I've stumble onto several books that are part of a series that have me wanting to read more. So, how do you feel about reading part of a series, skip books or do you feel its important to read in order? Does it depend on the series or author?

The 1st is The Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I'm not really interested in reading this entire series (the single parent/kids angle doesn't interest me), but there are several that I'd like to read. What do you think about cherry picking books from this series?

The other series is Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt. I'm reading book 5, but would love to read the entire series. Does it matter that I already know some of the "plot twists/secrets"?  

Personally I like to read them in order.  IMO the Virgin River series has so many intertwined relationships, you probably need to read them in order too.

I don't mind reading things out of order if I happen upon a book in a series.

I have learned through my reading experience that most non-paranormal series can be read out of order. The paranormals tend to have an ongoing plot (warring vampire factions, fighting werewolf packs, a common evil entity etc..,)  and reading out of order can be confusing.

But I find with most series that are just connected by people being related, friends, coworkers, neighbors etc.., The only read spoiler about reading them out of order is that the couple from a previous book is (big surprise) still a couple and possibly married and expecting or has popped out a couple of kids already.  So really not much of a spoiler because you expect that in romances anyway. I find this especially true of the really long series.

That being said, I have only read the first Virgin River book.  It was just ok to me and I probably won't put any effort into reading them in any sort of order.  But I do, for most series, try to read them in order.  After a couple of books I can usually tell that I can just read them in any old way.

I havne't read book 2 of the Maiden Lane series though I've read the others and haven't felt I missed much. However, the Ghost to St. Giles is unknown and appears in Books 1 and 3 and I think you will miss out on some of the mystery if you know who the Ghost is.  Other than that, no, I don't think you're out anthing big reading that series out of order.

I didn't read the very first 3 Virgin River books and had no problem reading the next three which are still my favorites.

I read all of the VR books. It would be easier to read them all in order for a two reasons - 1.) They tend to go in groups of characters - like every three books or so feature the same groups of main characters, with each one taking the lead in their own books but that set of three (which were usually released in the same year) were about the same brothers, group of friends, etc. so you knew Aidan because he had just appeared in Luke's story. She intertwined them pretty well. ..2.) There is a lot of backstory that carries through the entrie series.

That said, I think you could skip the ones you are not interested in, because you can piece together parts you missed. The only thing that I may recommend is that if you read them out of order, just try to keep them flowing so instead of reading Book #4, then #18, then #11, etc. try to read them as chronologically as you can simply because there are SOOOO many characters to keep track of.

So, would you recommend reading the VR series before starting on The Thunder Point series? I ask because I recently picked up The Wanderer from a thrift store but haven't read any of the VR books & have heard these series are somewhat intertwined.

I read the Wanderer after having only read the 1st VR book and had no issue with following it.  I didn't like it but it had nothing to do with not having read the VR books. 

I had no idea the VR series is 20 (or more) books when I picked up My Kind of Christmas. I enjoy it, but not really interested enough to read the entire series. I have 2 others already (Hidden Summit & A Virgin River Christmas) & may pick up 2 or 3 more.

However, I'm really enjoying book 5 in the Maiden Lane series & plan to read the others (in order) as soon as I can get copies! I'd love to find more like these (even stand alone books), but I have no idea were to start.

I'm pretty new to historical romance & would be be interested in suggestions. I will say I'm not a big fan of Amanda Quick based on the two I've read/tried to read (The River Knows & Wait Until Midnight). They were a little slow to me. Any books you'd recommend?

I appreciate everyone thoughts on VR & ML & reading them out of order. I seem to stumble upon one in a series at my UBS or thrift store a lot. Then I'm drawn in & have to search for the others. Oh well... its pretty fun find new authors & such!