Happy Holidays. And Endings.

Please welcome my friend and fellow Hoosier Kyra Jacobs to the round corral today. Thanks for coming to start us off on the Christmas season, Kyra!

 Here in the Midwest we’ve just officially stepped into the biggest holiday season of the year. And after everyone’s recoup’ed from gorging ourselves on turkey and stuffing, it’s time to get shopping. And cleaning. And baking. And…reading?

Yep, reading. And maybe some writing, if that’s your persuasion. But definitely reading.

Why? Because in the midst of the upcoming frenzy of activities, I know I’ll need an occasional break. And what better a break, than an escape into a great book?

Now, I know everyone’s reading preferences differ. But for me? I’m all about the happy endings. If I’m going to invest hours/days/weeks into a book, I want to be amused. Engaged. And, most of all, walk away with a smile on my face.

Know what I don’t want? Surprise tragedies or complicated endings that leave me puzzling for weeks. Nope, give me a simple “the good guys/gals win” ending and I’m a happy camper.
Case in point: do any of you remember the movie, City of Angels? Meg Ryan, Nicolas Cage. Big deal in the late ‘90’s (oops, showing my age here a bit…shouldn’t even mention that the theater I saw it in has long since been torn down…). Anyway, chick flick, right? Went with my two college besties and we were all into the movie when (SPOILER ALERT):

WHAM!

Meg’s character gets splattered by a semi while cycling. Okay, first of all, what the heck was she doing, leaving a hot guy who just gave up his wings to be with her, to go for a bike ride?! And why? Why did the writers have to DO that to us?

Now, if you’ve seen the movie—and liked it—you’re probably defending the ending right about now. There was a bigger moral to the story. But the truth is, I didn’t get to SEE the ending because I was crying so hard at Nicolas Cage’s character’s reaction that one of my contacts literally washed out of my eye. Not making this up. So there I was, frantically mumbling, “I can’t find my contact!” (it’s pitch dark in the theater) and my friends are telling me to shut up be quiet because they’re still all sucked into the movie.

Needless to say, right then and there I wrote off tragic endings. I walked out feeling…unresolved. Irritated. Oh, and half blind. Never a pleasant experience.

I’m not knocking these types of endings/stories, I just know they’re not for me. And so as I’m writing my own books, you can pretty much guarantee I won’t be throwing any major tragedies at my audience. At least, not without a significant helping of hope served up right alongside it.

So here’s to the holidays. May we all stay calm, keep the real reason for the season in mind, and take some time to escape. Hopefully, that escape will include a happy ending for you as well.

Thank you, Liz, for letting me come and visit WW today!!

Here's a great blurb from Kyra's latest! 

What happens undercover, stays under covers.

Jessica Hartley is looking for answers surrounding the mysterious car accident that nearly claimed the life of her best friend. She’s willing to risk it all, even her fledgling business, to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

Nate Steele is more than willing to help Jessica, but for reasons all his own. He’s been watching the infamous Maxwell Office Solutions for some time now, convinced there’s more going on than meets the eye. When his chief issues a cease and desist order yet again, Nate has no choice but to accept inexperienced Jessica as an undercover partner outside the letter of the law.

Will Jessica and Nate be able to flush out Maxwell’s elusive villain, or will their growing attraction for each other sabotage their undercover ploy? Motives aren’t always what they seem when Jessica finds herself armed with Steele.

CONTENT WARNING: Beware drool-worthy men in uniform, touchy-feely coworkers, and vindictive ex-girlfriends.

Links:

Amazon: amzn.to/18J8IUG
B&N: http://bit.ly/16j0Z1U
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1d4FYK8
iTunes: http://bit.ly/17XrmHd

Comments

  1. Hi, Kyra! Thank you for being our guest today!!!

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  2. Kyra,
    I'm right there with you on the happy endings. And that movie? Meg Ryan's name in the movie was Maggie. We had adopted a dog right before our wedding and named her Maggie. Our dog was hit by a logging truck so when we went to that movie it was like reliving our own tragedy.

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  3. Oh, no, Kristina M! I'm so sorry to make you relive it again today, too!!
    Happy endings...think, happy endings.

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  4. I definitely agree about sad endings. Don't need them. Won't read or watch them. Steele sounds like a drool worthy alpha male. Good luck with it.

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  5. Thanks, RE. Yes, VERY drool-worthy. ;-) But he's got his work cut out for him with Miss Hartley.

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  6. I'm so with you. I just made a friend mad b/c I couldn't get all hyped up over some dreary lit-fic piece she raved on. Ugh! Give me a HEA always! Hot guys help, too!

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  7. ;-) Thanks for the vote of support, D'Ann!

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  8. Hi Kyra, the older I get the less angst I like in my books and movies. Not sure why. Or maybe it shifted after I had my kids, but there was definitely a shift. Interesting, eh? But I agree HEA! Boyo we need them more and more these days!

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  9. I suspect those who like the inconclusive endings also like incomprehensible music and art, as well. You know, to show how cool they are. Actually, having been there and done that, it's not really a suspicion. (grin). Now it's HEA all the way!

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  10. You might be on to something, Cd. Maybe parenthood changes something. But it doesn't make us old--never that. Just...different. More wise, and perhaps a bit more picky. ;-)

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  11. Ashantay, I'm glad you've made the switch LOL.

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  12. I'm with everyone else. Give me a happily ever after every time. I saw City of Angels too and even though the opportunity has arisen often to see it again, I just can't make myself do it. I used to try to read something literary every now and again, and struggle to make myself do it. I want a book to entertain me.

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  13. "I want a book to entertain me" - yep, Gemma, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks for stopping by!

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