Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Guest Post by Kimberly Rae Jordan

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A few years ago, I was a regular poster here at Inspy Romance. Unfortunately, I struggled to keep up with the schedule and had to step back from posting. When Valerie approached me about doing a guest post this summer, I was excited to agree! And then promptly began to panic about what to share. Lol

In the end, I decided that since I’m celebrating a new release this month that I’d share a bit about it and the series that it’s a part of.

As a reader, I absolutely love reading a book series. Getting to know the characters and being able to follow them from one book to the next is the best thing. They begin to feel like friends, and I become invested in their lives. I can hardly wait to get to the next book! The only bad thing about reading a series is that if I’m reading it “in real time,” the author never writes fast enough for me!

As a writer, I also absolutely love writing a book series for all the same reasons listed above. And for the record, even as the writer, I feel like I never can write fast enough to get the stories down!

All but a handful of the books I’ve written are part of a series. Most of the series I’ve done are family-centered, though I did have one that was centered around a security firm. As I began to wrap up my last series—an eleven book family series—I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. I knew it was going to be a series, but I had no idea what kind.

I was feeling a bit sad at the idea of ending a series that I had devoted so much time to. Though I had enjoyed writing about a family, I thought that maybe I should try a series with a bit more flexibility to it, which is how I decided to go with a small-town series this time around.

My previous series was set right where I’m from, which is the Canadian Prairies. Manitoba, the province where I live, has a beauty of its own, I suppose, but it’s flat…and flat…and more flat. Winters are frigid, and summers can be HOT. So when I was considering where to set my small town, I wanted a place that was different from here.

After considering places that I’d like to visit, I ended up settling on Washington State, and New Hope Falls was born! Though it’s a fictional place, it has become quite real to me as I’ve written the first few books in the series, and the people and locations in the town have come to life.

This month, book 4 of the New Hope Falls series releases. A Heart Renewed was written entirely during the first few months of the pandemic lockdown. This story is meaningful to me for many reasons, but as I wrote it, it became special for yet one more. Writing it brought normality to my life.

I have been struggling a bit with everything that has been going on. I’m someone who has always been a worrier, even though I’m well aware that it accomplishes nothing! I also prefer to know what’s going to be happening. In everything but writing my stories, I’m very much a planner. These days, my worrying has wanted to take over my life when I focus too much on how much uncertainty we’re facing right now.

Writing has always been a bit of an escape for me, but even more so now. It’s become a place where I could have some measure of control (as much as the characters allowed!) in a world that has seemingly spun out of control. Even though there was no part of the current world crisis mentioned in A Heart Renewed, as I wrote about the struggles Carter and Jillian faced, God used parts of the story to remind me of a few things.

First and foremost, He is still on the throne…still in control…regardless of what we may be facing or how things might appear. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (NKJV)

He has not forsaken us. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)

And He promises us peace. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

So while this book might not have had a pandemic or lockdown plot, it was the story that I needed to write during this time as a reminder of God’s promises to us.

I hope that if you think this is a book you might enjoy reading during this time, you’ll check out A Heart Renewed on Amazon.

* * * * *

Trauma took control of Jillian Hall’s life, and she has yet to feel like she’s taken it back. She suffers from anxiety and panic attacks as a result of that trauma, and she struggles to accept that the actions of one man have managed to derail the plans she had for her life.

Like Jillian, Carter has been forced to accept that the plans he’d had for his life are a thing of the past. He feels responsible for the events that caused the direction of his life to tragically shift. He has moved forward, but he’s never moved on.

Their friends might all be falling in love and diving into serious relationships, but that’s not something either of them wants. However, once their hearts get involved, they’re each faced with a choice: will they accept yet another change to their plans and do the work required to find love? Or will fear hold them back from embracing what they could have together?

Do you prefer reading a series or standalone stories? If you like series, what kind do you enjoy more? A series centered on a family, a group of friends, or a town? I know there are lots of great series out there written by some wonderful authors, so if there’s a series you’ve really enjoyed, please share about it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciates recommendations for more good books to read!

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I pray that as you deal with our everchanging world, you will feel God’s unchanging presence in your life.

* * * * *

Kimberly Rae Jordan is a USA Today bestselling author of Christian romance. She lives along the Red River in central Canada with her husband, her youngest son, and a dog named Tucker.

Valerie Comer (341 Posts)

Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.


Comments

  1. I like series. I like a location as well as family or friends which I guess is all you mentioned. I have read series where the location is the focus but all books could also be stand alone or have very few references to previous books. While people from the previous book don’t have to be in the whole story I want them mentioned a few times so we know what is happening with them. Janet Tronstad has the Dry Creek series and while Dry Creek is the featured place they have people who will be in all books like Mrs Hargraves (I think she remarried). I like having background people in each book.

  2. I like both series and stand alone books. Most series I read tend to revolve around the one central character. Not something I actively look for.

  3. I like series and stand alones. I just finished The Georgia Coast Romance series by Liz Johnson that I really enjoyed.

