Personality Tropes (What are the Main characters, Like?)Personality, or Character Tropes? ... In the context of fiction, character tropes refer to common attributes or even entire stock characters. Alien Hero: A human heroine falls in love with, or is abducted by, an alien life force hero from another planet.Alpha Hero: The heroine must contend with a strong-willed, domineering, hyper-masculine, successful and wealthy hero.Armed Forces: A sexy, dynamic hero in uniform draws the heroine into a relationship, but a career in the army, navy etc., creates conflict.Athlete Hero: Sports themes are popular in North American romances, especially for teen and young adult audiences.Beta Hero: The good guy, the guy next door – this type of hero is usually more even-tempered and more realistic than the typical alpha hero.Bisexual Hero Or Heroine: This character is openly and equally attracted to both men and women. As a protagonist, they live by their own rules or sexual code, which makes them irresistibly unpredictable.Cowboys: Whether a rancher or a Texas Ranger, the hero embodies the characteristics and moral codes of the American frontier: courage, integrity, and usually a bit of chauvinism.Cyborg Hero: The heroine falls in love with an electromechanically enhanced man. The hero may have become cyborg after an experiment, accident, or some other tragedy.Dominant Alpha: An archetypal character in explicit, erotic fiction, the dominant alpha is rich, sexy, possessive, and always in charge.Domme Heroine: A domme, female dominatrix or BDSM mistress is often found in erotica, steamy romances, or period romances.Fish out of water: The heroine comes from a small town to a big city and is unprepared for the sophistication of the hero. Similarly, a city girl finds herself working or stranded in a small town and falls for the charm of a local hero. Thank you for joining us,Ann Jensen & Skylar WestContact Information:Ann [email protected]://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en

Behind the Scenes with Skylar WestWe ask her about her:What series are we highlighting? Crown and Cross and The Sons of Sicily What’s your favorite book in the series – Skylar discusses her book, His to Learn – Jimmy Falcone – story premise – Optional series name - Favorite female character is Suri from the Crown and Cross series. Description of the Laughlin plot. Description of Suri – she comes from a dark place and created herself anew. Skylar draws parallels between herself and Suri.Was there a specific character that you found challenging to write? A&D series, Jax hardest to write obstinate obtuse, dominant pain in the ass. Discusses how Jax and Finn eventually get there HEADid you have an external inspiration for the series like another writer or series you have read? I want to create the perfect sex scenes. The connection between the two mains has to be unique vein of connection, meant to be in someway. Discusses external inspirations, like other authors.Where your characters all developed in advance? Discusses the Memory Cathedral based on Leonardo Davinci – her process maps out in her head and develops as she writes. She sees the plot pathways. Process is organic.Have any of the characters gone down a path you didn’t anticipate? Yes, book 3 in A&D changed the direction of the series.How do you organize your characters for a series? I make notes afterward in notebooks that look like really bad vinn diagrams. Plug for Angels & Demons are really representing the corrupters of the earth and the Angels are the saviors trying to safe the earth and move it forward.Characters loosely based off people you know. All the characters have a characteristic of someone I know both the ones I like and the ones I don’t like.Skylar offers advice for readers and writers.Contact Information:Ann [email protected]://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en

Interview with Vanessa BrooksI this episode we interview Vanessa BrooksVanessa Brooks - penning passion!International best selling author Vanessa, lives in the heart of Sussex, England.She is a believer in happy endings and writes romance with a capital 'R' which includes strong characters and some power exchange. Her books are spicy and varied!When not being an author, Vanessa is out and about with her husband, exploring Britain's many castles and stately homes, stopping for scones & tea at every opportunity!We ask her about her: favorite sub genreWhy she chose the particular time in history that she did for you historical romance?discusses perception and reviews and refers to what we do as authors is our story. About the perfect man, historically versus contemporary. When she starts to write her story, what triggers it for her.What comes first story line or character?What is her favorite review or favorite thing for a reviewer to say about her book? Is her largest fan base in the UK or united states?What is her favorite/least favorite trope? If she wasn't writing romans what  would you write?What is up for her next?For more on Vanessa Brooks:https://linktr.ee/VanessanovelsTwitter: https://twitter.com/@vanessabrooksUKMy newsletter signup : https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ekn4g88q95 https://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Brooks/e/B00NQDNXS4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1Contact Information:Ann [email protected]://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en

