A Texas Bond, book three in my Texas Hill Country series, officially released last week. It was inspired partly by my husband and I dabbling in flea marketing after shopping them for years. The picture I included is the booth we had full of items we created or repurposed. It was fun fitting our love for junking into a book, but I’m always sad when I finish a series. All of my books are part of series, but all are stand-alone. Each book centers around one couple and once I marry them off, they show up as side characters in the rest of the series. You can read one book and it has an end. If you read the series, you get the whole story, but you don’t have to read it in order.
In book one, Hill Country Redemption the story centered around rodeo publicist, Larae Collins, and Rance Shepherd. Stacia Keyes, a friend of Larae’s, had a scene in the book and their mutual friend, Lexie Parker, was mentioned. Book two, The Cowboy’s Missing Memory featured occupational therapist, Lexie, and Clint Rawlins, but I was able to bring Larae and Rance into a few scenes. A Texas Bond focuses on flea market owner, Stacia, and Ross Lyles. Of course Stacia’s friends, Larae and Lexie showed up with their husbands. All are set on Medina, Texas ranches. Now with the series ending, I’ll have to leave these couples and their ranches behind in the happily ever after I created for them. I’ll miss them.
But sometimes, I cross series. I was able to bring Rayna and Clay Warren from Rodeo Queen, book six of my Rodeo series, into Hill Country
Redemption. Since Larae was setting up a rodeo in the book and Clay is an ex-champion bull rider, it made sense for him and his wife to show up and support her new rodeo. Even though the Warrens live in Aubrey, I’d established in their book that Clay’s grandfather lives in Medina, where Larae and Rance now have a rodeo. It also made sense for Country Christian Music stars, Garrett Steele from Rodeo Song and Brant McConnell from Rodeo Family, to do a grand opening concert at Larae’s new rodeo.
Chase Donovan from Winning Over the Cowboy, book 2 in my Texas Cowboys series, makes an appearance in A Texas Bond, when Stacia and Ross take their mutual niece and nephew for a swim at Chase’s dude ranch. Waverly Heathcott had one scene in Winning Over the Cowboy as well. She was a rich, mean girl. In A Texas Bond, she’s still rich, but nice, owns a chain of Bed & Breakfasts and places an order in Stacia’s repurposing flea market. I’ve wanted to write Waverly’s story for a while, but I haven’t found the right fit for her yet. I’m thinking she’ll get her own book though, eventually.
So even though my Texas Hill Country series is complete now, maybe Larae and Rance, Lexie and Clint, Stacia and Ross will show up in future series.
I’m giving away a print copy of A Texas Bond. Enter to win by answering this question: Do you enjoy it when characters from past books make cameo appearances? Does it make you feel like you’re visiting an old friend? Does it make you miss them? Or do you prefer to leave old characters behind and focus on new ones? Deadline: March 10th.
And don’t forget to enter our Birthday Bash with tons of books and prizes up for grabs. Hurry! It ends March 13th: https://www.inspyromance.com/welcome-to-the-7th-annual-birthday-bash/
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
If it’s part of a series I would expect past characters to at least be mentioned.
I like it when characters from past stories make cameo appearances. Thank you for sharing this! I always love to read about the background of stories.
I absolutely love series where previous characters continue to have a life!
I like a series where different friends and family and town folks keep popping in and out of the different books. It is like visiting friends.
Yes, I like getting visits from characters from previous books.
I love it when characters from past books have a cameo role in a new book because it feels like catching up with an old friend.
I absolutely LOVE seeing past characters! I feel like I am catching up with a dear friend!!
I enjoy it when past characters make cameos in other books in a series. It makes it feel more real and like you get to visit with old friends.
I Love seeing past characters make a return in other books! Thank you for sharing!
I love when characters from previous books show up in new ones! It is like catching up with old friends, and finding out what’s going on in their lives now.
I love seeing old characters from previous books!
I like reconnecting with them too, Mary. I try to make my series to where even if you read them out of order, you still enjoy it.
Hey Marilene, I miss my characters once they’re book is done. I always hope readers are as glad to see them reappear as I am.
I’m so glad, Margaret. Me too. It’s a challenge to come up with how old their kids are though :)
Yes, Carol. Me too. It’s always easier too. If I need a vet, I just use the one I already breathed life into.
Yay! I’m so glad, Robin. Because I love bringing them back into the story.
Yes, Lori! And to me, it makes the story feel more real.
Yay, I’m glad, Paula. Sometimes, I bring back unlikeable characters too. But eventually, they get their own book and they get redeemed. Whether they want to or not :)
I’m so glad the consensus agrees with me, Megan. I feel exactly the same way.
The challenge is to not let them take over, Sarah. It’s tempting to make it all about them, because I miss them.
Yes, Trudy. I always try to give readers the assurance that they’re still living happily-ever-after :)
I’m so glad, Angeline. Sounds like I need to keep doing what I’m doing :)
I love it when past characters make cameo appearances in books! It feels like visiting with family and friends and you can catch up with what is going on in their lives.
I’m so glad, Andrea. It’s always comforting to me that they’re still living happily-ever-after.
Yes, I like “catching up” with past characters to see what has happened in their lives.
(I already have the book – not entering.)
I’m glad you feel that way, Linda. I guess I figure if I miss my old characters, my readers do too. Thanks for buying the book. I hope you enjoy it.
Do you enjoy it when characters from past books make cameo appearances? I do; however, sometimes I have to remember where we’ve met before :)
Does it make you feel like you’re visiting an old friend? Depends on how familiar we are!
