Comments on: Bonnie Dee & The Open Ending http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/ it's not chick porn Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:12:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Neetu http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19522 Mon, 26 May 2008 23:23:06 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19522 A friend of mine told me about a book they recently read, which they absolutely loved. There was a sequel to the book, with the same characters. Now, however, the hero from the first book was replaced by another hero for the same heroine. Nancy Gideon (or was it Lori Herter?) did a similiar thing in one of her vampire books, where the heroine was "replaced" by another. She hated this idea and I have to say so did I. I have yet to read those books and I doubt I ever will. As you mention, in real life, there are far too many uncertainties etc. and the reason why I read romance is that I am "quaranteed" a happy ending - for those two individuals - together. While, it is acceptable to be that the characters have a happy ending "for now", since there are always uncertainties in life, I would still like to know that the two character were able to grow and adapt to what life throws at them - together. I've also read a few romance where the heroine dies - and for some reason that is okay with me, two of such books remain among my favourites. I think the key difference is the way in which the author deals with the situation and characters. This idea of being "replaced" is what I think I don't like and so want a more concrete ending where I know everything turns out okay. Just my two cents. Cheers, Neetu A friend of mine told me about a book they recently read, which they absolutely loved. There was a sequel to the book, with the same characters. Now, however, the hero from the first book was replaced by another hero for the same heroine.

Nancy Gideon (or was it Lori Herter?) did a similiar thing in one of her vampire books, where the heroine was “replaced” by another.

She hated this idea and I have to say so did I. I have yet to read those books and I doubt I ever will. As you mention, in real life, there are far too many uncertainties etc. and the reason why I read romance is that I am “quaranteed” a happy ending - for those two individuals - together. While, it is acceptable to be that the characters have a happy ending “for now”, since there are always uncertainties in life, I would still like to know that the two character were able to grow and adapt to what life throws at them - together.

I’ve also read a few romance where the heroine dies - and for some reason that is okay with me, two of such books remain among my favourites. I think the key difference is the way in which the author deals with the situation and characters.

This idea of being “replaced” is what I think I don’t like and so want a more concrete ending where I know everything turns out okay.

Just my two cents.

Cheers,
Neetu

]]> by: azteclady http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19494 Thu, 22 May 2008 22:02:39 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19494 I like a happy for now with potential--when it's well done, I can easily imagine it becoming hea, as long as the people involved are willing to work at it. (it sucks that the one day I don't check this blog there's a contest *kicking desk*) I like a happy for now with potential–when it’s well done, I can easily imagine it becoming hea, as long as the people involved are willing to work at it.

(it sucks that the one day I don’t check this blog there’s a contest *kicking desk*)

]]> by: Jill Sorenson http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19490 Thu, 22 May 2008 15:33:02 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19490 Unlawful Contact...mmmm...that book was hott. And a nice little HEA, if I remember correctly. Unlawful Contact…mmmm…that book was hott. And a nice little HEA, if I remember correctly.

]]> by: Lorelie http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19489 Thu, 22 May 2008 14:21:48 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19489 Stupid work computer with the stupid work explorer. :::grumbles:::: Can only see one or two comments, so I apologize if I'm copy catting anyone. I don't need a big ole Christmas bow on my happy ending. A book I read recently had one of those endings, where heroine was pregnant, and hero was so faboo he gave new clothes to all the servants, the awful father was redeemed and there was even a couple trunks of gold sitting in the corner. Srsly. It was the over-the-top capper on an already painful journey. That being said, I like a well-crafted epilogue sometimes and I definitely like to know everything's *gonna* be hunkie dorie. Even if it's not this second. And if I know it's a series, there's even more leeway given. <blockquote>without the HEA it’s like chocolate-chip cookies without the chocolate-chips.</blockquote> Hee! I just read Pamela Clare's Unlawful Contact and the "family" recipie for chipless chocolate chip cookies comes up a couple times. Stupid work computer with the stupid work explorer. :::grumbles:::: Can only see one or two comments, so I apologize if I’m copy catting anyone.

I don’t need a big ole Christmas bow on my happy ending. A book I read recently had one of those endings, where heroine was pregnant, and hero was so faboo he gave new clothes to all the servants, the awful father was redeemed and there was even a couple trunks of gold sitting in the corner. Srsly. It was the over-the-top capper on an already painful journey.

That being said, I like a well-crafted epilogue sometimes and I definitely like to know everything’s *gonna* be hunkie dorie. Even if it’s not this second. And if I know it’s a series, there’s even more leeway given.

without the HEA it’s like chocolate-chip cookies without the chocolate-chips.

Hee! I just read Pamela Clare’s Unlawful Contact and the “family” recipie for chipless chocolate chip cookies comes up a couple times.

