Christine Feehan's Blog - Posts Tagged "sea-haven"
A Little Town Called Sea Haven
You may think it all started with the Drake Sisters series, but actually it happened before that. I discovered Sea Haven, the fictional town by the ocean that homes both the Drake Sisters and the Sisters of the Heart.
I lived, for a very long time, in Lake County, California on Cobb Mountain. I loved it there and the small town feel of it. My children went to school and most were raised there. My career took off while I lived in that house and at that time my big dream was for a remodeled kitchen and the ability to send my children to college. Last year, that house burned to the ground in the Cobb Mountain fire that took hundreds of homes. Few things of mine were still there, but it was our family home that we still owned and it breaks my heart to think that it is gone. But, the memories are still there. The closeness of sisters, the small town feel where everybody knew everybody and secrets were harder to keep the longer you lived there.
I moved to a small town on the coast, near the Redwood trees. I can see the ocean from my living room window on a clear day and walk in the forest on my property. Several small towns surround me and those towns, plus the small-town feel and experience of Cobb Mountain, make up Sea Haven. Sea Haven is all that I love about small towns and its people, about the ocean and the woods.
Sea Haven is nearly a character all on its own, but it’s the community of Sea Haven that make it come alive and give it character. People know you and ask about you when you walk into the grocery or go get your hair or nails done. The artisans, inspired by the beauty surrounding them, are plenty and talented and I know so many of them by name now. People care about keeping their community clean, their children safe and the people active in all that goes on around them. You almost feel as though you have stepped back into time when helping your neighbor was a priority, generosity was commonplace and laughter was contagious.
Sea Haven exists, in parts, everywhere. I have been there. Perhaps not visiting a town by that name, but by visiting many small towns along the coast that make up this beautiful place I write about. Towns like that still exist throughout American, and I imagine, throughout the world.
Fire Bound
I lived, for a very long time, in Lake County, California on Cobb Mountain. I loved it there and the small town feel of it. My children went to school and most were raised there. My career took off while I lived in that house and at that time my big dream was for a remodeled kitchen and the ability to send my children to college. Last year, that house burned to the ground in the Cobb Mountain fire that took hundreds of homes. Few things of mine were still there, but it was our family home that we still owned and it breaks my heart to think that it is gone. But, the memories are still there. The closeness of sisters, the small town feel where everybody knew everybody and secrets were harder to keep the longer you lived there.
I moved to a small town on the coast, near the Redwood trees. I can see the ocean from my living room window on a clear day and walk in the forest on my property. Several small towns surround me and those towns, plus the small-town feel and experience of Cobb Mountain, make up Sea Haven. Sea Haven is all that I love about small towns and its people, about the ocean and the woods.
Sea Haven is nearly a character all on its own, but it’s the community of Sea Haven that make it come alive and give it character. People know you and ask about you when you walk into the grocery or go get your hair or nails done. The artisans, inspired by the beauty surrounding them, are plenty and talented and I know so many of them by name now. People care about keeping their community clean, their children safe and the people active in all that goes on around them. You almost feel as though you have stepped back into time when helping your neighbor was a priority, generosity was commonplace and laughter was contagious.
Sea Haven exists, in parts, everywhere. I have been there. Perhaps not visiting a town by that name, but by visiting many small towns along the coast that make up this beautiful place I write about. Towns like that still exist throughout American, and I imagine, throughout the world.
Fire Bound
Heroes, Anti-Heroes and Guys Who Just Need Their Ass Kicked Part 2 of 5 - Sea Haven
Sea Haven
Drake Sisters Series and Sisters of the Heart Series
Sea Haven is my home away from home. It’s a fictional community made up of so many wonderful small towns I’ve been to in my life. So, when I started writing the Drake Sisters I knew this town would be a central part of the story and I asked myself, “What kind of people live in Sea Haven?”
What draws men and women to a town like this? The small community feel where people know each other, help each other and look out for one another appeals to a variety of people. But, when it came to my heroes I thought that, these men, came there to find peace they could not find elsewhere. To escape a troubled past. To sooth their troubled souls. Many of the heroes in the Drake Sisters series are just these sort of men. They are hardened by life, trained in the military, law men, men who enjoy peace and are willing to do anything it takes to keep their little part of the world safe.
