Visitation/Winston Brothers Books In Order

Publication Order of Winston Family Books

Publication Order of Visitation, North Carolina Books

Starting out in 1996, Lori L. Foster would go onto have a hugely successful writing career over the course of her life, producing large quantities of books, many focused on romance as a genre, as she would come to be a bestselling author in the intervening years, with many of her books reaching a worldwide audience, selling both nationally as well as internationally. This can be seen through her sales, as she would reach bestselling status, reaching the top of USA Today, along with Publisher’s Weekly, as well as becoming a New York Times bestselling author. Over time she would reach readers of all backgrounds, as her work would speak on a universal level, with her characters resonating with readers too, largely due to her ability in creating fully formed three-dimensional personalities that come alive off of the page, as they manage to speak to the reader on an almost intimate level. A highly prolific author within the literary community too, she manages to make herself heard, always willing to impart knowledge on her craft, giving an insight into how she writes. This passion is something that is also present within her work, as there’s plenty of character to each and every novel of hers, as she writes from a very real place that’s close to home. Drawing the reader in, she allows them to lose themselves within her words, as they essentially immerse themselves in her rich and immersive narratives. Combining both escapism and authenticity in equal measure, her stories are both engaging and compelling, factors which go some way towards explaining how it is that she has come to have just a fraction of the success that she currently has today. It is also her franchises and series that have come to make up much of her backlog of novels too, as there are a large number of them for readers to immerse themselves within. A series that she has become particularly well known for is that of her ‘Visitation/Winston Brothers’ series, an overall franchise that combines to series chronologically, with the ‘Winston Brothers’ series, followed by the ‘Visitation, North Carolina’ series as well. Set in North Carolina, these stories largely focus themselves on the romantic lives of the many residents there, specifically those of the Winston Brothers. Charting these stories over a long period of time, the stories themselves are largely stand-alone, allowing them to play off of each other essentially. With elements feeding into each subsequent novel, it also managed to provide a sense of familiarity to any long-term reader, whilst also not potentially alienating any new readers to the series.

Starting out in 1999 with the title ‘Hot Chocolate’ which would be the first in the ‘Winston Brothers’ series, a franchise which would be comprised of over four novels, running until 2001, including numerous spin-off titles, This series would later be followed up with the ‘Visitation, North Carolina’ series in 2003 with the title ‘Say No To Joe?’, as it would then run itself for five novels until 2005, along with many of its own spin-offs too. With the first series, ‘Winston Brothers’, Foster would write many of the books alongside other writers, whilst later she would write these second series, ‘Visitation, North Carolina’, on her own. As an overall franchise, this would create a large and sprawling narrative that would span over a large period, incorporating many elements into its narrative.

Say No To Joe?

Published through the ‘Zebra Books’ publishing label, this was to be the first book in the ‘Visitation, North Carolina’ series, and the first stand-alone book for Lori L. Foster in the franchise. Following on directly from the ‘Winston Brothers’ series, it would continue in much the same vein as before, with it being first published on the 1st of August in 2003. Showing a clear sense of development as an author, it also shows the first full novel in the overall franchise, whilst the previous would largely make up shorter stories from all the various different authors.

As a rule it would seem that Joe Winston can get any woman he wants, as he uses his looks and his smoldering charm to win the heart of many women, That is until he finds the true women of his dreams, Luna Clark, as it appears she may be a little harder to woo, as he attempts to win her heart. Whilst she secretly may be passionately attracted to him, she feels that she may initially be a little too smart to be attracted to his charms. Will he win her hand? Can she overcome her initial reservations? Does she say no to Joe?

The Secret Life Of Bryan

Originally brought out in 2004 on the 1st of March, this was initially published through the Kensington publishing label. Marking the second title in the ongoing ‘Visitation, North Carolina’ series of books, this would follow on with another self-contained story. Developing the characters and the world, it manages to take that franchise in new and exciting directions for the reader.

Bryan Kelly is a bounty hunter with a jaded view of the world, and now he’s after a woman quite unlike any other he’s ever met before. The society icon Shay Sommers appears to have it all, which is why she’s surprised when she finds herself attracted to this man after going to him for help. Working for charity, she needs his protection, as the both of them must overcome their attraction to each other and finish the job in hand. Can he ever commit though? Will he be able to protect her? What is the secret life of Bryan?

The Visitation/Winston Brothers Series

Whilst this is a must for any fans of Foster as an author, giving insight into her development as a writer, it is also perfect for any fans of the romance genre overall, as it really understands the material that it’s working with. Taking the template Foster really manages to find her own voice within it, creating something that is ultimately both engaging and entertaining in equal measure, all whilst managing to say something that is very real and personal to her as a writer. With plenty of room to continue expanding upon this in the near future, as it’s beloved by both critics and the general public alike, this is one series that will stand the test of time for many years to come, with more and readers continuing to discover it every day.