One never stops to think what underlies romance. Tragedy and terror, transmuted by time. Add a little art in the telling and voilá! a stirring romance, to make the blood run fast and maidens sigh.
Diana Gabaldon in Outlander.
I really like the poetry of this, although I’m questioning the truth of it. Do time, tragedy and terror told artfully equal romance? What do you think?
Shawn L. Bird 
No. Romance is tension, titillation, and truth.
definitely terror…and like that gal said: titillation. 🙂
You’d love Diana’s books. They’re at every used book store or library. They’re full of terror (or at least tension) and titillation. Start with Outlander.