Have you ever asked yourself what defines a romance novel? My guess is no, and if you’re new around here, you might wonder why I’d be asking the question in the first place. MasterClass writes that “a romance novel is a work of extended prose fiction with a theme of love.” When writers tackle romance, we know that the central focus must be the love story between two characters.

Note that I didn’t say people, I said characters. And that’s because it’s not always people who fall in love. How do I know this? Because I recently read Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta. Yes, we have a person—Violet—but we also have a minotaur. (And a very unique premise. Don’t believe me? Click on the link above, and then tell me you could have imagined that story. Be honest!)

Back to the romance novel. I’ve asked myself the question a lot lately since I write both women’s fiction and romance. I’ve also asked myself questions like how much women’s fiction can I put into the romance, and how much romance can I put into the women’s fiction? I don’t have the answers, but readers do, and they’ll tell me when I go wrong.

My point here is that my next romance, er, well, Keely’s next romance, Business with the Billionaire, is a romance with a little women’s fiction. I couldn’t help it! The germ of the story implanted and grew well before I knew what was happening, and Josie and Byrd? Their story is their story, and I just told it. They’re the architects, don’t you know?

Another point: the book will be out on August 31! You can preorder it now here. (Nothing wrong with self promotion, right?)

And, true cover to come soon! I can’t thank Kim Wilson of Kiwi Cover Design Co. enough for her expertise in designing covers.

Finally, for those who have read the first book, Breakfast with the Billionaire, it’s good to note that Josie and Byrd’s story takes place three years before Grant and Chelsea’s. Why? Because it does. Again, I just write the stories as the characters tell them to me.