Shana Galen is the national bestselling author of numerous fast-paced, adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city.Now she writes full time. She’s happily married to an incredibly supportive man she calls Ultimate Sportsfan, and she has a beautiful little girl she calls Little Galen.
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The Magic Middle Book
By Shana Galen
Do you like to read series? I've written 5 series over the course of my career, and there's one thing about a series that always 1) surprises me and 2) rings true.
It's the magic middle book. I never expect the magic book in a series to be the second one. I'm always most excited about writing either the first book or the last book in a series. Usually I know the most about the first book because it's the one I have to develop the most in order to sell the series. And just as often I put the best idea I have last in the series because I want to end strong, and I hope by the time the third book is released, readers will be anticipating that last one.
But no matter how many times I plan a fab third book and write a strong first book, it always seems to be the middle book that gets the attention. This was true with my Sons of the Revolution series. Although Armand's story in The Making of a Gentleman was the hardest to write, it was the best received and even won an RT Reviewers' Choice award. And now I'm getting great reviews on the second book in my Jewels of the Ton series.
If You Give a Rake a Ruby is the story of Fallon and Warrick. Fallon is one of The Three Diamonds, a trio of glamorous Regency courtesans. She has a mysterious past she would like to keep a mystery. Warrick is a retired elite spy for the Crown. He is still haunted by his experiences on the battlefields during the Peninsular Wars. And now he's the target of an assassination attempt. He traces his pursuer to Fallon and blackmails her into helping him catch the killer before the man can act.
I didn't look forward to Fallon's book because I knew it would be a dark book with a heroine who has a murky past and a hero still tortured by his decisions. It's much more fun for me to whirl in the ballrooms of the ton with Juliette, who was featured in When You Give a Duke a Diamond. And I just know charming Lily, who is my heroine in the upcoming Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend, will be so much fun to write.
But as I wrote Fallon and Warrick's story, everything fell so…well, magically into place. I felt more connected to them than I do most of my characters. I thought about them long after the book was turned in to my editor, and I still think about them. There really is something magical about that middle book. I'm hoping you will agree, and I'm giving away a copy of If You Give a Rake a Ruby to one person who comments (U.S. and Canada).
Do you like to read books in a series? Do you ever find that you always enjoy a particular one in the line-up more?
HER MYSTERIOUS PAST IS THE BEST REVENGE . . .
Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She's adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.
ONLY HE CAN OFFER HER A DAZZLING FUTURE . . .
Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he's putting his life on the line . . .
To Warrick's shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she's keeping are exactly what make her his heart's desire . . .
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Up For Grabs:
- 1 lucky winner will win a copy of If You Give a Rake a Ruby
To Enter:
- Please answer Shana's question: Do you like to read books in a series? Do you ever find that you always enjoy a particular one in the line-up more?
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56 comments :
I love series - but - I am trying really hard not to start one until it's done. I'm too impatient. :) Your book sounds wonderful! Thank you for a chance to win a copy!
I like to read series. Sometimes I find that I may like one book in the series more than others, but I do like when the stories blend together.
Hi, Shana!
I have certainly enjoyed the first two of this great series of yours and have added “Sapphires for an Earl’s Best Friend” to my Wish List.
Congratulations on all of your terrific successes! All the best.
P.S. Just want to add that I’m not entering the giveaway as I’ve read and enjoyed “If You Give a Rake a Ruby.”
Leslie, I have bad news for you. The last one doesn't come out until March 2014. I don't know why they scheduled the releases that way. I think because they didn't want to space my Lord and Lady Spy books too far apart. TRUE SPIES is out in September.
I like when the stories blend too, as long as I don't have to remember too much from one book to the next.
Thank you, Connie! And thanks for being such a great supporter.
I love series, both reading and writing them! The second book of my own Claddagh Series, was also the most fun to write, because Cavan Callaghan was a tortured hero, and I love writing them. I look forward to reading "If You Give a Rake a Ruby."
I enjoy series, it's like being able to visit old friends ;) i can't say that I necessarily have a fave book in a series (each series is different & have differing lengths) though the last book is always kinda sad since you know it's over :( at least until you go back & read them again :)
I love series! I think it depends on the series as to which book I enjoy more. Sometimes I like the last in the series more, other times it's a middle book, because at times the build up is so great for the last book it fails to live up to expectations. (which has always seemed a bit unfair to me!)
I love series. :) Problem is that you get hooked on one and you end up wanting to read the entire series and there are only so much time in a day for reading... And yes, there are always one in a series that is beter or one that is my least favorite...
Congrats Shana! I love series! I'm a glutton for series! Give me a world/family/cast to fall in love with and I will follow like a puppy :)
I have to like the first book in a series or wouldn't continue.
Yes, I like series. However sometimes I have to leave them for awhile because it gets old. I usually prefer one or two over some of the others. Sometimes I don't like all the characters written about and I'll skip them but sometimes the author will surprise me. One series that I find it hard to dislike any character is in Christine Feehan's dark series. There are others too.
Thanks,
Lori
I do enjoy reading books in a series! I find that I don't prefer one book over the other based on line-up order. The individual storylines and the dynamics of the couples in each book determine what is a favorite in my heart.