Does it make you miss them? I hope we’ll meet again.
Yes, I love it when old characters come back for a visit or so in a different book, it makes it so much more fun and realistic to read. Congratulations on your new release, it sounds like a Great read and I love the book cover. Thank you for the chance and have a Great week and stay safe.
Good answers, Natalya. And good info for authors. I try to have a character who doesn’t know them present, so I can explain who they are to remind readers.
I love it when characters come back in another book. It makes me feel like the book is happening in a real community.
I think an author would also e joy doing this, because all of the characters are so real to them.
I love it when old characters reappear in other books. I fall in love with the characters. They become my friends when I am reading series. I miss them so it is always wonderful to have them come back to visit. Thank you for asking. God bless you.
I like when a book feels so real, I think about the characters after it ends, Alicia. Thanks for the compliments. Hope you have a great week too.
Right on both counts, Jenny. I enjoy revisiting characters as a reader and as an author. You’ll get to do that soon in your books :)
I fall in love with characters too, Debra. When I’m reading. Or writing. God bless you, too.
If I’ve already met the previous characters, I like the cameos, but if I read out of order, sometimes it feels like I’m missing out on Easter eggs. I guess it just depends on the series.
That is a problem, Lila. I try to write mine where if you read them out of order, the only issue is you might read where side characters are married and then read the book where they first met.
I like revisiting old characters. Sometimes, if I haven’t read the book where the characters come from, I end up reading that book to find out about the characters!
I enjoy seeing past characters coming back, we get to find out what they have been up to!
Me too, Ellie. In fact, if I find a book I like, I’ll get another from the author’s backlist. If I like it too, then I’ll order their entire backlist.
Me too, Teresa. I love when all their troubles are behind them.
I love to reread books! It feels like coming home to old friends and reconnecting with them. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I reread books too, Kathy. The ones I love are almost as good the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on time I read them.
I love when characters from earlier books pop up in the following books in series
I’m glad Shelia. I’m sure I’ll revisit other characters in the future.
I love catching up with past characters that seem like family.
Me too, Lucy. I think I can safely say readers enjoy character cameos.
I love series books because I do love revisiting old characters from the previous books. They feel like old friends and I do miss them when the book is over.
I’m one of those weird readers who feel a bit bereft when the series ends and I have to leave my “friends” behind. When an author can wrap up the series and make me feel like the characters will go on in a good life, then it brings a happy smile to my face. I even think about characters long after I’ve read the books :-)
I like it when characters from previous stories make an appearance or when the main character of the new book is mentioned or introduced in a previous book. I think that it makes the characters more personal.
Bereft totally explains it. I think we’re reader twins, Trixie. I think about characters long after I read the book too. Some of my books came about because I had a side character who needed their own story because I couldn’t stop thinking about them.
Me too, Gayla. Sometimes I’ve created a side character who was only supposed to ever be a side character. But then I’d start thinking about them and wondering what made them like they are. And pretty soon they got their own book.
I love when characters show up as a guest or side character in another book in the series.
I love seeing what they’re up to, Denise. How many kids they’ve got, how their business has expanded, and all their problems behind them.
I like it when characters revisit..I think “Hey, I know that person!” Love your books!
I enjoy it when a “good” character (one that was a close friend, favorite visitor, etc kind of person) shows up in another book – especially when the connection is made by the author of who the person/character is in the story with the main character.
I love having crossover characters! Although, I do sometimes need a little reminder on who the person is if it’s been a while since I read the previous books, or if the character was minor/not included in a recent book.
Me too, Vicki. I love it when the writer makes me feel like I’m running into an old friend. Love you old friend!
Yes, I definitely need to be reminded how I know the character, Suzan. I can’t remember how I know real life people, so I need all the help I can get.
Me too, Melynda. I have trouble through real people too :)
I love finding old friends popping up in new stories! Always enjoy your stories, Shannon! Thanx for the giveaway!!!
I’m so glad you like my character popups, Jennifer. Thanks for the compliments.
I like to catch up on past characters (although, if it’s been a while since I read their books, I may not remember them!🤣).
I’m with you Kathy. I need to be reminded sometimes. I’ve slept since then. I try to remind readers who my people are when I bring them in to my new book.
Yes! I love it when characters from previous books within a series (or different series) make an appearance in a new book :) It *does* feel like visiting with old friends, and it’s always nice to know how they’re doing in life “these” days. My favorite example so far is Liwen Ho’s last series (not only with the Sparks popping up, since they were kind of a given but also with characters from other books/series from her as well).
Well my inpromptu survey definitely is 100% liking cameo appearances, Priscila. Not one person has said, no they want to move forward with new characters. Guess I get to keep doing what I’m doing :)
Um, yeah. Me too. I’m also in the “Remind me” group. I wind up feeling kind of silly if not downright embarrassed when I make it through a book and later discover “Oh! That’s who that was!” I like it most of all when the cameos play a significant part in the plot of the current story, not just “Oh, look ma. There goes Aunt Edna and her nine kids. Guess you were right about Uncle Chester.”
If the cameos are used to weave the story into the larger community of the series, that’s what I like best.
Good point, Lincoln. I try to bring my old characters in when it makes sense and adds to the plot. I have a couple of celebrities I created, so I like bringing them in to promote new businesses and help my current characters out.
I like when characters make an appearance in another book. It’s interesting to see how they intertwine with other characters.
I’m glad, Rachiel. I do it alot, so it’s good to know readers enjoy it.