My novel series is called:
Kenora & Jake: Investigations, Mystery and Seasoned Romance. Seasoned romance is a sub-genre of standard romance, except that in this case, it's mature couples (m/m, f/f, m/f) who are the protagonists lead characters in a story.
There's a quiet revolution happening in fiction. It has nothing to do with dystopias, billionaires or supernatural creatures. It's the growing appetite for stories featuring characters older than thirty-five.
Early in my novel-writing career, when I was seeking an agent, I spoke with one who suggested I'd get more traction with a younger protagonist (around twenty -five years old) who was edgy and more urban. I spent a year trying to rewrite the original manuscript but I couldn't do it. I was then in my mid-fifties and honestly, couldn't remember much about being half my age. So I went back to the drawing board and started rewriting my novel with characters--Kenora and Jake--who are over forty. In Book 1 of the series, Jake was over fifty.
Maturity has become fertile ground for storylines. There are many books, television series and movies featuring mature and even senior characters travelling the world, social crimes and establishing new relationships.
Here's a snippet from Chapter 40 of
Kenora Reinvented:
Some 'thing' shimmered through the three feet of granite and dimly lit air separating us. He leaned against the refrigerator door and folded his arms.
"As you noted, I haven't had much luck with women."
"There aren't many of us like your ex-wife and Margie, you know."
"My left brain knows that but I don't want to mess up again."
"Who does? It hurts like hell." I snorted. "Been there, done that, cried me a river. You said you've learned from past experiences. Could be time for things to change."
"A guy my age has baggage."
"Some folks have hatboxes; some have hockey bags. I've got scars too, Jake."
"Haven't we all?"
Characters who carry real history like complicated relationships, professional setbacks, reinventions, losses and wins, bring a layered density to fiction that younger protagonists simply haven't had time to accumulate. In other words, they 'know stuff' and have learned difficult lessons over decades of life.
When I created Kenora Tedesco, I wanted a woman who had lived fully and was still very much in motion. Her past isn't backstory filler. It's the engine of every plot decision she makes. At age 42, her mother dies suddenly and she's thrown into deep grief. That grief is a theme throughout the first two books. It's what leads her to reassess her life in ways she couldn't have imagined five years before.
If you're a writer, consider moving your protagonist's age up by a decade or two. You'll find the story opens up in ways you didn't anticipate. Readers who are tired of being invisible on the page will find you — and they will be grateful to see themselves well represented in your writing. Be aware though, that not every older person is wise or kind. Don't fall into that trap. Include the good, the bad and the ugly elements of human personalities. Keep your characters authentic!
Kenora Reinvented is a fast-paced, emotionally resonant novel about reinvention, resilience, and second-chance romance. Perfect for readers who love character-driven mystery, snappy dialogue, and stories that blend crime, wit, and heart.
Get your copy at Amazon, Chapters Indigo, Kobo and other online retailers.
