Living Up to Expectations
Jan 19th 2010
Sabrina JeffriesOn Writing! & Sabrina Jeffries
Reader expectations can surprise you. I was reminded of this after the release of Wed Him Before You Bed Him. The book ended my School for Heiresses series, about a school run by a widow who had an anonymous male benefactor known only as Cousin Michael (not her real cousin). Their correspondence appeared in epigrams throughout the series, and the last book was to be their story. Along the way, I planted red herring characters, so readers would have fun guessing who Cousin Michael was. One of those, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, became extremely popular. And the more e-mails I got about him, the more nervous I became.
Because, you see, I really didn’t want to disappoint readers. But I also had never intended Stoneville to be Cousin Michael. I’d carefully plotted out who Cousin Michael was from the beginning and wasn’t about to change horses midstream. By the time the book came out, my website poll asking who people wanted Cousin Michael to be had Stoneville as a clear frontrunner (by a two to one margin!), and I was a nervous wreck. Of course, there wasn’t a thing I could do about it by then.
Some readers did end up disappointed. Others were upset about who it was only until they discovered they liked who it ended up being.
Fortunately for Oliver’s many supporters, my new series (the Hellions of Halstead Hall) features him and his entire family. In fact, the first book is coming out today–The Truth About Lord Stoneville! So I think readers will be pleased. But the whole experience taught me a valuable lesson—authors can never anticipate exactly what readers will want and they shouldn’t try. It will only make them insane. Why? Because readers don’t all agree. And books written by committee are crap. Trust me on this. You can only write the books in your own head–the ones that please you, the ones you were meant to write–and pray that readers enjoy them, too.
As a reader, I don’t like being at the mercy of the author’s whim. But as an author, I know that’s the only way the system will work. If everybody wrote what I told them to, I would miss out not only on the unique world perspective of the authors I love but also on the original moments and surprising twists they so often deliver . . . the very qualities that keep me turning the pages.
So how do you react when an author defies your expectations? Do you like it? Does it annoy you? Does it keep you from reading them ever again, or do you chalk it up as an aberration and give them another chance? Do you wish authors paid more attention to reader expectations? And if so, what divining rod would you use?
67 Comments »
67 Responses to “Living Up to Expectations”
B on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:34 am #
The only kind of author I’ll stop reading are the serial killers. Not authors who write about serial killers — I love those very much — but those who butcher and slaughter their own characters.
I boycotted the last Harry Potter book — haven’t read it and will never read it — after I saw the list of characters who died. I don’t usually do that, but when an author kills three out of my four favorite character throughout the series, then I give them up.
I’ll take most anything — even death — if it’s not overly done. Karin Slaughter killed her male lead in the sixth book of a series. And, as much as I was pissed and wanted to stop reading, her stories are worthy understanding.
I think I’m not making sense. I feel weird. Ehh..
Happy Release Day, Sabrina! ♥
Archer on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:48 am #
I absolutely LOVED <3Wed Him Before You Bed Him<3. For me the true identity of cousin Micheal was a nice surprise and Stoneville is getting his own book so I see no reason to complain
I agree with B about killing off characters. That's one of the main reasons why I like romance novels so much. No matter how much drama it all ends well.
I very rarely stop reading an author I like because of 1 book. I've only stopped reading 1 author because in the 2nd book she had the guy cheat and the girl still stayed with him grrrr
Tina on 19 Jan 2010 at 4:11 am #
I can’t wait to go book hunting.
Since I didn’t read all of the School books, I was not really familiar with all of the possible men to be Cousin Michael. I did kinda want Oliver because he had been mentioned in the two books I had read, but once I knew the background of the person it was (whose name currently escapes me) I was happy with the choice.
Most of the time I like the surprises that authors create.
I enjoy KaRo’s books, I’m catching up on her older books. In the newer books, the criminal is usually revealed toward the end of the book. In “Nothing to Fear” the criminal was introduced first. It was different, but I enjoyed the story.
Archer on 19 Jan 2010 at 4:28 am #
I keep getting a duplicate message post, but my message doesn’t show :-/
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 6:20 am #
Archer, it put your post in spam–I have no clue why. Usually it puts “questionable” posts in pending, but it went right to spam. Very weird. But I approved it, so it’s finally here! And I’m glad I did since I’m pleased to hear that you liked Wed Him. Not everyone did.
B, I know what you mean about killing off characters. The only book that ever made me angry over that was a serial killer book told in first person by the heroine … who describes her own death in the last few pages at the hands of the serial killer. I was so mad! And I refuse to read another book by the author, so she lost me completely as a reader.
Tina, I find that a good writer (and KaRo is, of course, the best) can introduce the villain at the beginning and still make the book suspenseful. I sometimes like those kinds of books for a change of pace. The book starts to be about the why, not the who.
