In 2010, I published the first book in the Valentine series. This is a story that was created by accident—yes, by accident. I was working on artwork for a different story, and I planned to give the female character I created a streak of pink in her hair. Instead, I ended up coloring all of her hair pink. Looking at the illustration, an idea formed in my mind: a goth girl with pink hair, who’s armed with a pair of handguns. Then, pow! Valentine was born!

I republished Valentine five years later, when I moved everything over to Amazon’s Create Space (now known as KDP, or Kindle Direct Publishing). From there, I published a sequel, Valentine 2: The Patron Saint. I had planned a third book, and was certain I would most likely stop there. When I developed an idea for a fourth, then a fifth, I had to keep going. Then along came Allan and Mac, then Her Name is Lola Vencent. The next thing I knew, I was writing a spin-off series. Then a prequel series: Lucia and the Saints. In all, the Valentine universe currently has sixteen books, and it’s about to gain an additional three (or four, or five, depending on where my brain goes. I’m not completely in charge of the thing; I just follow it around and do whatever it says). I’m talking about the next Valentine series, Valentine R, which will hopefully debut later this Summer.

Before Valentine R becomes available, we need to take a few steps back. Let’s go back to the beginning, and meet all of the key players in Val Entienne’s world, both past and present. I’m going to give you a timeline of sorts, starting with the prequel series Lucia and the Saints, and ending with the final book in the Valentine series and Jo Fuentes: Project Sleep.

WARNING: IF YOU’VE NEVER READ ANY OF THE VALENTINE BOOKS THERE WILL BE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

Lucia and the Saints introduces John Rafferty and Lucia Milazzo. Rafferty wants to make a name for himself, but literally has no idea how to get started. He meets Lucia, a young woman who is already part of the Syndicate (before the Syndicate receives its official name). She does some work for Edwin Faulkner, a mob boss stationed in New York. Lucia and Rafferty begin to work together by buying a few businesses together, and hiring brothers Vincent and Victor Entienne and Jacob Price as enforcers. Lucia helps Rafferty get his foot into Faulkner’s door, but he ultimately betrays her and she walks away from him.

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Now on his own, Rafferty continues to grow his businesses and his reputation. He brings his nephew Damien Ellis into the fold, along with Lola Vencent. Vincent finds himself in trouble one night, and his partner Jacob Price is nowhere to be found, so he calls daughter Val and she comes to his rescue. This leads to Rafferty wanting Val to work for him, which leads Vincent to paying him a visit to declare he’s ready to quit. Damien takes it upon himself to have Victor Entienne killed due to the claim he was stealing money. A botched hit leads to Lola Vencent quitting as Rafferty’s valkyrie (the one who arranges and/or carries out hits). She and Val have a brief misunderstanding but later become friends. Val and cousin Veronica discover Veronica has a half-sister by way of Victor who needs protection.

Val and company go to war with Rafferty and Damien, where Damien gets killed. Other hitmen join Val, including Lola’s ex Allan Avery and his sister Mac. Kelly McCormick, another member of the Syndicate, hires Marine soldier Jo Fuentes to work for her. All of them eventually team up against Rafferty and Val takes him out, setting her family free from any further threats from Rafferty and taking the burden off of the rest of the Syndicate members’ shoulders. With Rafferty gone, Val becomes the head of the Syndicate, but she passes the position to Kelly McCormick instead, and leaves New York with her family. Kelly takes advantage of the situation and her friendship with Jo Fuentes, and treats the Syndicate like her own personal business. She and Jo have a falling out, and Jo goes to see Val.

Val had the Syndicate in the palm of her hands, and she gave it away. So, the question is, what will she do when she comes back? What is she coming back to? Will she retake her place at the head of the table? She’s responsible for taking Rafferty down and she rightfully earned a seat at the Syndicate’s table. She handed her power to Kelly, but would Kelly be willing to just give it back? Jo is Kelly’s right hand, but she may not be on her side…

ALOT is going to take place in this next series. If you really want to get caught up, grab a copy of Valentine and take it from there! It’s a great story with plenty of interesting characters and lots of action. All of the books from all three series are available in paperback and ebook form. You can purchase them via Amazon, or get the paperbacks from the Woolaston Entertainment Online Store.

Happy reading everyone!