Guest blog from Lynn Viehl… also known as …the day Shiloh curled into a ball and cried

Contest is OVER.  No comments posted after 12/7/2012 will be entered… winner posted next week… thank you!

Why? Because I CAN’T WIN THINGS ON MY OWN BLOG! Damn it! Kicks rocks.

Okay.

Carrying on… ahem.

Here we go!  Everybody say hi to Lynn!

Everybody!  Read her awesome post and enter to win her awesome prize…and ignore me. I’m over here kicking rocks.

The Rule of Three

Lynn Viehl

Lately my life has become a ménage à trois .  Not in the classic sense, of course; that would be a little difficult to explain to my mother:  Hi Mom, meet my guy, and my other guy.  I know it’s a little unconventional but . . . Mom, put down the baseball bat.  Instead, sets of threes have taken over my life:  I live with three wonderful people (my guy and our two kids) and three pets (two dogs and a cat.) Every day I work three jobs (author, housewife and teacher) and devote my spare time to three hobbies (quilting, painting and journaling.)  Last week I even grew two extra heads.  No, honestly, I didn’t, but I bet you’re paying attention now, right?

Despite all the naturally-occurring, non-gruesome, G-rated threesomes in my life I’m still learning how the rule of three works.  Did you know there is an actual rule involved?  As it happens using threes is a sure-fire way to make things like storytelling, humor and ideas more effective, as three is the smallest number of things that make up a pattern.  Because it’s the smallest, it’s also the easiest for us to follow, understand and remember.  For example, we can name the Three Stooges (Larry, Curly and Mo) much faster than Snow White’s Seven Dwarves (Sleepy, Dopey, Angry, Smiley, Shorty . . . and those other two little guys.)

Writers rely on the rule of three when we structure classic story arcs (aka the introduction, the complication, and the resolution) and comedians tell jokes with the comic triple (the set-up, the expectation, and the punch line.)  Back in 1971 our teachers even used the rule of three while making us memorize a new street safety code — Stop, Look and Listen — that reduced road casualties across the nation 11% that year and has been saving young lives ever since.

It’s also natural for most storytellers to unconsciously rely on the rule of three when writing a story (according to Philip Larkin, a beginning, a muddle and an end.)  I’ve always liked writing trilogies, and the very first romances I published were a threesome, at least until my editor said, “Where’s book four?”

From there I wrote what would become an eight-novel romantic suspense series, a ten-novel SF series, and then a twelve-novel dark fantasy series, all of which I enjoyed but over time seemed to be stretching out into never-ending stories.  As a reader I enjoy long series, but these days there are so many being published that it’s tough to keep track of which book is what without a cheat sheet.  That’s why I decided to take a break from writing long series and go back to my story-writing roots with the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy.

Writing a three-book series is not easier than a lengthier project; in some ways it’s more demanding.  Having ten or more books to spend in one universe doesn’t impose a lot of limits, but a trilogy demands you get everything done no later than book three.  For me this meant I had to stop falling in love with my secondary characters, most of whom always want their own books. Keeping control of my subplots and connecting threads between the books was also imperative.  It’s a bit like taking a three-day weekend holiday versus spending a month or two on vacation; you can’t bring a lot of baggage, you don’t put off anything important and dawdling by the pool for days to flirt with the cabana boy is simply not an option.

Along with the challenges writing a trilogy offers some decent benefits.  Keeping track of your characters and their storylines doesn’t require updating a complicated, gigantic series encyclopedia; you can usually fit all your story stuff in a few binders.  Readers don’t have to wait years for you to finish a series story, while you don’t have to worry as much about a publisher ending your series before you’ve written the final book.  Trilogies tend to attract more new readers, too, because they don’t have to read five or ten books to catch up if they discover the author in mid-series, because book two is mid-series.

To celebrate the holidays and the release of Nightbred, which is the mid-series novel in my Lords of the Darkyn trilogy, I have for one winner signed copies of all three novels (Nightborn and Nightbred in paperback plus a manuscript copy of Nightbound, which will make the winner the very first person besides me and my editor to read it), all packed in my hand quilted and beaded Emerald Dreams tote. If you’d like a chance to win, in comments name a trilogy or short novel series you’ve enjoyed reading by 12/7/2012… (ETA by Shiloh…I’ll draw a winner and post it here by 12/14…you must check back to see if you won, folks...)  This giveaway is international, too, so everyone on the planet is welcome to join in.

