Writing series is a wonderful thing. It’s what I do and I do it for many reasons. One, I love large casts of characters so it’s easy to build that and keep it manageable over years and many stories. I like to write about what happens after the end of a book. To check in on a couple after their HEA to see them in many stages of their lives together.
I also love to write saga style stories – friends or family based. And the ability to tell larger stories about community is what I love best.
The Brown Family novels are such stories – not a huge meta story arc like say my Bound By Magick books, but the meta story of this group of people. I started with Erin and at this point all the Brown siblings are married and have kids, they’re all at different points in their lives and careers. The story can be richer for that. And for readers it’s nice to be able to give a glimpse of Brody as a dad to a nearly teenager and a toddler and that sort of thing.
The thing is with series like this is that the world gets bigger each time so while you could read one of the books out of order and understand that couple and their HEA, you’d be missing backstory. One of the plusses to series like these, though if you like to read out of order it could be a drawback as you won’t know the story of that couple out to dinner with the couple the story is about.
When I started the Chase Brothers series in 2006, I didn’t really know what it would turn out to be. I began to write a book about a sheriff and a school teacher, but the sheriff was sort of a dick and the school teacher was like, no thank you and ended up with his brother instead.
That the series turned out to be as popular with readers as it has been is such a wonderful joy to me. That with each book it gained more love, each couple has its own defenders and each story I was able to tell about small town life gave a glimpse of an idealized Main Street, yes, but of real people living real lives there.
So when I ended it, I was sad, but it had been a good run. Everyone got their HEA. I went out when readers were happy and not saying, “Oh my god why didn’t she quit three books ago?”
But Petal has never been far from my mind and when I got an idea for Nathan Murphy and a reunion/second chance with and old love, I wrote it and the first in the Petal, GA series came out.
The Petal books aren’t so much tied to one family or one group of friends, but the town and the lives of all the people who pass through it on a regular basis. I’ll come back as I get ideas for stories I want to tell. Some will be about the Murphys as they’re so much fun to write. But others will be about different characters, some you know already and some you don’t.
Readers first met Beth three books ago in Making Chase and I’ve wanted to write her story ever since she appeared on the page. Her story, much like her family, is rooted in some harsh realities. The Murphy kids, as we learned in Making Chase, had an abusive childhood. It’s formed them all as adults, as such things do. It’s made her resilient and brutally honest in ways she’s old enough to understand and accept. It made her dialog so much fun to write, even as she broke my heart sometimes.
Joe? Well he’s got his own crosses to bear. A past where he was sort of a wild guy and wasn’t the best son he could have been. He’s back in town to make up for that with an ailing parent. He’s trying to be better and that’s sort of, to me, what all my HEAs are. No one is perfect so the key is, are you trying to be better? He is, though he stumbles with Beth a few times. But don’t worry too much, remember that resilience and blunt honesty I mention above.
I’ll be back to Petal next year. Most likely with Royal’s story. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy this little glimpse of the Chases and Murphys and Main Street.
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For more information about all of Lauren’s series, visit www.laurendane.com. And for a chance to win Once and Again and Lost in You, just leave a comment below. Good luck!
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
I loved her EC books, especially the Cascadia Wolves series. Haven’t read her in a while, so I’ll love to win these books!
Thank you, I enjoy being allowed behind the scenes, so to speak.
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Thank you for the insight. I won Lost in You on your giveaway here on RR@H and loved it! (which reminds me, need to leave a review on goodreads!). Beth is one of my favorite characters of yours.
HELLO LAUREN. JOE AND CHASE SOUNDS LIKE TWO PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE REUNITED. SOMETIMES A LOST LOVE CAN BE RECONNECTED AND TURNED INTO A VERY PASSIONATE AFFAIR AND LOVE STORY. I’M A ROMANTIC FOOL BY HEART, AND A AVID READER. I LOOK FOR NOVELS ABOUT A LOST LOVE REKINDLING THAT OLD FLAME AGAIN. HOW ROMANTIC!!!
Hi Lauren. Great post. I love your books.
Oh yay, please please toss my name in the hat–thank you, ladies!
I love series romance, never really having to say goodbye to characters I’ve grown to love. I love Lauren’s books and it would be cool to win and add to my collection so I can get started and read them in order!
I love series in which each book is a complete story. When we fall in love with those characters its always nice to glimpse a bit of their lives in the next book, sort of like visiting with friends. Thanks for a great post.
Would love to own your books. I enjoy reading & spend a lot of time doing it. Thanks for being a great author!
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Lauren. Thank you so much!
I would love to read your books. They sound very good. I love reading series. Please enter me in contest.
I love love love the Chase brothers and cannot wait to go back and visit Petal! <3
I do love a great series of books. It’s hard to let go sometimes.
Hi Lauren this is a great post. I love the Chase brothers. This is a great giveaway. Please enter me.
Interesting info about the series
I have not read any of laura books yet but I have it few of her books on my TBR, hope can read them soon
I started reading Lauren Dane when the Bound by Magick series started. I haven’t stopped since! I love her books. I haven’t gotten to the Petal books, yet.
Congratulations on the end of a successful series and the beginning
of another! Lauren Dane goes on! Hooray!!
i love the Brown siblings, the magic books and your sci-fi series! I have not tried the Petal books, not sure why. Thank you for such great worlds that can get lost in
love the first petal books and though I haven’t read these I expect they are just as good.
I found Lauren Dane’s books when I found the Brown series. And I haven’t stopped reading since. I am so glad that the Chase Brothers weren’t the end of the Petal saga.
I have truly loved all of Lauren’s books. Her series on the Brown family and Chase family are my top contemporary reads. I am so glad she expanded on the Petal world.
I sooo love Lauren Dane! Thanks for the chance to win
Absolutely love the Brown and Chase series. I love being able to visit previous characters. Can’t wait to read Petal’s books. Thanks.
Thanks for that great post and giveaway. Interesting information. Can’t wait to read thses series. Lauren is a new author for me.
I’ve read a few of Lauren’s books and loved them – this looks like more interesting ones!
I think I’m behind with this series–looking forward to the catch up, Lauren