Tomorrow, Standoff, the last book in this story arc of my Cascadia Wolves series, releases from Samhain.
I love this cover! Anne Caine does a great job but I must say I’ve loved every single cover in this series. They’ve all been so pretty and done so well - I’ve had great cover mojo.But it’s over. In the last year I’ve ended two series - this one, my Cascadia Wolves and my Chase Brothers books. I’ll continue on with both worlds. In fact I’ve already contracted Unexpected, Megan’s story for August and I really want to write Nathan Murphy’s story to revisit Petal. But while I love series and the sense of home I can build with a cast of characters readers can revisit time and again, I think it’s best if they don’t drag on too long. I want to end when readers want more, not when they’re reading and thinking, “Gah, she really neededed to stop this series two books ago!”
Series enable an author to really dig deep, to create a world built over many books. What that means is I can take a town like Petal and breathe real life into her. I can give Petal traditions like Homecoming, which I’ve come back to in every story. Or in the case of this particular family, the Christmas proposal or wedding. I love that. I love that as a reader! I love how I can take werewolves and create government. Law and order and lawlessness too. I’ve had four books to build a paranormal universe in, which has been a treat. Four books to build the suspense with the werewolf mafia. I’m spoiled and it’s been a great ride.
I think about Nora Roberts’ trilogies and I think she as the right idea. She builds enough to give readers a sense of something big and sweeping and yet intimate at the same time. Very few authors can take it more than four books in the same story setting and make it work over and over. Kim Harrison can (I just finished The Outlaw Demon Wails this last week and OMG! it was fab), Nora as JD Robb can do it with her In Death books - but in a fully realized romance world you don’t see it as often and after book five, it begins to seem all a big stretch (sister’s best friend’s baby sitter’s brother in law’s best friend). I do love spin offs though! Like I love cupcakes. I’ll eat up every book related to the family Jenny Cruisie introduces us to in Welcome To Temptation (and Davy’s story was so good!), or the Chesapeake books from Nora, or SEP’s Chicago Stars. There’s something really special about returning to a world you’ve loved so much.
What about you all? What do you like best about series? Do you read them? Which ones?
I’ll give something away and announce the winner next Wednesday.
How about an excerpt? Behind the jump…
CASCADIA WOLVES: STANDOFF BY LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2008, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, Samhain Publishing
Releasing March 4!
“Grace, tell us what you came here to say and why we should believe you.” Jack Meyers, a man who pulled no punches, said what needed to be said but it did annoy Cade on some level.
Still, the woman seemed to be made of sterner stuff and looked unruffled by Jack’s straightforward question. “When Warren was shunned and left Great Lakes to start his own Pack, I was in medical school. I lost my status here with Great Lakes just like the rest of my family did.” Her eyes cut to Maxwell briefly. “I had no Pack but for what Warren created. But I’ve never been close to my family. I’ve been estranged from them for several years but seven months back a body came through my emergency room and I smelled my brother on him. He’d—the victim—been partially transformed but his DNA wasn’t all wolf or all human. It was broken. His entire system just sort of collapsed in on itself.”
Cade pushed a glass of water her way and she sipped it before speaking again.
“I’d heard the rumor he’d…Warren…stolen a copy of the lycanthropy virus but I thought he’d lost it. That body in my ER said otherwise. So I went to him and said I wanted back in the family. I was alone, without a Pack, it wasn’t so hard to believe really. After a while, I offered to help with my medical skills and he didn’t trust me so he gave me nickel and dime stuff. But I did it and kept at it and the bodies showed up in my ER until I went nearly mad with the anger. I confronted him about it but pretended I was mad he was being so careless. That’s when he let me in part way and I’ve been working my way closer and closer to this project ever since. When he lost the big lab two weeks ago after you rescued Tegan, he let me in even more because he lost a lot of data. But I don’t know how much more I can get. He’s suspicious and I can’t hide how distressed I am with all this.”
She reached into her pocket and tossed a small memory card on the table. “There’s some data there. Not a lot because he’s got the computers in the labs monitored very closely.”
“Does he have the virus?” Cade asked.
“Not the full virus. What he has is partially correct. That’s why he’s been experimenting on the homeless humans. But he gets closer every week. What he used on the Enforcer he murdered was very close.”
