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Thursday, January 14, 2010

A Good Series

I'd like to welcome guest author Regina Carlysle to my blog today!


For me, a good series is the gift that keeps on giving. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, there’s just something about a hot, rockin’ series that catches our attention. As a reader, we love the idea of re-visiting characters from other books. We want to know they are happy, if they are expecting, are they still in love, have they made big changes in their lives. Those kinds of things. Many authors do these and do them well and I’m always the first in line to buy when another installment comes out on some of my faves.
I also believe, for an author, there’s almost nothing better than writing a series. How many times do we write something we fully expect will be a single title book and then suddenly a character steps onto the scene and shouts SURPRISE. Well hell, you’ve gotta write it, don’t you? You’ve got to tell his story. Before you know it a series is born. I am in the middle of writing a successful series for Ellora’s Cave. I really didn’t set out to write a series. It just kind of evolved and I’m really glad it did. The High Plains Shifters series began with Highland Beast (May ’09) and characters from a small Texas town were introduced. Had to do another, didn’t I? Lone Star Lycan continued the saga (July ’09) quickly followed by Ringo’s Ride (Aug.) and then Edge of Nowhere (Dec.). Now each of these stories stands by itself but other characters continually appear and often play major roles. I’ve been having lots and lots of fun with it and it’s beginning to look as if I will continue to build this small town set in the desolate Texas plains.
What is really cool though is often someone will buy a book from the middle or the tail end of the series, like it, and then go back to buy the others. I’ve done that. Haven’t you? As a writer there is value in writing a series. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving and as long as a story is there and readers are buying…why not write them?




Edge of Nowhere
Regina Carlysle

Book 4 in the High Plains Shifters series.

From the moment Cactus Mackey rescues Sara Farmer from outlaw wolves, he knows she belongs to him—and he’s more than ready to mess up some sheets with the sassy female. But she has secrets and wants to run. Infuriating woman! He might have to tie her to his bed but he’s not about to give up until she belongs to him, body and soul.

As danger chases her, Sara knows it’s a huge mistake to fall head over heels for the sexy lycan cowboy from Wolf Creek Ranch. A single touch from this shockingly seductive man melts her like butter under the hot Texas sun, and has her yearning for impossible things. The man is big trouble to her heart and running may no longer be an option.

Available HERE

Also, Regina has offered to give away one of her books to one lucky commenter today! WOO HOO

43 comments:

Regina Carlysle said...

Thanks for hosting me today, Madison. You blog has a kickass look. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Hey Regina,
Great blog. I just love series. I love to read them out of order or in order. Having them lined up on the shelf or on my dox in the computer is great. Just have to complete the reading cycle. It's addictive!

kathyk said...

I'm a huge series fan; in fact I think it's gotten out of control. I know for a fact that I'm currently collecting titles from at least 35 different series... which probably goes a long way to explaining my HUMOUNGOUS TBR. At least that's my excuse.

I also like contests when there's a book involved. :-)

kathyk said...

PS. I love the look of the blog Madison... and Regina, the hook worked!

Molly Daniels said...

I like series because then you can keep up with the lives of the characters you initially fell in love with, and watch them evolve even more:)

Regina Carlysle said...

Hey Hales!!! Great to see you, hon. Yeah, I love them too. Usually I'll stumble across a great book and THEN I'll realize it's part of a series. Naturally, I have to rush right out and buy the rest. Bad for my pocketbook but great for the author,huh?

Regina Carlysle said...

I KNOW, Kathy!!!! Doesn't the blog kick butt??? Love what Madison has done over here. I COLLECT these series, too. Quickly running out of shelf space but what the hell!

Does anyone else have all of the Dark Hunter and Were Hunter books? I do. Loooove Sherrilyn.

Regina Carlysle said...

I know, Molly. Me too. siiiiigh. Too many times you just finish a book and want to hug it. We want the story to keep on giving to us. Sooooo....it's natural to rush out and get all the rest. I keep my characters popping into subsequent books. It's kind of like putting an exclamation mark on them.

Fran Lee said...

Beautiful blogsite, Madison! Yep, Regina's wolves are sexy and hot...and totally addictive!

Unknown said...

HEE HAWW!

BOY DOES EDGE OF NOWHERE COVER LOOK WHITE HAWT! BEEN TRYING TO WIN MADDI SINCE FOREVER

HOTCHA

Madison Scott said...

Wow. You guys have been busy while I was running my kiddo to school.

Thanks for coming, Reg.

I'm so glad you guys like the look of my blog.

I love series too. Of course, Regina's series is one of my favs. She's a phenomenal writer. I'm a big fan of Kenyon too. Oh, and I just found Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress which I LOVE.

I enjoy writing them too. I love visiting characters again. Satsify Me and Bliss are both part of the Malone Brothers series.

Unknown said...

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE, I'LL HATE THE WINNER! LOL

Regina Carlysle said...

Hey Fran!!!! Congrats on yesterdays release, darlin'. Double Your Pleasure (EC) hot hot hot. Fran Lee is an auto buy for me.

Regina Carlysle said...

Hi HOTCHA! God I love that. snicker. Have you read any of the books in the series? EON is the fourth. Good luck in the contest. Maybe I can HOOK YA. :-)

Regina Carlysle said...