LoriHandeland on 19 Jan 2010 at 6:26 am #
I like it when an author defies expectations if the book is set up that way. I don’t like things that come out of left field with no motivation or set up. If that happens I wouldn’t read the author again if this were the first book by the author I was reading. If it was a book from a favorite author in the past, I’d give them another chance.
I agree with you, Sabrina. Writing by committee is crap and a writer has to write the book she “gets.” She can’t write one based on reader, editor or agent expectations and shouldn’t. Writing’s too hard to write a book you aren’t passionate about.
Deb Marlowe on 19 Jan 2010 at 6:38 am #
Hooray! The new series starts today! I think Wed Him was fabulous–plus all of Stoneville’s fans have this whole new series to look forward to! The best of both worlds!
Jamie on 19 Jan 2010 at 6:42 am #
I LOVED Wed Him Before You Bed Him and in NOT making Oliver “Cousin Michael” ensured you a WHOLE new series, which I prefer better – to tell you the truth.
As to your question – I have read authors where I read the book expecting one thing to happen and had something else happen and went? HUH? BUT – that being said, you, as the author have the right to put whatever you want. These stories are your children.
I love books that I can feel the characters almost like real people and you do that, so don’t worry THAT much about the naysayers. My store jumped the gun a bit and put out Oliver’s book a day or so before the release date – but I can tell you I can’t wait to read the whole series. I all ready LOVE Oliver’s siblings. Too COOL!!!!
Karen Rose on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:17 am #
Sabrina and Tina, thank you! Made me smile this morning!
I have been disappointed a few times. Once, like the book that Sabrina didn’t like, the author introduced a heroine that died in the end. I’d been invested emotionally in this character and never expected such a thing to happen in a story that I expected to be a “romance.” The heroine took her own life while the hero watched. I was upset by that for YEARS. Still am, whenever I think about it.
The other time I was disappointed was in a book that had been long in coming by an author I do like very much. Readers had been teased by this h/h pairing for many books in the series and when they finally got their own book, I was so excited. But when I read it, the story was just flat. I’m not sure if it was because we’d seen so much of them already or what, but I was very disappointed.
This was NOT Sabrina’s Wed Him, btw. I loved WED HIM. It’s a gift to be able to sustain that kind of energy so that the pairing both stands on its own and successfully closes out the series in a satisfying way. Kudos to Sabrina!!
kay on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:28 am #
I think authors can never satisfy all of their readers, it would be impossible. So, how does an author isolate themselves from all the chatter that comes from readers and still have a presence? Thick skin is the answer. I don’t know how some author’s do it, I think my feelings would be hurt, especially if I was an author that lurked at some of the message boards that are around. As far as being disappointed, I have been on occasion and it usually involves the last male character in a series. The one that appears in all the books, so you think you know them and there is something attractive about that character. But, then their story comes and all the mystery is gone or they have turned into something that they weren’t in the rest of the series.
Freshechelle on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:43 am #
I like it when the author defies my expectatins. I don’t follow the authors who are part of a machine i.e., Danielle Steele or perhaps Nora Roberts, because it’s clear there is a standard outline that is followed each time.
Surprise me with the imagination that inspired you to write in the first place. Thank you, Goddesses, you do this!
I remember liking SEP’s Ain’t She Sweet because the lead character was pretty hard to like and the earlier situation with the hero was really unexpected from SEP’s usual fare. Gotta re-read that one.
KathyP on 19 Jan 2010 at 7:56 am #
I bought The Truth About Lord Stoneville and read it already
. I was one of those who thought “Cousin Michael” was Stoneville but I wasn’t disappointed at all in the “real” Cousin Michael. You made it work!! Plus after reading TTALS I am very happy that Oliver wasn’t Cousin Michael since his book was fantastic and I’m very happy that Oliver Sharpe got his own book. The rest of his siblings are going to be fun to read about in their own books, too 
.
I have stopped reading an author’s series, not because of a hero turning out to be someone other than my “pick” but because the series has become a different genre all together and one that I don’t read or like. If I buy a book that is classified as a “romance” I want the majority of the book to be about the hero and heroine, not mainly about characters of future books. I love how you, Sabrina, introduce characters of future books and give me just enough of their personality and nature so I look forward to reading their full story. In The Truth About Lord Stoneville we met his siblings and caught glimpses of who they were without them taking away the spotlight from Oliver.
SheridanLA on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:09 am #
Writing by committee or what the author thinks the reader will want to read is kind of what is making the movie and television industry such crap nowadays… one reason I prefer books, though there is this problem in publishing as well… A book is the brainchild of an author. Who am I to sit here and think or tell what the author should or should not be doing with their world? I don’t have to like it, necessarily, but I am not so arrogant that I think I should tell an author what and how they should write.
Not every author is gonna bat a thousand with every book. If it is an author I normally like, I’ll pick up their next book. I do get disappointed more when a book has an awesome premise and I am all excited then the execution just blows.. like they are trying too hard to be funny/dramatic/whatever. In those cases, I rarely pick up their next one.
Archer on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:10 am #
Ain’t She Sweet was sooo good.
