And They Lived Happily Ever After...Really?

There’s been a question rolling around in my mind like an errant marble for some time now. Is it my imagination, or are the best-remembered, best-loved romantic movies and stories the tragic ones?

            

The reason I’m asking is because I’ve been told that readers want their books to end with an HEA (Happily Ever After) or at least an HFN (Happy For Now). But it makes me wonder if Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and more recently, Cameron’s Titanic and Brokeback Mountain would have been anywhere near as popular if the loving couple had been allowed to remain together.

            

Why do you think these tragedies continue to be popular after so many years? Also, why don't current romances - books and movies - have more tragic endings? Would it make them more or less popular?

Other than romantic comedies, can you name a romance-driven movie with an HEA that is still popular to this day? 

I could use some good recommendations. I'm ready for a popcorn-and-tissues night.

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New!

MIRACLE Beyond Measure

Book 2

Paranormal/Supernatural/Contemporary Fantasy Romance

By Linda Mooney

Word Count: 43.1K

$3.99 e / $9.99 p

 (Note: You can get Book 1, MIRACLE Above All, for only 99c!)

Life on the run is hard. Food is limited, and clothes are difficult to come by, but I’ll keep going. We’ll keep going. We have to. The world is depending on us.

My name is Casi Clarity, and there’s a prophecy that says I will be the one to save the world, along with my protector, Coheed. But we don’t know how, or when, or why. We just will.

Our travels have taken us to New Orleans, where the demons are getting stronger, smarter, and harder to evade. With new allies and enemies alike, who can I trust? Is my protector even who he says he is?

I’m in the fight of my life, with or without Coheed, but fighting without the help of my love is impossible to fathom. I’d rather die myself. But if I did, would I stay dead this time?

My name is Casi.

The undead call me Little Mouse.

Coheed calls me his Miracle.

Warning! Contains a special tea, a trailer in the swamp, deception, bitter cold, a lost testament, a new revelation, and the loss of a loved one that tears the heart apart.

Excerpt and buy links