Maxwell leaned forward. “What?”
“It’s not the complete virus. He had that once, back when he assassinated your Third two years ago. But he lost it then and apparently has spent the intervening time attempting to re-create it.”
“No, not that. We know that, or suspected anyway. We didn’t know what happened to Gina, our Enforcer. We never found her body. We’d heard he killed her but we didn’t know how.” Maxwell heaved a troubled sigh.
“Ah. Yes. He used a bastardized version on her and it killed her. I’m sorry for her and her family. I never met her of course, she came on after you so unceremoniously shunned my entire family from this Pack, but I’d never want an innocent to suffer for what the guilty did.” Her eyes held Maxwell’s, and Cade’s wolf agitatedly pressed against his human skin.
“I did what I had to do. Warren was a cancer in this Pack.”
“Yes. Well you must be so proud of the outcome.” Grace cocked her head and glared at one of the most powerful wolves Cade had ever met. An amused smile dragged one corner of his mouth up. Gutsy, this wolf. “You had a responsibility to all your wolves and you tossed everyone in our family to the wind to punish my brother. It seems…unnecessarily overbroad. But what do I know? I’ve been without a Pack for years now because it was my criminally insane brother or nothing so I chose nothing.”
Maxwell rubbed his face and sighed.
Tegan settled in just behind Cade, he felt her amusement. Cade wondered idly just what he’d have done in Maxwell’s place. It seemed a bit of an overreaction to shun an entire family but having members in your Pack who were so openly criminal and destructive was a cancer. It ate away at morale. His brother-in-law Nick’s Pack, Pacific, had a similar problem, only it had been at the top. Some years before, Cascadia had its own issues. It was Monday morning quarterbacking to try and second guess another Alpha in a situation like this one.
“Can you speak with some of our researchers about this?” Cade asked her. “We’ve got a lab, have had one for several years now. I’m sure they’d understand you far better than we can.”
Those amber depths met his and settled in at the base of his spine.
“We can get you back to your location safely,” Maxwell said.
Cade turned, a growl trickling from his lips. “We can’t risk her now!”
“There’s no reason to believe anyone saw her meeting with us, Cade.” Maxwell’s eyes widened a moment as they moved back and forth between Cade and Grace.
“Can you just so casually put her in danger this way? We know what he’s capable of, Maxwell. Will you just throw her to the dogs because you’re done with her? Just toss her back like you did the rest of her family?” Whoa, that was out of bounds. Cade knew it and yet, he couldn’t quite stop the flow of anger driving his words.
“That’s not fair, Cade,” Tegan said quietly.
“No, he’s got a point.” Maxwell shrugged. “I did clearly make too broad a choice when I shunned Pellini’s whole family. Grace was one of my wolves and I didn’t do my duty by her or the others in Warren’s family when I shunned them all. But I’m not just tossing her into danger unceremoniously because I don’t care. I truly think she’s been unexposed. Ben said so and I trust my Enforcer.”
Without meaning to, Cade stood and moved to her. Alarmed, she’d stood as well, pushing her chair back, her stance mirroring his.
Things were moving fast, teetering on the edge of sliding out of control but Cade’s wolf had taken over.
Cade breathed in to try and center himself and push his wolf back down. Instead, he got a gut full of her scent. He grabbed her hands and she swayed. His entire world rocked on its foundations and re-settled as he truly saw her for what she was.
Dimly in the background he heard Megan curse and felt her move back.
“Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?” Ben asked. “Do we have trouble or what?”
Possessiveness and protectiveness nearly blinded Cade as he grabbed Grace around the waist and put himself between Ben and her with a snarl. Ben stood his ground, examining Cade’s face.
“Not the kind of trouble you think.” He turned to face Grace again. The fear on her face softened when he touched her cheek, wanting to calm her. “Thank God you’re not his wife.”
Shocked laughter exploded from her, strained at the edges.
“I’m not going to send you back. You know that, right?”
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Okay, the excerpt? Now I want.
*hear my wallet gasping in pain and my TBB list partying in the background*
On series: it really is all in the execution, for me. Well, and then there’s the character pool.
When you have a family group, for example, after the sixth or so, my suspension of disbelief starts to waver a bit. A bigger group (a military unit, a pack, a company/corporation) affords the author more leeway in storylines and main character choices, so those, for me, are easier to follow across as larger number of books.
