I don’t know that I ever thought too much about it, but soon after we write our first book, we as authors have to make a decision about book number two.
Namely, does the story and the characters of book number two happen in the same “world” as book number one? And if it does, then perhaps down the road, as we write a separate series, we get to decide again: does Series X happen in the same “World” as Series Y?
One of my favorite things about writing my 19th book, as I’m doing now, is that my characters are existing in a BIG story universe. Not only are the characters of my Second Chance Fire Station in the same town as my Main Street Minden Series, they get to visit Bloom’s Farm, from the Bloom Sisters Series. They can hear about events happening over in my romantic suspense series (Black Tower Security).
The character cameos from people 10 or 15 books ago are so fun to write.
Of course, it’s also a LOT to keep track of. Characters, yes. But for me? It’s the timeline. Phew. How long have they been married? How old would that toddler be now? That hotel that was under construction in book number 5? It’s been hosting guests for a decade!
I love tying in characters and places readers have seen before — it’s a bit like “Easter Eggs” in movies that my reader can recognize. Miss Ruth who gave that nugget of wisdom? Oh, I know her. Sometimes, I even hide connections with OTHER fictional places.
Here are a few of my favorite cameos/hidden connections from my books:
- Krystal Daughtry in The One Who Got Away was an actress for “Faithmark,” my fictional wholesome television company. When it was time for her to go film a movie, she went to Snow Hill, Pennsylvania. A place readers of Jess Mastorakos might recognize from her Christmas in Snow Hill series famous for being the preferred shooting location for those kind of films!
- Avery from my book Hoping for Hawthorne lived in Freedom, Colorado (from the multi-author series Heroes of Freedom Ridge) before moving back to Indiana.
- Harrison Coulter, whose marriage of convenience catapulted him into State and then Federal politics during the last four books of the Bloom Sisters Series– becomes The President of the United States in Hostile Intent, one of my romantic suspense books.
- Lily and Josh Bloom’s relationship (the story told in Longing for Lily) was foreshadowed nearly 7 books prior in Spring Fever — an entirely different series.
Sometimes, I know it can be confusing to look at an author’s list of books and wonder — where do I start? Well, I put together a (short!) Youtube video about that for my books — but here’s the basics.
Chronologically, The Main Street Minden Series happens first. But — I actually recommend starting with the Bloom Sisters Series if you’ve never read anything by me. From there, you can follow whichever path you want — doubling back to Minden in the Main Street Minden Series, continuing on to Second Chance Fire Station or into the romantic suspense world.
My goal is always that you can pick up any book of mine — without any previous knowledge — and enjoy a fantastic story with a satisfying ending without being confused. But for those who read through the series or across the different series, I hope the extra cameos, easter eggs, and familiar places and events will make the experience even more fun!
Do you enjoy it when authors have a lot of crossover between series and books? When does it become overwhelming or feel like you’re a bit lost? Which authors do you know do this really well? I love to backlist binge, so give me all the ideas.
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living.
I love reading books that tie in with other books that I have read so that I can say “Oh that’s what happened to…” or read backwards and find out how two people met each other. I also seldom read the whole series all at once ( although I did for the Bloom Sisters) and so I love it when I don’t have to have read the prequels to enjoy the book that I am reading. Reading this blog and your enthusiasm in tying everything together explains why I enjoy your books!
I love hen books/series have tied that connect them! My only issue is sometimes there are so many books that are connected thst I may not remember why I should know someone or I recognize a name but don’t remember their story and that can distract me for a bit. I think Valerie comer has done this extremely well as pretty much all of her books are connected to one another in some form or fashion.
I had no idea so much went into writing, especially a series. Is this what you meant by the timeline? If the child was 2 years old in book one, then the child would have to age in the next book, depending on the timeline between each book? That would mean the child’s behavior would have to mature also?
I do enjoy when characters from past books show up in other books. It makes me smile as I remember that character from a past book. I think Jesse Gussman does a good job of this.
I enjoy reading books and series with a lot of crossover because then I don’t have to leave those “friends” behind. I tend to enjoy long series for this same reason. Karen Kingsbury is one who has a lot of connected books with the Baxter family.
I have read authors who do cross overs. Susan May Warren does this really well and she’s even crossed over with other writers places.
I think you do this pretty well! I mean, from what I’ve experienced with your recently published books, which were my first introduction to your writing (yes, there are characters from previous stories, but it doesn’t affect the enjoyment of the current story) :) Maybe I’d feel lost if I started a book and it’d be clear that I needed to have followed all previous books in order to understand that story.
