Today we have New York Times Bestselling author Roxanne St. Claire here today to talk to us about wrapping up her latest series, Barefoot Bay. Barefoot by the Sea, the fourth and final installment of the Barefoot Bay series was released on October 29th and wraps up the story of four amazing friends and their dream of opening a resort and spa in beautiful Florida. This was Roxanne’s first major contemporary romance series, while still writing her nail-biting romantic suspense books.
Roxanne, welcome to The Book Pushers!
The Book Pushers: Do you have any special traditions or celebrations when you type THE END on a series of books? What about on the final book’s release date?
Roxanne: I always have to have a “witness” when I type “the end” on a manuscript. That started years ago when I’d call one of my kids in to celebrate the typing of those six wonderful letters (which, of course, I delete before I send in the manuscript because they’re not technically supposed to be included!). I sing out “Can I get a witness?” and usually my daughter comes running and offers to type the end for me. On release date, I try to keep myself occupied and not worry about how the book will be received. I might check Amazon reviews a few times. I might.
The Book Pushers: Is it hard for you to let go of one series, of the characters and location, before moving onto your next project?
Roxanne: By the time I’ve finished multiple drafts, copyedit reviews, and galleys, I’m well and truly done with that book and deeply into another. I write multiple books a year, so it’s not unusual for the projects to cross over one another. It’s never hard to let go of a book because I am always involved in the next challenge.
The Book Pushers: Do you think you’ll ever revisit the ladies at Barefoot Bay in future books or novellas, or have you put them to bed once and for all?
Roxanne: They’re in bed, for sure, with very sexy heroes. But we have not seen the last of Lacey, Jocelyn, Zoe, or Tessa. I have more books set in Barefoot Bay planned for the future and all four of these heroines and their men will play small parts in those stories. Stay tuned!
The Book Pushers: What is the hardest part about saying goodbye to a series?
Roxanne: Saying goodbye to these four books was bittersweet, for sure. I arranged the “quartet” so it took place over two years, the span of time it took to write the books. I felt like I grew and changed with the characters and really experienced every minute with them!
The Book Pushers: Looking back at this series, is there a main lesson that you will take with you for your next writing adventure?
Roxanne: YES. I will not detail a backstory for a character who will later be a hero or heroine because once it is in print, I can’t change that story. I’m a serial reviser and that’s tough on me.
The Book Pushers: Can you give us an insight into what your next book/series is going to be?
Roxanne: We’re going back to Barefoot Bay with a trilogy of novellas coming this winter featuring “The Billionaires of Barefoot Bay” and then three more novels in the spring and summer. Lots more opportunities to kick off your shoes and fall in love!
Thanks so much Roxanne for being here today! The fabulous folks at Forever are offering to giveaway one set of Barefoot Bay books to one lucky commenter. This giveaway is open to US Only and ends November 8th. To enter, let us know if you, as a reader, have any traditions or celebrations when you read the last book in a series. Good Luck!
I love the Barefoot Series! The Barefoot by the Sea is a great love story with a lot of oh my gosh moments that have you not wanting to put the book down!
When I first read Barefoot in the Sand I was hooked…but I have to say Barefoot by the Sea was my favorite. It was the struggling Tessa endured in the books prior that I just felt for her..What she wanted to desperately have a baby…I felt heart broken for her in Sand when her ex told her that she and his new wife were having a baby…in all the Barefoot Bay books they all connected with a sense of Family, Closeness, Forgiveness, Heart, so much in these four books….Roxanne St. Claire takes you ride of so many emotional ups and downs with this four women you just experience along win them..You will cry along with then..
Now when reading Sea…My biggest feel was Tessa found more then what she wanted much more…she found her soul mate in this book..That is what I loved. As John/Ian found his…You can’t go wrong in this book…
When I first read Barefoot in the Sand I was hooked…but I have to say Barefoot by the Sea was my favorite. It was the struggling Tessa endured in the books prior that I just felt for her..What she wanted to desperately have a baby….Roxanne St. Claire takes you ride of so many emotional ups and downs with this four women you just experience along win them..You will cry along with then..
Now when reading Sea…My biggest feel was Tessa found more then what she wanted much more…she found her soul mate in this book..That is what I loved. As John/Ian found his…You can’t go wrong in this book…
Newcomers to Roxanne’s Barefoot series are in for a massive treat. They are going to absolutely love these four books. I know I did.
I am a series junkie and when I start a series and especially when I really like it like I did Barefoot Bay I have to read all that are available in a row. I can’t however think of a tradition or quirk for when a series ends.
No, don’t have any
I don’t have any but if the series is really good i’m a little sad to not get any more new books but it usually means i’ll be enjoying reading the series over again and again in the future.
Lisa B
I love to read series books, it like visiting old friends. I don’t do anything special for the end., Maybe a little sad that it is all over.
I loved all of the Barefoot Bay books… there’s gonna be more!!!
Every one of the girls Lacey, Jocelyn, Zoe and Tessa have their own unique very well developed story. Every one pulled me in and I resented each time I had to put it down!
I’m giving 2 of my friends a 4 book series for Christmas!
This series is one of the best series I have read in a long time. Roxanne St. Claire brought these wonderful characters to life. By the end of the 4th book I felt like these characters were all my friends. I laughed with them, cried with them and even got excited with them. If you haven’t read any of these, pick up the first one. I guarantee once you read it you will go back for the rest!
Don’t include me in the giveaway since I already own all 4 of these books.
Whenever I get to the end of the series, I feel depressed and moped for days. I start reading the series all over again. Somewhere, somehow, I would finally get over the series and start another series.
I don’t have any traditions for when a series I read is over. Unless of course, you count crying because it is over!
I love this series and everything Roxanne writes. I will read this series over and over. The bond between the four friend is nothing short of wonderful. Each book is unique, but has all the friends in them to make you feel the connection in every book. I love each book, and each hero. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Although this 4th one is right up there. 🙂
thanks for the lovely post and giveaway! I have to read series in order and I’m always sad when series end. But I appreciate that all good things must/should end and I appreciate the author’s talent to do so 🙂
I always hate to see a series end! I get so caught up in the characters, they are like family. Thanks so much for the great giveaway.
I do get sad when I end a series, especially if that series has ended already.
Awesome giveaway! Thank you.
Not entering! Lovely interview ladies, thank you. How can you as a reader celebrate with the last book in a series? Always sad to say goodbye, isn’t it? Even when a series needs to be ended.
I often hold off on reading the last book in a series because I don’t want it to end. I also have to admit that I typically read the ending early because otherwise the suspense would kill me.
Loved this series and hated to see it end. At least we have the Billionaires to look forward to! Highly recommended, especially to those who have a strong BFF bond. Lots of laughter and tears. I always feel a little sadness in the end of a series. I feels like I’m leaving friends that I’ll never see again. The good thing about books, though, you can always revisit with a re-read!
I loves series. I usually check an author’s website when I am done with a series, just in case I missed anything, and to see what is coming next!
I love this series. And there is always a feeling of sadness when I finish a series. No special tradition.
No traditions. Thanks for the giveaway.
No traditions here either. Just sorry the stories will end in that series.
I have not read any of this author; so would love to win; they surely look good.
also have not read this author’s books…but would like to win one…
I try to read it in one sitting. Depending on the series, sometimes I’ll even stay up all night to finish it.
No traditions but I am always a little sad to read the final book in a series.
If I really enjoyed the whole series I will sometimes reread them back to back.