I’m thrilled to have a friend and fellow Story Empire Contributor here, C. S. Boyack. I have read and loved all six of The Hat Series. My review of The Midnight Rambler: LINK
It means a lot to me that you’d open your doors to my blog tour, Denise. I’d love to help you promote your next publication whenever that might be.
There’s a cover and blurb down below that will give you some specifics into this story, but I want to talk about the series itself. This is a collection of stand-alone stories that don’t have any required reading before diving in. If The Midnight Rambler is your first exposure to the series, I promise you won’t feel lost.
One of the things that’s come up with this series is reader expectations. They’re dark humor and corny on purpose. Readers have developed their favorite features and it’s important for me to remember those. As the series grows, I can’t be shackled by them. We have new areas to explore and characters to meet.
People seemed to love Kevin the vampire, who is a kind of street informant for Lizzie and the hat. They love Noodles the crazy pet creature one of the local witches owns. Star St. Laurent, Lizzie’s mother has plenty of fans. Then there are things that seem to be regular features like the silly graphics and Night Bump Radio.
I dropped a few of these here, because I can’t pay homage to all of them in every book. There are times when a girl needs to talk to her mother, perfect for Star. Maybe she needs a street informant, great for Kevin. Detective Yoder and his deceased wife have their fans. I will continue to use these characters, but only when it’s appropriate for the story.
It seems like Night Bump Radio and the legend of Hellpox are finding their way into every tale, but even then it may be a major or minor appearance as the plot dictates. I can’t cover everyone’s favorite in every story. We have new characters to meet and new situations to delve into.
These peripheral characters are around for a reason. I can use them when it helps advance the plot. I can’t revisit them just because they were so much fun in previous volumes. It makes Lizzie’s world more realistic and complete.
Lizzie needs people like her mother to interact with. Her band, The Pythons, and a couple of her employers also fill this role. She can’t talk to them about the supernatural world, so we have Kevin the vampire, the local coven, or even Detective Yoder to fill those roles.
The Midnight Rambler features Elgin the magpie, and Ray C. Adair. These are new characters to love. It doesn’t mean I’m abandoning anyone, and they could reappear at any time in future volumes.
Just in case you’re worried, Dash Goodman and Detective Yoder appear in this story. Even Cyrus Yoder and Noodles are here, but in minimal form. I even revisited a nameless red headed vampire who’s more of a frenemy at this point.
I am honored that people enjoyed the peripheral characters in this series. Unless they’ve been killed any of them could reappear when the need arises. Of course, it’s a paranormal series so they might return even if they’re dead. Who knows? Kevin and the redhead are already dead, so never say never.
Cover Blurb:
Something evil is after the hat. The ageless enemies have battled many times, but this time Lizzie is wearing the hat. She’s also up against a ticking clock, in that if she can’t find the maker of her new friend’s medicine he will die.
The Rambler has kidnapped the only witch capable of making Ray’s medicine in an attempt to make the hat sloppy in his efforts. He’s also flooded the streets with deadly minions to impede any progress our heroes might make.
As if that weren’t enough, Lizzie is facing more of life’s struggles, both financially and mechanically. This all goes down in the middle of a huge flood event that she’s ill equipped to handle.
Join Lizzie and the hat as they battle the elements, the paranormal, and a being of pure evil. Lizzie might be battling some personal demons along the way as she and Ray grow closer.
Get your copy here: https://mybook.to/TheMidnightRambler
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Great post, and I love that cover. You make a valid point about bearing in mind reader favourites while not getting shackled, Craig. Wishing you every success with your new book. Denise, thanks for sharing. Hugs 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony. It’s a balancing act and I thought it might make an interesting topic.
It is fun to see characters return when they can, Harmony. I’m happy to share Craig’s good news 🙂
What a perfect book for the season! Congratulations, Craig, and thank you, Denise, for hosting today. 😊
Thank you, Gwen.
It really is a perfect Halloween read, Gwen 🙂 I’m always happy to host! Xo
I enjoyed Craig’s discussion of his use of peripheral characters in The Hat series.
