Promising Young Woman And The Right Ending For A Story
Spoiler Alert: This post will contain spoilers about Promising Young Woman. If you haven’t yet watched this wonderful yet so-NOT-a-romance-ending movie, consider skipping this post.
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I watched Promising Young Woman and we both enjoyed it. It was clear why it had won an Oscar for Best Screenplay. The writing was tight and fresh and the heroine’s character arc was well-formed.
Promising Young Woman deals with rape. If you have any sort of triggers around that type of violence, avoid this movie.
Despite the dark topic and a strong social message, it contained humor and was extremely entertaining. I couldn’t stop watching it and I loved the ending, which is unusual for me because…
This movie does NOT have a Romance Novel ending.
At all.
Normally, I want happy endings in the books I read and the movies I watch. But with Promising Young Woman, a happy ending would have been a cheat. It wouldn’t have fit with the story and with the reality of any female-facing person watching the movie. We wouldn’t have believed it.
There IS justice, however. And that was extremely satisfying to see.
A high price was paid for that justice. That aligns with what female-facing people expect also. The heroine was fighting a society and systems that favor male-facing people. Heavily. We know, from the beginning, it will be a struggle for the lead character in Promising Young Woman to get any sort of closure.
It happens but with great sacrifice.
Was a happy ending possible for the heroine?
Of course, it was. She deserved happiness and love. Everyone deserves happiness and love. But she couldn’t have obtained that happy ending without giving up her main goal. And that would have destroyed the movie.
Not every heroic character is destined for a happy ever after.
Before writing a new story, I always ask myself, “Can this character achieve their primary goal AND also have a romantic happy ever after?”
Sometimes, I can’t figure out a way to accomplish this. If that is the situation, I park the story idea to the side and work on something else. I only write Romance and romantic happy ever afters or happy for nows are a must in this wonderful genre. I’ll return to the story when or if I can secure that ending.
***
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Baring Grudge
No one in the universe is more determined than a cyborg warrior tracking his female.
***
Grudge, a C Model cyborg, has been assigned a mission – safeguard a Humanoid Alliance space station for his kind. Honor was once all he had, and he is determined to fulfill his duty.
That resolve is tested when a tiny human female enters the space station and sets the prettiest little explosives the warrior has ever seen. She is Grudge’s genetic match, the one being manufactured for him. He wants to touch her, kiss her, claim her in all ways, but first he has to stop her from blasting him into the next galaxy.
Taelyn has a self-appointed mission—to destroy every battle robot the Humanoid Alliance has ever manufactured. A huge gray-skinned, blue-eyed cyborg warrior with mismatched arms won’t prevent her from achieving her goal. She’ll escape him, leaving destruction in her wake.
Before she departs, she’ll experience one toe-curling moment of hatred-edged passion with her handsome foe. She’ll show him how skilled with detonations she truly is. He will have his universe rocked.
Then she’ll disappear.
Her cyborg, however, has no intention of ever letting her go.
***
Baring Grudge is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a determined, damaged warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an explosive game of predator and prey played across galaxies.
Baring Grudge is the third of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZL2D986
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08ZL2D986
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08ZL2D986
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/baring-grudge/id1559566673
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baring-grudge-cynthia-sax/1139086727
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/baring-grudge
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1075600
Topics: Movie Reviews | Comments Off on Promising Young Woman And The Right Ending For A Story
Wayback Wednesday-Fangs In Frosting
Fangs In Frosting is the first short story in the humorous paranormal Fangs In series. I love Lottie, the curvaceous heroine, and Viktor, the overly serious vampire stalking her.
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
Hi! My name is Charlotte, and I own the cupcake shop on the corner —
the sole dessert place open late in our neighborhood. My shop has quite a few regular customers but none are as devoted as Viktor — Mr. Tall, Dark, and Serious. I give him the special treatment, including extra sprinkles on the cupcakes he buys yet never eats, and offering him private tours of my walk-in pantry.
Viktor is a very kinky guy. I never see him before sundown, and he’s a biter. Yep, I did him, in the pantry, amongst the boxes of cupcake
wrappers and the bags of chocolate chips. During that encounter, he took a little nip out of luscious Lottie, that would be me, and tonight, he’s back for more. He says he has plans for me. I hope they don’t include clothes.
