by Miranda Neville

It seems like an age since I blogged at The Season for Romance about The Wild Marquis, the first book in the Burgundy Club series. Now, just over two years later, the fourth and final book is out.  Minerva and Blake, the couple in Confessions from an Arranged Marriage, weren’t even a gleam in my eye when I conceived the Burgundy Club. They appeared as secondary characters in book 2, The Dangerous Viscount, and instantly struck sparks, though not in a particularly good way. So naturally I decided they were made for each other and set out to figure out why!

I’m sad saying goodbye to a group of characters I’ve lived with so long, but I was also ready to make the break. I’m now happily involved with a new group of a hot men and strong women whom I hope readers will love as much as I do.

Some series end, some don’t, and some should. Leaving aside books, I thought of Star Wars. I love the “first” trilogy. I’ve seen each of those movies a dozen times and always have a blast. I’m sitting at my computer now and savoring some favorite moments: the bar scene; the collapsing garbage dump; Leia telling Luke he’s awfully short for a star trooper; just about any scene with Yoda in it; Han frozen in a block of carbon (sob). And, for us romance aficionados, Han Solo and Princess Leia as the ultimate bantering couple.

And then they had to go and ruin it. That prequel trilogy was an abomination that I’d like to erase from my memory cells. (Except for Yoda fighting, which was awesome.)  George Lucas just didn’t know when to say no.

What do you think about series? Do you prefer long or short ones? Or, if you prefer, you can just tell me your favorite bit from Star Wars. One commenter will win the first three Burgundy Club books: The Wild Marquis, The Dangerous Viscount, and The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. (Sorry, due to postage costs this drawing is open to US residents only).

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By Avon Books, Giveaways, Reviews129 Comments on The End of the Series: Win (almost) the whole Burgundy Club

129 Replies to “The End of the Series: Win (almost) the whole Burgundy Club”

  1. I prefer a 3-4 book series after that I feel that authors run out of steam when a series just keeps going and going. From Star Wars — Luke, I am your father! (or something like that)

  2. I think there’s something to be said for both. With shorter series, like trilogies, the pay-off for the reader comes quicker and the story tends to move faster, because there’s only three books to tell the whole thing. But with longer series (5+ books), you get more time to delve into all the little details and really see character development across a larger span of time. Selfishly, though, I tend to prefer shorter series, simply because I’m impatient and hate waiting for the next book!

    The best Star Wars moment: Han is about to be frozen in carbonite and Leia says, “I love you.” And Han (being Han) replies, “I know.”

    1. I like short and long series. I do think a writer needs to be careful not to spend too much time on the former characters. I hate reading a book and thinking I’m missing something because there are all these people (usually with babies!) buzzing around for no particular reason.

      Meredith, you picked the Best Star Wars Moment Evah!!!

  3. I prefer shorter series because my interest wanes. And in several series I can think of right now, I felt the author was also having trouble keeping up her enthusiasm for the story over the arc of the series.

    Best Star Wars moment: The Ewok party!

  4. I prefer short series and by short I mean 3-4 books the most. After that I think an author should introduce their fans to something new. I think there is a kind of excitement/anticipation when you don’t know exactly what to expect since the characters are new.

  6. I prefer series to be 3-4 books, but have read an enjoyed series that are longer, such as Kresley Cole’s IAD Series.
    But if the series is only 3 or 4 books, I can complete it and move on to the next. I don’t feel like I am left hanging or getting lost with where the story is going. I also tend to forget some of the previous stories from other books if it has been years.

    1. I think longer series often work well for paranormals, Tina, because there’s so much world building involved and it can take a long time for the reader to get tired of the world – there’s a hunger for more stories in the setting.

  7. I love series books. It lets us get to know the characters better. I think it’s fine if the series has up to 5-6 books. Once it gets past 10, I think that is too long.
    I have never seen Star Wars. * hangs head in shame*

  8. I love series. As long as the stories are good, I don’t have a limit on how many books that should be in a series.

  9. I like a three book series or even four. I don’t like the really long ones because it gets to the point where I cannot possibly keep up with all the past characters who get mentioned in later books and I am supposed to remember them.

