In 2019, even before I published the last book of the Main Street Minden Series, I started dreaming up what my next series would look like. I had learned an unfathomable amount about writing and marketing from my first four books. And I was going to take all of those lessons and put them to work in a new series.
I wanted it to be siblings…I wanted the family ties to be strong and inspiring, and the family to be unashamedly focused on Christ. I decided that each book would be bookended by a prologue from the mother, Laura Bloom. I was going to work on writer deeper POV and emotionally engaging the reader…
At the time, I was writing full time while my kids were in daycare. I ambitiously planned to release all 7 books in one year, one every 6-8 weeks. And I made a marketing plan that would launch this series to the best seller list (or so I thought).
Then, I felt a nudge from God that I should bring my boys home with me. Surely I could squeeze writing into the margins of my days spent with them. So, I pushed the release of Hoping for Hawthorne in from January 2020 to March, and brought my boys home full time.
My single-year release plan became a two-year release plan… and this month, 22 months later, The Bloom Sisters Series is officially complete at seven books — six sisters and one brother who each get their own happy ending.
I’ll admit, writing the ending of Dancing with Dandelion (Book 7) had me in tears. How do you put a final The End on a family you’ve spent nearly every free moment with for two years?
If releasing one book into the world is like giving birth… Wrapping up such a long series was like sending my babies off to college! (Not that I’ve done that in real life)… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the family, so I added an extended epilogue to this last book that I think really puts a final stamp on the series.
The Bloom Sisters Series has been everything I could have hoped for. Readers love the family and the focus on faith. I laughed and cried and ripped my hair out writing these stories. The struggles the family has gone through have felt like my own… from medical issues, natural disasters, hidden secrets and tough decisions.
And each of the siblings has a little piece of my heart in their character: Hawthorne with his tentative steps of courage, Daisy with her creative spirit, Poppy with her idealistic convictions, Lavender with her insecurities, Lily with her wounded heart, Rose with her ambitious goals, and Dandelion with her hidden depths.
But now each of their happy endings is quite literally “in the books.” It’s a wonderful and overwhelming realization!
On the other hand… I’m a project starter. I get absolutely fired up about something new, and I want to dive in head first. So, while I’m immensely proud of myself for finishing the series, I’m also very excited about doing something new.
In fact – I’m so excited about something new that I couldn’t choose just one new project.
I’m launching two new series. One has a decidedly Romantic Suspense flavor – so it doesn’t really fit the focus of the InspyRomance blog. So if you want updates on that, be sure to join my newsletter!
But – I love small-town romance too much to leave it behind. Which is why I’m launching a new series in Minden, Indiana. Second-Chance Fire Station will be a small-town firefighter series and I’m super excited to reveal more about it in the coming months.
I’m excited to revisit Bloom’s Farm from the perspective of some new characters. So while this is the end of the Bloom Sisters Series… it’s not the last we’ll be hearing from them, either. Which is a good thing – because I’m no good at goodbyes. I might even sneak back to Bloom’s Farm for a Christmas novella with a cousin or the new generation!
The saying goes “All good things must come to an end” but sometimes we’re just not quite ready! What contemporary Christian romance series would you wish to have just one more book added to? I’m giving one commenter a $5 Amazon giftcard.
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 would make a special ending where the family is enjoying a picnic
I’d have a great family get together to finish the series
Hi Tara! A multi author series that I would love to see one more book is the 2018 Tuscan Legacy series with its mysterious painting and a loving Italian 90 year Nana Isabella. Autumn Macarthur did write a novella in 2020 about Isabella. Another series I enjoyed was Elizabeth Maddrey’s 2021 series So You Want to be a Billionaire. Would love to see how each couple runs the various branches of the company and how the love match is working out. Best wishes on your writing. The Bloom Sisters Series is on my wish list. Stay warm, healthy and safe. A chilly morning in Michigan.
Congratulations on completing the series! I need to read the last book. About your question, I’d have loved one more book in Carla Laureano’s Supper Club series. Three is just too few! Blessings on your new endeavours.
I would love to write a series myself if I could. I need to improve my grammar skills first lol.
I love books about Christian families and watching Christian movies on Purflix.
Probably one of Denise Hunter’s books…I never want to see goodbye to one of her characters.
Oh, wow! I really need to read this series! I do have at least one in my TBR stack, if I remember correctly. The only series I ever really wanted to end (and just quit reading cause it didn’t end soon enough for me) was Karen Kingbury’s Baxter series. Other than that, I haven’t wanted a series to end!
This series sounds good haven’t read any of them or any of your books.I have wanted bed kastner to do more books for her latest book so I could get to know the characters brothers she only wrote about the sisters.
Like Renate I wish you all a good morning from a beautifully sunny yet teeth chattering cold Michigan! I agree with always wanting another Baxter book by Karen Kingsbury, how can there ever be enough? I love that Valerie Bodden made the River Falls series a cousin to the Hope Springs series to keep looking in on some of the characters. Even though she isn’t done with the series yet I love the continuing stories in Cheri Swalwell’s Redemption of Green Pines books. She has such great character development and strong Biblical content. Since you mentioned this genre….Even though this is Christian suspense & many of the characters tie into some of her romance series’ I have to mention how I have always wanted more Kennedy Stern books from Alana Terry. Alana was the first author I did ARC reading for & her books were the first ones I ever read in digital form.
I love Ross and Andi’s story!!!
So many great series…but so many more to come :)
It’s always bitter sweet when it ends but it means that something new is coming!
I have not read your series yet, but it sounds like a must read. Congratulations on finishing your series , I guess good things come to an end. I would love to see more of the Shumard Oak Bend Novel Series. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
Congratulations on finishing your series. I always hate when Connilyn Cossette series end.