Relationship TropesA Trope in a romantic novel is a plot, theme, device or character used so often that it has become a convention within the genre. In other words: a romantic trope is the thing readers buy the romance for! Relationship Topes (How do they meet)Bachelor Auction – handsome, wealthy hero wins a date also Dare or Bet. Skylar and Ann both discuss auctions in school as grad fundraisers and how they turned out.Best Friends Brother – forbidden love and must hide her feelings for himBlind Date – the date usually delivers a twist, ie date turns out to be her boss. Screen example: You’ve got mail with Meg Ryan. Skylar shares a book, Bought by the Buccaneer by Vanessa Brooks.The Dating Game – Online dating is new to the heroine this could lead to comedy, or the opposite sadism, etc. and includes, Dating sites.  Ann shares some personal dating stories.Enemies to Lovers (Bully romance popular with YA romance) – characters move past the anger to attraction. I’m currently watching the new Dynasty with my family and Mr. Carrington and the ex-Mrs. Carrington are a perfect example. The masterful husband series by Vanessa Brooks. People love the wit and spark that ignites into fireworks versus a gentle burn romance. Bully Romance, Punk 57 was recommended to Ann who is not a fan of the story type but was drawn in and felt compelled to read the story. Didn’t like genre or trope but well written and was drawn in. Discusses reviews and how they can work against an author who writes a good story, but the plot is not appreciated.Forbidden Love – Taboos and lies are the heart of this trope, religion, or family feud – Romeo and Juliet are a good example and Shakespeare in Love. Step siblings’ class to relationship to family nationality, rival families like mafia romance. I enjoy when its not just a meeting trope but the story as well. Sometimes forbidden love is just thrown in as an afterthought. The trope should be part of the storyline. Ann provides a step sibling book example.First Love – seeks out or is reunited with her high school or first love. Taken 2 ways initial first love or a second chance love. A trope that works well for shorter stories because there is an implied relationship that is already there. FFM or MMF romantic menage trois that explores sexual entanglements. MFM men only interact on a sexual level or FMF women only interact on a sexual level with the males. Discuses POV regarding this trope and romance in general. Frenemies – friendly rivalry socially or at work, banter and teasing lead to sparks flying. Lighthearted, a girl with sass, their friends but the riff each other. Light banter, teasing, a little heatKidnapped – reluctantly falling for the kidnapperMarriage of convenience, or compromise – marriage based on necessity, financial or strategic reasonsPartners in fight crime – cop falling for another cop – they have this in blue Bloods with Jamie and his partner. 2 people who work together on an intimate basis then something happens and or sparks and they have a relationship. Ann and Skylar discuss working with their real-life partners. Prom Date – teen plot –. Suspense the will he won’t he, being chosen above all others. They discuss the pros and cons through the show Glee.Shared Pasts – have history together and now that must be resolved in the present. Soul Mates – two characters feel they are destined but forces conspire against them. The Notebook is a worthy example, as are Jayne Castel the sisters of Kilbride series. Ann discusses omega-verse versus non-omega verse brides of the kindred where they’re within a certain proximity of the destined mate they can dream share, when they finally meet there is insta-attraction. 

Romance Subgenres – And how they fit into our reading habitsIn this episode we discuss:The larger, or main genres that include romance and how romance can exist inside any genre. Romance Subgenres and their componentsHistoricalRegencyFantasy Contemporary SuspenseSci FiParanormalWe also discuss the difference between Erotic Romance and Erotica. Contact Information:Ann [email protected]://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwesthttps://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en

Show Notes Episode 1 What make a Romance NovelRomance stands on three points1. The ending, HEA or HFN2. The main plot of the story is the growing emotional/physical connection between the main characters3. Must include at least two people and when, where, and how did they meet. Telling the story of two separate people that come together.Expectations:The primary romantic characters should meet or be introduced to the reader in the first quarter of a book. They don’t have to be together romantically that quickly but if they don’t at least meet the story is more about an individual’s journey rather than the romance itself. For the majority of romance novels they will meet and have some type of spark by the end of chapter two.How fast should a couple connect physically? Depending on the heat level of the romance novel this answer can vary wildly.The higher the heat the faster the connection usually occurs. The most common in a steamy novel is for the spark to be instantaneous not instalove but perhaps insta-lust. There is a physical draw, and the reader should feel that from the moment the two characters meet. In most romances by the end of the first three chapters, there is an expectation to see a physical draw between the lead characters. Even in sweet romance there should be sparks, or an emotional bond. A romance wouldn’t be a romance without that connection. Could you imagine a mystery novel wher the mystery doesn’t start until two-thirds of the way through the book?What is heat level?Heat level has two elements 1. Steam - This is the push pull of physical desire. Do they want to snuggle and hold hands or rip one another's clothes off.2. Explicit - What sexual activity is described on the page? Do the author close the door on the sex scene or invite you to watch? HEA vs HFN (Happily Ever After vs Happy For Now)HEA: Sleeping beauty is the ultimate HEA in the end, love conquers all. That can happen in a single book or a series. The reader is left with the sense that everything has been resolved and the couple has no more dragons to slay. It is often accompanied by a wedding or baby possibly in an epilogue that wraps up and small loose ends.HFN: Is often used in series or short stories where an HEA is not believable. The reader feels like the couple has overcome their current issues and are happily paired up even if everything is not completely settled. It is the belief that the HFN could lead to the HEA eventually that leaves the reader satisfied.Contact Information:Ann [email protected]://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwesthttps://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en

Get ready!Coast to coast romance will be releasing their first podcast on 8/23/21.Ann Jensen and Skylar West are two friends and authors who want to share and discuss everything about reading, writing, and reviewing romance novels in all their glory.Join us every week as we get together to discuss our favorite parts of romancelandia! You can find Ann Jensen at www.annjensenwrites.com.You can find Skylar West at www.authorskylarwest.com.