“We understand each other perfectly. I’m sarcastic and unpleasant. You’re headstrong and manipulative.”
That line always makes me smile
Pesky on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:18 am #
I tend to think the following:
1. Life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to, therefore why should books.
2. It’s the author’s creation, I obviously read the author because I’ve enjoyed their past creations.
3. I’m a go with the flow kinda person, reading is one of those things.
4. Plot twists that come out of nowhere, are supported by nothing and make me think too hard to rationalize them irritate me. There have been very few authors that have put me in that position and quite honestly you’re not one of them, even with the red herring.
5. I’ve read some clunkers from authors that I adore…Kathleen Woodwiss’s book prior to her last one had 84 pages of the heroine dancing and spinning about the foyer. Just reading about her made me want to get out the annoying heroine flyswatter…enough already…get on with the plot. I will point out that I bought her next book (and unfortunately her last), because her past writing had fulfilled my vicarious enjoyment quota.
I was lucky enough to read the ARC for Lord Stoneville, and I encourage everyone to go out and buy it. It was wonderful! Congratulations Sabrina!
Claudia Dain on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:54 am #
I’m totally willing to go along for whatever ride the author has in mind–as long as it makes sense within the world she’s created. That’s it for my expectations. I =like= to be surprised. I =like= the twists and turns.
I don’t even mind when characters get killed off, except that if that was the character I was most attached to in the series, I may not come back to subsequent books only because the draw of that character is now missing for me.
I really can’t figure out why it doesn’t bother me when characters in books die, or even pets; I know it really bothers most readers. My only guess is that because there are so many real people in my life who I’ve loved and lost that “losing” a fictional character doesn’t register on my Pain and Loss Meter.
And having read TRUTH/STONEVILLE I have to chime in and say I loved it and wasn’t disappointed in a single thing! You have to follow where the story and the characters take you.
Rachel Gibson on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:56 am #
I learned a long time ago that I can’t live up to every reader’s expectations. Trying to please everyone is impossible and will make you insane.
nancyg on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:14 am #
I do respect authors’ visions for books/series.
I still get upset when favorite characters are killed off. Bertrice Small’s Skye O’Malley series comes to mind. Just when I got attached to a character, pfft! lol – but reading her books, I’m used to it now, so I know what to expect.
Another thriller writer, Karin Slaughter, had a very abrupt ending to one of her books – #6 in a series. I had to re-read the last few pages, asking myself, “Did she really just do what I think I read?” The backlash was huge! I have to say, I quit buying her books because of it.
cail on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:30 am #
I adored The Truth About Lord Stoneville. B&N sent it early, and I finished it yesterday. I never figured out who Cousin Michael was while reading the series, and had been sort of hoping it would be Giles. I’ve voted my suggestion to have him in this series
. Naturally i LOVED Wed Him, as I do all of your books, so I wasn’t the least bit upset over who it was. I’m rarely annoyed over pairings as long as the story is good.
i tend to buy novels based on who wrote it, and every once in a while i’m hugely disappointed. that happened to me recently while reading a completely bland trilogy, but i’d say most of the time my must buys do not disappoint. Perhaps Fresh was right about the machine aspect of some of those authors… since it certainly falls into that category.
the key to making us happy is to invest in your characters and make sure they are believable. thats really what matters to me. plus, really good lines help.
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:37 am #
Y’all, thanks SO much for all the lovely words about Wed Him. I really wasn’t fishing for compliments. I know that a lot of people loved that book–but I did get a backlash, too. I find things like that interesting–the way different readers react to the same experience, even readers who are already predisposed to like an author’s stuff.
KarenR and kay, I know what you mean about when the character or couple gets their own book and lets you down. It’s SO hard to sustain that interest, both as a writer and a reader. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t think I’ve EVER seen a final book of any author’s series where SOMEONE wasn’t disappointed. You’ve got all that build up–how can it possibly meet expectations? It’s such a difficult balance to achieve.
Fresh, SEP always surprises me. I like that about her.
KathyP, I’m so glad you liked Oliver’s book! I had SUCH fun writing his family. KathyP, I haven’t had a series morph into another sort of series yet (one I’m reading OR writing), but I’ve heard of that happening. I don’t know how I would feel about it. I guess it would depend on how well it’s done. I do tend to prefer romance to be romance.
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:45 am #
Sheridan, I totally agree–there’s too much of trying to make things FIT with audience expectation in the film industry these days and not enough original thinking. On the other hand, I think the movie industry rarely “gets” what a good romantic comedy should be, because too many scriptwriters are trying to write something “edgy” and “quirky” instead of a story with solid, likable characters who fall in love. They also avoid sappy. I LOVE sappy. I think most lovers of romantic comedy do. There’s a reason that While You Were Sleeping was such a hit–the characters were endearing and they didn’t shy away from emotion and family. Who was quirky in that movie? No one. But they were all VERY believable and endearing, yet not cliched. Hey, maybe I should blog about THAT!