Buy It Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1709
Buy It Now At ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fangsinfrosting-667854-139.html
Buy It Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fangs-In-Frosting-ebook/dp/B007SP3KE8
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday-Fangs In Frosting
Interview With A.M. Griffin, Lea Barrymire, Cara Carnes, and Cassandra Carr
I sat down (virtually) for a short interview with A.M. Griffin, Lea Barrymire, Cara Carnes, and Cassandra Carr. These four talented writers have contributed sexy humorous stories to Fondled and Gobbled: Back For More, an anthology from Ellora’s Cave.
Cynthia Sax: Where did you get the idea for your story?
Lea Barrymire: I love sci-fi and futuristic stories, but as with any sub-genre there seems to be over-exaggerations galore. I took on the idea of a cyborg/android becoming an emotional creature. I took it to the extreme but it was well worth it.
Cynthia Sax: What do you love about writing in your romance sub-genre?
Lea Barrymire: I’m a paranormal/sci-fi writer (mostly). I find writing shifters, aliens and other supernatural beings allows me to stretch my mind in any direction I want to go. A demon with a chocolate fetish? Sure, why not. Being able to expand beyond the everyday is so much fun!
Cynthia Sax: What excites you about your story?
Cara Carnes: One theme I’ve always chuckled over I see rather prevalently in erotic romance (particularly paranormals) are heroes with overly large appendages. It always makes me wonder what would happen if the opposite were true, so this story gave me the creative license to explore that. 🙂
Cynthia Sax: Why does your story start where it does?
Cara Carnes: Persiphone has been devoting a great deal of her precious time to learning her man’s wants, desires and needs. The scene begins on the most important day of his life–the Meaty Man contest. The first scene sets to tone to show exactly how devoted she is to her man.
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from your story and why?
Cassandra Carr: This one needs a little bit of set-up. My favorite line is the second line. I think you’ll figure out why:
Then Cole stiffened and suddenly that same white, creamy stuff shot out of his cock, hitting Declan in the face.
“Aggh! My eye! My eye!” Declan screamed. “It burns!”
Cynthia Sax: Where is your story set?
Cassandra Carr: My story is set in a faraway land, with warriors who have taken human forms in order to invade Earth. The two main characters (both men) are in a ship, in invisible mode, waiting for the order to attack. I’m not sure I’d call the setting exciting or sexy, but it was certainly necessary to the story.
Cynthia Sax: How does your story start?
A.M. Griffin: My story starts with the heroine, Destiny, walking into “The Shrine”. I think it was important to start the story there because she is able to explain her journey as to why she’s in New Orleans and why she is going to “The Shrine” and why it is so important to her.
A bit from the first scene:
I hesitate briefly outside the building I’ve visited almost every night for the past year. I don’t know why I hesitate. This is something I want and have wanted for so long now.
With a firm hand I push open the doors leading into the bar and walk beneath the sign that reads, “Welcome to The Shrine” and my breath hitches.
My jaw tightens and hands clench as the house heavy metal band starts up another round of ear screeching music. My first impulse is to storm across the room and yank all the plugs from the speakers, but instead I ignore them and make my way to one of the empty seats at the bar.
Settling in, I order my usual and use my enhanced vision to scan the bar.
Shifter bar, I correct myself.
The leopard shifter bar, owned by the Leporidae family or Leporidae pack, as I’ve begun to call them.
They really aren’t trying to hide their shifter species with a last name like Leporidae.
I can’t help but giggle, all but forgetting the noise coming from the stage.
Cynthia Sax: Where is your story set?
A.M. Griffin: My story is set in New Orleans. If you’re going to do any reputable shifter story it must be set in New Orleans. Just kidding. It’s set in a bar “The Shrine” which is home for a family of shifters. My spoof was a take on one of my favorite series and follows the setting somewhat.
Thank you ladies for joining us today!
*****************************************************************************
A bakery owner gets much more than she expected from her discount android’s determination to serve her. A lovelorn stalker does whatever it takes to have the muscle man of her dreams. Two alien warriors experience the inconveniences and pleasures of being forced into human bodies. A woman has always known she was destined to join the paranormal world of shifters, and tonight all of her dreams—or nightmares—come true.
If you’re looking for the perfect romance with the perfect hero and heroine, this isn’t it! This is a series of spoofs, parodies, just-for-fun lighthearted take-offs. It’s for all us longtime, hard-core romance readers who can laugh at the clichés, purple prose and “suspend your disbelief” plot devices that haunt our beloved favorite genre.
