Creating a Rough Road to a HEA
By Romance Author
Kelli A. Wilkins
Hi everyone,
My name is Kelli Wilkins and I’m a romance writer who
loves torturing my characters. Why? So I can get them back together for a happily-ever-after
(HEA) ending!
Let’s face it, romance readers know they are going to
get a HEA before they pick up a book. The hero or heroine isn’t going to die—unless
you’re reading a paranormal and someone turns into a vampire, and even then, it
just makes the story more interesting!
People read romances for different reasons: for great
storylines, to live vicariously through the characters they care about, and to
know that whatever obstacles these lovers face, they’ll overcome them together.
I write stories based around characters who find each
other, fall deeply in love, and live happily ever after—but not without going
through some emotional ups and downs. Although my characters love each other,
everything isn’t always roses and sunshine. As they work through their
challenges, they have to learn a few lessons about themselves, trust, honesty,
or whatever their personal internal struggles are.
For example, Sherrie and Curtis, in my contemporary
romance, Trust with Hearts, have to work through painful issues in their
pasts before they can open up and learn to trust again. In my historical
fantasy, A Most Intriguing Temptation,
Elara and Dalton learn important lessons about temptation and fidelity. And in
my gay romance, A Secret Match, Everett struggles to come to terms with his
sexuality and be open about who he really is. These trials and emotional
hardships are realistic challenges that people face in their lives. Once the
characters have learned what they need to, they can live HEA.
But sometimes love can be a surprise. In some of my books,
the characters aren’t looking for love—it’s the furthest thing from their
minds—but there it is. Brian was taking in the waves when he found his true
love on a deserted beach in Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover. Although these types of relationships
are uncommon, the characters focus on commitment and “being there” for the
other person for the long haul, no matter what.
Many of my characters find true love when they are
willing to open their hearts and risk sharing their deepest emotions, darkest secrets,
and intimate desires—and then discover that the other person loves them even
more for it. David and Jack from Four Days with Jack are an excellent
example of how opening up and risking rejection can lead to true love.
Claudette, from A Most Unfortunate Prince, has a checkered past and is hesitant
to confess her secret to Allan, but when she does, she finds true acceptance.
One of the things I like about writing romances is
that I can make life miserable for the main characters and keep readers
wondering: How are they going to live happily-ever-after? How will they get
past this? For me, the how is the fun
part.
In my books, I make sure the characters get on each
other’s nerves, and I add lots of conflict (external and internal) to pull them
apart. The conflict can be anything that will destroy their happy world: maybe
he won’t compromise; his parents don’t approve because she’s from a different
ethnic background; the hero finds out the heroine has a secret; the man he
loves cheated on him (or so he thinks); his beloved princess was kidnapped; or
a blackmailer wants her dead.
Whether you read historicals, fantasy, gay,
paranormal, or contemporary romances (or a combination of genres) you’re always
guaranteed a great story, troubled characters you can’t help but root for, some
steamy love scenes, and a happy-ever-after ending. Because in the end, love
conquers all, and that’s how it should be.
Here’s a look at my latest releases, Cupid’s
Schemes - Volumes 1 & 2. These mini-romances are all about new
beginnings that lead to happy endings!
Cupid’s Schemes - Volume
1
A Collection of Sweet
Romances
In these 16 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow
hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re
looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new
chances at love.
Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell
include:
* a Medieval knight courting a pretty lady
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger
These
lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an
after-work indulgence.
Order
your copy here:
All
other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/boZxkZ
And don’t miss Cupid’s
Schemes - Volume 2
Another Collection of
Sweet Romances
In these 12 mini-romances…
* a photographer falls for a sexy cowboy in a
supposedly abandoned ghost town
* new neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a long-lost love returns in an unexpected setting
* new neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a long-lost love returns in an unexpected setting
Order
Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 here:
All
other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mYrBBd
Happy Reading!
Kelli
A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins
is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19
romance novels, 5 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances
span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to scare readers
with her horror stories.
She published the second half of her flash fiction
series, Cupid’s Schemes, in early 2019. These two volumes of
lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an
after-work indulgence.
Kelli released her
latest Teachable mini-course, Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas in
February 2019. She authored Fiction Writing for
Beginners through Teachable in 2018. These courses are
perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/
for more details.
If you like horror
fiction, don’t miss her latest novella, Nightmare in the North.
Kelli posts on her
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.
Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com
and blog http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ to learn more about all of her writings.
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