  10. I have a love-hate relationship with series. I love them because it’s always fun to extend the world of pretend that you’ve fallen into. But I also kind of hate them because there is invariably that one stinker–or that book about the random third cousin from America–that falls flat.

    That said, I read Confessions first, and can’t wait to go back and devour the other B Club books, whether I win them or not. ( I hope I win! )

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed Confessions, Jenni, especially since you haven’t read the others. I try not to include other series characters unless they have something to do in the story.

  12. I love series! I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew, Baby-sitters’ Club, Box Car Children, Anne of Green Gables, and Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I still enjoy reading books where the characters live on in their world. I haven’t seen the Star Wars trilogy yet, though you have piqued my curiosity. My favorite movie trilogy is Back to the Future. 😀

    1. Loved Back to the Future! Anne of GG and the Little House books were my favorites growing up and I has a great time reading them to my daughter. What I particularly enjoyed was the way the books grew up with the children, getting more adult as time passed. Actually that is true of the Harry Potter books, also.

  14. I’ve never actually seen the prequel trilogy. I prefer to keep my memories of the original Star Wars trilogy unsullied. After all, it was already a complete story. Why mess it up?

  15. I read both long and short series. My preference is for a 3-5 book series. When series go longer, sometimes authors and readers don’t know how to let go and quality suffers. Much depends on how things are handled and how much of the series is carried over from book to book. It’s better for a long series where each story is a stand alone (like the Nancy Drew books we read as kids.)

    As for the second Star Wars trilogy, am I the only one who thought “Yuck” when the adult Amadala met the child Aniken, knowing how things would turn out?

    1. In romance I think a book has to be able to stand alone. It doesn’t matter so much in other genres. I love the classic Dorothy L. Sayers Peter Wimsey mysteries. Each book stands alone but his romance with Harriet Vane spans several volumes.

  17. I prefer shorter series, no more than four books. The reason? There are so many books that I want to read, I don’t want to get caught up in an extremely long series.

  18. I prefer a short series, but if the characters and writing are very well done then I’ll gladly tolerate a long series for those authors.

  19. I prefer shorter series, as most long ones seem to inevitably drag as they get later in the series. A short series also helps the wallet, lol. That being said, there are series that I never want to end!

  20. I like series books, so I’m not bothered by the quantity. However, I must admit that up to 6 is probably a good length. When it goes past this, some books suffer as you drift away from the main characters or the reader can feel that the writing isn’t fresh anymore.

    As for Star Wars, I completely agree with you: The second batch was so bad, I couldn’t watch them. Nothing beats the original trilogy. Therefore, it’s inexplicable why George Lucas changed the scene between Han Solo and Greedo when he re-released Star Wars. Why tamper with a good movie? I think the best movie in the Star Wars franchise was The Empire Strikes Back.

  21. I like my series short. I also like the thought of your books winging their way to me, Miranda. 🙂

  22. I post prefer series of no more than 5 books. Often find myself losing as much interest around that mark.

    1. I suspect writers feel the same way. I kicked around with a couple of Burgundy Club spin-off characters but decided I was ready for a clean slate. I’m so excited about my new group of characters.

  23. I like any series to stop after book 3. Any longer and the books become dribble and irrelevant like the Authors forget what the wrote in the beginning of the series.

    1. Writing a series is a challenge, Tia. Sometimes you make a secondary character do something in an early book that you really regret when he becomes the hero!

  24. I like both long and short series. I do agree that some series should have stopped while they were ahead but I’m not ready to give up Roarke in Robb’s In Death series! There have been several 3-4 book series where I’ve just cried because I knew I wouldn’t ‘see’ the characters again – but, it was right to end the series.

  25. It depends really. Short 3 or 4 is great but I have read series that are over 10 books now and still loving them! Its all good!

  26. I Love series. i love long series !! they are so Fun to read. I have to say . I havent read any of these books I would Love to start though. 🙂

  27. Love reading your books and I agree with an earlier comment —- LOVE reading books that are in a series.

  28. I prefer 3 – a beginning, middle and and an end lol. It’s just that there are so many good ones out there nowadays that I just can’t keep up and I do hate reading out of order or feeling that I’ve missed something.

