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Writers get a lot of feedback about our work. Some of it good. Some not so great. Some readers love our books. Others don’t. It would be great to be universally loved, but it’s unrealistic. Not every writer is every reader’s cup of Chai Latte. I happen to love love love secret baby books, but I can’t bring myself to crack the first page of an amnesia story. Other readers love amnesia and hate secret babies. We readers bring our own life lessons and experiences, sets of likes and dislikes, to every book we read.
Before I was a writer, I was a reader. I read everything I could get my hands on. I read everything from Flaubert and Tolstoy, to LaVyrle Spencer and Sandra Brown. One thing I’ve noticed about my reading habits throughout the years is that sometimes I don’t read the last fifty pages or so of a book. I can’t help it. When the book feels over for me, I put it down. When Madame Bovary ate the arsenic, the book was over for me. She was dead and I didn’t care what happened to Charles. I loved Flaubert’s style, but I was done. The same is true when I read romance. When the hero and heroine acknowledge their love, I put the book down. I don’t care what happens after that. I don’t care if they are being chased by robbers and thugs and must find buried treasure in order for the heroine to save her father from debtor’s prison . The story is done for me. The romance is resolved, and I can’t force myself to read on.
One of the criticisms I hear about my own books is that they end too abruptly. That’s probably true, but I write like I read. When the book feels done, I am done. When the hero and heroine acknowledge their love, its time to write “the end.” The romance is resolved and I can’t force myself to write more. I’ve tried but I get bored and fall asleep sitting up.
How about you? Do you stop reading when a book feels done to you or do you read until the bitter end? Do you like some skullduggery, or do you prefer a more straightforward romance? Do you have weird reading quirks? And speaking of skullduggery, where are all the pirate books? I miss pirate books.
I am the opposite–sometimes I will skip the first 50 pages or even half the book, especially if I am lukewarm about the plot. I suppose I do read through to the bitter end most of the time. I need to find out if there is a secret baby in the epilogue.
I’m not that fond of books with 10-year separations based on some stupid misunderstanding. But I do enjoy pirate books! Now you’ve got me thinking about captains, privateers, and pirates. Must Google lists of pirate books immediately!!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:53 am.
One of the first romance books I read was a pirate book. So I have a fondness for them.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:03 am.
I read until the very end. When I was into Mills and Boons, I would read any and all. I didn’t discriminate over them. When it came to the pirate books I tend to reread the ones I have. Katie MacAllister wrote a brilliant one with Blow Me Down.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:59 am.
When was Blow Me Down published? I could use a brilliant pirate book.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:04 am.
It was published in 2005 and she has some other brilliant books like A Hard Day’s Knight (set at a Ren Faire) and The Corset Diaries (20th century woman living the life of a Victorian era duchess for a month and the chaos that ensues)
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:22 am.
I read to the bitter end, especially if there is an epilogue detailing family life in the future with kids and such. I like to see happy endings and seeing characters that I have been involved with for 300 – 400 pages have families and happy lives gives me that happy ending.
As for my weird reading quirks, I always read the last few pages of a book after I read the first chapter. I need to see if the book ends happily and is worth my time and emotional investment.
I also absolutely cannot read books in first person perspective. If a book is in first person, it is guaranteed to be left on the shelf, regardless of who wrote it. I need to “see” both character’s points of view to truly get into the book that I am reading.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:02 am.
Lacydawgfan, you sound like my aunt. She always reads the last few pages to make sure it has a happy ending. I tell her, Shirley, it’s a romance novel. It ALWAYS has a happy ending.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:06 am.
I adore a good epilog!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:13 pm.
I got slight case of dyslexia and ADD (no jokes or exaggerations), so it’s hard for me to read every single word on a page for a prolonged period of time ( as much as I love reading); I end up killing the story by “speed-reading” the book – skipping words, paragraphs, pages, and picking at the end, and then I go back and read the whole thing word by word. It totally kills the suspense and the slow discovery of the story (like in Harry Potter), but that’s how I roll…
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:13 am.
Barb, you gotta roll how you gotta roll. It’s all good really.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:23 am.
Sometimes I skim. Sometimes it’s me. Sometimes it’s the book.
I think a lot of us can relate with dyslexia and ADD. A good book calms me and slows my mind down.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:11 am.