138 Replies to “Guest blog from Lynn Viehl… also known as …the day Shiloh curled into a ball and cried”

  1. Not sure if it qualifies as “short” But i enjoyed the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I believe it is 5 books long, although there is now a spinoff of the originals featuring some of the characters

  2. If you like contemporary romance, you can’t go wrong with Carly Phillips. I love her Serendipity series best of all her series so far. She is doing a spin-off of the series now, but the original series is only 3 books.

  3. If I’m staying with trilogies, Megan Chase series by Stacia Kane, Raised by Wolves (YA) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Princess of Hell by Eve Langlais and of cource, the Ash trilogy by Shiloh Walker.

  4. Karen’s Fever series is one I never finished, Scott, but I did like the first couple of books. I have Iced on the nightstand; I’m just waiting for a warmer day to start it. 🙂

  5. The only contemporary romance I’ve been reading lately are Linda Howard’s books, Liza (which are more romantic suspense, I think.) I’ve heard other recs for Carly Phillips so I’ll have to give her a try.

  6. I haven’t tried any epic magic books in a long time, Jennifer, mainly because of the magic thing. I’ll have to check out Mark’s series.

  7. Recent trilogies are hard, because as you noted Lynn, most continuing stories are part of a series longer than three books. Favorites that come to mind are the Dream series by Nora Roberts, Crossfire series by Sylvia Day, although book 3 has not yet been published, and the Ash trilogy by Shiloh.
    BTW, I love the Darkyn series! I actually found your books because Shiloh raves about them and you all the time. : )

  8. Hi Lynn, as one of 3 sisters I know what you mean about the 3 thing! On to books, I really enjoyed Shiloh’s Ash trilogy and The Hunger Games this year.

    Very much looking forward to Nightbred …

  9. I just finished a trilogy by Keri Ford (Roughnecks) that was quite enjoyable. I have the Ash trilogy sitting here waiting for the weekend so am looking forward to them… 🙂

  10. Larissa Ione Lords of Deliverance series
    Lara Adrian Midnight Breed series
    JR Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood

  11. One trilogy I have really enjoyed was the NIghtrunner trilogy by Lynn Flewelling. It has been expanded later, but the first three I bought and devoured in a week 🙂
    Oh and thanks for the opportunity. It is getting more common but I am always pleased when things like this are open internationally.
    Line

  12. Larissa Ione’s Rider series
    Shiloh Walker’s Ash Trilogy
    Ilona Andrews Edge series

  13. I’ve been enjoying Rae Carson’s Fire and Thorns trilogy; by enjoy I mean I’m whimpering that book 3 won’t be out until sometime in 2013.

    One of my all-time favorite trilogies is still the original Black Jewels books by Anne Bishop. There are more books in the series these days but I just don’t love them the same way as the early books in the series.

  14. Nora Roberts’ Sign of Seven series. I loved the paranormal and you can’t beat her romances.

  15. The Circle trilogy by Norah Roberts, the Fever series by KMM. Thoseare just two. Have lots more 🙂

  16. My first and most memorable trilogy would be none other then the Lord of the Rings, which btw, introduced me to what was possible in the world of reading and change my life for the good at the tender age of 14 when I needed it the most.

  17. I love the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You also can’t go wrong with classic Tolkien Lord of the Rings. I’ve also always loved Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books-almost any character is a 3 book series.

  18. Why, yours, of course, Lynn! But I also admit (without a brown paper cover) that I enjoyed the Three Grey books during the summer…quick reads, funny parts, only two sentences that I copied to my “remember this” journal, and everyone wanted to know what I thought about the story!

  19. Nora Roberts writes a lot of trilogies which I enjoy. I am getting read to read the last one in her most current trilogy. I liked a series by Mary Jo Putney that took place in India and the middle east for the most part – it begin with Silk and Secrets. I am also reading Meljean Brooks steampunk series but it will probably go beyond 3 books.

  20. I read quite a bit of Nora Roberts, for the very fact that her series tend to be trilogies. I loved her In the Garden, Irish, & Key books. My favorite trilogy is definitely Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. You can’t go wrong with the classics! I completely agree that it can be hard to keep up with series that span 7+ books & I recently told my sister (a fellow book junkie) that I’m not reading any more series that go over 5 books. I think it’s great that you’re doing a trilogy & am adding your books to my TBR list. Thanks!

