Jillian Neal | What Makes for a Fantastic Romance - My Goals for Every Novel I Pen

In my very opinionated opinion, there are a few key elements that make up an epic romance story. Here are the 10 things I try to incorporate in every novel I write:

1. Sexy heroes - Not necessarily muscle bound or a millionaire, nah, I want a guy that has earned whatever muscle he has, has dealt with some issues in his past that built his character, can carry on an intelligent conversation, and can dirty talk with the best of them.

2. Smart, strong heroines – I want a girl that can kick some serious ass either mentally, physically, or both. I want to see the fire in her. I want her soul to reflect in her actions. I believe every woman is beautiful, so her looks are irrelevant, it’s her courage, confidence, and intelligence that keeps me interested.

3. A plausible plotline – Now, I will openly admit to being a HUGE Harry Potter fan. The plot doesn’t have to be plausible only in our reality, but you have to make me believe whatever happens would really happen in the world that’s been created.

4. Sex Scenes – Sorry (well not really), but I want the full-blown, impassioned, love scene with all of the juicy details. If I’m being totally honest, I want several of these scenes.

5. Suspense – Now, I love romantic suspense as much as the next girl, but I love contemporary as well. I just want a hint of mystery about what is going to happen next be it catching a bad guy or revealing a huge secret between the hero and heroine.

6. Emotion – I want to fall in love with the characters. I want to know their thoughts, wishes, fears, and what makes them proud. I want to feel the emotions they experience on every page.

7. Love – I want the hero and heroine to act lovingly towards one another. I want the sweetness of that. The coffee in the morning, the tender care and concern over the other’s well-being, and for them to unify together in a common goal.

8. Humor – I know, I know some books just aren’t meant to make you laugh, and that’s totally okay. I do enjoy even a scene or two that make me smile at whatever is going on. If I laugh to myself, that’s even better.

9. Education – I like to learn new things. In GYPSY HEAT, Grady Havens, the hero, is a charter boat captain. I had to learn a great deal about boating and fishing. I’m certainly no expert by any means, but I love it when an author does their research and imparts a little of what they learned onto me. I try to do that, too.

10. Happy Ending – This goes without saying, but I love that every romance novel gives me that satisfying happy ending where the hero and heroine have conquered the forces against them and get to live Happily Ever After.

About Jillian Neal

Jillian Neal is a New Adult author with a passion for passion. She writes strong character driven novels, told from the male perspective. Her guys aren’t afraid to let us inside their minds or inside their bedrooms. Young love comes to life inside the author’s Realm, along with sinister crime fighting, mixed in with a hearty dose of family. The engaging adventures will stretch your mind and keep you coming back for more.

Jillian lives outside of Atlanta with her husband and children.

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About GYPSY HEAT

Nadya Montgomery was Gypsy Beach’s own personal wild child. There was nothing she wouldn’t do, especially when it came to Grady Havens. Until disaster struck and tore them apart. Desperate to protect Grady, she ran away from everything and everyone she’d ever known.

Fourteen years later, Nadya returns to the beach to try to rebuild some semblance of her life out of her ex-husband’s shadow, but that means returning to her past and seeing Grady Havens again.

Now a charter boat Captain constantly trying to put his past behind him, Grady doesn’t know what to make of Nadya’s return. All he knows is she was always meant to be his, and he intends to make his claim. He wants her back in his life and most certainly back in his bed.

When his entire family is threatened, he’s caught between rekindling his relationship with Nadya and protecting what belongs to him.

Together they try to rebuild what always should have been, but their pasts are determined to keep them ensnared. As passions ignite between them, they realize that even Grady may not be able to keep her safe this time.