But the bottom line is the character development in each book. Well, for me at least.
Best luck with the book, Lauren!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
I do enjoy series, as long as there is good characters. i love it when you are reading one book and the secondary character just begs to have their story told too. TO me that means the writers are doing an excellent job of making you want more..
I enjoyed Susan Lyons last set of 4.. and of course Roxanne St Claires bullet catchers, Kate Douglas Wolf Tales.. and i could go on and on…lol..
sending best wishes with your book…
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 am
I enjoy series. I often find myself wanting to read secondary characters’ stories and I am thrilled when an author does a series and I am not left wondering.
I have enjoyed Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters, J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen series and several category romance series.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
I definitely enjoy series as you get to revisit characters from previous books and enlarge on places and people you have become acquainted with thru reading. Kim Harrison does a wonderful job of entertaining and keeping my interest with Rachel and Ivy and those around them, also I like to follow Riley Jensen by Keri Arthur, Mercedes Thompson, a VW mechanic, by author, Patricia Briggs, Jenna Black’s ‘Guardians of the Night series, J R Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series, the Dark series and the Drake Sisters by Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s series of Dark-Hunters, Kitty, the celebrity werewolf, written by Carrie Vaugh, to name just a few of the terrific series of books I follow. There are so many wonderful stories to enjoy and it is so great to be able to read about a secondary character that you find fascinating and then have him/her turn into the hero/heroine of the next book and learn so much more about the person. Absolutely love the series books!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Congrats on the release. I do enjoy series very much. Series enables a reader to reconnect with past characters. Some of my favorite series include the Cynster family by Stephanie Laurens and Jaci Burton’s Demon Hunter series.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hi Lauren,
Congratulations on the new release. I loved the excerpt! As to your questions about series - I agree with you. I loved SEP’s Chicago Stars books too, and I think a really important factor is that each and every one of them can stand alone. Reading all of them gives you warm fuzzies when another character makes a cameo, but the book isn’t about them. I also like series because I’m a curious person, and I always want to know more more more. Unfortunately, I also have the attention span of a goldfish. I think the best number is about 3-8 for a series. I’ve been buying too many books on amazon recently, with money I don’t have, and was absolutely appalled when I saw there were 14 books in one author’s series. Maybe I read too many series as a kid - those Boxcar Children, Sweet Valley and Baby Sitter’s clubs got well into the 100s.
I’m probably going to have to duck for cover after saying this, but I found myself wondering when J.R. Ward’s BDB books, and Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling books would end. Don’t get me wrong - I still like them and want to read about what happens - but it seems each one brings in new characters when the first few still don’t have their stories. I could be wrong, but I think John’ll have a book in DBD - and Phury’s is coming out - Tohr might have one and the doctor in Lover Unbound might be a secret stealth brother - that’s potentially 4 more. At least. Maybe it’s just me, but I find myself thinking about certain books “when will this end?”
I’m ok with spin offs, but I don’t necessarily want to read an entire world/society being rebuilt book by book.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I read alot of series, I pretty much agree with everything you said about them. Some of my fav series are Cindy Gerads series omg I just love it and while she ended it shes going right into another one, Lora Leigh is another I love, her breeds are very good and I love her Seals and how shes going to be spinning the seals off instead of just staying with them. I do like the JR Ward series but her last 2 have been a bit disapointing, limecello from what I saw your right in John, Tohr and Phury, Rehv also gets one, I’m not sure how many more after that. I like SK’s Dark Hunters but for awhile it started to lag for me at least. Lauren when I read the petal books I started rigth before the last one and I actually liked how I knew when it was going to end, not that I would mind reading more from there ;). oh and KMM’s Fever series I really have enjoyed the first too and love the fact that she came out and said there are going to be this many books so I’m not left wondering.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I love series books. My favorites are JD Robbs Death series amd Evanovitchs Stephanie Plum series.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
A good romance series will have me totally invested in the world the author created, and when I can’t wait to read about new characters and get updates on old favorites. I have so many that I enjoy:
J.D. Robb, Christine Feehan’s Drake Sisters and Ghost Walkers, Charlaine Harris-Sookie Stackhouse, Janet Evanovich, Tara Janzen, Shannon McKenna’s McCloud brothers, Eileen Wilks, Kim Harrison, and Kelley Armstrong. That doesn’t even cover the ebook series, of which your’s are a favorite, of course, as well as Shiloh Walker’s, NJ Walter’s, and Anya Bast, to name just a few.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Azteclady - thanks! I know the feeling. March is a big month and I keep getting these little notices from Amazon that things are shipping.
