One and Done? I can’t do it.
I keep telling myself that I’m done. When I started Small Town Siren, I knew it was going to be one book and then I was going to move on. I had a single story to tell, right? That what stories do. They end. In a romance, all stories end happily. Until those damn characters keep whispering to me.
I never meant to write more than one story set in Willow Fork, Texas. This week my fourth Texas Sirens book, Siren Beloved was released. Where did I go wrong? Well, I listened to those damn characters who kept telling me the story of this little family wasn’t finished. First, Sam Fleetwood had a few things to work out. Julian Lodge was only mentioned in the first book, but by the time I was done with Siren in the City, Julian simply had to settle down. And by the time I was finished with Siren Enslaved, I knew that Lucas and Lexi would need a story. Even as I was writing the second book of this series, I told myself that I would take a little break from Willow Fork and write a one off about a weird little Colorado town. Yeah – that worked out for me. Book four of that series comes out in August.
Why do I go back to the same well? I fall in love. I fall in love with the worlds I create and the people in my mind. Some of my readers might have noticed that I even cross over series characters. In Two to Love (a Bliss, CO book), Callie has a wild night in an unnamed Dallas BDSM club and Stef meets two of his old friends. Of course it’s The Club and Stef is having a drink with Jack and Sam. In Siren Beloved, I make it plain that my charming Dom Leo was raised close to a town called Bliss, and his mother is the girlfriend of Bliss’s notorious alien hunter. I can’t even leave my actual stand alone novellas out it. At the end of Siren Beloved, Dani is opening a spa in Willow Fork complete with a new manager who knows a thing or two about running a BDSM resort. Yep. If anyone’s read it, Gaby and Cal from Away From Me are back in Texas with two kids in tow.
I guess I do it because it’s my world. I see it so clearly in my brain. It’s vivid and alive to me. It’s a place I want to live in and people I want to know. I can’t leave them behind because each one is a piece of me.
But Texas Sirens is done. I’ve finished off that little family.
Except for Leo. And the Dawson twins. And maybe Bo…Damn it.
Sophie Oak writes erotic romance for Siren Publishing. You can read all the first chapters of her books at www.sophieoak.com.
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I keep hearing about your awesome series and keep telling myself that I really need to start reading them. Then, the deadlines make an appearance, and there goes the thought of reading for pleasure. But I start vacation this afternoon. Yes, I have 4 hours of work this morning and then I’m off for two weeks!!!!! I checked my review schedule yesterday and I have one book left to review that is due during that time. I already started reading it and should be done today or tomorrow. I think I’m actually going to get to relax and read for fun on my vacation……that is between hiking, checking out Niagra Falls, camping and hanging out with friends.
Can’t wait to start one of these series or maybe both depending on how the book budget is holding up.
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Great post! Sophie, you are a new author to me, but your stories sound interesting. I will have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing how you got these series started.
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Well – I for one am glad that they keeping talking to you! I love your books and the characters you have created. You keep writing them, and I’ll keep reading ’em. All of them…
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Sophie, Well I for one am glad that your characters are whispering to you. Thank you for delivery us awesome series.
Honestly, a year ago I never heard of you. In one year you have jumped to the top of my list of “authors autobuy”
Congrats on your success!
MichelleKCanada @AnotherLookBook
anotherlookbookreviews.blogspot.com
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Not “maybe” Bo. He needs someone. He’s too sweet to be alone.
And we can’t forget Chris from Away From Me….https://www.delilahdevlin.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif
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i know just how you feel. i am writing my 1st and i already have story lines for the next 3 because the characters just won’t leave me alone about who needs a story told. i am hoping they’ll be patient enough to wait until i finish this one before they drive me to start the next. LOL.
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I like family related books; they still have individual stories but you re-visit with old friends.
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I am absolutely in love with all of Sophie Oak’s characters! I’m so happy that you are still writing for the series. I NEVER want it to end! 🙂
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I always wondered how authors let go. I mean, you build whole worlds and then you have to just dump them and move on to something else.
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Thanks, guys. It really does feel like my world and I want everyone to get their happy ending!
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i love series. you keep writing. i love when i new story in the series comes out because the “story itself” is never done. even the smallest character i want a story for. im a romance sucker…i want everyone to have a happy ending. 🙂 thank you!
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All right…..I did it. I bought the first book in the Texas series….finished it…..bought the second….half through it. I can already see that I’m going to so blow my budget while on vacation. Thanks, I think.