How many of you are familiar with Allison Brennan? I know a few of you *looks at B.E.* are. I started reading Allison’s books about the time she released her Seven Deadly Sins series and then stayed when she launched the Lucy Kincaid series. She writes dark suspense with romance and is an award-winning NYT best seller. She’s also a friend of mine and I can say without reservation one of the most awesome people I’ve met.

I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes. Okay, a lot slow. I didn’t realize Allison’s earlier series/trilogies were all linked. They share events and characters and keep building on the previous books. How did I not realize this until now?!!? *headdesk* Needless to say, I’m backtracking and working my way through her list because those books are damn fine examples of the genre.

As I mentioned yesterday, when I first wrote BLOOD MOON, I wasn’t anticipating the Moonstruck series. Until I started writing it. On the other hand, when I started SEASON OF THE WITCH (coming this fall), I foresaw at least four books–Sade’s, Caleb’s, Ariel’s, and Roman’s. After working with my agent, we developed the series to include at least ten titles. And I realized I needed to learn how to create a series bible ASAP! 😛 That’s another post…maybe next week.

Anyway, back to Allison. Once I realized characters, relationships, and events mentioned in the Lucy Kincaid books had their roots in previous books, I went back to catch up. Prowling around Alli’s website to find info (reading order), I came across three .pdfs. Since I don’t have her permission to put the info here, I’m sending you to check out the link: ALLISON’S CHARACTER LIST. Take a moment and go look at it. Look at the progression of the characters from book to book. Now go look at the PLOT SUMMARIES. See how the plots progress along with the introduction of the characters? Damn. It’s masterful. I bow down to Allison’s expertise. Note that she writes in threes–trilogies. Except for Lucy. There are be six Lucy books, a couple of novellas, and more books coming in that series.

All of this said, I have no idea if Allison set out do things this way. I wouldn’t be surprised because she is that organized. On the other hand, I sort of hope that as she introduced a character, something triggered in her imagination and she made note of it for use at a future date. And boy howdy did she! The integration of the books is seamless. I want to be *this* when I grow up as a writer. 😆

I don’t really have much to say in way of summation. I’m just fascinated by the whole idea. I hope to see Alli at RWA Nationals. Maybe I’ll get the chance to ask her. I can also see that this series about series needs to be a series! I need to talk about pre-planning. And series bibles. And overlapping characters and…and…BLOG TOPICS! Speaking of which, I had the second installment of my bucket list scheduled for today. It’ll post tomorrow now, if you’re intersted. Have a great weekend, everyone! Who’s doing something fun? Me? I’ll be reading the rest of Allison’s books! (And fighting the temptation to write a bit of fanfiction about one of her characters, Kane Rogan. Oh, dude! I want your book!!! And I know just how I’d “set” you up!)