Ask Emily Colin discussion

Those of you who have read the book, I'm curious...who was your favorite character and why? Conversely, who was your least favorite character?

What are your feelings for Grace? Is she a moral person when she hides the truth of her relationship to Nicholas?

Inquiring minds want to know!

I love this question Emily! Definitely my favorite character was J.C. and I wish I could be clear about why. I guess for me it was the way you portrayed his layers through the other characters. As for least favorite~~Grace, because of what she did to Nicholas. As for the question of her morality, it was definitely not right what she did. Her desperation caused even more pain to an already confused Nicholas.

Love is the driving force that motivates each of these characters. In the name of love we can make some courageous, generous, as well as questionable choices...human. I initially struggled with Maddie's choice to let "her guards" down with J.C. right after Aidan's death, or with J.C. for twisting the knife, so to speak, in his best friend's heart during that argument over Maddie when he brought up Aidan's father. Even with Aidan, for pursuing a dangerous hobby even after becoming a father. And Grace...but then an overflowing compassion took over my reader's judgment, compassion for all of them.

Interesting, Maryellen. I feel the same exact way...I loved J.C., and never empathized much with Grace. Actually, I liked J.C. far better than Maddie--is that a strange thing to say?

I agree, Mina, it's a bit hard to understand how Maddie could turn to J.C. so soon after Aidan's death, if the love between her and her husband was that strong...I think the conclusion I eventually came to, as a writer, was that J.C. was so much like her--a calm, safe harbor--whereas Aidan pushed and challenged her in different ways, made her take chances that she might not have otherwise. But yes, the book does beg the question--what chances are we willing to take in the name of love, and when are they worth the risk?

Not a strange thing to say at all Emily. All of the characters came across as people that you'd relate to in some way or another. And I do believe that is what makes great writing! When you can relate to the characters you become invested. I definitely became invested in your characters. Even in Grace!

Maryellen, I'm glad you could relate to them--when I was writing, I got to the point that they were more vivid to me than the 'real world.' I kept thinking I'd see them driving around town or at the grocery store--so funny!

Glad I'm not the only one who feels that they got to know the characters a little 'too well'! Love it!