  21. I love the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stievfater (Shiver, Linger & Forever). it is YA but it is good. Another Trilogy that I am waiting impatiently for the final book is the Pandemonium series by Lauren Oliver. I can’t wait to read requiem in 2013.
    Last but not least, the Lords of Darkyn series I can’t wait to devour book 2

  22. Hmm… I’m still working through VC Andrew’s Flowers in the Attic trilogy (I know I’m late to that party and am growing later since I’m entirely bogged down in the third book). I loved the Mayfair Witches trilogy years ago – that was a page turner.

  23. Stephanie Tyler always has good trilogies along with the larrisa Ione apocolypse series….

  24. Best trilogy I’ve read lately (though Book Three isn’t out for a few more months), is Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. Great writing, swoon-worthy tortured heroes, strong heroines…sigh…what more could you want??

  25. Most recently I enjoyed the Adrien English series by Josh Lanyon.
    I must add, I’m a big fan, and it is entirely due to this site; Shiloh rec’ed StarDoc so many times that I had to try it. It was of course love at first read… and second, and third, and… well you get the picture.

  26. Stardoc. that’s not a long series, not in my opinion. I’m still over in the corner kicking rocks. O.O

  27. I’d guess my favorite short series is A Wrinkle in Time and the subsequent books by Madeleine L’Engle.
    It was hard to choose, made harder by my liking for long series. I had to keep discarding the series’ that first came to mind.

  28. My all time favorite is the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. It did go beyond 3 books but the first, the trilogy is still the best. I reread it every so often and love it every time. The Graveyard Queen by Amanda Stevens is another good one. I think there is going to be more in the series but currently it stands at 3. Nora Roberts is the queen of the trilogy for her contemporary romances and I love her.

  29. My favorite trilogy right now is by Patrick Rothfuss and it’s not even finished. His second book, A Wise Man’s Fear, was over a thousand pages and it wad never a chore to read. It took me less than a week and I’m dying for the third. His writing is utterly beautiful and compelling.

  30. I really enjoyed The Hunger Games series, which I dug into this year. I was suprised by how fully I was submerged in them!

  31. One of my all-time-favorite science fiction romance trilogies was the Fire Dancer books by Ann Maxwell (Fire Dancer, Dancer’s Luck, Dancer’s Illusion). It was supposed to be a longer series — so many adventures awaited! — but it was cut short. Very disappointing. And yet I imagine how those stories would have been, so in a way the world lives on.

  32. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James and the Ash Trilogy by you of course Shiloh Walker

  33. I’ve enjoyed the Turner trilogy by Courtney Milan (though I have to admit I may have skipped the first one… I can’t seem to ever read all the books in a series if I find the premise of one less interesting than the others.)

    Also the Lessons in Love series by Suzanne Enoch! (Skipped the first book as well… I’m starting to see a pattern.)

    Legend of the Four Soldiers by Elizabeth Hoyt was also pretty interesting, though not a trilogy. Skipped the 3rd one. I like her chapter intros. Her Princes trilogy was also fun to read, though I think it might’ve turned into four book sin the end… I actually find many trilogies stretching past the 3 book limit and.

  34. I’m currently reading the Sylvia Day Cross fire trilogy but the third book hasn’t come out yet. I have read the first two (Bared to You, Reflected In You).

  35. Hard to name trilogies…. LOTR is a great classic trilogy . I also love Kylie Chan’s Dark Heavens trilogy and the connected followup trilogy Journey to Wudang.
    Love Stardoc and the Darkyn.

  36. Karen chance is one I love. There funny and very good read. I loved the Darkyn. I miss them

  37. Shawna wrote: BTW, I love the Darkyn series! I actually found your books because Shiloh raves about them and you all the time.

    Thank you for investing — and I am very fortunate to have such a good and generous friend as Shiloh. 🙂

  38. Lynn – I’ve been hooked on your books since the Darkyn series.
    Trying to stick to trilogies are tough – have to agree w/most that Nora Roberts has awesome trilogies and the last trilogy I read was the Hunger Games (so glad I got them after they were all out). Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series while not a trilogy was awesome. Next on my “to buy list” is Shiloh’s Ash trilogy 🙂

  39. Wow! This is an awesome contest! I love Nora Roberts’ trilogies. It’s hard to pick a favorite. One of my favorites of her trilogies is the Key trilogy. Thanks for the contest!

