Keeping My Coconuts Series Fresh

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!

New Release: CHAOS AT COCONUTS

Hi everyone!

I'm thrilled to tell you about my new release, CHAOS AT COCONUTS, which is book 2 in my Coconuts series. Book 1, as most of you know, was double award-winning THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS. Both are romantic women's fiction with plenty of humor and suspense.

Without further ado, here's my cover and an Amazon pre-order link. I'd greatly appreciate pre-orders. My release date is April 11.

I think you'll enjoy catching up with Suzy, Alex, and Hope again, as well as meet the wealthy socialite, Cheri Van Buren. I had great fun creating havoc--and satisfaction--for  them. *evil author laugh*

Amazon pre-order link: https://tinyurl.com/chaosatcoconuts

RAVEN Award - Favorite Contemporary Runner-up

Boy, am I behind. Since receiving runner up in the "Favorite contemporary" category for SLEEPING WITH ELVIS, I've attended two major conferences and just realized I hadn't updated my blog.

A big thank you to UnCaged Book Reviews for nominating SLEEPING WITH ELVIS based on reviews and to the readers who voted for me. It was a huge honor to be named runner up. See my pretty badge?

 Have you read SLEEPING WITH ELVIS? It's set on charming, secluded Key Lime Island and my hero is an Elvis impersonator who happens to have a cursing parrot (with impeccable timing!) I always infuse plenty of humor and suspense, along with romance, of course!


As background, my mother loved the King and so did I. I've been to Graceland twice and even saw Elvis perform when I was a teen. It was a thrill. Sadly, he died two months later. I've also watched several Elvis impersonators/tribute artists. While watching one perform in Florida, I had a light bulb moment and SLEEPING WITH ELVIS was born.

Below are my cover, tagline, and Amazon buy link. Thank you for your support!

A dream vacation turns deadly. A hunky Elvis impersonator is on the island. Pepper is stranded, 

her rogue boyfriend is irate, and the parrot curses. 

Now what?

Amazon buy link:

http://tinyurl.com/j494bdn

SLEEPING WITH ELVIS Memes

I'm enjoying the positive reviews for my newest contemporary romance novel, SLEEPING WITH ELVIS. Thank you. I thought it would be fun to share a few memes that illustrate the romance, humor, and adventure. Aren't memes fun? Happy reading!

New Release & Cast of Characters

I'm thrilled to announce my new contemporary romance, SLEEPING WITH ELVIS, releases on August 10! My novel is a romance (of course!) and also has strong suspenseful scenes as well as plenty of comedy. I'm a genre straddler, what can I say?

Check out my cover reveal:

The cover captures the wonder my main character, Pepper, feels as she enjoys her first taste of an exciting beach vacation--a far cry from her shabby trailer in Arkansas. But she had better enjoy the serenity now because, well, you’ll just have to read it and find out!

An enticing novel plot isn’t anything without a diverse cast of characters to keep readers turning the  pages. It takes a while for characters to develop fully (maybe ten edits will do it!) After much work and a gazillion tweaks, I am in LOVE with my characters! Well, not Derek. He’s a jerk but we have to have a villain to cause mayhem, right? Plus, they're fun to create.

I’ve fallen for my main character, Ty, the Elvis impersonator, but also have a sweet spot for the elderly veteran, George. Ty makes me swoon and George makes me cry. And the cursing parrot? Come on. Now, I want to get one! Meet them:

Pepper – She lives with her crappy boyfriend in as shabby trailer in Nowhere, Arkansas. They saved all year for a fabulous vacation to Key Lime Island but she just lost her job as a daycare worker. She’s going anyway. Money problems, fears of flying, and boating be damned.

Derek – Pepper’s nasty, cheating, controlling boyfriend. Little does he know she plans to break up with him the second the vacation is over. But he doesn’t go away easily–Not. At. All.

Ty Townsend – A drop-dead gorgeous Elvis impersonator who has unplugged on Key Lime Island to escape social media trolls after he messed up the King’s lyrics (twice!) He rethinks his unique profession and enjoys downtime, until he discovers a woman lost in more ways than one.

Saylor – Ty’s cursing African Grey parrot who is entertaining, albeit with a serious potty mouth (thus, her name!)

Captain Dan – The leathered, tough-talking, big-bellied captain of their charter, Reel Time.

Mia – The captain’s efficient, lovely first mate for the excursion to Key Lime island.

Frank – Ty’s gold-chain-wearing, no-nonsense manager who wants his entertainer back on the stage.

George – A retired psychiatrist and Air Force Veteran who has sadness of his own but becomes Pepper’s hero.

Stephanie Silk – A porn star who creates havoc.

Of course, there are many more secondary characters who play interesting roles but the characters listed above are my main cast. When I write, I envision an actual play or movie in an effort to bring my characters to life.

Please follow my Amazon author page so you’ll know when SLEEPING WITH ELVIS goes live! http://www.amazon.com/author/bethcarter

For now, I’m deep into final edits. Stay tuned for a launch party in mid-August! Back to the hamster cage… Elvis has left the blog.