Clues You Write Romantic Suspense - Blast from the Past by Linda Lovely

(First published in 2011) 

First Clue You Write Suspense. While visiting with your two Ph.D. nieces, you spend lots of time questioning them about exotic toxins and pathogens and how a smart killer might employ them to get away with murder—or at least give it a good try.

First Clue You Write ROMANTIC Suspense: One of said nieces, a Beta reader for your manuscripts, fans herself after reading a love scene. “Oh, my God, how did you come up with that?” she asks. Then, she crawfishes. “Nope. Sorry. Not sure I want to know.”

My name is Linda Lovely. The fact that my very smart (and funny) nieces have earned doctorates probably gives you a hint that I’m not in my twenties. Okay, I waved goodbye to 50 a while back, too. Yep, I’m a baby boomer. Like many other debut authors in my age range, I’m finally at a point in my life/career where I have time to write what I want. In my case, that’s either romantic suspense or a mystery with strong romantic elements.

My debut novel, DEAR KILLER, features a heroine who’s over age 50.
Nonetheless, Marley Clark is athletic, smart, funny and sexy. Her adventures start when she finds a naked corpse stewing in a hot tub and teams up with a 40-year-old deputy eager to trade strip searches. Hey, why should young heroines have all the fun?

By one strict definition, some of my manuscripts aren't romantic suspense. Yes, they have plenty of thrills and romance, but some of the books don’t end with the heroine and hero in a committed relationship. That’s not to say the endings aren't happy. Sometimes circumstances force people to follow different paths. They can still part as lovers and friends—better people for their encounter.

I’m now polishing a couple of manuscripts that feature younger heroines—women in their 30s. I identify with them, too. I’ve been there. But Marley Clark holds a special place. She has more life experiences and more baggage. But she also has a deep appreciation for love and laughter and she knows you need to seize it whenever you can.

Okay, so tell me—does the age of a heroine/hero influence whether you’ll read a book?

If you missed my intro, you can read it here.