With Her Forgotten Cowboy, my September release from Harlequin Love Inspired, I’ll be saying goodbye to a fictional Texas town, Serendipity, which I’ve inhabited through three miniseries and a novella for a total of 17 books. Naturally, I’m feeling bittersweet. I know this town and its people intimately, especially the boisterous old redhead Jo Spencer, who owns the town cafe and is like a mother to half the town. She appeared in virtually all the books. I’ve often wished it was a real town so I could move there.
First, there was the Email Order Brides, a set of four books tied not only by setting but by plot. Every book had some kind of computer tie-in, whether it be online matchmaking or social media. Next came the Serendipity Sweethearts, three best friends who’d appeared in the first series and who needed stories of their own. Last, but definitely not least, came Cowboy Country, which started out as three brothers who had babies enter their lives in various ways. My readers (and my editors) loved the cowboy/baby theme so much we continued it on for another six books. These were also tied by the bachelor auction which started each book.
I’ve loved every moment in Serendipity, but now it’s time to move on. I’m still waiting on the thumbs up, but I’ve proposed a series set in Colorado with a family of six siblings living on a Christmas tree farm and doing dog rescue and training. Fingers crossed I’ll get that contract soon!
In the meantime, I’m working on two other series and have just published the first book in each.
The first is Weddings by Wilde, which is set in Colorado and is themed around an extended family who—you guessed it—runs a wedding planning business. Wilde About You is the first book in the series.
The second is Last Chance Ranch, which is also set in Colorado and has themes of both sisters and a horse sanctuary. The Cowgirl’s Christmas Gift is the first book in the series.
As you may have guessed, I love writing series, although all of my books are stand-alone and can be read in any order. I try to have more than one tie to each series—usually at least setting and family, if not more.
What about you? Do you prefer stand-alone books, series books which can be read in any order or series which must be read in a specific order?
And the most important question of the day—what is your favorite contemporary Christian series? What have you read lately that you’ve loved?
One commenter will receive a $5 Amazon gift card, so answer away!!!
I absolutely adore series books, and are.aad when they end…I feel like they become friends, and like you, will share I could move to the town!
I think all series should be read in order. Makes the experience more pleasurable.
I don’t have an absolute favorite contemporary Christian series. I am actually reading some non-fiction travel books by Bill Bryson.
I love reading series and getting to know the characters and how they interact. Thanks for all the great stories.
I love book series. Especially ones that parallel a story in another book, but still being able to stand alone without reading the other one. In other words, a sub-character in one book is a main character in another book and vice-versa, with both individual stories happening at the same time, just emphasizing one character over the other at the time.
I love both series and stand-alones. My most recent contemporary Christian series is Thatcher Sisters by Beth Vogt. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Deb! Best wishes on your new series and hope you get your new contract. I enjoy reading stand alone stories and series, which I try to read in order as the stories are released. I am especially fond multi authors series that are released in quick succession (one each week during the summer). Have many favorite series by Inspy Romance authors. My favorite series was last summer’s Tuscan Legacy with its international settings, feisty 90 year old grandmother, seven grandchildren, and mysterious paintings. Part romance, part mystery. After several summers of fun multi author series – haven’t found any this summer. Enjoy your summer. Best wishes.
Both. I enjoy everything I read.
Oh but this town sounds wonderful. Need to put this on my to read list.
Thanks for sharing.
I love both! I like ones that can be read in any order, but also like ones that have to be read in order. My problem is, I hate waiting to get the next book!! Your books sounds good!
I love both! I enjoy really getting attached to the characters and towns in series books!
I really enjoy series. I know from the start I enjoy the author and the series. I enjoy stand alone books but series I’ll preorder. I prefer they can stand alone if I discover them in the middle. But I read in order as much as I can. I’ve gone back and reread series in order and enjoyed them.
I love series that have to be read in order to make sense! But, I’ll also read series that have a similar plot and can be read in any order. I just love to read, period!
I just recently finished a series by Juliette Duncan that was awesome! It’s “A Time for Everything” series. It was about a widow & a widower that have a “chance” meeting and what happens from there. I really enjoyed the fact that it’s about an older couple and it’s very much a Christian romance series. There’s no denying that Ms. Duncan’s books are Christian-based.
I love to read series, and I love to write them. I read a series recently where I was expecting to see the story of one of the secondary characters as a continuation of the series, but sadly, the series ended. I wanted that character to get his own love story. Maybe the author will eventually write that book.
I love a good series! Becky Wade’s Bradford sisters series was a good one I read recently.
Oooh…travel books. Are you planning on taking any fun vacations this summer?
I love both reading and writing that way. I think that’s why so many of my series have families as the main characters.
Good point! If you’re reading through a series by one author, you already know you like their writing style.
I just looked up Juliette’s books and they look wonderful! I love the idea of older heroes and heroines.
Juliette’s books are amazing! And very uplifting. I always come away from her books with not only a sigh at the HEA, but also feeling more encouraged in my relationship with God.
Hi Deb, I love series books! And, I have been known to shed a tear or two when a favourite series I’m reading has ended. It can be hard to say goodbye to beloved characters. I look forward to reading your Colorado series. :)
I like series and I like standalones. My all time favorite series is Robin Jones Gunn’s Glenbrooke series.
I love series books and I do love ones that follow an order especially historical. But I also like series with stand alone so if I miss a book I still can follow what’s happening. This I have done with LI books as often I have missed out on some in a series. (I think of Janet Tronstad’s Dry Creek series which has recurring character’s but can be read alone)
I recently read Once in a While, by Linda Ellen. It is the first book in The Cherished Memories series. Loved it!
Susan May Warren has some great series: Deep Haven, Montana Rescue, Christiansen family. I also love Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series.
My favorite Christian contemporary romance series is a three way tie between Toni Shiloh’s Maple Run series, Melissa Tagg’s Walker Family series, and Becky Wade’s Bradford Sisters Romance series! ?
I usually prefer standalones, just because I can read them at any point.
I do like it when a series has separate stories that don’t have to be read in order.
Currently reading Hometown Hope and it’s really good!
I prefer standalone books.