I was minding my own business…
Okay that’s not true. If I was minding my own business, I wouldn’t be able to write Luke and Ivy’s story. I’m very deep into THEIR business.
So I was minding Luke and Ivy’s business when Ivy’s mom, Mallory, started whining and being generally difficult. Which is odd because her scenes were working fine, there was just something missing from the book as a whole.
Mallory picked that moment to start talking to me. “I want my own love story.”
I answered, “Uh, I’m trying to be nice, but seriously, you’re a little too old to be a Brava heroine.” Oh yeah, that went over will.
Mallory shrieked, “What do you mean? I’m only forty two!”
Forty two? Ha! Try forty-seven. “Too old.” I’m done being nice. This book is DUE. Like NOW. I don’t have time to think about another book. And why is forty-seven too old? Never mind, I have to concentrate on this book!
Mallory is not giving up. “I want my own love story! I’ve never had a love story…just an endless string of bad boys. What’s wrong with me that I can’t have my own love story? Huh?”
I’m trying to work, trying to figure out what’s missing in the book, when it dawns on me. “Secondary love story!”
Mallory is in a real snit now. “What have I been telling you?”
“That you want to take over the book?” I’m being sarcastic and snide because THE BOOK IS DUE!
“I never said that, I just want my own love story. A man who loves me, really loves me, a man who sees me for who I really am.”
Now I feel bad. “Okay, I get it. And I know exactly who is the perfect man for you.” I tell her.
“NO! NOT HIM!”
Excited now, I say, “Yes him, trust me, this will be perfect.”
Mallory storms away, finally leaving me in peace. Then my husband walks in and looks around my office. “Who were you talking to?”
I look up and see the grin on his face. “Shut up.”
He laughs. “How many people are in your head today?”
I smile sweetly, “Well there’s the woman who kills her husband…”
He holds up both hands, still laughing, “Okay I’m leaving.”
So my question for you all is–Do you like secondary love stories in your romances?
Oh definitely I love secondary love stories, as long as they don’t take away from the main story. In fact in one book I read by Alison Kent, I think I liked the secondary story more, and wanted to see more about those characters and their love story.
Sylvia Day has a great secondary love story in her book “The Stranger I Married”. I really enjoyed what it added to the book as a whole.
Oh, yes! Jill Shalvis had a great secondary story in “Aussie Rules”. And I agree with Stacy, as long as the secondary doesn’t overshadow the main story, they are fine with me.
And I especially like it when the secondary characters get their own story!
Hi Stacy, I loved the secondary story in Sylvia Day’s THE STRANGER I MARRIED! I loved that book. I love Alison’s books too. Thanks for your thoughts!
Angie, you and Stacy both make a great point about not letting the secondary story overshadow the main plot:smile: Thanks!
I have to agree with the others…I like them as long as they don’t overshadow the main story.
Secondary love stories as long as they don’t overshadow the main story are fine with me and add to the book or story most of the time. Sometimes, they are just as intriguing as the main story, but I like it when they all blend in so nicely. Lori Foster has a few books that has secondary stories in them. I think that it just adds to the “sigh” factor of a good book. IMO and maybe they are not for everyone but for me they work well.
Sure, as long as the secondary one isn’t pushing the main one out. I remember reading a book that had a specific couple listed in the blurb on the back, but it felt they were the secondary couple and not the main. But a great example of one that works (and I only thought of it because I just visited another blog talking about it) is Jane and Mr. Bingley in P&P.
Lois
I love a secondary love story in my romance novels. I always love it when the characters are all somewhat involved with one another. I love when the best friends fall in love at the same time and have each other to lean on during the ups and downs of a new relationship. I also get that happy feeling when the main characters parents get involved with someone during the story. This always is good for a few laughs and everyone ends up happy.:smile:
YES, YES, YES I DO LOVE 2ND LOVE STORIES. THERE IS ALWAYS A CONNECTION OF COURSE AND THE MORE HEAS THE BETTER.
I agree with everyone…secondary love stories are good as long as they are not more prominent than the main hero/heroine.
Yes!!
You guys are great, thank you so much for your opinions!
Oh, yes! I love secondary love stories! In fact there are some authors than I love in part because they always deliver two love stories in one book, like SEP, Pamela Morsi’s historical, etc. And I have read a couple of romances with not two, but three romances in them
)
I seem to be in a minority here, because I don’t mind that the secondary romance overshadows the main one.