Readers and reviewers are happily writing rave reviews for CHAOS AT COCONUTS, Book 2, in my
Coconuts series which all began with double award-winning THURSDAYS AT
COCONUTS. Trust me, authors hold their collective breaths when their book babies enter the world. We never know how they'll be received, so I'm breathing a little easier now.
As I endeavor to pen Books 3, 4, (and probably 5), I continually strive to keep the characters fresh, engaging, intriguing, and
compelling.
As background, my main POV characters are three
thirty-something best friends since high school. Suzy’s a newly married wedding planner who creates fun, themed weddings; Hope
is a high school guidance counselor who deals with both at-risk and honor students; and Alex is a bank marketer who dates a sexy bad-boy cop. The threesome
enjoy Happy Hour at their oasis, Coconuts, an island-themed bar, in land-locked
Crystal City.
Secondary characters such as neurotic brides,
an intern from hell, crazy exes, and hippies create gleeful havoc along the way.
In CHAOS AT COCONUTS, I introduced a newcomer, Cheri Van
Buren, a wealthy New York socialite and celebrity chef. You’ll have to
read my novel to see why she makes a splashy visit to Coconuts. At first, Suzy,
Alex, and Hope aren’t too keen about having a beautiful, filthy rich woman as
competition, and they may or may not befriend the stranger.
I also introduced Izzy, a lazy, disrespectful teen
stepdaughter for Suzy, who her new husband forgot to mention during his
whirlwind proposal!
Alex is dealt a job-stealing marketing intern and stalker ex-wife who
both unleash mayhem.
Hope has a couple of major issues to deal with at Hilltop
High. One is a spoiler and the other is a devastating tornado. This was my
first attempt at a tornado scene and it wasn’t easy. The fact that I’m from Missouri
and saw the destruction after an EF5 tornado made this a bit easier to
construct but still gut wrenching, even if on paper.
Here are some tips I used to keep my series fresh:
- · I added several new characters.
- · Characters are from other states with unique
professions and vastly different backgrounds.
- · A monster tornado barrels toward the high school.
- · There are two very different weddings for two
totally opposite couples.
- · Bits of backstory was added (mainly using
dialogue).
- · Plenty of plot twists with old and
new characters is guaranteed!
- · The unique “flavor” of the island bar, Coconuts, remains the same.
- · There's plenty of humor, suspense, and
romance like the first novel in the series.
- · Both novels may be read as a
standalone.
- · The same font was used on the cover for branding purposes.
Want to read the blurb? Here it is:
To most, Coconuts is simply a bar. But for three best friends,
it’s their oasis. That is, until everything comes crashing down.
Socialite
Cheri Van Buren makes a splashy, paparazzi-filled visit to Coconuts. Secretly
dabbling in disastrous online dating, the wealthy caterer desires normalcy away
from the society pages. A few girlfriends would be nice too.
Hope’s life is routine, if not dull. The most exciting part of
her day is counseling students until a monster tornado heads toward Hilltop
High. Now she’s in shock—and not just from the devastating twister.
Alex oversees a marketing intern from hell who appears intent on
stealing her job. Her relationship with her sexy cop boyfriend isn’t so sexy,
especially after his ex-wife stalks her.
Suzy’s new marriage is challenged by her surly teen
stepdaughter, a unique Halloween wedding, and her son’s ever-changing nuptials.
If that isn’t enough, the family discovers an astonishing revelation requiring
a giant leap of faith.
Will the women overcome the chaos or will it tear them apart?
Amazon buy link: https://www.tinyurl.com/chaosatcoconuts
Do
you prefer books in a series? I also write standalone novels and novellas. I’d love to hear from you!