As the Drake Sisters series wound down and the Sisters of the Heart stories began I found that I just couldn’t let go of those men and women from the previous books and we do get to see some of them in the new series. I think Sea Haven gets in your blood and you never want to leave.
Later on in the Drake Sisters series though we are introduced to the Prakenskii brothers, Russian assassins trained since they were boys. They, like the Drakes, have special powers. They are darker, harder, more violent men. But, regardless of the reasons they came to Sea Haven, these men find home here.
I wanted to get across that there’s a place and a person for you, no matter how broken you are. No matter your past, you can overcome it, be a good person and be welcomed into the heart of a community and the heart of a woman willing to accept and love you. As the Sisters of the Heart series begins to come to a close I wanted to bring the final Prakenskii brother into the fold in a way that would keep us in Sea Haven. With him, he will bring another set of characters who need a home, a community and family and are willing to fight to have it.
Fire Bound
In the end, we all long for family and love. For some, they must first see that it is real, be embraced by it, accepted. And when that kind of love is offered freely and fills the void that was once only darkness, a light begins to shine, like the beacon of a lighthouse, keeping you safe and bringing you home.
Drake Sisters Series and Sisters of the Heart Series
Sea Haven is my home away from home. It’s a fictional community made up of so many wonderful small towns I’ve been to in my life. So, when I started writing the Drake Sisters I knew this town would be a central part of the story and I asked myself, “What kind of people live in Sea Haven?”
What draws men and women to a town like this? The small community feel where people know each other, help each other and look out for one another appeals to a variety of people. But, when it came to my heroes I thought that, these men, came there to find peace they could not find elsewhere. To escape a troubled past. To sooth their troubled souls. Many of the heroes in the Drake Sisters series are just these sort of men. They are hardened by life, trained in the military, law men, men who enjoy peace and are willing to do anything it takes to keep their little part of the world safe.
As the Drake Sisters series wound down and the Sisters of the Heart stories began I found that I just couldn’t let go of those men and women from the previous books and we do get to see some of them in the new series. I think Sea Haven gets in your blood and you never want to leave.
Later on in the Drake Sisters series though we are introduced to the Prakenskii brothers, Russian assassins trained since they were boys. They, like the Drakes, have special powers. They are darker, harder, more violent men. But, regardless of the reasons they came to Sea Haven, these men find home here.
I wanted to get across that there’s a place and a person for you, no matter how broken you are. No matter your past, you can overcome it, be a good person and be welcomed into the heart of a community and the heart of a woman willing to accept and love you. As the Sisters of the Heart series begins to come to a close I wanted to bring the final Prakenskii brother into the fold in a way that would keep us in Sea Haven. With him, he will bring another set of characters who need a home, a community and family and are willing to fight to have it.
Fire Bound
In the end, we all long for family and love. For some, they must first see that it is real, be embraced by it, accepted. And when that kind of love is offered freely and fills the void that was once only darkness, a light begins to shine, like the beacon of a lighthouse, keeping you safe and bringing you home.
The Importance of Family, Community and Sisters of the Heart
Lissa, the heroine of Fire Bound, is special to me. She is as secretive and quiet as she is loyal and fierce. She exemplifies the element she is bound to; fire. You see fire, know it’s warmth and importance, but it’s easy to take it for granted and that’s when you get burned. Lissa has kept a secret from the women she calls her sisters because that secret is dangerous. She’s already lost her parents, she would do anything to keep her sisters of the heart protected, even from herself and her secret double-life.
Casimir is a man of secrets as well. Also orphaned, he has only his brothers as family. So when they ask him to watch over Lissa when she leaves for Italy he agrees. But, he is also bound to fire, his magic gifts as dangerous as Lissa’s. So when the two realize they need to work together things heat up, as you can imagine.
