Hello Readers,
What is a trope?
A trope is a common or recurring narrative theme or element.
There is a laundry list of tropes seen within the romance genre. My forthcoming novel, Uncovering Lily, has several within the narrative, they include the alpha hero, the virgin, the millionaire, and the protector. To some extent, the tropes of stranded and mistaken identity also come into play.
Aside from the hero, Xavier Finch, being an alpha hero, the tropes in this story differ from my previous novels. Uncovering Lily is both darker and sexier. (I can't wait to finally share it with you!)
Alpha Hero: the hero is both assertive and driven, controlling the world around him.
Virgin: one of the characters, usually the heroine, has never had a sexual relationship.
Millionaire: one of the characters, usually the hero, can afford anything their heart desires. Excerpt for the love of the heroine, which has to be earned!
Protector: one character, usually the hero, is determined to protect the other from harm.
Mistaken Identity: one of the characters are assumed to be someone they are not, and they don't correct the assumption.
Stranded: the couple is stranded together and their relationship develops from the experience.
Why is knowing a novel's tropes important? We are usually familiar with them, even subconsciously, and so knowing a novel's tropes gives us clues as to the narrative prior to reading.
The blurb or synopsis usually hints at the tropes found within:
A Kidnapped College Student
While studying abroad, I was drugged, kidnapped, and imprisoned . . . in a Hong Kong brothel. After several failed attempts to escape, I know my time is running out. My innocence is about to be sold to the highest bidder.
A Billionaire CEO
My plan was to meet an investor at the upscale brothel, and immediately return to Boston. That was until I uncovered Lily. I recognized her instantly, but she had no memory of me.
Now I only have one night to claim her and rescue her from her captors.
Will one night be enough for him to win her trust, to rescue her?