Archer, what a great line!
Pesky, I don’t like the unmotivated plot twist either. Drives me nuts! But I see it more in movies than in books, I confess. And I’m so glad you liked Stoneville’s book, Pesky!
Heather on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:46 am #
I can’t remember who I wanted Cousin Michael to be, but I don’t think it was Oliver. I preordered electronically, so I get to download the book today as soon as I finish Stephanie Lauren’s Temptation and Surrender — I’ve read all of hers for this family, so it’s good to see the familiar characters. I love that in a series.
The last author that I stopped buying was Judith French — I trudged through the Conqueror because I love reading about Alexander the Great, but he dies in the end and the heroine Roxanne is supposed to die, but comes back in the second without her memory. I started it but couldn’t like her or Ptolemy or any of the other characters at all. Put it down 3 chapters in and won’t pick it up except to sell it. I haven’t had a problem with any of the Goddess I’ve read, though I tend to stick with historicals and not many thrill rides.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY, SABRINA!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:53 am #
Claudia, I like twists and turns myself. The book that drove me crazy was one where the author killed the heroine–I felt like she was doing it to be clever and edgy and that pissed me off. To me, it said nothing except “I’m clever and edgy” and since I’d fallen in love with the heroine I was majorly annoyed.
BUT I read Lisa Gardner’s first book under that name, The Perfect Husband, where she killed off a significant secondary character, and I was fine with it. I mean, I regretted the loss of the character, because I’d really hoped that she would get a future book and perhaps a shot at happiness, but it was a surprise that goosed up the book, so I didn’t mind. That was SUCH a good book. If y’all haven’t read her, you should try her, although I think most of her later ones really aren’t romances.
Lisa H on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:56 am #
Dearest Sabrina, I just loved Wed Him Before You Bed Him. It was my favorite of the series (Even though I fell madly in love with Diego) I loved the story and was not disappointed in the slightest. I am ordering The Truth About Lord Stoneville right now. I think the reason so many thought Stoneville was going to be the hero is because you made him so mysterious…he was an excellent red herring. But, the hero was perfection, and I love the theme of Wed Him!
I think as an author you must always write what is in your heart, or your lack of passion will transfer to the page. I for one am glad you were not able to swayed by what some readers thought.
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 9:59 am #
cail, glad you liked Stoneville’s book! And I totally agree, “really good lines” DO help!
Thanks, Heather! I think that a lot of comfort reads tend to be less thrill rides than renewing acquaintances. Although I don’t know–B’s comfort reads are murder and mayhem, so I guess one person’s thrill ride is another person’s comfort read!
Janae on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:13 am #
I went back and read all of the School of Heiresses books before Wed Him Before You Bed Him was released. To be honest with you, I would have been surprised if Cousin Michael would have been anyone other than Kirkwood. It seemed to me that your dropped plenty of hints along the way, pointing to Kirkwood.
Like Claudia, I like surprises. I expect to be surprised. I’m disappointed if I can figure out where the author is going too early in the book. I don’t mind if characters get killed off as long as it makes sense. It just made sense that some characters were going to die off in Deathly Hallows because they are at war. OTOH, you have Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn, where everything was just too perfect; nobody got hurt; died, etc. It turned me off the whole series.
I can think of a couple of authors that I’ve stopped reading because it felt like they were just writing the same book, only the h/h names and place names changed. Everything else felt the same. Or I’ve stopped reading authors because they changed genres, and they don’t write as well in the new genre as well as their old one.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:42 am #
Kay mentions being disappointed sometimes by the book with the last male character in a series. IMO that is the hardest book to write to readers’ expectations. One reason is that the character has been around, but in the third person. IOW, the reader has never been in his head. In his book, however, the reader does go into his head. So, for a writer, the challenge is how to make him as interesting when you know him well as he was when you only saw him from other characters’ thoughts and impressions? The unknown can be more compelling than the known.
I have loved some books by my favorite authors for the very same reason other readers have disliked them. And vice versa. I try not to have too many expectations when I start a book, other than it “working.”
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 10:43 am #
Lisa H–it’s definitely true that if the author doesn’t follow her heart, her lack of passion will come through.
Janae–thank you for saying that about Kirkwood. *I* thought I dropped so many hints, but given the way people reacted, I may not have dropped enough.
Like you and Claudia, I like surprises. I don’t think there are too many authors I’ve dropped completely. Mostly, I’ve just fallen behind. It’s that darned writing–I never seem to catch up! *G*
jackie on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:05 am #
I sorta like surprises, I might expect one thing but bless her/his heart the author has a totally different view. An author is a creator sometimes their creations do not follow what I would consider the natural order or logical conclusion but I am reading to be entertained. As with Cousin Michael you knew where you were going, you had a plan and thank you for sharing it!
