Friday, February 6, 2009

Welcome to Diana Cosby's guest blog about Why she writes Romantic Suspense

Why I Write Romantic Suspense
Diana Cosby ©2009

One aspect of writing that caught me off guard was discovering that my stories are filled with suspense. I never planned to write action-packed novels, but that’s what my muse delivers. I find myself becoming bored with my book if the story doesn’t keep me on the edge of my seat. I owe my action-packed, suspenseful novels not only from living and traveling from the Far East to Europe, but also due to being raised as a military ‘brat,’ in addition to my own career in the Navy. I just finished my 31st move.
After living and traveling to many countries, with numerous interstate moves, I easily accept the differences in various cultures world wide. For me, this translated into my initial choice to write in the medieval period. As I said above, I owe my love of suspense to my military background. I retired as a Navy chief who worked as a meteorologist/oceanographer. When a person joins the military, at times, as with any branch of the service, personnel are sent to fulfill the needs of that organization. This equates to jobs and traveling to places a person never even dreamed of. I believe my experiences as I traveled throughout my life owe to my love of suspense as well as how much I enjoy writing visual details.
-In Alaska, I remember going to high school, experiencing earthquakes frequently, watching the salmon run, working at a riding stable, admiring the eagles as common as seagulls on an ocean beach, and viewing seals in Kuluk Bay, Alaska.
-In Rhode Island I enjoyed clamming on the weekends, traveling to Boston, and the sounds of the surf.
-In Maine I enjoyed snow shoeing, trying to learn how to ski, fishing, hiking and the great variety of seafood.
-In Oahu, Hawaii, I loved hiking in the mountains, scuba diving in the crystal clear waters, and on The Big Island, Hawaii, hiking over Kilauea volcano before it erupted.
-In Guam, I participated in a variety of sports, with the most enjoyable being scuba diving at night. Daytime dives are great, especially with the crystal clear visibility, but in the warm tropical water, diving at with a full moon illuminating the ocean, with bioluminescent animals glittering all around you is a life experience.
-In Tangier, Morocco, I re-enlisted my final time in the Navy on the back of a camel. To see the photograph, go to my space on the ROMVET’s page.
-On Midway Island during my spare time, I was a radio DJ.
-In Korea the thrill of traveling from Osan Air Base to Seoul for a week of shopping with my friend was exciting, along with the magnificent architecture, the fascinating people we met and the enjoyment of bartering for everything from cab rides to merchandise.
-In the Philippines, the wonderful food, people and riding in the jeepneys.
-I was humbled as we traveled through the Ardennes Forest on the German/Belgium border where the Battle of the Bulge occurred. So many brave men and women lost their lives in pursuit of our freedom, sacrifices I will never forget.
I am proud to belong to a fabulous group of women writers who have served or are serving in the military, ROMVETS. As all of our soldiers who proudly serve, I offer them my sincere thanks for standing in harms way so that we maintain our freedom.
Travel along with my military experiences has definitely inspired the suspenseful edge to my romance novels. I’m thankful for the experiences and events that will surely continue to feed my muse. What do you write and what influences in your life guided you down this path? Thank you very much for stopping by. I wish you ever success!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com

Diana’s second novel in the MacGruder series, “His Woman – Duncan’s story,” is available now:

His Woman – 4 Stars - HOT
"Former lovers find each other again in book two of Cosby's Scottish trilogy. She deftly combines historical accuracy, well-rounded characters and continuous action in this sweeping romance, which should keep readers engaged until the last page."
- Romantic Times

Reviews of Ms. Cosby's books:

His Captive

His Woman

11 comments:

Lindsay Townsend said...

Super blog entry Diana! 'Hi Woman' sounds a wonderful read - I really enjoy those 'sacrifice' style romances!

What aspect of the hero did you enjoy the most?

Fascinating life you lead, too! Do you find that enters your fiction? (I know what you mean about writing action and aventure!)

Diana Cosby said...

Lindsay Townsend said...

Super blog entry Diana! 'Hi Woman' sounds a wonderful read - I really enjoy those 'sacrifice' style romances!

~Hi Lindsay, I totally agree with you, sacrifice style romances for me have that extra layer of emotion. I love, love, love them!

