HOW WONDERFUL CAN ONE MAN OR WOMAN BE? In most mysteries, no matter the sub-genre, there’s almost always a love interest, however fleeting, for the main character. What bothers me about a lot of love-interest characters is they can be cloyingly perfect. I mean, no man I know of listens intently to my every word while simultaneously giving me a neck rub and brewing me the perfect cup of tea.
Which is why I don’t write or read romance novels. I don’t want to gag too early in the morning. Sorry if I offend anyone who reads them, but I haven’t found one yet that is anything like real life. And love does exist in real life, it’s just a little messier. I love romance IN my novels, just not as the main plot.
I only have 2 books in the series under my belt, so am not yet sure yet what’s going to happen with Logan and Ben, but I am making their road a little rocky. If they do wind up creating lasting love, it’s not going to be easy. They’re in their forties, Logan has a grown daughter, and both have emotional, family, and sexual histories they have to deal with.
Since sex, love, and intimate friendships are such a huge part of who we are as human beings, I want to bring those story lines in – give my main character some interesting wrinkles-something to push against in order to grow. I think the love interest character should have at least one flaw – they’re lazy, can’t commit, unfaithful, pick their nose, work too many hours, whatever.
Since you are either a reader or a writer if you found my author page-tell me who your favorite love-interest characters are? What authors do you read who do a good job with this aspect of their main character’s life?
A self-admitted book addict, Valerie was the kid with the flashlight under her pillow. A life of travel with exposure to many different cultures led to a pervasive interest in people, with degrees & teaching credentials in Cultural Anthropology & English.