Against the Storm

The blend of romance and suspense worked really well, but I wonder what led to the decision to focus equally on both. Did the plot evolve to require this balance?

The characters' emotional stakes felt heightened by the secrets they were hiding. How did the author create such a layered sense of suspense and intimacy?

The environment felt so vivid and immersive, making the stakes feel even more real. I'm curious whether the setting was based on a real place or created entirely from imagination.