An Exotika® erotica anthology from Ellora’s Cave
Buy From Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/fondled-and-gobbled-back-for-more.html
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
Wayback Wednesday – Legal Beagle
Legal Beagle was my second contribution to Changeling’s wonderful humorous Protect & Serve series.
Officer Wright is the easy-going partner of the tough-talking Officer Drake (the hero of Badge Bunny). He takes one look at Judge Sadie, his beagle-shifting judge, and falls in love.
As with many of my stories, Legal Beagle can be read at a couple of different levels. There’s the fun story about a genetically-enhanced supercop and his beagle-shifting mate and then there’s the deeper story about the acceptance of self.
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
My name is Officer Wright. I’m genetically enhanced as one of the city’s finest, and a normal day for me involves plugging liquid sunshine into rogue vamps, tagging and bagging renegade werewolves, and putting the fear of the badge into all criminals.
But these are not normal days. While my partner takes a leave of
absence to bang his bunny, I’m stuck on babysitting duty. Yeah, stop
laughing. It would be more humorous except the chick I’m tailing is a hot little beagle-shifting judge, and when she takes the bench, believe me, my whole body comes to order.
Buy It Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1648
Buy It Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Protect-Serve-Legal-Beagle-ebook/dp/B007JNJ6PQ
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday – Legal Beagle
First Review For Warlord Unarmed
I received my first review for Warlord Unarmed!
Bad Barb shares “WARLORD UNARMED is hilarious. Yes it has scenes that could cause your fingers to suffer third degree burns but the humor in it will have laughing out loud.”
You can read the full review here
http://badbarbsplace.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/warlord-unarmed-by-cynthia-sax/
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Ellora’s Cave
When Murad, a powerful and deadly Warlord, arrives to repair Gale’s beloved ship, she doesn’t like it one bit. She sees the danger lurking behind his wide, sexy smile and the temptation in his coarse touch. He stands too close. He smells too good. He muddles her mind with erotic thoughts no bounty hunter should ever entertain.
Murad is known for being lighthearted…until he meets Gale. He’s deadly serious about seducing his curvaceous bounty hunter. With one blast of her stun gun, she captures his attention, and starts his lust burning. To claim Gale for his mate, Murad will brave his cautious female’s itchy trigger finger, his overbearing older brother and Gale’s sense of duty.
Buy It Now At: http://www.ellorascave.com/warlord-unarmed.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on First Review For Warlord Unarmed
Great Review For The Godrabbit
Icy Snow at TwoLipsReviews shares “If you can read The Godrabbit by Cynthia Sax without laughing…or at least stifling a chuckle or two…your funnybone may need medical attention.”
You can read the full review here
http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8932&Itemid=36
By Cynthia Sax
Available Now From Changeling Press
I am known by many names. My beloved mother called me Flopsy Lapin. Lady Grace Satin jokes that I am the wickedest rabbit in all of the world. Her father, Lord Satan, dares to label me a mobster street rabbit. You, my friend, may call me the Godrabbit.
Lady Grace is the only female I lust after. My bloodstained hands are unworthy of holding her, so when a high-class hooker with Lady Grace’s face, voice, scent, and everything else, wanders into my casino, I make her an offer she can’t refuse. This leads to a night I will never forget.
Note: The Godrabbit is a prequel to Protect And Serve: Badge Bunny .
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1574
Buy Now On ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegodrabbit-559940-140.html
Buy Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godrabbit-ebook/dp/B006YFO18C
Buy Now On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-godrabbit-cynthia-sax/1030689777
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Free Extra Scene From Fangs In Fur
As many readers know, I often write FREE extra scenes for some of my stories (if you want a FREE extra scene written, send me an email with the story you’d like the scene from!).
Here is an extra scene from Fangs In Fur, a humorous vampire-wolf shifter erotic romance.
Encounter — Fangs In Fur: Wolf King
Cynthia Sax
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2013 Cynthia Sax
Warning: This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
Wolf King
“Who told the pups I’m a librarian?” my mate booms, her booted feet braced on the tiled floor, her tiny fists resting on her shapely hips, a scowl on her beautiful face.
My wolves straighten, their heads turn, and they fix their gazes on their vampire queen, respect and awe reflecting in their scarred faces. I grin, my inner wolf yipping with happiness. “You are a librarian, mate.”
“I’m an archives administrator.” Helena stomps toward me, her red-rimmed eyes glowing with cock-hardening passion. Her slight curves are encased in tight black leather, her nipples pressing against that soft barrier. “I warned you about what I’d do if you called me a librarian one more time.” Claws extend from her dainty fingers and her fangs drop, glistening white against her red lips.
