Guest Post & Giveaway: Romantic Suspense Recipe by Cynthia Eden, author of Deadly Fear

Today I'm lucky enough to host Cynthia Eden, an award-winning author of several paranormal romances and romantic suspense novels. Her latest release, Deadly Fear, is due out August 1st. Take it away, Cynthia!

Romantic Suspense Recipe

Hi, everyone! Hope you are having a fantastic summer! And, Jacqueline, thanks so much for inviting me to post!

Today, I wanted to give my recipe for a romantic suspense novel.

First, take one very strong heroine—emotionally and mentally strong. No weak-willed heroines need apply.

Second, add a hero who is more than up to the challenge of meeting any danger that may arise. The hero will need to be smart, tough, and capable of extreme sacrifice (if a bullet is coming at the heroine, the hero will need to take that hit).

And then…well, what do you add?

Emotion. Twists. Turns. Fear. Danger. No, make that EXTREME danger.

Romantic suspense stories have evolved quite a bit over the last few years. For me, I found that I was drawn to very dark tales. My characters—even the “good” guys—are far from perfect. They have painful pasts. They have secrets. I’ve always thought some secrets were necessary for everyone.

I also think that it’s necessary to have a very strong connection between a hero and the heroine. A connection that is emotional as well as physical—so, yes, that’s my way of saying that I like romantic suspense novels with a sensual edge. Turn up the heat, please.

Turn up the heat and ratchet up the danger. Those pages need to turn quickly as the hero and heroine track the villain (or villainess).

Bring to a simmer, then let the climax of the story unfold.

What will you have when you put these ingredients together?

Romantic suspense. One of my favorite genres.

I love the pulse-pounding thrill that can come from a great romantic suspense read. I love tensing and glancing up from my book as a little shiver of fear slides down my spine. I love worrying about the hero or the heroine. I love getting so lost in my read that my heart races as the story develops.

Ah, romantic suspense. What would I do without it?

And what about you? What do you think makes for a great romantic suspense? Are there other elements that you’d like to add to our recipe?

Thanks for checking out my post!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
www.twitter.com/cynthiaeden

---

About Deadly Fear:

TWO BRILLIANT AGENTS

FBI Special Agent Monica Davenport has made a career out of profiling serial killers. But getting inside the twisted minds of the cruel and the sadistic has taken its toll: She's walled herself off from the world. Yet Monica can't ignore fellow agent Luke Dante, the only man who ever broke through her defenses.

ONE DREAM TEAM

Luke has the unique ability to put victims at ease...professionally, he and Monica made a perfect team. Now they're reunited to catch a murderer who uses his victims' deepest, darkest fears for sport - but their investigative skills aren't enough. Luke and Monica will have to face the secrets from their past, the ones that terrify them the most, if they are to have a future together.

But can they catch a killer whose weapon is...DEADLY FEAR

---

Thanks for the great post, Cynthia!

Did Cynthia's post get you intrigued? Want to see what Deadly Fear has in store? Well, you should be sure to check out Cynthia's site for more info about her and her novels, but you can also try to win one of 5 copies graciously donated by Hachette. Just not the rules below and enter!

---