Do You Desire To Read Beyond The Hero and Heroine's HEA or No?

[Arch]

Are you a person that would like to know what happen beyond the hero and heroine's HEA or are you satisified with one book?

I know that in some series book. You may read about a hero and heroine in a book and that's the end of them in the series. Wouldn't it be great to read about them in future books?

[Auntee]

Yes! If it's a series I love when the author gives a little update on a happy couple.

[Sans]

I really like it when characters/couples from previous books have a fair amount of page time throughout a series. When an author lets us "check in" with the characters from books earlier in the series, I always smile.

[Debbie]

I agree.

Auntee wrote: "Yes! If it's a series I love when the author gives a little update on a happy couple."

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

Yes and No
If I'm reading a series I don't mind and even crave a peek at previous characters. But in truth I really prefer non series novels because I don't always want a view into others lives. I'm concentrating on the story I'm on. Plus if its a series and I haven't read the whole series in order then I miss out on a lot. Does this make sense? probably not but I never claimed I made any sense :)

[Arch]

Pamela wrote: "Yes and No
If I'm reading a series I don't mind and even crave a peek at previous characters. But in truth I really prefer non series novels because I don't always want a view into others lives. I..."

It makes sense.

[Arch]

I can read about Sam and Alyssa forever, as long as the stories are good.

[~Vixhen~]

I would read anything with Bella and Zsadist. In fact, I got the BDB Insider's Guide just because of Father Mine (their short story). Some couples live on forever.

[Sans]

Same here, Chichimo. Father Mine was the only reason I bought the Insider's Guide. Z and Bella really need another book. ^o^

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I like to see the couples pop in and show how happy they are together. I don't want the couple to be the major focus in subsequent books. It's time to give the limelight up for the next couple.

[Arch]

Yea, in a series, the previous hero and heroine can be visitors. Unless, they play a major role in helping the present hero or heroine.

[willaful]

I'm okay with it if the characters maintain their identities, but it gets annoying if it's just one sunshine 'n' roses couple after another and they all instantly make friends with every other couple in the series, ad nauseum. I like how Brockmann gives her previous couples some trouble (as long as she doesn't destroy the relationship. That would be unforgivable!)

[Arch]

Willaful wrote: "I'm okay with it if the characters maintain their identities, but it gets annoying if it's just one sunshine 'n' roses couple after another and they all instantly make friends with every other coup..."

I want to see how Dave and Sophia doing as a married couple and parents to a baby girl.

I can imagine Ash and Marianne as friends. He looks out for her, since he's older than she is.

I can see Sam playfully telling Dave to keep his baby daughter away from his son and Dave playfully telling Sam to keep Ash away from his daughter.

No baby dating.

[Ez]

Like Pamela said, if it's a series, I do enjoy (and sometimes crave) catching glimpses of couples from the previous books. Ordinarily, though, once a couple reaches their HEA, I wouldn't necessarily want to read another book dedicated entirely to them and what's going on in their lives. Getting a peek here and there in a series is enough for me. If it's just a stand-alone book, I might briefly wonder about what happened to the couple after, but I'd be satisfied with the HEA. In those instances, if I really like a couple, I usually just re-read the book or my favorite scenes.

[Arch]

I like to reread a book about my favorite hero and heroine or at least their parts.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

It's actually more realistic that you would see the prior couples occasionally, especially if they are family, work together, or are in a group of friends.

I like how Lisa Kleypas handles that in the Wallflower/Hathaway books. But I'm mad that she sent McKenna and Aline off to the States, and haven't seen them since. I need an update, darn it!

[Arch]

I agree Danielle.

The Troubleshooters, Inc. and Navy Seal Team 16 employees are like family. It's nothing wrong with having a family reunion every once in a while. Let the readers see what the people been up to.

[Zee]

I like a little peek, especially in a series, just to know what happened to them. Like maybe their HEA in their book ended on 'they decided to be together' and then in another book (with focus on another couple) you find that the first couple is now married and have kids. This appeals to me especially if it had been such that the first heroine maybe had a problem with committing and having children, that sort of thing.
I don't need them to have a new book or be a major focus or even a subplot. Just a hint at how and where they are works for me.

[luisi]

I don't really like reading beyond a hero and heroine's HEA. Almost because of the same reason I don't like it when the hero and heroine get together too early in a series. I get a bit bored about their story.

Plus, the hero and heroine loose a bit of their uniqueness when they are featured as minor characters in other books. And there's also the chance that something might happen after their HEA that can ruin their story for me. You know, like finding out that the hero cheated after the HEA.

[Zee]

luisi wrote: "I don't really like reading beyond a hero and heroine's HEA. Almost because of the same reason I don't like it when the hero and heroine get together too early in a series. I get a bit bored about ..."

Oh yeah, if he cheated then I'd hate to find that out. I think it should only be 'continued' if there's something positive to say, like continue the glow in a way. Does that make sense?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

He'd better not cheat. That would be so wrong. I can see your points, though.

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog)]

I like seeing glimpses of previous characters in a series, just so I can see how they are getting on. Although I don't think I would like it if the either the hero or heroine had cheated, but I have to say I have never read that.

Most the series I read have a HEA at the end of the book, but the few books I have read where it is the same h/h in it I quite like, as long as the story is kept interesting.

[Zee]

Suzanne wrote: "I like seeing glimpses of previous characters in a series, just so I can see how they are getting on. Although I don't think I would like it if the either the hero or heroine had cheated, but I hav..."

I could follow that too, Suzanne, if the H/h continued onto other books. But sometimes that can get tedious.

Okay, the example I have is not romance, but I think it shows that too much of characters being strung is not okay. Stephanie Plum series. Book 1, she's into Morelli. Book 2, Morelli and Ranger making an appearance. Book 3, she's in limbo. Fast forward to Book 7, she's still in limbo. Book 11, same thing. As much as I love that series, I stopped reading it coz I'm getting tired of just being strung along and not getting some conclusion/closure in there.

All in all, it can drag but too much drag does exist.

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog)]

That does sound very tedious, almost like the author has no idea where they are going orjust can'tmake there mind up

But I think as long as it is well executed it is good. I just like seeing that the characters are still living HEA!c

[Zee]

Suzanne wrote: "That does sound very tedious, almost like the author has no idea where they are going orjust can'tmake there mind up

But I think as long as it is well executed it is good. I just like seeing tha..."

Yup, it feels like you're being taken for a ride with no idea what the destination is!

I like to see them still in HEA too though, it gives a warm, fuzzy love glow!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I don't want to see the heroine going between lovers in a series. That's a big turn off for me personally.

[Zee]

Then I guess you're not gonna like Stephanie Plum. She's always in limbo! If I'm not mistaken, at the end of Book 7, Ranger and she have a one-night stand, in the sense that 'Ranger offered one perfect night'.

I was like, and what about Morelli then???

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

So I've heard. I read the first one, and I have the second and third books. Probably won't continue from there on.

[Zee]

I don't think it's worth it. To me now Stephanie Plum is a 'to kill time' book when I don't find anything else. The quirky setting and characters entertain me, but the romance part is really awful.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Thanks for the heads up, Z.

[luisi]

those kind of books I don't consider romance, so for me they have different rules. In Romance books I don't really want to know the after of HEA. In other books with a romantic subplot I don't mind reading after their supposed HEA, even if they seperate.

But If the series going to be a long one and the heroine is only going to have one hero then I don't like them to get together too early.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I like to see the tension between the H/h sustained in the story. If that leaves, then my interest level is gone way down.

[Gigi]

Danielle, me too!

[Arch]

I love tension between the hero and heroine.

[Zee]

And sadly, there's just so much you can 'pull' tension between the H/h. Many writers miss the boat on that.

[Courtney]

~~~SPOILERS~~~

I like what JR Ward did with Wrath and Beth in Lover Avenged. I mean, most authors say "Okay, HEA and DONE!" But JR Ward not only let you follow Wrath and Beth but she showed them having "mating troubles" too. I mean, marriage and living together is SO not easy and I'm glad that she kind of showed that even though you're with "The One" it's still work and it still takes both people to be a team! LOOVED it! ;)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I liked seeing that too, Courtney. I like Wrath and Beth even more now.

[Courtney]

For SURE! I adored Beth for how she and Mary helped with the blindness. LOVED the seeing eye dog (but I'm a vet tech so anytime there are animals involved I'm a blubbering mess)! Isn't his name George or something like that?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Yup. He's George. Completely adorable!