Ever After?

16Oct2009 Filed under: Raine's Posts Author: Raine

It’s my release week, so here I am, about to promo my new e-book.
So let’s take care of that, and then we’ll talk.

HOTTER THAN HELL

Want a taste of Heaven? Go to Hell.
Legend has it that the Incubi were originally fallen angels, irresistible creatures who sacrificed their place in Paradise for the touch of mortal lovers. They live among us still, in the shadowy, dream-haunted fringes of modern society, indulging their insatiable lust and feeding on our desire with our blessings.
The Rose Legacy
A valuable inheritance is passed from one female member of a wealthy family to another, as it has been for centuries. But Camille Price, the beneficiary, doesn’t know it’s a generational curse that includes sacrificing her body and soul to an Incubus who fulfills her every erotic dream and nightmare.
Ravenous
Failed cleric Adam Bachmann knows a demon when he sees one. He just can’t seem to resist succubus Leyla Cheval, even though her insatiable sexual appetite is draining him of life. To save himself and others, he must sacrifice the only heaven he’s ever known and destroy the dark angel he’s come to love.

Read an excerpt HERE:

You can buy the book HERE:

Technically, the two stories in this book feature demonic-like creatures, so it would be called a paranormal. The stories are erotic. They have elements of humor (because I can’t seem to write anything without it), horror, and a dash of mystery for seasoning. The heroes and heroines are far from perfect. Sometimes they’re not even very nice (but they do grow). And technically, this book is a romance, fully equipped with what seem to be happy endings.

But without giving away spoilers, I’d have to say theress a certain…well, ambiguity in the endings.
Personally, I love that sort of thing. A storyline seems to linger longer in my imagination if I have a little something left to the imagination. Maybe I’m perverse that way.
Give me a perfect union of perfect people being perfectly happy at the end, and I’ll shut the book with a smile and a nod. They don’t need my attention anymore, they’re all settled, and I’ll quickly start planning on my next read (possibly by the same author, if she’s done a good job).
Give me a happily-for-now finish, and I’ll shut the book with a sly smile, wish them well, and occasionally, down the road, bet myself they made it work.
Give me a happily-satisfying ending with a touch of ambiguity, and I’ll close the book, nibble my thumbnail and carry it with me for a while. Wondering.

When you read romance, in all its different cross-genres and forms, do you prefer the definitive HEA? The oasis of a happily for now? Or that niggling little minor chord, that off note sounded somewhere in the background of the Wedding March?

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19 Responses to “Ever After?”

Dennie ~
October 16th, 2009 at 9:30 am

HEA isn’t a must, IF I know going in it won’t have that ending, y’know. If I am expecting an HEA and it’s a “who knows” then it irks me a bit.

I will say an HEA can be vastly different though. Some could be the wedding ring/commitment but it could also just be that character is at peace with their life.

mega congrats on your release
Charlene Teglia
October 16th, 2009 at 9:54 am

Congrats! Gorgeous cover! *sprinkles success confetti on it*
vanessa jaye
October 16th, 2009 at 9:55 am

First off, on the release!!!!

Dang, still love that cover.

Interesting question, Raine. For romance just give me the one that fits the story–either HEA or HFN.

If it’s an HEA I don’t need a *Perfectly* Happy Ever After. In Felicity Stripped Bare, the hero’s father (who was a bit of a blow-hard, but not a bad man) had problems with the hero and, separately, problems with the heroine. Those issues were not resolved by the end of the story. There was some ground work laid so that it seem possible the conflicts might work themselves to some degree over time. But they might not. That’s life.

So if you mean ambiguous as in, things won’t be perfect but they’ll be interesting or worth any future stresses likely to occur, I’m down with that.

But if you mean there’s enough of concern the the HEA lasting is cast in doubt, then, nope, don’t want that in my romances.

Also, if it’s an HFN but the ambiguous ending makes me speculate about their true motivations in being together and what will ultimately end the relationship (aside from *it’s run its course*), instead of thinking ‘hey, they have something special right now, and they just might make it in the long run’, then, nope, don’t really want that in a romance either.

At least not too much of it. It’s always nice to mix things up a bit, but I wouldn’t want a steady of diet of that type of ending in my romance reading. I partly read for the satisfactory hea/hfn. Ambiguity undermines that satisfaction.
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Some could be the wedding ring/commitment but it could also just be that character is at peace with their life.

I can understand that, Dennie. On the other hand, it sorta drives me crazy to read something in which the characters have known each other for 3 hours or so & decide it’s love & the guy pulls out a ring.
Not that true love CAN’T happen that way, I’ve just read too much of it, I think.

mega congrats on your release

Thanks, Dennie.
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Congrats! Gorgeous cover! *sprinkles success confetti on it*

I’ll take it, lol. Thanks, Charli!
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Dang, still love that cover.

Thank ya, ma’am. The artist done good.

Itâ€™s always nice to mix things up a bit, but I wouldnâ€™t want a steady of diet of that type of ending in my romance reading. I partly read for the satisfactory hea/hfn. Ambiguity undermines that satisfaction.

