August 13, 2007 • Print This Post
Right after my newest release YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY came out, I started getting emails asking for the stories of two secondary male characters, Josh and Derek. I plan to write those. One person even asked for the story of a secondary character who turned out to be a bad guy and, well, died at the end. I have no plans to write that story. Not sure what I would say if I tried. Still, people being interested enough in a story and bonded to characters to the extent they want more is a great thing.
Since I adored both Josh and Derek, knowing readers felt the same way was a thrill. In fact, one of the things I love about romance novels is the tendency for what I call carry-over characters. Continuing series, connected characters, family members and friends getting their own stories - yeah, can’t get enough of ‘em. Reading a book and falling for a secondary character only to later find out that character is getting his of her own story is just one of those special things.
Do you guys feel the same way? And, the bigger question: is there a secondary character out there for whom you’ve been waiting (impatiently) for an author to write a story? I’m just curious to see if we’re all out there waiting for authors to write the same stories 
Give me your thoughts. Ill pick someone at random from those commenting to win a signed copy of YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY.
Posted by HelenKay Dimon @ 5:00 am • Filed under: HelenKay Dimon
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I always like knowing what has happened to the other characters in the book or the continuing story of the main characters. It doesn’t matter, a sequel, a trilogy, or a series. If I happen to be reading a book that fits one of categories, I will buy each book and read from book 1. I have one series that has 7 books, and every book was good. I say go for the next book, even another after that if the characters work out for it.
Oh yes, I love reading about secondary characters int their own books - mostly because I hate to see the previous book end. I enjoy it when an author brings back the original characters for more than just a brief drive-by as well. True, their story has been told, but it’s fun to re-visit them.
For the longest time, Sam & Alyssa’s story was the one I was most anxious for, and I love that Brockmann keeps bringing them back, even after their HEA. Now I want Jules’ story! Her next release is coming out tomorrow - yay! - and she’s one of only 2 authors I will buy in hardcover (the other being Judith McNaught’s historicals). I also can’t wait for JR Ward’s vamps - especially V and Phury and Tohrment. I want all their stories.
I very much enjoy when a secondary character becomes the primary character in a story. I like the continuity! My favorite thing though, is to learn just a little bit more about previous primary characters and their “happily ever after.”
I have YMDMC on my tbr - cant wait to get to it.
And yes I love the carryover characters - love series books especially with sexy hunky brothers. I cannot think of a character off-hand that I would like to have his or her own story.
When I find a secondary character I love, I usually contact the author in hopes of them getting their own book and almost always the answer is yes.
I did contact Marilyn Pappano recently tho and asked if there would be more Bethelem series books and she said she would like to but her publisher I guess it is, said no.
So all you authors out there - please, please continue those great series/continuing stories books. We all love them.
I LOVE carry over characters and enjoy reading romance novels that are “series”. You know, Sylvia Day is also really good at creating those intriguing secondary characters. Like in her Bad Boys Ahoy, the heroine in “Her Mad Grace” has a sister who I am DYING to know what happend to her.
I love series books. They’re like old friends that you get to see how they are doing. It’s like a HEA book that doesn’t end. As the books go on you get to see the characters fleshed out more and find more interesting facets to them and sometimes to their children.
I was waiting for Shannon Mckenna to write about Sean (one of the brothers) and she did, it was just released. Yay!
id ont have in mind rite now, but sequels are ok with me.
I love when authors carry over characters into other books. Allison Brennan has two trilogies and she does that in both of them. It’s nice to get to know small characters beter when they get to shine in their own book.
I love the when secondary characters get their own books! Karen Rose is great at turning them into main characters with their own stories.
Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelley has a scene introducing Cody’s half sister that left me wanting to read her story.
I just finished reading Deidre Knight’s Parallel Seduction and the one comfort to be found after reading the last page of this book is the knowledge that this is not the end really as the story goes on in Parallel Desire.
What I love about a good series is that you know in advance that you’ll be seeing more of the secondary characters. The only draw back is waiting for the author to write it and the publishers to release it.
On the top of my list right now is the story of Decker and Sophia from Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter series! I want their story and its killing me.
The other one I really wanted was Noah’s from Julie Garwood’s contemp. Even though I finally got it, I was a bit disappointed, probably too much build up.
Just finished Sean’s story in Shannon McKenna’s Edge of Midnight, and really want to get to Tam’s story.
Last month I read WILD, WICKED & WANTON by Jaci Burton and one guy that was in it didn’t have his HEA…I’m hoping he will go on to get his own story one day.
I loved Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy, and would love to see Josh and Derek have their stories told. I love to read stories that are of secondary characters from the original books, and then get a glimpse into the lives of the original hero and heroine even though they have had their HEA.
I love when the secondary characters have there own book. My favorite is Cathryn Fox’s Pleasure series. I read both books so far in this series and can’t wait for the third one.
Hugssss
LindaH
It is always interesting to read a continuation of a story. It adds so much depth to the story line. I particularly enjoy when the secondary characters are given their own story. Sherryl Woods has some lovely series books. Hank Phillipi Ryan has written some really good ones too. Her “Whose Number is Up, Anyway?” series is a riot, romantic, and suspenseful! Something else I really enjoy are when anthologies have stories that overlap in them. I remember reading a fun one, “Behind the Red Doors” by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Stephanie Bond and Leslie Kelly. That was so neat how they intertwined their stories so it all combined into one complete book.
I love reading series so I can read about the secondary characters. I’m still waiting for Dillion’s story in Lora Leigh’s Men of August series.
I’m definitely with the consensus here. I love when secondary characters get their own stories. For me, I enjoy it because I love to re-visit the characters from previous stories. My favorite ongoing series is The Randall family written by Judy Christenberry.
I have to agree with everyone else here!
Suzanne Brockmann, Lora Leigh, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Rachel Gibson are a few of my faves who give the secondary characters their chance and I totally enjoy the continuity.
I LOVE when secondary characters get their own stories. I sometimes even imagine them in my own head (I am a bit odd). Annette Blair has some secondary characters in one of her Amish romances (The Butterfly Garden) that I would love to see get their own stories…I would also love to see Ruby Storm’s Keeper series continued with perhaps the children’s stories. Julie Garwood also has some highlanders in her books that I would love to see get their own stories.
any winner
Yes! The winner is Mad - congrats!!!
Email me with your address and I’ll get a copy of YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY out to you.
wtg mad.