Love the Malone Bros!!! If ya'll haven't read them, you must. Good stuff. She does a wonderful working-class hero. I get sick of all the CEOs and Multi-millionaires. Give me some hard working men with calluses on their hands.

Unknown said...

I love series! Great blog, Regina.

Naima Simone said...

Hi, Regina!
I love series! It's almost a guaranteed by for me if the blurb is exciting and the cover says "Book 1 in the..." I become so connected to the characters that it's like visiting old friends in the following books to see how're they're doing. It's better than an epilogue!

Great blog!

Fedora said...

Hi, Regina and Madison! I do love a series--I do prefer to start at the beginning, and I do absolutely get impatient for the next installment, but I love revisiting favorite characters and settings. I get excited meeting secondary characters thinking, "hmm... wonder if they'll get their story told next!"

BTW, Madison, I stumbled around mis-typing your blog address and uh, interesting alternatives ;p
Glad I finally made it over!

Cathy M said...

Hello ladies,

I have so many series that I am hooked on, that sweep me away, and I can't wait to disappear into the world that they've created. JD Robb is probably the longest series that I've stuck with since the beginning. Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series I started in the middle when a girl friend left a copy at my house. Then I had to go out and buy every book that preceeded it. Which was actually tons of fun, since I could read them all back to back.

Regina, I love your High Plains Drifer series,have a soft spot for shifters, and can't wait to read Edge of Nowhere.

Adele Dubois said...

You have such a great voice, Regina. I do love series and I think you're terrific. Best of luck!

Adele

Madison Scott said...

Yikes, Flchen1. Now you have me curious. Glad you made it too.

Fedora said...

Oops, sorry, Madison, didn't mean to alarm; I'd initially gone with Madison Scott, assuming you had a website connected with your blog, but uh, I don't think that was you. Lovely to chat with you and Regina today!

Tessie Bradford said...

A well written series is always a treat and Regina's shifters are one of my alltime faves!

Madison Scott said...

LOL. I'm working on the website. I ran a name search and you're right, that isn't me ;)

Regina Carlysle said...

Hey, ya'll are rocking this spot today. Yeah...I think it's the writermadisonscott that probably threw flchen off. :-)

Regina Carlysle said...

Dying to read the Nalini Singh series. I haven't read her yet. My list is sooooo damn long, I swear. I must take a wee break and get to more books than I do.

Regina Carlysle said...

Awwww, thanks for the nice things you are saying about my shifter series. I really appreciate that and love ya'll! I keep getting requests for the collection in print so I'm keeping fingers crossed about that.

Regina Carlysle said...

Oooh. JD Robb. That makes me think of the three-book series work that Nora does. You know there's something to be said for those, too. Sometimes a series can run way too long, ya know? I have collected lots of her three book series over the years.

Regina Carlysle said...

Tessie!!! That's the cutest little avatar!! LOOOOVES IT.

Regina Carlysle said...

Cathy M! OMG...I love doing that actually. Isn't it funny how excited you can get over finding out a book you love is a series. I'll hit the bookstores, buy em all, and them fool around with copyright dates to get them in order. THEN...pant pant...I'll bury myself in a cave and won't come out for a damn week. HA.

Judy said...

Really looks like a great series. I know I like the cover !!!! I love shifter books, so a series makes that sweeter.

Madison Scott said...

I agree that some times a series can go too long. It's hard to know when to stop some times. There are longer series that I love and devour every damn one of them and some that I lose interested in. So far, both of mine have been three book series. I'm thinking I might do something a little longer in the future!

Regina Carlysle said...

I hope you do, Madison. It's really kind of fun. I know what you mean though. When do you say WHEN ALREADY??? Some of these go on so long the characters are practically interchangeable. I think by the time that happens an author needs to hang it up and move on to something fresh and new.

Kathy Kulig said...

Nice site Madison. And great blurb Regina. I love series--reading and writing them. Some characters just need their own stories.

Paris said...

Madison,
This is a gorgeous site! Regina, love those shifters and this series is wonderful!

Regina Carlysle said...

Isn't that the truth, Kathy! You have a pretty damn fine series going yourself! Really sometimes they just call to you and you know you have to write their story.

Regina Carlysle said...

Hey Paris! Thanks and and I love yours too!!! I know for a fact you like shifters as much as I do. lol

Madison Scott said...

Thanks Paris and Kathy! Glad you like it!!

Sherry said...

I really enjoy series especially if you don't have to read them in order I don't know how many times I've bought the second book that belong in a series. I love shifter books and if they're wolf shifters that's even better. I love wolves so much that I have two wolf tattoo's right on my chest.

Sandra Cox said...

I love series.

Titania Ladley said...

Hi, Madison, very nice blog! Regina - I really get into series...or should I say I'm addicted? lol Love the cover for Edge of Nowhere, btw. You're on a blessed roll with great covers!

Titania

Dalton Diaz said...

Madison, great blog! I need a cold shower after those pics you just posted. Yum!
Regina, I love a good series. I absolutely love revisiting old characters, little visits into the lives of characters I'm already connected to while enjoying meeting new ones.

Anne Rainey said...

I love a good series and of cours your books rock!

Love the looks of the blog too, btw!