Red Roses & Black Dahlias

The tension between the romantic and suspense aspects kept me on edge, but I wonder if one was always meant to take precedence or if they evolved together during writing.

Being trapped together in such a tense environment made the feelings feel so immediate. I'm curious if this was inspired by personal experiences or just a storytelling choice.

These symbols felt so charged and meaningful, but I wonder what the author was drawing from—personal symbolism, cultural references, or something else entirely?