I think that I also have become involved with main characters in series which I no longer enjoy , but just can't seem to "let go" of reading the new releases.

I know that there is one particular author who is (more than) prolific who is rumored to have a ghostwriter or two doing a whole lot of writing. I guess that it would be difficult to give up the money-train if you are a very popular author and your fans are willing to continue reading "your" novels even though they aren't as good as the novels you actually wrote!

Also, I have heard whispers that those who are as prolific as you mention, also sometimes have ghostwriters filling in the authors plot outline. That may be why the spark is missing.

Sometimes I become more interested in the character than the story, and that is when I don't want the series to end. The author could write a bio on the character alone and I would be happy.

I agree about your life motto… But try as I might>>> Right when I think that I have come to terms with dropping a "long in the tooth" series, I decide to give the author just one more chance and then find myself wondering why the heck I did! Once the series is on a downward spiral, it usually means that it's a done deal.

But, sometimes, when I look at my lists of favorite authors quickly diminishing, I wonder if I was just going through a negative stage when I read the authors, and decide to try them just one more time. Second guessing myself is NOT a good thing!

But I have to admit that most of the time, since they were favorite authors, I end up comparing their new series to their first series, and don't enjoy the second (and sometimes third and fourth!) series enough to warrant continuing with the author.

At least five series that I've enjoyed have published their last book, most due to their publisher's wish and some because they want to start a new series. I'll give these authors a chance with their new series, but if it doesn't rank up there with the previous series, they won't see me back.