As the third and final book in my STORM series approaches its July release, I’m filled with both excitement and relief. The STORM series was very different for me — for a number of reasons.

First — this was my first series for Brava and so these three novels (and one novella) were different from what and how I write my stories for my Harlequin Historicals. I was quite nervous about that when Kate Duffy called me and asked me to write for her and for Brava. “Brava romances are,” Kate explained, “stories in which sex is a given. So when sex is a given, you need lots of emotional conflict to get a strong story.”  That made complete sense to me but I was still nervous! But, with her encouragement, and later my new editor Alicia’s, I stepped out of my comfort range and pushed for that strong emotional conflict. . . and lots of ‘strident, enthusiastic love scenes.’ (Kate’s words!)

Second – see #1 again. These stories went in a completely different direction for me and they took a very gritty, very historical path, allowing me a wider range of human emotions, the good ones and the bad ones, to use in them. And since these stories had strong paranormal elements, a chance to use the non-human elements, too. A fabulous opportunity and a challenge for a writer.

Third – this was a different kind of series for me. I’ve had one story turn into 2 and then 3. I’ve planned out 3 sequential stories with one overarching plotline. But this was the first time, I wrote 3 stories that happened all at the same time. And that had certain shared elements that needed to be intact in each story. So, my mythology as set out in the first story, had to be the same in all three — and that usually doesn’t work for me! I am soooooo not a plotter, but I had to learn to be one for these books.

And, the results? Well, I loved the whole series but I sobbed as I finished writing this third and final book, especially the final scene which I titled “The End”.  I think this one fulfilled Kate’s vision of the series when she acquired it and mine, too!  And now I’ll wait for readers to read it and see what they/you all think of it.

I did just get a copy of two upcoming reviews and I’m thrilled to share them with you –

RT Book Reviews says: “The last book of Brisbin’s Storm series is a sensual feast, an erotic tale of good vs. evil, magic vs. humanity, man vs. man. Readers will enjoy the well-written characters, the emotional plot and the high level of sexuality. ”

Publishers Weekly says: “Explicit love scenes and emotional turmoil lend drama en route to a powerfully moving conclusion.”

Wow, huh? I am soooo excited that these reviewers ‘got’ what I was going for in this story….!

To further entice you to read this one, I will tease with a promise of a special promotion for MISTRESS OF THE STORM that I will tell you about in my June blog – in plenty of time for you all to take advantage of a very special offer!

So, do you like connected stories/series? Which ones do you follow right now? Any authors who you think do them well? Tell me about it by Saturday, May 21 at noon, and I’ve arranged for the person chosen to receive a copy of one of my favorite recent historical romance series – Madeline Hunter’s Rarest Blooms series, signed by Madeline herself! Post away!