I am getting excited. I am only weeks away from releasing my third novel in the Beguiling Bachelor series. “Bedeviled” follows “Bedazzled” and “Beholden” and I have added an element of suspense to the romance tradition. That is new to me, but it was fun to write. I see now why so many romance authors shift to creating romantic suspense. Some of my favorites like Iris Johansen and Julie Garwood have become compelling mystery writers.
It’s about expectations
Think about what mystery and romance readers share. Both have a clear expectation for their reading experience. Romance readers expect a ‘happily ever after” ending. It is the definition of a romance. The couple must resolve their differences, admit their love and sail off into the proverbial sunset. A good romance author will be sure to deliver on those expectations.
[bctt tweet=”Think about what mystery and romance readers share. Both have a clear expectation for their reading experience. #amwriting” username=”madisonmichael_”]
A suspense reader has expectations too. The mystery must be solved by the end of the story, even if an author leaves the door open for a sequel. All lose ends should be tied up. Just as we need reasons for lovers to fall for each other, a mystery must have clues leading up to the resolution. A good author may drop a few red herrings along the way, but would never resort to an out-of-the-blue ending. Readers might rebel, with just cause.
This is what made writing suspense such fun for me. It was a challenge for me to interweave the suspense element of clues and misdirection with the love story – boy meets girl, boy loses girl…well you get the idea.
No mystery here– I’m hooked
Just to be safe, I had both mystery and romance readers participate in my Advance Reading Club. No surprise, the ARC members – I call them Madison Michael VIPs – who read romance liked the romance and the suspense, but the ARC members who are serious mystery readers had good suggestions. Even my VIPs will find the improvements in my final version. What a lesson in suspense I received. Watch out Sandra Brown, here I come.
Now that I have added suspense, I am not sure I can ever go back. In truth, finding ways to create conflict between my lovers usually involves some amount of suspense anyway. Creating plausible ways to bring people together and keep them apart provides its own form of suspense. Is she really involved with the man our hero spotted her with at the café? Is he actually telling the truth when he says that affair is over? Those create their own form of tension, but adding a stalker changes the game.
So check out my stalker. I hope you enjoy reading “Bedeviled” as much as I enjoyed writing it.
More excitement
In other exciting news, I am thrilled to announce all new covers for my novels. Look for the big reveal on Amazon as they roll out this month.