I got into this series because I loved the idea of a post-apocalyptic Red Riding Hood. I stayed because it’s gritty, dark, and fascinating. If you haven’t encountered the Dead World series before now, here’s your chance–Jordan is giving away a copy of Crimson to one commenter!
On the run from the law, Gina ‘Red’ Santiago and Sheriff Morgan Hunter continue their search for the proof needed to clear their names. Unfortunately, the danger doesn’t just lie in No-Man’s-Land. Someone near to them is about to betray them for the Other blood running through their veins.
Politician Roark Montgomery is desperate. The election is near and he still hasn’t found the fugitives. Roark’s not above using the traitor in his midst to kill the two people that stand between him and political victory. It takes a predator to catch a predator.
Morgan’s and Red’s only option is to face the assault head on. With Roark, nothing is ever that easy, but they know two things he doesn’t: Love is worth dying for. And it’s never smart to corner a hungry wolf…
The End of a Series…
First off, I’d like to thank the Silk and Shadows gang for inviting me to blog here. I really appreciate the opportunity.
My third and final book, CRIMSON for my Dead World series came out on November 3rd. It’s a bittersweet moment when a series wraps. One side of me was excited to finally get the conclusion into readers’ hands, while the other side was sad that the tale was over. I was leaving the Dead World behind for new horizons.
Here’s a little background for those of you unfamiliar with my series. I wanted to write a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but with a twist. My premise was: What if Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf turned out to be the same person? I didn’t set out to make it a post-apocalyptic story, but the setting refused to budge. I knew I wanted werewolves, vampires, and other creatures in the books, but instead of going the magic route, I used ‘science’ to create them.
When I first started this series, it wasn’t a series at all. I’d written RED (book one) and had set it up as a stand-alone story. My editor at the time came back and asked if I could turn Red into a trilogy. I hadn’t thought about it beforehand—at least not consciously. I’d left a few loose ends open, but that was about it. Fortunately, the things I’d left open were enough to create a three book story arc. Originally, I’d planned to make SCARLET (book two) Raphael’s and Chaos’ story, but Red and Morgan, my heroine and hero wouldn’t cooperate. That’s why there are two love stories in book two that continue into book three.
Series books are fun in general to read and to write. They give both the author and the reader a chance to really get to know the characters after the ‘newness’ wears off. The Dead World series was the first series I’ve ever written that takes a couple, the hero and the heroine through all stages of their relationship. It’s not just the instant or not so instant attraction that occurs in the beginning, but what happens when the warts start to show. I really enjoyed being able to explore the relationships, which is why I’m a big fan of series books. I’d name my favorite authors, but we’d be here all night. *g*
To celebrate the release of Crimson I’m giving away one free copy.
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This is the First time I have herd of this Series and I say that it looks like a good set of book going to look your web page up and check it out .
by stacey smith December 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 amsasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hey Jordan, Congrats on the release. Have to confess I never read any of your books but this series seems great. Love the blood on the covers and the titles are cute too.
by Kirsten December 3rd, 2009 at 5:20 amHi Jordan, the series sounds great. I usually don’t go for same hero/heroine series but someone pointed out to me that you get to see the characters develop. I should start with yours maybe!:o)
by Tamsyn T. December 3rd, 2009 at 5:48 amHey Jordan, I first heard of your books in a banner that was on Ilona Andrew’s site. I’ve wanted them ever since, but I can’t find them in stores [we only have Wally World nearby].
Hmm..can we ask questions? I have a question. Do you have anything else in the works?
Thanks, Nicole
by Nicole B. December 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 amHello Jordan! If this is the end of the series, are you planning on a new series for the other characters? Too many other interesting characters to let that go!
by Susan G December 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 amI love reading series, but I’m curious if as an author, do you ever get tired of writing them? Do the characters, storyline or world ever burn you out?
Deidre
by Deidre December 3rd, 2009 at 11:34 amStacey,
No worries, I get that a lot.
I don’t know if it’s because of all the genres I’ve written in or because I just haven’t been good at getting my name out there. At least you’ve heard of me now. 
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 amThanks Kirsten! I admit I love the blood on the books, too. It’s pretty accurate given the content. *wg*
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 amTamsyn, Keeping the same characters throughout the series was a first for me. All the other series books I’ve written have introduced a new hero and heroine into a familiar world. My intention in the beginning was for the hero and heroine to change in the second book, then bring everyone back in the third book to wrap up the story. It just didn’t work out that way. My main hero and heroine refused to budge. Instead, I ended up with a secondary romance running through books two and three.
Another series for you to check out if you want to experiment with reading about continuing characters is the Grave series. Jeaniene Frost does an excellent job of keeping the same characters going.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 amHey Nicole, I had a banner on Ilona’s site??? Wow, I had no idea.
She’s one of the authors I want to be when I grow up. I LOVE her work.
