Wanted: Happy Ending

happy ending

I am hard at work on the first book of my Prosperity, Montana, minsieries. This story has absorbed me completely. I hurt for my characters and the suffering they must endure. Sharing their pain on the page is difficult, both for my characters and for me, but that’s how it is. What makes the whole thing bearable is that I know that in the end, they will find the happiness they deserve.

Genre fiction readers expect upbeat endings in the form of character growth and change, and the hope of something good to come. Those kinds of endings are the payoff for all that suffering we endure as we read the story.

When that payoff doesn’t come, I feel disappointed and cheated, and it’s a safe bet that  won’t pick up another book by the same author. The same goes with movies. Make me suffer, make me sit on the edge of my seat and chew my nails to the quick, but please, let a satisfying ending justify all that agony  I endured. That doesn’t mean I expect everything to be perfect. All I ask for is that things are looking up.

What about you? Agree or disagree?

Until next time,

Ann

June Recipe: Rocky Road Ice Cream

rocky road icecream

Summertime is ice cream season. This yummy concoction came from my local newspaper. It’s easy to make–you don’t need an ice cream maker or any fancy gadgets. Warning: It’s rich as sin. 🙂

Note: This recipe requires overnight freezing , so plan to make it a day in advance.

Rocky Road Ice Cream

serves 8-10

  • 1 can (14-oz) sweetened, condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup chocolate syrup (I use the expensive stuff that comes in a glass jar, but any kind will do)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup mini-marshmallows
  • 12 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup salted peanuts

Mix sweetened, condensed milk and chocolate syrup. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold into the chocolate mixture. Add marshmallows, chocolate chips, and peanuts. Freeze overnight. Store in an airtight container. Will keep up to two weeks–but I’m betting it won’t last that long. 🙂

Until next time,

Ann

Comments welcome!

 

Book # 4 is out!

Happy June, all! To kick off the month, The Rancher She Loved, book #4 of my Saddlers Prairie miniseries is out today. Yay!

I enjoyed writing this book. Sarah Tigarden is on a a quest to find her roots, a search that leads her to Saddlers Prairie. Clay Hollyer is a bull rider at the top of his game. Or he was until everything changed. Now he’s reinventing himself in Saddlers Prairie.

Rancher she loved front cover

That’s all I’m going to share about Sarah and Clay. To find out more, read the book. 🙂 It’s a great summer read. You’ll find a link to purchase on the home page of my website. www.annroth.net.

I’d love to hear what you think of The Rancher She Loved.

I’ll be back soon.

Until next time,

Ann