  40. Love this, =) but i had trouble finding a triology – most of what i loved was 5 books – The Fever series by KMMoning, Vickie Pettersson´s Signs of the Zodiac among others. I did find Cherise Sinclair´s Mountain Masters, love them *rawr* Alpha males and smutty fluff, and i love KMMoning´s Iced, the first book in the triology about Dani.
    Thanks for the giveaway, got most of your books on my TBR list and can´t wait to get my hands on any one of them!
    Happy Tuesday!
    //Linda

  41. I finished about a week ago the Inn Boonsboro trilogy by Nora Roberts and that was awesome!

  42. Jill Shalvis has several trilogies I have read and loved, like the Wilder and Animal Magnetism series. And Lucky Harbor is like 2 trilogies. And, of course, Shiloh Walker’s Ash trilogy was spectacular!

    Really nice giveaway. Have a happy holiday season!

  43. My most favorite trilogy is the Morrigan’s Cross trilogy by Nora Roberts. I’ve re-read it multiple times, and I still love it. That is, however, not the extent of my trilogy love, but we don’t have all day to write or read such a list.

  44. Lori, I just finished Rogue Rider, and I think it was the best LoD novel yet by Larissa. Definitely invest if you haven’t grabbed it yet.

  45. There are too many. Linda Howard Mackenzies Series, Alyssia Day Atlantis Series; C.L. Wilson Lords of the Fading Lands; Nora Roberts Key Series; Shiloh Walkers Ash Triliogy just to name a few. I love to read.

  46. Line wrote: Oh and thanks for the opportunity. It is getting more common but I am always pleased when things like this are open internationally.

    My pleasure — all my giveaways are international, btw; when it comes to books I don’t believe in geographic restrictions.

  47. Gail wrote: One of my all-time favorite trilogies is still the original Black Jewels books by Anne Bishop. There are more books in the series these days but I just don’t love them the same way as the early books in the series

    I stopped reading the Black Jewels series those at book three, Gail. I know she’d written more but I liked how things were wrapped up in the third novel and really wanted it to end there for me, if that makes sense.

  48. Patty, I have Karen’s Iced to read over the holidays. I never finished the Fever series because the next-to-last book went in a direction I didn’t want to follow.

  49. Diana wrote: My first and most memorable trilogy would be none other then the Lord of the Rings, which btw, introduced me to what was possible in the world of reading and change my life for the good at the tender age of 14 when I needed it the most.

    A.M. Lightner did the same for me at that age, Diana, although she never wrote trilogies.

  50. Anne, I haven’t read much of Mercedes Lackey, so I’ll have to look up that series and see if I can get the first one.

  51. Ellie wrote: The Hunger Games trilogy was memorable and special.

    My daughter has all the books, but after going with her to see the movie I can’t decide if I want to read them. I think I’ll wait until she reads them and tells me what she thinks.

  52. Sandy wrote: I liked a series by Mary Jo Putney that took place in India and the middle east for the most part – it begin with Silk and Secrets

    I haven’t read Mary Jo’s work since the end of the Fallen Angels series (making note of this trilogy, though; I love non-European historicals.)

  53. Michelle wrote: I completely agree that it can be hard to keep up with series that span 7+ books & I recently told my sister (a fellow book junkie) that I’m not reading any more series that go over 5 books.

    I may limit what new series I start, too, Michelle. I’ve lost track of a couple (Rachel Vincent’s Morganville and Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series have both left me in the dust.) Since I can’t remember where I left off I have to reread from the beginning book, which I don’t mind but I’d rather not do that with every series author I enjoy.

  54. Thanks for the kind words, Chinyere. I read the first book in Maggie’s first series (Lament, I think the title was) and I recall the third is scheduled to be released next year, so I’ll have to track down book two.

  55. Anne wrote: The girl with the dragon tattoo trilogy was enthralling and unique.

    After I read the first book I wasn’t sure if I’d try the other two, Anne, but eventually I got them and read them. I think the author was a very talented writer and I wish he’d written more before he passed away.

