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 โ 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, itโs her courage, confidence, and intelligence that keeps
me interested.
3. A plausible plotline โ Now, I will openly admit to being a HUGE Harry
Potter fan. The plot doesnโt have to be plausible only in our reality, but you
have to make me believe whatever happens would really happen in the world
thatโs been created.
4. Sex Scenes โ Sorry (well not really), but I want the full-blown,
impassioned, love scene with all of the juicy details. If Iโm being totally
honest, I want several of these scenes.
5. Suspense โ 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 โ 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 โ 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 otherโs well-being, and for them to unify together in
a common goal.
8. Humor โ I know, I know some books just arenโt meant to make you
laugh, and thatโs totally okay. I do enjoy even a scene or two that make me
smile at whatever is going on. If I laugh to myself, thatโs even better.
9. Education โ 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. Iโm 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 โ 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.
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
arenโt afraid to let us inside their minds or inside their bedrooms. Young love
comes to life inside the authorโs 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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Nadya Montgomery was Gypsy Beachโs own personal wild child. There was
nothing she wouldnโt 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 sheโd ever known.
Fourteen years later, Nadya returns to the beach to try to rebuild some
semblance of her life out of her ex-husbandโs 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
doesnโt know what to make of Nadyaโs 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, heโs 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.
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