What aspect of the hero did you enjoy the most?

~His odd sense of humor [to me it was] and his grumbling to himself. Duncan is always the charmer, so I wanted to put him totally out of his element, which was a blast.

Fascinating life you lead, too! Do you find that enters your fiction? (I know what you mean about writing action and adventure!)

~I do, my travels, the people I've met, all influence my characters. I sincerely appreciate you stopping by. I hope you enjoy His Woman. Have a great weekend!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA

Terry Spear said...

Love your blog, Diana! I wished I'd made it to Europe while I was on active duty! :) But I know exactly what you mean about loving a little suspense in the stories you read or it feels it's lacking something. :) I love action and adventure too. :) Your books are terrific!

Diana Cosby said...

Terry Spear/Terry Lee Wilde said...Love your blog, Diana!

~Thank you so much, Terry, I appreciate your stopping by.

I wished I'd made it to Europe while I was on active duty! :)

~If you get a chance, go, it's amazing! I'm glad I was able to spend 4 years there. Love the culture and people!

But I know exactly what you mean about loving a little suspense in the stories you read or it feels it's lacking something. :)

~:) Exactly. As with your latest release, Destiny of the Wolf, gotta have the fast paced action!

I love action and adventure too. :) Your books are terrific!

~Thank you so much, I'm thrilled you're enjoying the MacGruder Brothers. I'm working on Seathan's story next. Again, my sincere thanks for stopping by. I wish you wonderful sales on your latest release, Destiny of the Wolf. Amazing cover!!!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA

Anonymous said...

Hi Diana,
Wish I had as interesting a background as you did as a military brat and Navy meteorologist. I write mainly a mainstream romance and like to write a bit of suspense in it, too. Since my background was nursing, most of my stories have a nurse or doctor in them.
I'm going to write a blog sometime this week with a love theme and would love everyone to join in it.
Ann Ambrosio

Diana Cosby said...

Anonymous said...

Hi Diana,
Wish I had as interesting a background as you did as a military brat and Navy meteorologist.

~Hi Ann, thank you so much for stopping by. My dad's retired from the Navy, so I add the years of traveling as a military brat to the reasons for my suspense base.

I write mainly a mainstream romance and like to write a bit of suspense in it, too. Since my background was nursing, most of my stories have a nurse or doctor in them.

~As a huge Tess Gerritsen fan, I'm officially jealous - in all good ways - of those with a medical background. The medical field - there's mega drama!

I'm going to write a blog sometime this week with a love theme and would love everyone to join in it.

~I'll be looking for it. :) My sincere thanks again for stopping by. Enjoy your day!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA

Anonymous said...

Hi Diana,

You know, it just occurred to me, my cousin is a dentist in Guam. Wouldn't that be funny if you'd met him at some point? He's been there for ages.

You've led an exciting life!

Diana Cosby said...

Cindy Procter-King said...

Hi Diana,

You know, it just occurred to me, my cousin is a dentist in Guam. Wouldn't that be funny if you'd met him at some point? He's been there for ages.

~It would be, but I doubt we did meet. The only dentists I saw in Guam were military ones. :) We might have met in town or something and never realized it.

You've led an exciting life!

~It's been interesting for sure. Hope you're staying warm up north, and hope sales of Borrowing Alex are going great! Enjoy your day!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA

Diana Cosby said...

Danny and everyone at Love Romances & More, a huge thanks for having me back. I sincerely enjoy my time here. Also, Danny, thank you for the fabulous 4 1/2 star review!

I'd also like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took time from their busy day to stop by. I'll check back over the next few days incase someone posts. Please take care and I wish you a fabulous 2009!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA

Maggie Toussaint said...

Hello to one of my favorite romantic suspense authors!

Great post.

Maggie
www.maggietoussaint.com

Diana Cosby said...

Maggie Toussaint said...

Hello to one of my favorite romantic suspense authors!

~*Hey, how's the fantastic mystery writer doing! ^5 Thank you so much for dropping by. *Hugs* Hope you have a fabulous day!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com
His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
His Woman/Duncan MacGruder - 4 star Romantic Times review
Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder - Date TBA
Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder - Date TBA