Jill Lynn | 5 Must-Haves in a Romance

Thanks for having me at Fresh Fiction to celebrate the release of my debut novel, FALLING FOR TEXAS.

I love love. A good chick-flick and a great romance book are two of my favorite things. We live in a world with a lot of tough stuff, so picking up a book I know has a happily-ever-after is a relief for me. I can escape for a few hours knowing the results are going to leave me happy and content.

Before I became a writer, I probably read anywhere from 3 to 5 books a week. Now that I write, those numbers have gone down a bit simply because of time. But it’s still my go-to happy place. Add in a beach with my book and I’m a really happy camper.

For me, there’s five things that are must-haves in a romance I’m reading or writing.

1. Humor, humor, humor. I love to laugh. The book doesn’t have to make me laugh out loud—though it’s a plus—but I like finding a smile on my face from what a character is doing, saying, or thinking while no one else has a clue what’s running through their head. One reader of Falling for Texas sent me a list of places in the book that made her L.O.L. The best compliment!

2. Real conversation. I like dialogue that snaps along quickly. When writing I have a hard time inserting things between the dialogue because I want it to have the rhythm of normal conversation. I like feeling what they are saying through the way they say it. There’s no need for complete sentences. Cut each other off—we do it all of the time in conversation with each other. Finish their thought. Have the heroine get distracted from the conversation by the hero. Insert a kiddo who says something that throws the characters off balance.

3. No sap. I say this, yet I write sweet, heartwarming romance. But that doesn’t mean it has to be baked with cheese. This likely comes from the fact that my husband and I don’t have a sappy kind of relationship. We laugh a lot. And we also love each other a lot. For us, that love is shown in realistic ways. I try to transfer this over to my characters. I always have a bit of trouble writing the epilogue because things are so good at that point in a romance, I’ve got to figure out how to make them in love and yet not overly cheesy at the same time. A realistic love goes a long way to winning me over.

4. Strong characters. When they make mistakes, they make them because they are fighting for something and becoming someone. I am not a fan of weak characters. Flawed? Sure. My characters are always making mistakes. Come to think of it, so am I.  I am completely fine with that as long as they have a goal and a reason I can get behind.

5. Secondary characters and a town setting that add to the main characters. Part of the appeal of Gilmore Girls was the quirky characters who made up the town. The teenager in FALLING FOR TEXAS was an absolute delight to write. Rachel is snarky and sassy yet loveable at the same time. I have no idea where her teenage sass came from as I’m sure I was a perfect teenager.

Here’s an excerpt from FALLING FOR TEXAS. Cash is raising his teenage sister Rachel who never ceases to cause trouble… and a smile.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” Rachel stretched the word out, probably wondering why he was acting so strange.

“Have you ever noticed that I don’t date anyone?”

She propped her bare feet up on the dash. “I guess. I just assumed no one wanted to date you.”

Cash’s jaw came unhinged as he glanced at the girl. No humor showed on her face. “Are you joking?”

“Kind of.” Her lips quirked up for a quick moment. “But you are my brother. That’s weird.”

He kept his focus on the white lines in front of him. “What would you think if I did date someone?”

“You mean Coach Grayson?”

Cash nodded.

“Why would I care? I like her better than you anyway.”

GIVEAWAY

What’s a must-have for you in a book that you can’t put down? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win a copy of FALLING FOR TEXAS.

About Jill Lynn

Jill Lynn lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children. She writes contemporary inspirational romance for Harlequin Love Inspired. Her first novel, FALLING FOR TEXAS, is available online now.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Blog

About FALLING FOR TEXAS

Educating the Cowboy

Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn't easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister's grades and attitude, Cash realizes he's facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn't date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia's quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that'll last a lifetime?