Romantic Suspense: a Blend of Mystery and Romance Makes Good Valentines Day Reading for Mystery Fans

Many readers like a little romance, but they also enjoy a good mystery.   Romantic suspense is the best of both worlds.  These books may also be called mystery romances, especially if the story is heavy on the mystery, as the ones Loretta and I write often are. However, not too many bookstores have a mystery romance category, so our suspense books are usually found under romantic suspense. 

When romantic suspenses are set in the past they are often referred to as gothics.  Readers may remember the books that were popular in the 1960s and early 1970s with the woman running from the castle on the cover. These books almost always had a female lead.  Romantic suspenses are a new form of an enduring genre.  

Contemporary romantic suspenses, like gothic romance, are most often are told in the point of view of the heroine.  They differ from a traditional mystery because the hero is usually the main suspect and trust becomes an issue.  Is he guilty?  Is he lying, keeping secrets from the heroine? Can she trust him?

In most gothics or romantic suspenses the emphasis is on the attraction between two people who have strong reason to doubt each other.  The relationship develops despite these misgivings.  The love scenes are usually very tame or gentle, stopping at the occasional stolen kiss or embrace. 

Romantic suspense causes a unique problem for publishers, booksellers, and writers.  Because they are almost half and half romance and mystery, they are sometimes put in with the romances, which frustrates readers who don't expect a romance element.  Other times, they are grouped with the mysteries, leaving traditional whodunit readers to wonder what all that romance is doing in their mystery.  Romantic suspense is like that special blend of tea--maybe not for everyone, but a genre many enjoy once they have given it a try.

There is a certain magic in romantic suspense that is all of its own.  Our romantic suspenses below are "clean reads", suitable for a general readership.  

CHECK OUT OUR ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SPECIALS ON KINDLE  FOR VALENTINES DAY

PATH OF THE JAGUAR   99 c on KINDLE THIS MONTH
NIGHTMARE IN MOROCCO  $3.99 on KINDLE
THE VANISHED LADY  NEW RELEASE only $3.99 on KINDLE