Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Guest Blogger Karen Erickson - The Series

A big, big thank you the lovely Naughty 9 for letting me be a guest on their blog today. Love every one of these ladies…hopefully I’ll see the majority of you at the RT convention next month (squee!)—and readers, if you’re going, I hope we can connect! 

So…let’s talk about book series. When I first started writing, everything I sold was considered stand-alone. Then I started seeing how much everyone loves a series. Readers go crazy for them. As a reader, I did too! And once I started writing them, I had so much fun, it’s rare I plot out a book without the thought of a series behind it.

This brings me to my Worth It series with Samhain Publishing. My old editor gave me the idea for the first book—she pretty much handed me Alexander Worth on a silver platter (the bare bones of him, I added the meat, heh heh). I created the family business, Worth Luxury and thought, hmmm Alex needs brothers. Gorgeous, sexy brothers…

I adore those brothers. I mean, what’s not to love? They’re gorgeous, powerful, sexy billionaires who when they meet the woman that’s meant for them, fall extra hard. Swoon…

When I started writing the third book in the series (WORTH THE CHALLENGE), I realized those sexy brothers needed a sister. And that’s how my latest with Samhain, WORTH EVERYTHING, was born.

Poor Stasia Renaldi. Her world has been turned upside down during the reading of her father’s will. As in, what she thought was the truth ended up being all a lie. Now she’s on a hunt to discover the truth—and she’s taking sexy lawyer Gavin Westmore, along with her. Of course, sparks fly and soon the two are falling for each other…

I offer glimpses of all the Worths because we need to see them as much as possible since this is their final book in the series. Never fear, though! WORTH EVERYTHING launches a new series focusing on Stasia’s other three brothers, Matteo, Rafael and Vincenzo Renaldi, who will each get their own book in The Renaldis series.

First up will be a glimpse of Matteo Renaldi and his heroine Paige in TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT, a FREE short story that comes out June 4th . Then their full book (TEMPTED BY HER BOSS) will be available July 2ND. Yay, more sexy rich billionaires and these brothers are all a bunch of brooding, passionate Italians (squee).

Contest time! I will give away a digital copy of the winner’s choice in the Worth It series to one lucky commenter if they answer this question: Do you like to read books that are a part of a series? Or are you more of a stand-alone-book-type reader? 

Can two lost souls find their way to love?

Worth It, Book 4

Anastasia Renaldi’s life is a complete lie. Disinherited from the family fashion accessory business and informed she’s the illegitimate daughter of the famous—and long-dead—Michael Worth of Worth Luxury, she has no one to turn to. No real family, no job, no identity to claim. Lost and confused, she turns to the one man who can help her obtain what is rightfully hers.

Attorney Gavin Westmore is hired to discover the truth. Does Stasia Renaldi have a stake to claim in the Worth empire? From the moment he meets her, Gavin knows what sort of woman Stasia is. Calculating, devious—she won’t let anything or anyone get in the way in her pursuit of a fortune. As long as he can collect his generous fee, he’s fine with it.

But Gavin soon discovers his perception of Stasia is wrong. She truly is confused, a sweet, ambitious woman who wants what rightfully belongs to her. Soon they’re spending lots of time together—and it goes beyond the attorney/client type meetings. The only question is, after untangling the web of lies to get to the truth, if there will be any room left for love?

Find WORTH EVERYTHING at: Amazon | B&N | Samhain | iBookstore

14 comments:

LJT said...

I like stand alone books that are part of a series. Some characters and story-lines may cross. Exactly like the Worth series. I have read two and they were fantastic. laurenturkel@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love read both stand alones and series. When you read a series it sometimes gets frustrating waiting for the next book. Whereas with stand alones you can go from one book to the next. It just depends on my mood, I guess.

Booksrforever123 said...

I like both, but series are my favorite. Now your series are manageable.I've started some that are now on books over 10 and sometimes that's just too much. I would love to win one of your books, thanks Carolyn.

Christine A. said...

I like both. Stand alones in between series to fill in the gaps.

your1chef at aol dot com

Linda said...

I love both, it´s great when you find a series you love and you can return to the world with a new book, but standalone is great when you don´t want to "have to" know all too much to begin with, and get all you need in the same book. =)
thanks for the giveaway & Happy Tuesday!
//Linda

Slick said...

I am a series lover through and through. I will read a stand alone but I prefer series. I loved the Worth It series and am so happy about the Renaldi brothers getting their stories told! No need to enter me in the contest, I have them all.

Ruth Gutscher said...

I like stand a lones but find book series just let you read about the stories longer with crossover characters and such- they make you look forward to the next chapter so to speak ! :-) thanks for the contest & the opportunity Karen !

kelly said...

KAREN!! Welcome to the NNN! Can't wait to see you in Kansas City :-)
Also interested in the answer to this question...

Kim B said...

Series all the way! But I hate the wait!

Kim said...

Definitely series!!!! I tend to get attached to the characters and I want to know what else happens in their lives. And of course, if the author writes the books right, like Karen, the secondary characters make you fall in love with them, thus making you want to know more about them.

Unknown said...

I like to read both. It doesn't matter to me unless the author takes too long between each book.

Erin Nicholas said...

Karen Erickson is on our blog!!! Whoo hoo!

Thanks for being here! I love your "Worth It" series!

See you soon ;)
Erin

Sheilag2367 said...

I like series....though I have NEVER turned down a stand alone!

donnas said...

I do love a good series. Especially when they follow different characters. However I also totally read and love stand alones. As long as the story is good Im happy.