My wolves slowly back away. They’re chicken shits, every last one of them. I’m alpha, the big dog, and I stay where I am, waiting for my deadly little female to come to me.
“You said you’d bring me to my knees.” I breathe deeply, inhaling the musk of hot, wet pussy, and my grin widens. “But you’ll be the one kneeling before me.”
Her gaze drops to the ridge in my pants and she flicks her small pink tongue over the tips of her fangs. I swallow my groan, aroused to the point of pain.
She raises her chin. “I’m an ancient vampire, the council’s archives administrator and you think you can take me?”
“I know I can take you.” I took her four times this morning and three times last night. The door bangs closed as my wolves flee, leaving the two of us alone — a wolf king and his vampire mate. “I’m stronger than you are.”
“I’m faster.” She flies at me, her fangs bared and her claws extended. The sight is so damn arousing that I hesitate for a heartbeat before leaping toward her.
As I move, I partially shift, my clothes shredding, my arms extending, fur covering my body. We collide in midair, her breasts flattening against my chest, her hips smacking mine, and we tumble.
I grab her wrists and twist as we fall. I land on my back, my irate female hissing and writhing on top of me. Gods, she’s magnificent, everything a big bad wolf could want, strong and fierce and beautiful. I hold her tight, getting more turned on with each passing second.
The tussle stimulates her also, her breathing growing ragged. Helena grinds her pussy juices into my fur, branding me with her scent, provoking my wolf.
“Enough.” I pull her to her knees and stand before her, my cock jutting out inches from her face. She struggles, trying to free herself. She can’t. She’s mine and I won’t ever let her go. “Suck me, Helena.” I push my hips forward, sliding my tip along her pale cheek, leaving a glistening trail of precum on her skin.
She shakes her head, her lips pressed mulishly together.
“I said suck me.” I bury my fingers in her long dark hair and yank her toward me, pushing my cockhead between lips, forcing her to take me.
Her eyes widen and the musky scent of her pussy intensifies, driving my wolf crazy. As she opens wider, accepting me into her hot, wet mouth, she rakes my thighs with her claws, marking me as I had marked her, the pain heightening my pleasure.
A normal female might not be able to satisfy me but this is my mate. She doesn’t do anything halfway. She skims her lips along my shaft, the sensation sending waves of pleasure up my body, and she tilts her head back, taking all of me. As her lips close around my base, she meets my gaze and her eyes glitter with pride, bright stars twinkling in a dark passionate sky.
“You’re mine,” I rumble. My knees tremble and my balls ache. I won’t last long. I pull her off me and then draw her forward, sliding her lips over my shaft back and forth, back and forth. She clutches my ass, digging her claws into my flesh, the pain searing, escalating my desire.
Unable to remain still, Helena’s suction too exquisite, I rock my hips. Her fangs graze my rim and I shudder. Her lips curl around my shaft, laughter and power and love reflecting in her eyes. She knows she has me in the palm of her pale hands. She has always had me, my mate, my love, my only for all of eternity.
“I have you, mate,” I growl. I thrust harder and harder into her hot wet mouth, holding her head, forcing her to take me. My balls smack against her chin and I grunt, my animalistic sounds filling the room. She pulls me to her, her lips humming around my shaft, the sound felt down to my toes.
Gods, I should look away but I can’t. She’s too beautiful, too mine. I struggle with my control, my wolf fighting to be free, yearning to flip her over, tear the clothes off her small body and ram into her tightness.
“Helena.” I beg for mercy.
She doesn’t have any mercy, my strong female. She sucks me harder and my eyes roll upward, my legs trembling, a shameful sign of weakness I can’t disguise.
With every stroke, she teases me with her fangs and laves me with her tongue, uncaring that I am now more wolf than man, my skin covered with fur, my claws tangled in her hair. She’s fuckin’ fearless, my mate, not backing down from the challenge my enlarged cock presents.
“Helena.” My voice lowers, my balls ready to explode.
She meets my gaze and I tense, seeing the mischief in her eyes. She draws her lips back, exposing her gleaming white fangs, and she slowly bites down on my base.
The pain splinters my restraint into a thousand brightly-colored pieces. I throw back my head and howl, coming with a bone-rattling force, shooting my hot seed down my mate’s throat. She sucks blood and cum and my remaining strength, her cheeks indenting, her eyes wild.
