Research

I'm doing some research on the possible romance novel that is rattling around my head. I've read a few of Love Spell's romances, which is the publisher to whom I intend to submit. I've read the vampire romance Dark Fire by Christine Feehan and the histrical romance The Wildest Shore by Lisa Cach. I'm a chapter into the paranormal romance The Cat's Fancy by Julie Kenner. This weekend I hope to pick up a few of their Candleglow gothics, which is the sub-genre in which my novel will fit.

Love Spell's romances are long: 90,000 to 100,000 words. They are also very descriptive, sensual and introspective. The external conflicts tend to have a big build up but then the action is brief or skipped altogether, getting the reader back to the romance. Even though the heroine maybe strong, she will bow out and let the hero do his thing when the poop starts to fly.

For the backstory of the novel I have picked a couple of enchanting caribbean islands with an interesting history, although I have not pin-pointed the date the action will take place just yet.

Researching and plotting this new novel is my reward for a chapter well done!