Right now, I’m deadlined out. In the past few weeks I’ve delivered a manuscript, wrestled with revisions…and right now I’m completing art fact sheets. But after deadlines I always get an urge to read…it’s like a craving for chocolate.
I love continuities! As a reader I’ve always been addicted to these series where you get to stay in a new world with a host of characters who you grow to know really well. Each book explores the developing romance of one of those characters…but the setting and central events stay constant. Continuities can revolve around a dynastic family, a quest, a landmark place, a business venture…there are so many variables.

I loved Silhouette Desire’s THE ASHTONS about a family in the wine industry. Then there was THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, 12 books from IM, that I devoured every month. MONTANA MAVERICKS has always been a personal favourite. There was another DESIRE continuityTEXAS CATTELMEN…I think it was called…that had wonderful strong, heroic Texans. And I loved MILLIONAIRE OF THE MONTH featuring 6 millionaires in Tahoe. Blaze put its own spin on continuities; DO NOT DISTURB, set in Hush Hotel, simply sizzled! I loved Intrigue’s MORIAH’S LANDING with was creepy and a bit gothic…and how I wished there had been more than 4 books. And ATHENA FORCE from the much-loved Bombshell line, featuring kick-ass women who got their man—the good guy and the bad guy. Gosh, there are so many, I could go on and on all day…

Being involved with the DIAMONDS DOWNUNDER continuity gave me a whole new perspective of continuities…how much work and research and planning goes into making them flow seamlessly one book into the next. If you haven’t seen the website connected to the books, you can find it here. And there’s a diamond pendant valued at $350.00 to win.

So which continuity will be next? Right now there’s a new continuity from Harlequin Romance called THE WEDDING PLANNERS which kicks off in April with Sweetheart Lost and Found—and there’s a blog. It’s fascinating! I can’t wait to read the stories. And Harlequin NASCAR have a 12 books continuity out right now too, I’ve just read Abby Gaines’ fabulous Fully Engaged. Then I’ve collected THE GARRISONS. And hmm…I’ve hoarded (unread as yet, like chocolate in a secret place) THE MADONNA KEY…7 Bombshell books. That’s going to be fantastic.

What I love most about continuities is that when I finish reading a book, I know it’s not goodbye…yet…there will be another to read. And that’s pretty satisfying to that part in me that wants to know MORE about these characters who have become dear to me and the world they live in. What saddens me about continuities is reading the last paragraph of the last book and coming to THE END.

Which continuities have you loved? And share what made it so special for you?

Tessa