  29. I agree with your take on the Star Wars trilogy, George Lucas should have stopped after the first 3. My fav part in the series is when Leia tells Han that she loves him and he says, “I know.” Don’t you just want to thwack him? LOL….or kiss him ;D
    I love your books and really can’t pick a favorite scene because it’s hard not to fall for all your characters. I’ll be sad to see the series come to an end. I look forward to more of your delicious characters in the future.

    1. Thank you, Laura. It’s always a treat to hear from readers who enjoy my books 🙂 That Leia/Han exchange is such a classic. I wish I’d written it.

  30. I prefer shorter series, (no more than 5-6) although i do have a few favorites that are much longer and still have me in their grip!

    Fav Star Wars scene has to be the Yoda fight scene! Not one of my Favorite movies at all, BUT gotta LOVE that scene!! =)

  31. I don’t mind a series that is long. I loved Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series and Christine Feehan’s Dark series is one I just can not seem to get enough of. It really depends on the series, the characters and especially the storyline in whether or not dragging it out will work. Some characters just beg for their own book. As far as Star Wars, I so totally agree with you that George Lucas should have stopped with the original trilogy. My son is a big Star Wars fan (we are talking collecting Star Wars figures, cards and a lot of other things) and even he was disappointed in it. He keeps all his collectinf to only the original series. My favorite scene is in The Empire Strikes Back when Chewbacca is laughing at Han and he tells him “Laugh it up Fuzzball.” I still get a kick out of that scene every time I watch it.

  32. I quite like book series, as it’s nice to follow characters from one book to the next. It also heightens the excitement in waiting for the next book to be released. I loved Lisa Kleypas’ Hathaway series and Mary Balogh’s Huxtables series. Mary’s series was 5 books and I thought that was quite enough.

    I haven’t read any of your Burgundy Club books, so this would be a great opportunity. 🙂

    I also have to hang my head in shame and admit to not seeing Star Wars either. 🙁

  33. I love series when it is clear that the author has a plan in place. An author who can surprise me with each book and have me going back to read the previous books to admire their groundwork is an artist.

  34. I love book series; I like to revisit previous characters. It feels like a big family. 🙂 I think it’s amazing that an author can create such as environment with so many different characters and have them interact in different situations. They really do take on a life all their own. I haven’t read any of the Burgundy Club, but they are definitely on my Wish List. I’d really love to win them to get started. Thanks for the opportunity.

  35. The longer the better for me Stephine Laurance has the Cynister and there 20 some book then theres black cobra series that ties in the cynisters the bastion club. the there’s Christine feehan and her dark series again 20 s0me books. I love when the characters keep come up in future books

  37. I love a long series! It gives a reader the ability to get a glimpse, through new stories, at the lives of favorite characters from previous books. I enjoy seeing the changes that have come along, the strength of the relationships…

  38. I like to read Stephanie Laurens Cynster series as well as her Bastion Club series.

  39. It all depends on the series and the characters. If I like them they can come visit often, otherwise two is too many!

  40. This has been a great series, and you do have several characters you could have explored (Ester, Rufus, William, Amanda, Marie, and Stephen), but I would hate to see you get bogged down. Better for you as a writer to explore new areas. I do hope perhaps Hugo might pop in, but…. I just finished rereading NEVER RESIST TEMPTATION, which is not part of this series. It’s a great book! I’m looking forward to your next one in November.

    My favorite Star Wars moment was in RETURN OF THE JEDI when Han looks up at Leia and says “I love you.” To which she grins and pokes it back at him by replying “I know.” Reminding everybody of the moment Meredith above referred to.

    Thanks for the gift of your words!

    1. Thanks, Judi. I have thought about bringing back Hugo if I find a role for him in the new series. Since it’s set 20 years earlier he would only be in his 60s, LOL. I’m very fond of him.

  41. WOW!!!
    I would love to win the books!!!
    Please enter me in the contest!
    Thank you…. great contest.

  42. I love series and the longer the better for me. I can be completely caught up in a family. And have been watching the Star Wars since I was a baby as it is one of my mothers favorites and now a favorite of my kids. 🙂

  43. well, I prefer a 3-4 book series but there are some exceptions like Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series and Stephanie Laurens Cynster series! I would absolutely love to win the Burgandy club series……..woohoo!!!!

