Wednesday is my birthday. :) Confetti! Champagne! Well, okay, I plan on having a little champagne. I haven’t had any champagne since New Year’s Eve. I thought I’d get my favorite, Martini and Rossi Asti Spumanti (okay, it’s sparkling wine…not champagne).
In the meantime, my latest Special Investigations Agency story, INSTINCT, will be out August 8 as well. Though I’ve explained what the SIA is before, I’ll tell you again…just in case you missed it the first time.
Who or what is the SIA? Is it a secret society? A new government agency? If you said government agency, you’d be right. The SIA stands for Special Investigations Agency and it’s the fictional organization created when Rosemary Laurey, Tracy Cooper Posey and I wrote the WINTER WARRIORS anthology for Ellora’s Cave. All three stories featured heroines who are agents.
In the fictional world, the SIA formed twenty years ago to stamp out threats to the world at large, especially those of a supernatural bent. The SIA is an international organization. Although my stories often originate at the SIA main headquarters for the U.S., which is situated at a top secret facility in Colorado, I wanted my stories to include plenty of adventure in other places.
In my story MANEATER featured in the WINTER WARRIORS anthology, the heroine and the hero, both agents for SIA, don’t have supernatural powers themselves. Yet they use their brains and brawn to bring down the genetically mutated creature stalking a high mountain lab. This story had its tongue-in-cheek moments. When I wrote it I wanted the reader to get a laugh along with the adventure.
After the success of the anthology, and major idea brainstorming, I decided to carry the SIA one step farther and shaped full length novels featuring more characters from this premier agency. PRIMORDIAL combines my love for archaeology with a desire to write a story set in a jungle. It is hard to define this book other than to say it is romantic suspense/thriller/and paranormal all wrapped into one. I created Puerto Azul, a fictional Central American country as my setting, then featured an archaeologist heroine and a drop-dead gorgeous agent ready to take on a sinister enemy in order to retrieve a stolen artifact.
In OVER THE LINE, a shorter romantic suspense novel, I gave the classic boss-and-subordinate in-love-story a twist and added a stalker to the mix.
Then came SINS AND SECRETS, which features a hero who isn’t what he appears to be. This story is a complex romantic suspense with one (maybe two) bad guys, and a hero and heroine with psychic abilities. In JUNGLE FEVER, I returned to Puerto Azul, this time with a quickie story that is laced not only with heat, but with a heart-wrenching, romantic story. In HIDEAWAY, I mixed an author heroine who has a severe case of writer’s block with her long time friend and SIA agent. But he’s been injured on a mission and doesn’t remember her.
In June came CLANDESTINE. This story features a character that shows up in quite a few of my SIA novels. She’s finally getting her own romance! Can’t get enough of Scottish men? Not only do I have a Scottish hero in OVER THE LINE, but I also have a Scottish hero in INSTINCT. Here’s a little blurb to get you intrigued.
She can’t release the past…
But the past is about to take hold of her…
SIA scientist Mina Carling shies from contact with Scottish SIA soldier Lucas Sloan. After all, the gorgeous, tough-talking soldier has a reputation for a voracious almost…animal sexual appetite. He’s arrogant, and she doesn’t like him.
He wants nothing to do with a permanent relationship…
Yet one relationship keeps finding him…
Lucas tracks evil entities in the dark places of the world and never seeks more than physical satisfaction with women. Yet something within Mina calls to his deepest male instincts to protect, even though he doesn’t really like her.
Sometimes there are human urges that are just so…animal.
When Mina and Lucas are thrown together at a conference, all the basic instincts they’ve tried to ignore find a way to escape. All the feelings they thought were dislike melt together, in one hot, unbelievably passionate discovery.
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For excerpts and more information, stop by my website at www.deniseagnew.com. Now, for the question…if you’re a fan of paranormal and romantic suspense, do you know why? Tell me what really “blows your skirt up” when you read romantic suspense. I’ll pick a random winner to receive a Victoria’s Secret gift card!
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I love paranormal and romantic suspense. I like romantic suspense because I like mysteries and romance together. In paranormals, the author can create their own worlds. I like reading about vamps, weres, witches, warlocks, ghosts, dragons, and shapeshifters. I love your SIA series. It is so good! :mrgreen:
by Amy S.
on August 7th, 2007 at 11:10 am
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i like romantic suspense more, because i do like to solve teh mystery.it is fun and i like the law and how it mixes together.
by kim h
on August 7th, 2007 at 11:46 am
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Just wondered if you knew that there is a real “Special Investigations Agency” which investigates corruption and abuse of power? Check it out at http://www.us-sia.org
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Hi Amy! Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the kudos on the SIA series. :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
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:razz: Kim,
Do you like the mystery interwoven in your romance, then? :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
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:oops: Wow Kevin! Thanks for letting me know this. Of course, my agency is completely different. LOL. Isn’t that funny, though? I had no idea there was a real SIA.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
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I love romantic suspense. This type of book always has me riveted. The buildup to the plot and the characters whose lives are involved always holds my attention for hours.
by ellie
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
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Romantic suspense has always been my favorite type of genre. I enjoy the interaction of the individuals whose lives are always lived close to the edge, as well as the creative stories that keep me guessing.
by pearl
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
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I love romantic suspense. I love how the stories keep you guessing what is going to happen next and the hero and the heroine are strong, confident and gutsy.
by Crystal B.
on August 7th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
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I have always had a preference for romantic suspense. The combination of mystery and action interwoven with a great storyline grabs my interest.
by ruth
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
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When I become involved within the pages of a romantic suspense novel there is a compulsion to just keep reading until the end. I find that romantic suspense and the great tension and characters create a story that is amazing and memorable.
by sharon
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
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Ellie, thanks for your input. How often do you find that there is a romantic suspense plot and characters that just don’t suck you in?