If I am into a story I will read to the last page. Skullduggery is always appreciated. I could go a pirate story.
No quirks, but, if I am not involved by the end of the first page, I move on. Next book please.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:01 am.
I give a book about five pages before I move on. Same with a movie. I give them about five minutes to capture my attention.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:13 am.
Unless the book blows I read all of it. Bad editing will drive me bat-guano though, I pay a lot for my reading habit I want the editing to say “Thank you for spending your hard earned cash on me.” I am ambivalent on the secret baby thing, it really depends on the talent of the writer. Quirks are always welcome on my bookshelf. I absolutely love Sparkle Stardust & Ganymede in Nina Bangs Castle of Dark Dreams series and Simi in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter books. Years ago I read a book where the heroine wore message t-shirts and one of them got me started on one of my favorite collections. It was a bedraggled knight with broken lance and the message; “Some days the dragon wins.” It got me to thinking about all the ways the dragon wins; like my son tossing his left shoe out the window on while I am in the fast-lane of I-10 on a Friday night. I now collect dragons of all kinds. My avatar is a painting of a dragon queen my sister did for me.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:47 am.
Simi is a good quality demon isn’t she? I love how she and Xirena are so cool in Redemption.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:26 am.
Yes and I found a wonderful SimiDemon statue in the Bradford Collection, Sherrilyn had a picture of it a couple of years ago.http://www.bradfordexchange.com/products/902467001_dragon-figurine.html. Of course after I bought it I had a heck of a time cancelling future shipments.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:00 am.
I actually want to get the collectable dolls of both the Simi and Acheron and I just love Jasmine Becket-Griffith’s artwork.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:26 am.
Me too! I love those dolls!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 6:45 pm.
Sorry about your son’s shoe. You’re right about the dragon’s sometimes winning. Somedays I wish I had a big sword to do battle.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:27 am.
Me too, we had just left the shoe store and were on our way home. Back in the day high-top leather shoes were not cheap.At nearly 40 years of age my darling boy would still rather be without shoes.
Lately it feels like the dragons are winning BIG time!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:04 am.
That dragon reared its head again this morning. Our 15 yr old g-son woke up with groin pains for no apparent reason. I got to spend 5 & 1/2 hours at Riverbend while they did ultrasounds & CAT scans. The upshot is, maybe he has unset appendicitis but it is too early to tell, so he is home for a couple of days on soft diet & bed rest. Hint: never go anywhere you may have to wait without either your laptop or phone charger or both. And only one cup of coffee before the adventure started.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm.
I read the book through the end. Once I start it I finish even if it bores me. Guess I feel like I will miss something.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:43 am.
I can’t finish something that bores me. I kind of have a weird phobia about being bored.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:29 am.
LOVE your honesty!!! Thanks for saying this.
I’m reading Linda Howard’s Prey, skipping around to the h/h plotline (and to see when uses the word “shocky” which I think she skipped in Prey. Which one of you told her?).
I love LH’s writing but chapters written in the bear’s POV? Hell no.
Once I’ve figured out a mediocre author’s formula, I read the parts I like – the h/h tension. Thankfully, TGB writers aren’t mediocre.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:27 am.
LInda Howard wrote in a bear’s POV? Wow.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:32 am.
Only if the bear were actually a shape-shifter.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:57 am.
I agree about pirate books. Always loved them.
If a book falls apart for me anywhere I’ll stop reading. A book needs to move and everything within that doesn’t move things along is blah-blah. Too much blah-blah and I’m gone. Life’s too short and the TBR pile is too big to waste another minute.
I don’t think your books end too abruptly. You end before the blah-blah. That’s good.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:07 am.
Thank you Lori. I hate the blah blah too. The blah blahs are just page fillers and life’s too shorts.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:34 am.
I have to admit that I am sort of horrified that you don’t read to the end
Of course I say that knowing that I will, sometimes, if a book is not moving along for me and I’ve lost interest, I will read the last chapter or 2 and skip from where I’ve lost interest to there because I want to know that the main characters get together but don’t read HOW they get together. That is pretty rare though. And there are some occasions where I’ve picked up a book and just can not get into it or I’ve gotten 60-80 pages in and just have no pull to the store at all. That usually makes me mad because the back cover blurb is what usually will have caught my eye.
I haven’t read a good pirate story in a while either…
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:19 am.
