4 Must-Read Romance Novels That Influenced My Writing

4 Must-Read Romance Novels That Influenced My Writing

They say you never forget your first love.

Well as a romance writer, I'll never forget the novels that first captured my heart and inspired me to fall in love with the idea of writing. Grab a comfy seat and your favorite book-shaped pillow, friends, because today I'm taking a stroll down memory lane to revisit the 4 swoon-worthy stories that influenced me most as an author.

Whether it was the intelligent heroines, slow-burn tension between the leads, or the detailed worldbuilding, these timeless tales imprinted themselves on my imagination and shaped my writing style in one way or another. As I developed my own stories of passion and heartache, I found myself continually drawing inspiration from these reads.

Novel 1: No More Playas by Brenda Jackson

This was one of the very first books I read by Brenda Jackson where I fell in love with the tortured male character first.

This novel follows Lance Montgomery, a famous relationship expert known for promoting a "playa" lifestyle. However, Lance's views are challenged when he meets Dr. Asia Fowler, a fellow psychologist with a starkly different perspective on love. Though he tries to hold true to his views on love, he eventually falls hard for her. But when his actions drive Asia into another man's arms, he is determined to win her back and prove that even the most die-hard playa can change his ways for the right woman.

One of the great things about Brenda Jackson is her ability to create well-rounded and emotionally deep characters that you can’t help but love and/or root for. Lance’s journey from commitment-phobic playa to lovesick romantic drives much of the narrative arc and thematic development. You literally start the story feeling sympathy for him and then end up rooting for Asia to forgive him.

When I sit down to brainstorm a character, I think of all the ways I can add layers to them and make them “real people.” What is their personality like? What are their wants, needs, and desires? What frustrates them in the morning? These are all things that keep characters from being flat and leaving readers feeling jipped.

Novel 2: Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

This novel was my very first introduction to paranormal romance and, oh what an introduction it was! In this story, we follow Rhage, a powerful vampire warrior who is part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. When he meets Mary, a human woman with her own life-threatening curse, he feels compelled to protect her. Though Mary has lost faith in miracles, she and Rhage develop an emotional bond that grows into love, and they must overcome enemies and curses in order to be together forever.

There is so much I could say about how amazing this story is. Once again, the main thing I loved was the layered and dynamic characters, but I also loved how layered and conflict driven the plot was. There are so many obstacles in their way already and so readers are left wondering how these two people are possibly going to be together in the end. But what’s also amazing is the progression of how they fall in love. Rhage falls like a ton of bricks. It was so sweet and intense because we find out that, as strong and alpha-male-y as he is, underneath it all, he is a cinnamon roll for Mary.

This book was the perfect balance of character and plot development as well as worldbuilding, and J.R. Ward does a great job of balancing it all without leaving out important details, infodumping, or losing the focus of the plot and character arcs.  And let’s not leave off the steamy, steam, steam! I prefer stories with a little sessy time so if I can write a story that has all of these things, I’m on the right track.

Novel 3: Only You by Francis Ray

This wasn’t the first book I had ever read by Francis Ray, but it is definitely one of my repeat offenders–and I never get tired of it! The novel centers on Sierra Grayson, a stubborn, independent woman whose matchmaking mother is determined to see her married off like her four older brothers. However, her fate pivots when she meets Native American billionaire, Blade Navarone. His ruthless reputation makes her unsure if she can trust him. However, as their intense relationship develops, Sierra must decide whether to relinquish some of her fiercely-protected independence while Blade struggles to open himself up emotionally after a past trauma.

Sierra and Blade are by far one of my favorite contemporary romance couples. Despite Sierra’s headstrong independence, Blade appreciates her for who she is and doesn’t try to mold her to fit his wants, whims, and expectations, as we often see when encountering similar female characters types.  I also looooved the use and portrayal of culture in this story and how it shaped their individual views, upbringing, and personalities.

I want all my female characters to be like Sierra! She was a great example of how you can write a strong female MC who also has a soft feminine side and does not compromise herself just for love. What’s even better is that Sierra had a killer fashion sense and wasn’t afraid to be a diva. Blade was the perfect compliment for her, and I would love to create a “perfect couple” just like them in my own story.

Novel 4: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

This novel was my first introduction to Nalini Singh and her style of writing. I loved it all so much that I ended up buying all the books in the series (and had my husband finger wagging as soon as the Amazon packages started arriving).

The novel follows Sascha Duncan, who must suppress her emotions to avoid punishment in her emotionless Psy society. She meets Lucas Hunter, a Changeling who hungers for the sensations that the Psy reject. As tensions rise between their races and Lucas convinces Sascha to help him find the Psy killer who murdered his packmate, they must eventually choose between duty and the powerful attraction building between them.

I cannot say enough about how much I loved the idea of the Psy and the stark contrast between them and the Changling race. Some of the major themes like duty versus desire, emotion versus reason, and overcoming societal divides are what make this story so dynamic. It was wrought with tension from the very beginning of the story and Nalini did not let off the gas at all! If anything, you were left wondering who the killer actually was and how the heck Lucas and Sascha were going to end up together.

Enemies to lovers is a favored trope for a reason. I love how we took two very opposite people and connected them by a common thread in such a way that had readers riding along on the pages right alongside the characters.  POV was super important in this story, especially since we have a seemingly “emotionless” main character so readers discovered things as she also discovered them, which keeps readers on the edge of their seat. Lastly, steam, steam, and more steam—so much so that you could practically see the pages sizzling!

‍Wrap Up

In summary, these are the elements I (and you) should keep in mind when crafting a compelling romance story:

• Nuanced character development
• A compelling romantic plot
• Conflict and tension
• Cinnamon roll MMCs
• Smart, determined FMCs who can also be vulnerable
• STEAM

And if you can weave these components together and keep us on the edge of our seats the same way Nalini Singh does with her books? Then, to me, you have a best-seller on your hands.

Until next time lovebirds…