Megan, I think what's amazing about your writing is how honest and thought-provoking it is, but also how there's always a thread of optimism running through it -- hope, as you say. But it's a sophisticated thing -- you are writing outside of the pattern, and there's nothing wrong with that. If people are disappointed, it's their expectations, not your book, that are the culprit.

How books get shelved is annoying, though -- my own bugaboo on this score is always separating out fantasy/paranormal/romance/mysteries which can be stuck just about anywhere, it seems depending on author/title/publisher, etc (and then, finding suspense in the mystery aisle, and under romance, if it's a person whose written suspense, it's chaos) -- but readers need to be be more clued in than to think every book under a certain heading in a bookstore will end the same way. I'm sensing you've gotten some flak on this book, and it's undeserved. If people don't like a book, they should own their response, face that it's something in them that doesn't respond to the story, not blame the author -- especially when so many other people love it.

Sam

I have not yet read Tempted, but of course, I'm certainly intrigued now. Okay...I'll be honest...I've been really wanting to read the book--who wouldn't with a cover like that?--but I've been such a bad girl, buying books when I should be buying, oh, I don't know...food? :)

Seriously, though, I have to admit that I had a hard time getting into Dirty. Not sure what it was, but it took me a couple of weeks to really get rolling and when I did, I stayed up 'til I think four in the morning to finish. I LOVED that story. Easily one of my favorite books ever. Now I'm normally a HEA kind of girl, but what appealed to me most about Dirty wasn't that I kept hoping for a happy-happy ending because I really didn't think Elle and Dan would get one--it was that the story was so damn real. It wasn't fluffed up and pretty and so sweet I could gag--it was dark and painful and honest. I've never been through what Elle has been, but I sure felt like I was while I read her story. That's what I love about your writing. Your stories take me to places I've never been, some I want to be (read: Jack!!), and some I NEVER want to be. In real life anyhow. I wouldn't expect anything less than honest characters and an honest story from you and I actually think I'd be disappointed if you strayed from that.

Kudos to you for remaining true to your writing and your story!

Hugs...

Well heck, it's my fav book of the year so far!
This is what I like about Megan Hart books: the emotion.
Sure, they're erotic novels with great sex scenes. Okay, awesome sex scenes. And they have intricate, real-life plots lines that engage a reader and really make her think. Imagine, having to think about a story long after you've read it? I love that.
But the emotion I find in every single sentence is what makes reading these stories such a treat. I haven't read a one yet without crying, or smiling, or even laughing. It's not often I get all that from one book.
Thanks for the great read, Megan!
M

I am intrigued by your blog. Is the ending that shocking that you wanted to write about it?

No, not all books lead to HEA. I prefer them because it is nice to know that there are HEAs out there. Yeah, I know, in real life they would still have to deal with the annoying daily things I deal with but, the fantasy is nice.

I would be more upset if I thought you were pandering. I'd rather have true than trite.

I'm a weirdo, tell me I may not like the ending of a book and I need to read it. Like, immediately. LOL

Megan, IMO, one of the best parts of writing is creating your world. You say what works, what doesn't, and God (or your choice of deity) willing, your readers will remember the ride you took them on. They won't always like it, although it's nice if they do - but the main thing is they will remember your story and your characters. And hopefully, they'll take away something from your writing that will send them up to another bookstore counter with your next book in hand.

You did the right thing for your characters, and isn't that what all writers are striving for? Along with bestsellerdom, lots of contracts, plenty of caffeine and a muse that never sleeps... :)

Cari

Hi Megan,
I've only read a few of your books, but I really liked Tempted. It wasn't quite what I expected, but it worked. I enjoyed the stark quality, and all that uncertainty. Also, I relatively close to where the book was set, so that was fun.
As for the ending... it worked. It made sense. I don't know that ... I liked it, and I like it the way it is, I think I would have just liked it to be a tiny bit happ*ier* if that makes sense.
p.s. - you said the lucky winner will get a signed copy... but will it be caressed too? ;)

I think is ultimately more important, Megan. I'm glad you were able to write the book and characters so honestly--and I'm sorry that you've gotten flak from readers who perhaps were looking for something else. I agree with Sam though--it isn't your job to provide exactly what everyone's looking for (that's an impossible task, even for an audience of one!) People are going to respond in their own ways to different stories--if I happen to read something that doesn't "click" for me, that isn't anyone's fault! That's just how life is--different stories are going to work for me (or for you or for someone else) for different reasons at different times.

I haven't had a chance to read Tempted yet, and now I'm even more intrigued. (Not to mention that I've been drawn to its eye-catching cover about a million times every time I visit Cigars!)

Anyway, thanks for writing, Megan, and keep on doing it!

I actually just finished this book a few days ago. And I think your ending was true to the book and the characters.

Yes, there were a lot of ways you could have taken it but if you'd gone in any of those other directions it wouldn't have been right to this story and these characters.

I really enjoyed it. Scratch that. In some ways it wasn't enjoyable. But I'm happy that I read it.

I hope that makes sense.

ani

I didn't really think about the endings to romance novels until I started writing them...sad, but true. If I can take something for granted and forget about it, I do. ;) I've got two functioning neurons most days...HEA? Check. Moving on to something more complicated, like not backing over the trash cans.

That said, I've learned while writing romances over the last year that I like a little reality with my fantasy, and the ending to Tempted falls squarely in that category. Squarely. No butterflies or glitter, but a little reality. That made the ending satisfying for me. In fact, all your Spice books feel that way to me. I liked how Dan and Elle show up in Broken, still working on their relationship, because that's reality. Love won't solve everything. I'm not sure it solves ANYTHING, but the experience of love is gift enough. Fifteen years into my own marriage I feel more proud of and gain more strength from making it through the tough times than I do from that "a-ha" moment I had when I first saw him and knew I was going to marry him.