Wednesday, November 12, 2014

New Suspense Romance Novels Keep The Adrenaline Pumping

By Christa Jarvis


The human being's primitive need for love and affection has always been clearly illustrated in his various creations and art forms. Love poems and stories have enthralled man since the earliest times. No wonder that the romantic novel still encompasses the biggest genre in literature, albeit in a different form. Modern day romantic novels draw a thin line between romance, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy and the paranormal. In short, the new suspense romance novels keep the adrenaline pumping and satisfy most senses.

Contemporary romantic novels still form the largest sub-genre in literature and even today accounts for more than 50 percent of all romantic fiction published in the US. Because this genre generally reflects the mores and values of the time when they are written, the latest suspense romance novels mirror modern-day life and tend to blur the line between romance and thrillers, crime fiction, fantasy and the paranormal. This combination of intriguing plots, thrilling suspense and romantic courtship appeals to both romance and suspense lovers and most women can relate to the realistic characters and events.

Traditionally, romantic suspense involves a plot or mystery that the protagonists must solve. The heroine is generally the victim of a horrible crime or a ruthless psychopath. She works with a hero who is typically in a career field most suitable to protect her. In the end, they solve the mystery and the time and ordeal they shared lead to a strong romantic relationship.

It is not an easy feat to keep a balance between a blooming, romantic courtship and nail-biting suspense. As in all romances, a realistic relationship between the protagonists must form the heart of the story. Their courtship must impact all their decisions as it build the intrigue and propels the story. On the other hand, the nature of the plot must also directly affect their relationship and move the story forward.

Nowadays' authors have more freedom to combine different sub-genres and to play around with time frames, locations and real life crime and intrigue. Adding elements of science fiction, fantasy and thrilling suspense to a romance, make for nail-biting reading if a good balance is kept. The language used in modern romantic novels also changed from poetic and overly erotic intimacy to a more realistic, informal and everyday style.

The genre is mostly aimed at women and most women love happy endings. Most women have also been exposed to life's pain and horror and don't want unrealistic fairy tales. Facts beat fiction and few things can really shock people more than the crime and gore in real life. Having some murderous villains or a psychopath rocking the boat between two lovers just make any love story more interesting - and believable - as long as the two main characters get together in the end.

Romantic suspense with paranormal elements is another popular variation of the stereotype romance genre. In these novels, reality blends with the fantastic, psychic or science fictional. Time-travel, extra-terrestrial and futuristic romances also resort under the paranormal umbrella. Some paranormal romances combine contemporary life with supernatural or magically empowered beings.

She wrote an academic book on this subject, titled Easy Lessons to Improve Your Child's Reading and was co-author of the book Haunting Tales of Spirit Lake. A Matter of Trust received glowing praise and was described as one of the best paranormal romance novels for adults. Featuring a feisty, psychic heroine, a realistic hero and an intriguing plot, it is a must read!




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