My rule of thumb on not reading an author again – if they write what I consider 2 bad books in a row I quit buying their books. As to what constitutes a bad book for me: poor character development, lack of a plot, bad dialogue, lack of attention to historical accuracy. I read a Regency Romance a few weeks ago and the hero had a zipper. This book was written my one of my very favorite authors and I am sure the editor missed it but repeated mistakes like that irritate me. I do not like to read books that do not tie up all the lose ends. I adore series and containing family sagas but I think each book needs to reach a satisfying conclusion. I love Johanna Lindsey’s Malory family and Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster family each novel in both of these series has a conclusion.
Freshechelle on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:15 am #
Please don’t ever try to meet my expectations as a reader. If my expectations were any good, I’d be writing my own books but they aren’t so I don’t. Kudos to all who’ve posted something about giving up on trying to please readers. seeking mass appeal surely stifles creativity.
That said, I’ll admit I did drop Philippa Gregory because reading Wideacre creeped me out too much with its taboo element. It turned me off to reading more of her stuff.
Suzanne Enoch on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:29 am #
Oh, I SO know what you mean, Sabrina. When the last book in my Griffin family series came out, some readers were so fixated on who should end up with the Duke of Melbourne that they were on Amazon declaring “The Sins of a Duke” to be the worst book ever written and that they would never buy one of my books again — and this was before the book had even been released.
I couldn’t have written the book with the heroine they were expecting, though, because she didn’t fit — and it WOULD have been my worst book ever.
I totally believe in having faith in an author you like. They may not lead you were you expect, but I trust that I’ll enjoy the ride.
B on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:32 am #
I shall not post on TGB when I’m half asleep. SO embarrassing.
Sabrina, the heroine DESCRIBED HER DEATH?? That’s totally &@#$$
I already asked my mom if I can “please, please, please purchase a book for my Kindle.” (uh hu, yeah, The Truth About Lord Stoneville, yes). She said “she’ll think” which means I’ll probably have it later!!! If she doesn’t let me, I’ll pay for it myself, LOL.
Joy on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:34 am #
I was one of the readers who wanted Michael to be Stoneville; but, I wasn’t disappointed in the results. I’m glad he has his own book.
To answer your question, I kind of like both. I like trying to solve a mystery or plot line before it’s revealed. I have to like it when I’m right; but, I also like it when I’m wrong and the answer is satisfying.
I love your work and will grab your new one today. Thanks!
B on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:35 am #
Ps: I ABSOLUTELY love, love, LOVE ‘Wed Him’. It’s perfect, Sabrina. Just perfect!
pps: I’m still not over that I am reading historical romance!
Karen on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:05 pm #
What a very good blog! I want the author to write THE book that is in her/his head. To have a reader dictate to an author the way they want a book to end…I just don’t have a proper word for that. That’s not saying I don’t like to go along with the mystery game, as I do. I like to keep thinking where the author is going with the story but it’s her/his story and I’m along for the ride.
LisaK on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:05 pm #
First, congrats on you new release, Sabrina! I actually got TTALS yesterday already but didn’t have the time to read it yet and I think it will also take some time until I get there because I’ve so shamelessly neglected my reading lately in favour of school stuff (which isn’t a bad thing concerning my graduation this May but also very annoying!).
I have to say – I my God, Sabrina, I’m feeling so mean! – that WDBYBH was my least favourite of your Heiress-books. I loved them all – really, really loved them, as in, they joined my Best Historicals EVAH list – but I didn’t love “Wed Him”. Argh, I know that it’s your favourite and I feel so bad about my feelings but it’s true – hope you’re not mad at me now! And let me assure you, it’s not because you didn’t live up to my expectations (but because I don’t like the lovers reunited theme in general, I just can’t get over my aversion to this one). Actually, I was pretty lame and maybe the only person in the world who thought that Cousin Michael was someone we had never met before – which, come to think about it, doesn’t make sense because then the CM-mystery wouldn’t be a mystery we could solve!
I’ve once read a book – and it
cont.
LisaK on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:13 pm #
cont.
was only my second or third romance novel ever – which I really, really liked, the characters were very likeable with a bold heroine and a manly hero. However, I ended up not liking it at all. The heroine became pregnant, a thing that I always love and am happy to see, but then she lost her baby. That was anti-expectation #1. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, the very manly hero cheated on the heroine with some strange courtesan. SOOO anti-expectation #2. I was on the verge of throwing that damn thing away but then I decided to be strong. The ending was rather nice, actually, but that absolutely didn’t make up for all that I have suffered through reading. Read one other book by the same author after that but only because I’d already bought it. The heroine became pregnant again and thankfully didn’t lose the baby but I still know I’ll never read another book by her.
Now I’m a big fan of the Lords of the Underworld-series by Gena Showalter and everyone who has read that series knows that Paris fell in love with Sienna in the first book and is a pathetic drunk in the fourth one because he lost her and that his book will only be #7 or so. Now the readers
cont.
