A romance is not a romance without a leading couple and even though I centre so much effort into all my characters, the one I concentrate on most is the leading man.
I think I was born in the wrong era. After watching Bridgerton (all those heaving bosoms, longing looks, tantalising almost finger touching!) I now understand more where my male characters come from. After all, who doesn't love a gentleman? Who doesn't want to be wooed? Okay, my novels are based in modern times, but the premise is still the same. Will they or won't they, and how much heat / humour / teasers can we create before they finally give in and have that much longed for first kiss?
I've always been attracted to novels where friction is already present between the leading couple. It's not love at first sight, far from it. There are obstacles to overcome, barriers to break down and vulnerabilities to understand. My plots force the characters to spend time together and slowly bit by bit, the leading couple begin to understand the frustrations they are feeling are a little more than mere annoyance. Of course, all this takes time, after all, where's the fun in admitting within the first hour that you find each other attractive (I like you, you like me, let's get married and live happily ever after...all within an hour of ordering your first course...) The 'slow burn' is always more fun!
My leading men are all very different, but they all share similar characteristics. They are confident, they know how to charm and they all have that important GSOH! However, faced with the girl that disarms them, that allure, self-assurance and ability to say the right thing at the right time, becomes a little more difficult as they tackle their true feelings and attempt their very best at continuing to be the gentlemen they like to portray themselves as. Cue much fun, awkward situations, near missed kisses and a sprinkling of much needed flirting.
So, if you fancy a bit of 'lingering almost there finger touches' set in modern times, where the characters are thwarted by the same issues we all face on a daily basis, and if you love to imagine yourself in a cosy setting, surrounded by English countryside, thatched cottages, open fires, rolling hills and deep blue oceans, then my novels are a perfect read for you.
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