  56. Allison wrote: I loved the Mayfair Witches trilogy years ago – that was a page turner.

    Amen. The Witching Hour is still one of my favorite reads of all time. 🙂

  57. Kelly wrote: Stephanie Tyler always has good trilogies along with the larrisa Ione apocolypse series….

    I collect both authors, Kelly. And not just because they’re old pals. 🙂

  58. Terri wrote: Best trilogy I’ve read lately (though Book Three isn’t out for a few more months), is Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. Great writing, swoon-worthy tortured heroes, strong heroines…sigh…what more could you want??

    Book three? Lol. Adding this to my list, thanks for the rec.

  59. Crystal wrote: Hi Lynn. I love your books. I loved The Hunger Games trilogy.

    Hey, Crystal, nice to see you here. Another vote for The Hunger Games — and I know you give great recs (Crystal got me to read a great novel by Lisa Kelypas last year). I’ll have to talk to my daughter and see if she’ll lend me book one.

  60. Shiloh wrote: Stardoc. that’s not a long series, not in my opinion.

    Ten books (thirteen if you count the freebies) is probably not a very long series these days. Felt long writing it, though.

  61. Diana wrote: I’d guess my favorite short series is A Wrinkle in Time and the subsequent books by Madeleine L’Engle.

    Ah, that brings back memories. I mainlined Madeleine during my youth. I think A Wrinkle in Time is a miraculous novel; a gift to every generation.

  62. Leslee wrote: My all time favorite is the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

    I know a lot of readers who feel the same; that was a ground-breaking series for a lot of reasons.

  63. Khrista wrote: My favorite trilogy right now is by Patrick Rothfuss and it’s not even finished.

    I haven’t read Patrick’s books, but he did persuade me to buy and donate a sheep once (charity thing.)

  64. Two trilogies come to mind immediately: Shiloh Walker’s Ash Trilogy and Cynthia Eden’s Deadly series. I totally loved both of them.

  65. Darlene wrote: I’m a big fan of Jeri Smith Ready’s four book, WVMP Radio vampire series which is just winding up.

    I read one book from a radio werewolf series — Kitty something — but never heard of this one. Since you and I like a lot of the same books will add it to the shopping list. 🙂

  66. Kris, Shiloh won’t blow her own horn but she’s a very talented trilogy crafter. I think she was born to write threesomes. 😉

  67. Diane wrote: It’s hard to name a trilogy since I read a lot of series books.

    Same here. Other than Shiloh’s work, I think the last planned trilogy I read was Linda Howard/Linda Jones/Beverly Barton’s Raintree trio for Harlequin.

  68. Jessa wrote: One of my all-time-favorite science fiction romance trilogies was the Fire Dancer books by Ann Maxwell (Fire Dancer, Dancer’s Luck, Dancer’s Illusion).

    Oh, be still my heart. I have all three, and have read and reread them just about to pieces. I’ve never been tempted to write fanfic, but if I ever did, it would be to finish that series.

  69. Tam wrote: I’ve enjoyed the Turner trilogy by Courtney Milan (though I have to admit I may have skipped the first one… I can’t seem to ever read all the books in a series if I find the premise of one less interesting than the others.)

    I thought Courtney’s first published story in a Christmas antho a few years back was very different and quite promising. Now that I have an e-reader I might try one of her novels.

  70. I agree with you, Jennifer — there are so many long series out there that tempt me. After losing my place with two that I was following I feel like I should make more an effort to find some trilogies, though — maybe I can work up to longer series again after a break.

  71. Linda, I know what you mean — it’s so hard to resist! I like what the younger writers out there are doing with shorter length series, though — one of Shiloh’s readers mentioned Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler, both of whom are doing great things with shorter series.

  72. Jill Shavis is one of my agent’s other clients, Sharon, so I really should read one of her books. Will add her to my list. 🙂

  73. Marie, you have a great variety there. I have every book Linda Howard’s ever written and I never get tired of her. I think she’s an amazing writer.

  74. I have to go with an oldie but a goodie
    J. R. R. Tolkien

    The Fellowship of the Ring
    The Two Towers
    The Return of the King

  75. Only a trilogy? That type of series still exists?
    The last series I can see as only a trilogy that I read is the Knitting series by Amy Lane. Otherwise, everything I am reading is running into at least 10 books, or has no clear end point at book 3.
    Tinker series by Wen Spencer only has 3 books right now, but I can see them continuing in that universe.
    The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is at book 14.
    The Walker Papers by CE Murphy is at book 8 now?
    Patricia Briggs can write as many books as she would like in any one of her series, and I will be there.

