I bought the cutest plaque to hang over my brand-new office door the other day. It reads ‘And they lived happily ever after.’ I was going to take a picture to share, but I can’t find the box I packed the camera battery charger in :-S It makes me smile every time I look up from my desk and see it – like a gentle reminder of why I write.
I love Happy Ever Afters.
Yes, I read romances for the story. The light or complex plots, the humor or the deep emotion. The inspirationally sassy, strong heroines and the OMG sexy hunks (Okay, so the sexy hunks are a might deserve an extra check in the reason-why-column). I’m a huge fan of reading about relationships, the ups and downs and energy it takes to make them work. I love getting emotionally sucked in to a story, connecting with the characters and their struggles.
But really, its all about the Happy Ever After.
Its knowing that, at the end of the book, I’ll be smiling. Its the assurance that these characters I’ve emotionally invested in will be smiling, too. As my family often teased, its the pollyanna belief that with love, we can overcome all our issues and find joy. Even if only for a few pages. (F)
In my newest book, FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME (ahem, out now 
) my heroine returns to the hometown she’d hoped to never EVER see again, to attend a high school reunion she’d vowed never EVER to revisit. Zoe’s got some issues going in, and she’s got a stockpile of excuses as to why she doesn’t need to deal with them (I taught her everything she knows). A reunion party, a costume mixup, a case of mistaken identity and a quest all come together to make this what I hope was a fun read. Lots of hot sex and a very hunky geek-turned-hero make it what I hope is a fun Blaze. But my favorite part is the ending. The Happy Ever After when she finally gets all those dreams she never let herself believe she could have.
How about you? Why do you read? Are you after the Happy Ever After, too? What is it that makes it special to you? Share your thoughts in the comments and I’ll pick a name to win a cute book bag!! (again, I’d share a picture but I still haven’t found the box that camera battery charger is packed in)
Entries (RSS)
I read for all the reasons you listed but mostly I do read for the Happy Ever After *g* I love going along on the journey with characters I care about as they grow and change in order to get the life they deserve!
I LOVE the premise for Feels Like The First Time and I absolutely adored Zoe and I drooled over Dex
It’s such a fabulous story!!
Hey Beth!!! Thank you for stopping by and for the Feels Like the First Time love
Zoe and Dex were great to write – all those past issues they were being forced to deal with and all LOL.
Yay – adding another person to the HEA column (I’m keeping track).
(C) I do read for the happily ever after. In today’s world we all want a feel good ending even when we are unsure of our own outcome in things. I like to be pulled into the story and feel the emotions of the characters good or bad and to feel that ultimate feeling of “Yes, they did work it all out and now look, they are in love and happy.”
I just finished reading Lori Foster’s book Jamie. I still have to read Just a hint Clint but have read all the other Visitation, NC books and I loved them (Y)
They pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. I read most of them in a day each. Yeah, I am “One of these readers.” 
I think the thing that keeps me glued to the pages is that the characters all seem to feel so real to me at times. When you are reading a book that is full of emotions it becomes like a living, breathing thing. You feel their heartaches at times so deep that your heart breaks for them but then when they feel joy your heart sores along with them and in the end you walk away with a sense of joy and a smile because after all he got his woman and she did indeed get her man! (U)
LOL Patsy, I’m ‘one of those readers’ too. I’ve been known to burn dinner while standing right in front of it, because I’ve got a book in my face. I call it mulit-tasking (the cooking and reading, the burning is an unfortunate side-effect)
You put it so wonderfully – the book and the character emotions becoming a living breathing thing!! Lovely, and thats so what writers hope for. That, and to give readers something that takes them out of the stresses, which like you say is so important right now when so much is stressful.
LOL – Yep, totally nuff said.
When we moved, we carted over 50 boxes of books. Thats about the only time I’ve ever regretted the reading addiction LOL
Hi!
I too love the Happily Ever Afters. I read a book perhaps 20 years ago that did NOT have a HEA. I was SOOOOO mad that I threw the book away from me in disgust. Today I wish I’d kept that book, as I would have loved looking back now, with the advent of Internet technology, to see if that author ever published another book, etc.!
I enjoy an author’s witticism and humour throughout a book. I tend to use double entendres quite a bit in “real life”, so it always brings a smile to my face when I read double entendres that characters are saying too.
I enjoy “quick reads” and Blaze books are perfect for me. I do not want to feel that I must stay up all night to finish a book before I can go to sleep. I like having 1 – 1.5 hours to read a complete book, and then dreaming about the storyline. Of course I am the heroine of the story — that goes without saying — but I change the storyline as it suits MY life! It’s amazing how quickly I can fall asleep when thinking happy thoughts like this (even though I am a happily married woman!).
Thanks for asking a question that’s easy to answer (for me) and offering an original giveaway! Have a great day!
