Shannon here: Karin Beery shares how she ramps up the romance in her books, plus a chance to win her latest Contemporary Romance, Finally Forever. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. For US – winner’s choice of print or digital. Non US digital only. Deadline: April 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Karin:
Romancing the Writing: Kissing Scenes
I love, love, love reading the first kiss in a romance novel. After chapters of dancing around each other, moving in and out each other’s personal space, the boy and girl finally come together for the physical expression of their changing emotions.
Reading the first kiss is easy. Writing it takes a little more thought. As a writer of inspirational and sweet romance, the first kiss must include two key components: the physical and emotional reactions.
The physical part of a kiss is obvious. Lips meet lips. There’s more to a kiss than that, though.
- Are they standing or sitting?
- Is it fast or slow?
- Urgent or relaxed?
- Planned or a surprise?
Often, inspirational and sweet authors will also describe a hand—is it cupping a cheek, stroking hair, or squeezing a side? Beyond that, however, the reader gets to imagine the rest. But the author’s job is only half done. Now it’s time to focus on the emotional reaction.
A kiss is more than a physical act; it’s the physical expression of a changing relationship, so it’s the perfect time to show those changes and how they impact the characters.
Say the boy is anxious about relationships because his fiancé left him at the altar. His first kiss might be the balm soothing his wounded heart or the crowbar widening the gash. If the girl has never been kissed before, she could lose herself in the sanctity of the moment or obsess over the boy’s stubble, wondering if all kisses feel like sandpaper.
A first kiss can reveal so many things about characters that I hate to waste the opportunity by focusing only on the physical side. While I don’t want to give away this special moment in my newest release, the second kiss is as memorable.
In Finally Forever, Ben and Caroline share their first kiss at the beginning of their first date. Below, I used the second kiss to show the reader more about Ben’s personality.
Excerpt from Finally Forever by Karin Beery:
Ben wrapped his arms around Caroline and pulled her close until she rested her head on his shoulder. The gentle puffs of her breath warmed his skin. He could have stayed like that for hours. Instead, he loosened his grip and stepped back a step. “I suppose this is when I should kiss you good night.”
She smiled. “I suppose so.”
“And tell you that I’ll call you later.”
“That sounds about right.”
“But then this would be like any other date.”
Caroline shrugged. “I guess it’s pretty standard.”
Ben took another step back. “You don’t get to be a professionally recruited football player by settling for standard.” One more step back.
Caroline crossed her arms. “That’s it?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sure … okay.” She pressed her lips together and pulled her keys out of her purse.
Perfect. “Caroline?”
“Yeah?”
He smiled at her. “I’ll bet you spend the rest of the night thinking about me.”
“That’s presumptuous.”
“Maybe, but now aren’t you curious to know what that goodnight kiss would have been like?”
She gaped.
He winked. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Question for Readers: Do you have a favorite first kiss scene? Let me know!
About Karin: Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord. Learn more & connect:
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About the Book – Finally Forever:
Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a full-time director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.”
It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.
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Come Back March 29th for Amy R. Anguish!
no
No, I don’t have a favorite kiss scene.
I do 🙂
“He felt the heat all the way to his toenails. The feeling of rightness, of the perfect dovetailing of souls, swelled around, filling the night with a peace that soothed all his fear about the direction of his relationship with this woman. The only thing left was the easy blending of spirits as he stood on his porch and kissed the woman he would love forever.” An Amish Sanctuary by Jessie Gussman
I have a winner! Mark Buzard won the drawing. I appreciate Karin for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.