I’m in the process of finishing the final edits on the next book in a series featuring triplet brothers. The first book, Valerie’s Verdict, was about Brad, the organized leader of the group. That book ends two years before this book, Alexandra’s Appeal, begins. This book is about the prodigal brother, Jon. We catch up with him as he is struggling with his faith and trust in God, and his desire to find release from some memories at the bottom of a beer glass. Alexandra is an interesting character, because she is from a wealthy family highly involved in the New York financial world, and is Jewish. One of the things that got me excited as I researched writing this book is interviewing Messianic Jews – Jews that embrace Yeshuah (Jesus) as Messiah. Everyone I interviewed used the same set of verses as the catalyst to the opening of their eyes to the truth of the Messiah. How wonderful is God’s word!
However, as I was writing it, I had carefully construct the timeline, because the timeline for Alexandra’s Appeal and the final book in the series, Daisy’s Decision, happen at the same time.
The last time I did that was in the Virtues and Valor series, a WWII series about the same event told from eight different points of view. That was such a complex story to tell!
This time, it’s just two books and I thought it would be super easy. However, there are things inside of Daisy’s story that I don’t want to be revealed to the readers of Alexandra’s story — I want them discovered as I unfold them in Daisy’s. So, I’m having to be so careful about how I word things, what scenes I write, what books get what scenes. I have calendars open and notes scribbled in them to make sure I don’t slip on a date here or there. It became a very complex operation!
It’s been a lot of fun, though, and I am excited about finishing this series about these three brothers who have been on my mind for years.
The release date for Alexandra’s Appeal is September 29th. But, the book is up for preorder and I’ve published the first chapter on my website. If you’d like to read it, you can do so at this link.
Have you ever read a series that spanned the same timeline? How did you enjoy that?
One commenter will receive the ebook of Valerie’s Verdict. The giveaway will end on Friday, July 24th, at 5pm EST.
With over half a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. Subscribers to Hallee's newsletter get her bestselling contemporary romance COURTING CALLA for free! Sign up by clicking the newsletter icon below or going here: http://www.halleebridgeman.com/newsletter
I have read books that started before a previous book ended. Some of the LI 6 book series by different authors this happens.
I don’t mind although it can be annoying when the next in the series while it tells the story of another couple has already given away the outcome. I know most Romance are HEA but when an earlier one in the series talks about a wedding which happens in say book 3 or 4 it can be a little anticlimactic. I like when you can tell a couple who has a book later have become closer but you don’t know how or what is going to happen.
I can’t say I have, but sounds like your organisation will pay off and readers will appreciate that.
I LOVED Valerie’s Verdict! Yes, I have read stories that shared the same time line. I did enjoy it, seeing the same time period from three different people. I have your Virtue and Valor series on in my TBR stack! I’m sure I’ll enjoy them, too! Looking forward to both of these books!!
I haven’t read any of your books
I can’t recall any series I have read with overlapping timelines.
I never would have nthought about the different set of challenges for the author. Good luck on keeping everything straight!
I really like books that overlap like that. It is interesting to see how people’s lives intertwine within a community or family. Those stories make me feel it’s very life like & I can imagine myself being a part of the story with the way I get drawn into the story line.
I do, however have a great respect for the author’s talent when you write like that! As you mentioned it is a HUGE job to try to keep track of all of the details! I can’t imagine how you could keep track of the smallest little thing in the life of every single person involved, whew! I think a lot of people think it’s easy to write a “story” but have no real clue how much talent and determination is truly involved! I am looking forward to reading these books!
I’ve read a couple books that start either right after the timeline of the previous one or that show the same things from a different characters perspective. It can be quite interesting seeing the different characters point of views. I can imagine the work that goes into keeping it all straight!
Your books sound like very good reads, I love stories about families, I really don’t know if I have ever read books that overlap the same time line. Thank you for sharing about your books.
I’ve read books by different authors spanning the same time span in the same fictional town.
I can’t think of a specific series where I’ve read the overlapping time line device, but I know I have. I enjoy it very much. I especially like it when the different perspectives work like puzzle pieces, a kind of mystery, so to speak. I have Valerie’s Verdict in my TBR pile and the follow-ons sound like fun.
I can’t think of a series that I have read with overlapping time line device right off the bat. Although I am sure I have read a series like that and I know that I enjoyed it very much.
I don’t believe I have ever read stories that span the same timeline, or at least that I can remember. I can see where it would be quite a challenge for an author to keep everything & each character straight. It blows my mind just thinking about it, lol!
It is an interesting sounding book :-)
I was so careful – because there’s a big spoiler and I didn’t want to give it away. But, it’s a very close family – lol. I managed it, though!
I hope so!
I hope you love the series! I sure loved writing it.
I hope you get a chance! The first books of most of my series are free wherever you purchase ebooks.
It was a challenge! Now to tie it all up with the last book!
Thank you! I hope you love them!
I have a pretty detailed file filled with information at this point. Now to tie it all up!
It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun, too.
It’s my pleasure to share about my books. Thank you!
I have, too! In one of the Crossroads books I’m in, I have 2 characters from one of Amanda Tru’s books interact in my book. So, we both wrote our own characters’ POVs in those stories.
I do, too — when the pieces all add layers to the story!
I hope you get a chance to try this series out!
It was definitely interesting to write!