Hello everyone! Today, author Beverley Kendall is stopping by the blog. Beverley has been published with Kensington and is now jumping into the self publishing world with her newest novella, All’s Fair in Love and Seduction. Join me in welcoming Beverley to the blog! 
My Ideal Romance
What do I want in my romance novel? I’d like to say it’s enough that I get a pleasant escape from the realities of life–a lovely diversion where two people who love each other passionately get their HEA. I’d like to say that’s what I want in my romance books.
Apparently, it’s not that simple. I’m a picky reader and I know it. I’m very particular about the story that holds my attention. For the most part, I don’t like my genres overlapping. If I’m reading a romance, the story must be about the romance. Other genres shouldn’t try to poke their noses in my romances. Intrigue and suspense must either be absent or play a very limited role in them.
My hero or heroine can not be in a prolonged state of danger. Which means, I don’t want to spend the entire novel waiting for the other foot to drop and wondering precisely when the ‘bad guy’ will get her/him. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love a good mystery. As far as I’m concerned, no greater mystery writer ever lived than Agatha Christie. She’s my hero. To satisfy my need for thriller and suspense, I’m more prone to watch it than to read it. There is something about the visual in those types of stories that translate to the small or big screen better for me–although, I’m certainly not opposed to reading the book if it’s a movie adaptation. Books always tend to be better than the movies they represent.
What do I want? I want sizzling sexual tension and great conflict. A story in which the heroine and hero’s conflict is predominantly external won’t hold my attention. I need their conflict to be internal. I love a romance where the attraction is being fought. I love a romance when the hero has a long long way to fall. I love the ice princess. I love a dark brooding hero with a wry sense of humour. I love having my heart wrenched. I love heat. Lisa Kleypas kind of heat. Linda Howard or Sandra Brown kind of heat when they wrote romances. My hero and heroine can’t cheat on each other after they’ve entered a relationship, although as I study my collection, I see there are exceptions to this rule.
Yes, I’m an author, but I was a reader long before I wrote my first word. I think I started writing because I’m such a picky reader. As the publishing business changed and books became edgier, more plot-driven and less character-driven, I yearned for the romances that made me fall in love with the genre.
What about you? What do you want in your romance novel? Which authors have been consistent in delivering the goods? Comment and you’ll be entered to win a $15 eGift Certificate and an entry for Grand Prize Drawing of an iPad 2!
(Entries from Magical Musings will be added to those entries from Beverley’s website. A winner will be picked Dec. 17th).
Interested in All’s Fair in Love and Seduction? Find the novella on these sites!
Julie Garwood is my hands down favorite author. She was the first romance I read. I adore her heroes. So perfect!
I actually like other things going on in a book besides just internal conflict. But sometimes I’m in the mood for a romance where the romance is the primary focus. At a conference in June, I won a raffle basket of Harlequin Medical Romances by Laura Iding (who’s in my chapter and is an excellent writer). I went through those books like they were banana popsicles. (Can you tell what I’ve been snacking during this heat wave?) I totally enjoyed them.
I’m lucky that my favorite authors are part of Magical Musings. I have too many to even mention that are non-members, so I’ll just say that 2 must-read authors for me are Jayne Ann Krentz and Loretta Chase.
I like a combination of humor, tension and sex in the historical romances I read. Some of my favorite authors who consistantly deliver books I love are Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Liz Carlyle and Candice Hern, just to name a few. That said, I’ve read both of Beverley’s print books and I have her newest ebook on my computer and have enjoyed her work tremendously. I’ll be back for more!
Good luck in the self-pub world
I want, well I have found that I like humour and truth be told I really want them sweet. Yes I do read the rest too but I grew up with Barbara Cartland and I still find it weird when they have sex before marriage in historicals
blodeuedd`s last blog was …Interview and Giveaway: Amelia Grey – A Gentleman never Tells
Thanks for showing me this site! I am excited to see there are others here that I like. I can’t wait to check out books of authors I haven’t read yet. I love books, I love reading, and would love to be able to add to my library.