Jolene - yes! I love Roxanne’s suspense books.
Crystal - Oh yes, connected category stories are really fun!
Jane - I can’t wait for Jaci’s next demon hunter book!
limecello - yes, with a book in a series, you should be able to build, not have to rebuild! As a reader, the comfort at sliding into familiar digs is really wonderful.
Jessie - aw thanks! I love KMM’s Darkfever books!
Estella - The In Death books are just always so good. I’m totally impressed with Nora’s ability to keep it fresh even as it’s comfortingly familiar.
Cathy - LOVE me some Charlaine Harris and of course Anya!
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
love series. your wolfies both sets, the witches know series, lora’s breeds, charlaine harris, shi’s hunters, sherilyn’s dark hunters jr’ brotherhood and lots and lots more. Two many to list here but I love series especially getting to revisit old characters along with the new.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Sounds great!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Jessie-
Gahh I forgot about Rhev. I agree on the last one. I didn’t like Love Unbound, but I did Like Lover Revealed (though not as much as the other ones.) This is probably bad, but I have no interest in the lessening society either (which really makes no sense.)
cathy -I really like the McCloud brothers by Shannon McKenna as well - but the series makes me wonder - their friends are getting books now too. I think the dead/not dead twin might be getting a book… I also liked the Visitation books by Lori Foster, and her new “UFC” books.
Lauren - I really enjoy “catching up” with a character in books. Like the Chicago Stars, or some of Lisa Kleypas’s books. Another good (bad?) example would be Diana Palmer. Long story short I got myself in over my head with her books last year - but her newer books serve as introductions to the old - it seems 50% goes to explaining who all the characters from 20 years ago were/are.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Series are great because you don’t have to let go of the theme. You get to renew your relationship (however lightly) with past heros and heroines and explore your new hero/heroines and their perspective mates. All of this with the same theme or atmosphere, if you will. It makes the story linger and that’s what a good author wants. It’s what a reader loves, not having to give up a series that they enjoy. I love a series.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I love it when an author does a series. Especially for the books that suck you in. Right now I am reading JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I love it. I can’t wait for the next one to be released. A series makes the novels more personal. You get to really know all the characters and the interaction is great. Plus, you can usually pick up some new info on past characters you loved.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Love following up on old characters and seeing what they are up to. Over the years I have followed several different series now reading the Death Series by JD Robb, Susan Mallery sveral of yours Lora Leigh, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, Nora Roberts.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I love, love, love a good series!
Lauren, your Chase Brothers, Witches Knot, and Cascadia are all huge favorites of mine and have been *re-read* so many times that even in digital format they’re dog-eared.
Now that I know Standoff is the last in its series I feel myself not wanting to start it. How pathetic is that?!?! Sad memories of leaving Petal I guess…oh how I miss Polly’s mile-high hair and those yummy Chase brothers.
Other favorites include Nora’s Chesapeake, MacGreggor Clan, and McKade Brothers, SEP’s Chicago Stars, Catherine Anderson’s Coulter Family, Beth Williamson’s Malloy Family, N.J. Walters’ Tapestry, Dalakis, and Awakening Desires series, Shannon McKenna’s McCloud brothers, Lori Foster’s UFC and Temptation series, Erin McCarthy’s Las Vegas Vampires, and so many more. Let’s face it, I read way too much!
So yeah, I love a good series. Period. I love revisiting old friends and learning more about characters that I only had a taste of in previous titles. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Ya’ll keep writing them and I’ll keep on a’reading!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Oh yes! I love a good series. Sometimes a book leaves you wanting more and with a series you get more. You find out what happened to all the characters. The only thing I dislike about series, is when the books are slow about coming out. I know I started a series about a year and half to two years ago and the third book in the series is still not out. By the time it comes out I will have forgotten what has happened.