I think I horrify a lot of people Jen.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:57 am.
I hope I didn’t offend you :blush: Oh, and I also don’t think your books end abruptly. I’ve never been left feeling that way, they are always great reads!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:23 pm.
Nope. Not offended. A person has to be blatantly rude to me before I get offended. They practically have to yell “YOU SUCK!”
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:54 pm.
You have your own reading habits that probably reflect your personality. Which means they are fine.
I put down books when odd word combinations annoy me or the scenes seem to stall.
One of the last Kathleen Woodwiss books I’ve never finished because the main character, whom we were supposed to believe is a blithe spirit was spinning around the scene hugging and sparkling for what seemed like a good 1/4 of the book.
I love a good welcome home scene as much as the next person, but I felt like I had been in that foyer way too long and needed to go on.
And word combinations, Laurence Saunders once referred to a man as wearing a yummy tweed jacket….so totally threw me out of the genre in a book I was totally enjoying to that point that I put that book down and never read another one of his.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:21 am.
Yummy tweed jacket? Was it in a woman’s POV at least? I just can’t see Mr. G thinking a guy wears a yummy anything. Or a woman either. Unless of course it’s candy pants.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:00 am.
No! That’s what ticked me off. It was a general description by the author of what the learned investigator was wearing. Cripes…even James Bond couldn’t pull off… “He carried his Ruger and Secret Stash of Aqua Velva in his Yummy Tweed Jacket”. C’MON!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:02 pm.
I always read right up until the end, even if I am not liking the book, once I start I must finish. I love when the author adds an epilouge, especially after a series. I like to catch up on characters and find out that they had children and that their love is still going strong.
Sometimes the stroy of secondary characters gets in the way of the book for me. If this happens I will generally skip these parts and get to the h/h scenes. Also, if an authors description goes on too long I will skim it and jump right to the dialouge.
I’m with you. I miss pirate books.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:21 am.
I am so looking forward to Julia Quinn’s Second Epilogues of the Bridgerton series.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:32 am.
Me too. Do you know when the paperback version will be released? I know some have been released in e-book form, but I would rather have them all in one paperback.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:31 am.
Not a clue but Julia did say that it would be this year.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:28 am.
I can’t read long descriptions. I like short and sweet and to the point.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:01 am.
I read up until the end if I really like the book. If I don’t I’ll put it down and try again at another time because I find that if I do that for some reason the book calls me and I can get into it. I like longer books. I won’t read anything under 300 pages. I feel that it takes at least that long to properly tell the story and get to know the characters. Anything less feels rushed and I don’t like to feel rushed when I’m reading. My tastes seem to change all the time. Sometimes I’m feeling bloodthirsty and will only read thrillers or suspense. Sometimes I need a feel happy book and reach for Danielle Steel. One of my pet peeves though is a sappy weak willed woman who is waiting for the hero to save her. Pull up your big girl panties and do it yourself.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:37 am.
I love “feel happy books.” I think that’s why I write romance. I’m finding the reverse in regards to sappy weak women. Lately it seems it’s all kick-butt heroines. Which I like . . . to a point.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:05 am.
Love this! I thought I was the only one who loses interest in a romance once the problems are worked out.
Ditto on pirates. I have a pirate trilogy in the back of my mind that’s lived there since I went to Australia. Adventure! Excitement! Exotic locales!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:44 am.
Do we need to beg?
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:36 am.
Write it, write it! I got excited just hearing that you might.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:37 am.
Yes!! Adventure! Excitement! Exotic locales! Sailing the seven seas and treasure. Get on that, Barbara.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:08 am.
If I can get through the first half of a book, I’ll usually finish it.
I do not mind if it takes a bit to get a HEA, just do not make me read another book to get it unless it is a big mystery series.
I used to think I would always like books by my favorite authors. I read one a few years ago that was a fairly fast read, but had an unsatisfying ending. I’m still waiting for the book to get good, and I finished it.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:47 am.
Rachel, I can definitely understand what you mean, but I have to say I usually do read the book all the way through unless it is so boring that I cannot get into it. I actually just finished The Year of Living Scandalously (and I’m waiting for Lord Eberlin to arrive!), and loved it. Read til the very end, and I’m glad that I did because I would have missed a couple of things that I suspected, but would not have been able to confirm had I stopped reading once the “I love you’s” were said. It was well worth the extra time to finish!