Beth
Thanks for visiting, Beverley! I think you and I are the exact opposite–I absolutely love it when genres overlap. I can’t remember the last time I read a “straight” romance w/o that overlap. I love happy endings, but I want some scares, some thrills, and some chills before I get there.
Congratulations on your new novella.
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Hi Beverley. What I look for in a romance is a couple with good chemistry, a plot that draws me in and a happy ending. Some authors that I think deliver are Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. Thanks for hosting me, Lori!
Edie, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind eternal issues (the one I’m working on has it more than the others), I just don’t like anything else to overwhelm the romance. I want the romance always to be the central focus of the story. But again, I don’t like murder and mayhem in my romances. Other stuff is okay, but no murder and mayhem. LOL
Karen I love very very dry humour. I grew up on British humour–you know that very dry wit–and I absolutely love it. I also love plenty of angst.
Blodeuedd, I have to say it’s got to be a helluva a book for me to read a sweet romance. And I’ve never read a Barbara Cartland book. When I started reading historicals, I started with Johanna Lindsey and she used to be smoking hot–the way I love my romances.
Thanks, Cynthia. For me I just have a mind set when I read books. When I read mysteries, I don’t expect romance and don’t really want it. I used to read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark and I just expected to be scared, thrilled, held in thrall. When I sit down with a romance, I want it focused mainly on their love story. How departmentalized is that, right?
Crystal, chemistry is key for me too. Actually for me, better than the coming together of the hero and heroine–finally–is the anticipation and build up to that moment. It makes the coming together all that much better.
I do happen to like genre crossovers (especially paranormal, if one is judging from my collection), because they do neatly heighten tensions; but you’re right, the romance of the story shouldn’t be eclipsed. I like feisty heroines, brooding heroes, and snappy dialogue; extra points if the main couple are in hate with each other at the beginning.
Nalini Singh and Kresley Cole haven’t failed me yet!
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Stories that make me laugh and cry are some of my favorites. I actually am enjoying the mixed genres but then I like a lot of variety although I do have to say historicals are still my favorite. I have a ton of favorite authors but I’m also all for trying out new ones. So many good books out there!
I am very picky, too! My romance “must-haves” include: good chemistry, great dialogue, no TSTL moments (okay, maybe one but that’s it!), an interesting setting and well-rounded secondary characters.
Hi Beverley,
What I want in my romance novel is a passionate love story that will sweep me off my feet. I want reasonable tension and conflict between the characters because this will evoke emotions and I need to be able to connect with characters. The HEA has to be worthy, I don’t find the hero and heroine’s love journey to be too easy or their issues too trivial (just marriage games, mating rituals, scheming matrons…). They should face some serious issues to see whether they really are compatible and have to work out those issues. I don’t mind whether there is light bantering or dark confessions but effortless interaction is key in creating likeable characters. I don’t want just the hero and heroine to shine, I want their secondary characters to have distinct personalities as well. They will round out a romance nicely. I don’t mind some genre overlapping, it might enhance the story so long as it goes with the flow of the story and doesn’t feel forced. Overall I want a romance novel to make me feel good and give the characters a well-deserved happy ending.
Hi, Beverley – I like a plot that tugs at the heartstrings, such as Judith McNaught\’s books. You laugh and cry during poignant moments in all her novels. I also enjoy books that have feisty characters and witty banter, such as those written by Julie James and Julia Quinn. Finally, I like romance novels where the characters have a bumpy road, but there is a HEA like your two books and Lisa Kleypas’.
Hi Beverly and welcome to Magical Musings!
That’s why romance is so popular – there’s enough variations for everyone! I’m another who loves to cross all the genres. I love the suspense, chills, mystery and a good developing relationship to go with them. Mix em up and I’m happy!
