Interview with a (fictional) Romance Editor

Denae Archibald bounces in her seat, eyes shining. “This is going to be so fun!” she says. “Romance is my favorite thing ever.”

“You’re considered somewhat of an expert,” I say. “Could you tell our readers why?”

“Hi, everyone!” Denae waves at all the fans of Inspy Romance. She’s still bouncing. “Well, there’s expert and then there’s expert, if you know what I mean.”

I do not know what she means.

She giggles. “I’m a freelance editor for Christian authors of romance and romantic suspense, plus I’ve been reading romance since I smuggled them into the house when I was a preteen. I’m pretty much in love with romance.”

“A freelance editor? Sounds interesting. I hire one of those.” Even though I pretend Denae is my own editor, she really isn’t. I do love my real-life editor, though. She catches all kinds of errors my beta readers and I have completely missed.

“I have lots of great clients, some of whom have made the USA Today bestsellers list and won other awards.” Denae beams at me. “I love what I do.”

“It sounds like it. So you know all about romance, then?”

She leans forward. “There’s a rhythm to it, at least in novels. First there’s this great meet-cute, right? If the author does it well, it might set the stage for instant attraction on the part of one or both parties, but it’s more fun if they get off on totally the wrong foot and hate each other. Then the story builds as they get thrown together and fall for each other, and then something dramatic happens where they have a misunderstanding — but it’s better if there’s something bigger — and then, in the end, they realize they can’t live without each other and they pledge their undying love.” Her eyes soft, she gives a wistful smile. “The end.”

“Wow, that sounds so predictable.”

Denae giggles. “I know, but it isn’t, really. There are so many possible complications, and a great author can pull off some amazing twists.”

“I’m curious if you can see the romance rhythm, as you called it, in your friends’ real-life stories.” As real-life as they are, considering they’re fictional to you and me. But they’re real to Denae.

“Oh, totally. They sometimes get upset when I tell them they have to have these trials, that it’s part of the process.” She shrugs. “What can I say? I’ve seen it all.”

“Except you say you’ve never experienced romance yourself.”

“Right.” A flush creeps up Denae’s face, and she averts her gaze. “There’s this cowboy… you’re not going to tell anyone, right?”

I zip my lips.

She leans forward. “He’s like my total opposite. He’s quiet, and strong, and really quite amazing. I’ve known him for the better part of a year, and we hang out with the same group of people — some of them are married now — but he barely even knows I exist. What kind of meet-cute is that?”

I keep silent and shake my head, pretending I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“Trevor Delgado.” Denae clasps her hands, and I swear she’s about to swoon. “He is so not an alpha hero, but he’s not the boy-next-door type, either. I keep trying to think what fictional hero he’s like, and I come up blank every time. I mean, if I could peg him, I’d know how to make him notice me, right?”

Wait… Denae wants Trevor to notice her? I’m a romance author. I’m pretty sure I’m up for the challenge of putting a guarded cowboy and a bubbly romance editor through their paces to find their own happily-ever-after… even if Denae might not approve every step of the process.

The Cowboy’s Romantic Dreamer releases tomorrow on Amazon only, and is available to borrow in Kindle Unlimited. Pre-order today to save 25% off the post-release price!

Burned by love, Trevor Delgado has pushed aside all his personal dreams in favor of expanding his family’s ranching empire in western Montana. That’s what any hardworking, dependable firstborn son should do, right? He’s not lonely, just solitary. All he needs is a saddle beneath him, the mountain breeze on his face, and no time to think.

Editing hundreds of romance novels has made Denae Archibald an expert on love. She knows how it’s supposed to go… and tall, dark and mysterious Trevor Delgado is exactly her kind of hero. If only her issues weren’t enough to send any worthy cowboy galloping for the range.

How can the romantic dreamer and the guarded cowboy kindle their hopes for a future together?

What about you? Would you class yourself more as a romantic or a realist?

Valerie Comer (341 Posts)

Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.