Some books have a gradual build, but if they haven’t gripped me before I reach page 100, I’m done and picking up another book. That is more than enough time to get my interest. For our book club, a book called Peony In Love by Lisa See was chosen by one of our group because she had read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and loved it. For me, and this is just my humble opinion, Peony In Love moved too slowly. I really tried, but I just couldn’t finish it–and I wasn’t alone in our club. Actually the person that CHOSE the book didn’t like it either, although she did finish it.
I love to read and I read all different genres, however the subject has to be something I like. I love period stories, I am a confessed Anglophile, so I love stories that take place in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I love to read contemporary books also–Nora Roberts is a longtime favorite of mine and I am already enjoying her new Inn Boonsboro trilogy. The first was wonderful (especially with my love of HGTV and restorations!) and can’t wait for the second. She actually reminds me of what a Bard would have been years ago…she pulls you in, describes settings and people beautifully, and weaves a wonderful story while people sit enraptured around her feet. I also love the supernatural aspect of some of her stories, too.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:11 am.
Julie, I have known for some time that you are a woman of superior tastes.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:27 am.
I haven’t read Nora in a long time. Mostly because I don’t read contemporaries anymore. I write them so they seem like work to me. But I loved Carnal Innocence.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:32 am.
Thanks, Julia!
So are you!
Rachel, I loved Carnal Innocence, too–haven’t read those older 80′s and 90′s books of hers in a long time. You also mentioned Sandra Brown. Mirror Image still is one of my favorite books. I happened to pick up Sandra’s book called Rainwater for a steal at Half Price Books. If you haven’t seen it, I would HIGHLY recommend it. That was a fantastic, and SHORT, read.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:57 am.
I’ve read Rainwater. I’ve followed Sandra Brown for a lot of years.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm.
I read to the end. I like the glimpses into scenes after the “I love yous” are said. But if I can’t get into a book, I put it down. Life is too short to work on trying to like a book that did not grab me right off.
I have been in a reading funk for three or four months. Nothing is grabbing me. I finally made myself read past the first few chapter of my current book and I like it better. But it’s not one that makes me anxious to get back to it. I don’t know why it is so hard to please me right now. It’s a bummer.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:30 am.
Are one of your latest characters like that?
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:56 am.
haha, good one, Kez!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:27 pm.
I was in a funk, too. So I went on a zombie reading spree for a while. Right now I’m deep into my own copy edits. Blah.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:47 pm.
I’ll admit to skipping scenes through the middle of the book. Sometimes, I’ll do that, but once I read the end (if it grabbed me), then I’ll go back and read it all the way through. If the ending didn’t thrill me, I probably won’t bother going back. I like to reread books over and over, though, so the first read is usually a feverish consummation, then the rereads are slower and more through.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:34 am.
I do the same thing with mine but my brother in law tried suggesting that I get rid of my books and get different authors. He couldn’t understand my need to reread the books and how the characters are like old friends (I will admit to doing the same with my DVDs but I haven’t spent over $2000 on collecting them like I have my books).
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:35 am.
I love rereading my favorite books. The pages are worn and dogeared and the story sucks me in like the first time.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:49 pm.
That’s why we have keeper shelves, for the books we want to read again and again and again, maybe.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 6:49 pm.
I usually read to the very end, but have been known to just skim some of the pages on the way to the conclusion. Especially if all the characters seem to be doing is rehashing old scenes or just hopping into bed. Don’t get me wrong – I love a steamy sex scene, but if the characters boink every other chapter, it gets boring very fast. Also, if I’ve just read a very intense thriller, I almost always have to follow it up with a fluffy romance. I need something happy after reading about so much death and destruction.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:40 am.
I hate the rehash. I find myself saying out loud, “I know. You already said that ten times.” Ug.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:51 pm.
I also read to the end. Most times I can’t get enough and don’t want them to stop, ever. Thanks a lot Goddesses, you always make me want more! Ah yes, if I do run into a book that I can’t get into then I throw it down. Or a book that involves head games…those go right to the curb.
I love all different genres, but Romance is usually my preferred. I am currently stuck on a work of fiction. I had a feeling the end would be bad and I was going to stop reading the whole book. Fortunately my mom read it and told me to go ahead, the end was good. Damn those HEA’s, they have me hooked.