Another author that pulls this off well is Liwen Ho. She’s one of the few authors (so far) that I’ve read through her backlist, and I loved realizing some side character had his/her full story in his/her own book. :) I think another one could be Carolyne Aarsen, but I haven’t read through all of her books.
I do enjoy it, as long as all of the characters backstories aren’t told all over again! Jo Grafford has done it in her Billionaire series, which carried over to her Heartlake series.
Yes I like when series have overlapping series .Ive been reading one of Jessie gussman series that have overlapping characters that I’m an arc reader for. Jill kememer does it with best friends and family and they each have their own book It’s her latest series im just waiting for her next book to come out. I also think Deb kastner has did that.there probably are more that I have read but can’t think of the authors.
I tend to binge-read series (and very rarely out of order!), but I definitely understand not everyone does that. I really try to make sure they can be read as standalones, though.
I hope you enjoyed the Bloom Sisters :)
That’s my struggle too. If it’s been too long between books – or I’m expected to remember an obscure nephew from a dozen books ago, I get lost! My memory isn’t as good as some of my readers, I know!
That’s exactly it!
I recently did the math on a child character from one of my early books who is showing up in my current work… She was four in that book… in this one she is 12!
We’re never quite ready to say goodbye to them, are we? Jessie does do a great job!
Oh yes – the Baxter family is a great example. I’ll admit, I got lost somewhere along the way and it’s intimidating to try to jump back into a series with that many connections!
She is great at this. I’ve heard her talk about it at author events and it’s fun to hear her talk about the different families and connections of her books!
I love Liwen’s books! I was so excited to see one of the Spark family guys get his story in our Freedom Ridge series. :)
Great point. It can be a really tricky balance to tell enough for those who aren’t familiar to have some context without boring the readers who know the whole story.
You’re the second to mention Jessie Gussman. :)
There are lots who do this – which makes me happy, since I enjoy it so much as a reader.
I love book series and I love it when some characters show up in other books. Thank you for doing this, I love it! Have a great day and a great week.
I totally get that. There are still a few that I haven’t read and when I pick one up it does take me some time to remember who everyone (or at least almost everyone) is again.
Crossovers can be confusing. Other times it can also feel like you have read the story before.
I Love book series and love seeing a character in another book Have a great day
I loved the Bloom siblings series and I enjoy when writers do what you do–carry related characters over to other books. Jenn Faulk is another author who is really good at that.
I love it when it happens. It is like seeing an old friend. I love getting caught back up with their lives. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love when books have crossovers! I always enjoy seeing old characters and getting to see what their futures look like
I enjoy both stand alone series and series that have cross-overs. It can be really fun to see old characters again and find out what they’re up to now.
I do enjoy cross overs! It’s like seeing an old friend!! Valerie Comer has several cross over characters in her many series, which all add so much more to the plots.
Other readers have already mentioned several authors with cross overs. Elizabeth Maddrey has a Peacock Hill character whose siblings are characters in the beloved Hope Ranch series.
don’t mind it
Yay! I’m glad you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by today :)
It definitely can be hard to find the balance of telling enough to avoid confusion but not so much as to rehash the whole previous story!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Bloom Sisters! I haven’t read Jenn’s books, but maybe I’ll have to check them out.
I’m never quite ready to say goodbye, especially if I really loved a set of characters. I can’t help but stick them in somewhere else down the line.
Same here! It’s fun to see them have kids or start a business or whatever else is going on in their life. Like catching up with old friends you haven’t seen in a while.
I adore Elizabeth’s Peacock Hill and Hope Ranch crossovers. And, if you really pay attention, there are even some crossovers to her Taste of Romance series in there too!
I am late to the party. Still getting over dental surgery last week. Did to much yesterday and today have been so tired. But in saying this Narelle Atkins does it well. She has had a few characters pop up in other series. The hero/heroine from A Seaside Proposal popped up in her new book Never find another you. and I believe one will be in her upcoming Kanases book.
I like connected books! something I’ve never seen is two characters from two independent series being paired in one book! You know like “oh this guy is so cool I wonder why he’s lonely” or “the best friend of the heroine from book 1 has gone through 4 books without knowing anyone” and then wow! your own book for both of you.
I love when authors share characters in crossover series.
As long as I can keep track of them LOL