I love this time in the book release cycle. We’re about three weeks out from the point where the July ’08 Brava releases hit the bookstore shelves. Reviews are starting to come out. Author copies will arrive any day now. It’s a mix of being nervous and excited. And, for me, the thrill of holding the book that first time is as fabulous on book seven as it was with my very first release.
This release is extra special because my upcoming release, HARD AS NAILS, is a follow-up to the first novella I ever had published. It was in the anthology WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. Having the opportunity to revisit characters I loved and letting their stories unfold was just a fantastic writing experience.
I also enjoyed going back because I’ve always been a fan of connected books. It’s something I learned as a reader from authors like Nora Roberts and Lori Foster. See, when I first started reading romance I stumbled across their work and had the joy of following family members as each got their own books.
And now it’s my turn to give writing connected/related books a try.
Do you like connected books? For me, they work. I know others don’t feel the same way. What about you? Let me know your thoughts and you’ll be entered to win a copy of WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. I’ll pick an winner this week and post it here in the comments.
Good luck…and go pre-order 
Please don’t enter me in the contest as I already have this one.
I like connecting books, I do, but some authors only write connecting books, and if I discover them by book 6, then chances are, because I’m really anal and must read in order, I won’t get them. Exceptions have been JD Robb and Janet Evanovich – both definitely worthy. However I have a teetering tbr pile threatening to maim me, so I’m careful how I spend my money.
I love connecting books. It gives me a chance to re-visit characters I’ve loved in previous books. And if I haven’t read the previous book, chances are I’ll search it out to see why they are showing up in the current book.
I usually like connected books as long as each book stands alone because often I will shopping for books and I don’t realize that I bought a book that is in the middle of a series. Sometimes it’s not a problem and sometimes it’s obvious that I’m missing a lot of the back story of these characters.
Yes, I do like connected books. If I really like the characters in a book, I always find myself wanting more of their story. It is always nice to revisit them and get a glimpse of what their HEA is like.
I so love connected books!
They’re great because as long as the series goes on, there’s always something to look forward to, people we get to revisit and then we get to see the stories of the people we’ve been longing for. And it’s a great reason to reread — if it’s a series that doesn’t have one book out every month for a couple of months, but over a longer period like once a year, I reread the others right before reading the new one. I guess with all I read, no matter how much I loved a book, I tend to forget it after a while, so rereading is mighty helpful. But since I loved it the first time around, I sure don’t mind reading it again. 
Lois
Stacy – I have a matching pile at my house. I’m a little different from you in that if I find a book I love in a series I MUST go track down the other books. It’s a sickness.
Cheryl S – I like the re-visiting characters idea. I tried to do that here by catching up with Whit and Hannah (mostly with Whit) from WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. Then each novella in HARD AS NAILS builds on the other so that you get a bit more of what happened to the couple in the story before as the anthology goes forward.
Maureen – The stand alone thing is important for me too. I’m okay if there are background elements that tie the stories together, but I want an ending and don’t want to wait six months until the next book comes out to get it.
Cheryl C – Exactly! You get a glimpse into what happened after the last book closed. I love that so long as those old characters don’t take over the story.
Lois – Another re-reader! After I finish writing a book and turn it in, I re-read an old fav. It’s a mind-clearing thing for me. Makes me happy.
I LOVE connected books. It allows an author to develop characters much better and the reader ends up with a more emotional investment in the series.
Connected books are fun because you feel a continuation of the previous story, even with different characters. And there’s also a chance to revisit with other characters. Nora Roberts was also my first reads that had connected stories. *g* Can’t wait to see this one on the shelves at the bookstore. *G*
Yes, to connected books. Remember watching soap operas instead of going to class in college? You got hooked on all the different characters and wanted to see where they went, what/who they did, how their lives turned out. Always more interesting than your own, of course—
(I already have a copy of the book you’re offering, so thanks anyway!)
I love reading connected books! My problem is reading them in the right order, even if I have all of them in my TBR pile.
The best part is catching up with what has happened in the characters life’s. I sound like they are real people! 
I’m a re-reader, too.
HARD AS NAILS sounds wonderful.
I like connecting books. My tbr pile is somewhat out of control right now because I found a new series, and of course had to go back and buy the first 3 in the series before reading the newest.
I love connected books. The first ones remember reading were by Nora Roberts.
Brownone – Investing in the characters is the key. I love it as a reader and strive for it as a writer.
Brandy – Nora is a pro at this. I think the MacGregors were some of my first conencted books. Then there were Linda Howard’s MacKenzies…so many great books and great memories.
Laura – I’m telling your kids about those college days…
Susan – I mess up the order all the time. I did that with JR Ward’s Brotherhood series and finally gave in and started from the beginning, re-reading the ones I already tried, just so I could get them in order.
Liza – That happens to me too. Just out of curiousity – what series?
I love reading connected books. Like you, that is how I learned about new authors. It is interesting to know how authors create their characters.
Looking forward to read them.
Estella – I bet we started off with some of the same Nora series
acdaisy77 – Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book.
Yes and No lol. I hate reading in the middle of connected books if I feel like I’m missing something. Ideally I get the first book and then can buy them in order as they come along. Unfortunately I too have a pile of books that I have a middle or end book. I don’t want to read it first but don’t always want to invest if there a lot in the series. I’ll do 3 but that’s usually my limit. I guess it’s a good thing for an author if you go out and buy the whole series but sometimes it does stop me from buying. I actually must be the only person on earth who has not read Nora’s series because I know there are a ton of books lol.
I love connected books because you get to revisit with characters you loved in earlier stories.