I love how the two are a perfect a compliment for each other. They both know the need for secrecy, double-lives, alias, disguises. They know how to kill and how to survive. Threaten what they love…who they love, and their magic becomes combustible.
Fire Bound
They are two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together.
Casimir is a man of secrets as well. Also orphaned, he has only his brothers as family. So when they ask him to watch over Lissa when she leaves for Italy he agrees. But, he is also bound to fire, his magic gifts as dangerous as Lissa’s. So when the two realize they need to work together things heat up, as you can imagine.
I love how the two are a perfect a compliment for each other. They both know the need for secrecy, double-lives, alias, disguises. They know how to kill and how to survive. Threaten what they love…who they love, and their magic becomes combustible.
Fire Bound
They are two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together.
Those Sisters of Mine
There’s something special about sisters. I’m sure brothers have their own bond and brother-sister siblings are close as well, but sisterhood is like air to those of us who love it.
I can’t imagine my life without my sisters, or growing up without sisters. So, it’s probably good that I have ten. Yes…ten.
The sisterhood of such a large family isn’t without its challenges. I mean, just think about the bathroom sharing issues! LOL I’m the second to the oldest sister, though I do have a brother between my eldest sister and I. And I do want to say, up front, that I adore my brothers as well. But, since we’re getting ready to celebrate Bound Together I thought I’d talk about sisters.
I would like to tell you just a little something about each of my sisters.
Renee, the first born in the family, is my best friend. She’s my partner in crime. She’s also the acknowledged head of the family. She’s a peacekeeper and a diplomat. And she loves babies. Good thing, too since she has 11 children of her own! She’s amazing with numbers and works as an accountant.
Ruth, who I secretly think may have been Dad’s favorite (don’t tell the others I said that!) is so incredible with children! Children gravitate to her. It’s like they can sense she will love and accept them immediately. She runs an after school program for children. She’s innovate and smart and, like many of my sisters, athletic.
Dianne is brilliant! No, really…BRILLIANT! She is very giving and has a soft spot for single mothers. She is a champion of them and a fighter for the rights of children. She is a lawyer and advocates for children. You should see her in the courtroom!
Bobbi loves animals like crazy. My family tends to love animals, but Bobbie takes it to a whole new level. LOL She has rescued horses and dogs for years and stands for the rights of animals. She has worked in just about every aspect with horses, from racing, polo to ranch and is their biggest advocate.
Jeanette is truly an incredible nurse. She has such a giving nature and is so good with patients and especially the elderly. She is patient, caring and loving. She is, very much, a people person.
Denise is one of the sweetest people and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. My youngest daughter is named after her. I can honestly say I’ve never heard Denise say a mean thing about anybody. She’s smart, sweet and caring. She works in the software industry coding things I will never understand.
Liz is a nutritionist and works with schools to make sure kids eat healthy. This is a passion for her. She is a protective mom, fun-loving and adventurous. She also is certified in helping doctors with diabetic patients and works closely with those who have the disease to aid in keeping it under control.
Lisa is scary-smart and beautiful. What a combination, right? She’s drop dead gorgeous and, most importantly, a wonderful mother. Not only is she an RN but she is also a lawyer.
Nanci is just like mom. I love to see her holding babies. Mom loved babies like that and when I see Nanci with a baby it’s like getting to see my mom again, the beautiful way she looks at a child. Nanci is an amazing ER nurse.
Mary was always a tremendous athlete. She had an uncanny ability to make anything grow. Sometimes she’d go to the store and buy their cast-off plants and take them home and make them flourish. She loved gardening. Even when she was going through chemo that girl would run, doing marathons or just jogging. And even sick she won a tennis tournament! I miss her. I miss her laughter most. She was a ray of sunshine to us all.
If you read my Sea Haven books, or any of my series really, you will always see a love of family, of children especially. So much of that is inspired by my own sisters, my brothers and my children.
I have an absolute love of family and so do my sisters. We are loyal to one another, we have each other’s backs. And we may argue from time to time, but if an outsider hurts one of us, the entire lot of us stand up and are a force unto ourselves. We are nurturers, but also protectors; of children and of animals.
