Wednesday, October 9, 2019

When a Good Story Ends.... by Christine Bush

  I’ve been writing (and reading romance) for a lifetime. One of the things I love the most about the whole idea of our romance stories is the “happily ever after” that is promised and delivered.  It makes me rejoice each and every time I come to that delicious ending.

But..

Then the story is over. These characters that I’ve come to love and care about fade into memory (until I read the book again!), and I return to the “real world.” And sometimes feel sad. I hate saying goodbye to these new friends.

So, I’ve discovered, that is what writing (and reading) a series is all about.
Back in the day, I started my reading compulsion with Nancy Drew.
 

Most of my books, both in romance and in romantic mystery, have been single stories.

But now, I’m intrigued with the concept of series.

One set of my previous books, “The Highfield Legacy”, is about siblings, three books that encompass the “happily ever afters“ of two brothers and two sisters hailing from a prestigious Philadelphia family. Aside from the family themselves, each book has its own set of characters, and is set in a different locale, as each individual builds their life as an individual.  They reflect on each other, but they aren’t necessarily intertwined. They can stand alone easily.
 
 
 

I’ve also written a series of Christmas novellas, linked together by their holiday theme, as well as the names of flowers, marketed as “The Christmas Bouquet” anthology.  These each have their own set of characters, and can stand alone.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 But now, I’ve developing a new romantic mystery series, set in a bed and breakfast inn in New Hope in Pennsylvania, a quirky, artistic town on the Delaware River.  Here, the characters are interwoven in each story. We get to know the residents of the town, staff at the inn, with mystery and action centered around the lively owner of the inn.




 
Each book will contain a different mystery, a few new characters, but also a deeper experience with the ongoing characters in the series.  The romance will grow more slowly as the stories progress, with the “final romantic happily ever after” coming dramatically in the fourth book.

This is a challenge to write, but it’s also a lot of fun.  More character development, more depth to the recurring setting, a whole new small town world. And I don’t have to say goodbye to my beloved characters at the end of each story. I like that.

“The Strawberry Manor Mysteries” series is still being created, with the first book, “Swan Song”, coming soon.  Watch for it!

Are you a series reader and/or writer?  Why? What matters to you? I’d love to hear!

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 13 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!

Christine's  brand new sweet romance novella is here!  Check out “Hannah’s Heart”, available in print and ebook. It’s the heartwarming story of Hannah and Grady, and I promise, there are LOTS of pets involved! 

 

 

 

 

 






7 comments:

  1. I like books in a series about a group or community. Books that leave you hanging until the next one aren's ones I read usually.

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  2. Christine, it's fascinating to see how your covers change with the continuation of a series. I love it.

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  3. Christine, I am hooked on series. I love your story ideas!

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  4. I love reading book in a series. I love revisiting characters over and over. Thanks for the post!

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