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Never Trust a Pretty Wolf Giveaway and Guest Post!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012


$25 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway!  Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win-INT!

And They Lived Happily Ever After
How many times have you read a fairy tale or child’s story that ended with those words? I’m guessing it’s a lot because my parents read them to me, and I read them to my children. In an adult book, the author may not use those exact words, but the meaning is exactly the same. All the issues are solved, and everyone is happy.
I recently read a book I enjoyed very much. I told everyone how good it was, but then I came to the end. It ended BADLY. If it hadn’t been on my Nook I would have thrown it away. I guess I could have deleted it, but I don’t know how. I promised I’d never read another word that author wrote. Then, I found out there was a sequel so I was happy. That author was going to get another chance to redeem herself.
So why do people long for a happy ending? Why do they get so upset if books don’t end with happily ever after?
I think that first of all, most folks are fighting some kind of battle in their lives. Maybe they’re in a relationship that went bad, and they’ve lost the one they love. Whether it was by divorce, death, or just walking away, it tears a huge hole in someone’s heart. Maybe the problem is health-related. Someone has to accept that there are now limitations placed on them. Have you ever dealt with unemployment? How do you feed your children with no paycheck? A happy ending gives us hope that tomorrow things will be better. We can believe that ‘this too shall pass.’
Remember what happened at the end of Gone With the Wind? Scarlett lost Rhett and collapsed in tears, but then she decided to go home to Tara where she can think of a way to get Rhett back. Human beings are designed to hope.
I also think that happy endings possibly satisfy our craving for justice. In the real world, things don’t always end happily. Children are abused, the missing teen is never found, or our possessions are stolen. It satisfies our hearts for bad guys to get what’s coming to them.
Do my books end with a happily ever after? You bet they do. I put my heroes and heroines through a lot, but you can rest easy in the knowledge that things will be okay in the end. Readers, what about you? Do you insist on a happily ever after? Why do you think people want happy endings? Leave a comment and tell me what you think. 



Summary:

iesel Wolf has a secret, a dangerous secret she’ll go to any lengths to conceal. When she’s paired in a charity game with sexy marshal Andy Bryce, a man with secrets of his own, her carefully constructed world comes crashing down, and Liesel’s on a collision course with her past.
Excerpt:

The minute the blue Mustang came to a halt, the valet hurried to open the car door for the newcomer. A pair of long, shapely legs unfolded from the car. Andy’s mouth went dry as his eyes traveled from her legs to her face. He had discovered a goddess. An overworked cliché perhaps, but he knew of no other words to describe her.

The goddess had Titian hair which begged him to run his fingers through it, freeing those glorious curls. Even from where he stood, her eyes glowed with an emerald fire. Her skin looked as if it would put satin to shame. As he stared at her mouth, a bolt of fire stabbed him right below his belt. He could only imagine how it might feel to kiss and taste those lush, red lips.

She sashayed up to the porch and held out her hand to Melton. “Good evening, Thomas.”

Melton was having a hard time getting his voice under control, but he finally stuttered, “Welcome, L… Li… Liesel. It’s great to finally meet you in person. This is your partner, Andy Bryce. Andy’s a United States Marshal.”

The light left her face. She shot Andy a look of what he swore was dislike, even though they’d never met. “Oh, but I thought you said the mayor was my partner.”

Melton nodded. “He was. But something came up, and his brother’s filling in for him.”

She didn’t want to be his partner. Andy knew it as surely as he knew his own name. He wondered if she had heard about… Yeah, she could have. The story made most of the big papers. The Marshals had trained him to read people, so he knew Ms. Wolf didn’t like him.
 
Author Bio:

Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services from Clemson University and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority for women educators. She is also a member of Romance Writer’s of America and EPIC authors. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak Tree Books. At present she teaches high school social studies.
 
LINKS:
website: http://www.elainecantrell.com
blog: http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elainepcantrell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/elainecantrell
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elainecantrell
Buy links: http://www.http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=11343720

http://www.amazon.com/Never-Trust-Pretty-Wolf-ebook/dp/B0088346GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339027299&sr=1-1

PRIZE INFORMATION

$25 dollar gift certificate to Amazon to random commenter

choice of a PDF from Elaine's back list for one randomly drawn host

47 comments:

  1. thank you for hosting Elaine today

  1. Leah said...:

    Very intriguing excerpt! I like that it was from the male character's perspective.

  1. Emily said...:

    Great excerpt. Thanks for sharing!

  1. MomJane said...:

    I won't read any books by an author if she or he has ever written on without a HEA.

    I am so happy to know you feel the same.

  1. Lili said...:

    Thank you for hosting this tour today! I discovered a new book because of it. I enjoy the fact that this is in a male perspective because we don't come across many books like that these days.

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Leah and Lily, I like to include the male perspective. I think it gives the work depth. Thanks for leaving a comment.

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Thanks for coming, Drake. Have a great day.

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    momJane, you don't have to worry about me. I always have a happy ending. Sad things happen in real life, so in my books I want things to work out for everyone.

  1. Alyssa Susanna said...:

    Great excerpt! I'm always eager to read another wolf story. Thanks for the post and giveaway!

    Alyssa Susanna
    lilleetleet(at)verizon(dot)net

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Alyssa, I'm sorry to say, this isn't a paranormal. The title of the book comes from the name of my heroine, Liesel Wolf. In one spot, Andy vows never to trust a Wolf again, not even a pretty one like Liesel. I hope you aren't too disappointed.

