For me, writing a loosely connected series has been a funny thing. From the very first, the heroes of the Men Of Honor series would not shut up. I mean, all of them. ALL OF THEM. They’d pop into dialogue when they had no business even opening their mouths, never mind being in the book. I’d find myself writing their descriptions when I had no business doing so. For instance, Paulo was supposed to be a throwaway character, an investigator who simply…investigated. But he really wanted to investigate Law and I couldn’t stop it. Even though I knew Law (aka LC) was meant for Styx, Paulo kept telling me to be more open-minded.
And Rex and Sawyer? Did they really need to be at that party? Well, judging by what happened several books later, I guess so.
The way I look at it, the series seemed to unfold like it might in real life. Things overlap (like Tomcat’s story and Law’s story and even Glen’s story which all happen around the same time frame) because no one lives in a vacuum. There’s a sense of community. These men know each other through the military / special ops / CIA / FBI / DEA (you get the picture) communities. Some of the men know each other because they’re Doms. And some of the stories connect because of the way they unfold.
For instance, I wrote most of Bound For Keeps while I was writing Bound By Honor. Looking back, I understand why, because both had a little bit of magic coming into play. In Bound By Honor, it was Jesse telling Damon in his own way that it was okay to move on. I felt like he knew Tanner would be the absolute right fit for Damon. In Bound For Keeps, the inn plays a special role in bringing lovers together.
Bound For Keeps is in the tradition of the series, but I’d call this probably the most stand-alone of the entire series (next to Ties that Bind) – of course, the themes are there: angst, military men, some BDSM play. But the men you meet in BFK – Keith, Reed and Shane—are all new to you. Ménages can be tricky to write, but when the men are so perfect for one another, that helps a lot.
You’ll also meet Prophet in this book, because talk about a character that will not stay out of my head. He plays a minor role in not one, but two of my books and of course I had to give him a series of his own, which starts next month. In that way, even though I write different series, my characters, my worlds, all stay connected. That appears to be as much the choice of my characters as it is mine, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
So, talk to me about series books. Love them? Hate them? Do you get frustrated? How long do you like your series to last? Tell me your favorite series. (and no, you don’t have to answer all of that :). Comment for a chance to win a Nook or Kindle copy of Bound For Keeps!
Title: Bound for Keeps by SE Jakes
Men of Honor Series Book Five
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Red Hots!!, M/M, M/M/M, Ménage & More
Length: Category
Summary:
They can’t deny the attraction…or the danger…
Men of Honor, Book 5
Since losing their beloved third to cancer, Keith Masters and Johnny Lou Reed haven’t thought about filling the void in their lives with anyone else. Until a stormy Christmas Eve, when a half-frozen, newly discharged Army Ranger shows up on their doorstep—with no memory of who he is or how he got there.
The former Marine in Keith is suspicious that he can’t turn up any information about Shane anywhere, not even an address. Direct questioning will have to wait until they’ve gotten the boy well.
Shane knows it’s only a matter of time before Keith and Reed figure out his past. And when they learn the depth and the darkness of the secrets he holds, he could get them all killed.
In the heat of the dark winter nights, the three men discover a passion that heals the gaping wounds in their hearts. And Shane wonders, despite the danger hot on his heels, how he will ever bear to leave…
Product Warnings: Contains secrets, undercover operations and three hot, alpha military men who can set a cold winter night on fire.
Read my review of Bound for Keeps HERE.
To celebrate her upcoming release and visit here today, Ms. Jakes is giving away a Nook or Kindle copy Bound for Keeps to one lucky commenter.
To enter the Friday’s Feature contest:
You must Do TWO of the Following:
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Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:
5. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.
And don’t forget to:
6. Answer Ms. Jakes’ question(s) on your feelings about series-Love them? Hate them? Do you get frustrated? How long do you like your series to last? Tell me your favorite series. (and no, you don’t have to answer all of that 🙂 by 5 PM Mountain Time Sunday afternoon.
It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. Ms. Jakes will gift the winner with a Kindle or Nook copy of Bound for Keeps. The winner will be posted HERE on Monday.
***The eBook in this giveaway has been donated by SE Jakes.***
i so love the sound of this book and its in the kind of genre that i like to read
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Congrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it.
I love series books. You get to learn more about the characters and town, more secondary characters get their own books. You get more invested in series books. My favorite series is not a romance but more a mystery/suspense. It’s the Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. I think it’s up to over 15 books. As long as there’s good plots, I think a series can continue.
I’m a series kinda girl. As long as there is still plenty of story and nothing is being over used..I’d read a 20 book series. But if it’s starts to get repetitive and the author is just grasping at things to write about, I’ll stop before I even get to the end.
Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
raynman1979 at yahoo (dot) com
I like series if the secondary characters are compelling enough to warrant them!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
I do like series if they characters are well developed and can have a continuing storyline without it getting old or ridiculous. That last point would also determine how may books should be a series. I haven’t read your series unfortunately but of the series I have read my favorite is the Cut & Run series.
Thank you for the opportunity to win
Karl
I love this series, SE. (But I’m eagerly awaiting Prophet’s book, too!) I think a series should go as long as there are characters to flesh out. If the characters keep talking, keep on writing. 😉
What I hate about book series are 1) waiting for new installments and 2) inserting drama/angst when it is unnecessary (to add length or new installments).
freakgrly [at] aol [dot] com
I do like series, particularly when previous characters show up and we can see how their relationship has progressed, whether the way to HEA has been rough or smooth. I’m not too bothered by how many/few so long as the impetous is maintained in each book and not another book churned out – a tricky dilemma for an author must be when to stop!
Most of the time having a long series works well for me (if the story is interesting enough). Sometimes though it can either get a little repetitive after a few books, or because the story seems like its been stretched out just to fill the pages when the story could be easily concluded.
I like that in this series the cast pop in and out, they may not be around all the time but you get the feeling that they are having their own lives in the background. I started with Ties that Bind, then realised i had missed some, but it was nice to see how the characters fit together (meeting Tomcat then hearing more about him later)
Can’t wait for Bound for Keeps!
I love series! The only time I get frustrated with them is when the new stories released don’t advance the main story/stories of the series.
Great blurb! Please count me in. Thanks.
Generally I love series but there have been a few that I just threw up my hands and quit. 4 or 5 seems like a good number, too many more and it becomes overwhelming. I break up with a series when I realize I just don’t care anymore. Do hate it when that happens. Always some exceptions to that as well.
ocanana@gmail.com
I love series books and cannot wait for this one. 🙂
Love the series. I like mine to run around 6, too many more, I lose interest. Bound by Honor blew me away, Bound by Law not so much.
Regarding series books, I’ll read them forever if they’re loosely connected and well written. I don’t like those that leave me feeling like I haven’t completed a book. I’ve read all of your Men of Honor series and they meet this criteria. Each book is a full story and leaves me thinking about other characters but not feeling like part of the story was left out. I don’t like soap operas on television and I don’t like reading them.
I do like series books because some stories, even though complete, leave you wanting more. My favorite series is the Rough Riders by Lorelei James. I’m beginning the Sullivan series by Bella Andre. I would enjoy adding the Men of Honor series to my collection.