Romance can have some people running for the hills, but love is universal. Romantic love for a partner can have many guises – everyone’s definition of romance is different. There is, of course, the chocolates and roses, the rose petals on the bed, the romantic get-away, but also sitting together watching a movie, a date night at a favourite restaurant, or a walk in nature. In essence time together is the main essential.

As we celebrate romance month, we can read classic novels like Pride and Prejudice, Twilight, The Notebook, or Outlander, but maybe also discover new authors and their definition of romance through their stories. There are many situations in this genre, such as meet-cutes, sassy best friends, soul mates and happily ever after endings, as well as friends to lovers, and enemies to lovers. The stories are as diverse as ‘real’ romance and how we find that special someone.

As many of you know I have several novels that do have romantic pairings within the main stories.

The Twesome Loop

An eighteenth century picturesque Italian Villa holds a hidden past of a pact between two lovers to live forever. They believe their deadly secret will die with them but in their last moments a vengeful spirit follows them into the abyss. Decades later, four modern day guests, all craving a unique and lasting love, experience flashbacks of their past lives. The betrayed wife running from her deceitful husband, the lonely widower unable to find love again, the adulterer searching for the ‘one’ who will accept his specific cravings, the camgirl in search of fulfillment. Attractions, jealousy, forbidden love, all play a part in making the past collide with the present, and the subsequent repercussions.

Life in Slake Patch

Living in a matriarchal society, Evan does not question his way of life, until his mentor, Jacob discovers a banned book detailing a life unimaginable and the rising danger of a rebel factions’ belief and violent cause that threatens everyone’s existence. The secret must be kept at all costs. Its impact endangers his relationship with his tryst, Kate, his true love. Can he keep with society’s rules but change it fundamentally at the same time?

The Commodore’s Gift

Fighting against the Victorian society’s feminine expectations, Owena is unusual in her excellent strategic and swordsmanship skills, which come to the fore after an attack and imprisonment of a village and a narrow escape. Running for their lives, a small group elude persecution but find new dangers ahead. Propelled into the world of rebel forces, she joins the battle against the Buldrick Empire. After seeing the failings of the rebel encampment, she makes changes – some well received, others not. Her unlikely champion is a giant of a man, who is feared by all. Forbidden by her brother, Benjamin to associate with this ‘killer’ she finds herself falling in love. Their mutual respect and his acceptance of her as an equal propels them to organize a win or die fight to restore the rightful King to the throne.

There are also romantic couples in The Rython Kingdom and Rython Legacy.

So dip your toes into romance this month and discover the many ways characters fall in love.