What Do You Want in a Romance Novel?

Balance.

I think this is one of the hardest parts for writers to conquer. Maintaining just the right balance of whatever ingredients make up their writing.

For fantasy/paranormal (or maybe just me), it's action, humor, plot, character growth, relationship, and sex.

Phew!

It's a lot.

My first two books contained a lot of action. Umm...that is, physical action - adventure, fighting deadly creatures with swords and fists and teeth.

For my 3rd book, it's more relationship building and less adventure action.

As far as action between the sheets...well, since I try to make my characters as accurate as possible while still entertaining you, they usually don't have a physical relationship (at least not more than kissing) until at least 1/3 of the way into the story.

But after that...it gets steamy quick!

So, romance readers...how much action (adventure kind and sexy kind) do you expect in a romance novel?

How much romance, how much sex, and how much of everything else?

If you could pick a ratio - like, say, 1/3 relationship building, 1/3 sex, 1/3 plot/action, as an example - what would your ideal ratio be?

Leave a comment below.