I can say I have never read a pirate book! Hhmmm.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:42 am.
You’ve never read a pirate book? You’re a pirate virgin? Blimey mate!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:54 pm.
Hi Rachel!
I start a book and if the h/h aren’t intelligent or act out of character I will put it down. I want a book to make me laugh, cry and think about things. Thank goodness the Goddesses do all of these well! Witty banter is a must and skullduggery can be fun. I don’t care in what the time period it is written, just please write it well.
My quirks are pretty simple – if it does not exist then I don’t want to read about it. Vampires and werewolves – why waste my time? Really? Sorry vampire lovers!
I miss pirates and cowboys!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:45 am.
How about zombies? I think zombies do exist. I think they clog up the aisles at the grocery store and stare at labels for hours.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm.
Rachel, if the hero and heroine don’t have sparks before around page 50 for me, I put the book down. I also hate it if the hero and heroine have a lot of confict with each other. I prefer the h & h to be emotionally together battling another source of conflict. I also loooooove internal conflict that prevents the h & h from committing, of course I enjoy when that is resolved.
I am writing a Pirate book right now, so check back with me in a couple of months and hopefully I will have an answer as to where the pirate books are.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:46 am.
One of my favorite authors wrote a book where the h/h hated each other so much that I put the book down half-way through. Never thought I’d do that with one of her books, but couldn’t stand the conflict.
Looking forward to your pirate book, Lisa.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:27 am.
Spark is a must in a romance novel. No spark, no sexual tension.
Good luck with your pirate book.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:58 pm.
Rachel, I’ve had the same comment made about my books — not all of the time, but once in a while. But I’m like you and like the declaration to be on the final page, so if that’s ‘abrupt’ then I guess that’s what it is for me.
I love sexual tension and I think the declaration of love ends the ‘chase’ and that is what makes a romance so much fun.
(Btw, I never finished Madame Bovary, either, but don’t tell my lit teacher. Heh!)
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:53 am.
I must defend Madame Bovary. I reread it a few years ago (struggled with it when it was assigned reading) and handed it to a stranger in the Vegas airport when I was done.. I just loved it too much that I had to pay it forward. I’m sure he promptly filed it under G but I tried.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:56 pm.
I love Flaubert’s writing style. Just hated the end of the book and didn’t care.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm.
Karen, I always suspected we were sisters from different parts of the county. Sexual tension and the chase is why I read and write romance.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:02 pm.
I always read a book right to the end. There have been a few books that I totally lost interest, but I had to finish them. I also miss the pirate books. In fact, Amazon had a free pirate book just the other day the I can’t wait to read.
As far a quirks, if I stop in a book, I have to read to the end of the chapter.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:00 am.
Hope you like the free pirate book. I tried a free book off Amazon and . . . Well, I won’t be doing that again.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:05 pm.
There has been few books that I have put down. Sometimes because I was so bored, most of the time it was that I was disgusted. I push myself to finish, even if I already have another one open and am reading it at the same time. I must say I enjoy the straightforward approach, and when things are done it is done, no need to spread it out.
I also LOVE pirate books. I heard of a new one, I believe it is The Rogue Pirates Bride.. I still have and refuse to let go of my bodice ripper novels that involve pirates. Everything was pictured on the ship, great stories.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:18 am.
Ahhh . . . rogue and pirate in one title. Has to be great. The only thing missing is the word vixen and I am right back in the nineties.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:19 pm.
I read until the end. I like most forms of romance. Though I really enjoy romance novels that end with children/pregnancy. Don’t know why, but it makes me happy.
If I find that a novel is getting depressing or one or both of the main characters are getting on my nerves, then I put the book down and move on to another.
I miss pirate books, too! I’ve re-read Sabrina Jeffries’ The Pirate Lord 6 times already… Can’t get enough of those pirates!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:25 am.
I like pregnant heroines at the end of a book too. I think babies are just the cherry on top. Unfortunately, as a writer I can’t do that every time.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:23 pm.
Many readers adore the “after the happily ever after” part of the story. I often get reader requests to write a follow-up book for a certain hero or heroine, and those requests always surprise me. In order for the story to be interesting, there has to be conflict… do they really want to read about conflict between a couple they watched fall in love. I suspect the answer is no, despite the request. I know I certainly don’t want to write that story – when my characters fall in love, they’re in love forever.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:33 am.
