As romance writers and readers, we buy into the idea of fairy tales every time we write, buy, and read a romance book. By their very definition they have a Happily Ever After; otherwise they are simply called fiction.
Now let me declare loudly that I still believe in Happily Ever After. I just know now that it requires a LOT of hard work on the part of both parts of the couple and doesn't just happen like magic, but I don't want this in my romance books. I will never, never, ever forget reading a "romance" book by a very famous romance author whose books I had read for years and it didn't have a Happily Ever After. Twenty plus years later I still haven't read another book by this author. I wanted the fairy tale!! I love picking up a romance and being swept away. That is probably one reason that I love the Harlequin Presents line, such as those written by our friend the fabulous, Lynn Raye Harris. They sweep me away to the glitzy world of playboy sheiks and millionaire princes!How about you, do you love the fairy tale or do you prefer that your romance books be a bit more realistic?
I'm with you, Stephanie, give me that happily ever after ending. "Beauty & the Beast" has been my favorite fairy tale since I was a little girl and I've written my own version of that story several times. I believe the power of love can transform lives -- in real life as well as in fiction.
ReplyDeleteI read all kinds of things so I don't have to have a HEA but I want to be mentally prepared if I'm not going to get it. And I must say it sometimes takes three romances to get me over a bad ending.
ReplyDeleteStephanie--Do all those westerns you read end well? Seem like with all those guns and bulls and overturned lanterns, things might go awry sometimes. Who is that guy you like so much? The one who "ain't got no backup in him?"
And P.S. "the fabulous Lynn Raye Harris" has a new book on the shelves right now--The Devil's Heart. It's yummy!
When it comes to fiction, I much prefer the fairy tale to realism. Maybe that's why I write so much paranormal -- and I have written several twisted fairy tales. But I do know the difference between fiction and real life. Give me the beast in fiction, but when it comes to real life, you can keep him! :-)
ReplyDeleteLJ
I don't really like fairy tales - give me a good ol' western every time. I guess I fall into the category with Stephanie. I also like strange books but I do want them to end right. Stephen King is the master of ending a book without the hero winning (he usually dies-LOL). But romance does need that happy ending. Why else would anyone read it? I like to see the heroine finally get the hero!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE fairy tales. They give children first hand experience with the world in all it incarnations. They were originally conceived to warn children of the dangers in the world. If you go back at look at what the Grimm's wrote, you'll see fairy tales were a lesson on life woven to keep young children safe and within proper boundaries.
ReplyDeleteThe modern world has romanticized many of those stories, which were morbid and scary, and turned them into possibilities for everyone. That's what I love about stories. It only takes one writer to see the world differently and then weave current events and/or cultural norms in such a way as to give them an updated appeal.
Fairy Tales are timeless. They are a cultural phenomenon, one society could never do without. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite one of all. But I also tend to lean toward the lesser known tales too. ;)
I love the fairy tale ending. Despite my own less than HEA, I still have a sign over the door to my office reading "It's never too late to live happily ever after." I have been reading some women's fiction lately that doesn't have the true HEA, but it's not all gloom and doom either. I don't read Nicholas Sparks because he always kills off someone at the end. I at least want them alive if they're not headed down the aisle.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Oh, girl, you know I love fairy tales! My new book that comes out in November is a Beauty and the Beast story. I love love love that story. Went to see the musical last week. Just love that happy ending, where no one can save the Beast (whom we love because of his heart not because of his outside appearance, even though he actually looks pretty darn good) but the heroine and true love. Yummy-ness!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the gothic feel of the Beauty and the Beast concept.
I just have to have a HEA. In life, we die and go to heaven. In fiction, we get past the black moment and then go right to the wedded bliss. That's just the way it should be, IMO!!!
Oh, blush! Thanks for the lovely mention. :) You ladies are fabulous too! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's no surprise that I love Beauty and the Beast. I often write a version of it in my stories. The Devil's Heart, no surprise, is a B&B story.
I prefer the fairy tale! If I'm reading romance, I want that HEA. I expect a more ambiguous ending in a different kind of book, but if it's romance, it had better deliver on what it promised me: HEA.
I read to escape, to walk worlds I can't here, and most importantly I do want the happily ever after...whatever that is (that can vary--it might be saving the world from mind controlling machines to marrying the man of your dreams).
ReplyDeleteLike you Stephanie--I adore Beauty and the Beast stories. (Lynn, I am going to get your book ASAP).
Can't wait for you new book to come out, Melanie! The cover is fabulous!! (Everyone take a peep at the mirror in the heroine's lap. I spy a one-eyed briggand!) :)
ReplyDeleteHey Lynn! (Waves) Got your book yesterday! Woo-hoo! I had actually been looking for it for a few days when I found it. Exciting!
We all seem to agree that Beauty and the Beast is the best fairy tale of all. Any ideas why?
Beverly, well said. I agree that the power of love can change lives, just not my ex-husband's.
ReplyDeleteJean, I don't know about all westerns but in Louis L'Amour stories there is alwayw a HEA. That guy who you are referring to is William Tell Sackett, the true love of my life!
Linda, I agree that books are probably the better place for fairy tale men. If I had known you so that you could have told me that it might have saved me a divorce. lol
I love your fairy tale books!
Cheryl, we cowboy lovers have to stick together!
Katherine, good point that the original tales were cautionary ones!
PM, what a great expression you have over your door. How nice to have a daily reminder.
Melanie, your newest book sounds great! I can't wait to read that!
Lynn,I can't wait to read Devil's Heart. I didn't know it was a B & B. That makes me look forward to it even more, if that was possible! I have saved it for my reward when testing is done Thursday!
M.V., I wish I had a mind contolling machine. It might make it easier to marry the man of my dreams! :-)
Stephanie, can you imagine the fun?!
ReplyDeleteGotta get your book, Lynn! I just read Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast and it was AWE. SOME. Yeah. Ready for another B & B story. Except I won't be reading anything until I finish my edits! I just got the macro edit letter today and it's a doozy. I will be doing NOTHING else for the next 2 1/2 weeks, which reminds me I better get back to WORK!
ReplyDeleteM. V. - Yes, I can imagine the fun and do on a nightly basis. :-)
ReplyDeleteMelanie- thanks for that recommendation!
Good luck on the work!