THE APPEAL OF THE CONTINUING SERIES
When I first began reading romance back in the late 1980’s, there were some famous, thrilling series by classic authors like Jude Devereaux and Johanna Lindsay, Rebecca Brandewyne, Sandra Brown and others. I LOVED the series back then, as I was discovering the genre. The appeal of the continuing series (for me) was revisiting beloved characters, seeing for myself that their relationship had progressed (or not), catching up on plot threads common to each book in the series, and meeting friends of heroes and heroines past destined to become the heroes and heroines of tomorrow. Ah, good times. Then the 90’s came. I don’t remember personally reading as many series then. Were fewer published? I’m not sure. Some of my favorite authors went on hiatus or changed directions, and admittedly, I tried reading outside my original comfort zone: historical romanc
es. I branched out to contemporaries, paranormals, and suspenses. But I missed the continuing series, that something to look forward to, that itch to read what was going to happen next to characters I knew and adored. I missed the series about bold Vikings, hardened cowboys with hearts of gold, ruthless pirates who always they found a soft spot for the heroine. Over time I got my wish…but in some ways I didn’t. The series did make a comeback in the late 90’s, but books about Vikings, cowboys and pirates were fewer and farther between. As time marched forward, I started seeing series about aliens, genetically altered races, vampires, weres and other shifters. Other authors loved the continuing series as much as I did, enough to write them…as I’d been closet writing my series for about a dozen years.
I’m happily publishing my continuing series, the Doomsday Brethren, now. I’m thrilled to share these paranormal romances with the world, which enable me to use elements of not just paranormal romance, but contemporary, a dash of historical, with a bit of erotic flavor. But recently, I was surprised to find a discussion amongst a group of authors, many of whom proclaimed they hated the continuing series and the saccharine vignettes with past characters and their offspring all cuddled together around a roaring fire, oozing cheer like some walking, obnoxious Hallmark card. Others, like me, loved series, for all the reasons I mentioned. Another long discussion ensued about the optimal number of books in a series. Many said three—tops. Others said the sky was the limit. I say, as long as everyone is having fun, why stop? But I’m curious. (What’s new?) Continuing series, why or why not? How many books or does it matter? Inquiring minds and all that…
Comment here for a chance to win a signed copy of my first two Doomsday Brethren titles, TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS and SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
http://www.shaylablack.com/
Comments
Hi Shayla, I love your work.
Hi Shayla, I love your work. I like continuing series and look forward to each book. I just hate the wait! With a continuing series, I love to submerse myself in the world time and again.How do you feel? Do you want to continue on or are you looking to start something fresh?Talina
Thanks to everyone for
Thanks to everyone for commenting! Congrats, Val!
CONGRATULATIONS! Val
CONGRATULATIONS! Val (lastnerve2000@gmail.com). You are the winner of the Shayla Black books!
Hi Shayla. I love series. As
Hi Shayla. I love series. As long as the books are good, it doesn't matter how long the series continues.
Raging, Those Brothers in
Raging, Those Brothers in Arms books are nearly 10 years old and I still occasionally get mail about them. I loved writing those books too.Laurie, Thanks so much! I understand the thing about the bad boy. I think I've got it too. I'm hoping to be able to bring these books to a natural conclusion when the time comes, Bram's HEA included.Lisa, I'm with you on that. Some series have ended prematurely, and I was bummed, while others go on and on. Clearly, they still have readers, I'm just not among them anymore. Thrilled you're hoping the DB will go on for a while. Shock is SO much fun to write!!Vonnie, I need to start the JD Robb books. Never did because I feared I'd get sucked in...and fail to do my work. 35 Brethren? Um, I'll have to ponder that for a while. LOL! In the Wicked Lover series, I'm hoping to give you Hunter and Logan in 2011, and by then there will be other hotties at the top of readers' lists, I suspect. Tyler, whom you haven’t met yet, is the bomb, so the possibilities just keep growing...Armenia, totally agree with you.Pat, glad to know it's not a set number for you. When writing a series, sometimes this stuff is fluid for me mentally. You just have to roll with the changed.Erin, sometimes it IS hard to wait for the next one. I get a lot of people telling me to write faster, but the books are complex and the world rules are absolute, plus I want to keep the adventure moving, bring new aspects of the world in each story... They aren't quick books to write. Happy holidays to you!
I love series! I feel I get
I love series! I feel I get so emotionally involved with the characters in my books that even after the book has ended I want to know more about them. Series give you that chance to get updates and see how characters from previous books are faring. I wish some of them are released closer together though, I get antsy waiting a year for the next book.I just read Stephanie Tyler's Hard To Hold and am so glad that each book in this series is going to be released one month after the other. I can't wait til January to dive back into the story :) I also like that Susan Mallery's series are released close together, that is a total bonus for me! These books sound great! I haven't read this series yet and would love to win them!Happy Holidays
I adore continuing books, 3
I adore continuing books, 3 or 4 in a series is great or even ongoing is better. Love Robyn Carr's Virgin River books which are ongoing - if you havent tried them; they are awesome.
