Welcome to this week’s Romance Thursdays interview with Helen Hardt. If you missed last weeks interview with Hallie Alexandra, please do check it out. It was fantastic talking with a debut historical romance author. 

Romance Thursdays is a feature that spotlights romance authors to highlight how amazing the romance writing community is. Each week I’m will be interviewing a different romance author from across subgenres as well as both traditionally and self-published. I want to share their experience writing romance and why they love it so much. While also focusing on their writing and books. 

I’m so excited about this weeks interview because it’s none other than Helen Hardt. Hardt is a #1 New York Times best-selling author has published across genres from contemporary to paranormal romance. She is the author of multiple series including; the Steel Brothers Saga, Blood Bond Saga and The Temptation Saga. Her newest novel, Follow Me Darkly was published in September this year. Now let’s get into the interview. 

Hi Helen, and welcome to Angel Reads. For those who haven’t read anything by you yet, tell us a little about yourself and your books?

Hi, and thank you for having me! I’ve been published since 2008, but I didn’t hit a list until 2016. All of my published fiction is romance. I have one non-fiction book out as well.

Why did you start writing romance novels? Is there anything in particular that drew you to it over other genres?

Back in 2006, I decided to get serious about my writing. I was working on a young adult fantasy, but then I picked up a Nora Roberts book for a plane ride. I read a ton of romance when I was younger. But at that time I hadn’t read any in about ten years. I was hooked all over again, and I decided romance was what I was meant to write.

You write a range of romances, including writing across sub-genres in romance. Why do you like writing a range of different romances?

Yes, I’ve written historical, paranormal, and mostly contemporary. I love all romance genres, but my contemporary is the most popular with readers, so I stick with that sub-genre for the most part. I love writing across genres because it gives me a lot more creative latitude as a writer. In the end, though, I want to give my readers what they’re clamouring for, so I stick mostly to contemporary.

What is your favourite thing about romance as a genre? Why do you like reading and writing it?  

It’s an escape. You’re eventually guaranteed a happy ending with romance. These days, I think everyone is looking for an escape into the pages of a good book!

Most of your series span across several books. Why do you prefer to write longer series? Do they always start that way or do they become longer as you writing each book?

I love writing series because I get to know the characters better with each book. Sometimes ancillary characters become so big that I have to give them their own books. In addition, readers love series. They appreciate getting to know the characters better as well, and they love learning what they’re up to in subsequent books.

 

What are some of your favourite tropes that you like reading and writing in the romance genre?

As any of my readers will tell you, I’m a huge fan of the tortured Alpha hero. Almost all of my heroes fall into this category. As for heroines, I like them strong and full of spunk. One trope I love is fated mates, and I’m not just talking about paranormal. Almost all my books use this trope. Call it insta-love or love at first sight. It’s the same thing.

 Who are some of your favourite romance authors? Who inspired you to write?

Some of my fangirl-moment-inducing authors are Diana Gabaldon, Nora Roberts, Sylvia Day, and Lisa Kleypas. But no other author inspired me to write. That was my father, and I wrote my first story at age six. 

What are some of the ways that you think we can start overcoming the stigma of romance novels? 

I guess I look at this a different way. Romance is the bestselling genre of fiction in the US. Yes, some people look down on romance. So what? It makes people happy. I’m proud of what I do. I’ve had readers tell me that my books got them back into reading. One reader even told me that one of my books saved her life. That’s pretty powerful.

 

Thank you so much for coming by Angel Reads. It was lovely having you here. And I can’t wait to read more of your books!

Thank you! I enjoyed being here. Please check out my brand new series beginning with Follow Me Darkly which was published September 29!

About the Author 

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers. 

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