I know that as a reader, I’m ambivalent about sequels. I like to
know the hero and heroine (or whatever combination of main characters) are
still living happily ever after. But too often, in books something nasty
happens to one or another of them down the track, in a long series. Or even to
an important secondary character, like JK Rowling’s Dumbledore.
But sometimes, even though the hero and heroine are satisfactorily
together, the story just isn’t finished. Other characters are screaming for
their turn in the limelight, the villain escapes from captivity, or something
else just appears.
This has happened to me several times now, so in each case I’ve
written a stand-alone sequel where the main characters remain HEA, but other
characters pick up the storyline.
Awesome erotic romance author Anny Cook blogged about her feelings
on this topic, recently. http://annycook.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/rest-of-story.html
What do you think? Do you mind if a former hero or heroine gets
killed off in book five? Does it bother you if the end of the story is left
hanging?
“Aquamarine: Courage and Comfort” blurb:
Edmund’s sister Mavis was tragically widowed by a
hit-and-run driver, when he was rushing to the hospital for the birth of their
son. Now Mavis can’t cope with the loss of her husband and a new fatherless
baby to care for.
Mavis’ friend, AJ, tells Edmund that he and his
partner, Utah, must go and retrieve an aquamarine. The stone will bring courage
and comfort to Mavis. It will hold the spirit of her dead husband and she will
be able to rear their son and have a fulfilling life.
Only lovers can find the stone. Edmund and Utah are a little
skeptical, but very willing to try.
BUY LINK:
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_89&products_id=3547
“Emerald: Protecting You”: Blurb
AJ has psychic abilities and knows that Drew is her soul mate. But
bisexual Drew flits from partner to partner. At the moment he’s with Kristien,
and Kristien is very much in love with Drew. AJ can’t bear the thought that the
only way for her to achieve happiness is to break Kristien’s heart.
She invites them both to join her and her friends at the beach for
a few days, hoping to get closer to Drew. A rocky wall calls to her, and when
she climbs up she explores a cave and is led to three stones: an onyx,
symbolizing herself, an emerald, the stone she considers to represent Drew, and
amber, which is Kristien’s stone. What does it all mean?
Buy link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_89&products_id=3567
“Dragons’
Bond”: Blurb
“Dragons Redeemed”: Blurb
Trudy is a locksmith and security expert who Mallory asked to
quote to improve the security at The Magic Dragon Museum. When Trudy arrives at
the museum, it’s full of naked people, and four of the men say she belongs to
them! The dragons need to reclaim their human lives while stopping Teivel’s
plan to steal the artworks—if they can get out of bed long enough to
concentrate.
Meanwhile Trudy has a job to do and a business to run. Crevan,
Daegan, Graegor, and Penllyn are determined to protect her while watching
Teivel. The dragon shape-shifters have their hands full with an independent,
determined woman and a bad guy planning to cause trouble. Plus Mallory wants to
come back to the museum, and her men are set on protecting her from Teivel,
too.
Between lust and danger, sparks are flying everywhere.
Berengaria Brown
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5 comments:
I created a trilogy in which the two heroes get together in book 1, have issues in book 2, and break up in book 3. One gets a HEA with a different person in book 3, and the other in the next standalone book. It was all planned, and the trilogy was intended to go that direction. Readers who loved the two guys together were surprised, but considering one was immortal and the other not, it was bound to happen.
As a reader, when a good guy dies in a later book in a series, it bothers me. I want a happy ending. If a character gets his/her HEA in a later book, I'm thrilled. So, to answer your question -- if they are killed off, I'm not okay with it, but if it's a break up where both end up with a new love, then it's all good. ^_^
Thank you, Kayelle, that all makes good sense. I do like everyone to be Happy!
Berengaria
I'm really not all that upset when a major character gets killed off.
On the other hand, there's very little I dislike more than when the author doesn't finish each book in the series. I have very little tolerance for cliffhangers. It's gotten to the point where if I suspect that a book's meant to be a part of a series, I wait until the entire series.
I love a good series. I enjoy getting wrapped up with a group of characters and follow them from one HEA to another. I don't like it when a major character gets killed but I have read some books where it worked. So I guess if it's written well, then I can deal with it. Just don't get me hooked for a HEA then have him die leaving the widow standing over the grave.
Great post
Lynda
I'm late to this discussion, but it caught my eye! I like a connected series as well. Each book with its own MCs. You ever read Brockmann's Navy SEAL series? So long there are a few ups and downs for previous HEAs. It hurts a little. LOL :D
BUT! She's only killed off secondary, lovable characters. Never primary. And the widower got his own book later so it was a good ending for his story.
Anyway, your post made me think of that. Have a great week.
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