I love in love forever, and very much agreed, when the story is over, it should be over. Although, it’s nice to see them visit in other stories.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:32 pm.
Exactly! That’s what I love so much about series, the opportunity to check in with characters after the happily ever after… but without having to see them in conflict.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:08 pm.
I agree with you totally on this. I get those requests too, and I think “do you realize what I would have to do in order to have a sequel?” It is flattering, though, because it means the reader did not want to leave the characters and have the book end.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:46 pm.
yeah, I get that request sometimes, too. I’m always a bit puzzled by that. I think it just means that we did our job really well and readers want to see them again
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:57 pm.
When I get bored, the book goes down. Unfortunately, there’s been several of those in the past few years (of course, none written by my favorite goddesses). There’s been books which have gotten rave reviews–but I can’t help it. If I look at my TBR shelf, and I rather start something new than end what I’m currently reading its a good sign for me.
Can’t stand time travel books–something about them just drives me nuts. Maybe it’s 50 chapters of culture conflict before getting to the meat of the story? I’m also not a huge fan of when the heroine (or hero) is obstinate for the sake of being a pain in the a$$. I’ll instantly drop the book. I don’t like people like that in real life–so it really bugs me when people are like that in my books.
Now, I do love a good secret baby story. I also really enjoy when a couple meets once with instant attraction, and meets again years later in a different setting.
So, with not liking amnesia…will you be going to see “The Vow” in theaters?
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:35 am.
I don’t really go to theaters. I kind of have a phobia about theaters. I buy tons of blue rays. And I’m with you on the time travels. Really not my thing.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:08 pm.
I don’t like time travel stories either. Totally with you on that one.
I know your question was directed elsewhere, but I’ll answer anyway: Apparently The Vow was based on a true story, and the couple is still together today. But no, I won’t be watching it. I don’t like stories that make me sad. I don’t mind shedding a tear in the name of happiness, but in sadness? No. And truthfully, I think that when they’ve been in the accident and her husband realizes that she doesn’t remember him, that’s SAD.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:48 pm.
In all my years of reading, I can only count 2 books that I haven’t finished – I need to read all the way through. Even if it’s a straightforward romance, I read to the bitter end. I need to know what happens, if there will be a baby or a proposal or another little tidbit that might give me just a little more happiness to take with me through my day.
For the record – I’ve read all of your books and I don’t think any of them end abruptly. For me, they come to a natural close, which is a heck of a lot better then forcing the story. My favorite ending of yours has to be See Jane Date. That one I could read all the time…
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:38 am.
Wow, thanks Jen. I’m going to have to find a copy of See Jane Score and reread the ending. I wrote it so long ago, that I don’t recall. I do know they got together though.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:10 pm.
How embarrassing! I got the title of one of my favorite books wrong! Bad Jenn!
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:45 am.
I used to read books until the end until lately. I’ll struggle until the book totally loses my interest, then it goes back on the shelf perhaps for another day. I read many genres, so I’m not always looking for the HEA but love a romance when it’s there.
I read a lot of Urban Fantasy/Paranormal books with cliffhangers. Talk about abrupt endings. These usually have a romance that is either resolved or ongoing that might not be satisfying for some romance readers. My favorite is still the Regency followed closely by Contemporary Romance with the traditional HEA.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:40 am.
I love the traditional HEA. Nothing better.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:10 pm.
I start skimming when the writer is not using dialogue to move the story along. And love that you can read samples on the kindle before buying, cuz I can tell if I am going to like a book/writer pretty much after a few chapters.
P.S. Some of my first favorites were the pirate books by Fern Michaels – The Captive Series.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:53 am.
Skimming is never a good sign. I like to read and write dialogue.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:12 pm.
I read a book to the end. Because even though the hero and heroine may profess their love for one another, other factions can be at work to keep them apart. Villains are all over the place even disguised as friends..
Oh I love pirate books.. My grandmother would come into my room and ask if I had any books to read and then when I would hand her one she would say , OMG not another Pirate book.. yep back in my late teens and early twenties it was A Pirates Life for me.. But that’s because I read Beatrice Small’s Sky O’Malley and I wanted to be her..
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
I remember Sky O’Malley. Didn’t she wear boots with five inch heels?
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:13 pm.