There’s something special about sisters. It’s like magic.
I can’t imagine my life without my sisters, or growing up without sisters. So, it’s probably good that I have ten. Yes…ten.
The sisterhood of such a large family isn’t without its challenges. I mean, just think about the bathroom sharing issues! LOL I’m the second to the oldest sister, though I do have a brother between my eldest sister and I. And I do want to say, up front, that I adore my brothers as well. But, since we’re getting ready to celebrate Bound Together I thought I’d talk about sisters.
I would like to tell you just a little something about each of my sisters.
Renee, the first born in the family, is my best friend. She’s my partner in crime. She’s also the acknowledged head of the family. She’s a peacekeeper and a diplomat. And she loves babies. Good thing, too since she has 11 children of her own! She’s amazing with numbers and works as an accountant.
Ruth, who I secretly think may have been Dad’s favorite (don’t tell the others I said that!) is so incredible with children! Children gravitate to her. It’s like they can sense she will love and accept them immediately. She runs an after school program for children. She’s innovate and smart and, like many of my sisters, athletic.
Dianne is brilliant! No, really…BRILLIANT! She is very giving and has a soft spot for single mothers. She is a champion of them and a fighter for the rights of children. She is a lawyer and advocates for children. You should see her in the courtroom!
Bobbi loves animals like crazy. My family tends to love animals, but Bobbie takes it to a whole new level. LOL She has rescued horses and dogs for years and stands for the rights of animals. She has worked in just about every aspect with horses, from racing, polo to ranch and is their biggest advocate.
Jeanette is truly an incredible nurse. She has such a giving nature and is so good with patients and especially the elderly. She is patient, caring and loving. She is, very much, a people person.
Denise is one of the sweetest people and doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. My youngest daughter is named after her. I can honestly say I’ve never heard Denise say a mean thing about anybody. She’s smart, sweet and caring. She works in the software industry coding things I will never understand.
Liz is a nutritionist and works with schools to make sure kids eat healthy. This is a passion for her. She is a protective mom, fun-loving and adventurous. She also is certified in helping doctors with diabetic patients and works closely with those who have the disease to aid in keeping it under control.
Lisa is scary-smart and beautiful. What a combination, right? She’s drop dead gorgeous and, most importantly, a wonderful mother. Not only is she an RN but she is also a lawyer.
Nanci is just like mom. I love to see her holding babies. Mom loved babies like that and when I see Nanci with a baby it’s like getting to see my mom again, the beautiful way she looks at a child. Nanci is an amazing ER nurse.
Mary was always a tremendous athlete. She had an uncanny ability to make anything grow. Sometimes she’d go to the store and buy their cast-off plants and take them home and make them flourish. She loved gardening. Even when she was going through chemo that girl would run, doing marathons or just jogging. And even sick she won a tennis tournament! I miss her. I miss her laughter most. She was a ray of sunshine to us all.
If you read my Sea Haven books, or any of my series really, you will always see a love of family, of children especially. So much of that is inspired by my own sisters, my brothers and my children.
I have an absolute love of family and so do my sisters. We are loyal to one another, we have each other’s backs. And we may argue from time to time, but if an outsider hurts one of us, the entire lot of us stand up and are a force unto ourselves. We are nurturers, but also protectors; of children and of animals.
There’s something special about sisters. It’s like magic.
Defining What Makes a Sister of the Heart
It’s important to have someone you can turn to in times of great celebration, great tragedy and great…boredom. LOL I have so many amazing friends. I have friends who I can call on if I need help, or want honest feedback. I have friends who hold my secrets and those who can make me laugh no matter what. But, there’s a difference between a good friend and a “Sister of the Heart”. It may seem subtle when we talk about it, but it’s important in ways hard to describe sometimes.
A Sister of the Heart is someone you have absolute trust in. You have unconditional love for each other. You can count on them regardless of time or distance or issue. They carry your secrets as their own. They are honest, even if it’s tough, but always in a supportive way.
I have several Sisters of the Heart that I know, without a doubt, I could call at 3AM and say “I need you” and their answer will always be “I’m on my way.”