My legs collapse and my knees smack the hard floor, pain jabbing up my thighs. Helena releases me with a juicy pop and laughs, tossing her hair. “I told you I’d bring you to your knees, wolf.”
“I never had any doubt.” I grin at her, the female I can’t live without. “You’re the most powerful librarian I know.” I capture her wrists before she can strike me, my mate adorably easy to tease, and I draw her closer, savoring how perfectly her slight curves fit against my muscle. “I love you, mate.”
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
I’m Helena and I’m no delicate flower, my rough touch making former paranormal lovers cry. I’m looking for someone big and strong and preferably not a wolf, especially not that alpha wolf I have stalking me.
I’m not attracted to him — no matter how wide his shoulders or how high his pain tolerance. I’m not that foolish. Lasting relationships between wolves and vampires are forbidden, and this male has the gleam of forever in his wild eyes. He is determined to make me his mate and that, I know, will break the fragile peace between our species.
There’s a thin, blood-red line between enemies and lovers. I’m about to cross it.
Topics: Encounter | Comments Off on Free Extra Scene From Fangs In Fur
Wayback Wednesday: Badge Bunny
I had such doubts about my ability to write humor that two days after I submitted Badge Bunny, I emailed my fabulous editor Maryam, asking her to withdraw it from submission. Thankfully, she had already read Badge Bunny and talked me out of withdrawing the story.
My name is Officer Drake. I’m genetically enhanced to be the best damn policeman there is. I can snap a werewolf in two. I can outrun a car. That’s not boasting. Those are the facts.
I’m designed to protect and serve, and when I spot a plush little bunny shifter by the name of Hunny Lapin, that is exactly what I do. I protect her from a strip club owning vampire and serve up her every desire in bed. ‘Course, that lands me in a whole heap of trouble, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m a supercop, remember?
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1452
Buy On ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-badgebunny-484418-140.html
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Why We Write Bunny Shifters
Eve Langlais (OMG – her books are so freakn’ hilarious! I LOVE them), Stephanie Beck (hot, hot, HOT) and I are talking bunny shifters/wererabbits at the ARe blog today.
http://www.arecafe.com/cafe-news/hopping-along-the-bunny-shifter-trail/
Please join this not-so-serious conversation!
By Cynthia Sax
Available Now From Changeling Press
I am known by many names. My beloved mother called me Flopsy Lapin. Lady Grace Satin jokes that I am the wickedest rabbit in all of the world. Her father, Lord Satan, dares to label me a mobster street rabbit. You, my friend, may call me the Godrabbit.
Lady Grace is the only female I lust after. My bloodstained hands are unworthy of holding her, so when a high-class hooker with Lady Grace’s face, voice, scent, and everything else, wanders into my casino, I make her an offer she can’t refuse. This leads to a night I will never forget.
Note: The Godrabbit is a prequel to Protect And Serve: Badge Bunny .
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1574
Buy Now On ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegodrabbit-559940-140.html
Buy Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godrabbit-ebook/dp/B006YFO18C
Buy Now On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-godrabbit-cynthia-sax/1030689777
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Why We Write Bunny Shifters
Wayback Wednesday: The Godrabbit
The Godrabbit is a prequel to Badge Bunny. After writing Badge Bunny, many readers wanted to know more about Uncle Flopsy, the mafia bunny shifter.
I LOVE The Godfather movies and The Godrabbit is definitely a nod to these movies. I love that Flopsy values loyalty, honor (his own brand of honor), and respect. He respects Lady Grace too much to bring her into his crime-filled world. Lady Grace isn’t some passive high society miss though. She decides to take matters and Flopsy into her gloved hands.
The Godrabbit
By Cynthia Sax
Available Now From Changeling Press
I am known by many names. My beloved mother called me Flopsy Lapin. Lady Grace Satin jokes that I am the wickedest rabbit in all of the world. Her father, Lord Satan, dares to label me a mobster street rabbit. You, my friend, may call me the Godrabbit.
Lady Grace is the only female I lust after. My bloodstained hands are unworthy of holding her, so when a high-class hooker with Lady Grace’s face, voice, scent, and everything else, wanders into my casino, I make her an offer she can’t refuse. This leads to a night I will never forget.
Note: The Godrabbit is a prequel to Protect And Serve: Badge Bunny .
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1574
Buy Now On ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thegodrabbit-559940-140.html
Buy Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godrabbit-ebook/dp/B006YFO18C
Buy Now On Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-godrabbit-cynthia-sax/1030689777
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday: The Godrabbit