Laney, I’m with you! I’d have tossed the book, too. I want a story that lives up to its promise- whatever that might be. With romance, that promise (to me, at least) is Happy Ever After. And hey, double entendres ALWAYS make me grin
BTW, I think Blaze books are perfect too
The length, the subject, the content LOL. I’m a firm believer in filling your world with things that make you happy – like bedtime fantasies with you as the lucky heroine. It makes you happy and that happiness makes your marriage even happier. At least, thats my theory? *g*
Laney, by chance was that book a historical? About that time I read one where the hero and heroine did not end up together. I kept looking for more book!
I do like a happy ending to a story I’m reading or watching on DVD. I do not like investing time and mental energy to a story that has a sad ending because it leaves me feeling sad and cranky.
Oh yeah, I’m the same with movies, too Maureen. For instance, I’ll see anything with Johnny Depp just to watch his gorgeous face on screen. But knowing the ending of Public Enemy, I just couldn’t bring myself to see it. I want happy -or in his case, at least alive *g*
(L) Oh case in point “Don Juan DeMarco” Sexy and happy ending! LOL
Mmmmmm, now you’re talking!!!!!
Hi Tawny,
Funny enough, I have the same sign. It must be a Blaze thing.
I have another cool sign that Cara Summers sent me. It says ‘Home is where your story begins.’
It’s wonderful to be a romance editor.
Hey -great minds and all that!!! I love the other sign, too and you know now I’m going to have to look for one
Its so perfect!
Hey – its pretty wonderful to be a romance author, too. Gotta love it!!!
I love reading because of the interaction between the characters and see how they deal with everyday hurtles. But I love knowing, like you, at the end there is going to be a happily ever after. That is why I love reading romance books, because you end up having a smile on your face after finishing it.
Nicole, isn’t that smile great at the end, too? Just a smile and a happy sigh. The perfect ending reaction to a story.
Love happy endings. Hate sad or even worse obscure endings.
I’m with you, Liz!!!!
I love Happy Ever After Endings!!! I like reading blaze because of the length and the HOT Sexy Hero’s and just living in the lives of these people!!!
Cheryl, Blaze sure does the hot sexy heroes right, huh? I’m so with you on that. And the length? Just right, every time
Hi Tawny, it is good to see you again. I love HEAs because it gives me a sense of hope. Although HRNs aren’t that bad either, it all just depends on where I am at personally. HEAs have always been a big part of why I read books. I started really young, so to me they were like fairy tales…Victorian Lit, then those Mills & Boons that I loved so much growing up. I remember reading all the older historicals about pirates and damsels, and loving the happy ever after. Just rooting for it. It wasn’t until I got older that stories seemed more real to me. I read because I love to escape into another world. When I get completely sucked into the story, as if I am also a character, is one of the best feelings I get when I read a book. I love reading the Blazes for the HEA, though a lot of the situations are more realistic to me now that those old Barbara Cartlands, Victoria Holts, Jude Devereauxs, Kathleen Woodiwisses, etc. I think that really deep down, I am after that HEA for myself, but it is a long, long journey. Sometimes I read certain books because I want to see the heroine kick some series @$$ or just watch how the h and H discover their love along the journey of fighting for what they believe is right.
Tawny, I just picked up Feels like the first time yesterday, and I can’t wait to get into. I will reward myself with reading it, when I finally do some cleaning or laundry or something.
Brenda, thank you for the part you play in allowing my fav authors to do what they do. Without you I wouldn’t have discovered some wonderful gems. Thanks!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Hi Paula
its great to see you, too. YAY and thanks for picking up FLTFT – I hope you enjoy it (H)
I’ve learned so much from reading romances. And part of that, like you say, is finding that HEA for myself. I think thats one of the great, underrated things about the genre -how it lays a foundation for readers to believe. The characters have issues – like the readers. The characters face challenges – like the readers. The characters learn and grow – again, like the readers. Its so affirming.
and btw, YES- Brenda totally rocks, doesn’t she?! (Y)
I read for escapism and I definitely want a happy ending. With everything so uncertain in the world today, it’s wonderful when a book couple overcomes obstacles to get what they want. It’s very inspiring and can really pick me up when I’m in the doldrums.
I hope you find lots of pick-me-ups in the Blaze line, Jody
I’m with you about reading to step out of the uncertainty and stress of the day to day. Books are such a wonderful doorway to relax with, aren’t they?
Hi, Tawny!! I definitely read for the HEA and for the journey the characters take to get there. Like Paula said, I love the renewed hope I feel with each first kiss and with the “riding off into the sunset” each time. They’re a reminder that love’s a good thing, and that there’s some out there for each of us
Definitely looking forward to FLtFT!
Love IS a good thing – that should be my next wall hanging LOL. I love it, Fedora. Especially when it gives that feeling of hope and satisfaction.