And though I can’t write about every single one of these amazing women, I wanted to share something about some of those very dear women. And I want to invite you to tell me about one of your own sisters of the heart, or several if you are blessed to have many. I want to hear your stories, because in a way, it binds us all together.
Anita has been part of my family since I was a teen. She was my parents’ chosen child that they took in and loved as their own. And we all loved her. Anita is one of those people who is so easy to talk to. You feel like you can say anything without judgement from her. That she cares about what you say and how you feel. She’s fun and you just want to be around her.
Kathie is one of the sweetest, most gentle people I’ve ever known. She has so much compassion for people and animals. We tease her sometimes, good-naturedly, that she doesn’t even know HOW to be mean! LOL We’re pretty sure she’s never been mean in her entire life.
(With Cheryl)
Cheryl is brilliant and funny. A great combination to have in a friend! I love discussing books with her. She can make me laugh, that fully-belly-laugh that leaves you begging her to stop because you’ve laughed so hard it hurts. She is loyal. And for that I am truly grateful.
(With Sheila and Kathie)
Sheila is most like me. We could sit and talk or laugh for hours. Or we could sit quietly and still enjoy each other’s company. She is always there for me no matter what.
(With Brenda and Kelley)
Kelley, Brenda and Kris are extremely special to me and I’m thankful they’re in my life. Their loyalty and love bolsters me. Just one phone call or message and no matter what is happening in their lives they will be there for me.
And perhaps, in the end, that’s the common thread to all of my Sisters of the Heart, those mentioned, those not. I can put my trust in that they will always be there for me, no matter what happens in my life. I trust them with my heart, and they know they can trust me with theirs.
In celebration of the release of Bound Together, the final book in the Sisters of the Heart series, I invite you to be part of this blog. Part of this story I just shared with you. Tell me about your own Sister of the Heart and why they are so special to you.
A Sister of the Heart is someone you have absolute trust in. You have unconditional love for each other. You can count on them regardless of time or distance or issue. They carry your secrets as their own. They are honest, even if it’s tough, but always in a supportive way.
I have several Sisters of the Heart that I know, without a doubt, I could call at 3AM and say “I need you” and their answer will always be “I’m on my way.”
And though I can’t write about every single one of these amazing women, I wanted to share something about some of those very dear women. And I want to invite you to tell me about one of your own sisters of the heart, or several if you are blessed to have many. I want to hear your stories, because in a way, it binds us all together.
Anita has been part of my family since I was a teen. She was my parents’ chosen child that they took in and loved as their own. And we all loved her. Anita is one of those people who is so easy to talk to. You feel like you can say anything without judgement from her. That she cares about what you say and how you feel. She’s fun and you just want to be around her.
Kathie is one of the sweetest, most gentle people I’ve ever known. She has so much compassion for people and animals. We tease her sometimes, good-naturedly, that she doesn’t even know HOW to be mean! LOL We’re pretty sure she’s never been mean in her entire life.
(With Cheryl)
Cheryl is brilliant and funny. A great combination to have in a friend! I love discussing books with her. She can make me laugh, that fully-belly-laugh that leaves you begging her to stop because you’ve laughed so hard it hurts. She is loyal. And for that I am truly grateful.
(With Sheila and Kathie)
Sheila is most like me. We could sit and talk or laugh for hours. Or we could sit quietly and still enjoy each other’s company. She is always there for me no matter what.
(With Brenda and Kelley)
Kelley, Brenda and Kris are extremely special to me and I’m thankful they’re in my life. Their loyalty and love bolsters me. Just one phone call or message and no matter what is happening in their lives they will be there for me.
And perhaps, in the end, that’s the common thread to all of my Sisters of the Heart, those mentioned, those not. I can put my trust in that they will always be there for me, no matter what happens in my life. I trust them with my heart, and they know they can trust me with theirs.
In celebration of the release of Bound Together, the final book in the Sisters of the Heart series, I invite you to be part of this blog. Part of this story I just shared with you. Tell me about your own Sister of the Heart and why they are so special to you.