Karen Hawkins on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:14 pm #
Sabrina, have your book right here, with me. Went out this morning on the way to the pharmacy (tendonitis in my foot, dontcha know) and picked it up. Can’t wait to read it!!!!
I love surprises in a book. BUT I don’t like it when the hero or heroine die or are unfaithful. Read a scene in a romance once where the hero cheated on the heroine with his old mistress (can’t remember the name but … gack) and it was awful. Even though the hero hadn’t yet declared himself to the heroine, it was obvious that he was in love with her, and I just never trusted him after that.
Other than that, I love it when something changes in a book — and I sometimes mix mine up a bit, too, just for the fun of it! Gotta love a little “oooh” and “ahhh” now and then!
LisaK on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:19 pm #
cont.
are divided into two groups – let’s call them Team Sienna and Team Other for a lack of creativity at this hour of the evening (in Germany!). I belong to TS because I liked Sienna well enough and I just don’t think it would be apt to pair Paris with someone else after what he’s been through because of Sienna. But, you know, those are my expectations. And if Ms Showalter feels like she has to pair Paris with someone else, I’m absolutely okay with that because it’s her book, make that her decision. But now there are people who become nigh violent in their utterances, be they pro or con Sienna. And I could go crazy about that because I think “Let that poor woman write her book, she knows what’s best for her characters!” I could totally lose my patience with these folks, believe me. So annoying!
Now look who’s needed three posts to tell everything she wanted to say. Sigh, and I thought that had improved and I could now make it short…
LisaK on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:21 pm #
Ka-Hawk, could it be that we’re talking about the same unfaithful hero book? That sounds truly familiar! Or are there more of these awful things out there?!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:27 pm #
Madeline, you are absolutely right. I think that the lack of point of view for a hero who appeared over and over in previous books is a big part of it. Once you’re in his head, you either love him or not so much. It’s really hard to pull off. I’ve seen authors do it to varying levels of success.
Jackie, I love those Malory books myself!
Fresh, I promise not to try to meet your expectations!
Suzie, I watched all that with Sins of a Duke while scratching my head. I don’t see how ANYONE can get mad over the prospective characters of a book without first reading the book. I confess I have never done that. I know who I’d like to see get together in future books of a series, but if the author goes another way and makes it work, I’m okay with that. I just don’t get as locked into it as some people do, I think.
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:34 pm #
B, I didn’t see anything in your post to be embarrassed about. Hey, you’re more coherent sleepy than I would be. And we’re never going to let you FORGET that you like historical romance. *G* Truthfully, though, I’ve converted several of my friends. They STILL complain that they never expected to be reading romance, and how evil I am to have sucked them in.
Joy, I’m one of those people who guesses the mystery A LOT, so I like to be surprised. I’m always pleased when I’m surprised. I guess the mystery a lot in TV shows these days, but it doesn’t take away from my enjoyment if the show has great writing and the characters are engrossing. But this is why I don’t read mystery novels as a general rule–they have to have a lot going for them beyond the solution to the mystery, because I always figure out the mystery.
Karen, and we’re GLAD you come along for the ride, too!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 12:37 pm #
LisaK, it’s okay that you didn’t like Wed Him. As I said, not everybody did. I don’t expect everybody to like every book. That would be ridiculous (and impossible). I happen to LOVE lovers reunited themes–several of my favorite historicals have them–so it was fun for me to try one. OTOH, I don’t particularly like the Cinderella theme, or at least not as well as some other fairy tale archetypes (I LOVE Beauty and the Beast, for example). So I perfectly understand how a certain kind of book can be unappealing to a reader.
KarenH, I don’t want the hero/heroine to be unfaithful either. I just don’t see how that can work. It doesn’t work for me anyway, although I suppose a really good author can pull it off. I just can’t believe in it as a romance.
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:09 pm #
Authors would be but ciphers if they wrote only to reader expectations. Yes, I’ve been disappointed, but usually it’s because I sense a good story that the author, for want of space, inspiration, or the need for gratuitous sex, neglected to tell. A good story, complete with all the inherent angst and uncertainty, is the most important thing. I, as a reader, can forgive just about anything else.
Janae on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:34 pm #
Sabrina, you’re very welcome. I remember walking thru the house, saying, ‘I knew it,’ when his identity was confirmed.
There are very few authors that I’ve stopped reading – fewer than 5, I think. I’ll never finish my TBR list because there are SO many good books out there.
Santa on 19 Jan 2010 at 1:58 pm #
I like surprises in a book. It’s rare that any of my autobuys disappoint me. I have to agree with Karen about infidelity being a major no-no. Sorry to say my first Heyer book turned me off to her books for a very long time. It was ‘A Civil Contract’. I adore marriages of convince but when the hero actually went to the nympho he was ‘in love’ with and abandons his wife. YUCK!
I loved the way Suzanne ended the Griffin series. I thought it was marvelous. Ditto for the way you ended the School for Heiresses series. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!