Man, I love romances LOL.
Congrats on the new release, Tawny. I read for the HEAs and comedy and sometimes I read for gaining knowledge.
Hey Jane, thank you!! Great list of reasons to read and I love that HEA topped the chart.
I read romances for all the reasons that you have listed. I haven’t come across one that doesn’t have a HEA yet and really don’t want to. I love the HEA whether I watching a movie or reading a book.
Only problem with that is I’m one of those people who can’t seem to put a book down until I finish it the first time that I read it.
I love the escapism of reading, and have noticed that since I went back to university I reading more romance than I was.
Lyn, I’m with you. Reading is for pleasure (or education) and I want to feel good with it. LOL on not being able to put the book down until its done. That’s always a GOOD thing, at least from the writer’s perspective. (H)
Hi! I have always loved to read, and yes, I want the HEA no matter what kind of story it is! Reading helps me keep my sanity in this crazy world of ours! It also allows me to journey to all the places I’ll probably never get to visit!!
Hi Martha! You know, I’m seeing some great themes today -and one of them is that romance authors perform a wonderful public service
You know, all that HEA and uplifting story telling LOL.
I’m with you on the journeying, too! Whether its traveling to a new setting in a story or even a different time period, it’s fabulous, isn’t it?!
One of the top reasons i read romance is because of the as i teem it, “Guaranteed Happy Ending”. I know that the Hero and Heroine are going to say their i love you’s and will you marry Me’s by the end of the book or in the epilogue if there is one and will go off to their HEA. And in today’s world, it’s really nice to have that. Just a good story about a man and a women falling in love, overcoming any obstacles, no matter how insurmountable they seem, or fighting and then making up. Out of all the romance novels i read, Harlequin Blazes are my favorite, to me they are the perfect mix of romance, humor and of course steam. I’m currently reading “Risque Business” and loving it, great job Tawny!
YES!!! You have fabulous taste, Lauren, for loving the Blazes *g* Its an awesome line. And double yay that you’re having so much fun with Risque Business. Thank you!!!
Along with everyone else I too like the HEA. I’ve been reading romance books for a long time. Through two marriages and divorces and sometimes it was the closest thing to romance I had. I could get pulled into the story and feel the emotions they were feeling and feel happy when they got their happily ever after. I got started on the Blaze line from the Temptation line. I really enjoy the love, romance, humor and let’s not forget the sex. I mean, these books aren’t only about sex, they do have great storylines and take you through a gamut of emotions. I’ve laughed and cried with them. So long live the Blaze line. And hats off to all you Blaze authors. I’ve NEVER read a Blaze I didn’t enjoy.
Linda Henderson
Awww, Linda, you’re making me nostalgic for the Temptation line. I loooooved those books!!! Weren’t we lucky that so many of the amazing Temptation authors now write for Blaze?!
Like you, romances get me through the rough times and keep me believing – I’m so so glad you’ve found and love Blaze.
I’ll raise my hat to the wish of Long Live the Blaze Line, too!!! In my possibly biased opinion, its the absolute best of the best. (*)
Tawny,
Just picked up FLTFT. I started it this afternoon, I haven’t been able to put it down. Love Dex. Nothing is better to me than re-connecting with old friends. I only wish I would have had a guy like Dex in my past!
-Pamela
Woot!!! Pamela, I’m so glad you’re loving Dex. And that you’re hooked on FLTFT!!! You’ve made my night. (D)
It was so interesting to write a reunion story like that, especially since I basically had Zoe’s attitude about high school LOL. Then again, if there’s a yummy guy like Dex in the past, I think you’re right, it would have been very different!!!
Heather MacAllister,
I have no idea if that book WITHOUT the HEA ending was historical or not. I HAVE read them before (although not frequently). It probably wasn’t a Harlequin (pshaw) — how could it be???
Tawny,
“double entendres ALWAYS make me grin”
Glad to hear it!
“I’m a firm believer in filling your world with things that make you happy”
You’ve sure got THAT right!
” … like bedtime fantasies with you as the lucky heroine. It makes you happy and that happiness makes your marriage even happier. At least, thats my theory? *g*”
Again, it’s like you’re reading my mind!!!
Thanks for a great blog!
LOL – great minds think alike, right?
And the random number generator picked post #15, which means Lauren wins the tote bag!!! Lauren, if you’ll drop me an email with your shipping info and Blaze in the subject line to Tawny@TawnyWeber.com, I’ll mail that right out to you!!!
Thanks to EVERYONE for sharing their Happily Ever After preferences -today was a ton of fun
Congrats Lauren. I hope you enjoy the goodies in the tote.
Peace and love
Paula R.
Congratulations, Lauren!
I’m sure you’ll love absolutely everything! What a nice bonus to have in life! Thanks, Tawny, for offering a great giveaway!
Congrats Lauren!!