I would agree that I wouldn’t want TOO much of it in my romances, VJ. It would be overkill if done too often.
But I do love the less-than-perfect people in dicey situations. And I don’t mind if it’s left to me, the reader, to more or less decide whether I think these folks have what it takes to make happy beyond for now.
Melissa Blue
October 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Depends on how the author set up the story. The Innocent by Harlan Coben (not even close to a romance) was set up so that the hero and his heroine would end up in a HFN. There was a dark moment and I didn’t think they would even end up together. They did. I was so satisfied with that ending. Even though it wasn’t a romance I wouldn’t have liked that story as much if their togetherness had been ambiguous.

Ambiguous endings annoy me, which is why I love romance. I know how it’s going to end. At the same time I have to buy into those two characters having an HEA, but that’s another blog post all together.

Anyway, CONGRATS! on the new release.
BernardL
October 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Very good excerpts, Raine!
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Mel, I’m all for togetherness. I don’t want the conclusions of my romantic stories thwarted or, heaven forbid, crushed.
But I still like a degree of ambiguity there, whether it’s anticipating a shift in the circumstances or relationship, or whatever.
Maybe I’m finding myself shifting toward books with ‘romantic elements’ rather than pure romance. Dunno, and not even sure where the line between the two would cross…

Anyway, CONGRATS! on the new release.

Thanks, babe.
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Very good excerpts, Raine!

I’m honored, Bernard.
Melissa Blue
October 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

I should explain ambiguity from my POV. There is no clear ending to the story. Kind of like it stops mid-thought and you are….

Like that. Annoys me. I think I’m happy as long as the promise of something is there. At the end of the day I’m going to see the characters together for the long run anyway. But I need some kind of spring board from the author. If I’ve made it to the end of the book I’ve trusted them on some level to finish the story. Not get to the very end and…

Did I mention it annoyed me?

And, you’re welcome.
Amie Stuart
October 16th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

On the other hand, it sorta drives me crazy to read something in which the characters have known each other for 3 hours or so & decide itâ€™s love

WORD UP CHICKIE!! This SO doesn’t fly with me. I’m too much of a cynic.
Amie Stuart
October 16th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

If I KNOW what’s coming I’m fine. If I feel like the author has led me down a rose garden path toward an HEA and then pulls the rug out from under me–LOOK OUT! That answer applies regardless of genre!!

That said, I don’t expect every plot thread to be resolved–especially in romantic suspense/suspense/thrillers/uf and/or series books LOL

And Happy Release Week babe!!!
Tanya
October 16th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

I had to go take a cool drink after getting a gander at that cover. Damn, Raine. Hotter than Hell is right! whoooo!

Re: Endings … We were just talking about Joss W and his tendency for total destruction. I prefer a happy ending. I am content with a HFN. But I totally hate Oprah Winfrey endings where everybody is alone, abused and needing therapy.

Amie sent me The Girl She Used To Be and its ending wasn’t HEA. It was bittersweet, but it was acceptable. What I hate is a maudlin ending for maudlin’s sake and that’s what Joss W does nonstop. Needless nuclear destruction of all things beloved and familiar. It’s annoying.
cece
October 16th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

TGSUTB did have a bittersweet ending BUT it worked for me–IMO you saw it coming. I rest my case LOL
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

This SO doesnâ€™t fly with me. Iâ€™m too much of a cynic.

I know!! I always try to cut the author some slack, knowing there’s only so much time to work with in the space of a book.
But I often catch myself cringing nonetheless.
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

I think Iâ€™m happy as long as the promise of something is there…If Iâ€™ve made it to the end of the book Iâ€™ve trusted them on some level to finish the story. Not get to the very end andâ€¦

Oh, ok, Mel, I got ya.
Agreed!
Yes, I need the promise of something…a love for now, an ending for now, at the very LEAST. Definitely!
I think I was thinking more in terms of whether the relationship was likely to last, or the situational future was up in the air, or endangered. But yeah, I gotta know the feelings are there!
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

That said, I donâ€™t expect every plot thread to be resolvedâ€“especially in romantic suspense/suspense/thrillers/uf and/or series books LOL

Good! I agree. I don’t mind hanging on a long “hmmmm…”

And Happy Release Week babe!!!

Thanks, sweetie.
Raine
October 16th, 2009 at 9:56 pm

I had to go take a cool drink after getting a gander at that cover. Damn, Raine. Hotter than Hell is right! whoooo!

It’s unanimous…the cover’s a hit, lol!

Re: Endings â€¦ We were just talking about Joss W and his tendency for total destruction. I prefer a happy ending. I am content with a HFN. But I totally hate Oprah Winfrey endings where everybody is alone, abused and needing therapy.

Oh, absolutely. Unless I’m really in the mood for something like that, I avoid them like the plague. And if the author’s gonna pull a fast one, they’d better have left a flare or two along the road, or I’ll never forgive them.