Romantic Suspense: Worth Emigrating For
By Toni Anderson
Like most writers I’ve always been an
avid reader. I grew up in the UK, reading my gran’s Mills & Boon novels. As
a teen I migrated toward fantasy and mystery books. They were always really
good but not quite...something.
It’s hard to describe what’s missing
until you find it.
Fast forward to 1995 when I moved to
Canada for the first time and walked into a public library. My first romantic
suspense novel was Karen Robards and I devoured every page and then every
shelf, looking for more. It was like discovering chocolate, or sex, or Brad
Pitt. Actually it was like discovering all three simultaneously. I couldn’t
believe I’d never found these types of books before. Why weren’t they in the
UK?
When we moved to Canada for the second
time, one of the ticks in the ‘Reasons to Move’ column was easier access to
romantic suspense novels. Yes, romantic suspense factored in my emigration—it
is that good.
So, what is it that makes romantic
suspense so compelling? For me I adore knowing there is danger lurking nearby
as two people start the perilous journey of falling in love. As if they don’t
have enough to deal with, with their issues and hang ups and dire
circumstances, now they have some entity trying to destroy the hero, the
heroine or something they believe in.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Toni is one of the many talented authors
who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss
of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a
spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking
zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on
suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see
if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing
suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and
join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org
and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.
Toni is a former Marine Biologist turned
romantic suspense writer who now lives in the Canadian prairies with her
husband and two children. Her stories are set in the stunning locations
where she’s been lucky enough to live and work—the blustery east coast of
Scotland, the remote isolated mining communities of Northern Labrador, the
rugged landscapes of the U.S. and Australia.
Check out her website
for a list of current titles, her blog
and Facebook
Author Page for writing news and her personal Facebook page
and Twitter
for constant nonsensical chatter. She is also part of two wonderful group
blogs—Not
Your Usual Suspects and Just Romantic Suspense.
Come introduce yourself.
Is that Lake Louise in the pic? Or...? Sure makes me homesick for the Rockies.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, it is :) Beautiful place. I should duck out of the shot :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool that your first romantic suspense was Karen Robards! I just read her for the first time--"Sleepwalker." It was fabulous! My first romantic suspense was Nora Robert's "Sanctuary"--like you, I haven't looked back. Toni, I think you are more than honoring the road that Karen Robards started you on!
ReplyDeleteNo, you shouldn't! You look so happy there. Sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy :)I haven't read Sleepwalker yet. Nora is always good :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara--I love the mountains. Don't have any in the prairies...