Emily Bryan on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:13 pm #
The only time I’m disappointed with an author is if I CAN guess what’s coming, so it sounds like you did your job of misdirection, Sabrina!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:29 pm #
Gwynlyn, I do sometimes feel that the author didn’t tell the story they could have. But then people have said that about MY books, too, when I told the story I had to tell, so you never know. Maybe they were telling the story they wanted.
BTW, if y’all ever think there’s too much sex in my books, you can assume it’s because I wanted it. NO ONE has ever told me to add sex. They never had to. *G*
Janae, that’s how I feel about books–there’s just tons I want to read and not enough time. But then, I’m not one of those people reading a book a day. If I were, I might feel differently.
Santa, I didn’t know that about the Heyer book! I just got two from a friend, and (I hesitate to admit this) I’ll be reading her for the first time (gasp!). I’ll be sure NOT to start with A Civil Contract! *G*
Emily, I’m the same way. I prefer not to see what’s coming, although if the story is engaging enough, I don’t mind. And of course, I always know I’ll get a happy ending, and I’m fine with that.
Julia London on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:41 pm #
Ditto what Rachel says. I want to please all readers, but its impossible. So I have to keep my blinders on and just do what I do.
As a reader, I don’t really have expectations. I sometimes think I would have written a certain book the way the author did, but I don’t have any expectations going in. Just take me on a ride is all I ask.
Nicole Jordan on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:45 pm #
I agree, can’t wait to read Lord Stoneville!
As for expectations, sometimes it’s hard for me to follow an author who changes genres or even styles too drastically. And I totally agree that cheating after they’ve become a couple is a big turnoff, although if it’s handled well enough, I might possibly forgive the character and author.
I remember that the hero’s cheating was why I disliked Grisham’s The Firm, bc at the very end he went behind his wife’s back after all she’d done to support him. And I never gave Grisham much attention after that.
Margaret on 19 Jan 2010 at 2:48 pm #
Lord Stoneville now resides on my Kindle as of about 10 minutes ago. Guess he and I will be snuggling up together later this evening.
I try not to have high expectations when I start reading a new book. If it’s a romance, I want a HEA. If it’s a mystery, somebody’s going to die & who done it will be resolved satisfactorily by the end.
I can’t think of an author whose work I stopped reading because of the situation in “Wed”. I enjoyed that book and really had no idea who Cousin Michael was nor did I have a preference on it.
I have stopped reading a popular author lately because each book seemed like a carbon copy of the one before it with only the names changed. Not enjoyable and I had been reading her for years. Sometimes I have a problem with switching sub-genres. Like historical to contemporary or chick lit to paranormal.
I’m getting better at it, but I still don’t enjoy paranormal. But that’s just me, of course.
Congrats on release day, Sabrina.
Judy F on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:47 pm #
Happy release day Sabrina.
I like to think I am pretty easy to please with what I read.
The only thing that really ticks me off is being unfaithful. One author had the heroine going back to her husband. That would be ok but he left her after she was diag with cancer and he had an affair. She found a wonderful man after that and still went back to her jerk of a husband. Never read any more of her books.
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 3:57 pm #
Julia, I wonder if authors have LESS expectations because we know that a good author can make just about anything work.
Nicole, I wasn’t as bothered by the infidelity in The Firm, because I didn’t see it as a romance, although if I recall he didn’t pay for it NEARLY as much in the novel as he did in the movie. I like the guy to PAY. *G*
Margaret, I’m with you–I get more irritated by carbon copy books. I just read a paranormal the other day that I really loved–Nalini Singh’s first Psy-Changeling book, Slave to Sensation. But in general, I’m picky about paranormal. I’m not a big fan of vampires, I must confess, although there are some books I liked.
JudyF, that doesn’t sound like a book I’d like at all!
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 19 Jan 2010 at 4:24 pm #
Darlin’, you have yet to disappoint—and I am a voracious reader. In fact, B&N heard from me today. Can you guess why?
Meg on 19 Jan 2010 at 5:17 pm #
I have to say that my faves (you goddesses) have never let me down. When you ladies ( and a select few others ) have a new book coming out the expectation is always high, but you never fail to deliver. Sure there have been some unexpected twists but that’s what makes it great!
As for trying to figure out who Cousin Michael was… I was clueless. Yea, I had read everything but that did not help. And I cannot WAIT to get my hands on The Truth About Lord Stoneville!!
Mariska on 19 Jan 2010 at 5:45 pm #
I will not read a book from an author if there’s so much violence in his/her book. Maybe i will feel a bit disappoint If the story or the ending is not what i expect before but that’s will gone as soon as i read the ‘end’ scene from Author perspective. i’m sure all author will not ‘kill’ a character because she/he doesn’t need this character exist, it’s gone because the character ’said’ so
Congrats for the release Sabrina, You are still My New For me Author coz i haven’t read any of your books yet !
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:33 pm #
Aw, thanks, Gwynlyn!
Meg, glad that we don’t disappoint. And just think, you have THREE new goddess books to enjoy this month!