  44. I am with you, any scene with Yoda. I really really wanted to like the new Star Wars movies, but they were just disappointing. I didn’t feel as connected to the characters and it was missing the humor from the original trilogy. I love when they first meet the Ewoks. =)
    I enjoy reading books in a series, because lets face it we get rather attached to the characters. But it’s always best to quit while your ahead, or that’s what my Grandpa would always say. Leave us wanting a little more, better than having people bored with a series. Though I haven’t checked out the Burgundy Club yet I am going to add it to my TBR list, and yay for me that it is complete so I can go from start to finish!

  45. You are so right about the lack of humor in the prequel trilogy, Lexi. I think Lucas wrote much of it himself instead of hiring good writers. I believe that good writing is vital in making a movie good – far more than special effects!

  46. I like longer series. The following of the characters through marriages, then their children growing up and their children. It makes you feel like one of the family. I also get attached to such characters easier than a one book shot or a short series. I think Lucas just got caught up in the money part during the prequel days.

  47. Even though some of my favorite series have 10+ books, in general I prefer shorter series. In a long series, the later books would devote a chapter or something to the previous heroes and heroines which would be fine if I were reading in order, but I usually don’t so I wouldn’t know who all these characters were and why they were there.

    As for the other Star Wars movies, I proudly admit that I haven’t seen any after RETURN OF THE JEDI and I refuse to EVEN THOUGH I live in the same county as George Lucas. The Ewoks were bad enough, why JarJar?

  48. I tend to prefer series that have a different hero/heroine every book, so it ends up depending on what the general gist of the author’s dream is. With Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series, I enjoy the fact that there is a lot to choose from. But after about the third book in an author’s series, if they can’t seem to keep up with the pace, then my attention peters off.

  49. I guess it would depend on the series and how the book was written. I am into a series that has had over 15 books in it and it is still going. But I also like the short 4 or 5 book series. If it is a series that really is good I will keep reading them. Hannah Howell’s Highlander series: The Murrys I have been hooked into for awhile. There are other authors that I got into their series as well. Then there are the ones that seem to be the same plot in each book just different character names. I Can’t get into those.
    Thanks for the contest.

  50. As far as how far should a series go, it depends on how the author handles it. Some just keep adding characters, as secondaries, that I fall in love with and want to read more of, then some have petered out after about 5. Now for Star Wars….anything Yoda says makes me smile. I love how he jumbles his words. And how cute can you get too? My mom has a chihuahua that looks just like Yoda. I even call her that when I see her. 🙂

  52. Hi Miranda,
    Your new book looks really good! And what a gorgeous cover!

    I prefer shorter series, about 3 books, to very long ones. Three books seem good enough to me.

    I enjoyed reading your blog post. Good luck with your new release! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Sandra. I have been blessed by the Cover Gods every time! I haven’t seen the cover for my next book but I’m told it’s gorgeous – always an exciting moment for the author.

  53. I loved the many books in the Bedwyn/Slightly series by Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley’s Rogues and Mallorans, the stand alone books of Sherry Thomas (Delicious), and many other romances that are interesting and well written. I do like a little time between books, as it’s expensive to buy three books in three months by a single writer and the quality often suffers. I found in some of these instances, I never read the third book and didn’t run out to buy the writer’s subsequent books.

    1. Those three series are among my favorites, Elaine. I also agree that stand alones can be terrific. I’m a sucker for any book with cooking in it so I adored Delicious.

  55. A three or four book series is just about right. I like to have all the books before I start reading them so I can work my way right through. There are a few exceptions to this. Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster books, Catherine Coulter’s Sherbrooke family books, and Johanna Lindsey’s Malory-Anderson Family books are series that are exceptions. You follow the families over generations and they are grouped into sub-series within the overall family saga. These I can handle in pieces as long as I read them in order.

    The key to the series, or sub-series, is the story arc be completed in that set of books. An overall family saga arc, can stretch out much longer and not need the tight continuity.

