Suzanne Macpherson’s new novel, “Talk of the Town,” may spark the sort of conversation the title implies.

The romantic comedy makes use of Bainbridge settings – and personalities – to animate Macphersons’s zingy tale of her heroine’s ups and downs.

“Islanders are going to recognize a lot in this book,” said Macpherson, who has lived 45 years on Bainbridge. “‘Talk of the Town’ has a real touch of old Bainbridge in it. The stores are patterned after the early 1960s stores, and there’s an ice cream parlor I used to go to called Van Deckers in there. There’s Esther’s Fabrics, Yeackel’s Shoes. It’s fun.”

Macpherson had never read a romance novel when she began to write her first.

Schooled in the classics, she was an award-winning poet married to another poet.

But Macpherson found the active Romance Writers of America group in Kitsap, and was pulled into the highly structured and hierarchical world of the romance novelist.

She learned through conferences and workshops, and with a small “critique group.”

“It’s like this underworld no one knows about,” Macpherson said. “They have everything organized. It’s like going to college.

“I owe much to my two critique partners, who have no mercy when editing my work.”

Like most romance writers, Macpherson began by writing formulaic “category” books like those in the Harlequin imprint.

“I gave it a try,” she said, “and they told me I didn’t have a ‘category voice.’”

Macpherson’s voice was already quirky and individual – qualities that still define her writing. “Talk of the town” opens with protagonist Kelly Atwood – clad in her wedding dress – standing over the drug-dealing fiancee she has knocked out cold with a left hook.

She found her niche writing romantic comedy “single title” fiction for Avon Harper Collins.

Single-title stories are considered a step up the stylistic ladder from “category,” with more depth.

And while category works are given just one month on the shelves to sell, single-titles stay put until sold.

But the small advance she receives from the publisher must be paid back from royalties.

“You don’t get rich for a long, long time,” Macpherson said. “After six or seven books you begin to make money.”

If she persists, and if her books continue to do well, Macpherson will be elevated to hardback, the “top of the line” for romance writers.

Several local authors have attained the high rung, including Kristin Hannah, Jill Barnett, Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs.

“These are very highly honored authors,” Macpherson said, “the top New York Times best-selling authors.”

At that level, the distinction between mainstream women’s books and romance blurs.

“Even at this level, the only difference between me and mainstream fiction,” Macpherson said, “is that with me you’re guaranteed a happy ending.”

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Bainbridge author Suzanne Macpherson holds a benefit book-signing of her new novel “Talk of the Town” from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 10 at Bainbridge Island Safeway. Part of the proceeds benefits domestic violence intervention programs.

Call 842-2799, email suzmac@bigfoot.com or see www.suzmac.com for information.