I want a good plot that moves the story along and I expect tension and emotion between the hero and heroine. I think Lisa Kleypas, Jenna Petersen and Toni Blake always deliver.
I love anything that has a good love story and keeps my attention. I love it when there is great banter and sparks between the h/h. I think both Lisa Kleypas and JR Ward are great at really making me feel connected to the characters and their outcomes.
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I am very picky about my stories too. For me, I want characters that are a bit flawed, unusual settings and situations, and conflicts that are hard for the hero and heroine to overcome. Some of my favorite authors are Loretta Chase, Lisa Kleypas, Julie James, Meredith Duran and Jennifer Ashley to name a few.
Hi Beverley. Welcome to MM and congrats on your indie release as well as your other books.
I love lots of suspense and intrigue and sometimes paranormal in my romance. One of the authors I enjoy who writes straight romance is Susan Elizabeth Phillips, though. Her books have a lot of great characters and there’s always a lot of meat to the plotline.
Hello Beverly!
Congratulations on the release of All’s Fair in Love & Seduction! The authors that are auto-buys for me because the always deliver a great story are: Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, Jaci Burton and Maya Banks. They write great characters with flaws. I don’t want perfect characters. I can identify and root for characters that have issues or problems.
Hi, Beverly. I’m picky, too, and I’m really glad to hear someone else say it! Lol. I thought I was the only one. I like books that cross genres, but I agree with you – the romance should predominate. Otherwise, what’s it doing in the romance section? I don’t really have a problem with violence, but I do have a big problem with romances that aren’t especially romantic. Also, I like heat. No sweet romances for me.
Also, I don’t mind heroines that start out a little wimpy, as long as they show growth and find their spines by the end of the book. I really like character growth.
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I’m going to steel directly from Maureen because she picked all the authors that are on my auto-buy list. As for what I want in a romance; something that sets it apart from everything else. I love great chemistry and characters with a strong sense of self. I adore authors who can bring a bit of wit to the story and make me emotionally invested.
Lisa Kleypas just seems to get it right every. Single. Time. Doesn’t she? Her books are amazing! I like the tension. The ooey gooey romance. The tortured hero. Le sigh.
Julie, ditto for the hero and heroine disliking each other at the beginning. Love that!
catslady, a book that either makes me want to cry or actually does is a book I’ll never forget.
Susan, that’s pretty much what I’m looking for me.
NaS that’s a nice list you have there.
But I’m with you. I want a certain experience–a certain feeling when I’m reading the book and when I put it down.
Hi Dale, thanks for having me on. I hear you, in romance there’s something for everyone. That’s why variety is the spice of life!
Jane, to me, tension and emotion is the mainstay. Need it. Can’t do without it. But then even that is subjective too.
Danielle, I can vouch for Lisa Kleypas but I’ve just never gotten into paranormals. I may yet take that leap.
I like suspense, good communication between characters, and humour in my romance novels. Some of my favourite authors are Julia Quinn. Lauren Royal and Madeline Hunter.
Maureen, can I say how I adore Loretta Chase too. And I’m about to get Meredith Duran’s latest. I really loved one of her earlier books.
Hi Misty, thanks so much and for having me on your blog. I remember when I didn’t know (about 2 yrs ago) who SEP was. I’ve read her since then and enjoyed her.
Thanks, Stacie! I can see you also like some serious heat in your romances.
Tori I absolutely agree. I like ‘em hot and I love to see growth of some kind.
A must have in my romances are well written characters and a romance that’s believable. I tend to read several different genre but some of my favorites are Nicola Cornick, Delilah Marvelle, Susan Donovan, Kris Kennedy, Nalini Singh, Christie Kelley and Susan Mallery.
I love a great story, wonderful characters, a strong and loyal hero, a feisty and independent heroine, a heart warming romance and of course, a happily ever after in my romance novel. A few authors that I’ve consistently enjoyed are Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Patricia Rice, Jo Beverley, Sherry Thomas, Courtney Milan and of course, Beverley Kendall.
