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May 27, 2011

Writing the Paranormal Series Arc with Rosalie Lario

Today, I’d like to welcome author, Rosalie Lario. She’s celebrating the release of a new paranormal romance called For Love of An Angel. Today Rosalie is talking about story arcs, and I’m really looking forward to your comments. Over to Rosalie…

First off, I’d like to say thanks, Shelley, for having me here today!

For Love of An AngelHave you ever read a series with a continuing story arc? I’m not talking about cliff-hanger endings, but an overall storyline that pulled you forward from one book to the next. That’s what I aimed for when starting my new paranormal romance series, The Fallen Warriors.

My series features angels, but not in the biblical sense. Rather than servants of Heaven, the angels on my world are a race of beings from an alternate dimension. They are forced into our world when the walls between the dimensions collapse. Once the angels realize they are forever stuck here, they convince humans to allow them to rule over Earth in exchange for peace and security…the ultimate utopia. But in reality, their designs on Earth are far more sinister.

The heroes of my series are a group of angels who seek to protect humankind. Because of this they have been cast out of their society and condemned to die. They are Fallen.

The Fallen are determined to stop the other angels from eradicating humankind, and this is the series arc that pulls each story forward. I knew I wouldn’t be able to resolve this huge plot point in one, or even three, novellas, so the entire series revolves around the Fallens’ attempts to protect humans. Ultimately , it will culminate in war against the angels.

Each of my novellas is a complete story featuring a Fallen finding and wooing his mate in the midst of the group’s preparation for battle. Read on for more about For Love of an Angel, Book 1 of The Fallen Warriors Series:

Blurb:

In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.

They are The Fallen…

Michael is one of twelve angels who have been outcast due to their determination to protect humankind. In order to preserve his immortality and strength, he must find a mate with angel blood. Eva Smyth has never believed the propaganda spouted by the Consortium—the elite system of guards put into place once angels took over reign of Earth—but she never expected to learn the angels plan to eradicate all of humankind, or that she herself is part angel. Joining Michael means living a life on the run, at war against the angels and hunted by the Consortium. Eva must decide whether to risk it all…for love of an angel.

You can read the first chapter of For Love of an Angel here

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So I’d love to know, do you enjoy stories with continuing series arcs?

Rosalie Lario practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself that negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. As an avid reader of romances and supernatural stories, she knew she wanted to write paranormal romance.

When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son in their home state of Florida, as well as searching out things that go bump in the night. She still hasn’t found any proof of the supernatural, but she’s keeping her fingers crossed.

13 Comments

  1. Julia Rachel Barrett

    I think the concept is great. Very unique. Once I’m in a world, I do like to read more about that world – with new characters facing different challenges. Rather than cliffhangers, I do prefer a series where each book can stand alone.

  2. Rosalie Lario

    Thanks Shelley, for having me here today.

    I agree, Julia. While I do enjoy an overarching story arc in a series, cliffhangers make me twitchy.

  3. Rebecca Zanetti

    All of my favorite books are part of a continuing series. :) As a reader, I get attached to the characters and want to keep knowing about them. I do understand that at some point, the series must conclude…but that’s after everyone gets a story.

    Great blog post!

  4. Cathy Yardley

    I love the sound of this! Great blog post. I’m definitely going to check it out.

  5. Melissa Jarvis

    Most of my favorite books are part of a series, some with cliffhangers, and some where the entire story resolves, but the theme continues. I tend to write that way, because I love to world build. Part of the sci-fi fantasy background! I love how you’ve twisted the idea of “fallen angels.”

  6. Rosalie Lario

    Rebecca, I wholeheartedly agree. As a reader it’s so much fun to read about characters I already know and love. It makes the story that much more personal. And as an author, I find it easier to write characters after I’ve had some time to get to know them better. :grin:

    Thanks, Cathy!

    Melissa, thank you. I love the worldbuilding too, and it’s so much fun to be able to continue one main story theme while wrapping up individual plot lines.

  7. Shelley Munro

    Rosalie, you’re very welcome! Great post.

    I think paranormal series, in particular, lend themselves to an overriding story arc because they’re set in rich worlds with lots of conflict. I also like seeing the main characters grow as the story arc progresses. I dislike cliffhangers big time. TV shows I can deal with but not books.

    I think Nalini Singh is doing a great job with her Psy series. She has different characters for each book.

    Or, in urban fantasy series like Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels for example, you get the same character and gradually learn more about them, their current problem always impacting on the story arc.

    Good luck with your warrior angels. They sound great!

  8. Rosalie Lario

    My personal favorite is Jeaniene Frost. After 5 books I’m so familiar with the characters, and I love them all.

    Thanks Shelley! :mrgreen:

  9. sherry

    I love books in a series. You get to follow characters’s lives like on a beloved soap opera or favorite TV show series. :-)

  10. Nancy J. Cohen

    I like series, to read and to write. I’ve written two books in a proposed paranormal series, so I know exactly what you mean. I have an overall series arc, but each book features on a hero/heroine pair who are destined to meet. The first book takes an incredible amount of world building. I just blogged about laying the groundwork for a series myself. Good luck with your releases. Sounds like a great concept! I like that the heroes are the “Fallen” this time.

  11. Rosalie Lario

    So true, Sherry!

    I checked out your post, Nancy. It was a great guide for any writer thinking of writing a series!

  12. Mary Kirkland

    I love series, it lets us get to know the characters more and lets some of the secondary characters come to life for us. I’ve been hooked on Christine Feehan’s dark Series for years.

    If it’s a good series I’ll buy every one that comes out and wish they came out faster than they do. lol

  13. Sandra Cox

    Sounds like a wonderful series.