Whodunit by Pat Simmons

I'm a romance author. I've been writing Christian romance novels for more than 15 years. I’ve never considered another genre------until COVID-19.

For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, they’re a stickler for the formula, which is mainly a body and clues. The shelter-in-place has increase my husband and my craving for whodunits. Kerry asked why I don't write cozy mysteries. 

Easier said than done. "I don't know the formula," but out of curiosity, I checked out the definition on Google: "A whodunit story is a complex, plot-driven variety of the detective story in which the puzzle regarding who committed the crime is the focus."

Aren’t my romances complex plot-driven without a puzzle? I concede. The movies seemed to have at least ten suspects—okay, maybe just five, who all have motives, the means, and the opportunity to knock off the victim before the first commercial break.

What I've learned about cozy mysteries is the main character, usually a woman, is an amateur sleuth and it takes a village to solve the mystery. Plus, tons of misleading clues.

Romance novels must have unforgettable strong, but flawed characters who often clash more than once. They fall in love and the stage is set for a black hole moment or breakup. With the aid of their best friends, they reconcile their differences to somehow guarantee a happy ending, so I can enjoy a good night’s rest, and don't forget about the unforgettable first kiss.

Yeah, I think I'll stick to creating romances and leave the mysteries to Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden and Nancy Grace's Hailey Dean.

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author with more than thirty-five titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country. Pat has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Get a jumpstart on your holiday reading by pre-ordering CHRISTMAS DINNER--Never know who's going to show up.

For months, Darcelle Price has suffered depression in silence. But things are about to change as she plans to celebrate Christmas Eve with family and share her journey. Darcelle invites them via group text, not knowing she had included her ex. Evanston Giles is surprised to hear from the woman he loved after months following their breakup. Seeking closure, he shows up on her doorsteps for answers. A lot can happen on Christmas Eve. Restoring family ties, building her faith in God, and falling in love again are just the beginning of the night of miracles.

Visit her at www.patsimmons.net and get a free download when you sign up to receive her monthly newsletter. While you're here, why not subscribe to Sweet Romance Reads' quarterly newsletters.