Mariska, I hope you’ll try me out sometime! Well, my books, anyway. *G*
Jeanne Michaud on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:49 pm #
I’m reading “The Truth About Lord Stoneville “It is wonderful I’m not to page 100 yet and sitting here laughing myself silly.I had to stop reading long enough to write this and then I’m back to it.
Keep up the great stories I don’t want you to write what others think a book should be I want you to give what you have to the story.It’s why I read your books…. you have a wonderful talent!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Jan 2010 at 8:51 pm #
Thanks, Jeanne! Glad you’re liking it.
Patricia Barraclough on 19 Jan 2010 at 11:31 pm #
You have to write YOUR story. If a story takes a turn I didn’t want but the reasons are valid , and everything turns out well in the end, that is fine with me. It is your story I’m reading, not mine. Part of why we read is for the unexpected twist of the plot.
Elizabeth Amber on 20 Jan 2010 at 9:37 am #
Good question, Sabrina. I think authors should write whatever story is inside them bursting to get out. At the same time, if readers are expecting an erotic romance and the book is labeled as such, it’s unfair to hand them only a mildly spicy book. Or if I enjoy five books by an author that are similar in tone and content, and then the sixth book is wildly different, I appreciate a little advance warning in the cover blurb or cover art, so I can make an informed buying decision. It’s all about expectations.
DebW on 20 Jan 2010 at 1:16 pm #
Sabrinia – I agree, I too love the Beauty and Beast theme, then I had an author totally ruin it for me. Story was progressing very nicely, they fell in love etc. had a baby then bam, last chapter in the book the heroine died. I cried, picked the book up and proceeded to shread it. I couldn’t believe it. I was not expecting it and it devestated me. I mean here it was a cold rainy day, I snuggle down with what I thought would be a good book and then I ended up depressed. Wasn’t fair. I mean how can you write a romance, make everything great and then kill the absolute lead character in the end. Ugh.
BTW – I loved Wed Him Before You Bed Him. Although in truth I thought it was going to be Stoneville, I am glad it wasn’t. I liked to be surprised and believe the author knows best just not like mentioned above.
Lyn on 21 Jan 2010 at 7:47 am #
Sabrina- I really enjoyed your whole School series and wasn’t the least disappointed in WED HIM. I had already figured out Cousin Michael..and I’m no sleuth…no offense. I catch red herrings quickly but I don’t let that ruin the story for me. And I always like a good twist or two, maybe three. Not too many, or it gets ridiculous.
I’m glad to see you give Stoneville his own book…which I received 2 days ago and I’m ready to dig into it when I get some time.
Authors killing off main or great secondary characters always turns me off if I’ve gotten attached to them. Now, the endearing characters who die of old age is sad but expected. Opens up new doors.
I stop reading authors who use contrived plots, cheating, and especially cookie cutters to keep cranking out books, and don’t provide closure. I won’t mention any names. Also authors who start a series and don’t bring back characters from previous books. I want to know how they’re faring.
Thank you for your great books!
Missy on 23 Jan 2010 at 2:08 am #
Hi, I am looking forward to getting Lord Stoneville’s book, though I will have to order it online as I haven’t even seen Wed Him in NZ yet!!
I didn’t guess Kirkwood to be CM, and to be honest for some reason after the first heiress book I didn’t have him pictured as a hero, it wasn’t until Let Sleeping Rogues Lie that I started thinking it would have been nice if he hadn’t married Silly Sarah so he could have his book, and while I didn’t think CM was him I am glad he was. Charlotte’s book and Madeline’s book are my two favourites in the series, and that is saying something as I loved all of the books.
There is only one thing that disappointed me with the series, and that is that I would have liked to see a full length novel for Ellie and Martin (When Sparks Fly in the anthology book), but that is just because I loved him and would have liked to know more about him.
I understand why he didn’t get a full novel.
I love series that then produce new series as with the Heiresses leading into the Hellions, and when your Lord Trilogy and Swanlea Spinsters overlapped.
kj coker on 25 Jan 2010 at 4:26 pm #
I loved Wed Him and while I (like so many others) thought Stoneville would indeed turn out to be cousin Michael, however I was also in the minority (by a long shot) because I didn’t really want him to be. It might sound weird, but it seemed like it would have been a bit of a let down for it to have been him…for both the story and his character possibilities. I was *very* happy when I finally got read it.
And now, with the Truth About Lord Stoneville out and having already read it as well, I am even *more* pleased because Stoneville’s story has become my new fave of your books. Oliver is really a great character and it has me even more excited to get Jarret’s story and the rest.
michelebspy on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:11 am #
I like it when the author controls the outcome. If the reader expects a certain outcome, then why bother reading the book when you know what’s going to happen. I loved the last of the series Wed him before you bed him.
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:59 am #
Thanks, y’all, for letting me know you loved Wed Him just as it was! That means a lot. And I’m glad some of you are enjoying Stoneville’s book as well.