  1. Rita Wray said...:

    I like happy endings because it makes me feel good when I finish the book. If I don't like the ending I feel like I wasted my time. I feel the same about a movie, if I hate the ending I get angry because I wasted my time.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Sad endings depress me. I feel droopy for days afterward.

  1. Joanne said...:

    Congrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great post and excerpt.
    I love books with happy endings or at least happy for now endings. I think people want the happy endings because when we read books, they are our escape from every day life. We want something we don't think is within our grasp, including a HEA.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  1. Chelsea B. said...:

    Oh, I refuse to read/watch a movie/tv show that doesn't end in HEA! I mean come on. Why would you willingly watch/read something that you know is going to make you sad? It doesn't make any sense! I'm a happy person and like to stay that way. I am not going to make myself sad on purpose. Crazy!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Well said, Joanne and Chelsea!

  1. Elaine Cantrell said...:

    Well said, Joanne and Chelsea!

  1. erin said...:

    Thanks for a great post and excerpt! This book sounds awesome :)

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. I have to admit that I love happily ever afters. I get so involved in a book when reading it that I fall in love with the main characters and I just can't help but want them to have a happy ending. I will say though that I don't mind if a book does not end with a happy ever after only as long as there is a following book where they finally resolve their issues and end up happy. I am a sucker for happy endings. :)

    vadeluna07(at)yahoo(dot)com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    The excerpt was pretty interesting. I'd like to read this book.
    mom1248(at)att(dot)net

  1. Wow, this would be a great win. Thanks for sharing!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Thanks for the giveaway! I actually like sad endings. I guess most people want to feel happy and get away from their depressing real lives.

    its_me124(at)yahoo(dot)com

  1. I think most people like the HEA as it gives them hope that things WILL get better if only for the space of time you spent devouring the book.

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

  1. This excerpt was great, I love reading from a guys POV. And yeah, I read to escape reality, so I need a happy ending. If I want sadness, I will watch the news. :-)

    Jill.Watkins (at) gmail.com

  1. Candy said...:

    Honestly, I love to read so much because it takes me away from my own reality. So if the book does not have a closure that makes me happy, I feel that is too much like life and I might as well watch the News for entertainment. That may be naive and ignorant thinking but I choose to read for fun, not to cry or be depressed. Same criteria for my choice of movies :) Thank you for the post and giveaway!

    candylovestoread@gmail.com

  1. Natasha said...:

    Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win! Sounds like a great read!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

  1. Crystal M said...:

    Thanks for the excerpt can't wait to read it.

    Sunshinemcm@yahoo.com

  1. It's very interesting when a female writer uses a male voice. It must take incredible perception and skill to do so effectively. Elaine, I can't wait to read your book...
    Susan Shapley
    susanshapley@sutv.com

  1. I crave happy endings because they give us hope in our everyday lives! I'd love to read this!

    volta2173 at sbcglobal dot net

  1. Christina K. said...:

    Great excerpt! I love how the characters act around each other:)

    I agree with the guest post:)

    Thanks so much:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

  1. I do love a happy ending, & failing that, an ending that is satisfying.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  1. Tobi said...:

    The name intrigues me! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    Crossing fingers
    <3 Tobi
    tobihelton at gmail dot com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Great post! I too am a fan of "happily ever after" endings. I think people like them because life isn't always happy so we want to see the characters in our books and in our escape entertainment fulfilling their dreams. Great questions!

    susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Congratulations and thanks for hosting! Would love to win:) Thanks again!
    saltsnmore at yahoo dot com

  1. Lona said...:

    Great excerpt, very excited to read this book. Thx much.

  1. Nancy said...:

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    nanze55 at hotmail dot com

  1. Rebecca Hipworth said...:

    This sounds enjoyable.

    Becky01x(at)gmail(dot)com

  1. Pam said...:

    I don't insist on a HEA, but I prefer them. For me, I guess I would rather a book I was reading had a HEA because I've never had one in my life. So I want to live vicariously through the heroine in the books that I read. If she doesn't get that HEA, it makes me sad. LOL

    Thank you for the excerpt and the giveaway.

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com

  1. Suz said...:

    I like happy endings and think a lot of people do too because they read a book to escape the stresses of life and they want things to work out perfectly for the characters! As long as the ending has a good resolution, it doesn't have to always be happy :)

    susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com

  1. Jenn said...:

    Wow, you don't see very many books written from the male mc's perspective. This book sounds intriguing. It is definitely going on my to-read list.

  1. bn100 said...:

    Very nice excerpt.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. wanda f said...:

    Sounds like a great read lookingforward to getting my hands on a copy .Thank you for sharing with us .Have a fantastic weekend .
    flanagan@mebtel.net

  1. Karen H said...:

    Just popping in to say HI and sorry I missed visiting with you on party day! Hope you all had a good time!

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

  1. Sounds like a really great book!
    insanityisnormal(at)gmail(dot)com

  1. I agree with your reasoning on happily ever after endings. I think there's so much pain floating around in the real world, it refreshing and uplifting to see a book end perfectly. There are too many never happy endings in real life!

    ~Kristin

  1. wpogrant said...:

    Thanks for giveaway.
    pograntwendy@yahoo.com

  1. Cheryl said...:

    Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing!