Readers enjoy stories of people falling in love, even ones where nothing more exciting happens than boy meets girl. When things get complicated by conflict or danger, they like it even better. Romantic suspense authors like Nora Roberts regularly top the best seller lists, since contests between heroes and villains make good reading.
The mystery is a fairly new twist in what many think of as romance novels. Contract authors retain the central theme of a beautiful, naive woman meeting a strong, enigmatic male. The mystery angle brings in private eyes, law enforcement officers, or government agents rather than the usual cowboys, boys next door, or exotic millionaires.
Novelists with the stature of Nora Roberts offer their readers well-crafted stories. Characters are believable; in fact, they may become more real to fans than real-life public figures or celebrities. Roberts creates characters, plots, and settings that are so compelling that readers eagerly follow her trilogies and series. She never adds sketchy passages that serve only to advance the plot.
Roberts was a romance writer for years before starting a series about a New York city policewoman. For the 'In Death' novels, Nora uses a pseudonym, J. D. Roberts. Although crime moves the plot, the true story lies in the relationship between the detective and her husband.
Of course, suspense does not always involve a crime being committed. Dorothy L. Sayers created Lord Peter Whimsey, a British nobleman who solves problems for family and country. After breaking many hearts, he eventually falls for a woman charged with murder, and the question of whether they will ever surmount the obstacles that separate them is tension enough for several books.
Martha Grimes has characters so complicated that some readers lose patience. Others, however, get absolutely addicted to her morose, handsome hero, Inspector Richard Jury. His friends, acquaintances, and fairly numerous lovers are funny or ridiculous, driven or inhibited, rich and poor - but never boring. Even her bad guys are complex. One of them is a perennial suspect, with Jury never quite sure of the whole story.
Women authors predominate in this genre, but Dick Francis wrote thrillers with heroes who face murder and mayhem with equanimity. The main characters - all men - as well as the supporting cast are involved with some phase of British thoroughbred racing. Although mystery and suspense rule, the romantic side of things makes the books compelling. Love interests include ex-wives, first cousins, Italian and Swedish lovelies, daughters of aristocracy, and a leading jockey's sister.
Roberts was the first author inducted in to the Romance Writers Hall of Fame, not only because of the popularity of her books but also because of the excellence of her writing. Martha Grimes brings astonishing originality to her novels. Dorothy L. Sayers created an immortal character who is more of a household name than many prime ministers. For more great writers, check the Best Seller lists for the past few decades. There is no reason to put up with substandard writing in order to get suspense and romance.
The mystery is a fairly new twist in what many think of as romance novels. Contract authors retain the central theme of a beautiful, naive woman meeting a strong, enigmatic male. The mystery angle brings in private eyes, law enforcement officers, or government agents rather than the usual cowboys, boys next door, or exotic millionaires.
Novelists with the stature of Nora Roberts offer their readers well-crafted stories. Characters are believable; in fact, they may become more real to fans than real-life public figures or celebrities. Roberts creates characters, plots, and settings that are so compelling that readers eagerly follow her trilogies and series. She never adds sketchy passages that serve only to advance the plot.
Roberts was a romance writer for years before starting a series about a New York city policewoman. For the 'In Death' novels, Nora uses a pseudonym, J. D. Roberts. Although crime moves the plot, the true story lies in the relationship between the detective and her husband.
Of course, suspense does not always involve a crime being committed. Dorothy L. Sayers created Lord Peter Whimsey, a British nobleman who solves problems for family and country. After breaking many hearts, he eventually falls for a woman charged with murder, and the question of whether they will ever surmount the obstacles that separate them is tension enough for several books.
Martha Grimes has characters so complicated that some readers lose patience. Others, however, get absolutely addicted to her morose, handsome hero, Inspector Richard Jury. His friends, acquaintances, and fairly numerous lovers are funny or ridiculous, driven or inhibited, rich and poor - but never boring. Even her bad guys are complex. One of them is a perennial suspect, with Jury never quite sure of the whole story.
Women authors predominate in this genre, but Dick Francis wrote thrillers with heroes who face murder and mayhem with equanimity. The main characters - all men - as well as the supporting cast are involved with some phase of British thoroughbred racing. Although mystery and suspense rule, the romantic side of things makes the books compelling. Love interests include ex-wives, first cousins, Italian and Swedish lovelies, daughters of aristocracy, and a leading jockey's sister.
Roberts was the first author inducted in to the Romance Writers Hall of Fame, not only because of the popularity of her books but also because of the excellence of her writing. Martha Grimes brings astonishing originality to her novels. Dorothy L. Sayers created an immortal character who is more of a household name than many prime ministers. For more great writers, check the Best Seller lists for the past few decades. There is no reason to put up with substandard writing in order to get suspense and romance.