I start a book I follow it until the end.I love pirate romance books. I love to read Shana Galen(She has a new pirate romance book I think) I love Sabrina Jeffries Pirate romance books:)
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:04 pm.
A new pirate book? I’ll have to check it out. Thanks Gail.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:34 pm.
I read it all, every word, including the acknowledgments and author’s notes, which is sometimes a mistake.
My “can’t read that” is when the book is sappy. I define sappy as too blatantly emotional, too sickly sweet. That’s a very weird reading quirk for a romance writer/reader, but there you have it.
I really can’t do sappy. Other than that, I can read anything and enjoy it. Skullduggery? Bring it on!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:06 pm.
I completely understand and agree. I don’t want to have to get a cavity filled after reading a book….
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm.
I don’t do sappy. I think sappy killed Americana. But that’s just my opinion.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:50 pm.
This is a total side note, BUT… Rachel, I just was over at Romance at Random (Random House’s blog) and your name has popped up! Apparently, the blogger met you at Nationals and had a Fan-girl moment, and she’s sharing her experience. It’s pretty funny. Just thought you might like to know…
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:18 pm.
Thanks Dana. I’m just get to it. My internet has been wonk all day.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:57 pm.
I stop reading when it becomes boring, or rather the chapter or scene is just filler. However, I know some people will stop reading when they have a WTEffery moment with the characters. But I kinda love those and will read every last bit of oh-no-she/he-didn’t!!!
*raises hand* And I’m the blogger that wrote (at Romance at Random) about meeting you. It’s totally complimentary to YOU.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:31 pm.
Boring is the kiss of death. I’d much rather a character anger than bore me. Then again, I like my historical heroes on the rough side.
I just read your blog. Too funny. Totally pea green about the Colin Firth thing.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:56 pm.
AHHH! I’m so glad you liked my blog. And you can totes borrow my shirt anytime (the one he had his heavenly smelling arm around). hee!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:36 pm.
I’m very picky about the books I decide to read, probably because I don’t want it to feel like work. When I do choose one, I read — devour — every single word. I like the shenanigans that go on around the “I love you”s. Love is funny. *g*
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:34 pm.
I’m picky too. I think it’s because I don’t have a lot time to read for pleasure these days.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:58 pm.
I read to the end–often because, like the movie Shrek where you had to sit through the credits to the special bit at the end, sometimes there’s a little something extra in those last 50 pages. Sometimes not, of course, but I’d hate to miss it if it’s there.
As for pirate books, I’ve two Ruby-Slippered Sisters with pirate books available. Jennifer Bray-Weber has two out now, Diana Layne has one. I haven’t read them yet, but I the general concensus is they’re quite good. Ahoy, matie!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:59 pm.
I’ve never seen Shrek. Or Star Wars. Or Star Trek. But I will check out the Ruby-Slippered Sister’s books.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:01 pm.
I really should adopt that practice, but I tend to read till the end. Sometimes I do think the story keeps going longer than needed and then some I want to keep going and they felt a bit too abrupt. (most are just right)
Pirate books need to make a comeback – I used to read pirate a lot.. nothing beats a good swashbuckler!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:13 pm.
Karen Robard’s wrote one of my favorite swashbucklers. I feel a reread coming on.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:04 pm.
I stopped reading an author because she tied up her endings so sloppily, quickly that it seemed like the author had a left a cake in the oven she had to get to.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
I stopped reading a favorite author because it seemed to me that all her heroines are abusive. I don’t think heroines should smack heroes all the time.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:07 pm.
I have to have closure lol. I read absolutely everything. I love epilogues and generally finish a book in 1-2 days because I wanna know the ending
My weird reading quirk is that if a book I’m reading is too intense I’ll read something really light that I love at the same time.
Gentle Rogue got me hooked on romance novels. James is still my favorite pirate!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:58 pm.
I do that, too, Archer! And if I watch a scary or disturbing movie, I have to read something light before I go to sleep. I’m very impressionable!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:12 pm.
I”m the same way. Thankfully, I’ve got a hubby who’s willing to stay up with me while I read so I won’t get nightmares. When they were particularly bad several years ago, he would wake up with me in the middle of the night and willingly walk me through the dark halls of our house to walk me to the bathroom. He’s the best
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:52 pm.
Johanna Lindsey wrote some good pirate books, too.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:08 pm.
