I would think, the time signature and the tempo would have to dictate how the transition is made.
Personally, I like to drop a full tone & a half (end in G drop to e7..move up to the A).
Give a listen to Dire Straits "On the Night" CD. (No, it's not religious music, but the transitions from one piece to the next are incredible), particularly the saxaphone fills.
Just my thots.

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...L