Don't you love a good breakup?

Dec 09, 2022 5:41 pm

I'm only happy when it rains

I like soured relationships as much as meet cutes. In real life, romance without much conflict is happier, but in novels, romance needs tension. There's got to be something keeping the two lovebirds from their happily ever after. When you don't have feuding families warring over control of our fair Verona, a good backup plan is to rely on the principals' own emotional baggage. Fun times!

In Dryad's Blade, the last scene makes the reader think that Kit's finally found romance after all her struggles. But come on, you know me better than that. I love jerking my characters around.

The first scene between Kit and Fain in Vampire's Dayrunner shows there's trouble in paradise. The main conflict here is that they're at different places in their lives. The age difference gets in the way. (Honestly, if a guy is more than a century old and he's still hitting on twenty-something women, there's something wrong with him.) The romantic tension adds more spice to the main plot of wondering who's cursed Kit and if she's going to be exsanguinated by a rogue vampire.

Vampire's Dayrunner

He's powerful, he's sexy, he's an asshole who won't take "no" for an answer. Having a vampire boyfriend is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. (Wide)

Did you read this book? I'd love your reviews and recommendations!

I try to put some kind of romantic tension in every one of my books. I don't always succeed. Wyvern's Sigil has Felix and Sam's friendship, but that's not a romantic relationship. Parasitic Souls has arguably the most romance, since there are two young couples and one of them gets a sweet happily-ever-after.

It can be a challenge to insert romantic tension when your protagonist is happily married. I guess I'm tipping my hand; if I introduce characters you've never seen before, there's a good chance someone's gonna fall in love.

This week's question: How much romance to you want in an urban fantasy novel?

Valentino's Kiss

When his brother is assassinated, the new agent sent in to interview Valentino changes his life. With his demon awakening for a woman that shouldn’t exist and an unseen foe seeking his destruction. Can this predator tame the beast within long enough to ensnare the heart of the only human alive that can save him? (Free)

The Goat's Body

Verity Monroe and an agency of crime-fighting supernaturals investigates paranormal activities in Cairo. As they track down an enemy agent, questions lead to more questions in this action-packed paranormal espionage thriller. (Amazon)