    1. That’s a good point, Pat. Writers often write more than one series within a single “world.” Liz Carlyle is a good example. She tends to write in linked trilogies, but she brings back main and secondary characters from earlier books, always with something to do, not to just say “hi, I have three kids.”

  56. I like all kinds of series. If it can be wrapped up in three books – say a series featuring three sisters or brothers, that great. If it’s a longer series and the author can continue to come up with great characters who need their story told, I love a longer series. One of my favorites was Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses, it went on just long enough and the last book wrapped things up nicely.

  57. I think the maximum number of books in a series should be four, but I usually prefer stand alone titles. It’s also easier if the books in a series are loosely connected so that any book in that series can be read by itself.

    1. “I know it when I see it” – don’t we all! Thanks for the link. I don’t know the Peyton books but they sound like something I’d enjoy, so thank you.

  59. I do like series books. I’ve read longer series The Bridgerton family Julia Quinn, Debbie macomber’s Cedar Grove, Washington, her Hard Luck, Alaska and the Boscastle family Jillian Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries heiresses school, Julianne MacLean’s American Heiresses, Karen Hawkins Hurst & MacLean families… The ones already mentioned. Plus Nora Robert’s Calhouns, Kate Hoffmann’s Quinn family, Susan Wigg’s Lakeshore Chronicles…

    As long as the books aren’t repeticious and can be read alone I don’t care how long the series lasts.

    Star Wars liked the first movie with Han and Leia fighting their chemistry.
    the trash compactor scene!!

  60. I’m always on the lookout for new people to read and would love to add to my collection of awesome books by adding yours to my library!

    I loved the original Star Wars Movies so much, I saw each at least 3 to 5 times each. The new ones, prequel, not so much. I’m just glad they didn’t film the final three. I remember reading years ago there we supposed to be 3 set of 3 movies. Yo, Lucus, quit while you’re ahead!!!

  61. Star Wars was originally suppose to be a triology of trilogies…however, after the cool to lukewarm receiption of the 2nd trilogy (episodes I, II & III), I think Mr. Lucas decided to call it quits. As much as I’d like to see what happened in episodes VII, VIII and IX, I do believe he called it when he quit.

    The Cynster series has, IMHO, gone on long enough too. As much as I adore Stephanie Laurens writing and I enjoyed her most recent Cynster Girls trilogy, I don’t know that I care for anymore about those people. When she starts writing about brothers, cousins, etc of the wives of the original 6 Cynsters, I think it’s time to call it quits there too. She can scratch her Barnaby books too. I didn’t 100% like her Black Cobra Quartet. She needs to find something new to write about.

    OK, off my soap box and SL fans, don’t hate me!

  62. When a series goes on for a long time I find that I often don’t read all the stories. I think that sometimes I lose interest or there are other series starting that sound interesting and so I will check them out instead. So I think I like the shorter series for the most part.

  63. I like series to be about 3-4 books-the longer they go on the writer runs out of new ideas. The only place I like to read a series with a central character that appears in every book is if it is a mystery book. Usually the central character is a detective and the series covers the cases he is involved in. For me, that is a series I will read.

  64. I think 3-4 box max. I do enjoy book series; but also like singles too. I have read many of both types.

  65. Hi Miranda! I have never read any of your books, but this series sounds fabulous.

    I love series books. It doesn’t matter to me whether the series is 3-8 or more books, but I am happy.

  67. Loooooooooooong series! I like for every last one of my favorite characters to get their HEA! 🙂

  68. I love, love, love series. I don’t care if long or short, do prefer long, but do have to end after awhile. I love following along with the story of the characters. I also love the series, because someone else from the characters gets a chance to get their HEA.
    Thanks for the great giveaway.

  70. I think, if done well, there can be a lot more than 3 books to a series. Three books in a series will sometimes leave me craving for more. I love hearing about the characters and how they interact with other characters in subsequent books.

  73. I like related series, but not necessarily trilogies. For example, I love the Sherbrooke Bride series by Catherine Coulter. Some of those stories you can hardly tell that a Sherbrooke is even involved in the story at all (i.e., The Courtship)!

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