The Romance Reviews

Tuesday 5 July 2011

How dark can a romance be?

My new Kensington Zebra, To Touch The Knight, has recently been reviewed by Romantic Times. The reviewer liked it and said Compelling characters and suspenseful moments will keep readers well entertained, but added, the dark motifs and plague plotline may be too somber for some.

Fair enough, but it set me thinking. I've set my novel against the backdrop of the 1348 plague, now known as the Black Death, a time of great hardship and terror when over a third to a half of the population of Britain died from the plague. My story does have dark moments, to reflect this. However, my romance is also a triumph of love over adversity, where a lonely, troubled man and a woman who has seen too much horror learn to care again and love. Others in their company also find love and hope and happy endings. To me, such joyous outcomes make the novel a victory for life and love and as such a true romance, whatever the other dark motifs in the story.

I am fine with the review and understand why the reviewer added such a warning, but still it intrigues me.

What do you think? How dark can a romance be?

To help you decide, the first two chapters are here.

6 comments:

Savanna Kougar said...

Hey Lindsay, I'm all for the darker aspects of realism, as long as there is a 'happily ever after'. You're brilliant at achieving that balance.

Lindsay Townsend said...

Thanks, Savanna!

I love your stories for their 'grit' and epic qualities and also their spine-tingling HEAs

Savanna Kougar said...

Wow... can I quote you?

If I say anything you can use as an author, please do!

Lindsay Townsend said...

Thank, again, Savanna! Your words have given me a real lift. Please feel free to quote me if you wish.

Savanna Kougar said...

THANK YOU!

Linda Sole said...

Loving the book, Lindsay. another good one