“He slipped the ring onto her finger, sealing their promise and giving her a light kiss, and then the pressure was gone, and her lips were cold from his absence.
As she walked out of the chapel, hand in hand with her new husband, he glanced down at her with that same impassive and steady look in his eyes. “It’s for the best,” he said, perhaps seeing her doubt. “I promise you. We will make it work.”
He sounded as though he were trying to convince himself, and deep within her being, she knew that Hugh’s love for her was fragile—if it existed at all. In that instant, a chilling realization struck her, unraveling the dreams she clung to—she was on the brink of a grave mistake.”
Tag: Love
What makes a relationship romantic?
Affection: Expressing affection through gestures, words, or physical touch helps maintain the romantic connection. Small acts of kindness and affectionate behaviors contribute to a loving atmosphere.
Affection is expressed in so many beautiful ways in historical novels. The casual brush against a woman’s hand, tucking wayward curl behind her ear, and gifts of flowers are very common in these novels and are fraught with meaning.
What makes a relationship romantic?
Shared Goals and Values: A romantic relationship flourishes when both partners have common goals, values, and aspirations. I love it when the two main characters are working together for a common cause. I love mysteries, and I’m a sucker for a good historical mystery where the female main character pairs up with a detective, and they work together, and sometimes against each other, to solve a crime, unravel a mystery, or save someone.
What makes a relationship romantic?
Quality Time: Spending meaningful time together strengthens the romantic bond. Whether it’s through shared activities or simple moments of togetherness, quality time fosters a deep connection.
Time spent together helps to build the romantic momentum in a novel. In historical romance, this is most easily done when the characters are thrown together during a house party. They have a legitimate reason to be around each other 24/7. During these scenes, the bonds can be formed at a very good pace, and the characters can easily be thrust into semi-intimate contact.
In my second novel, Marry Me, Duke, my main characters have a forced proximity that allows them to get to know each other well and go through their emotions while still maintaining proximity. In my first novel, A Misalliance with Love, the main characters spend much of their time away from each other, thinking about one another. Because of this, the emotional bond, perhaps, isn’t as strong. The novel ends with the promise of this bond and the chance to forge a connection.
What makes a relationship romantic?
Surprises and Thoughtfulness: Thoughtful gestures and surprises demonstrate that partners are attentive to each other’s needs and desires. It could be as simple as a heartfelt note, a surprise date, or a small gift.
This is such a sign of a true romantic, and it’s a pity that we don’t see more of it in historical romances. There’s plenty of flower giving but a few real surprises. I love it when the main male character knows that the main female character needs something or wants something very badly and makes sure that she has it, even if the gift is given anonymously. The best example of this is in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when Marianne Dashwood receives the piano without knowing that it was sent by Colonel Brandon. That was very romantic.
Figuring Out The Romance
When I’m reading or writing a romance, I always try to figure out why I do or do not consider the relationship between the main characters to be ‘romantic’. Sometimes a novel will miss the mark completely, opting for lust rather than romance.
I realize that there are certain things I consider deeply romantic that don’t necessarily fit into the usual romance novel tropes- the biggest being open and honest communication. This is crucial in any romantic relationship and in a novel, must happen by the end of the book, in my opinion.
Miscommunication is the main driver of most plots. I confess that in the books I love best, the romantic duo should be on the same side and facing adversity together. Yet, in my first novel, I chose to show a potentially romantic relationship thwarted by a lack of honesty. In A Misalliance with Love, miscommunication comes about because the romantic duo are blinded by their own views and needs. in Marry Me, Duke, the female main character is honest, even though her honesty can be seen in a bad light. Her love interest is keeping secrets and suppressing his love for her.
The ability to express feelings, thoughts, and desires fosters a deep connection between partners, and it does happen at the end of the novels.
Check out A Misalliance with Love and Marry Me, Duke – available on Amazon.
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The love of the historical romance
My love for Regency romance novels – and writing them – is a tribute to the genre’s ability to provide an engaging blend of history, romance, and escapism. The elegance of the historical era, be it Regency, Victorian, or any other, coupled with strong characters and timeless love stories, creates an experience that I continue to find enchanting and enduring.
Check out ‘A Misalliance with Love’ and ‘Marry Me, Duke’ where you can enter the enchanting world of the Victorian debutant. https://amzn.to/3RVBJLD
On Valentine’s Day, Marry Me, Duke will be released to Kindle Unlimited!
Happy Reading!
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Wit and Banter
Regency romance is known for its sharp wit and clever banter. The dialogue between characters is often a highlight, filled with humor, charm, and intellectual sparring. The verbal exchanges between the protagonists add a layer of entertainment that keeps the storytelling engaging and delightful.
I love good dialogue, particularly centered around conflict, but writers who master the art of comedy in their writing deserve all the accolades. I think comedic scenes are difficult to write because there is no universal standard for humor. When I laugh out loud at a scene, I wonder if others are discovering the same humor in it.
In Marry Me, Duke, I wrote scenes that made me laugh while writing them but did that humor translate well.
Why don’t you find out?
Check out ‘Marry Me, Duke’ where a bossy woman fights for the man and the life she wants. https://a.co/d/9lsK0vX
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Slow burn in Romance novels
At the core of Regency romance lies a timeless love story. Whether it’s the tension between headstrong heroines and brooding heroes or the delicate dance of courtship, the genre weaves tales of passion and love that resonate across generations. The slow burn of romance builds anticipation, keeping me eagerly turning the pages or glued to the screen.
But I also enjoy how the genre has adapted to modern times, and in a sense, current Historical Romances are far more realistic than classical novels. There is sex – and lots of it – often before marriage. And I do believe that that is more realistic than the old-fashioned view that everyone had the discipline to wait until the vows were said, and no one had uncontrollable urges.
My novels are closed-door (sex is implied and not explicit) simply because I love writing about characters more than action. I love the tension and slow build and then a hint of passion.
In my recent novel, Marry Me, Duke, there is a scene (spoiler alert) where the main character, Ginny, is in a marriage that has not yet been consummated. She is chomping at the bit and her husband Hugh has his reasons for holding back.
She is very attracted to her husband and is baffled by his reticence. In one scene, she gives Hugh a massage, and it leaves her wanting and unsatisfied. I confess I loved writing that scene. I could feel her frustration – and his as well. I think I would have liked the scene much less if it had been explicit, and I hope I left readers wanting more.
Oh, how I love a slow burn.
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How to Care for a Duke
I’m giving you a picture from my mood board for How to Care for a Duke.
A Duke with a mysterious illness has many dogs and other animals and a will to live, especially when he falls in love with his bossy caretaker. I’m hopeful this second novel will be out in December.
Meanwhile, check out ‘A Misalliance with Love‘.
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DEE HARPER LEWIS 