  4. I like both series and stand alones. I’ve read sooo many series! However, one of my favorites was The Tales of the Grace Chapel Inn, written by different authors. It all takes place in a small town in PA, with the same characters in most of the books, and a lot of new ones, too! There’s very little romance, but great stories that show “life” and living your faith in a very real way. Other series I’ve enjoyed are the Mitford one by Jan Karon, Dee Henderson’s O’Malley’s series, Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor Series, and The Chapel Cove series by Autumn McArthur, Alexa Verde, and Marion Ueckermann, and the Jewel Series by Hallee Bridgeman.

  5. I love seeing background people who continue to appear! As well as a special location in the community where they often go, like a diner or bakery.

  6. As both a reader and a writer, I love series. What I don’t love is when I have to wait a year for the next book! Case in point, I remember picking o book four in a popular Amish series thinking it was the last in the series, only to hit a huge cliffhanger at the end and ONE MORE BOOK COMING – the following year! Lol! That said, as a writer, I like to make sure every book has a satisfying ending! Great post!

  10. Hi Regina! I hear you about cliffhangers and the timeframe on traditionally published books. Yikes. Love being indie and I also tend to read mostly indie books. Maybe release speed is one reason why!

  11. Kimberly will be around later today. It’s a homeschool and writing day in her world, but do ask any questions and she’ll stop by later. :)

  12. I love both but a good series is one I may visit over and over again when the world gets a little dark for me and I want to check out. It’s like going to a mental hotel 😂

  13. I love reading both. Though I tend to wait until a series is finished before I start reading it.

  15. I love and have read every one of Kimberly’s books, and am reading the newest one now. Her BlackThorpe Security series is one of my favorites! I love books in series because I always want to know a little bit more about the different characters. I also love the idea of doing a series with the same town setting! Standalones are fun to read, but then I am left wanting to hear more about the secondary characters. In standalones, I do not anxiously wait for the next book like I do in the series. However, I do read both series and standalones.

  17. I enjoy series, providing each story can also be read as a stand alone. It’s great to follow along as main characters become secondary characters in other books. Blackthorpe Security was a definite favourite, and I don’t know what I’ll do when Valerie finishes her Urban Farm Fresh series! Lol.

  18. I enjoy both stand-alones and series. I think I lean a little in the direction of a common location (like a town or a ranch) as opposed to a family but I like both. My choice of reading right now is driven by switching from author to author. It makes for both variety and expectation when I am working through a series as part of the cycle. It makes the discipline of getting through the TBR pile more fun.

  21. Glad to hear it! Lol. I am amazed at how you girls come up with ideas! I guess it’s God, really….

  22. I like both. In a series, you can get to know the characters better, and their friends/ family. In stand alones you don’t have to wait a whole year for the next book.

  23. Hi I love book series because you do get to know the characters as they grow, I love family sagas. I also like stand alone books that have a good ending and don’t just leave a reader hanging. It actually doesn’t bother me too much while waiting for another book in the series, it makes it that much more interesting and fun just waiting for it. Your book sounds like a very good read and like a book that will be very helpful for all who go through panic attacks and anxiety. Thank you so much for sharing about your book. Have a Great week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family. Thank you very much for sharing the very inspirational verses.

  25. It really is! I remember being really excited in about 2005 because I had AN IDEA for a romance story! I wasn’t sure I’d have another one, so it was worth celebrating. Too funny.

  28. I love both series and standalone. As long as a book is engaging, it works for me.

  29. One of my favourite series was The House of Winslow. It follows one family from the Mayflower up to after WW2 (I admit I haven’t finished it yet) But while it was different eras it followed the one family so often members reappeared.

    But for a Contemporary series I do like a community landmark that’s constantly used or a Character who is central to the town Like Mrs Hargraves. she was someone who would listen and gave out helpful advice when asked. She had been a sunday school teacher (for children) for a long time so knows many of the characters since childhood.

  30. I read both standalone books and series but I usually enjoy series a little more. I also tend to prefer series centered around a family or a group of friends more than a town. Kimberly’s series about a security firm sounds really interesting.

  34. As a reader, I too struggled when our county went on the stay-at-home orders in the middle of March. I struggled with the WANT to read, I had no desire whatsoever to pick up a good book. That’s not normal for me at all! I normally devour books very quickly and enjoy them for the stories sake. They have always been my escape from the real world. But then again times have not been “normal” for a while now. However, there’s a glimmer of hope yet, the last few weeks I’ve once again found my love for reading a good book. I’ve been looking forward to starting new ones and finishing current reads. Maybe it was a shift in my mindset, or it could be because our county has lifted many of the restrictions and life feels a little more “normal”. My world definitely shifted and tilted for almost 3 months!