I love Nalini Singh. I usually prefer a combination of genres. I love paranormal romance, romantic supsense, and historical romance. I feel like there needs to be another element than just romance which causes situations that help the characters soar or flounder.
OMG, I made someone’s fave author list. Thanks, Barb!!! I’ll be back after I compose myself.
Congratulations on the release of ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION.
What do I want in my romance novel? An HEA of course, but I want a good trip getting there. I like intrigue and suspense in my romances. The bring out the true qualities of a person so you see them for who they really are. Conflict of some sort between the hero and heroine help develop their relationship and add interest to the story. For me, a historical setting helps add another layer of interest.
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I’m loving this discussion! Thanks for joining us at MM, Beverley.
Count me in the mix-em-up group. For example, I love romantic suspense, and I’m happy with more suspense than romance, as long as there IS a satisfying romance in there somewhere. There is so much out there, we can all be happy
.
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I agree with whoever said Lisa Kleypas! She always has the best storyline and characters that makes me want read more of books!
Beverly – I was so excited when All’s Fair in Love & Seduction that even though I prefer “real” books instead I downloaded on my Kindle so I didn’t have to take the time out to go to the bookstore but instead start rading it immediately.
Historical romance is my favorite genre and when I pick one up I’m hoping that I’ll find a personal connection to the characters. I want to feel like I’m in the same surroundings even if I’m the chaperone sitting in the corner listening to the gossip going on around me.
My favorite heros are ones that a flaw whether in his attitude about women or the superior of his station and what is expected of him by society. I want my heroine to be independent and able to stand up for herself. I like to experience a tension between the characters as they feel a growing attraction to each other. I also want some type of humor to tinge the story whether it’s the hero recognizing his short comings or being brought down in his consequence by the heroine. I also enjoy waiting to see how the characters overcome preconceived notion or prejudices they might have.
Most important I love that one scene when they realize that their love can’t be denied whether they want to deny it or not.
I love finding new authors and thank The Season for introducing me to many of them. My newest “favorite new authors” are Stephanie Sloane and Kieran Kramer. I won an ARC of Stephanie’s first book and her 2nd and 3rd are wonderful as well. Kieran’s titles drew me to her and all three of her books have hit the mark.
Thanks for offering me not only your own books but all the other wonderful authors you’ve introduced me to as well.
I love when characters I fall in love with in a minor role emerge again whether as another minor character, become the hero or heroine in a later book or are an on-going character that is someones friend or great Aunt.
I like my romance books to be like a rollercoaster ride. A few ups, a few downs, a ton of laughs, maybe a puking person or two, heartstopping, heart pounding and with a few twists. I like it all. Maybe even some screaming (on the heroines part of course
).
So apparently I’ve been living under a rock and have only discovered Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas and J.R. Ward recently. They’re on the top of The Pile right now. I’m a sucker for book series so any author that has one, I probably have or will read one of their books.
Bev, I can’t wait for Alex and Charlotte’s book.
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I always gravitate toward romance where the hero and heroine are compatible. I’ve read quite a few that are not and I always wonder why they end up together. Also conflict, external or internal, that enhances their romance and relationship out of bed are also ones that I love.
I’ve read quite a few who consistently deliver, Lisa Kleypas, Kat Martin, Jenna Petersen, to name a few. I gravitate more on Historical Romances, though.
I’ve read all three of your novels Bev and I love A Taste of Desire!
I want good character development and likable characters (swoon-worthy heroes and competent heroines) in my romance. I like exotic settings and a fast pace. I also like them to be well-written and somewhat non-anachronistic. Some authors whose new releases I will automatically get right now are Anne Stuart (historicals), Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, Laura Kinsale, Tessa Dare, and Carolyn Jewel (historicals). I also have a few authors who are sitting on the TBR pile I haven’t read yet but I couldn’t resist getting most of their releases – Zoe Archer, Marsha Canham, and Kris Kennedy.