Guest Author: Jess Granger

I'm delighted to host Jess Granger on the blog today.

As I mentioned in Friday's Book Club post, I read Jess Granger's Beyond the Rain while traveling. I absolutely loved it - the world was complex and intriguing, the characters beautifully realized, and the story just sucked me in and didn't let go. It's a book I highly recommend. Follow this link if you'd like to read an excerpt.

Please give Jess a warm welcome everyone!

The Joy of a Good Series

Hi everyone,

I am so thrilled to be here on Nalini’s blog. I’ve got a confession. I’m hugely addicted to the Psy/Changeling series. I think my addiction is getting a little out of hand. I picked up BONDS OF JUSTICE at the Berkley Book Signing at the RWA National convention, and by the end of the day, I was on chapter seven. The next morning instead of getting out of bed at the alarm and taking a shower so I could meet my editor, I picked up the book.

A half an hour later, my booty was numb from sitting on the floor of the bathroom so the light wouldn’t bother my roommate, and I still hadn’t gotten my shower. I knew I had to put it down. Fifteen minutes later, the shower went right out the window. I’d taken one the night before and my hair looked okay, right?

I rushed out the door, book in hand, only to resume reading as I waited for my editor by the fountain. That’s addiction.

So why am I so addicted? I think it’s in the nature of a series. (Or it could just be Nalini.)

The thing I love about series is that they give an author room to get complicated. In romance, so much of the arc of the story is rightly filled by the romance. A series gives an author room to flesh out the background and give you more of the world.

I had so much fun returning to Azra for BEYOND THE SHADOWS.

Here’s the blurb:

His renegade wit. Her rigid code of honor. And a betrayal so deep it could tear their world apart.

Commander Yara knows perfect leadership requires perfect control and discipline. She has spent years living without the distraction of caring for anything—or anyone. It’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make. Yara has honed herself into the perfect heir to the Azralen throne, but a bloody coup could destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. She must return home to prevent war. Unfortunately the only ship available belongs to an Earthlen trader with no regard for authority—especially hers.

Cyn is a rebel, driven to protect those suffering at the hands of the Elite leaders of Azra. Using his alias to manipulate the lovely but icy commander onto his ship, he has to keep her from Azra long enough to ignite the revolution. But when he awakens a vibrant and feeling woman beneath that icy exterior, he gets more than he bargained for—love. He must find a way to convince Yara to join him, before they get caught in a web of deception that could tear their world apart.

In the first book, I didn’t have much time to go into detail about the hows and whys of Azralen culture. I was able to explore the nature of Azra in greater depth in the second book. It was fun, and I find I still have more I’d like to reveal if the publishing gods let me.

So I’m afraid I’m always going to be a series reader. I’m already looking forward to Nalini’s next book. I can’t wait to see what happens. What about you guys? What are some of your favorite series? Happy reading! Jess Granger

Links:
http://www.jessgranger.com
http://www.jessgranger.com/books/beyondtheshadows

Nalini: As I was at the RWA Conference, I was able to stalk meet Jess in person. Here's a photo from the night of the RITA Ceremony (Angie Fox, Jess & Me).

Now, let's talk series! As you might guess, I adore them :)