]]> by: tbear http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19488 Thu, 22 May 2008 14:03:23 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19488 Like someone posted above (damn IE - can't see the comments while typing!) I can do both endings as long as I know it isn't a temporary thing.... my question is the opposite - I recently read on of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter books called Sins of the Night where they central characters were only allowed together only in - I guess you can call it- "pergatory" as shades... they can't experience sensation, etc. IIRC... yes it was a bittersweet ending, but I didn't find it particularly satisfying, as if it were tacked on to make the editor happy or something. In general I like the series, but this one left me a bit disappointed. Has anyone else read an ending similar, where it's happliy in the everafter? If so, was it a satisfying ending? Like someone posted above (damn IE - can’t see the comments while typing!) I can do both endings as long as I know it isn’t a temporary thing…. my question is the opposite - I recently read on of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter books called Sins of the Night where they central characters were only allowed together only in - I guess you can call it- “pergatory” as shades… they can’t experience sensation, etc. IIRC… yes it was a bittersweet ending, but I didn’t find it particularly satisfying, as if it were tacked on to make the editor happy or something. In general I like the series, but this one left me a bit disappointed. Has anyone else read an ending similar, where it’s happliy in the everafter? If so, was it a satisfying ending?

]]> by: April http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19487 Thu, 22 May 2008 09:25:41 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19487 My favorite endings are the HEA endings but I can also deal with the HFN endings if it comes to that. Like a lot of others, I read to escape reality and enjoy the confort of happiness in the pages of a book most times versus the HFN way some things end up in real life. My favorite endings are the HEA endings but I can also deal with the HFN endings if it comes to that. Like a lot of others, I read to escape reality and enjoy the confort of happiness in the pages of a book most times versus the HFN way some things end up in real life.

]]> by: Ciara http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19485 Thu, 22 May 2008 01:37:38 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19485 I need a firm HEA. If I pick up a book expecting a romance novel and I don't get a HEA, I'm terribly, horribly unsatisfied. It's all about expectation. If I know I'm reading a non-romance novel then I'm prepared for a happy-for-now ending and I can deal with it. But I prefer a HEA. I read romance for that warm fuzzy feeling. I read it for the love, true love, happily ever after. It doesn't matter if the characters and plot are great - without the HEA it's like chocolate-chip cookies without the chocolate-chips. It's probably because I grew up on disney. ...and they lived happily ever after. The end. I need a firm HEA. If I pick up a book expecting a romance novel and I don’t get a HEA, I’m terribly, horribly unsatisfied. It’s all about expectation. If I know I’m reading a non-romance novel then I’m prepared for a happy-for-now ending and I can deal with it. But I prefer a HEA. I read romance for that warm fuzzy feeling. I read it for the love, true love, happily ever after. It doesn’t matter if the characters and plot are great - without the HEA it’s like chocolate-chip cookies without the chocolate-chips. It’s probably because I grew up on disney.

…and they lived happily ever after. The end.

]]> by: Bonnie Dee http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19484 Wed, 21 May 2008 23:58:08 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19484 Sounds like people are divided over the issue. That's good. Guess that's why there's room for all kinds of romance novels. And sometimes it depends on your mood whether you're into the complete, drooling baby wrap up or a more tentative resolution. (I predict that DBW, drooling baby wrap, is going to become the new acronym for HEA) Sounds like people are divided over the issue. That’s good. Guess that’s why there’s room for all kinds of romance novels. And sometimes it depends on your mood whether you’re into the complete, drooling baby wrap up or a more tentative resolution. (I predict that DBW, drooling baby wrap, is going to become the new acronym for HEA)

]]> by: Josie http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19483 Wed, 21 May 2008 23:46:37 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19483 I prefer a HEA... I too, am a huge, soppy fan of the white picket fence, drooling baby epilogues. In saying that though, I'm usually pretty happy with a HFN but I have to believe in it. There is nothing more depressing than closing a book and thinking 'they've got 6 months before they're going to be fighting over who gets the cappucino maker'. I prefer a HEA… I too, am a huge, soppy fan of the white picket fence, drooling baby epilogues.

In saying that though, I’m usually pretty happy with a HFN but I have to believe in it. There is nothing more depressing than closing a book and thinking ‘they’ve got 6 months before they’re going to be fighting over who gets the cappucino maker’.

]]> by: Jill Sorenson http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19481 Wed, 21 May 2008 21:22:46 +0000 http://dionnegalace.com/wordpress/2008/05/21/bonnie-dee-the-open-ending/#comment-19481 Ah, I love this topic. I saw a movie once, can't remember the name, where this makeshift family (mom, daughter, random guy) were stranded on an Alaskan island together after fleeing from some evil men. At the end, a plane flies overhead, and the screen just cuts to black. The audience doesn't know if the family is rescued or gunned down. I was like, what?! And, cool! Sort of. In romance, it just doesn't work. I don't want a big WTF at the end of the book. Throw in an epilogue with a couple of drooling babies, I don't care. Now that I have children I'm a sentimental fool. It seems to me that the very aspects of the genre we complain about (formulaic, unrealistic, alpha men) are part of what makes romance so satisfying. Ah, I love this topic. I saw a movie once, can’t remember the name, where this makeshift family (mom, daughter, random guy) were stranded on an Alaskan island together after fleeing from some evil men. At the end, a plane flies overhead, and the screen just cuts to black. The audience doesn’t know if the family is rescued or gunned down. I was like, what?! And, cool! Sort of.

In romance, it just doesn’t work. I don’t want a big WTF at the end of the book. Throw in an epilogue with a couple of drooling babies, I don’t care. Now that I have children I’m a sentimental fool.

It seems to me that the very aspects of the genre we complain about (formulaic, unrealistic, alpha men) are part of what makes romance so satisfying.

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