I’ve come to a rather amusing realisation.

Apparently, no matter how many romance novels I write, or how different my leading gentlemen are supposed to be, I seem to have a type.

Dark hair. Beautifully tailored suits. A slightly brooding expression. And the sort of gentleman who looks as though he has just stepped off a train in 1935.

Sound familiar?

And then there’s Henry.

For reasons I cannot entirely explain, the name Henry keeps finding its way into my stories. Different books, different characters, but somehow Henry always seems to make an appearance.

I’m beginning to think my imagination is trying to tell me something.

So, naturally, I’ve decided the only sensible thing to do is wait for Henry to find me. Preferably in a three-piece suit, carrying a leather suitcase, and looking rather dashing. I don’t think that’s asking too much, do you? 😂

Of course, the wonderful thing about writing romance is that every hero has his own personality, his own flaws, and his own way of falling in love. Some are charming, some are stubborn, and some take an extraordinarily long time to realise what’s right in front of them.

But perhaps a little piece of our ideal romantic hero finds its way into every story we tell.

Which brings me to a question.

To my fellow authors: Do you find yourself returning to a particular type of leading man, even when you set out to write someone completely different?

And to my lovely readers: When you open a romance novel, do you picture the hero exactly as the author describes him? Or do you have your own rather wonderful imaginary gentleman who makes an appearance regardless?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until then, I’ll be keeping an eye out for Henry.

Preferably at a railway station.

With love,

Eleanor x