    I live on the Oregon coast and your current series set in Washington sounds intriguing! I love stories that take place in my neck of the woods. Did you visit to do research or did you mostly do your research online? I’ve often wondered how authors write about a place they don’t live in or are familiar with :-)

    As for series, I love reading ones that interconnect. What I don’t like, is those that leave you hanging at the end and then you have to wait months & months for the next installment! In fact, I have one series on my bookshelf now that each book was released a year apart (there’s three all told). Thankfully I have reader friends that warned me that the books ended on a cliffhangers, so I waited until they came out and purchased each one so I can enjoy them one right after the other. I also like stand-alone ones as well, but I think I love series just a hair better. Whether it features a family or group of friends or even co-workers…I just love it all. I like seeing characters get their “spotlight” in each book and revisiting characters from previous ones. I wonder how characters are doing long after I finish a book! Does that sound strange? LOL! I love getting to know each person in a book & love seeing how life has treated them. They become precious friends to me :-)

    I don’t read a lot of contemporary but I’ve found in the last few months that I’m slowing reading more and more of that genre. So my most recent series reads are: The Bradford Sisters by Becky Wade, Bluebell Inn series by Denise Hunter (Lake Season & Carolina Breeze), and the Three Sisters series by Suzanne Woods Fisher (On a Summer Tide & On a Coastal Breeze…it’s her first contemporary series. She normally writes Amish fiction). I also enjoy romantic suspense so I’d include Elizabeth Goddard’s latest The Uncommon Justice series (Never Let Go, Always Look Twice, and Don’t Keep Silent), Susan Sleeman Homeland Heroes series (Seconds to Live and her upcoming one Minutes to Die which I will be reading an early release of). I also enjoy historical but can’t really name a recent series since I’ve been reading contemporary.

    I love talking books, authors and all related topics to that :-) Thanks for the lovely post Kimberly!

  35. Hi Trixi! I found I read A LOT in the first few weeks of covid. It was about the only thing that took my mind off reality for a while. I definitely needed a break from reality… :)

  36. Yes! I love to have previous characters pop up in future books. As a writer, I enjoy getting another peek at their lives too. :) Also, I’ve found that certain secondary characters begin to resonate with readers, and they begin to ask for those characters’ story. It helps to build momentum for the series and future books.

  37. Like Valerie said, it’s not so common for a series to have one character in romance. I do enjoy series with the same main character, but not for romance. I’ve read some in other genres like suspense or action/adventure. That type of series really gives a good insight into that one character by having them be central to each story.

  38. I haven’t read that series yet! I’ll have to check it out. I struggle to keep up with all the good books out there these days! I wish I had more hours in my day to read… lol

  39. I’ve been seeing more series with multiple authors participating in them. I’ve actually been asked to participate in a couple, but I find that I barely have enough time to write the stories for my ongoing series. They do seem to be gaining in popularity, though, and that’s good for the authors involved. I have also enjoyed a few of the series you mentioned, though I have to be honest that I’ve never read any of the Mitford ones!

  40. I do have to say, I prefer to read a series when it’s close to finished or finished. I tend to like to binge read a series–much like I prefer to binge watch a television series–so I like to have several to go through. Doing it that way for me helps to keep the characters fresh in my mind as I go from one book to the next. I don’t mind waiting 3-6 months for the next book in a series, but a year is really long to remember that I wanted to read the next book! lol

  41. Yes! Sorry, I’m late showing up. I was having email/computer issues that I needed to get sorted out on top of the writing/school stuff. Better late than never?? lol

  43. One of my favorite things is stumbling across an amazing series and then finding out that it’s completed! Most of my previous series had a definite end point, but my current series is a bit more open-ended. Hopefully I’m putting the books out fast enough that people will be okay with it not ending for a while. lol

  44. My BlackThorpe series is definitely more popular than I ever thought it would be. That is a series I hope to add to in the future. I want to tell Meredith’s story, but she is just not talking to me the way I need her to! In addition to writing in series, I really love to connect series together. It’s fun to have characters from previous series show up in another series. Kind of makes it all feel more “real,” if you know what I mean. Someone asked me if my current series was tied to a previous series, and I told them that while it wasn’t, that didn’t mean characters from a previous series might not pop up. Maybe a Callaghan or McFadden might turn up for a vacation at the McNamaras’ lodge!

  45. I also like if a story in a series can be read as a standalone. In some of my series, I’ve put a little blurb stating that while each book contains a complete romance story, the reading experience would be enhanced by reading previous books in the series. Valerie’s series is good, isn’t it? I’m sure she’s already got more lined up for when it’s finished. :D

  46. I’ve done more family series than location based, but when I was considering where to go after finishing up my 11 book series, I really wanted to try something that would give me a little bit more flexibility. I’m enjoying it so far! Although, two of the 4 books so far have been siblings…so I’m not able to completely get away from the family oriented stories. lol

  47. Yeah, that year wait in a series can be a real bummer! Like Valerie, I appreciate that most indies release more quickly than that, so the wait time isn’t so excruciating!

  48. As I’ve been writing replies here, I remembered one series that made me want to never read another series until it was complete. That series was Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series. I borrowed book 1 from the library, not thinking I should pick up or put the other two on reserve. Well, I got to the end of the book 1 and was frantic to read book 2 only to find out that all available copies were already out and there were a few people ahead of me in line. At least all three were published, so the wait wasn’t too bad because if I’d had to wait a year to read book 2… I might have lost my mind! lol

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