In 2005 my book, CRIME SCENE AT CARDWELL RANCH, came out. Through some good luck, two million of the books ended up in a giveaway promotion.
All good stuff. Then I started hearing from readers. They wanted to know what happened to the other characters in that book. I called my editor and said the word, sequel.
When I wrote JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH, I told my editor that I tied up all the loose ends. I was so proud of myself.
That’s when my editor told me that they wanted more Cardwell Ranch books.
Huh?
But there was no one to write about.
As it turns out, there was.
The first of five Cardwell Ranch Cousins book will be out Nov. 1. CHRISTMAS AT CARDWELL RANCH introduces Tanner “Tag” Cardwe
ll, a cousin to the heroine in Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch. He and his brothers were raised in Texas after his parents split up. The brothers started Texas Boys Barbecue in an old house in Houston. That business has now grown into a major corporation and now the first Montana restaurant will be opening in Big Sky in 2014.
As the cousins find their way back to the state where they were born, they discover not only the family they never knew, but love and all kinds of danger under the big sky.
And I learned not to kill everyone. You never know when that stand-alone book will become a series.
USA Today Bestselling author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three Springer Spaniels, Spot, Jem and Ace. She writes for both Harlequin Intrigue and HQN. When she isn’t writing, she snowboards, waterskis, camps, fishes, quilts and plays tennis.
Congratulations on the success of the series! I agree with the “never say never” advice for writers. I remember when one of my favorite suspense writers, Patricia Cornwell, killed off one of my favorite characters, I was very upset. Thank goodness she figured out a creative way to bring the character back.
LOL Laura. Yep, killing off a favorite character…well, you’d better have a way to bring her/him back. Look how they have done this for years in TV Soaps. Some of the ways they brought back the dead tho reminded me of Pet Cemetary. 🙂
I love the series, started reading your first book and always kept looking for another book. I was hooked from the first book! I love your books!
Carole, thank you so much! I’m delighted the series has worked out. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I am a huge fan of series. But I am always curious as to whether an author knows when to stop or keep going. But it can be equally frustrating for the readers. I was a huge fan of the contemporary series that Suzanne Enoch did (The Burgular and the Billionaire) . She changed publishers and the new company was not interested in that series.( Or at least that was the impression I got). J.R. Ward wrote category romance as Jessica Bird. There was supposed to be 2 more books about a group of brothers. That was 6-7 years ago. Sometimes readers just have to accept that when it is over it is over.
Renee, you bring up a great question. Often times stopping a series has nothing to do with what readers want.
I have wondered when to stop a series, as well. I would hate to leave any loose ends.
I love your books! As soon as one of your books comes out, I’ve got it. I can’t wait to read the next in the series to see what new surprises you have in store for us.
Linda, thank you so much. I’m so glad you like the surprises. I do too since I don’t ever know what is going to happen. 🙂
lol, I learned not to kill everyone too B.J.!
It is such simple advice huh. 🙂
Learning not to kill everyone is a good lesson. 🙂 Congrats on the new series.