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.
Tag: Romance novels
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.
Sir Gaylord-A Misalliance with Love
“It was a dangerous game. One that required reckless confidence and one he was bound to lose sooner or later. He must have chosen his victims carefully not to have found himself up against an enraged husband before now. Well, he made a grave mistake choosing Rosie as his next victim.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis.-A Misalliance with Love.
Image generated by Canva and digitally manipulated.
Approaching Sir Gaylord-A Misalliance with Love
“Gaylord’s was the type of grand country house built in the pleasing red brick style of the middle of the previous century. Sinclair had passed neatly tended formal gardens and spied numerous outbuildings as he approached the residence. The exterior was symmetrical, with a central front entrance and evenly spaced windows on either side. Modest in size but impressive, the home reflected the wealth and status of its owner.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis-A Misalliance with Love.
Image generated by Canva and digitally manipulated.
Temptation-A Misalliance with Love
“Gazing out over the water meadow and the reeds blowing in the gentle breeze, she picked up her brush. Dipping the brush into the water in her jar and then into a tiny cake of paint, she passed swift brushstrokes over the page filling in light and shadows on the face she had sketched. She glanced back at Philip under lowered lashes.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis. A Misalliance with Love.
The Wedding-A Misalliance with Love
“After his eyes traced her movement down the aisle on her father’s arm, Alton seemed distracted and preoccupied, his attention wandering rather than focusing on the promise they were meant to share. Even when the exchange of vows and rings approached, his mind seemed elsewhere.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis-A Misalliance with Love.
A writer’s dilemma: a true voice
An aspiring author posed a complicated question about writing in the English language when that is not your native tongue. They had a story they passionately wanted to tell and wanted opinions about the pros and cons of using Chatgpt or having an editor help ‘beautify’ the text.
What a dilemma! I do think the best approach is to publish in one’s own language first. The problem with using Chatgpt or even an editor is that the writing will likely end up flat and soulless. Whereas in one’s own language, the writer’s voice will come through.
I can not stress how important this is. People need to read more than pretty words.
After publishing in the native language, a good translator could be found to translate the book. An excellent translation will not come from Google Translate. A good translator will understand the nuances of the language and the hidden meanings. Artificial intelligence tools can never do that.
Write with passion and be true to your voice.
Sinclair sees Rosie for the first time-A Misalliance with Love
“His eyes swept the room, taking in the fetching bouquet of debutantes in their brightly colored afternoon party frocks. Their hues mimicked those in a garden—rose pink, mossy green, bluebell, lilac, sunflower yellow, and water blue. His eyes came to rest on the champagne curls of the girl sitting beside Lady Penelope Haverford.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis-A Misalliance with Love.
Rosie and Sinclair-A Misalliance with Love
“After dinner, Rosie decided to introduce Sinclair to the intricacies of mahjong, and they laughed and engaged in friendly banter. Sinclair couldn’t help but notice how graceful her movements were as her slender fingers carefully placed her pieces. The wicked smile in her eyes and the champagne curls that escaped their pins and rested softly against her neck tempted him.”
Excerpt From: Dee Harper Lewis- A Misalliance with Love.
A writer’s dilemma: Motivation
Someone in a writer’s group posed the question – Does your main character need to have an intense motivation for something? What does your character want? The Op’s dilemma was that her character didn’t want anything – until the end.
It seems to me lack of clear motivation means the character is on a journey of discovery. Perhaps the character is running away from something rather than running to something.
That’s perfectly legit and quite good as long as the ultimate goal is hinted at along the way. We need that trail of breadcrumbs. The end goal shouldn’t seem like something pulled out of thin air. In the end, the reader should feel that what the character finally wants makes sense, given their history.
My characters have strong goals. In A Misalliance with Love, Rosie needs a home and family but has a burning, almost crippling desire for independence. Sinclair Talbot wants validation and esteem.
In my next book, Guinevere wants family, stability, and appreciation. The Duke wants hope and love.
Characters are motivated by their desires even if they do not yet know what those desires are.
DEE HARPER LEWIS 