Love reading books in a series, to me it's more exciting because sometimes the characters from the other books happen to reappear in the next books and then we get to see what happened to them after the book left. Plus there is always some main plot that goes into other books, so it's exciting! I don't often prefer one book over another in a series, but there are times that authors end up writing and epic gem that you just cannot help but love.
Grats on your new release :D this series looks fun!
I do enjoy books in a series because I like to see the characters grow and interact with each other. My very favorite is JD Robb's IN DEATH series. I wait EAGERLY for each new one. They are consistently brilliant!! The Twilight series however is a different story. I enjoyed the plot and read every book but the first one was the best. Each consecutive book got more far-fetched and odd.
cc_clubbs[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love series and try very hard to read them in order. I don't think there's ever a particular one that's my favorite, but I have found that many authors struggle with their second book in the series. More times than not, it is my least favorite - so I'm always excited when the second book turns out really good.
See, Cynthia! Those second books are fun!
It's kind of sad to write the last book too. By that point, the characters are definitely old friends.
Rebe, if it's a good series, the expectations can really be high for the last book. Talk about pressure!
I love series books.. In fact I normally look for series when I began a book. I get more stories with people that I know. Like wataching a tv show in my head! There is normally at least one I enjoy more than the others just because I like the main couple better.
I know the problem of too little time, too many books, May! I guess the idea behind series is to get the reader coming back.
Erin, authors love you!
Definitely, Mary Jo. The first book must be strong.
I always ask authors who have written a series longer than 3 or 4 books if they are tired of it. Most of the time, the answer is no. As a reader, I know I get tired of the same series after a while and take a break, like you.
Good points, Cheryl. It should be the characters who make the book.
I love bringing characters from previous books into a new book. I have to be careful not to let them take over!
Cindi, In Death is my favorite long-running series too!
Jasmyn, I think I am the exception. I can see why the second book SHOULD be harder, though.
That's true, Robin. Even on a show with a large cast, there are some characters I like better than others.
I am a total series junky. I like to read a series in order from the beginning and all the way through with as many as are available at the time. I usually wait to start a series until there are at least 2 or 3 out before starting it because I get impatient. Unless a book just isn't that engrossing (which is rare) I tend to like them all equally!
I love to read series. It gives me more time to fall in love with characters. I like being able to dive deeper into the world that the author has created.
I love reading series! I do sometimes like certain books in the series more than others. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love reading books in a series. Sometimes I like the first one the most because it introduces me to the characters or the setting and it's all new and exciting, but most of the time I love them all. :D
I love series. I really like when they are about families.
There is a series that I read and I've been waiting years for the author to write a book about a particular character.
I think it is hard to not have a favorite in a series - for me, it is quite often the first book in the series.
jochibi AT yahoo DOT com
I love books in a series, but I always end up with a favorite. I generally enjoy the whole series, but there is usually a character that hits home.
I definitely see why you wait until a few books in the series are out, Texas Book Lover. I hate waiting for the next in the series!
Exactly, Patti! I completely agree.
Thanks for stopping by, Natasha :-)
I can understand that, Barbara. I think for me, as a writer, the first book is the most stressful because you want to get it right.
Lori, now I'm curious! What series?
That makes sense to me, Jo! Have to love the first one.
That's true, Annwitch. Some characters really do resonate.
I do enjoy reading books in a series and I have noticed that I tend to enjoy the first one the best because it sets up the universe. That's not always the case, but most of the time.
mestith at gmail dot com
I do enjoy series. I almost never want the story to end, so with a series, you get to carry it on. I do find that there is usually one book or set of characters that I like more than others. I've not yet been able to say there is a pattern to my preferences. Thanks for the post. lisagk(at)yahoo
I love reading books in a series. I haven't noticed that I like one particular in a series better than the others though the last book in a series is always bittersweet.
That's interesting to know, Meghan, and it means that first book is all the moe important.
It's hard, as an author, to end a series. You get so used to living in that universe!
Joanne, I'm trying to write the last book in a series now, and it's so hard to say goodbye!
I do love a series, and sometimes find that I like some more than the others (especially if I really, really loved the characters in the earlier book(s)). It must be hard for authors to make the characters and the situations different enough, especially in those really long series.
I love series. I try to read them in order because I'm like that! I almost always end up liking one book (or two) better than all of the others. If I fall in love with a character or couple, it's tough to convince to love another with equal fervor. I find that I usually lose interest in the super long series. I like series to have a "reasonable" end point (like no more than 5 or 6 books).
I enjoy series, both with the same and with different main characters. I generally do have favorites in a series, and sometimes one does stand well above the others (in my affections!).
Do you like to read books in a series?
Yes, I LOVE series!!
Do you ever find that you always enjoy a particular one in the line-up more?
I guess to a certain degree I always enjoy the one I am reading right now or just finished the best at that time...
I Love Series......but I try to wait until all the books in the series are out until I read them....I read sooo much that I find it more enjoyable to read them one after the other, than months apart on release days, so I wait until I have all of them =)
As for liking one book from a series more than the others, usually they are all great, but sometimes, there is one that stikes a cord more than the others.
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