Torpedo Ink Isn’t in Sea Haven, But it’s Close
I wanted to talk about the differences between the series set in or around Sea Haven.
The Drake Sisters and the Sisters of the Heart are about family, sisters, a sisterhood. The women these stories are about are magical, compassionate, empathetic, loving, funny women. Even with the challenges many of them faced these women had each other and the boundless love and support of one another.
Sea Haven is a town full of magic and the people in the town became like family. The Drakes grew up there and were part of that town. The Sisters of the Heart integrated with the town easily, becoming part of the camaraderie with the townsfolk.
Sea Haven is perfect for those women with their magic and laughter and floating tea cups. But, when I created Torpedo Ink I specifically didn’t put them directly in Sea Haven. They live very close in a small town called Caspar. We could say they are neighbors of Sea Haven who visit frequently.
Caspar is different from Sea Haven and more closely fit the needs of the motorcycle club. The town is real, where Sea Haven is fictional (though based primarily off of Mendocino, California). I’ve been to Caspar many times and there are some wonderful things about the town that made me choose it for the MC.
First of all, the town could pass as a ghost town in some parts. It’s very small and not a lot of people live in the heart of the town. Many live on the outskirts, out in the more rural areas. But, in Caspar itself there’s not even a gas station, a grocery store or a traffic light. Many of the buildings are abandoned, but some are lovely and you can see the love put into them. There’s a store that actually exists in Caspar called Caspar Curiosities that has odd items, strange things, unique art and eclectic antiques.
Caspar has a beautiful view of the ocean, but somehow, in a way, it feels empty. To me, there was a feeling of longing, of wanting to be full of life and vibrancy like its neighboring towns. It felt like the town was waiting for something. It was a perfect match for the 18 survivors who’d formed an unusual family and created a motorcycle club.
These people need the town of Caspar, as much as the town needed them. Of course Caspar in my books is fictionalized with much of it being different from the actual town. I love the town, both the real one and my fictionalization of it. To me, Torpedo Ink’s members longed for a place to call home, to settle down in and be able to be themselves. But, they would never really fit into normal society. Not with the type of abuse and life experiences they had starting as small children. They needed a place off the main drag so to speak, but that would still give them the sense of belonging in the world that they needed. The club and the town were a puzzle with missing parts, that when put together formed a full picture of a home full of hope and family and belonging.
The Torpedo Ink books can’t be like the Drake Sisters series or the Sisters of the Heart because those women were sisters full of compassion and empathy and the Torpedo Ink members are abused assassins without a firm grasp on societal rules and ways. They know darkness because they were darkness. Their lives are completely different from the Drakes or SotH in so many ways that their stories couldn’t be like the Sea Haven stories.
The similarities come in that they have a sense of family. They want to protect people in their club, their town, those they care for or are responsible for. They are in the same general area as Sea Haven and there are relationships (Drakes and Blythe/ Blythe and Viktor) that do cross over, so we will see some of the old characters make appearances from time to time. The club members do have heightened abilities or gifts and you see a little bit of that in Judgment Road.
The Torpedo Ink series is an outlaw motorcycle club romance series which is very different than a magical sisterhood. But, Torpedo Ink offers stories of redemption, acceptance, learning to integrate into normal society, loyalty, brotherhood and struggle. The greatest similarity among the different series is the promise and delivery of a Happy Ever After.
The Drake Sisters and the Sisters of the Heart are about family, sisters, a sisterhood. The women these stories are about are magical, compassionate, empathetic, loving, funny women. Even with the challenges many of them faced these women had each other and the boundless love and support of one another.
Sea Haven is a town full of magic and the people in the town became like family. The Drakes grew up there and were part of that town. The Sisters of the Heart integrated with the town easily, becoming part of the camaraderie with the townsfolk.
Sea Haven is perfect for those women with their magic and laughter and floating tea cups. But, when I created Torpedo Ink I specifically didn’t put them directly in Sea Haven. They live very close in a small town called Caspar. We could say they are neighbors of Sea Haven who visit frequently.