Thank you, Liz. I try to make this series pretty crazy, and some of those characters resonate with readers. I’m thrilled, but can’t include all of them in the subsequent tales. Readers are loving Ray, who is introduced in this volume. To include the previous characters, Ray would have to lose page time.
You’re welcome, Craig.
It is interesting to learn his thought process behind it, Liz 🙂
Thanks for lending me your space today. I’ll try to check in during the day, but will likely have to catch up after work.
You are always welcome here, Craig! Great discussion about your characters 🙂
Thanks for sharing the news, Denise! A great meeting with well known characters, all readers of The Hat series cannot get out of their mind. Congratulations and many thanks to Craig, for this reunion. Best wishes, Michael
I’m happy to share Craig’s good news of his latest release, Michael. Definitely characters that stick in a reader’s mind long after reading the story.
Thanks for checking it out, Michael.
Elgin sounds like an interesting character. I’m excited to read this, Craig. Thanks for hosting, Denise!
Always happy to host, Priscilla 🙂 Yes, a magpie character catches a readers attention! Happy reading.
Yup, another reanimated character. Hope you enjoy him.
This is a perfect read for the season. Wishing much success to Craig.
It sure is the perfect season read, Joan 🙂
Thanks for the kind comments, Joan.
Congratulations on the next in your series, Craig. Great overview from Denise.
It’s another good one, Jacqui! Always fun to share new books here 🙂
Thank you.
Fan service is great, but you’re so right about not sacrificing quality in favor of it. You absolutely keep true to your plot in your stories. Great point, Craig. Best wishes.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
I’m glad you understand. When it’s possible I’ll use some characters again.
Happy to host, Staci. Yes, the quality of the story is so important.
Congratulations to Craig and thanks to Denise for hosting..
Happy to host, John 🙂
😊
Thank you, John.
😊
I like the shorter length of these stories. If you included every character you’ve introduced in every book, they’d be a lot longer:) And a lot more involved. Wise choice to use the ones pertinent to each story.
I’m glad to hear that. We need some choices in that middling length. Listening to Lizzie and the hat argue at novel length might lose some of its charm.
I like the length too Judi. Have to do what the story needs.
Such cool and unique characters in this series. Congratulations to Craig for this latest!
Glad you enjoy them, Beem. I try to keep them interesting.
Craig always has unique characters that you can’t help but root for.
I’m excited to meet some new characters after I finish Good Liniment. Thanks for hosting, Denise!
Thank you, Teri. Hope you’re enjoying the bog trogs. Oh, and Noodles.
Noodles! Definitely.
I’m happy to host, Teri 🙂 I always enjoy meeting new characters and you have some great ones to meet.
I can easily see this series as graphic comics. Have you considered taking that route, Craig?
I have, but it’s pretty expensive to prepare.
I could see that too, Jacquie. Too bad about the cost, Craig.
I love seeing some of these characters show up in different stories. Dash is a new favorite of mine. 🙂 Night Bump Radio is always entertaining, as well. All of the books in this series are excellent and entertaining! Thank you, Denise for hosting, Craig!
I like Dash and am considering a solo tale for him. Might take years to get to, but I’ve alluded to the quest a witch must go on to become a full coven member. The ideas for it are fun, but it’s going to be a while.
Dash became a favorite of mine too, Jan. It is nice to see past characters make an appearance. Glad to hear Dash might get his own story at some point, Craig.
I think it would be fun. I have two supporting stories roughed out. My question is does the series need them?
A fun post, Craig. I can totally see how the side characters give you a whole bunch of choices when it comes to advancing the plot. A highly entertaining read. Congrats on another excellent tour stop. Thanks for hosting, Denise. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it. Now Lizzie has her friends like anyone else, but she also has paranormal friends and colleagues.
Craig, I’m seeing you everywhere. Wishing you much success.
‘Lo, Denise. xo
Thank you, Sandra. Love the well wishes.
Hi Denise, it is great to see Craig’s new book featured here. I am starting it tonight and then I have one of your books on my TBR. This has been such a busy year for books.
Craig always has such interesting characters in his stories. Wishing him more success on his newest release. <3