When I get hooked onto a
When I get hooked onto a series I just love each book, the continuing romance of the connected characters becomes like one big family. Whats hard is the waiting for the next book.armiefox at yahoo dot com
There are 35 books in JD
There are 35 books in JD Robb's In Death series and I love every one of them. The maturation and complexity of the characters and just awesome story keep me panting for more. So, if you can think up 35 Bretheren, I'll keep panting! Same with Jack, Deke, Luc, Hunter, etc. I can hardly wait until March!
I really enjoy continuing
I really enjoy continuing series. There is a comfort in reading about old friends from earlier books. As far as how many books should be in a series, that all depends on the author - does she still enjoy writing the series, does she still have good ideas for storylines, etc. I have seen some series that should have ended several books earlier and quite a few that I hope never end! (DB is in the latter group!) I'm lookin forward to Shock's story!
This is one of my favorite
This is one of my favorite series of this year.. I like series the best because like others you can get familiar with the characters and the world around them.. There is always one Character I find and can't wait to read but most of time they seem to be more the bad guy I think I have a problem with the bad guys.. I hope you will continue to write this series, I have to know what will happen to Brim along with others. As far as how many I couldnt answer that but as least make sure Brim is in there lol.. Just think I'm still buying Dark Hunters its like in the twenty's now so you have a while to go. LOL
I love the Series books, I
I love the Series books, I tend to read those of my fav authors before I read their single books. I first fell in love with your Brothers in Arms series. With the Series, I feel like I am part of the Characters.I am starting a series by Julia Quinn right now awaiting the rest of Doomsday, also working on one by Lorraine Heath. Yes I read two books at a time, lol. Also loved Madeline Hunter's Series books.
Lady, happy birthday to your
Lady, happy birthday to your daughter.Aretmis, I agree about the comfort zone. Glad you're enjoying the Brethren!Leanne, I do the same thing. If there's any doubt in my mind that the h/h won't be totally happy in their relationship after I close the book, it's hard for me to remember the experience as enjoyable.Andrea, exactly. The waiting is very tough.Thanks for chiming in, Bonnie!Practimom, I love bringing back couples and embroiling them in the overall plot too. I think the Brethren guys are pretty hot too. Glad you agree!Connie, exactly. The storyline is key. It has to keep evolving somehow...Val, sometimes continuing characters can seem like some of our best friends. It sounds funny, but is so true.Jennifer, well said!
I like continuing series
I like continuing series cause I get a better feel for the world and characters. meandi09@yahoo.com
Great blog! I just have to
Great blog! I just have to say that I love the contiuation. When it's an outstanding book, I hate to leave the characters. When it is a series, I am guarenteed at least a glimpse into the lives of the characters I loved so much.Val lastnerve2000@gmail.com
I really like continuing
I really like continuing series. I think one of the reasons is because I want all the characters to have their own HEA. I also like to keep up with what's happening with the characters who already had their HEA. As long as the storyline doesn't suffer from extending the story out over many books, there is no limit to how many books should be in a series.
The sky's the limit works for
The sky's the limit works for me! I love that in a series you can see how the lives of the characters progress past "their own" book. And it allows the author to revisit charcters they may have developed more of a story for. (kinda like JR Ward's first BDB Dark Lover was about Wrath and Beth, but they had some problems and we saw them in detail again in Lover Avenged. Or Christine Feehan's Dark Celebration was a book where we saw all her past couple together again.) 5 stars for Continuing Series (especially those HAWT Brethern!!)
Oh, I love continuing series!
Oh, I love continuing series! The Mallory's are still favs, and the Dark Hunter books, Karin Tabke's Bloodswords..I think if the author can make the new stories interesting, and not the same story different characters - the sky's the limit!! And I hope the Doomsday Brethren keep going like the damn energizer bunny hahahaSeriously, these guys are HOT. Don't enter me in the contest, I already have my copies - but I couldn't help chiming in on a favorite subject :D
I like continuing series and
I like continuing series and look forward to each book. It's hard to wait sometimes to see what comes next.
Great Blog! I prefer
Great Blog! I prefer continuation, I like to know more about characters lives I hate it when the story ends but they aren't older yet and haven't had their full life together. It makes me wonder for a long time if things worked out for a character and what story could have come next....
I find a comfort zone in a
I find a comfort zone in a continuing series. A familiar cast of characters that surround each hero and heroine, along with a story line that introduces new, intriguing ones. Of course, they must be wrapped around the storytellers best verse. The appeal applies to all genres, not only romance. Just take a look at the longest running television series (and not the so-called reality TV).By the way, do not get rid of Shock! Love those Brethren.
How do you feel? Do you want
How do you feel? Do you want to continue on? Do you want to start something new? With a new year just about to blossom in front of us, it might be nice to see new character blossom in front of us too. A bright new beginning, a bright new book with bright new characters!!!Also Happy Birthday to my second daughter, Tristan! Happy Birthday Bug!!!!