Some people say, disdain dripping from their lips, that romance is written to a formula. All genre fiction, mystery, romance, sci-fi, etc., requires certain elements specific to that genre—else it would be something else. It’s really a matter of reader expectation. Imagine a story that has an alluring sleuth, a dead body, red herrings galore, and a cunning murderer. In the end, the sleuth can’t figure out who the murderer is, and the murderer gets away. That may be a very good book—but it’s NOT a murder mystery. Now, imagine a story with a woman in a pickle, a handsome and moral hero, a conflict between them that is resolved, then the hero dies in a car wreck. That may be a great story—but it’s not a romance. The romance reader is going to be very disappointed.

The elements of a romance novel are: a moral heroine who the reader cares about, a moral hero, a conflict that comes between them, resolution of the conflict, and commitment to each other—the Happily Ever After ending.

I write romantic suspense for the ‘marvelously mature.’ Not exactly the traditional romance. My heroes and heroines have seen more than a few seasons change. Some readers have told me that they love my stories, but they don’t like the HEA ending. That HEA is unrealistic.

Well, of course it is—if you believe that HEA means forever frolicking through the tulips and never another problem you will meet. That’s certainly not what my heroines believe. They’re old enough to know better. Each one knows that her ‘private summers’ will get worse before they go away completely. She knows that at least one of her parents, or her hero’s parents, will probably require care that they will find mentally or financially difficult to give. She knows that melding two families, sometimes including grown kids, grandkids, and ex-inlaws, will bring challenges. But she also knows that she doesn’t have to kiss any more frogs because she has found the man who will stand strong by her side and support her through whatever life throws their way. That’s what Happily Ever After is all about. Now what could be wrong with that?

Evelyn

So do you believe in happily ever after or is it just for the romance novels?  Leave your thoughts below and be entered to win a book from Evelyn!

About the author

EVELYN PALFREY

P O Box 142495

Austin, TX 78714-2495

evelyn@evelynpalfrey.com

Evelyn Palfrey is a native Texan and a lawyer who writes romantic suspense for the ‘marvelously mature’–because romance is just as sweet with a little gray at the temple. She is the author of four novels, Three Perfect Men, The Price of Passion, Dangerous Dilemmas and Everything In Its Place. Her novels deal with issues that are common to the middle passage of life, and reflect her 25 years practice of criminal and family law—and her love of RV travel.

Evelyn began writing fiction in 1995, driven by the realization that although many romance readers were like her—at middle age and starting a new phase of life—they weren’t represented as romance heroines. Three Perfect Men was born as the first book of a trilogy about three women who had been college roommates in the ‘60’s. The Price of Passion, a novel about marriage and betrayal, followed the next year. Her sister’s remark about the absence of full-figured women as romance heroines propelled her to write Dangerous Dilemmas. Her fourth novel, Everything In Its Place, grew out of recognition that many women who thought they had finished raising children, are now raising grandchildren.

Her next venture is a story in the anthology, Cougar Tales, with Sandra Kitt and Laura Parker.

Evelyn’s novels have been on the Essence Magazine bestseller list, the BookSense ’76 list, and have been Black Expressions selections. The Price of Passion was awarded Best Multicultural Book by Romantic Times Magazine.

Evelyn’s story, “The Lady at the Bus Stop”, was published in Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul, and her story, “Mama’s Hands”, was published in Chicken Soup for the African-American Woman’s Soul. She has also been a contributor to Black Issues Book Review.

Evelyn was nominated for a Career Achievement Award by Romantic Times. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Austin Public Library Foundation, Travis County Lawyer Referral Service, Austin Community Radio, Inc., Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, and the State Bar of Texas. She is currently on the Board of the Writers League of Texas and is active with Austin Romance Writers of America.

Vist Evelyn online

http://www.evelynpalfrey.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evelynpalfrey/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/EvelynPalfrey

About the book – click cover to purchase e-book

How To Handle A Woman by Sandra Kitt

Geneva Springer is the prize at a charity auction. When a sexy man significantly younger wins her she doesn’t realize that the ultimate goal is her heart.

Stormy Weather by Laura Castoro

In the aftermath of a devastating accident, Beveryly Freeman can only remember the warm smile and honey colored eyes of her youthful rescuer, Will Soloman a decorated Iraq ver and fireman. But with a thirty-something gap between their ages, can this December-May romance overcome the obstacles of age and find true happiness/

Against Her Better Judgment by Evelyn Palfrey

Judge Beverly Polk scoffs at the news that a prisoner has put a contract out on her. Private Investigator, Devon Carter, claims to be hired by an anonymous client to protect her. Judge Polk resents and resists his protection, even as he infiltrates her home, her life, and even her heart.