Serial Romances, do you read them?

One of the latest crazes seems to be the serial romance. A story is told over a course of several books. In some ways, this is like a series that just features the same characters. The only difference that I've found is the stories just end abruptly and definitely at a time when you don't want it to. A cliff hanger.

Being an author, I try to stay on top of what's popular and they decide if it's something I want to try or not. I must admit, I like the serial romance series, even though I want to scream each time a book ends. When my kids were smaller, I used to watch soap operas, and the ways these series are written, it reminds me of them. Lots of drama and things that happen that make you want to yell and ask them, "What the hell is your problem? Why are you doing that?"

A lot of the serial series seem to be spread out between 3-5 books, but currently I am reading one that is 15 book and counting. I've been binge reading them, completely wrapped up in the stories. *Sigh* It's been a long time since I've been obsessed with a series.

The writer part of me wants to write one, I admit it, but then another part of me doesn't think I can pull it off. I mean, you've got to have a pretty elaborate plot and interesting characters to do this. Not saying I don't have interesting characters, because I'd like to think I do.

Have you given in to this new craze and started to read any of these popular serial series?

-Lacey

When the secondaries won't be quiet!

My secondary characters often make me sympathize with a medium. They scream until I channel their story onto the page. I'll explain in a second.

I've never been much of a series author. I love to read them. Nora Roberts had me hooked on more than a few in the past decade. I love how she can spin a tale and then work those background characters into a new story while still keeping the reader involved in the lives of favorite characters of the past. It's always been an intriguing idea, but I never thought I'd actually be interested in writing one.

As a matter of fact, Make Me Stay was NEVER intended to become a series. Even when I started working on the sequel, Surrender to Me, it still wasn't a series. Two books does not a series make. Well, guess what...

In the process of writing Surrender to Me, I realized I had story potential for another couple in that book. This couple doesn't come together until the end of Surrender to Me, and their story in that book is used as a prop to help the main couple, Martin and Arianna, figure a few things out.

So, let me get back to my Sylvia Brown complex. I focus on my current WIP like a good little writer should. I give it my full attention, sometimes until late into the night. Is it too much to be able to close my eyes and fall asleep once my head hits the pillow? My secondary characters seem to think so. They yell, "Hey, what about us? We need an HEA too!"

And, so it begins... Hunter and Nadia, from Surrender to Me, have become the Patrick Swayze to my Whoopi Goldberg. I'm waiting for them to start singing, "I am Henry the eighth, I am." until I listen.(Go watch Ghost if you don't know what I'm talking about). They want their story told and who am I to argue? I'm just the medium who brings their words to life.

Now I need a name for the series that never was...

If you'd like to see where the idea came from, check out Make Me Stay.

Can the sub teach the Dom to play?

Natural submissive Gracie Miller thought she had found her other half in Cade Jameson. Not only did he help her through a difficult time in her life, in the bedroom he brought her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined. They seemed perfect for each other.

Cade knew what he wanted in the bedroom. Gracie brought out his domineering side and ignited his passion. But he feared he was too dominant for this beautiful, naïve girl, who was so young and impressionable, so he ended their relationship.

Two and a half years later, Gracie returns to town a new woman. She had moved to the city and found a "Master" who showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she's back and wants to show Cade exactly what kind of submissive she could be for him.

But after hearing all that she's experienced, Cade now wonders if he's dominant enough to satisfy her. Can he be the man Gracie needs him to be?

Content Warning: graphic sex, BDSM themes

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Have a great weekend!