When I sold my first manuscript back in July 2004, I never expected that single book to morph overnight into a trilogy—and not just a trilogy, but a back-to-back trilogy! Not only did my editor love the original story, she loved the secondary characters as well—wisely knowing my readers would want more than one serving of the Brantford twins and Adrian’s irrepressible brother, Kit. It was with excited pleasure that I wrote those first three books. It was with grateful delight that I watched The Husband Trap go on to win the RITA® for Best First Book—the highest writing award granted by The Romance Writers’ of America.
When it came time to negotiate my next contract, my editor said she wanted another back-to-back trilogy. I was thrilled to comply, penning my new Mistress Trilogy, which revolves around three women of the Ton who find themselves lead astray by the conviction of their own independent spirits and their passion for the rakish men they cannot resist.
Released last month on October 30th, My Fair Mistress is set in 1812 London and tells the story of young, aristocratic widow, Julianna Hawthorne, and darkly handsome Rafe Pendragon, the financier to whom her brother is deeply in debt. Julianna seeks out Rafe, intending to ask the dangerous, sexy businessman, known as ‘The Dragon,’ to accept an alternate form of payment, hoping he will be satisfied with jewelry and paintings. Instead, he tells her the only thing of value he wants is her as his mistress for six months! One of the things I loved about writing this book was the elemental conflicts of power and sacrifice as well the chance to explore the lengths to which people will go to protect and cherish those they love.
Similar themes and lots of good, sexy fun continue in the second two novels. In The Accidental Mistress (available November 27) Lily Bainbridge stages her own death in order to flee an arranged marriage, then assumes the guise of an independent London widow. But when dangerously attractive rake, Ethan Andarton, Marquis of Vessey, decides to make her his mistress, her passion for him just may prove impossible to resist. And in His Favorite Mistress (available December 26) debonair bachelor Tony Black, Duke of Wyvern, finds himself entangled in a sensual battle of wills with vivacious Gabriella St. George, the daughter of Rafe’s most hated enemy. Soon Gabriella wants Tony’s love, but will passion be enough to melt his icy heart or will he make the biggest mistake of his life and let her go?
Having written two back-to-back trilogies–back-to-back as it were–I find myself contemplating my next books and wondering what it is that makes trilogies so special and so accessible. In art and life, there is a mystique to the triad, to the three, that resonates with artists and writers and those who appreciate their work. And while trilogies can be self-contained, they can also evolve into the first three installments of a continuing series.
What do you like best? Self-contained trilogies or a continuing series that can presumably go on and on so long as the author keeps writing new, exciting tales? Do you like to stay in the same fictional world for a long time? Or branch out and try continually new and different groups of characters?
Posted in Guest Blogger, W - Z Authors
I really like being able to “visit” family and friends. It’s like coming home.
