you know how some people love character art, but other people don't like character art because they feel like it ruins their vision of the characters if they see character art. Whereas I do love character art because I like seeing lots of different types of character art anyway and I can still envisage the person I love. But there's some people who are just so like, please do not, I don't want character art on my cover. I just don't want to see it for a book because it can give me a different sense of what it is. And I wonder if it's a bit like that. Like if you already have an expectation of set. Becky: Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Becky: Yeah. Well, then you've got an idea of what they're like. Yeah, maybe it is like that, yeah. And actually, I'm not the character. I mean, I don't hate it, but I'm so much less visual, right? So then I'm like, no, that's not right. But I can't do it myself. Yeah. Katie: You then don't want that expectation to be undermined in a way. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: I'm like you with it, Becky. I don't love character art. I mean, it's great. I know people do, but it's not a thing that draws me or pulls me in at all. Yeah. Becky: No, I'll never go looking for it. My sister will go hunting for it, and wants to able to have it in front of her. I'm never that, I'm like, they're hot weather anyway. It's hot in my mind. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah, it's the same with audio. I'm not even a big audio book person because I don't like here. Becky: I didn't used to be but I got much more into audio. It's so narrator dependent so I'm with like... Courtney Richter: ⁓ that's good. Caitlin Stryker: I'm very particular. Yeah, very narrator dependent. When it's done well, it's amazing. You realize that it's own art form, you know? ⁓ Yeah, because if it's done poorly, it just ruins the book. But if it's done great, it can enhance it, you know? It's easier for nonfiction, though, I think, than, you know. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Katie: Yes. Becky: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Katie: ⁓ for sure. Yes. Becky: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: Yes, I think especially as like non-fiction say if like the author reads it themselves say. ⁓ But I'm a massive audio fan. I absolutely love audio books. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yes. Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, I've gotten more into it. I have to say, you know, since we started this podcast and been reading more and everything, like I'll find the really good ones. And then I'm like, Oh, and this is like delightful, you know, like suddenly my commute is not a pain in the butt. It's like, I'm just having a good time or cleaning the house, you know, and then I'm still so yeah, so I used to be like, there's no way you would catch me listening to a fiction audio book. And now I'm like, Becky: Yeah, I love it. Katie: Yes. That's it. You could do other things at the same time. Yeah, exactly. Caitlin Stryker: Absolutely total fan. It just depends it has to be really well done ⁓ and then it's like a total gift. Yeah. Yeah Becky: Yelling like you. officially. Katie: Yes. I'm so excited for ours. We've got like the two people we've got are just so amazing. Like, so one of those Nina Indes and she's, I think she's like, she's like part Nordic, part American. So she's got this like subtle lilt of like a Nordic accent for Astrid. And that's how I, like, so I knew about Nina. So I requested her to do like, to read Astrid and she was available. I was so happy. And she sent through samples and she does like, Courtney Richter: Wonderful. That's fantastic. Katie: a really strong Nordic accent for the familiars apart from Bastet who she does in this like real RP, you know, kind of Alan Rickman style. It's so good. And then she does the sexiest voice for Zryan. She sent me a sample of that and I was dying. I was like, yes, thank you, Nina. ⁓ So, so excited. And then I think it's Victoria Hashem. I can't remember Victoria's surname for who's doing Skyler. Courtney Richter: ⁓ wow. ⁓ that's so great. Katie: but we loved her. Becky: I'm gonna need to, we found her on, it's kind of took longer, cause Katie had such a like distinct idea on and I have less. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: yeah specific ideas out of outside of like the book. don't know. But I think I think it's gonna be good. Yeah. Courtney Richter: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah, yeah, you're like all this stuff outside of it. I'm like Katie: Yeah. Courtney Richter: ⁓ can't wait. Is it coming out at the same time? Like being dropped the same time as the book? ⁓ my gosh. Katie: How exciting. Becky: Yeah. Katie: Yes, it came out at the same time. ⁓ I think it's just like, you you guys will know yourself as you're writing, like something that you've written or like being in the film industry, you know, it's like someone else taking something you've created and bringing it to life in a new way. just it's so it's kind of it's a bit like being I'm so excited about the book being translated into different languages, like the idea of like, I don't know how they're going to do it. You know, I was in touch. mean, I asked my French publisher to be in touch with Caitlin Stryker: Nice. Yes. Courtney Richter: Thanks Katie: French translator because we have Jurassic Park. I snuck in a couple of Jurassic Park references and I wanted to see if we could try and get it like direct from like the Jurassic Park dubbed film in French to match in the book but because of the translation it wouldn't make sense in French and then I was like going down a whole thing of like how interesting like these difference in translations. But you know like just love to get any I'd just love to get an Easter egg in. So... Courtney Richter: Right. Caitlin Stryker: ⁓ yeah, ⁓ yeah. ⁓ that's so fun. ⁓ my gosh. Yeah. Courtney Richter: That's so fun. That's the fun part of it when you get to do your own Easter eggs for yourself too. Like the things that you're like, I don't know if anyone picked this up, but this is here and I know it's here. Katie: ⁓ totally. We've had a couple of people message me, like, it's always like, this might sound really weird, but are you a Jurassic Park fan? I was like, how did you guess? You got me. Caitlin Stryker: But it's there. Courtney Richter: ⁓ Now I have to figure that out because I didn't Becky: Yes. Caitlin Stryker: I feel like it's like maybe the dragon hatching or something Katie: No, it's honestly so, it's so subtle. One of them is when Skyler says, hold on to your butts, which is what Samuel L Jackson says when he goes to like try and turn the power back on. And the other one is when Ottley says, clever girl to Astrid. And that is a nod to your man saying clever girl to the velociraptor, who then obviously eats him. And it's just one of my favorite things, clever girl. Courtney Richter: No, there's a quote. Caitlin Stryker: Right. Courtney Richter: Yes love that. Hold on to your butts. Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Clever girl, I feel like I did think of that at Clever Girl. I think I did think of that Jurassic Park one actually, probably enough then. ⁓ I'm always obsessed in Jurassic Park and I think of it all the time in my real life with the, and we're back in the car again. Like when they're in the car, then they fall and then they're out and then they're back underneath it. Whenever something's going wrong and I think I've solved it then it goes wrong again, I'm like, now we're back in the car again. Katie: You Becky: Thank Katie: Yes! Becky: Thank and be a good action. Katie: You absolutely nailed that impression. Like, the gasp is perfect. It's exactly that. It's so good. ⁓ You know what? There is a, there is a Jurassic Park reference for every moment in life. There really is. It's so relatable, you know? Courtney Richter: you Caitlin Stryker: He lives with me. It's so true. ⁓ I love that movie. You never get your first like watch back again, you know, like back before CGI when we got to see the dinosaurs before we ever really got to see that stuff when we were younger. was so huge. All right. Well, Katie, Becky, this has been amazing talking with you about your book. ⁓ Courtney Richter: ⁓ I know, I've been saving it for my kids and I can't wait. Katie: fuck it. Courtney Richter: Thank you. So fun. Caitlin Stryker: It's so good and I just love that it takes the romantic genre and it pushes it further down the line. It's really, really fun. Yeah, yeah. ⁓ it's... Katie: Oh, thank you. Oh, that's so kind of you. I'm sorry if I feel a bit bad if I've taken the conversation anywhere weird there, but thank you so much. It was so fun. And I feel like I'm losing my voice is actually going, so this is a good time. It's because you keep making me laugh, so I keep laughing and coughing. But it's been so lovely. Courtney Richter: Yes. ⁓ my god Caitlin Stryker: No, not at all. Are you kidding? We love that. Becky: Thank Courtney Richter: We're just slowly destroying Katie. No, you should both be so proud of this book. It's such I mean, genuinely like had it not come across to be reviewing on here. It's just one that I would still be reading and staff picking and tell everyone to read because it is such a great book. So she was super proud and I can't wait for him to read it. Caitlin Stryker: You're like, I've got it all. Yeah, it's the same with habits. Yeah. Yeah, I can't wait to see where it goes. You also, you left us in a place where we're like, wait, what? But I also love that I, this is a thing for me when we're in the first one, then we're going second. ⁓ I feel like what needed to wrap up, wrapped up in the book, and then we're going into a new, you know, and I really love like that, that is big for me. And so I'm so excited for where we're going. Katie: Thank you. