Question C

[Monica]

A trend I saw in reviews of this book was the dislike of how much romance there was in this story. Do you agree or disagree with this sentiment?

[Veronica]

Well, I agree about THIS particular romance. I wonder if some of those people - and I haven't really examined the reviews for this book - have the same lack of interest in the Sebastian/Kat romance.

The other thing is that for the hardcore mystery philes, they just want the mystery series version of a tv police procedural. They don't really like getting caught up in the minutia of the characters' personal lives. For me, those types of series lose their luster after a few books. I need to have that investment with the characters, to see their personal victories and losses, so I rather like it when there are ongoing family dramas and romances playing out on the sidelines. Not THIS particular romance but I've already made my point on that score, lol.

[Phrynne]

I don't like too much romance in any book but I did not feel this one was particularly romance heavy! As Veronica says maybe it is just this romance they don't like.

[Lauren]

I always prefer to have romance with my suspense although I can see where readers interested in a straight up mystery or thriller would dislike the inclusion this trope.

I wholeheartedly agree with Veronica that it is Kat and Sebastian's relationship that is a turn off for me and not the idea of including a romance in the genre.

[Tracey]

I agree as well that a little bit of romance in this genre is always good. It helps make the characters real I think.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I am a HEA girl at heart. I rarely read straight out mystery.

[Jonetta]

Ditto what Veronica said. This romance is dissatisfying to those who like romance in a story and an irritant to those who prefer mysteries romance free.

It's unrealistic, in my opinion, to not fully reflect the relationships in characters lives and that's often going to include romance (and it should). It's a matter of balance to the story and genre.

I actually like that Sebastian is in a flawed relationship as part of the story. It all connects in an interesting way.

[Veronica]

Jonetta wrote: "It's unrealistic, in my opinion, to not fully reflect the relationships in characters lives and that's often going to include romance (and it should). It's a matter of balance to the story and genre."

I agree. It helps to make the characters more fully realized and the interpersonal relationships allow readers insight into aspects of the characters' personalities that we otherwise wouldn't get.

[Jonetta]

You said it better.

[Jonetta]

Even with this abysmal romance, we see a side of and vulnerability in Sebastian that we'd never witness in all other aspects of his relationships. Otherwise, I'd think him to be a bit on the cold side.

[Charlene]

Agreed, all!

[Mary Beth]

I like the myatery thriller genre with just a little bit of romance. I dont usually like heavy romance books. I would love Sebastian to be with someone else and Kat being all hurtful and jealous about it. She deserves that. To me I loved this book because the book waa more into the mystery than the romance.

[Veronica]

Hang in there, Mary Beth!

[Sharon]

I didn't feel to much romance as a romance is the underlying root of the murder.

Sebastian is still in his puppy-love romance. He isn't seeing Kat with open eyes.

The Regent considers romance forcing women.

Guinevere pays the ultimate price for her young love gone bad.

Marquis loves his young wife as a baby oven first, then friendship, then love.

I enjoyed the these various aspects of romance weave together.

I can see why this will frustrate some mystery lovers, but to me it works with this murder.