The Love Triangle: Decadent and Apparently Deadly
I recently set up a Google Alert with the phrase “love triangle.” Love triangles are a popular theme in romance novels. Usually with a heroine faced with choosing between two men. If you’re reading erotica it could be more, but you get my point. I’m a big fan of romantic love triangles and tend to include them in my writing. I figured the Google Alert would give me some interesting articles like: how to tell if he really loves me, when to go with your heart, or similar advice along those lines.
That’s not what I got. Instead, my Google Alerts are full of death and mayhem. Here are some of the headlines: “Neighbors, family allege love triangle in fatal deputy shooting”, “Love triangle turns into driving rampage”, “Reno men found guilty of 1st degree murder in love triangle beating death”, and the worst “Caught in the middle 9-year-old burnt in alleged love triangle”.
Needless to say the results were unexpected and disturbing. What I thought would give me great info on choices about love, turned into the research materials for a suspense filled murder mystery. If love triangles are so deadly in real life, why is this situation such a favorite in romance novels (mine included)?
Oh, you want an answer. Sorry no time for that type of market research, but I can tell you why I like love triangles in romance. It’s exciting and it adds an extra layer of tension. The idea of a heroine with not one, but two, smart, handsome and successful men vying for her attention gives me a girl power moment. And even if one of the men in the triangle is clearly a villain, I like the anticipation of discovering will the heroine figure out he’s a douche bag in time.
So, despite the real life ugliness of love triangles, keep them coming in my romance novels. At least there I get a happily ever after. Do you like love triangles in romance?
Biography:
Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after. It wasn’t until 2010 that she began to actively pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Her first novel, You Can’t Plan Love—which includes a steamy love triangle—was published by Crimson Romance in August 2012. When she isn’t writing, this Green Queen, as dubbed by the State Newspaper, works to improve air and water quality, while balancing the needs of her husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia, and her novel, by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.
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