Perfect Series Length

I read and write fantasy.  Most of the early fantasy I read had been written in three book series.  Most epic fantasy followed the standard set by Tolkien.  After all if the master could create a story the scope of The Lord of the Rings, would would anyone need to drag the story out for more than three books.  But some could argue Tolkien's saga was actually four books if you include The Hobbit.  Then along came Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time series and a new idea of how long epic really is and it's not done yet, outliving even its creator.  Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series came along to challenge Jordan's record and he's still going with it.

So what is the perfect length.  I don't mind reading ten or fifteen books set in a series unless I have to wait more than half a decade for the next book in a series and if the author keeps the story tight and moving ever deeper into intrigue with escalating tensions and the fate of the world at stake.  Some can do this and some can't though I won't mention names.  On the other hand I've read three or four book epic fantasy series where I didn't even care if I finished the final book. 

My first fantasy series is four books long.  I planned it for three but the complications took longer to bring to a head than I expected when I started it.  I'm currently a book and a half into my second fantasy series and expect it to also be four books long. 

How long do you like for your book series to be as a reader or a writer?  Have you fallen out of love with a series after you'd invested time reading the early books in it?

Work and Play

Except for major holidays, I like to do at least a little bit of writing work every day.  Sometimes all I get done is visiting blogs and reading mail.  Since today is a day off, I'm intending more than that. I'm nearly finished with the short story I'm going to use as promotion for my upcoming release, Beyond the Gate.  I'm also writing up a few blogs to post during the upcoming week.

This morning was all about play however.  A few weeks ago I received two gift cards to Barnes and Noble for my birthday. I used one to shop online but today I promised my daughter a trip to the book store.  Barnes and Noble is a short distance in miles from my house but the roads there make it longer than it seems. A durn construction project slows the busy roadways and of course being the Saturday after Black Friday brought a lot of traffic to the confusion and roughly-paved streets.  We went early, found a seat in the cafe and then took turns browsing and bringing stacks of books to our table.  Between sips of coffee we read inside flaps, back covers and first chapters.  Money is tight so we're careful shoppers. 

Like most writers, I read a variety of genres.  I love reading historical mysteries when the detectives have to use their wits and intellects without relying on DNA, security cameras or phone traces.  Victoria Thompson's Gaslight series set in New York is one of my favorites.  I recently discovered, Will Thomas's Barker and Llewelyn detective series set in Victorian London.  This first book, Some Danger Involved, intrigued me so today I picked up the second one, To Kingdom Come.  And for a little bit of quick light reading, I picked up Richard Castle's first book, Heat Wave.  I love the Castle TV series and of course am wondering like so many other people who is actually writing the 'Nikki Heat' books.

I still have the massive next book in The Wheel of Time series to tackle but I think I'll wait until Christmas break to dive into that tome.  What about you? With the winter chill setting in, what book are you curling up with?  I have a hot coffee by my hand and tonight I'll have a glass of wine.  What will you sip on while you indulge in some pleasure reading?