By Deb

Back when I was a newbie writer searching for clues to the secret of perfect plots, I realized that every contemporary mystery I read had some kind of romance in it. Even if it was just a hint. Even if the person-of-interest wasn't interested at the moment. Eventually, sparks would fly.

That wasn't always true. Sherlock Holmes kept his distance (although Watson fell in love and married). Poirot and Marple kept their minds on crime.

So I'm wondering how important the romantic angle is to u...