I know that Red and Crimson were in Walmart because I saw Red there when it came out last year and a friend spotted Crimson a couple of weeks ago. The trouble is I don’t know if they’re in every Walmart or just certain Walmarts. I also don’t know how long they keep them in the store. I know you can get them online at Walmart. They allow you to order them and they’ll have them waiting in the store for you or you could just go to Amazon/B&N/Powell’s, etc.
I’m open to any and all questions.
Right now, the only thing I have scheduled to come out is a novella in the Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romances next year. I have a lot of stuff (romance and urban fantasy) sitting in New York right now. So much depends on what sells. I just finished a horror short story that I hope gets picked up for an anthology and I’m currently working on a young adult urban fantasy. I also plan to release a vampire historical on Kindle that I received the rights back on.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 amWow congrats on the new release. It must be bittersweet to have it out but the last book to the series.
by Caitlin Usignol December 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 pmSusan G, I’d love to eventually explore some of the other characters that I introduced, but it’ll have to be after I finish the other projects that I have floating.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pmDeidre,
***I love reading series, but I’m curious if as an author, do you ever get tired of writing them? Do the characters, storyline or world ever burn you out?***
I think the only time an author gets tired of writing a series is if they feel like they’ve explored everything there is to explore in a world or if they feel like the characters’ story has come to an end.
I’ve had burnout, but it wasn’t from a specific storyline or group of characters. I think the toughest thing with writing a series is keeping the quality. The pressure to satisfy the reader grows tremendously when you have an ongoing series because their expectations are higher.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pmCaitlin, It is bittersweet, but I’m also happy to wrap up Red’s and Morgan’s story. I think they’ve more than earned their life together.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm[...] folks at Silk & Shadows were kind enough to invite me to blog at their site. I’m talking about wrapping up my Dead [...]
by Jordan Summers » Blog Archive » Silk & Shadows December 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 pmHi Jordan
by RKCharron December 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pmThank you for sharing here today.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to win the final novel in your trilogy.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
Hi Jordan,
by Mel K. December 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 pmRED was really good! I love the way they made the tips of the pages the color red. Very cool. It’s on my collector’s shelf. I look forward to the next two books. Happy Holidays.
I’m always looking for new series to read, sounds good!
by Teresa W. December 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 pmRK, You’re welcome.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pmyou are new to me author! your books sound wonderful. they will be put on the to buy list!!
by Martha Lawson December 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pmThanks Mel! I’m glad you enjoyed Red. I loved those red pages, too. Thought it really popped on the shelf.
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 4:27 pmTeresa, Thanks!
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 4:27 pmThanks for blogging with us today, Jordan! I love post-apocalyptic stories and the science explanation for weres and vamps sounds wonderfully intriguing.
by Annette McCleave December 3rd, 2009 at 4:58 pmThanks Annette! I appreciate you guys having me. It’s been fun.
I’ll leave it up to you all to pick a winner. 
by Jordan Summers December 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 pmSounds like a great series. Thanks for sharing today!
by Donna S December 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 pmThanks for writing a post-apocalyptic series. Yes, I know you wrote it for YOU, not me, but I have a big love for futuristics, so I feel it’s only right for me to send thanks
by Tez Miller December 4th, 2009 at 7:27 amThanks so much for joining us Jordan! I know book 3 is on my Santa list!!
by Sharon Ashwood December 4th, 2009 at 10:34 amHi Jordan, thanks for the thumbs up on the the Grave series. I’ll look into it.
by Tamsyn T. December 4th, 2009 at 10:37 amThanks Donna!
by Jordan Summers December 4th, 2009 at 11:14 amTez, You’re welcome.
by Jordan Summers December 4th, 2009 at 11:14 amSharon, Thanks again for inviting. I hope Santa is kind to you this year.
by Jordan Summers December 4th, 2009 at 11:15 amTamsyn, You’ll love Jeaniene’s books, too. She’s terrific.
by Jordan Summers December 4th, 2009 at 11:16 amI just noticed that some of my responses are on moderation. I promise I did answer everyone.
Thank you all again for such a warm welcome. Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday.
by Jordan Summers December 4th, 2009 at 11:17 amHi Jordan!
by Lisa G December 4th, 2009 at 9:46 pmCongrats on the new books. It looks like a fantastic read. What’s next for you?
Congrats on the new release, Jordan.
I’m about halfway through with Red and I’m LOVING it! I can’t wait to get my hands on Scarlet and Crimson.
by Lisa B. December 4th, 2009 at 11:46 pmThe book sounds great and I would love to read it. I like the cover too.
by Linda Henderson December 5th, 2009 at 2:48 pmThis series has been on my wishlist for some time! I think it sounds fantastic! And I too am a fan of series, I love seeing characters evolve over a number of books and revisiting them later in life.
by Jody F. December 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pmJordan,
Hey girlie! I love love love these books! I’m so glad you’ve blogged with us this week.
Kim
by Kim Lenox December 6th, 2009 at 9:43 pm