Caspar is different from Sea Haven and more closely fit the needs of the motorcycle club. The town is real, where Sea Haven is fictional (though based primarily off of Mendocino, California). I’ve been to Caspar many times and there are some wonderful things about the town that made me choose it for the MC.
First of all, the town could pass as a ghost town in some parts. It’s very small and not a lot of people live in the heart of the town. Many live on the outskirts, out in the more rural areas. But, in Caspar itself there’s not even a gas station, a grocery store or a traffic light. Many of the buildings are abandoned, but some are lovely and you can see the love put into them. There’s a store that actually exists in Caspar called Caspar Curiosities that has odd items, strange things, unique art and eclectic antiques.
Caspar has a beautiful view of the ocean, but somehow, in a way, it feels empty. To me, there was a feeling of longing, of wanting to be full of life and vibrancy like its neighboring towns. It felt like the town was waiting for something. It was a perfect match for the 18 survivors who’d formed an unusual family and created a motorcycle club.
These people need the town of Caspar, as much as the town needed them. Of course Caspar in my books is fictionalized with much of it being different from the actual town. I love the town, both the real one and my fictionalization of it. To me, Torpedo Ink’s members longed for a place to call home, to settle down in and be able to be themselves. But, they would never really fit into normal society. Not with the type of abuse and life experiences they had starting as small children. They needed a place off the main drag so to speak, but that would still give them the sense of belonging in the world that they needed. The club and the town were a puzzle with missing parts, that when put together formed a full picture of a home full of hope and family and belonging.
The Torpedo Ink books can’t be like the Drake Sisters series or the Sisters of the Heart because those women were sisters full of compassion and empathy and the Torpedo Ink members are abused assassins without a firm grasp on societal rules and ways. They know darkness because they were darkness. Their lives are completely different from the Drakes or SotH in so many ways that their stories couldn’t be like the Sea Haven stories.
The similarities come in that they have a sense of family. They want to protect people in their club, their town, those they care for or are responsible for. They are in the same general area as Sea Haven and there are relationships (Drakes and Blythe/ Blythe and Viktor) that do cross over, so we will see some of the old characters make appearances from time to time. The club members do have heightened abilities or gifts and you see a little bit of that in Judgment Road.
The Torpedo Ink series is an outlaw motorcycle club romance series which is very different than a magical sisterhood. But, Torpedo Ink offers stories of redemption, acceptance, learning to integrate into normal society, loyalty, brotherhood and struggle. The greatest similarity among the different series is the promise and delivery of a Happy Ever After.
Where to Start a Series: Sea Haven
Drake Sisters, Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven and Torpedo Ink
All of the books are written to be stand alone books, but a series is meant to offer a fuller experience, often with an additional story arc that ties them all together. It also allows a reader to become familiar with, not only characters, but with a location as well.
Sea Haven is a place in Northern California and the first time we learn about Sea Haven is with the Drake Sisters. These magical seven sisters are always there for each other though they all have very different occupations and lives. The series starts out very sweet, though there’s always an element of suspense in each story with varying levels of the paranormal. You can read any of the books and in any order but the final Drake Sisters book, Hidden Currents is darker and knowing what came before it might enhance your overall experience, but you’d still be able to understand the story even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series.
The bridge from the Drakes to the Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series is the community. Blythe, who is a cousin to the Drakes is in the Sea Haven series and so you have a small tie to the family. But, you do not have to read the Drake sisters series in order to read the Sea Haven series. Those characters will make an appearance occasionally, but not in a way that affects the story. They become secondary characters in a way. At least until the final book, Bound Together, where the Drakes play a bigger role.
Water Bound starts out the Sea Haven series and you learn there is a group of women tied together by their traumatic experiences. They met in group therapy and became so bonded they moved to Sea Haven and created a sort of compound or farm where each woman has their own home, but they live on the same property and help one another.
Like the Drake Sisters series, the women’s bond is caring and supportive and you feel like you could be best friends with them if you met them in real life. Each story is contemporary and brings with it a tale of suspense and/or danger. It isn’t until the final two books, Fire Bound and Bound Together, that we see the beginning of an overall story arc that ties up the series, but even then, you can read the books on their own and enjoy them.