I have not read your series yet, but it sounds wonderful! I always hate to see a series written by Becky Wade end!
I love a good series.
I have to say Karen Kingsbury’s books.
I loved the Bloom Sister Series. Thankfully many authors have added novellas to their “concluded series.” I think I would want another book in the PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren.
That sounds like a sweet scene to wrap things up!
Definitely having the entire family in one place! I ended the Bloom Sisters at Thanksgiving Dinner (which is where a lot of pivotal events happened in the series, also)
I’ve heard such wonderful things about the Tuscan Legacy Series, that’s a good suggestion.
Safe and healthy wishes to you as well!
After being spoiled by indie author series that are 5+ books long, I find a trilogy to be far too short, haha! I’m just getting to know the characters at that point!
That’s what editors are for! I probably rely on mine a little too heavily, haha!
I’ve been thinking about a Pureflix subscription. Do you know if there is a decent amount of content for children?
That’s a great suggestion. Denise is a wonderful author and always leaves you wanting more!
I’ll admit being guilty of the same for the Baxter’s… Once I couldn’t keep track of the family tree, I struggled to stay interested!
I’d be honored if you read the Bloom Sisters. I hope it makes it to your reading list soon!
Deb Kastner is a good one! I haven’t read her latest one, though!
This series was really fun, if you get a chance to read it, I’d love to know what you think!
Spin-off series is a great compromise so we get to see the characters again!
I haven’t heard of Cheri Swalwell, I will check her books out!
Definitely bittersweet! I’m so glad you enjoyed the series and the story.
There is a lot to look forward to, and that makes goodbye a little easier!
I’ve never heard of the Shumard Oak Bend Series — I will check it out!
Thanks for stopping by, Alicia!
I love Connilyn’s books. Have been praying for her cancer treatments!
Hi Deb. Definitely a good day to stay indoors and read, but Monday thru Thursday take my 2. grade granddaughter to school in the morning. According to the local evening news tomorrow is supposed to be frosty and frigid. Have to be thankful it is not the Michigan blizzard of 1978 with 10 foot drifts that closed 131 for a week. Best wishes.
Yes! A lot of her series seem to be shorter (3 books?), which I always think is too short, haha!
Karen does a great job of extending series!
Oooh, that’s one of SMW’s series that I’m not familiar with.
A novella is a fun way to revisit old friends… I’m already thinking of how I can tie one back in to Bloom’s Farm!
I started at the end with Dandelion and loved it. Now I have to go back to the first and read the rest. I loved the whole family vibe and how they cared and looked out for each other.
Wonderful series by a gifted author. Everyone should read these books. Congratulations on completing this series. We look forward to more books from you soon.
Thank you so much for sharing. Congratulations on competing the series. I look forward to seeing more about the romantic suspense. I cannot bring to mind at this time an author or a series. I am sure there are many, my brain is not bringing one to mind. God bless you.
What a fun new series, and excited to hear more about your romantic suspense novels.
Thanks so much for reading Dandelion! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series when you get to it!
You’re so sweet, Carol! Thank you for reading and reviewing and recommending!
Thank you!
I think they will be a lot of fun! I’ve had plans for both the new projects spinning around for a while, but I kept putting them on hold while I finished the Bloom Sisters!
This is hard as I am only just getting back into reading more. Haven’t read as many series lately but there are so many I would love to know just a little more. So many seem to stop at 3 and I would love even if it was a novella to wrap up all the stories.
(its also hot here with the temps not going down at night so my brain isn’t thinking well either)
What a great recommandation! I would definitely check your series out! And for your question: I would love an extending to the Three Sisters Island series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Or to the mail order bride series from Melissa Jagears
Congrats!
Tara, Cheri hasn’t been writing fiction for long. She has written many devotional books and Bible Studies, I love all I have read! You can see more about her books, blog and podcast on her website, Spoken From The Heart. I think you will like her. I first met her several years ago when she was a PA for Alana Terry. She has such a wealth of knowledge but so loving and kind. I have had the blessing of doing proofing on many of her devotionals which is a win-win for me. God always knows exactly what I need and I have often found that through her writing. And like Renate & I, Cheri is another Michigander to boot!
I remember that blizzard Renate! I was still in high school and my Daddy was an EMT for our village ambulance service. We had to literally shovel the driveway out every hour or two to make sure he could get out if there was a call. Back before snow blowers were around I believe. We wouldn’t have had one where there were two teenagers to use shovels anyways! Last night the wind chill was -6 when I went to bed! I would rather have more snow and less bitter temps though. Having to let both cold & hot water run 24/7 in my tub all winter gets costly. At least I have had it freeze enough times to have a regular system of heater and fans to thaw it so suppose that’s a blessing! Stay warm!
Hey Kendra! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the Winslows. The brothers are coming up. Sharpe’s story is called A Reason to Stay out in September of this year and is now available for preorder. I’m working on Frost’s story now!
Thank You for sharing and Congratulations on your series! I always hate to see a series end!
Congrats on finishing your series!
I’d love to see more stories in Toni Shiloh’s Freedom Lake series, or a follow up novella. When characters become like friends to me it’s always fun to catch up with them, even if only a short visit! There are a couple other series I’d love to be extended, but they’re both romantic suspense.
The Bloom Sisters series is on my TBR for 2022! I’m so excited to read them! Sibling series are my personal fave! ❤️😍
Congratulations on finishing the series. Though it’s not necessarily the end. No doubt there are a myriad of possibilities for new stories from it, or crossovers to series that are still in your future.