'Spirits and Black Leather' author talks romance

It's hard to deny the appeal of a sultry romance novel. Whether it's Harlequin westerns, with their love-on-the-prairie sagas ("Gunslinger's Bride," "The Last Honest Outlaw") or Jean M. Auel's prehistoric "Clan of the Cave Bear" Series (technically not a romance, but with enough sex scenes between mammoth hunts to qualify), there's a romance story to fit every taste.

Now, local author Marian Hersrud has something to satisfy the Harleyriding, leather-wearing readership in her book, "Spirits and Black Leather." I spoke with Mrs. Hersrud from her winter home in Naples about writing romance, closing the door on sex scenes, and the high price of leather.

SD: Give me a rundown on your book, "Spirits and Black Leather."

MH: It's a sequel, actually. The first was called "Sweet Thunder," which is the name of the town where the big motorcycle rally takes place every year. Really, it's talking about Sturgis, S.D.

SD: Does it have sex scenes? MH: Oh, of course. SD: How many?

MH: Two or three.

SD: Tell me about writing romance.

MH: It's difficult. There's a fine line between pornography and romance. The writer walks a tightrope. If you're too graphic, it spoils the imagination of the reader. I used a book called, "How to Write Sex."

SD: What were some of the tips?

MH: Be subtle. Close the bedroom door. I have a lot of scenes that end with, "He took her hand and led her into the bedroom."

SD: (Disappointed) And the door closes?

MH: That's right.

SD: Tell me about what makes a great romantic hero?

MH: He's good looking; he has a mysterious past, a secret of some kind. He has a charisma that attracts women, but he may not really know that he has it. He has a special feature that might be an impediment of some kind (Joaquin Phoenix, anyone?), something that sets him off so that the heroine notices him.

SD: Who's a real person who fits that description?

MH: (Laughs) It's all in my head. Although, when I was in high school, I was in love with the captain of the football team. Some of that might be him.

SD: How about a romantic heroine?

MH: She's sporty and a daredevil. She's got to be above the norm, with some mystique that draws you to her.

SD: What can romance stories teach us about love?

MH: That there are many different kinds of love. You're going to find it in strange, unusual places where you least expect it.

SD: How are things different in today's dating world than they were 50 years ago?

MH: People are more open now. Premarital sex didn't exist when I was dating — you just didn't do it. I don't think that's all bad.

SD: What advice would you give people looking for love now?

MH: I think mutual interests are the thing that leads to an attraction. If you like to go to the symphony, look for people at symphonies. Go to classes that specialize in music appreciation, to bars that have good music — not hard acid rock, but good music. If you're churchy, go to a church and pick up some people.

SD: Have you ever worn leather?

MH: Not very much. I was going to get a leather vest, but I decided it was too hot. And it's so expensive.

(Indeed. Even without the leather, Mrs. Hersrud can still rev engines.)

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