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
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Pearl,
Did you used to read gothic romances at all? I’ve found that a lot of readers who now like romantic suspense loved gothics. :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
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Crystal, I do have to admit that if one or the other character doesn’t feel strong in their own way, that can totally turn me off the read.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
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Ruth,
I think loving to read and write romantic suspense also explains my love of watching action flicks. :shock:
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
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Sharon,
Nothing better than great tension in a story!
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
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Romantic suspense has always appealed to me. They always have strong plots, interesting and unique characters mixed with realistic emotions. I become so glued to the pages and I cannot resist reading until the conclusion.
by anne
on August 7th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
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Congrats on you newest release. I love paranormal because the possiblilities, what if there were really werewolves, vampires or other “usual” beings in the world — added to that mystic is the romance is always a pick me upper with a Happy Ending — if you dash in suspense then you can’t put the book down.
by Lisa
on August 7th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
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I enjoy paranormal because of the variety of worlds , creatures and plots that I can escape into. I enjoy romantic suspense because it keeps you guessing. They are both exciting genres to escape into and with two little ones I need my evening escape.
by Cherie J
on August 7th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
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I love romantic suspense; the ‘edge of your seat’, ‘looking around the corner at every turn’ along with romance thrown in blows my skirt up every time. Guaranteed. It is the excitement, the not knowing with bits of love thrown in.
Happy birthday to you tomorrow; enjoy.
by RobynL
on August 7th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
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That is a good question. I have leant more towards paranormal romance in the last years largely due to the ease with which I can let reality drop away as I submerge myself in the world that the author creates. Suspense in such a story is an added bonus…generally drawing me even more deeply into the storyline as I become involved in the trials, tribulations, and dangers that the characters face. This type of story lends itself to erotic romance with the heightened tensions that are generally a theme…albeit in other ways. :)
by Little Lamb Lost
on August 7th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
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The reason I like paranormals and romantic suspense is because of the elelments of the unknown, the heightened emotions and the high level of danger. The stories move at a fast intense pace and the lead characters have no choice but to rely on each other and thus the bond between them forms quckly. I like the way the danger creates an intimacy between the leads that’s both physical and emotional.
by Sue A.
on August 7th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
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yes i do, itis differnet. i think beverly barton has some of teh best
by kim h
on August 7th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
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When I found romantic suspense it completely enthralled me. The entire concept of life lived on a tension filled lifeline fulfilled me totally. The way in which the characters dealt with the situations and their counterparts was novel and this had never before happened to such a degree in any other type of novel.
by jenna
on August 7th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
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:eek: Anne,
You’re right. With Romantic Suspense you can’t get away without having a strong plot.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
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Lisa,
Thanks for the congrats!
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
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:eek: Cherie,
I can imagine with two little ones you are definitely ready to jump into “escape” mode later in the evening, and what better way than a good book?
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
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Robin,
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I really appreciate it. I think I’m going to spend all day reading. Now that’s a treat. :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
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:grin: Little Lamb,
I’ll have to admit that in my stories the sensual and erotic aspects always come into play somewhere along the way. There are certainly many romantic suspense novels that don’t get into the physical relationship between the hero and heroine very much at all, but I love to add that element into the story.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
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:razz: Sue,
You have basically defined the main elements of why romantic suspense and paranomal appeal to me so much.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
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Kim,
I’ve been a fan of Beverly Barton’s books from way back!
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
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Jenna,
Sounds like you’re a romantic suspense reader for life. :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
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Congratulations to the winner of the Victoria’s Secret card…Sue A! Sue, email me at danovelist@cox.net
Thanks everyone for participating today. Talk to you all again soon.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
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Happy Birthday to you. Mine is tomorrow too. I love romantic suspense especially where I a fooled. Doesn’t always happen but I love it when I am.
by Pamk
on August 7th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
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I’ve always loved suspense so romantic suspense is like icing on the cake. I get the who done it but with a nice touch of romance too :) I enjoy being surprised and as long as the ending works, I like when I can’t figure it out lol.
by catslady
on August 7th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Both to Denise A. Agnew and Pamk!
I am going to agree with others who have posted about the dangerous unknown element being the one that lures me into reading paranormal romance. You never know what powers come into play, what superstitions are really true, what incredible feat a paranormal creature will preform. Will his chosen prey be able to to escape him? Will a chosen bride be able to cope with the super natural forces thrust into her life by the paranormal that choses her as a bride. It really does make for an interesting story that way. And the author gets to surprise their readers with those new powers, having them come into play in unlikely ways.
BTW, congratulations Sue!
by April
on August 8th, 2007 at 2:40 am
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Happy birthday Denise! I love romantic suspense that deftly combines the romance with the action. My all-time favorite RS writer is Suz Brockmann. She owns me LOL.
by Stacy ~
on August 8th, 2007 at 5:42 am
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happy b day , wtg sue a
by kim h
on August 8th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
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Happy Birthday Denise!
It is so generous of you to be giving presents on your own B-Day!
Thank you Denise, I’ve sent you an e-mail!
by Sue A.
on August 8th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
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Pam, hope your birthday was mighty fine!
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 9th, 2007 at 12:35 am
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Catslady, what a neat handle. And not figuring out is great for me as any author…I mean if I can keep you guessing until the end.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 9th, 2007 at 12:36 am
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April,
The mystery of life, eh? Glad you enjoy romantic suspense and paranormal. I’ll just keep writing them. :)
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 9th, 2007 at 12:37 am
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Stacy.
Suz Brockmann is an awesome writer and a nice lady to boot.
Denise A. Agnew
by Denise A. Agnew
on August 9th, 2007 at 12:38 am