  76. I really loved the Doris Egan books: Gate of Ivory, Two-Bit Heroes, and Guilt-Edged Ivory. They are out of print, but absolutely wonderful.

  77. Ill go with short novel series (and trilogy of sorts):

    The Privateers and Gentleman series by Jon Williams (aka Walter Jon Willams)

    The Privateer and The Yankee are the first two which set up the final three, The Raider, The Macedonian and Cat Island which can be read as a trilogy. I do know that Walter Jon just got the rights back and is releasing the latter three as ebooks (and renamed them.)

  78. I love reading series because you can always visit with old “friends”. I am always glad when an author has an ending because I think some series just go on too long. The year I discovered the serial novels that have become so popular. I loved The Rake and The Recluse by Jen LeBlanc. Great romance! Another favorite series is The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger. I feel like it was just long enough.

  79. I enjoyed reading Victoria Dahl’s Donovan Brothers trilogy, Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series the original trilogy; Simply Irresistable, The Sweetest Thing and Head Over Heels. I’m looking forward to reading Shiloh Walkers Ash Trilogy!

    taccb_1981@yahoo.com

  80. I grew up on Madeleine l’Engle, Anne McCaffrey and ElfQuest comics, I am a total sucker for series books. I think I have a favorite series in every genre, although I tend to gravitate towards the longer ones over trilogies. Mary Balogh and Lisa Kleypas have written some of my favorite short series/trilogies in romance, Tad Williams’ Otherland series is one of my favorites in SF….

  81. I’m with you on Patricia Briggs, Teresa. It is getting much harder to find authors who plan trilogies and then stick to the plan. 🙂

  82. Thanks for the rec, Sandy — I haunt a lot of used book stores so I’ll see if I can track down the first one.

  83. Thanks for the heads-up on that, Colin — I have a friend who is a rabid fan of WJW and will love to hear that news.

  84. Jen, I am mourning the end of Gail’s series, but like you I thought it was exactly the right length. I also like that she left a little mystery involved with what happens to some of the characters, like how Ivy does with her change of situation. 🙂

  85. I fell in love with Anne’s Pern novels when I was a youngster, Emily, but it was Harper Hall trilogy that really made me see what you could do with just three books. 🙂

  86. It’s about time for me to turn into a pumpkin, folks, so I’ll say good night. My thanks to you all for stopping in, and to Shiloh for her generous offer to have me as a guest. Good luck with the giveaway!

  87. Nora Roberts has quite a few that I really enjoyed. Shiloh’s Ash series is great. Kelley Armstrong did her YA’s as trilogies, which were really good. There really are so many though that start out as a trilogy but dont end at 3.

  88. The first one that popped into my head was Shi’s Ash series. Also Kelley Armstrong’s women of the otherworld series (which just ended).

  89. I loved the Lords of Deliverance series by Larissa Ione, although it does have 4books in it 🙂

  90. I really enjoyed Shiloh’s If You Hear Her, See Her, Know Her trilogy, as well as some of Nora Roberts (3 Sisters Island, Born in Series).

  91. My all time favorite trilogy is The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb…a funny side note to this is I read the books out of order. Second Book, First Book, Third Book. It was a good read all the same.

  92. I would choose Patricia Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series – there are three books in the series currently, although there may be more to come.

  93. So far I’m loving The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin, but my other fave is The Strain trilogy by del Toro and Hogan.

  94. Shiloh, Sorry you can’t win but I’d love to and I love Stray series by Rachel Vincent.

  95. I just read Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture by Sylvain Reynard and loved it so much I didn’t sleep one night to finish it

    Lori

  96. I know you can’t win, but if I do, will it help if I think about you while enjoying them!!! I love series writers and stand alones as well! It’s about stepping into the zone when I read. Getting out of the hetic rag race and just being entertained!!

  97. I’ll go with the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy? I thought it would be easy, but there don’t seem to be that many?

  98. I liked Harry Connolly`s ” Twenty Palaces” trilogy.
    No love, no smut, no romance urban fantasy – written from a guys point of view..and very very good.

  99. Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts. I love the way she mix Irish myth and paranormal element. The ending is even its predictable , but she go in unusual route 🙂

  100. It seems that all my favorite “short” series or trilogies keep getting added to until they’re no longer short…

  101. The first one that came to mind is an oldie but a regular reread – The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay.

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