The Inferno Collection by Jacqueline Seewald
Hi, Romance Junkies! My name is Jacqueline Seewald and my novel THE INFERNO COLLECTION is a thriller that combines sensual romance with mystery and the paranormal. I’m not much into category fiction or labeling. I try not to write formula fiction–although my novel does have many of the attributes of romantic suspense such as a woman in jeopardy and a sexy, romantic happy ending.
I love to read a passionate romance with strong, memorable characters. I also love books that provide an intelligent mystery. I decided that if I were going to write a mystery novel, it would have to be one with romantic elements. I spent several years writing and rewriting THE INFERNO COLLECTION. When I was finally satisfied with it, I went back and painfully cut away about a third of the novel because I wanted the book to be a fast-paced thriller, a page-turner. At Five Star/Gale, the book actually went through three different editors, all of whom gave me input for rewriting. After the ARC’s came out, I still found errors that needed correction, mostly those of the printer. It was a long, slow process to put out a quality book.
Some of the writers I admire that combine mystery and romance extremely well: Jayne Ann Krentz (a former librarian like myself) who always writes great romantic suspense,Faye Kellerman who writes wonderful romantic mysteries, likewise J.A. Jance and Elizabeth George. Tami Hoag’s CRY WOLF is an all-time favorite of mine, a brilliant tour de force. I also love the writing of Janet Evanovich which is great fun. There are so many great writers that combine romance and mystery, I can’t begin to name them all.
Thank you, Romance Junkies, I’ve enjoyed blogging with you. Enter my contest if you’d like a copy of THE INFERNO COLLECTION of your own.
(See below). Until next time, keeping reading romance fiction. It will keep you young and happy!
I’ll agree with Little Lamb about Karen Rose’s work. And I’m very proud to be listed along with her as a finalist in the Romantic Suspense category of the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence with my Cerridwen Press novel, “What’s in a Name?”
I always like reading new authors, “discovering” writers I’m not already familiar with. It’s part of the fun of reading. I love a mix of romance and mystery. And it is difficult to do right.
I love the mix of romance and mystery. You mention several authors that I enjoy. If you haven’t read any of Karen Rose’s work, you might give one a try. She does a wonderful job of balancing the suspens/mystery and develops the romantic relationship in the story convincingly.
It always fascinates me to hear about how a book comes to be. Looking forward to peeking at it. Cross genre books interest me.
Hi, Terry!
Glad you stopped by my blog today. I agree with you about characters and relationships being most important. If readers can’t connect with the main characters then they aren’t going to want to read the novel. Main characters have to be real and sympathetic. Hopefully, I accomplished that
with THE INFERNO COLLECTION. I’d love getting input from reader on that subject!
I’m with you on the romance sneaking into the mystery. When I started writing, I thought I was writing a mystery, but my daughters were quick to point out it was a romance. Most of the authors you mention are on my automatic read/buy list — so I guess I’ll have to check out the ones you mention that I haven’t read yet.
I found I was reading most series mysteries twice–once for the relationship plot and again for the mystery (which I prefer over suspense, although it seems harder to find non-suspense books these days.) I’ve been reading Allison Brennan and following the characters as much as, if not more than, the suspense parts.
I think most people read for the characters. We want to get involved with them. Action scenes, thrillers, suspense — what would they mean if they didn’t impact someone’s life?