Authors typically write what we like. For my personal entertainment, I’m drawn to romantic suspense. Writing romantic suspense is a challenge, but when a story comes together, it’s satisfying. This genre has broad heat levels from sweet-cozy to steamy-hot. I write on the hot end, and my latest RS, One Night in Havana, is in the erotic romance series, City Nights, with Tirgearr Publishing.
I enjoy writing a story driven by a constant threat of danger and promise of romance. One of the protagonists or someone they care about is in jeopardy.
Villains are interesting to develop and must be defeated. Both the suspense and romance reach a crescendo when the mystery is solved.
There’s a happily for now or a happily ever after. I don’t like movies and books that end badly.
There’s a ticking time clock that requires protagonists to accomplish something difficult within a set amount of time or suffer a grave consequence. Every second counts in Deadly Alliance when the hero must save the kidnapped heroine. The heroine in Unholy Alliance is a sleuth on the mobster’s secret island hideout. One Night in Havana features drug thugs posing as guards on the heroine’s cruise ship. The college professor hero works part-time for the Cuban Port Authority and protects her. Time is running out until they won’t be together after the conference they’re attending ends. The ticking clock can include something like a time bomb.
Ah, the fighting against the villain. People are being killed. Heroines and heroines find and bring back those who are held. My heroes are either ex-military or skilled fighters.
In summary, the reader of romantic suspense enjoys the feeling of urgency and anxiety as they worry about what could happen. I insert forewarnings at various points in the story. Also, the main characters’ flaws come to light, and they grow while making right choices.
Author Biography:
Book Buyers Best finalist Kathleen Rowland is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes suspense with an erotic love story sure to melt their hearts. Her latest release is One Night in Havana, #34 in the City Nights series.
See Kathleen’s most recent books here: http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Rowland_Kathleen
In May she will present a class at East Valley Authors, an RWA chapter, held at the Azuza Library in Azuza, California. The class centers on making dialogue more urgent by using tips from the romantic suspense genre.
Kathleen also has a steamy romantic suspense series with Tirgearr Publishing, Deadly Alliance is followed by Unholy Alliance. Keep an icy drink handy while reading these sizzling stories.
Kathleen used to write computer programs but now writes novels. She grew up in Iowa where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and raced her sailboat on Lake Okoboji. Now she wears flip-flops and sails with her husband, Gerry, on Newport Harbor but wishes there were lightning bugs in California.
Kathleen exists happily with her witty CPA husband, Gerry, in their 70’s poolside retreat in Southern California where she adores time spent with visiting grandchildren, dogs, one bunny, and noisy neighbors. While proud of their five children who’ve flown the coop, she appreciates the luxury of time to write. If you’d enjoy news, sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter at
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