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Katie: Yeah. Okay, good. Courtney Richter: Yes. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: but I feel so full and satisfied with where we are. And that's a big thing for me, recommending an unfinished trilogy to people. Yeah. Yeah. I did. Sometimes I'm like one thing and I'm like, are you fucking kidding? She's like, it's okay, I'm gonna give you another book. I'm like, sure, but really? I mean, they ended there? Courtney Richter: It's true. It's hard to do. Kate only discovered cliffhangers recently when I made her start reading these books. And she's like, what Courtney? This isn't coming up for a year. Katie: ⁓ thank you. ⁓ thanks, guys. Becky: Yeah No, no. Courtney Richter: You Becky: sorry. Katie: It's so true. But that was something we were really aimed at. were like, it has to be satisfying in and of itself. the big question around the jewel, we want to satisfy readers about that. then you kind of... I think a lot of people get to the jewel, the reason they're like, why is there still this much left of the book? What is going on? So... Becky: you Caitlin Stryker: Right? Courtney Richter: Dude! Katie: I'm really glad that you felt that way and felt like kind of satisfied but also wanting more. I can't wait to read your guys book whenever, like, let us know, please let us know when it's done. Courtney Richter: you Caitlin Stryker: more. Yes, huge success. Thank you. ⁓ yeah. Yeah, we're still a couple years away, but yeah, we will for sure. What's that? Courtney Richter: Yes. Yes. And now we know it'll be three. We'll get them. We will. Becky: Are you like... Have you got a draft yet or are you working your way through the first draft? Courtney Richter: We're working our way through the first draft. Yeah. Yeah. We're doing it while doing this at the same time. So this has been a balanced act. ⁓ Caitlin Stryker: We're still working our way through the first draft. Yeah, yeah, It's been good though. Katie: ⁓ good luck to you. Becky: Yeah. Katie: ⁓ my God, it's hard but worth it. I mean, don't know how you guys work, but we're just constantly WhatsApping, VNs, shared Google Docs, brainstorms. And it's hard when you live so far away. So it's so much kind of just having to be in communication, right? ⁓ But like we did it thinking it was a joke. You guys can do it. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Yes. Courtney Richter: Mm-hmm. Caitlin Stryker: Mm-hmm. Becky: You Courtney Richter: Thank you. Yes. Caitlin Stryker: Right? Exactly. I think that's what makes it as long as when you do it as a joke or like you do it because you're like, hey, this will be fun. That's what pulls you through when you love it. You're just doing it because you're like, we're like, we're still telling this story because we really love it. So we're like, we're not, we just can't stop. We just have to keep going. It's so much fun. Katie: Yes. Yes. Absolutely. I think that's a good point. Me and Becky were doing it with no expectation. ⁓ Even if we didn't send it to an agent or get a publisher. And I think you have to do it for the love of it and enjoy the process. I'm excited for you guys. Caitlin Stryker: Yeah. Courtney Richter: Good. Becky: Yeah, so you can try it. Caitlin Stryker: Thank you. ⁓ thank you guys for coming on. It was so amazing to have an author duo because it really is like, you know, it's nice for us to see. We're like, look, it works. It works so well. And it's so fun. Yeah, it's been, we will. Becky: Yeah. Katie: ⁓ thank you! Yes, please keep in touch. Courtney Richter: Of course. Yes, and for this book too, you'll have to come on. We'll talk about that one again. ⁓ Yes. We'll see what the word for vagina is coming out. That's our cliffhanger. Where's it going? Becky: Yeah. Caitlin Stryker: Yes. Katie: Absolutely. We will. I could just invent it. We'll find out. Thanks guys. Caitlin Stryker: Yes, because we go to a whole other place without giving a fuck. All right, well. is the word for vagina. That's it for today's episode of Cait and Court's Cozy Corner with Katie and Becky, the team behind Ellis Hunter and the book Bloodbound. Definitely give it a read we'll be back again soon talking with you all about more books. Bye. Becky: No. Katie: You Courtney Richter: Bye! Katie: Bye!