I’d like a side of HEA with my Romance please…
There is a heated discussion going on at DearAuthor.com, right now, that has me a little perplexed.
To me, the issue is black and white--a no-brainer. Yet, I’ve seen many comments arguing the opposite. So, for anyone who reads or has read a romance novel, I ask you: When you purchase a book from the “Romance” section of your favorite bookstore, do you fully expect it to have a Happily-Ever-After ending? You know, one where, no matter how seemingly insurmountable their obstacles, the hero and heroine end up together in the end? Neither the hero nor the heroine DIES!!!!
I know I do. When I buy a romance, it’s because I want the love story AND the Happily-Ever-After. As far as I’m concerned, if there is no promise of an HEA at the end of the book, it is NOT a romance. Cut and dry. Black and white.
What do you think?
Sandy :-)
To me, the issue is black and white--a no-brainer. Yet, I’ve seen many comments arguing the opposite. So, for anyone who reads or has read a romance novel, I ask you: When you purchase a book from the “Romance” section of your favorite bookstore, do you fully expect it to have a Happily-Ever-After ending? You know, one where, no matter how seemingly insurmountable their obstacles, the hero and heroine end up together in the end? Neither the hero nor the heroine DIES!!!!
I know I do. When I buy a romance, it’s because I want the love story AND the Happily-Ever-After. As far as I’m concerned, if there is no promise of an HEA at the end of the book, it is NOT a romance. Cut and dry. Black and white.
What do you think?
Sandy :-)
Labels: Books, Controversial, Happily Ever After, Romance, Romance Novels
posted by Sandra Barkevich at 1/11/2007 12:30:00 PM
11 Comments:
Speaking form a guys point of view, as long as they get to “do it” it has a happy ending. LOL
My two all-time favorite romance novels do not have a HEA. The stories were written so well that the not-so-happy ending fit and I felt they had satisfactory endings. The romance novels that I read to pass time and as jello for the mind always tend to have a HEA.
I have to agree with Keith on that one LOL
Hmmm... She, I'd be interested to know which books they were. I guess the way I look at it, those books may be considered "romantic literature", but would not fall under the "romance novel" genre. Though, it could all be semantics. For the sake of my post, "romance" is the typical paperback, usually with the clinch cover. Not all of these romances are fluff and some can be very dark and very emotional. The journey to the HEA can be rocky and, at times, seem impossible. Yet, in the end, you know there will be resolution and the hero and heroine will be together. When I buy a "romance novel" I do so for that HEA.
That is not to say I don't read, and enjoy, other genres (some even have romantic elements but may not promise that HEA). I just want to know what I'm buying so my expectations are set and I don't get a nasty surprise in the end. When I pick up that paperback from the "Romance" section of the bookstore, it is an HEA I'm expecting.
Sandy :-)
LOL Keith! That's definitely a dude's POV. *ggg* As to your question, Sandy, yes, it has to have at least some form of HEA to be considered a romance. By that I mean, the HEA MUST be implied, if you don't see the couple 'riding off into the sunset'. If it doesn't, then it's simply a love story...like Romeo and Juliet, Gone with the Wind, Message in a Bottle, etc.
Crap, meant to say I like the new look. :)
LOL, Jordan. You put that so eloquently. "Love Story" very nice.
And, thanks for your compliment on my new look. It was so exciting to see it come to life. Poor se7en made so many versions for me. He is awesome!
Sandy :-)
Sandra - Both of the books have the typical Historical Romance Novel covers and are normally categorized as a romance novel at booksellers.
They're definitely darker than the standard Romance Novel, but I do love them. I've kept them for years and re-read them every few months.
1. Surrender the Night by Christine Monson
2. Bitter Eden by Sharon Salvato
I'm also very fond of Stormfire by Christine Monson but it's ending is a bit ambiguous and could be interpreted as a HEA.
These are older books from the late 70's and early to mid 80's if I recall correctly.
she,
Thanks for the names of those books. I have to say, it is hard for me to understand a "romance genre" book, not having a Happily-Ever-After. I feel, and this is only my opinion, that no matter how good the writing, I would be very disappointed by such an ending and it would color my perception of that author from then on. I am the person who loved the movie, Sommersby right up until the last, oh, 15 or 20 minutes. Then, I just hated the whole movie and swore never to watch it again. And, I haven't.
*Sigh* I'm just a hopeless romantic. LOL. As a writer of Romance, myself, I can pretty much guarantee a Happily-Ever-After in all of my books. Now, the getting to that HEA probably won't be easy and, especially in my paranormals, will be quite dark, but the hero and heroine will be together in the end. *bg*
In the mean time, I think I will see if I can't find copies of the books you mention. Knowing ahead of time not to expect that HEA, I think I can read them with an open mind. ;-)
Sandy :-)
When I buy stout beer, I don't expect an ale to come pouring out of the bottle. When I get a romance I better find an HEA between the covers, or I will feel decieved. In fact, I've not bought authors who have not followed through on that. Doesn't meen ring on the finger and bun in the oven HEA, just has to be the promise of something more that was preceeded by some good character arcing and serious emotional gut wrenching and such. That to me is solid enough HEA. But if the arc is weak and the ending is wishy washy, I feel cheated. Someone stuck an ale in that bottle when I wasn't looking. (It's Chris, BTW, using the dreaded a.k.a. )
Chris! (aka: Ursula)
I knew it was you *bg*. You picked a much better analogy than my: It is like going to a restaurant and ordering a chicken sandwich, but getting a fish sandwich instead. I don't hate fish, but I freakin' wanted chicken. You can bet I'd be complaining to management about that one. LOL.
See you later! I'll be at the CR-RWA (Capital Region - Romance Writers of America, for those of you not in the know *g*) meeting this afternoon. Looks like we have a great program set for today.
Sandy :-)
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