Thursday, May 3, 2018

Keeping My Coconuts Series Fresh


Readers and reviewers are happily writing rave reviews for CHAOS AT COCONUTS, Book 2, in my Coconuts series which all began with double award-winning THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS. Trust me, authors hold their collective breaths when their book babies enter the world. We never know how they'll be received, so I'm breathing a little easier now.

As I endeavor to pen Books 3, 4, (and probably 5), I continually strive to keep the characters fresh, engaging, intriguing, and compelling.

As background, my main POV characters are three thirty-something best friends since high school. Suzy’s a newly married wedding planner who creates fun, themed weddings; Hope is a high school guidance counselor who deals with both at-risk and honor students; and Alex is a bank marketer who dates a sexy bad-boy cop. The threesome enjoy Happy Hour at their oasis, Coconuts, an island-themed bar, in land-locked Crystal City. 

Secondary characters such as neurotic brides, an intern from hell, crazy exes, and hippies create gleeful havoc along the way.

In CHAOS AT COCONUTS, I introduced a newcomer, Cheri Van Buren, a wealthy New York socialite and celebrity chef. You’ll have to read my novel to see why she makes a splashy visit to Coconuts. At first, Suzy, Alex, and Hope aren’t too keen about having a beautiful, filthy rich woman as competition, and they may or may not befriend the stranger.

I also introduced Izzy, a lazy, disrespectful teen stepdaughter for Suzy, who her new husband forgot to mention during his whirlwind proposal!

Alex is dealt a job-stealing marketing intern and stalker ex-wife who both unleash mayhem.

Hope has a couple of major issues to deal with at Hilltop High. One is a spoiler and the other is a devastating tornado. This was my first attempt at a tornado scene and it wasn’t easy. The fact that I’m from Missouri and saw the destruction after an EF5 tornado made this a bit easier to construct but still gut wrenching, even if on paper.

Here are some tips I used to keep my series fresh:
  • ·         I added several new characters.
  • ·        Characters are from other states with unique professions and vastly different backgrounds.
  • ·        A monster tornado barrels toward the high school.
  • ·        There are two very different weddings for two totally opposite couples.
  • ·        Bits of backstory was added (mainly using dialogue).
  • ·        Plenty of plot twists with old and new characters is guaranteed!
  • ·        The unique “flavor” of the island bar, Coconuts, remains the same.
  • ·        There's plenty of humor, suspense, and romance like the first novel in the series.
  • ·        Both novels may be read as a standalone.
  • ·        The same font was used on the cover for branding purposes.
Want to read the blurb? Here it is:

To most, Coconuts is simply a bar. But for three best friends, it’s their oasis. That is, until everything comes crashing down.

Socialite Cheri Van Buren makes a splashy, paparazzi-filled visit to Coconuts. Secretly dabbling in disastrous online dating, the wealthy caterer desires normalcy away from the society pages. A few girlfriends would be nice too.

Hope’s life is routine, if not dull. The most exciting part of her day is counseling students until a monster tornado heads toward Hilltop High. Now she’s in shock—and not just from the devastating twister.

Alex oversees a marketing intern from hell who appears intent on stealing her job. Her relationship with her sexy cop boyfriend isn’t so sexy, especially after his ex-wife stalks her.

Suzy’s new marriage is challenged by her surly teen stepdaughter, a unique Halloween wedding, and her son’s ever-changing nuptials. If that isn’t enough, the family discovers an astonishing revelation requiring a giant leap of faith.

Will the women overcome the chaos or will it tear them apart?

Amazon buy link: https://www.tinyurl.com/chaosatcoconuts
 
Do you prefer books in a series? I also write standalone novels and novellas.  I’d love to hear from you!