With: Terri Osburn
Congratulations to Leslie W., the winner in Terri's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!
I've often heard readers lament that their least favorite thing about a great book is that it ends. That's how I feel about my Anchor Island series. I always knew it would end someday, but I’m really going to miss having these people living in my head.
Okay, to be fair, they'll likely continue to live in my head. Joe, Beth, Lucas, Sid, Randy, Will, Sam, and Callie (plus the rest of the islanders) have become a major part of my life. Heck, they changed my life. You don't forget friends like that.

There is a fine line that all authors must walk, especially those writing a series. For the story to ring true and carry a piece of our hearts, we write it for ourselves. Trying to please everyone is always an effort in futility, but that doesn't mean we don't care what the reader will think. So for me, I had to ask "Am I up to the challenge of getting it right?" (Ironically, UP TO THE CHALLENGE is the title of the second book in the series. I don't know how these are getting in here.)
So how did I end the series, you ask? Well, you'll have to read the book to find that out. But since the island was such an important part, and the hero and heroine of book 4, Sam Edwards and Callie Henderson, aren't life-long residents of Anchor, the best way to go seemed like showing that in the end, they were home to stay. (Did I mention HOME TO STAY is the title of the third book in the series? *insert sly smile here*)
But in truth, it was hard to write The End on this one. I love these characters, and I love this island. Perhaps someday I'll get an idea and write a novella or two that takes us back to this charming place. Until then, I hope you'll enjoy reading this final edition, and that the ending makes you sigh and smile and feel quite satisfied with how it all turned out.

Sam is searching for someone who can turn his quaint inn into a premier boutique hotel. He just never expected that someone to be the one woman who knows his deepest secrets. But he needs Callie, and Callie needs the job. Throw in a talking parrot with a cracker addiction, some uncooperative islanders, and enough sexual sparks to light a beachside bonfire, and they’ve got their work cut out for them…
More to Give is a story of heartbreak and healing, of facing the past…and having the courage to believe in a future.
Now I want to know your favorite book (or movie) endings. What happy ending stuck with you? Or did one stay with you because it wasn't so happy at all?
Giveaway:
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of MORE TO GIVE, along with an I Heart Romance Novels tote bag, and other fun book swag. Good luck!
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Nov. 13th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Pride and prejudice
ReplyDeleteBN100candg at Hotmail dot con
You have bewitched me body and soul. Sigh.
DeleteMine is also Pride and Prejudice. I love Darcy and Elizabeth's story and how in the end of the book they are brought together. I find that I am drawn to and enjoy reading most of the continued on versions of their story and even the more modern day remakes.
ReplyDeletekyleswaters at hotmail dot com
DeleteI haven't read any of the spinoff stories, but I know they are wildly popular. I keep missing the Death Comes to Pemberly Masterpiece episodes, but I'm hoping they'll keep showing them and I can catch up.
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ReplyDelete50 First Dates!! pp92596 at outlook dot com Thanks for the chance to win a fantastic book!!
ReplyDeleteI've actually never seen that movie. And good luck!
DeleteI'm so sad to say goodbye to Anchor...I can only imagine how you must feel! I loved the end of Love Actually where you see all try characters at the airport. Andrea.krause@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Love Actually. And Christmas time is the perfect time to watch it. Now when I hear the song God Only Knows, I think of that movie. :)
DeleteI liked the end of "Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks. It definitely ended differently than I thought it was going to. tambeau8@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteTammy, did it end like the book? I won't go see it because I know how the book ends. Sparks isn't going to get me again! lol
DeleteI can't pick just one book. I love romance books and most of them end with the couple living happily ever after. I do enjoy following along with any series and seeing how each individual takes on their challenges. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteHey there. I'm happy to give away the prizes, but I think you need to include an email address in order to win. So make sure you come back and add that. :)
DeleteMy favorite movie ending is from the movie Miracle of Ordinary Days.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I don't know. I'm clearly behind on movie watching.
DeleteI love The Notebook - yes, it was sad but so touching -- jody.714@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love that movie. Grudgingly. lol
DeleteMy favorite movie ending was Fault in Our Stars. The whole movie is touching and sad but the ending makes it even more touching and meaningful. I absolutely love this movie glowanialorie@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteLorie, I thought seeing that movie would be easier since I'd read the book. I was wrong. It was so much harder knowing what was coming next.
DeleteMy favorite book ending was The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. Simply wonderful and idea. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteTraveler, we'd love to hear more about it. I don't know that one.
DeleteThe Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks, love HEA's.
ReplyDeletetonjajasinski@yahoo.com
A HEA is a must! Good luck.
DeleteThe Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, although I love the ending of almost all romance novels!
ReplyDeletemandymonson1@gmail.com
We seem to have a Sparks theme going. Hmmmm....
DeleteThe Notebook...kills me every time!! It's happy and sad at the same time.
ReplyDeletesunnydays25@hotmail.com
Another Sparks!
DeleteThe Proposal! I love how everything comes together for that ending :) Such a great/funny movie!
ReplyDeletekmichels06 (at) gmail (dot) com
The book and the movie To Kill A Mockingbird. My all time favorite!
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice still sticks with me 35 years after high school.
ReplyDeleteJean.White53@yahoo.com
I love that so many of these are films based on books. :)
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ReplyDeleteI liked The Notebook.
ReplyDeletelraines78 at gmail dot com
Pretty Woman and The Notebook
ReplyDeleteForgot to give my email. ssommer@npgcable.com
ReplyDeleteThe Titanic has stuck with me all these years. It was such a romantically sad ending. darholley1@aol.com
ReplyDeleteDarlene, there was room on that door!
DeleteIt's Casablanca. Rick is supposed to end up with the girl and live happily ever after. Instead he send Ilsa away at the end of the movie. WAHHH!!! Need a sequel of HEA.
ReplyDeletekmccandle(at)yahoo(dot)com
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
ReplyDeletebubacka07@outlook.com
Thanks for the lovely post and great giveaway Terri :)
would love a copy of the book
ReplyDeleterlmkfrank4@sbcglobal.net
For a movie,The Holiday had a predictable ending, but I loved how it all came together in the end. For books, I just love endings that are not predictable, but end happily :)
ReplyDeletekimmyr6@yahoo.com