Rachel,
Some of your endings are abrupt, but I still love your books. Also, your characters tend to pop up in other books
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm.
My characters do pop up in other books because readers ask me about previous characters. The abrupt ending thing–I know. But when I’m done I’m done. My books are character driven. No skullduggery. So after the “I love yous,” that’s it.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:12 pm.
For me the book is done not when they declare their love, but when the obstacles to their being together are resolved. The romance is finished for me then.
However, I am most likely to put down mysteries or suspense/thrillers— if I figure out what is going to happen long before the end.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:43 pm.
Madeline, I never figure out mysteries or suspense/thrillers. My mind doesn’t work that way. Heck, I have a hard time figuring out my character driven plots.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:15 pm.
I always read to the end!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:10 pm.
I”ve tried. But I tend to wander off and never return.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:15 pm.
I do the exact same thing- love the build up, but when it’s over- it’s over. That must be why you are my absolute favorite romance author. Remember – You can’t please everyone so you gotta please yourself.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:04 pm.
Diane, I learned long ago that I can’t please everyone. Believe me. I got that memo. So I do write my books for myself.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:16 pm.
I totally stop reading when the book is done for me. I give a certain amount of time, books and movies. If they dont have me, I stop. Life is too short. But I also hate when books just stop. There has to be an ending for me. Not just a stop. Same for movies. I hate movies with bad endings. By the same token, I adore a movie with a great ending. Even if the movie wasnt outstanding up until then! I will watch it again just to get to the great ending!
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:13 pm.
That’s exactly why I watch Pulp Fiction again and again. The ending was just so brilliant.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:18 pm.
Rachel, your books are MUST BUYS for me, and I can’t say I’ve ever felt like your stories end too abruptly. I think they’re just right. I must admit, though, I’m a sucker for a really romantic epilogue that shows the relationship ‘took’ and the hero and heroine really lived happily ever after and not just FOR THE TIME BEING.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:37 pm.
I love a good epilogue—but they have to be short. More than five pages and I skim.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:48 pm.
I like an epilogue in most of the books I read, so I probably would fall into the category of not wanting abrupt endings. I just started to read your books and really like them. I haven’t noticed that they end abruptly. A bad habit I have is that I often skip ahead to the last page to see how the book ends and then go back pick up where I left off.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:42 pm.
Psst–KIm. It’s a romance. They ALWAYS get together at the end.
Glad you like my books.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:50 pm.
I read till the bitter end. I feel that if I spent the bucks to buy the book then I need to finish it (I guess it’s the mom in me.)
And Rachel, I too have read EVERY book you’ve had out. My favorite is “Not Another Bad Date” Love, love,love that one and have re-read it a few of times, to the very end
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:13 pm.
I liked that book too. The Walmart and Sears scenes were fun to write.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:51 pm.
I read to the bitter end. I have only stopped reading a book once and I keep swearing that I am going to go back and finish the darn thing!
I love some skullduggery. What fun is straightforward romance. **Yawn**
Weird reading quirks you ask!? Where to start? I always have at least 2 books going at once. One paper and one digital. Sometimes I have a daytime paper book and and before bed paper book. I NEVER, NEVER break the spines. **Ugh** I don’t read two books from the same genre/sub-genre at the same time OR back to back. I never skip to the end. EVER! I must use a book cover because covers should be protected….OMG, do I sound like a crazy person, or what?!
As far as pirates, I just read a pirate story that was…not the best story I have every read. Not really looking for more pirates anytime soon. Except…Shanna Galen’s The Rogue Pirate’s Bride just came out and I HAVE to read it sooooo…I guess I am reading a pirate book again soon!!! (Rambling done.)
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:20 pm.
There was a time when I read to the bitter end because I had to know. Now, if I’m bored with a book, I’ll skip ahead to see if anything is interesting. I’ve even skipped to the end to see if it’s worth reading to the end. If I feel like it’s not, I just stop reading. I rarely read mysteries because I tend to figure them out. I like romances because the journey to the end is what’s interesting. Of course, they’re going to get together. I do like epilogues because it’s nice to get a peak at the HEA.
Weird quirks, hmm, I read more than one or 2 books at a time. I like to keep my books nice – no dog-earing, bookmarks for the books because I don’t want to break the spines.
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:31 pm.