This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.

Let’s clear something up right away. If you write romantic suspense, your search history is unhinged.

Explosives.
Surveillance.
Weapons.
Fire behavior.
Security protocols.
“How long until someone loses consciousness?”

All perfectly reasonable questions.
In fiction.

So how do I research dangerous scenarios realistically without knocking on doors I don’t want opened or raising eyebrows I’d rather keep lowered?

Carefully. Intentionally. And with a lot of creative workarounds.

First Rule: I Never Research Like I’m Planning Something

This might sound obvious, but it matters.

I don’t search for how to build or how to execute. I research effects, consequences, and limitations.

Instead of:

• “How to make an explosion”
  I look for:

• “What damage would an explosion cause in an enclosed space?”

Instead of:

• “How to evade law enforcement”
  I search:

• “Common mistakes criminals make during investigations”

The difference is subtle, but crucial. I’m interested in what happens, not how to do it.

I Focus on Aftermath, Not Instruction

Danger in fiction isn’t about mechanics. It’s about impact.

How does the body react?
What does chaos sound like?
How fast does panic spread?
What goes wrong?

I spend far more time researching:

• Medical responses

• Psychological stress

• Environmental effects

• Emergency timelines

Those details make scenes feel real without crossing into instructional territory.

And they’re often more compelling than step-by-step accuracy anyway.

Experts Over Search Engines

When possible, I rely on credible sources, not random corners of the internet.

That includes:

• Documentaries

• Interviews with first responders

• Nonfiction books written by professionals

• Public safety reports

• Training manuals that are already publicly available

The goal isn’t secrecy. It’s realism.

Professionals talk a lot about what doesn’t work, what fails under pressure, and what Hollywood gets wrong. That insight is gold for romantic suspense.

I Layer Fiction Over Fact

Here’s the truth most readers don’t realize:

Romantic suspense doesn’t need perfect technical accuracy.
It needs emotional authenticity.

I take the real-world framework and layer it with:

• Heightened stakes

• Compressed timelines

• Focused points of view

The danger feels real because the characters react like real people would. Fear, hesitation, stubborn bravery, bad decisions made under pressure.

That’s what sticks with readers.

Yes, I’m Aware of My Browser History

I use:

• Incognito mode

• Very specific phrasing

• A healthy sense of humor about it

If someone ever did scroll through my search history, they’d find a very confused blend of:

• Writing playlists

• Coffee recommendations

• Plot research

• And emotional devastation disguised as romance

Honestly? That feels on brand.

The Secret Ingredient: Responsibility

At the end of the day, I’m not interested in glorifying violence or turning danger into spectacle.

I write stories where:

• Actions have consequences

• Danger changes people

• Survival isn’t guaranteed

• And love matters more because of the risk

That means researching responsibly, writing intentionally, and always remembering why the danger exists in the first place.

It’s not about explosions or threats.

It’s about what people are willing to risk for each other.

And that?

That’s always worth researching.

Thanks for joining me on Ink & Intrigue, where romance and suspense go hand in hand.

If you enjoyed today’s post, don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated.

Want more behind-the-scenes content, writing tips, or a peek into my books? Visit sheilakell.com or follow me on social media at @sheilakellbooks.

Until next time—keep writing, keep swooning, and remember: every heart has a secret.