I actually started with book 13 Dark Demon: Christine Feehan. Went out after reading it and had all the back ones purchased I could get my hands on then special ordered the ones I couldn’t. When I fall in love with the story and the characters…I’m in it for the long hall. I even have a series I’ve been working on for 2 years and haven’t read one yet because I want them in order. Sue Grafton; I’m still missing D,E and G. I actually don’t mind waiting. I’ll get them all then go on a readfest!
I love connected books. Some of my favorites are Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster and Bastion Club series, Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflower series and Linda Howard’s Mackenzie series. Congrats on your upcoming release. I can’t wait to read “Hard As Nails.”
Absolutely love connected stories (Doug needs one
And like other’s mentioned if I find a series some place in the middle I always go back and find the others so I can revisit them all!
I love connecting stories!! Sometimes I wish they would re visit the old character a little more. It’s like the first book everyone is involved and by the last book it is only the last man standing, so I would like to see a series where the old characters are more involed in the future books. Also, you see how the have grown and aged a little.
I love connected books. Lori Foster does a great job of tantalizing the reader with just enough of a character sketch to whet your appetite. She doesn’t just introduce another sibling, but his or her possible love interest as well. Can’t get enough!
Also, Nora’s Chesapeake Bay series. I loved watching Seth grow from boy to man, all tough yet sensitive like the heroes in the series. When his book came out I was in heaven. *sigh*
Oh! I totally forgot to mention that I can’t wait for the next book in your Hawaii series. Loved the native flavor in YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY.
I love connected stories, because you can revisit the people from a previous book. I like when they are involved in the next book. But I love to read books in order and hate it when I come into the middle of a series. I have preordered Tough As Nails from Chapter’s and it should ship as soon as they can release it.
Hi, HelenKay! I LOVE connected stories! I love seeing characters I’ve met before again and getting a peek at how their lives are going in their HEAs
Don’t include me in the drawing either–I’ve already got and loved WGTHTBB 
I enjoy connection stories, but it is easeir for me to read new stories, this way if I don’t know about the 1st story, I won’t miss much. nless I get the books in front of the book I want toread, then it’s ok.
I already have a much loved copy of WGTHTBB [haha fun] – so no need to count me in this. But I’m so excited for “Hard as Nails!” I like continued books a lot – but each book has to stand alone, have a happy ending, and closure. I’m picky too – so I need balance. I don’t like to be slapped in the face with “hey hey hey! look at me! I’m going to have my own book come out in a few months!” coming from the characters/book.
I don’t like the secondary characters being developed for the next book at the expense of the book I’m reading NOW.
Otherwise, as long as each book is stand alone – yes, I love them being connected and former characters making cameo appearances. It’s like seeing old friends, in a way.
I adore connected books; love to re-visit characters also and since I ususally love the first one, it follows suit I need to read the rest.
Susan Mallery’s Buchanan, Marcelli; SEP’s Chicago Stars, Deirdre Martin’s Hockey, Kate Angell’s baseball, Nora Roberts and Barbara Delinky’s Dream books, Barbara’s Matchmaker Series are just a few of my favs. And I think somone with the inititals HKD has something going there too.
Can’t wait for your book – can’t beleive it is almost here. Keep writing.
I do like connected books. I like it when characters that are introduced in one book get their own story and I am not left wishing their story had been told.
I do like connected book because you get to continue with the story and find out what happens to all the characters. I also like these books to be able to stand alone in case I can’t get all of the books.
HelenKay, it is Lynn Viehl’s Darkyn series. I got book 4 thinking it was the first in the series. I had read several short stories from the series first, so I was really excited until I found of there were 3 other books I needed first. They are now in my TBR pile.
Catslady – I understand what you’re saying. If you do want to try Nora, pick up her original Chesapeake Bay trilogy (there’s a fourth, but the frist three are my favs). The series is over so you don’t have to worry about more books, and they are really good.
Cherie – I totally agree!
Scarlet – You started on book 13 and went back? Yeah, we have the same reading style.
Jane – Thank you!! I hope you enjoy HARD AS NAILS. I’m so excited for the release.
Rhonda -You are not the frist person to request Doug’s sotry (from RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW). I’m thinking about giving him a happy ending but have to figure out what woman can handle him…
Christina – Good point. Now that you mention it, I think I feel the same way.
Jill – Thank you! There will be two Hawaii-based books out in 2009 to follow-up YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY. I’m writing Josh’s story (the DEA agent) right now and loving it!
Cryna – Thank you for the pre-order! I hope you enjoy it.
Fedora – Thank you! I’m so happy you loved WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS.
Dina – Absolutely. I’m thinking if the author is doing it right, the book will feel like the first even if it isn’t.
limecello – Your point on how the secondary characters are introduced is a good one. I don’t like meeting new characters in a book in such a way that I know they are just being set up for their own stories.
Pat – Thank you! I forgot about Susan Mallery. She is the reason I read category romance. I read one of hers years ago and loved it.
Crystal – Me too!
Liza – People love her. I have been really bad about picking up her books. I need to get started. Sounds like I won’t regret it if I do. Thanks for sharing!
And we have a winner!!! Congrats to Rhonda M!!! Please email me, and I’ll get that copy of WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS out to you.
I love connected series and some of my favorites are Sherrily Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series. I also enjoy Christine Feehan’s Dark series. Jacquelyn Frank and Colleen Gleason also have good ones. I enjoy them because it makes me feel like a book is never really done, your always anticipating the nest release to see what happens to the characters and stories.
Congratulations, Rhonda!
Congratulations Rhonda! YAY!