Romance Terror

I love romantic suspense. Really. And the book I'm reading right now is by one of my favorite authors. So you're probably asking what the problem is.

I'm scared to death.

I can only read so far and then I have to put the book down for a while. That's ridiculous, I know, but that's the way it is. My old heart is pitty-pattin' and I find it's hard to breath so time to put the book away until tomorrow...or the day after that.

I've tried to analyze exactly what's setting me off. And I believe it's because the author's done a fabulous job of blocking all the exits. You know what I mean? Where there's no way out? And the villain is relentless. Crazy relentless. Methodical relentless. Brrrrr.

So what's your take on terror in a romance? How much is too much? I suspect I must be a wimp when it comes to writing the scary parts. I know one of my last reviews for a fairly recent book indicated the reviewer was disappointed because I was too predictable on the action scenes. And I have to say I'm not one to drag any particularly scary parts out for long.

Now I'm wondering if that's because I'm not much for the scary bits myself. Cowardly Cook?

Is this something I'm going to have to get past if I'm going to write romantic suspense? And if so...how do I do that when I can't even read a scary book without leaving the lights on when I go to bed? Hmmmm.

Maybe I should write comedy instead.

anny