ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVELS:
CHARACTERISTICS:
- include a mystery
- are full of suspense
- stretch over just a few days or weeks
- heroes are threatened or someone they love is in danger
- the heroine is participating in the investigation and she is a risk-taker
- the romance is born from a threat directed toward the heroes
- they stay in close proximity at all times
- the villain not only threatens their lives but also their love
- the villain pays at the end
- the couple overcome the situation together without the help of anyone
- the romance must always be at the top and not eclipsed by the mystery
- 75,000 to 100,000 words
EXAMPLES:
FICTION:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
NORTHERN LIGHTS series by Nora Roberts.
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart.
Matrimony, Murder & Mayhem by Linda Howard.
Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann (2001)
Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
MOVIES:
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
"The Bodyguard"
RESOURCES
St. Claire, Roxanne. "Unraveling The Complexities of Romantic Suspense" Writer's Library. <https://www.autocrit.com/editing/library/unraveling-the-complexities-of-romantic-suspense/>
Myers, Jennifer. "Keeping You in...: Top 10 Romantic Suspense Novels You Should Read." Heroes and Heartbreakers. Jan 30, 2014.
<http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2014/01/keeping-you-in-top-10-romantic-suspense-novels-you-should-read>
Just Romantic Suspense.
<http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/p/book-blurbs.html>
CHARACTERISTICS:
- include a mystery
- are full of suspense
- stretch over just a few days or weeks
- heroes are threatened or someone they love is in danger
- the heroine is participating in the investigation and she is a risk-taker
- the romance is born from a threat directed toward the heroes
- they stay in close proximity at all times
- the villain not only threatens their lives but also their love
- the villain pays at the end
- the couple overcome the situation together without the help of anyone
- the romance must always be at the top and not eclipsed by the mystery
- 75,000 to 100,000 words
EXAMPLES:
FICTION:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
NORTHERN LIGHTS series by Nora Roberts.
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart.
Matrimony, Murder & Mayhem by Linda Howard.
Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann (2001)
Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
MOVIES:
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
"The Bodyguard"
RESOURCES
St. Claire, Roxanne. "Unraveling The Complexities of Romantic Suspense" Writer's Library. <https://www.autocrit.com/editing/library/unraveling-the-complexities-of-romantic-suspense/>
Myers, Jennifer. "Keeping You in...: Top 10 Romantic Suspense Novels You Should Read." Heroes and Heartbreakers. Jan 30, 2014.
<http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2014/01/keeping-you-in-top-10-romantic-suspense-novels-you-should-read>
Just Romantic Suspense.
<http://www.justromanticsuspense.com/p/book-blurbs.html>