Bound Together is a pivotal book. It completes the Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart Series (this series is officially called the Sea Haven series, but often is referred to as the Sisters of the Heart) and is a sort of entry to Torpedo Ink.
Torpedo Ink is the newest series that utilizes the Sea Haven area. Though the motorcycle club sets up shop in nearby Caspar, Sea Haven is the next town over and is visited or referred to. Blythe is again the link between a series, this time as the wife of Viktor, the president of Torpedo Ink.
Though it’s fun to get an introduction to the Torpedo Ink characters in Bound Together and to know Blythe and Viktor’s love story, Judgement Road introduces them again in a way that’s fresh and that allows you to read the book as a stand alone.
If you want to read the Torpedo Ink series you can start with the first Torpedo Ink series book, Judgment Road, but if you’d like the love story for the president of Torpedo Ink you will have to read Bound Together.
I would venture to say that each book is a stand alone with about 10% of the book referring to or containing information relevant to an overall series arc. It’s written in a way that you may not even notice that there’s this extra storyline. There’s no confusion that takes you out of the actual story of that particular book. It’s more like a story mosaic in which the pieces are beautiful on their own, but put together you see an additional story before you.
All of the books are written to be stand alone books, but a series is meant to offer a fuller experience, often with an additional story arc that ties them all together. It also allows a reader to become familiar with, not only characters, but with a location as well.
Sea Haven is a place in Northern California and the first time we learn about Sea Haven is with the Drake Sisters. These magical seven sisters are always there for each other though they all have very different occupations and lives. The series starts out very sweet, though there’s always an element of suspense in each story with varying levels of the paranormal. You can read any of the books and in any order but the final Drake Sisters book, Hidden Currents is darker and knowing what came before it might enhance your overall experience, but you’d still be able to understand the story even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series.
The bridge from the Drakes to the Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series is the community. Blythe, who is a cousin to the Drakes is in the Sea Haven series and so you have a small tie to the family. But, you do not have to read the Drake sisters series in order to read the Sea Haven series. Those characters will make an appearance occasionally, but not in a way that affects the story. They become secondary characters in a way. At least until the final book, Bound Together, where the Drakes play a bigger role.
Water Bound starts out the Sea Haven series and you learn there is a group of women tied together by their traumatic experiences. They met in group therapy and became so bonded they moved to Sea Haven and created a sort of compound or farm where each woman has their own home, but they live on the same property and help one another.
Like the Drake Sisters series, the women’s bond is caring and supportive and you feel like you could be best friends with them if you met them in real life. Each story is contemporary and brings with it a tale of suspense and/or danger. It isn’t until the final two books, Fire Bound and Bound Together, that we see the beginning of an overall story arc that ties up the series, but even then, you can read the books on their own and enjoy them.
Bound Together is a pivotal book. It completes the Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart Series (this series is officially called the Sea Haven series, but often is referred to as the Sisters of the Heart) and is a sort of entry to Torpedo Ink.
Torpedo Ink is the newest series that utilizes the Sea Haven area. Though the motorcycle club sets up shop in nearby Caspar, Sea Haven is the next town over and is visited or referred to. Blythe is again the link between a series, this time as the wife of Viktor, the president of Torpedo Ink.
Though it’s fun to get an introduction to the Torpedo Ink characters in Bound Together and to know Blythe and Viktor’s love story, Judgement Road introduces them again in a way that’s fresh and that allows you to read the book as a stand alone.
If you want to read the Torpedo Ink series you can start with the first Torpedo Ink series book, Judgment Road, but if you’d like the love story for the president of Torpedo Ink you will have to read Bound Together.
I would venture to say that each book is a stand alone with about 10% of the book referring to or containing information relevant to an overall series arc. It’s written in a way that you may not even notice that there’s this extra storyline. There’s no confusion that takes you out of the actual story of that particular book. It’s more like a story mosaic in which the pieces are beautiful on their own, but put together you see an additional story before you.
