Readers often ask me about future books, particularly whether or not favorite secondary characters will get their own story. So here's what's percolating with the muse and a few tidbits about some of the characters in the front-running for their own stories (but that doesn't mean this list is exhaustive!):
Knights of the Board Room series:
With the release of Ben's story, Hostile Takeover, in January 2012, we've completed our stories where the "Knights" are the main protagonists. However, a couple of intriguing side characters from Afterlife, Leland and Max, may also get their chosen ladies. Whether we'll dovetail them into the Nature of Desire series, or keep them under KOBR, their stories should be a pleasure to write. It's looking like Janet, Matt's imperious admin, might be the best matchup for Max, the quiet and mysterious limo driver who was a Navy Seal, but we'll see what the muse ultimately decides! Leland's heroine is still standing in the wings, but I keep coming back to Ellen of Rough Canvas (see below).
Rough Canvas brought us Julie, a close friend of Marcus and Thomas. Since she’s in her late thirties and has pretty much given up on finding a good relationship, she’s told Marcus that she’d just rather hang around with gorgeous gay men, flirt with and fantasize about them, than be let down by a flesh and blood hetero male. I'm waiting for the muse to give me the hero that will change her mind about that. Whenever that happens, you know Marcus and Thomas will be there, protecting her interests and checking this guy out thoroughly. I also expect additional secondary characters from that work - Rory and Daralyn, as well as Ellen - to possibly get their own books.
The publisher has contracted for two new vampire books in 2012! The muse hasn't completely made up her mind yet, but here's where I'm thinking we're going to go:
The muse is very interested in a ménage a trois story involving Niall and Evan from Beloved Vampire, and Alanna from Vampire Trinity. These three were secondary characters in those books. Alanna is what they call an Inherited Servant, which means she was raised from birth with the intent of being assigned to a vampire. Her master in VT was a pretty awful vampire, and we were left with the impression she might be killed by him. He escaped Council's wrath before accomplishing that (sort of), so now she's an abandoned servant with a Master who is still linked to her mind. The Council has to figure out what to do with her, because no vampire would normally want a servant in that situation. That's where our two heroes enter the picture.
Evan agrees to shelter her in his home. He and Niall have been together for some time (I may get to delve into a little bit of Brit/Scots history on this one, which should be fun). Though Master and servant, they aren’t as intimate as they could be with a woman in the mix. Alanna is emotionally shut down due to her master’s betrayal and her training as an Inherited Servant. They have to help her become a person again, and in doing that it opens all three of them to possibilities.
The other one also has an Inherited Servant twist, and returns to two secondary characters we met in Vampire’s Claim, Alistair and Nina. Nina's sister was being groomed to be an Inherited Servant, but on the eve of that initiation, she's killed. The family must provide a replacement and they choose Nina, who has not been introduced to this world at all. Alistair is a made vampire who doesn't really take anything seriously - your ultimate predator playboy, and Nina is assigned to him as servant. So it will be interesting to see how these two come together.
Other future storylines for the series:
The response to Mason and Jessica of Beloved Vampire was so strong, that it's possible they'll have another story line sometime in the future. The seed for a second book was suggested on the fan forum and the idea took off in my head, a good indication that the muse would like to sink her teeth into it at some point, so we'll see what happens with upcoming deadlines.
Now, a LOT of folks ask about Lord Brian and his servant Debra, who have showed up as secondary characters throughout the series. So far, the muse hasn't given me anything that could be a standalone storyline for them, but I never say never. When I get breathing room, the muse has been known to zap me out of left field with a fully fleshed story concept (bless her!). If that never happens for Brian and Debra, however, I expect that we'll either get puzzle pieces of their relationship through the glimpses we're given of them throughout the series, or I'll do a comprehensive vignette for the fan forum sometime in the future that draws all those loose ends together. So, somehow, some way, you will eventually get their story!
Finally, another book about Daegan, Anwyn and Gideon from Vampire Trinity is a possibility, so there's plenty to keep me busy with respect to the vampires.
On Hiatus...
A Mermaid's Ransom introduced Clara, Alexis's best friend. She has her eye on the brooding Dark Legion captain, Marcellus, and he's going to find himself reluctantly assigned as her guardian angel. Don't know when this work will be scheduled; right now Berkley hasn't scheduled any future books for this series, but we'll see how things look going forward. Their decision on this is based on sales, so if you love the Daughters of Arianne series, just keep spreading the word! A Mermaid's Kiss will be re-released in mass-market format December 4, 2012, to spur further interest in the series with this less expensive print/digital format, so it's a great time for readers new to the series to give it a try.
Final Notes…
I have a couple non-series titles percolating in my head as well, so right now it appears I've enough to hold me for the next couple decades (laughter). But as you can tell, priorities are always shuffling. I'll keep you posted on everything as it develops!
