To Kill or Not To Kill by Cindy K. Green

To Kill or Not to Kill

I know it sounds as if I’m having some homicidal tendencies but trust me it’s perfectly normal. You see I’m a Romantic Suspense author and the issue of whether to kill or not to kill is a position we, RS authors, find ourselves in quite frequently. Case in point, my latest release NovelTea Next Door (book 2 in the NovelTea series-available now!) was the first time I came to this crossroad. Beforehand, I had never willingly or maliciously killed anyone. Okay, even in the fictional world, I would never maliciously kill anyone—I don’t think. But I did have to make a decision of whether or not to kill off my villain.

At this point in your writing, you have to ask yourself: ‘Has this character completely fulfilled his role in the story? Is there more to his personal narrative that has yet to be told?’ If after answering these questions, you realize he has more to give then it isn’t quite time to kill that villain off. He better stick around for awhile.

In NovelTea, an underlying plot string continues from book to book so even more so I had to decide whether my creepy, psychotic thief and murdering villain would live or die. Honestly, when I was writing my penultimate chapter—the chapter with the showdown between the hero and the baddie—I still hadn’t decided the outcome and it was important as it would affect the rest of this 4-part series. Thankfully, I believe the result will be a satisfying conclusion for the readers.

So, hmm, to kill or not to kill—that is the question, especially for us romantic suspense authors. Consider your decision wisely before you make your choice. Do not kill in haste as that character may be quite pertinent later on. But whatever you do, have fun and be true to the story—be true to the characters.

Want to meet my villain in NovelTea Next Door? See the excerpt below.

Second in the NovelTea Series: Government agent Grant Gerard knows he’s cocky. It’s the reason he can do this job day after day. He’s always kept his life simple and uncomplicated…until destiny took a turn when he met bookstore/tea shop owner Juliet Truesdale. Armed with a new lead pertaining to known criminal spook, Alexis Guthrie, Grant enlists Juliet to aid the investigation which ends up at the door of her neighbor, Adam Trudeau.

This investment banker neighbor of hers seems harmless enough despite his annoying interest in Juliet. Will this turn of events only usher in more dangerous or even deadly situations for the duo? Can Grant allow Juliet into his heart and keep her safe from the danger looming in the distance?

Prologue:

The sweet darkness of midnight embraced me like an ever expectant lover. Standing alone in my solitary state peering out at the shadowed city streets, I was captivated. The black sheet of the night skyline twinkled with a diminutive number of stars. Leaning over the balcony railing, I slowly inhaled a gulp of the crisp air. This was the time of day when I felt alive—when my true spirit was released and I could feel it breathing inside of me.

It had all been just too easy. His arrogance and their conceit have played right into my hand. Before they put the pieces together, all evidence of my existence will be gone and they’ll once more be rubbing their heads wondering what went wrong.

I’ll be sad to end this charade. It has served me well. Perhaps too well. I was becoming overly comfortable in this guise—making contact with too many people…like her. She would have loved the real me if only I could have shown her. In another time or another place, I might have had that chance. Maybe I still will. I’m beginning to grow tired of this game. At any rate, time has a way of catching up with you in the end.

Visit my website to read the entire first chapter.

Want to know what happens to my villain? Visit The Wild Rose Press.

Don’t miss out on book 1 of the series: Available now: A Night of NovelTea.

Juliet Truesdale believes life is passing her by as she runs her parents bookstore/tea shop until the day a handsome, mysterious stranger enters the shop, steals her heart and turns her life upside down, throwing her into a mix of dangerous yet comical situations she never could have contemplated.

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Cindy K. Green is a multi-published author with degrees in History and Education. Previously a middle school English & History teacher, she now homeschools her own children and writes in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense and Historical romance. Find out more about Cindy and her books at www.cindykgreen.com.